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'J\\t (anadian ilorticolrorist

JANUARY, 1904

Volume XXVII

Number 1

THE FULLER QUINCE

AMONG several varieties of quinces
fruited at Maplehurst in 1903, was
the Fuller, a sample of which we
had photographed for use as a frontispiece
to this number.

The variety is named after Mr. A. S. Ful-
ler, of Ridgewood, N. J., who noticed it
fruiting on a neighbor's grounds in about
the year 1870, took some cuttings and intro-
duced it to public notice. It may be de-
scribed as follows :

Tree: a good grower and showy both
in fruit and flower.

Fruits Large, 3^x4 inches ; distinctly
pyriform in shape, sometimes with an elon-
gated neck, somewhat ribbed.

Color : A rich yellow ; calyx set in a
deep wide basin.

Flesh : Tender in texture ; flavor good.

Season : . Last of September.

Value : Market, good ; home uses, good.

QUINCE CULTURE.

Quince culture is not so profitable of late
years as formerly. Thirty A'^ars ago the
writer had orange quinces sold in Toronto at
$6.00 a barrel, and these prices soon gave
such encouragement to the planting of
quince orchards, both in Ontario and in
New York state, that the markets were soon

overstocked, and the price came down to $2
and $3 a barrel. This season the demand
was a little better, and no doubt in future it
may pay fruit growers to cultivate this
fruit on a moderate scale.

In planting quinces for profit care must be
taken to secure the Orange or one of its sub-
varieties, such as Fuller, Meech's Prolific or
Champion. These are all satisfactory, both
as to beauty of fruit and productiveness of
tree. The Angers, or common quince, is
useful as stock on which to dwarf the pear
tree, but the fruit is small and unsalable, and
the tree often unproductive.

The propagation of the quince is very
simple, and if one has a few trees the num-
ber may easily be increased, either by en-
couraging the growth of suckers or by cut-
tings, which take root very re.adily.

The quince orchard should be planted or
good rich soil, not too dry. If the land will
produce 100 bushels of potatoes to the acre,
or 50 bushels of corn, it will do for quinces :
otherwise the best results need not be ex-
pected. Pruning must not be neglected or
the heads will become a tangled mass, and
the crop will be most disappointing; but.
generally speaking, no fruit tree receives less
attention in regard to the details of cultiva-
tion and pruning than the Quince. Fig.

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

tion ceased after a few years, and a more
disreputable plot could not be imagined. It
is better to plant quince at least 12 feet apart
each way, and then give them first-class cul-
tivation, going two ways with disk and an
Acme harrow. A plow should not be used in
a quince or in a dwarf pear orchard, because
the quince roots are surface feeders, and if
cut closely the trees will be stunted in
growth and perhaps be blown over with the
first heavy wind storm.

Fig 2711. Quince Tree, Unprunei-.

271 1 shows a quince tree as it is usually per-
mitted to grow, without much pruning :
while Fig. 2712 shows the same tree pruned
out as it should be sometime before spring
growth begins.

A mistake is often made in planting
quince trees too close together. One or-
chard we have visited was set about ten feet
apart each way, and in consequence cultiva-

Fig. 2712. Quince Tree, Pruned.

THE GARDEN

(From Country Life in America.)

Have you thought how, cheerily, day to day.

The thankless air perfuming.
The' often stripped of its blossoms gay

The garden keeps on blooming ?
How never it stops when its choicest rose

From its very heart is ravish'd,
But richer and fuller its buds unclose,

Ana its incense sweet is lavish'd.

%&.xt0xml '^oUs nuB. Comments

A Happy and Prosperous New Year to
all the readers of the Canadian Horticultur-
ist.

* * *

A CONTENTED MIND may conduce to hap-
piness, but both enterprise and industry are
essential to prosperity.

* * *

Cold Storage of some kind is almost a ne-
cessity both on the farm and in the orchard,
and no enterprising farmer or fruit grower
will neglect to provide this convenience if he
can at all afford the expense.

* * *

Ice should be cut and stored early in the
winter when at its best. Only ice from pure
water should be stored for house uses ; but
for producing cold air of course this point is
less important.

* * *

An ice house may be built of old lumber
and at a trifling cost, according to directions
given elsewhere in this number.

* * *

Pruning of the apple, pear and plum
trees may be done in mild days through the
winter, and is labor well applied. The fruit
grower is too busy in spring to give the work
the time needed to make a good job.

* * *

Avoid large cuts in pruning the apple if
possible, and then thin out the young wood
from the outside instead of beginning at the
trunk.

packages eor next season.

WINTER is a good season for laying
in baskets, barrels, boxes, etc., for
next season's crop. Boxes can often be
purchased in knock down shape at a low

rate, and carried for very little freight in.
car lots ; the nailing up can be quickly done
in a shop or cellar during the winter if a
form is provided for holding the ends up-
right.

winter treatment OE PEAR BLIGHT.

EVERY pear grower should be on the
alert against this terrible destroyer
of his finest trees, and now is the time to
prevent its ravages. The blight does not
spread in winter, but the tiny organisms
which cause this fatal disease lie dormant
but alive in the blighted branches until
spring. Then, as soon as the sap begins to
move, these bacilli become active and find
their way to the exterior of the infected
branches either through the exuding sap, or,
later, through the opening blossoms and
are carried to other trees by wind or bees.

Clearly then the only safe thing to do is
carefully to cut off in winter every branch
which shows indications of the presence of
blight.

BITTER ROT AND APPLE CANKER.

THE Bitter Rot, which a short time ago
was unknown in Ontario, has now
become widely spread among our apple or-
chards, and every year the damage seems to
be greater than it was the previous year.
Fine apples, which show very faint
spots under the skin when harvested,
after being stored sometimes become pitted
as if attacked by smallpox and become
unsalable. Bui. 44, U. S. Plant Indus-
try, estimates the loss to the apple
crop of the United States in 1900 at
$10,000,000! It has been shown that this
fungus is related to the apple canker, the
spores of which will produce it. and vice
versa, the spores of the bitter rot will pro-

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

Fig. 2713. The Export of Cider Avples from Ontario to France in 1903.

The Burlington Wharf as it appeared previous to the arrival

OF the Steam Barge. The Boxes contained about six

bushels of -Apples each. Photo by G. E. Fisher.

duce cankers on the diseased branches. The
bitter rot attacks apples in July and August,
and is most destructive in moist hot sum-
mers.

The remedy proposed is the cutting out of
the canker-like areas wherever and when-
ever discovered ; and a frequent spraying
with Bordeaux until the fruit is nearly ripe.

the; right temperature; for storing fruit

'^ I ^ HERE is such a difference of opinion

1 among growers, shippers, steamship
men and our consignees as to the proper
temperature at which fruit ought to be
stored, that it is no wonder we still have
trouble in shipping tender fruits to Europe.
Given a steady temperature from shipping
point to consignee of 33 deg. Fahr., and we
could ship even our peaches with confidence.
Experiments conducted by Prof. Hutt at
Guelph, and by Mr. Alex. McNeill at Otta-
wa, go to prove that the lower the tempera-
ture, to the point of safety, in. the storage of
fruit, the greater are its life processes re-
tarded.

STORAGE OF PEARS AT 32 DEG. FAHR.

POWELL, Dept. of Agriculture, Wash-
ington, has been making an extended
series of experiments with regard to the
best temperature at which to keep fruit. He
found Bartlett pears packed in boxes could
be kept six weeks in prime condition at a
temperature of 32 deg. Fahr., when stored
within 48 hours after picking. Indeed, at
this temperature they were found to keep in
prime condition four or five weeks longer
than when stored at 36 deg. F. KiefTers
stored at 32 deg. F. kept three moni-hs longer
at 32 deg than at 36 deg.

How does this sound in the ears of those
officials who have been claiming that 40 deg.
F. is a proper temperature at which to store
our tender fruits for a transatlantic voyage?

WRAPPING PEARS FOR EXPORT.

FOR the export of Bartletts and KieflFers
we are now fully convinced that
wrapping with paper is a necessity, if we
would have the best results. During the
p-'sf se-^snn we have put up thousands of

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

boxes of Barletts for export without wrap-
ping, because of the scarcity of labor, and
because we hoped their green and firm con
dition would make the expense unnecessary.
But we found that the chafing of pear against
pear and against the wood caused sHght
skin blemishes, which lowered their grade
from XXX to XX, and that, in this way,
alone, we lost more money than we saved in
wrappers. Powell's experiments showed the
same result, and he says in his report :

" The chief advantage derived from wrapping
Bartlett pears seems to be in the mechanical
protection to the fruit rather than its efficiency
in prolonging its season. "Wrapping is advised
for superior fruit designed for flrst-class
trade."

For Kieffers the wrapper seems still more
important than for Bartletts, because the
skin blackens with the slightest bruise and
decay sets in beneath it, ,so that this pear will
keep longer from decay if wrapped than if
packed without. Wrappers also serve a
good purpose in preserving the bright color
of the fruit, and in keeping it from wilting.
Altogether, therefore, we must make up our
minds that in future pears intended for ex-
port must be wrapped, even if it does in-
crease the cost of packing.

SODA-BORDEAUX.

I"* O make and apply the Bordeaux, as
commonly prepared, is very trouble-
some, and this mixture has been proved to
be equally efficient and without the objec-
tionable mechanical features of the former.
At the New Jersey Station it his been pre-
pared according to the following formula :
Soda (Lewis' Lye), i pound can; copper
sulphate, 3 lbs. ; lime, 5 ounces, and water,
30 gallons.

THE CODUNG MOTH.

SANDERSON (Del. Sta.) reports^good
results in lessening codling moth by
spraying with arsenites. He tried mix-
tures of varying strength and found no ad-
vantage in using more than i lb. to 200 gals,
of water. The best results were obtained

with Disparene. one application of which
gave 60 per cent, of benefit and two applica-
tions 87 per cent. Next came the ordinary
form, known as Paris green, which, with
two sprayings gave 60 per cent, of benefit ;
and last, arsenite of lime, which gave only
20 per cent.

SULPHUR FOR MII^DEW,

FOR the ordinary, or powdery, mildew
of the grape in Ontario, dusting with
flour of sulphur is the remedy usually em-
ployed by our grape growers. Sometimes,
however, the results seem unsatisfactory,
and it is often a problem to know the reason
of the failure. It may be that the sulphur
was not applied in sufficient quantity, or not
repeated often enough. Degrully (Exper.
Sta. Record, 92, p. 53) advises "3 treat-
ments, in which either 130 kilograms per
hectare of tritutated sulphur, or 90 kg. of
sublimated sulphur should be used. The-^e
figures are given as a maxima, which it
is not always necessary to attain." It may
be explained that a hectare is a measure of
area, containing nearly 2j/^ acres ; and that
a kilogram is a measure of weight equal to
nearly 2 J/4 pounds avoirdupois.

Fig. 2714. The Steamship en route for France
loading with apples for champagne pur-
poses at one of the burlington
Docks. Photo by G. E. Fisher.

OUR ANNUAL MEETING

Fig. 2715. W. H. Bunting, St. Catharines, Ont.

President of the Ontario Fruit Growers'

Association for 1904.

OWING in part to the urgent request of
the local horticultural society, and in
part to the influence of our experimenter.
Mr. W. W. Hillborn, and his brother Mr.
J. L. Hillborn, our director for Essex,
our annual meeting for 1903 was held
at Leamington, a town of about 3,000
inhabitants, situated in the County of
Essex, and within about a mile of Lake
Erie. Much of the land east is rather
too level for good drainage, and consequent-
ly'ill suited for fruit growing, but a short
distance west the ground is more elevated
and of a sandy loam, well adapted for peach
growing.

The attendance was excellent, and the
deepest interest manifest, but it was difficult

to secure good hotel accommodation and
the general feeling was in favor of some per-
manent meeting place in future in a city,,
where a suitable hall could be secured for
our meetings and first-class accommodation
for our guests. It was therefore resolved that
the meeting in 1904 be held in the city of
Toronto in conjunction with the annual
chrysanthemum show of the Toronto Horti-
cultural Society, which would greatly in-
crease the interest in the floricultural section
of our meetings and largely increase the
number of delegates from our horticultural
societies. An apple fair on a large scale
will be held at the next meeting, which, if
annual, will become a most important fea-
ture and a special attraction to apple grow-
ers. If, in extension of the idea, samples
of apples of XXX and Fancy XXX grades
could be shown representing stock held in
cold storage by growers, buyers might be
induced to come, and large winter sales of
fruit f. o. b. might be efifected.

the; officers for 1904.

THE following is the complete list of
officers for the new year, as Anally
adopted at Leamington:

President, W. H. Bunting, St. Catharines ;
Vice-President, Alexander McNeill, WalkerviUe;
Secretary, G. C. Creelman, Toronto ; Editor of
Canadian Horticulturist, L. Woolverton, Grims-
by. Directors — A. D. Harkness, Irena ; R. B.
Whyte, Ottawa ; Harold Jones, Maitland ; W.
H. Dempsey, Trenton ; Wm. Rickard, Newcas-
tle ; Elmer Lick, Oshawa; M. Pettit, Winona ;
E. Morris, Fonthill ; J. S. Scarff, Woodstock ; A.
E. Sherrington, Walkerton ; T. H. Race, Mitch-
ell ; J. L. Hillborn, Leamington ; G. C. Caston,
Craighurst.

Honorary : Prof. H. L. Hutt, O.A.C., Guelph;
W. T. Macoun, C.E.F., Ottawa ; A. M. Smith, St.
Catharines ; Thos. Beall, Lindsay.

Representatives on the Board of Control of the
Ontario Fruit Stations : Prof. H. L. Hutt, W.
T. Macoun and A. M. Smith.

OUR PRESIDENT.

AT the election of officers for 1904 it
was with general consent that our
worthy president, Mr. W. H. Bunting, of

OUR ANA UAL MEETING.

St. Catharines, was re-elected to serve a
second term. His self-denying faithful-
ness to his duties, both as president and as
ex officio member of various important com-
mittees, makes his services of the highest
value to the fruit growers of Ontario. Nc
one has done more solid work on our Trans-
portation Committee, and to him we are in-
debted for much of the detail which brought
about the appointment of a railway commis-
sion, with power to correct much of the in-
justice done the fruit grower by the railway
companies.

Mr. Bunting is a fruit grower of no ordi-
nary importance, having a farm in the town-
ship of Grantham, about one mile from
St. Catharines, of 140 acres in extent, of
which 85 are in fruit. In grapes he has at
least 9,000 vines, making nearly 30 acres of
vineyard; 5,000 peach trees, a part planted
15x18 and a part 18 x 20 ; 15 acres of apple
trees ; five acres of strawberries, and quite
large plantations of various other fruits. In
addition he is extensively engaged in mar-
ket gardening, vegetable growing and
mixed farming.

It is no wonder that such a man should
be a leading spirit in his own neighborhood,
and should be called upon to assist in all
movements for the betterment of fruit
growing and general agriculture. He has
been instrumental in the organization of the
Grantham Fruit Growers' Association and
of the St. Catharines Cold Storage and For-
warding Company, and for a number of
years held the position of president
of both these associations in an ac-
ceptable manner. No one could visit a
fruit growers' or farmers' meeting at the
Grantham public hall without seeing
traces of his enterprise on every side ; as for
example the splendid fruit growers' librarv
of some 3.000 volumes, which has recenth
become recognized as the Grantham public
library. Just now there is an agitation for
a special library hall, and no doubt with such
generous spirited leaders as Mr. Bunting

such a hall will soon be realized.

To Mr. Bunting's energy is also largelj
owing the existence of the Niagara Penin-
sula United Fruit Growers' Association,
which was organized in 1897, and which has
been of signal service in stirring up
energetic measures for checking the
spread of the San Jose scale, and which is
one of the most active and useful agricultu-
ral societies in the province.

He was appointed by the Provincial Gov-
ernment, in 1899, along with Dr. James
Mills, president of the O. A. C, Guelph, and
Mr. John Dearness, vice-principal of the
London Normal School, on the San Jose
Scale Commission, the work of which re-
sulted in directing attention to the best
methods of destroying this insect by
treatment of the trees. And in 1901,
wh'en a Provincial Superintendent of
Horticulture was needed for Ontario's
exhibit at the Pan-American, who could
have been appointed better qualified tc
gather excellent exhibits and dispose of
them to the best advantage than Mr. Bunt-
ing, whose signal service won for us the
greatest credit and placed us in the front
rank of the fruit producing countries of
North America.

Combined with his excellent business abil-
ity, and his untiring zeal in the public inter-
est, we find in Mr. Bunting that genuine
modesty which often accompanies the truest
merit. Often we have solicited him for his
photograph for these pages, and for some
notes of his life, but as often denied. " I
have no desire after publicity," he will re-
ply, " and hate above all things to be adver-
tised before the public." So it happens that
the photograph which we present our read-
ers of Mr. Bunting was obtained without his
consent, and so it is that these notes are sc
incomplete.

THE president's ANNUAL ADDRESS

Officers and Members of the Fruit Growers' As-
sociation of Ontario :
Ladies and Gentlemen : In presenting to you
a few thoughts in connection with the usual ar"

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIS7

dress by the presiding officer at tlie annual
meeting of tiie Fruit Growers' Association of
Ontario, I desire first of all to express my ap-
preciation of the honor conferred on me last
December in my election to this responsible
position, and to tender my hearty thanks to the
officers and directors, and more especially to our
energetic secretary-treasurer, for their hearty
co-operation with me in the affairs of the as-
sociation during the year.

In reviewing the course of events of the year
just closing, I am free to confess that it would
have been quite easy to have entrusted this of-
fice to hands far better qualified and more com-
petent than my own to discharge the duties
creditably and in a satisfactory manner. Hov/-
ever, as I was not responsible for the error in
judgment in the selection made, and am not con-
scious of any culpable neglect of duty, I can now
restore the trust without any vain regrets as to
wasted opportunities or a wilful disregard of the
interests of the Association.

I am very glad to state to you in a general
way what has been brought out more fully and
in greater detail by the secretary in his report,
that the year has been one of progress and ad-
vancement upon lines of work laid out by the
executive and directorate of the Association in
connection with the educational campaign car-
ried on throughout the various fruit growing
districts of the province.

I trust at this annual meeting some action of
importance with reference to the general policy
of the Association may be taken that will tend
to maintain our position in the front rank of the
agricultural interests of this magnificent heri-
tage of ours, the Province of Ontario.

In the years that have gone by it has been
customary in this address, at times, to indulge
in some reminiscences regarding the early
struggles and triumphs of the Association. We
are approaching the half century mark of our
existence as an association, and have passed the
quarter century mark in the history of our
magazine, and I believe that I am right in stat-
ing that there is only one gentleman that can
claim to have taken an active part in the or-
ganization of this Association away back in the
early sixties, who is with us to-night. I refer
to our respected friend and enthusiastic horti-
culturist. Honorary Director A. M. Smith.

While our Association has had its vicissitudes
and its struggles, its progress has been ever on-
ward and upward, and It has stood during all
these years for what ever was for the greatest
good of the fruitgrower, whether ^his acres be
many, or only the modest town Iot;'and through-
out our broad Dominion there is not a tiller of
the soil, there Is not an artisan or mechanic,
there is not a merchant or manufacturer, there
Is not a single individual, no matter what his
position In life, but to a greater or less extent
is under obligation to this Association for much
that adds to the beauty of his home surround-
ings and to the comfort and health of his family
life. The immense strides that have been made
in the beautifying of town and country places,
ani In the vast increase in the production of the

many and varied fruits throughout the country
are largely due to the earnest men and women
who have been connected with this Association,
and who have drawn inspiration from the an-
nual meetings held in the various parts of the
province from time to time, and who have gath-
ered knowledge from a perusal of the reports of
the addresses delivered at these meetings; from
the work of our experiments; and last, but not
least, from the columns of the Canadian Horti-
culturist, so ably conducted by our editor, Mr.
Linus Woolverton.

These facts are, however, known to most of
you, and it is quite unnecessary that I should
enlarge upon them at this time. Permit me,
however, to express the hope that we may not
rest on the laurels and traditions of the past,
but that, enthused by what has been accom-
plished by those who have guided our Associa-
tion so wisely and so well, we may be able v)
take higher vantage ground in the future and
make our influence felt not only in legislative
halls but also in the councils of the great trans-
portation companies, and, with the powerful
consolidations of capital that are absorbing so
many of the avenues for the disposition of the
products of our orchards and vineyards, in such
a way as will secure even-handed justice to each
and every member of this Association in his
business relations with the public.

It will not be out of place here, on behalf of
the Association, to tender to the Minister of
Agriculture our appreciation of the kindly in-
terest he and the officials of his department
have continually taken in every movement that
has had for Its object the advancement of horti-
culture In this province, and the substantial
manner In which that interest has been mani-
fested from year to year as circumstances have
warranted. We believe that we have in the
Hon. Mr. Dryden, a gentleman who is thorough-
ly in sympathy with the agriculture of the pri-
vince and is eminently well qualified for the
position which he so ably fills.

Gov. Odell, of the State of New York, ob-
served In his address at Niagara Falls before
the Farmers' National Congress a few weeks
ago, that government financial assistance to the
agricultural Interests of the country was not
paternalism, but tended to develop and encour-
age good citizenship In the broadest sense of the
term and was a proper and legitimate use of th?
public funds. Our Provincial Department of
Agriculture ha,s fully realized this principle in
the past, and it remains for us to provide proper
channels for development and progress and to
lay our plans before the department in a busi-
nesslike way, when I have no doubt our requests
for further financial aid will receive careful con-
sideration.

During the past year a new horticultural or-
ganization has been formed called the Canadian
League for Civic Improvement. While this is
a separate and distinct organization, arrange-
ments have been effected whereby our associa-
tion is represented on Its board of management;
the Canadian Horticulturist has been selected
as the official organ of the League, and a special

OUR ANNUAL MEETING.

department has been set aside for its use. Ws
will be glad to welcome their hon. field secre-
tary, Mr. G. R. Patullo, to this annual meeting,
and will no doubt listen with a great deal of
pleasure to his address on the aim and work of
the league.

The time has come in the history of the pro-
vince when a great deal more attention is being
paid to the improvement, and beautifying of our
home surroundings and the public places in our
towns and cities than heretofore, and in this
good work every member of our association is
called upon to take a part.

We have spent years in learning how to grow
good fruit and to produce plenty of it, in secur-
ing and disseminating the best and most profit-
able varieties of all kinds of fruit, and that we
have succeeded in so doing goes without saying.
Notwithstanding the many and varied obstacles
that have stood in the way, and the many un-
foreseen discouragements that have encom-
passed the path of the fruit grower, the past
season has again conclusively proven that we
are able to produce, under ordinary circumstan-
ces, an abundance of fruit for all the demands
of our broad Dominion

The question of production is not now one
that confronts us, but prompt and efficient dis-
tribution to the various parts of the Dominion
where needed, at a reasonable cost and in a
careful manner. To this problem our transpor-
tation committee in the past two or three years
has given considerable attention and thought.
The result of their efforts has been of consider-
able benefit to the large commercial grower, but
not so much to the smaller producer. It is
hoped however that, with the appointment of a
railway commission, a step that this association
has strongly urged for several years and
through its transportation committee forcibly
brought to the attention of the Government last
winter, that such representations may be made
to the commission as will lead to a very great
improvement in the carriage of fruit, both as to
rates charged and service rendered, and as will
result in Ontario fruits going in ever increasing
quantities to the important markets which are
opening up in Manitoba and the Northwest, as
well as to the more northerly parts of our own
province, to say nothing of the large and im-
portant export trade over the sea.

There is perhaps no question of such interest
to our readers to-day as the great problem of
distribution. How to organize and co-operate
to accomplish this object is a live and burning
question in the minds of hundreds of earnest
practical growers at the present time. When,
during the past season, thousands of baskets of
beautiful fruit have been left to hang and rot on
the trees from lack of proper facilities to place
them in the hands of those who would gladly
have purchased them at a fair price, and when
thousands of barrels of apples have also been
wasted or disposed of at a fraction of their real
value, for lack of suitable packages, while at the
same time a Macedonian cry was heard from the
Mother Country for all the fruit we could possi-
bly send her, it is certainly time for this Asso-

FiG. 2716. G. C. Creeiman, B S. A., Toronto

Ont., Secretary of the Ontario Fruit

Growers' Association.

elation to be up and doing and to endeavor in
some way to elaborate a plan whereby those un-
fortunate conditions may not continually occur.
I am glad to say that the germs of co-operation
have gained a foothold, and a good beginning
has been made in some sections. We have also
with us to-night a gentleman from our cousins
to the south who has had considerable experi-
ence in co-operative organization, and who will
no doubt be able to give us much valuable in-
formation in this ^respect.

A word or two with reference to general con-
ditions during the past year. We have cause
to congratulate ourselves that we have experi-
enced a year, when the promise of the spring
has been abundantly fulfilled in the harvest of
the summer months. All kinds of fruit have
been produced in abundance and of good quality,
and even our standard fruit, the apple, which
gave us such a production in 1902, has surprised
us with a generous supply again this year.
While prices have in some cases been very low,
and cost of handling and transporting corre-
spondingly high, still on the whole the average
grower has cause to express his gratitude to
Him who gives the early and latter rain and who
brings to perfection the beautiful products of
our orchards and gardens.

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

It has also been fully demonstrated again thi.-s
year that it is quite possible to cope, in a scien-
tific way, with the insects and fungus pests that
cause the fruit grower so much annoyance and
loss. Our members will do well to inform
themselves thoroughly on the best appliances
and the most up-to-date methods of dealing
with these troubles, and having gained the in-
formation attend diligently to putting it into
practice, a work for which they will be well re-
paid.

I thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for the
hearing you have given me, and I trust that oui'
meeting here in Leamington may not be with-
out its value to the residents of the town and
surrounding country, and also may result in
great good to fruit growers generally through-
out the province.

OUR SECRETARY.

A MAN, to be successful in public life,
must be tactful, obliging, good-natured,
and energetic. These attributes are pos-
•sessed in a large degree by Mr. G. C. Creel-
man, Secretary of the Ontario Fruit Grow-
ers' Association.

Mr.Creelman was born in the town of
Collingwood, Ontario, in May 9th, 1869.
His parents were both Nova Scotiars, his
mother being descended from Scotch ances-
try, while his father's forebears came from
the north of Ireland.

When he was nine years of age his par-
ents moved to a fruit farm in Collingwood
Township, in the county of Grey, and there
Mr. Creelman spent his youth. He at-
tended the country school until passing the
entrance to the high school. For two years
he attended the Collingwood Collegiate In-
stitute, and from there went to the Ontario
Agricultural College, where he took the de-
gree of B. S. A., in 1888, in the first class
that graduated from that institution.

Immediately after graduation Mr. Creel-
man was appointed Assistant Professor of
Biology in the State Agricultural and Me-
chanical College, of Mississippi, U. S. A.
Three years later he was promoted to a full
professorship, and he remained in that in-
stitution until he returned to Canada to take
up his present work.

During the summer vacations in his col-

lege work in Mississippi, Mr. Creelman took
special courses in botany and horticulture
at the Michigan Agricultural College, the
State University of Minnesota, and Cornell
University, New York. He was granted
the degree of Master of Science by the Mis-
sissippi Agricultural and Mechanical Col-
lege.

In 1892 Mr. Creelman married Miss Ada,
the eldest daughter of Dr. James Mills,
President of the Ontario Agricultural Col-
lege.

Since the appointment of Mr. Creelman
to the secretaryship of the Ontario Fruit
Growers' Association he has put new life
into the work. Orchard meetings have been
held throughout the Province. Speakers
have been sent out to address farmers in the
orchards on the best methods of pruning,
grafting, budding and spraying fruit trees;
and the demand for these meetings has in-
creased to such an extent that applications
are coming in from all parts of the province
for an extension and repetition of the work.

By wise planning Mr. Creelman is bring-
ing the work of the Fruit Experiment Sta-
tions of the Province into close touch with
the farmers. Farmers' Institute excur-
sions to these stations have been arranged
during the last two seasons, and the farmers
in the counties in which the fruit stations are
located are thereby enabled to inspect per-
sonally the work that is being done.

Mr. Creelman also has charge of the busi-
ness end of the Canadian Horticulturi'-t, and
with the assistance of the editor, Mr. Linus
Woolverton, is making this journal an up-
to-date horticultural publication. He like-
wise has charge of the lecture course of the
Horticultural Societies, and each year better
work is being done and better results ob-
tained by these societies under his guidance.

In addition to his horticultural work Mr.
Creelman carries a very considerable burden
as Superintendent of the Farmers' Institutes
for the Province of Ontario, an dfifice which

OUR ANNUAL MEETING.

13

takes the full time of a man in most of the
States across the line. For the year ending
June 30th, 1903, the paid-up membership of
this organization in Ontario was 23,754.
Eight hundred and thirty-seven meetings
were held during the year, and 3,337 ad-
dresses were delivered before audiences ag-
gregating 126,459 persons. The arranging
of the details of all this work involves a
large amount of patience and painstaking
work.

Mr. Creelman has associated with him in
the Farmers' Institute work fifty practical
farmers, who attend the meetings as ar-
ranged in circuits by the superintendent.

Three years ago Mr. Creelman decided to
do what he could to encourage the forma-
tion of Women's Institutes, and as a result
of his decision there are now in the Province
of Ontario fifty-three Women's Institutes,
with a paid-up membership of over 6,000.
The usefulness of these organizations is un-
questioned, and their rapid development in-
dicates the great need of better methods and
better appliances in farm homes.

The agricultural societies have also had
the benefit of Mr. Creelman's oversight dur-
ing the past two years, and the most notice-
able development under that head has been
the sending of expert judges to place the
awards in the different classes of live stock,
giving reasons, at the fall fairs. This year
152 agricultural societies availed themselves
of the offer of the Ontario Department of
Agriculture, and through Mr. Creelman they
were supplied with competent judges in the
different classes of live stock. The good
effect of this work has already been felt, and
its importance cannot be questioned when
we remember that 80 per cent, of the farm
produce of Ontario is fed to live stock.

In a word we may say that Mr. Creelman
is in close touch with all phases of Ontario
agriculture, and probably no other man in
the country has a more intimate knowledge
of the needs of the farming communitv in

every county and township of the province.

THE secretary's REPORT.

IN ]\Ir. G. C. Creelman the Association
has an excellent executive officer,
whose command of details and excellent
judgment in the conduct of affairs has
gained for him the confidence of the Board
of Directors to such an extent that he was
unanimously re-elected as secretary for 1904
at an advance in salary. His report of
work done and work in prospect was most
exhaustive, and, if carried out, means much
for the development of the commercial side
of the fruit industry of the province. The
following is a brief summary :

1. Orchard Meetings.

Meetings of farmers in their orchards having
proven most sucbessful in 1902, the work was con-
tinued during this year. Messrs. McNeill, Carej-
and Lick of the Dominion Fruit Department helped
us very materially in this work. The meetings
were held mostly during the month of March, when
practical demonstrations were given in pruning and
grafting, whieh led to a general discussion on
orchard management and matters generally pertain-
ing to the fruit business. In all, 49 such meetings
were held, and the amouut of good done cannot be
estimated.

2. Fruit Experiment Stations.

Last year a copy of the report of this most impor-
tant branch of our work was sent to 1047 members
of our Local Fruit (Irowers' Associations. Besides
this, it was arranged with the Farmers" Institutes
for farmers in the vicinity of these stations to visit
them at certain periods and receive instructions
from the experimenters, especially in reference to
matters pertaining to fruit culture, and in regard
to the best varieties to grow in that particular
district.

Of course it is impossible to determine the good
this educational work is doing. Farmers are reticent
about their business. It is an undisputed fact that
at agricultural dinners held in our towns and
villages most of the speech making is done by law-
yers, doctors and other professional men present.
The same is true in meetings of Farmers' Institutes.
Very often our speakers are almost discouraged, and
say on returning from an institute campaign that
they do not believe they accomplished any good in
certain districts. Later on, however, come letters
from farmers who were present at our meetings,
asking for fuller information in reference to certain
things that were discussed at these meetings. We
realize therefore, that many farmers get information
at our fruit stations, in our orchard meetings,
through our reports, and at our Annual Meetings
which they never acknowledge. But what matters

H

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST

it so long as they put into practice the better
methods ?

3. Fruit at Fall Fairs.

Arrangements were made whereby Mr. T. H. Race
of Mitchell one of our Directors, addressed a meeting
of the Canadian Association of Fairs and Exhibitions.
Mr. Race implored the Fair management to take
away the barriers from in front of the exhibits, and
allow the people to see and examine the fruit. He
also requested that some one be present at the Fruit
Department dviring the Fair, to answer questions
about the fruit exhibited, and the adaptability of
certain varieties to that particular district etc. This
has had a gsjod effect,- as I have noticed already that
many of the prize lists have improved as a result of
these suggestions and of the work of your select
committee who last year prepared a list of fiuits for
the different Fair Boards of Ontario.

4. Fruit Packages.

We have received many inquiries during the year
in regard to the best kind of package to use for the
shipment of apples and pears. Mr. McKinnon, chief
of the Fruit Division, Ottawa, also received an enor-
mous amount of correspondence on this important
subject. We have boxes ol all sizes, from ^ of a
bushel to 22 bushels in use in Ontario. I trust at
this meeting this matter will be thoroughly dis-
cussed, and some conclusion come to in regard to a
uniform package for the shipment of apples, through-
out the entire country.

5. Our Annual Report.

This was late in coming out this year, but I think
you will agree with me that the subject matter con-
tained there-ill was most satisfactory. Bound copies
containing not only the report of this Association,
but also of Fruit Experiment Stations, Fruits of
Ontario, and the proceedings of the Ontario Entomo-
logical Society were sent to each member of the Fruit
Growers' Associations.

6. Horticultural Societies.

The work of this Society I consider to be of the

greatest importance to the Province. This Associat-
ion has been severely criticised by some of the
Societies for not giving them more assistance, and in
some cases the complaint may have been justified,
but on the whole I am pleased to state that as far as
possible, this Association and the different Horticul-
tural Societies are working together for the up-build-
ing of our fruit and flower interests. Lecturers were
sent out to address meetings in thirty-three different
towns.

7k Canadian Horticulturist

This publication has probably done more than any
one factor to improve the orchards and home grounds
of our people. It has also been steadily improving
in subject matter and appearance. But there is a
growing demand for a larger periodical. Whether
this should be by the addition of more i)ages, or by
a change of form, it is for you to discuss. Your
Executive believe that the work of the Experiment
Slations should be more thoroughly written up, and
that there should be a department added on the
work of co-operative buying and selling. We believe
that the work of Forestry, which is embraced in our
constitution, should be given a special department in
our Journal, and we suggest that the Dominion and
Ontario Department of Forestry be asked to co-
operate with us for the further development of such
a department.

8. Toronto Industrial.

While this show is held too early for the best dis-
play of our fall and winter varieties, yet a large
number of people in attendance from all parts of
Ontario impels the fruit men to make the best of the
occasion, and do what they can toward showing the
improvements of the fruit industry. At present,
however, the building devoted to fruit is entirely
inadequate to our needs, and we are pleased to say
that steps are now being taken to secure a better
building before next year's Exhibition. This Asso-
ciation has been asked by the Exhibition Board to
appoint a committee to meet with their board for
consultation in regard to plans and specifications for
such an Exhibition building.

CO-OPERATION AMONG FRUIT GROWERS

CO-OPERATIVE CLUBS.

THE time has come when fruit growers
must combine if they would achieve
the best success. At every shipping point
a half dozen or more growers should form a
co-operative club, with a competent business
manager. The work would cover (i) buy-
ing or manufacturing packages, (2) power

spraying of the orchards of the members,
(3) a central cold storage and packing
house, where each member could either pack
under the superintendence of the manager,
or leave his fruit to be packed and shipped
by hired labor ; (4) the study of market con-
ditions and the sale of the fruit just where it
would bring the most money, f. o. b., if pos-
sible.

CO-OPERATION AMONG FRUIT GROWERS.

P'lG. 2717. Mr. Alex. McNeill.

Vice-President of the Ontario Fruit Growers' Association ; Chief
Fruit Inspector for the Dominion, an excellent public speaker,
and always listened to with close interest, whether at the Agri-
cnltural Fair, the Farmers' Institute, the Horticultural Society or
the Ontario Fruit Growers' Association. At our Leamington
Meeting he gave an address on " Fruit Packages," which lead
up to the adoption of a uniform apple and pear box for the
Dominion-

CO-OPERATIVE PACKING AND SELLING.

AS an example of what is already being
done in Ontario in this direction, we
give the report by A. E. Sherringron, of
Walkerton, of the success of the co-opera-
tive work done during the past two years by
the Lake Huron Fruit Growers' Association.
He says :

This association was organized in the month
of March, 1902, with a membership of twenty-
four under the auspices of the Fruit Growers'
Association and by direction of the secretary,
Mr. G. C. Creelman. The rules as laid down
by the association as a guide for local associa-
tions were adopted and have been carried out
as closely as it was possible to do so. The as-
sociation met monthly and at these meetings
the different subjects regarding fruit growing
and co-operative work in connection with it
were discussed.

A new set of rules and by-laws are now beinp
prepared and incorporation applied for. I should

like to mention the one governing packing.
Each member must pack and g'rade his own
fruit, placing his name on each package with
either stencil or rubber stamp, and stating the
variety and grade of fruit. In this way every
member becomes responsible for his pack. In
1902 the association made its first trial in
co-operative work by putting up two cars o*
Duchess apples, made up of 1,000 boxes and 100
barrels. These were sold f. o. b.. but forwarded
to Manchester, England, and arrived in good
condition. In addition to these, three cars of
winter apples were packed and sold. This year
the association has prospered beyond all expec-
tations. We have now between fifty and sixty
members and all go in for co-operation in the
shipping of apples. Up to the present time the
association has shipped fourteen carloads.

Advantages of Co-Operation.

(1) We believe that the grower is the proper
party to grade and pack his own fruit. By so.
doing he receives better prices, and better prices
mean more money, and more money means more
interest being taken in the care of the orchard
and fruit.

(2) JfcJy co-operation apples aie ntit lelt l\ii,u
on the ground waiting on the packers to come
and scramble over the piles for a few of the
best specimens, and wasting the rest, but are
packed as gathered from the trees, thereby sav-
ing a larger percentage of the fruit.

(3) Another advantage in co-operation is in
the handling of early apples, as all the members
can commence picking and packing the same
day. In this way only two or three days will
be required to make up a car, and the fruit will
be gotten away in a fresher and better condition
than by the other way of selling to buyers.

(4) By co-operation, better shipping facilities
and lower rates may be abtained.

As to the i)ossibilities of co-operation, it is im-
possible to tell what the outcome will be, but it
seems bound to grow and become a power with
the Lake Huron Fruit Growers' Association. The
next move will be to build a storehouse wheie
packages may be stored ready for use, and
where they may be returned when filled, and
kept until the cars are made up. I have no
doubt that in a short time other farm products
will be added to the list of co-operative ship-
ments, such as butter, eggs and poultry. These
products can all be handled by co-operation.

THE address by W. H. Owen, of Ca-
tawba Island, Ohio, who is manager
of a large fruit packing house for a syndi-
cate of some thirty-four fruit growers in
that state, was so opportune and sviggestive
that we give it in full in this connection, as
follows :

i6

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

CO-OPERATIVE FRUIT PACKING AND
MARKETING.

WHEN the stockholders of an induS'try
are meeting- with successful re-
sults in the disposal of their pro-
ducts, little thought or attention
is given to competitors along the
same line, until competition, over-production or
under-consumption depreciates the value of
their product to little more than the actual cost
price of same; they then give their attention to
methods that will better their conditions and
devise ways and means by which hey may re-
duce the cost price and competition.

How is this change for the betterment of their
conditions usually brought about ? Invariably
through the same channel, by organization, bv
trusts and by co-operative associations. What
Is true of the manufacturer in this direction is
also true with the farmer and horticulturist in
the disposal of their products.

The Californians were probably the first to
co-operate in marketing their vast product of
fruit, which was really the result of necessity.
for their industry rapidly expanded, until their
local markets could not consume the enormous
production, and they were obliged to seek other
and mpre distant markets. This they founi
could not be accomplished individually, but
throug^h powerful corporations they have suc-
ceeded in gaining low rates and improved meth-
ods in handling and shipping. How well they
have succeeded we are all familiar, and now we
•find their fruits in nearly every market of th"?
country — ^even competing with our own pro-
ducts in our local markets. Organizations, ju-
diciously managed, have placed the Californians
in the lead, in the way of distributing and mar-
keting their fruits. Through their efforts is
due the credit of perfecting the present re-
frigerator service, by which they are enabled to
ship their more perishable fruits, 'even to the
great markets on the Atlantic seaboard.

Missouri is fast accepting the profitable
teachings and examples of the Californians, and
her vast fruit products are now largely handled
through companies and shipping associations.

Michigan, having the greatest market in the
world at her very doors, had no occasion to look
elsewhere than Chicago or Milwaukee for her
markets. However, the Wolverines have dis-
covered in recent years that the enormous con-
tributions of fruit from Missouri, Southern Illi-
nois and Indiana to these markets has in a mea-
sure forced them to look elsewhere for a portion
of their markets. They now ship hundreds of
carloads of peaches annually to eastern mar-
kets and the Western and Northwestern States
This was not brought about, however, until co-
operation among the growers in different locali-
ties was .instituted.

The extreme eastern peach growing States —
New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania
and New York, are so favorably located In re-
ference to so many large consuming markets
that organization to them has not been so para-

mount to their success as it is to the Middle and
Western States.

Handling Peaches.

The further from market the greater need of
getting together, as the risk increases with the
distance.

I will confine my discussion principally to the
advantages in organization for handling one of
the most perishable of the tree fruits, viz.,
peaches.

Peach shipping associations have been ope-
rated with more or less success throughout the
peach belt of Michigan and Ohio, but in ship-
ping in carload lots, although complying with
rigid rules laid down by the association, there
was an objectionable feature to the trade, and
that was the lack of uniformity of grades and
packing. To be more explicit on this point, you
have all probably visited some of the various
markets during the peach season, and have no-
ticed the very great difference prevailing Ir
grades of different packs. That is, some pack-
ers, B or XX grades were just as good as some
other packers, A or XXX grade. Therefore, the
grade marks of the general run of consigned
fruit, where not put up by one set of hands, as
a rule, are not of very great assistance to the
purchaser, and he still is oibliged to resort to his
own judgment and eyesight in his selections.
Now for a shipper to make up a carload of this
indiscriminate packing of fruit, where it is
packed by many growers, each contributor hav-
ing a different way and idea of how peaches
should be packed and kind of packages used —
conceding that they are all honestly packed —
how is the shipper going to bill that indiscrimi-
nate lot of fruit, and can he warrant the pack-
ing ? This serious objection of lack of uni-
formity confronted the Michigan fruit growers
and has resulted in the adoption of the Central
Packing-house system by their principal asso-
ciations. This system was originated and es-
tablished in the peach industry at Catawba Is-
land, Ohio, in 1891, and it has resulted in untold
savings and benefits to the peach grower wher-
ever the system has been adopted.

A Central Packing House.

The mere shipping association, where each
grower prepares his own fruit and delivers it to
the association, by which it is shipped with
other packs and packages, either in carload lots
or local shipments, is a step in advance over tlie
old or individual method of shipment ; but the
Central Packing-house System is a much great-
er step In advance over the mere shipping as-
sociation.

The old adage of " In union there is strength,"
is most aptly exemplified through the many ad-
vantages that may be attained through an or-
ganization of fruit growers, organized for the
purpose of bettering their conditions in ship-
ping and marketing their fruit The many dis-
couraging problems that confront the grower in
the satisfactory marketing of his product, I be-
lieve are satisfactorily solved through the adop-
tion of the Central Packing-house System. ^^

CO OPERATION AMONG FRUIT GROWERS.

least, such has been my observation through tha
management of such a company for the past
twelve years.

Advantages.

Let us for a moment review further a few of
the advantages to ibe attained through such an
organization. First, the grower can place hi?
undivided attention to the proper picking of his
.fruit, which is a very important factor; where-
as, it is known that if peaches are picked green
or immature, or over-ripe, and delivered to the
packing house in such condition, no amount of
work that may be put upon it can make good
prime fruit of it. The great advantage of th^
Central packing-house is the superior advan-
tages and inducements it offers to purchasers
of fruit in securing a uniform grade and pack.
It affords a place where the buyer can select
just the grade and kind of fruit that best suits
his trade. When the fact is known to the trade
that they can purcure their supply direct and in
any quantity desired, and every package guar-
anteed to contain freshly-picked and uniformly-
packed fruit, even the commission men will then
come to your doors and buy. Buyers are look-
ing for carloads of uniform fruit and not for
carloads that are not uniform.

This system entirely eliminates the practice?
of deceptive packing and gives buyers confi-
dence that they are getting honestly packed
fruit. Even were you obliged to consign large-
ly, it will bring better prices on the market, an3
the commission firms are bound to take better
care of your interests than of the individual
shippers, because there is more at stake, anl
the merchant realizes that if he makes a mis-
take or misleads you in his advices, he will pro-
bably not have the opportunity of handling your
account again. The labor saved at both ends,
by dealing with one man or corporation instead
of ten or fifty, becomes apparent, and the com-
mission man can afford to handle a corporation
account on a less percentage, and it really pays
him better because of work and time saved.
And again, ;buyers after becoming acquainted
with your grades, pack and manner of doing
business, can order their supply of fruit intelli-
gently and without the necessity of retaining a
representative at the shipping point.

Another great and beneficial effect of such an
organization is that, through its influence in
broadening the field of distribution, it does to
that extent disprove the "over-production"
policy.

"We have found that in our own dealings with
transportation companies, basket manufactur-
ers, and even the commission man, they lend a
more willing ear and correct errors and abuses
with greater promptitude when presented by the
authorized representative of a company, than
they will for any individual or small grower
presenting a case possessing equally as much
merit.

Transportation companies consider a well-
organized fruit company, working upon sound
business principles, in the same light as any
other well established business which con-
tributes to their receipts.

We as a company have found them disposed to
grant favors and investigate complaints fairly,
while the lone individual, under the old plan of
" every fellow for himself," would perhaps have
remained unnoticed.

Lastly, a recommendation that is appreciated
by those who have had the experience in the
Central Packing-house system, is the fact that
is relieves the home and good housewife of that
burden which is attendant through the care of
the extra help that will now be dispensed with.

Expenses.

Now as to the expense of organization under
this system. Some may raise the objection that
it will cost too much to establish a plant, but
you will find after careful investigation it will
be far cheaper for each to contribute toward a
general plant than for each individual to supply
himself with a packing house, a grader, and
other necessary equipments. In the establish-
ment of a central packing-house, make sure of
one point, and that is, provide a building with
ample room for receiving, grading and expedi-
tious handling of the fruit. If the requisite
amount of floor space is not provided, it will
necessitate vexatious waiting of the members
in taking their turn at unloading their fruit.

Do not think that a room with no more spacs
than would ordinarily be used by three or four
of the larger growers of the company and equip-
ped with insufficient number of graders, will
properly take care of the fruit of twenty or
thirty orchards, for it will not, and such condi-
tions will only result in loss, through failure in
being able to get the fruit through promptly.

As for laying down defined rules for organiz-
ing, that is a matter which each locality will
best work out for itself, as local requirements
and conditions vary.

Now what is wrong with the present system,
or, more properly, lack of system, outside of the
already established organizations ? Can you
name any industry wherein so many hundred
thousands of dollars are invested that is con-
ducted so carelessly as the fruit busirtess of this
great fruit producing country ? It is a great
wonder to me that the average peach grower
should even get the price of his packages in re-
turn for his labor. To make it plain, the ave-
rage orchai-dist can not afford himself the facili-
ties for keeping' in touch with the trade and
keep posted daily on the changing conditions of
the various markets. He is too busy harvest-
ing his crop to study out the best plans and in-
form himself of the best places to ship in w^hich
he will meet the least competition. And right
here I wish to emphasize the word " competi-
tion," for are we not each and every one of us
placing our fruit in direct competition with each
other ? Again, the orchardist individually, is
placed to a disadvantage through his inability
to properly distribute his fruit. I say. inability,
because he has no control over other shippers,
and has no means of knowing but that 90 per
cent, of the other shippers throughout his vi-
cinity are shipping to the very market in which
he expects to avoid a glut.

There is surely a way out of all this dilemma.

i8

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

and a practical and time-tried way, that I ain
confident if universally adopted, would place the
product of the orchard on a more profitable
basis than is now being realized. As long as
the present careless methods are continued we
may expect to be the victims of our own failure
to protect oud interests by the positive means
within our reach.

Handsome Dividends.

If we will carefully investigate the hundreds
of unions and co-operative plans that are now
in exisitence in nearly every branch of business,
you will find they are all declaring handsome
dividends to their stockholders, while prior to
their consolidation in many cases they were ac-
tually running at a loss.

What has been true in other branches of busi-
ness through the result of co-operation to avoid
competition and reduce the cost of placing their
produots on the markets can be made true of
the fruit industry in the different fruit growing
sections of the country. It is not a visionary
and undemonstnated theory. It is the further-
ance of a co-operative plan that is now in actual,
practical and successful operation in several of
the States, and the more universal this system
may become adopted, in like proportion, better
results will follow.

If some of the fruit organizations have not
proven entirely satisfactory to their members,
due to mismanagement, that should not preju-
duce or deter those interested from investigation
of the plan, for there are fruit companies that
are thoroughly successful and making money
for their members. The co-operative fruit
company will succeed if organized and managed
upon a business basis, just the same as any
other business enterprise requiring co-operation.
It is surely the best means in which to conseive
the' interests of the producer, and we know that
the grower's interests can best toe served
through facilities which they may own and con-
trol.

After thorough local organization has been ef-
fected throughout the various fruit producing
sections, let us for a moment see what further
advantages might be attained in the way of
uniting all these companies in each county or
section into one powerful corporation.

County consolidation could be successfully ac-
complished only through the 'Central Packing-
house System, and then not until local organiza-
tions had been established and perfected at the
shipping points throughout the county. After
the establishment of companies at the different
shipping points, then the consolidation qf all
into one powerful union under one management
would place the fruit growers in possession of
the key to the situation of the avoidance of fruit
gluts, competition and distribution. To accom-
plish such an end of thorough organization it
would mean for each locality to enter the work
with a spirit of determination.

We must be prepared to join our neighbors in
correcting the existing wrongs and surmounting
the obstacles and objections that may confront
us.

Organization.

We have the power, and we can do it if we see
fit. As one of our western horticulturists very
aptly stated: "If I were compelled to use but
one word in designating the remedy for the
many evils and disadvantages with which we
have to contend, it would be " organization."

Organization leads to co-operation, and or-
ganized co-operative effort is the power and in-
fluence that is shaping and moulding the flnan-,
cial and commercial interests of the present
time. Look where will at any business worthy
of the name, and we find it compactly united in
some form of union that seeks to make the in-
terests of one the care of all, and the prosperity
of all, the prime object of each individual.

Mr. Owen's system has not been applied
to apple packing and selling, but he thinks
there is no reason why it should not
be so applied. His grades, AA, A, B,
C, correspond with our Fancy XXX, XXX,
XX and X, the latter being culls ; and every
man's fruit is graded separately and given
a receipt for just what he puts in of each
grade. " We have," said Mr. Owen, " a
demand for our culls as well as for our
higher grades, and sell nearly all our stock,
seldom making a consignment."

The current expenses are cut down to a
minimum on every hand by Mr. Owen's
system of co-operative packing and ship-
ping ; baskets are purchased wholesale ; la-
bor is economised ; goods shipped mostly by
freight in car lots, and sales made f. o. b. to
large jobbers. They could pack and ship
from 3,000 to 5,000 bushels of peaches per
day, and the total cost to each member was
about 18 cents per bushel.

OUR ASSOCIATION TO ENCOURAGE LOCAL

T5NI0NS.

AT this point in the proceedings of the
meeting the committee on resolu-
tions reported as follows :

That in the opinion of this Association the
future development and continued pros-
perity of the fruit growers of Ontario de-
pends on the formation, in every district,
where such does not now exist, of a grow-
ers' co-operative organization for the pur-

CO-OPERATION AMONG FRUIT GROWERS.

^9

.pose of handling fruit and buying supplies
in a co-operative way, and for the further
purpose of bringing the united influence of
all to bear with a view of securing better
transportation facilities in the interest of all.

That, for the purpose of developing such
organizations, a committee be formed,
charged with the duty, acting in unison with
the local directors in promoting the work of
the organization during the coming winter,
and that the president be charged with the
special dvity of attending meetings called by
the local organizations for the purpose of
assisting and completing the woik of organ-
izing.

That the Organization Committee shall
consist of G. W. Cady, Leamington, for the
western district ; Robt. Thompson, St.
Catharines, for the Niagara district ; A. W.
Peart, for the Burlington district; A. E.
Sherrington, for the northern district ; and
Wm. Rickard, M.P.P., for the eastern dis-
trict.

And further, that the Executive be in-
structed to provide funds to meet the neces-
sary expenses of those named while carry-
ing on the work assigned th'em.

At a subsequent meeting of this commit-
tee the secretary, Mr. G. C. Creelman, was
instructed to correspond with the various
local fruit growers organizations ofifering
aid in the formation of co-operative associa-
tions or unions, and inviting further con-
ference upon questions of detail.

FRUIT DEALERS WOULD BUY FROM A UNION.

4<^|AHE views expressed by Mr. Owen,"
X said H. W. Dawson, of Toronto,
" are the vie^vs I have entertained for a long
time. I have always contended that co-
operation, with central packing houses, is
the proper system of handling our fruit
trade. By this means, even when unusual
production occurs, and a glut is inevitable,
that glut can be confined to one particular
locality and general market demoralization

avoided. The best exemplification of the
working out of the co-operative system is
seen in the handling of the Texas tomato
crop. That is handled by one man sta-
tioned at St. Louis, and the system is so
thorough that congestion is absolutely
avoided. The grading is also so perfect
that you can order a car of Texas tomatoes
by grade and feel perfectly secured you will
get just what you order. Despite our large
production of peaches in Canada, you can
not do that with peaches in this country. I
am a commission merchant, but I would
sooner be an outright buyer if. I could deal
with organizations formed on the plan out-
lined by Mr. Owen."

ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE CANNING INDUSTRY

MUCH has already been written in
these pages about the importance to
fruit growers of encouraging the canning
and evaporating of our fruits, in order that
we may thus dispose of the No. 2 grades at
home. If this were done there is no doubt
that far higher prices could be obtained for
our No. I goods. The high tariff, how-
ever, in refined sugar imported from abroad
has been a serious obstacle in the way of the
development of this industry in Canada,
making it difficult to compete with foreign
canners, notwithstanding the abundance of
cheap fruit in our province.

In view of this evident hindrance to the
development of fruit growing in Ontario,
the following resolution was unanimously
passed by the Association :

That, whereas, during the season just passed,
thousands upon thousands of baskets of tender
fruits rotted upon the ground, while in Great
Britain and even in our own country, an apple
outlet, at profitable prices, could have been ob-
tained for the same had sufficient means existed
for the bringing together more closely, produc-
ers and consumers :

That, whereas, to provide for this bringing to-
gether, it is necessary that the bulk of the.3e
tender fruits be reduced to a preserved form as
near the point of production as possible :

That, whereas, one of the main difficulties in
the way of securing complete development of
this canning and preserving industry lies in the

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

cost of the raw materials, other than fruit, the
chief of these other raw materials being sugar
and packages for holding the preserved article :

Therefore, be it resolved, that this association
respectively, but most strongly, urges the Do-
minion Government to extend to the canning in-
dustry of this country the same system of aid
already extended to other industries, by enabling
them to buy their raw materials at the lowest
possible cost, and that to this end the duty on
sugar used in canning, and on packages used for
holding canned fruit, be remitted :

And, further, that the Dominion Government
be petitioned to secure the enactments of legis-
lation compelling the labelling of all canned
preserves in such a way as to show what the
canned goods actually consist of as demon-
strated by official analysis; and, further, that
such goods be distinctly labelled, " Made in
Canada."

FRUIT TRANSPORTAIION.

THE carrying of their fruits has been
for years most unsatisfactory to fruit
growers. The present express and freight
rates were made up when fruit was a luxury
in Ontario, and very high priced in our mar-
kets. In those days when peaches and pears
often brought the grower $i.oo a basket, he
could well afford fifteen cents express
charges ; but now that these fruits often sell
at 25 and 30 cents a basket, he cannot afford
it. Besides, in those days there was not
one basket carried by the companies to one
hundred these days, so that they are unfair
in persisting in their high rates. The ques-
tion was brought up by G. C. Caston, chair-
man of the committee, and during the dis-
cussion many well grounded complaints
were plainly set forth.

COMPLAINTS OF FRUIT SHIPPERS.

^n^'A such a heavy carrying charge as fruit,
I nary commodity which is subjected to

HERE is," said Mr. Dawson, " no ordi-
and there is no commodity in which the volume
of traffic offered is increasing so rapidly. We
must have a rate which will bear some compari-
son to rates imposed on other commodities, and
to this end we must not only present our de-
mand for relief, but we must, like the Millers'
Association, keep on pressing until we secure
relief."

" The foundation grievance," said President
Bunting, " is that the railway people have
placed fruit in the category of luxuries, a ad

have listed it as an article which should bear
the maximum rate. We must convince the.n
that fruit is not the luxury of the rich, but the
necessity of all. It is true that fruit requires
prompt handling by the railway people, but
there is the compensating advantage whi^h
comes from equally prompt return of roUina^
stock. Fruit growers themselves must also as-
sist in improving the present conditions by join-
ing together and shipping car lots at one tim*^,
instead of shipping a num^ber of small lots liS
individuals."

" There is," said Mr. McNeill, " no lack of
definiteness so far as our grievances are con-
cerned. Hundreds might be mentioned. Let
a few suffice. Apples are in class 5, and bear
the high rate imposed on goods shipped under
that class. They should be reduced to class 8,
and carried at the lower rate imposed on all
goods transported under such class. We ai;o
demand a change in regard to the rate on cars
consisting of mixed lots of fruits. Why, for in-
stance, when we put a few baskets of peach?s
in a car of cheap pears, or still cheaper toina-
toes, should the rate on the whole car be jumped
up from the comparatively low rate imposed on
pears and tomatoes to the very high rate im-
posed on peaches ? Why, again, should the
charge for a short haul be so utterly out of har-
mony with the charge for a long haul ? Why
should cull apples, shipped from Creemore to
Collingwood, a distance of ten miles, be charged
15 cents per cwt., while sugar beets can be ship-
ped a much greater distance for 40 cents •^'iv
ton? We should, furthermore, have a better
refrigerator car service, improved accommoda
tion at freight stations, and our express rates
should be cut in half."

" I have," said E. D. Smith, M. P., " be->n
charged 70 cents per barrel for ten barrels of
apples shipped from Port Perry to Almon'.e,
while the rate on car lots from any point in
Ontario to Manchester in England is only 89
cents. Delays in shipments constitute an even
more serious grievance than the overcharge in
rates. I have had shipments twenty-nine days
on the way from Winona to Collingwood, thirty
days on the way from Owen Sound to Winona,
from seven to eight days to two weeks in cover-
ing a distance of 100 miles, and to have a shio-
ment two weeks on the way to Nova Scotia is a
common experience. Compare this with he
despatch which characterizes the handling of
freight in England. There is a daily freight
train to Manchester which, during a whole year,
has not varied thirty minutes in time of arrival
at destination. Compare even with our own
country on roads which have not an express de-
partment as part of their service, and where
there is no temptation to delay the freight ser-
vice where charges are comparatively low in or-
der to divert traffic to the express department,
where charges are most unreasonably high. I
can send goods to Petrolea by the M. C. R., on
which there is no express service, and whe e
efforts are made to provide a satisfactory freight
service, and ensure delivery next morning of
goods shipped in the afternoon."

CO-OPERATION AMONG FRUIT GROWERS.

THE ONLY HOPE OF REMEDY.

AS Mr. Caston stated in his report,
strong representations have been
made by the committee to the officials
of the railways asking for a redress of the
grievances complained of, but so far with
little or no success. Our only hope seems
to be in the appointment of the promised
Railway Commission, whose powers will
enable it to rectify such abuses ; and to this
commission we will appeal as soon as it is
appointed. Our committee on this work
for 1904 consists of R. J. Graham, Belle-
ville ; H. W. Dawson, Toronto ; D. D. Wil-
son, Seaforth; W. L. Smith, Toronto; D. J.
AIcKinnon, Toronto, and J. M. Shuttle-
worth, Brantford.

A STANDARD CANADIAN APPLE BOX.

THE great scarcity of apple barrels dur-
ing this season has emphasized the
importance of the provinces agreeing upon
a standard box for use in shipping pples
and pears. Mr. Alex. McNeill, chief fruit
inspector, Ottawa, gave a chart showing the
various sizes of apple boxes in use in various
apple producing countries, and showed that
the one already most in favor had an inside
measurement of 10 x 1 1 x 20, or 2,200 cubic
inches. Mr. Wilson, of London, who has
given much time to uniformity in packing
boxes for all fruits, proposed a box measur-
ing inside \Q>yi x 10^ x 20^, or 2,218
cubic inches, an exact bushel. He advo-
cated this because it could also be used as a
crate for twenty-four standard strawberry
baskets, or eight standard grape baskets.
By adopting it there would be a possibility
of putting up all kinds of fruits grown in
Ontario in a uniform exterior case. The
committee favored the adoption of the 10 x
1 1x20 without the fractions, as the slight dif-
ference in size would be no hindrance to the
use of the Wilson case, should growers wish
it for making shipments of all fruits in a
uniform outside package. A box 9 x 12 x 18.

which was about ^4 of a barrel, was advo-
cated by some, because women packers could
more easily handle it ; but on the other hand
it was urged that in exporting apples to the
United States the duty was 25 cents a box
supposed to be a bushel, and if it held less
the duty would still be the same. For cold
storage the charges are on the same basis.
The resolution presented by the committee
was therefore finally adopted, reading as
follows :

" Your committee would recommend that
the Canadian apple box be one of which the
cubic contents is about one-third of the
Canadian commercial apple barrel, with in-
side dimensions as follows, 10 inches deep x
1 1 inches wide x 20 inches long ; and that
the Canadian pear box be one-half the ca-
pacity and half the depth of the apple box ;
and that the Secretary of this Association
communicate with the secretaries of the
Fruit Growers' Associations of other pro-
vinces in reference to uniformity in this
matter."

NEW OR VALUABLE FRUITS.

MORE WORK FOR THE FRUIT STATIONS.

I THINK," said Mr. E. D. Smith, of
Winona, " that the stations would do
us a great favor if they could discover new
fruits of real value and introduce them.
The new varieties should be carefully tested,
and when one is found better than an exist-
ing variety, and of the same season, they
should introduce it to our notice. Just
now, for example, in peaches we need at
least two good shipping peaches. We have
one in the Elberta, but we need one of simi-
lar carrying quality, to come in earlier and
one later than that variety."

" I think," said Mr. Alex. McNeill, of Ot-
tawa. " the stations should study to decrease
the number of varieties. We have already
too many kinds — many of them very infer-
ior, and planters should be warned against

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

them and advised as to the most desirable
for the various sections to cover the whole
fruit season."

"We have," said Mr. Smith, "not a
single good all-round grape yet. What we
want is Concord quality in Agawam skin.
We should have a wholesale planting of
seed with a view of securing something that
may meet our needs. For all time we shall
be compelled to ship large quantities of our
tender fruits to distant markets — to the
West and the Maritime Provinces — and we
must have the carrying quality."

NEW FRUITS OF THE) YEAR.

1"^ HE committee consisting of Messrs.
Hutt, Macoun and Woolverton, re-
ported on several new fruits worthy of fur-
ther trial, as, for example, Waller's Seed-
ling apple from Napanee, more showy than
Wealthy and of about the same season ; a
seedling plum from Orillia, handsome and
excellent quality ; Lindsay's Seedling plum,
from Guelph, large and of good quality ;
Smith's Giant blackcap, large and produc-
tive, one of the most promising, a seedling
of Gregg; the Emerald plum, the earliest
really good plum we have; Lack's seedling,
from Lindsay, an apple resembling in beauty
the Louise, but" earlier ; Herbert raspberry,
the best red variety for the amateur ; Mani-
toba Grape, one of the most promising for
the north, as early as Champion, of as good
quality as Moore.

VALUABLE APPLES FOR THE NORTH.

MR. W. F. MACOUN, of Ottawa,
gave the following list of winter ap-
ples worthy of a place in orchards north of
latitude 46 degrees, viz. : Wealthy, Hibernal,
Longfield, Patten's Greening, Whitney, Hys-
lop, and, where not too severe, Northwest
Greening, Dempsey No. 80, and Windsor
Chief.

For summer and fall he named Yellow
Transparent, Charlemov and Duchess, which

without doubt are the best on the list for
their season.

THE MOST VALUABLE COMMERCIAL APPLE.

IN accord with the suggestions made at
the meeting concerning the many in-
ferior varieties cultivated in Ontario and be-
ing offered for sale to planters, the Board
of Control of our' fruit stations has made
out the following valuable list of commer-
cial varieties to be pubHshed in our next re-
port : Summer, Astrachan, Duchess : Fall,
Gravenstein (tender in St. Lawrence dis-
trict and northward) ; Wealthy (valuable
for the north) ; Alexander (valuable for the
north) ; Mcintosh (especially for St. Law-
rence district, but can be grown over a wide
area) ; Fameuse (also especially adapted to
St. Lawrence district) ; Blenheim (tender in
St. Lawrence and other northerly portions
of the province) : Winter, King (for best
apple sections, succeeds best top grafted on
hardy stocks) ; Hubbardston ; Greening
(both for best apple sections) ; Cranberry
(requires good soil and is adapted to the
best apple districts, but especially to South-
ern Ontario) ; Baldwin (best on clay and in
best apple districts) ; Spy (for best districts,
but succeeds farther north on hardy stocks,
this top working also tends to bring it into
earlier bearing) ; Ontario (an early and
abundant bearer, but short lived, recom-
mended as a filler among longer lived trees,
adaptation similar to that of Spy) ; Stark
(for best apple districts).

UNIONS OF FRUIT GROWERS.

N

OW that we are planning for unions
of fruit growers in every section of
Ontario, we want to gather information
from every source, the following account of
the working of such a scheme will be help-
ful :

At the annual meeting of the Massachusetts
Fruit Growers' Association Dr. Grigham cited a
fruit growers' association near the great lakes
which is incorporated and now has 150 membera.

CO-OPERATION AMONG FRUIT GROWERS.

23

It organized five years ago with only 15 mem-
bers, but now controls 500 acres of small fruits.
The first year the sales of $1,000 were made at
a cost of 7 per cent, of gross receipts ; 1902,
sales of $45,500 were made at a cost of 2.8 per
cent. The able secretary of this association
says :

" Much depends on your

General Manager.

He must be a man that knows good fruit, a good
bookkeeper, understand law, hustler, and in the
busy season work fro m5 a. m. to 9 or 12 at
night. We have three helpers in oflfice as sales-
men, besides two or three helpers two or thr ^e
hours every evening and handle 200 to 1,000 cases
at evening, besides work in the daytime. The
manager has full charge of fruit, filling all or-
ders and shipping to best merchants. We get
orders from 75 to 100 different parties daily in
the rush. General manager collects all monsy
and turns it over to the bank. General min-
ager writes checks, and not the treasurer.

Payments are made once a week to grower>=,
less 10 per cent of money collected and less
charges on express account. Two years ago
we did not lose a dollar out of $25,000, but last
year lost $60 by one consignment, and may g'^t
20 per cent, of that yet. We get special low-
rates on express by railroads. Stock is $200
per share for a life member. A fruit growers'
association at San Jose, Cal., like ours, sells
hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth every
year of prunes and dried fruit. Trainloads are
sometimes shipped direct to New York, Boston
and Europe. They get 3 cents per pound for
prunes, when before they organized they got 1
to 1% cents. One grower sold $10,000 worth o^
prunes on the trees last year.

" Such an organization, if a success, makes a
great saving. The first two years we sent out
our general manager, who was out two or thr-^e
weeks before the berry season to solicit orders
and to introduce the association to the trade.
Since that our business increased so there is no
need to send him out. The fruit advertised
itself. We are well located, 18 or 20 miles from
Minneapolis and St. Paul, with over 400,000
population. Dispose of surplus fruit if some is
too soft to ship.

In general peach growers in the eastern states
are very careless, almost indifferent as to the
manner of shipping fruit to market, and the re-
sult is that very often a superior quality of fruit
does not bring as good prices is inferior fruit
put up with special pains to make it attractive.
The baskets in general use in the eastern states
are too large for retail trade. The best grades

of peaches should never be sent to market In
large baskets, but each peach should be wrap-
ped separately and sent with as much care as
eggs, if the best prices are desired. For the
canning size and the wholesale trade, the Dela-
ware basket is undoubtedly one of the most
convenient forms for shipment. Inferior fruit
should be kept at home and dried or fed to the
pigs. The unprofitable handling of a large part
of such fruit might be avoided by thinning.

In years of abundance slumps in the market
are caused not so much by over p^oducti^)n as
to inferior distribution.

The Coming Need

in the eastern states is for a system of distribu-
tion which will prevent gluts in the market. A.t
the very time when these slumps occur in New
York and other large centers, hundreds of
smaller towns in the interior cannot procure
peaches at any price. Dr. Brigham stated that
he had often paid 5 cents each for quite ordi-
nary peaches in interior towns in New York and
Pennsylvania and further west when the finest
peaches could scarcely be given away in New
York and Philadelphia. A well organized sys-
tem of distribution is a problem which pomo-
logical societies, boards of agriculture and other
associations should carefully consider.
Co-operation is the

Keynote of Success.

Indeed, without hearty co-operation and com-
pact organization little or nothing can be ac-
complished, and yet to secure and maintain such
organization presents the chief difficulty. Home
consumption is another way to avoid gluts in
•the market; also the judicious use of canning
and drying houses. Without co-operation and
organization the marketing of fruit is largely a
gamble dependent upon luck.

To form a successful organization for mar-
keting, all that is needed is for the fruit growers
to agree upon the essential principles. Make
an agreement and stick to it. If you must
quarrel, select someone outside of the organiza-
tion to quarrel with. Be sure to pick out the

Right Man for Manager,

and do not make a man manager just because
he wants a job. Get some one you know and
have confidence in, a man who has made a suc-
cess in business, and pay him his price. Fruit
growers and farmers will eventually find that
they must organize, or be driven to the wall ;
for single handed, they cannot hope to cope with
the powerful business and financial combina-
tions which they encounter to-day on all sides.

BUILDING ICE HOUSES

SELECTION OF SITE AND GENERAL RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.

IT is not too early to think of the ice
crop to be stored next February,
and to plan for a proper house in
which to keep it. A correspondent of the
Michigan Farmer gives some good plans for
the building of a house to hold fifty tons.
It is built as near the water's edge as se-

bank. Air cannot enter so readily 'at the
base on the bank side as on the other.

As the ice melts in warm weather, which
it surely will to some extent, the packing is
loosened, and, unless the base is very snug,
air will enter and find its way upward, car-
rying heat to the ice. Cheaply constructed

B

' 1

Fig. 2718. Ice Houses, (i) Bank Ice House: (2) Ground Plan ;
(3) A Cheap Ice House; (4) Ground Plan ok Same.

The site

curity from flooding will permit
chosen is a bank of moderate slant, and it
has been found to have at least two advan-
tages over a level location. Unloading from
the upper side, much hand labor is avoided
in elevating the ice ; it has also been found
that ice keeps much better on the side next
the bank. Sometimes, in preparing the
building for refilling, several cakes of old
ice are found — ^^alwavs on the side next the

as are most ice houses, the base generally is
not air-tight. An effort to make it so is
made by tramping sawdust tightly inside, but
this does not -exclude air so well or so sure-
ly as the setting of the building a few feet in
the earth.

This requires that the foundation be
either naturally or artificially drained. A
coarse gravel bottom will drain water off.
but a tight subsoil requires artificial drain-

BUILDING ICE HOUSES.

25

ing. Most buildings of this kind are sc
hurriedly constructed that no attempt at a
good foundation is made. A wall of loose
stones is quite good, providing earth is well
tramped about it outside, and no burrowing
animal is allowed to open the air passage,
A mortared foundation is much better and
will repay extra expense by longer and bet-
ter service.

To store ice for family use a building 12
feet square is sufficient, and from such a lot
of ice one may spare an occasional cake to
his less fortunate or less provident neighbor.
A square building is better than a long one
in that less outside surface is exposed to the
sun's heat compared to the inner space. This
means that less material is required also.
The height of the building ought to be suffi-
cient to enable one to work when standing
upright. A roof close to the sawdust im-
parts to it more heat than one a little farther
away.

A bank ice house should be on ground
having a northern or northwestern, slant,
and a building longer than wide should have
the end to the south or southwest. These
buildings are necessarily boarded inside the
frame, but often the outside boarding is ne-
glected, leaving the bare studding outside.
Where thus incomplete it is found that the
sun's heat is imparted to the contents much
more than when there is an outside board-
ing. It is preferable that all sides have
outside boarding and at least all except the
north.

In making excavation for an ice house on
slanting ground it is well to pile up the
earth removed so as to have it ilear at hand
for banking up against the wall on the lower
side of building. Constructed in this way,
a wall of loose stones ought to be sufficient-
ly tight to exclude outside air, providing it
is banked to the sill, and made tight about
the sill with mortar. It is true that such
biiildin?-s are often banked af'-'ainst the

boards, but this is a poor way if one would
have a long term of service from such a
building.

Fig. I shows the foundation and su-
perstructure of a bank ice house for family
convenience. The dotted line shows the
natural lay of the ground, while the drain
underneath and the banking of earth
against the walls are indicated. The walls
are i^ feet thick and 3 feet high laid of
loose stones. Sills are 8 x 8 in. ; studding
are 2x4 in., set i foot apart, except in ga-
bles, where they are twice that distance
apart. It is sheathed inside the studding
with cheap lumber and the outside board-
ing may correspond to one's taste and
means. The roof is one-half pitch, covered
with good shingles. There is room to work
under this roof when the building is filled
to the plates.

The ground plan of this structure is
shown in Fig. 2. In the bottom is
thrown a double course of old slabs, or any
other material to keep the sawdust from the
ground. The ice is laid in so as to have
10 inches of sawdust around the outside.
Two small gable windows afford the neces-
sary ventilation above the contents.

Fig. 3 shows a cheap building, but
convenient and serviceable. It is 12 x 15
feet, Vv^ith an alley in the centre. The plates
are 3 or 4 feet from the ground level, and
the alley is in the centre, where there is
height. The roof may be shingled or made
of boards or slabs. • A door 3x6 feet in
the north end opens into the alley, on other
side of which are bins for the ice. A 3-
light window over the door affords light
when the door is closed. The ground plan
is shown in Fig. 4 and indicated by B, in
the far end of the alley, may be shelves or a
cupboard for keeping fresh meat, fruits
etc., in warm weather. This is a decidedly
cheap and convenient building.

FRUIT DISPLAY AT STRATHROY

T. H. RACfe, MITCHELL.

Fig. 2719. Mr. T. H. Race, Mitchell.

A Director of the O. F. G. A. ; Chairman of

the Floricultural Section of our Annual

Meeting at Leamington, Ont.

FOLLOWING up our notes on the
fall fairs, I want to say a few
words about the fruit at Strathroy.
The Strathroy fall fair gave every evidence
of being a well managed and well patronized
institution. The town of Strathroy is cen-
tered in a very fine agricultural district, and
is itself a pretty and progressive place. But
I saw no evidences of a live and active horti-
cultural society there, though they have one.
I believe. Like too many of our horticul-
tural societies, they are combining their
means and their energies with the agricultu-
ral society and devoting their attention to
the fall show rather than to the beautifying
of their home surroundings, parks and
streets. They need some stirring up in
civic improvement and horticultural effort.
The display of fruit at the fall exhibition,
in some respects, pleased me very much.
Thev have, without doubt, the soil and con-

ditions about Strathroy for a very profitable
fruit section. The Baldwin does exceed-
ingly well there, and some of the finest
Kings that I came across during the fall
were in the Strathroy exhibit. Among the
many varieties especially adapted to the dis-
trict, besides those already mentioned, were
Russets, Ribston Pippin, Talman Sweet,
Cayuga Redstreak, Greening, Fall Pippin,
and a very fine apple which they call West-
ern Newton Pippin. I might add, by way
of emphasis, that the Russets shown were
particularly fine.

But the fruit display was not without its
defects, and some of those I want to point
out as a lesson to future exhibitors. Too
little care was exercised in selection. Four
fair sized apples with a large one on top
does not make an ideal plate of fruit. The
one large apple lessens the value of the plate
by two points in uniformity of size. Be-
cause an apple is large, its size will not atone
for the warts, spots, or other blemishes upon
it. Every specimen should be free from
blemishes of all kinds, fair size, and as nicely
colored as possible. Above all, every speci-
men should be free from worms. This was
the greatest defect in the Strathroy display.
No matter how large or fine a specimen ap-
ple may oe, a worm will destroy its value as
a show apple. There is no demand for
worms in the British market, and a wormy
apple will not keep at home. With a little
more care in selection, observing these
points, the fruit growers about Strathroy
can set up as fine a display of apples as one
may find anywhere in the province.

*THE CHRISTMAS FRUIT TRADE

THE CANADIAN APPLE IN BRITAIN.

SAMPSON MORGAN.

DURING one week recently the im-
ports of Canadian apples into
British ports exceeded 70,000
packages, against 50,000 sent from the
United States during a similar period. Out
of these totals there were more barrels in
the Canadian shipments than in those from
the United States. These facts prove that,
as far as quantity is concerned, our great
apple producing colony maintains the pre-
mier position in the British apple markets,
especially at Christmas time. From the
direct and exclusive reports I receive from
the apple growing centres of the world, I
am in a position, authoritatively, to say that
Canada will send the largest supplies of the
highest quality apples that will be on sale ir
the public markets of the United Kingdom
during the festive season.

In recent years the fruit export trade of
the colony has been developed in the most
remarkable manner. The increasing popu-
larity of the magnificent Canadian apple is
due, to a very great extent, to the admirable
manner in which the Department of Agri
culture at Ottawa, under the able supervis-
ion of Prof. J. W. Robertson, has worked
on both sides of the Atlantic.

Then the fruit growers of Canada are tc
be congratulated upon the possession of ?
paper, I mean, of course, the Canadian
Horticulturist, which furnishes such sound
advice to growers, packers and shippers oi!

the commercial aspect of fruit growing. It
gets into the hands of the producers on the
one side, and of the best distributors on thi:^
side, and is doing a good work.

For twenty years I have written in praise
of the Canadian apple. In my column ser-
ies on " Popular Fruits " in the London.
Echo, I dealt elaborately with this tooth-
some and sugary dainty. In such influen-
tial daily newspapers as the Times, Stand-
ard, Globe, Daily Mail, Westminster Ga-
zette, Birmingham Daily Vost, Sheffield
Daily Telegraph, Newcastle Daily Chronicle
and Glasgow Herald I have written again
and again on behalf of this fancy product of
the glowing Canadian summers.

The petty trade magazines in England
carp at the eiTorts of the agricultural ofii-<
cials, who, through their splendid depot in
Parliament street, show the people here tht
secured despite the opposition of parties
who, without any actual experience of the
of the foreign producer and shipper. The
independent position maintained by the de-
the British fruit markets this Christmas
time, for which packers, shippers and all
true friends of the industry may feel justly
proud.

*The article in November number of this
journal, from the Scottish Trader on The Brit-
ish Jam Trade, was written by this same au-
thor.— Ed.

LOW HEADED FRUIT TREES

A SAVING OF EXPENSE IN THE GATHERING OP THE CROP.

SOME forty years ago I helped to gather
the apples from trees that were so tall
that it took two men to put up a ladder long
enough to reach the top of the trees, writes
N. B. White to American Gardening, and
this slow and expensive process led me to
the conclusion that the top of an apple tree
should be grown nearer to the ground, and,
having some young stocks in my garden of
suitable size to graft, the next spring I com-
menced my experiment of low head for ap-
ple trees.

I grafted fifty trees. The scions all
formed a union and made a good growth,'
and the following spring I cut them back to
about 6 inches from the ground, leaving 4 to
6 buds, and from those buds the branches
for the future top, or head, were produced.

With a great deal of interest I watched
them, as from year to year they advanced
toward fruiting. When they were three
years old I offered some of them for sale, as
I had not room for all of them, but no one
would buy. " Too low," they said. They
wanted trees that they could plow under. In
vain I stated the advantage of having them
low down, but it was of no use. The peo-

ple wantetd apple trees up out of the way,
so I planted out most of them myself.

The trees made fine growth, and are in
bearing condition now, and seem good for
forty years more. Those trees, I think,
were the first ever grown especially for the
low heads in this country. Orchardists are
now, and have been for several years, drift-
ing towards that medium of training. Still
there are many who object to it, and it is for
these doubting Thomases that I am prompt-
ed to pen this article.

It might be difficult to state just which is
the most important. The great saving of
expense and the great ease and comfort in
gathering the fruit is certainly an important
one. Another is the greater convenience in
spraying, pruning and thinning fruit.

Again, if an apple drops to the ground it
is not ruined by the fall. Another great
gain, and perhaps the greatest advantage of
all when the life of the tree is considered, is
the protection given to the roots from the
hot sun in summer. Trees thus protected
make a better growth, and seem more heal-
thy and, as I believe, will endure much
longer.

THE APPLE

C^ HEMICALLY the apple is composed
y of vegetable fibre, albumen, malic
and gallic acids, sugar, gum, chloraphyll,
lime and water. Many scientists and anal-
ists say apples contain a larger per centage
of phosphorus than any other fruit or vege-
table. This phosphorus is admirably adapt-

ed to the brain and spinal cord, renewing the
essential nervous matter, lethicin, imparting
vigor to the whole constitution. Apples
are laxative ; and it is claimed that a good,
ripe apple is thoroughly digested in 85 min-
utes.— Southern Fruit Grower.

APPLES FOR COWS

VALUABLE FOOD IF (4IVEX IN PROPER QUANTITIES.

ONLY a few farmers fully appreciate
the value of apples as a feed for
cows. Some will even tell you they " dry
cows up." This erroneous notion has pro-
bably been formed by their cows breaking
into their orchards, and, being very fond of
apples and hungry and not having the fear
of dyspepsia and diarrhoea before their eyes,
gorged themselves nearly to the bursting,
point, cloyed their appetites for a day or two,
and brought on the scours. The fault was
not in the apples but in the gormandizing.
Should these same cows get at the meal box
or the grain bin, they would injure them-
selves as badly as when foundered on apples.
A writer in an exchange says he has always
fed them to cows giving milk, and always
with good results. They are worth more
to feed to cows than when made into cider.
He proved the value of apples as food for
cows by actual experiment. As soon as
they begin to fall they were picked up and
drawn to the barn and fed. About four
quarts were given to each cow for the first
few feeds, vmtil the animals became accus-
tomed to them ; then the quantity was grad-
ually increased to a peck twice a day. Pre-
vious to beginning the feeding of apples, the
cows had been receiving a four-quart ration
(four pounds three ounces) of mill feed,
then selling at $i.8o a hundred weight.
With one-half of the mill feed taken away
and a peck of apples substituted in its place,
there was no falling off in quantity of milk
produced, nor in the quantity of cream, as
determined by the scale of the Cooley cans,
and the color of the cream indicated that it
was as rich in butter fat as formerly. The
ration of mill feed was worth 7^ cents, one-
half saved by feeding a peck of apples — 3^
cents. Call it 3>4 cents: then a bushel '»f

apples in the barn was worth 14 cents cash
to feed to cows. He paid boys about a
penny a bushel for picking them up.

B. F. Thorpe, in Hoard's Dairyman, says
of a successful dairyman in New Jersey:
" His windfalls and inferior apples and root
trimmings from vegetable garden, that are
valuable for relishes for his cows, find their
way to their mangers, and figure to a greater
extent in the year's total production than the
novice w^ould suppose." A bulletin recently
issued from the Vermont Experiment Sta-
tion says that the experience of four years
of feeding apple pomace to twenty cows
proves " that it is nearly equivalent in feed-
ing value to corn silage," and " cows con-
tinuously and heartily fed have not shrunk,
but, on the contrary, have held up their milk
flows remarkably well. Fifteen pounds of
pomace to a cow have been fed daily with
entire satisfaction."

The value of apples w^as still greater when
fed to hogs than when fed to cows. I fed
a bushel of apples to a small lot of hogs *n
the morning, when their appetites were
good, and they were all eaten before noon.
At noon they were fed three pecks of mill
feed, and when they had eaten it up clean
they were given another bushel of apples,
and at dark three pecks of mill feed. The
two feeds of ground grain weighed fifty-one
pounds, and were worth at that time 91
cents. It is not easy to fix the exact value
of the apples, because it is not certain that
the hogs fattened as fast when more than
half their diet was apples as they would have
done had their feed been all ground grain.
Apparently, they fattened as fast aS my hogs
ever did when their ration was wholly
ground grain, and when killed were found
well fattened. I know by trial that without

30

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

the apples the hogs would have eaten rather
more than sixty-eight pounds of ground
grain each day, or would have required
seventeen pounds more in place of the ap-
ples. Seventeen pounds of feed was worth
30^ cents. According to this calculation,
which, I believe is correct, apples were worth
about 15 cents a bushel to feed to hogs.
With cheaper grain, of course, apples would
be worth less ; but grain will never be so
cheap that apples will not be worth picking
up to feed to cows and hogs. Young cat-
tle and horses are just as fond of them as
cows and hogs. One of our horses neighed
and pawed to manifest his anxiety to be
served with some when he saw me feeding
the cows. Reason teaches that an article of

diet that animals are so crazy to get must be
healthful and suitable food for them when
fed in moderation.

The Country Gentleman says : "As the
apple season progresses, we see more and
more the need of some outlet for waste ap-
ples. They can be fed to pigs and cows ;
and that, perhaps, is as good a use as any.
Careful tests show that apples fed regularly
and in moderation produce no bad effects."

Dr. Groff, in the Tribune Farmer, says:
" The present season this cow (his family
cow) has had now for about twelve weeks a
large basketful of apples, or of pomace, twice
each day and she has never in the same time
produced so much milk.

FRUIT FOR BREAKFAST

^^ AYS the Youths" Companion : "There
Vl3 are thousands of men and women who
are within easy reach of orchards and fruit
gardens, or of fruit stalls, who sit down each
morning to a heavy, greasy, fried breakfast,
which taxes their digestive organs to the ut-
most. Many of them never take fruit at
all except in the form of pie. * * * *
Even in the country, where there are no fruit
markets, there are few families who do not
iiave a barrel or two of apples in their cellar
in the winter. No better use could be made
of these apples than to serve them at break-
fast. They are best raw ; but for those who
cannot easily digest uncooked fruit they
might be baked, or made into apple-sauce.
Tn my own individual practice I go still fur-

ther. I aim to have fruit, such as apples,
pears, grapes, sometimes oranges and ba-
nanas, on the table at breakfast, dinner and
supper. Bananas are simply delicious
when served with acid-currant sauce as i
have it; namely, without skins and seeds.
At breakfast I may eat my fruit first, to be
followed by a dish of some breakfast food.
In the berry season I usually combine the
fruit with the breakfast food. Mellow,
juicy pears or a well-ripened Maiden Blush
or Snow apple may be served in the same
way in their season. At dinner the fruit is
usually eaten the last thing, and possibly the
same at supper, although none of my family
seems to care so much for fruit thus late i'""
the dav.

THE PRACTICE OF UNDERDRAINING

TO secure satisfactory results careful
study should first of all be given
to the best manner of laying out a
system of drains, the aim being to secure
the greatest fall, the least outlay for tile, the
least amount of digging, and the most per-
fect drainage.

Tile. — For underdraining there is noth-
ing better than the ordinary round drain tile.
The size to be used can only be decided by
a study of the conditions under which the
drain is to work. They should be large
enough to carry off in twenty-four to forty-
eight hours the surplus water, from the
heaviest rains, but it is important that they
should not be too large, as the cost of under-
draining is governed largely by the size of
the tile used. It may be mentioned that the
capacity of the round water pipes is in pro-
portion to the squares of their diameters.
That is, under the same conditions, a two-
inch pipe will carry four times as much
water and a three-inch pipe nine times as
much water as a one-inch pipe. In fact,
the larger pipe will carry even more than
this proportion, because of the greater fric-
tion in the small pipe. In ordinary cases
five or six inch tile are recommended for the
lower part of a main drain and four-inch
for the upper portion : for the branches 2^/2
to 3-inch are preferable.

Depth and Distance Apart. — It is sel-
dom necessary to lay drains more than four
feet below the surface, and in most cases
two and a half to three and a half feet will
be found sufficient. The proper distance
between branch drains depends on the quan-
tity of water to be carried and the nature of
the subsoil. In general practice the lines of
tile are usually placed from fifty to one hun-
dred feet apart. In a tenacious clay soil,
however, thirtv feet would not be too close.

Digging the Drain. — The drain may be
opened up in the first place by passing three
or four times along the same track with an
ordinary plow. Then the subsoil may be
broken up with a good strong subsoil plow.
In this way the earth may be loosened to a
depth of two feet or more and thrown out
with narrow shovels. The bottom of the
drain should be dug with narrow draining
spades made for the purpose. The ditch
should be kept straight by means of a line
stretched tightly near the ground and about
four inches back from the edge. In ordi-
nary cases the ditch need not be more than
a foot wide at the top and four to six inches
at the bottom, the width of course increas-
ing in proportion to the depth of the drain
and the size of the tile.

Grading. — As a rule drains should be
given as much fall as possible, and the grad-
ing should not be less than two inches in one
hundred feet, if this can be secured. Care-
ful leveling is necessary to ensure a uniform
fall throughout the course of a drain. As
a simple method for this purpose, one of
our leading authorities recommends the
ditcher to use several cross-heads made from
strips of inch boards, three or four inches
wide The length of the standard varies
according to the depth of the drain. A
cross piece about two feet long is nailed on
the top of the standard. These cross-
heads are then placed along the line of the
ditch so that the cross pieces are in line.
The proper grade is ascertained by the use
of the ordinary spirit level. When ready
to lay the tile a standard should be set at the
bottom of the drain and marked in line with
the top of the cross heads ; this will, by test-
ing every few feet, give a true grade for the
tiles.

Laying the Tile. — When the bottom of

32

THE CAN-ADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

the drain has been brought to the proper
grade and shape the tile should be laid very
carefully to secure perfectly close joints.
With the aid of a tile hook they may be
placed 'rapidly and accurately without get-
ting into the ditch. Some prefer to place
the tile with the hand, standing in the ditch
and stepping carefully on each tile as laid.
In covering it is preferable to put the sur-
face soil next the tiles, for if properly
packed it will prevent the subsoil from get-
ting in at the joints. The laying should
begin at the outlet of the main drain, and
where connection is made with branch lines
enough of the branch should be laid to per-
mit the main to be partly filled in.

Junction and Outlets. — All junctions
of branches with the main line should be
made at an acute angle, or where the fall is
sufficient, from above the axis of the main.
This is necessary in order to prevent the de-

posit of silt and the consequent blocking of
the tile at the junction. Specially made
joint tile may be used, or the connection may
be made by cutting a hole in the main tile
with a tile pick. The outlet of the drain
should be so placed that there will be a free
flow of water. If protected with masonry
and a grating to keep out animals, so much
the better. In this country glazed sewer
pipe or glazed drain tile may be used to ad-
vantage for the last ten or fifteen feet to
prevent injury by frost. In closing it may
be well to recall the fact that trees should
not be allowed to grow near a line of tile,
through which water flows during the
greater part of the year, as the roots are apt
to enter at the joints in search of water, and
in course of time close the drain. Willows,
poplars and elms are particularly objection-
able in this respect.

THE NEGLECTED ORCHARD

KEFFER, in Univ. of Penn. Record,
says : " The neglected orchard is
usually neglected because the farmer does
not depend on it for his living or his profits
— his other acres provide these, and the or-
chard does all that is expected of it, pro-
duces enough apples for family use. Al-
most any old orchard will do that. It is
only when it dawns on the farmer that his
more progressive neighbor is making more
money out of his orchard than out of any
other equal acreage on his farm that he
starts in to study the problem of fruit pro-
duction. He knows he can not grow corn
continuously without enriching the soil, and
a yearly dressing of manure is given the
corn fields. He knows that meadows be-
come unproductive when left too long in

sod, and every few years the meadow land
is given thorough tillage, and for the time
being grass and corn change fields. Let
him apply exactly the same cultural princi-
ples in his orchard that he does in his re-
maining fields. Manure the orchard. Plow
it. Add to the soil every year or two some-
thing in the nature of vegetable matter —
barnyard manure, or a good crop of cow-
peas plowed under — something that, with
the frequent use of the cultivator during the
growing season, will make the soil in the
orchard as light and friable as the soil in the
corn fields. It means work, and lots of it.
But nobody expects a corn plant to produce
its fruit without manure and tillage ; why
should the apple tree be less lightly regard-
ed than the corn plant?"

PRUNING PLUM TREES

TAKING for granted that your trees
are bought from the nursery, prun-
ing should be commenced at the
time of planting in the orchard, carefully
trimming the bruised or broken ends of
roots with a sharp knife. Carry out with
the top the same idea you would when plant-
ing shade trees — cut back somewhere near
in proportion to the loss of roots, and you
will have a much stronger immediate
growth than you will if no pruning is done.

If your young tree is a long switch, it is
easy to plan for the future form of the tree.
Cut back as low as you dare have the
branches spread from the trunk. It is not
desirable to have the branches up so high
that a horse may pass under. Better if the
branches keep the horse so far away that
the whiffletrees cannot touch the body, but
you will want to get under the tree yourself
to pick up fruit. Some varieties will scarce-
ly permit this if allowed to grow their own
way when young.

You may sometimes buy young trees
which have not been properly trained in the
nursery, thus making it necessary to cut
well back to force the growth of a new body
rather than to have a sprawling thing which
will compel the removal of large branches
at some future time. If your trees thrive
well, the branches will be long switches,
which should be cut back to one-third of
their length, otherwise some will throw out
branches near the ends, and the most thrifty
ones will incline to take on the form of trees
themselves. The more luxuriant the
growth of the switch the more positive
should be the pruning. This cutting back
should be repeated so long as the tendency
to make long extensions of growth is con-
tinued, but after fruiting commences, atten-
tion will have to be given mostly to keeping
the inside sufficiently open and preventing

interlocking or crossing of small branches.

Forethought in pruning will make the
trees more compact and strong, thus lessen-
ing the tendency to break down when load-
ed with fruit. A good time to prune is late
in winter during the pleasant days when you
f:cl as if you just wanted to do some horti-
cultural work that makes it seem as if
spring is coming. Other good times to
prune are when the weather is not too hot
nor too cold. It would be well to keep
your knife in your pocket when the wood is
frozen, and not plan for any pruning dur-
ing the dog days, but even then you may
help nature along if you have overlooked
here or there a small branch which shows
that the tree will soon have no use for *t.
A knife blade with a straight edge is better
for pruning than the orthodox form of a
hooked blade. With a slight pressure with
the left hand on the branch to be removed
and a drawing cut with the right hand, you
can with a straight sharp edge remove a
much larger branch than should be found
necessary to take off.

Pruning for stubs to strike on when jar-
ring off the curculios and gouger seems to
be of double necessity. When cutting for
scions, judgment should be used in regard
to the future shaping of the young tree, and
it would be well to do it yourself rather than
to defer to the opinion of the man who
wants the scions. After the trees have
commenced to bear you may have difficulty
in getting scions from such free fruiting
varieties as the Arctic, Townsend, DeSoto,
Rollingstone, etc.

Experiments in cutting back parts of
trees this year on the Arctic and Baraboo,
prove that we can in this way promote
young growth. Reasoning from this, I
think we can to some extent thus rejuvenate
our old trees of such overbearing varieties

34

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

as the DeSoto, which after a few years bear-
ing shows lack of vigor and tendency to die
out. There is another kind of pruning
which is of marked benefit, not only in pro-
moting the vigor and in prolonging the life
of the tree, but also in improving the quality
and size of the fruit. I refer to fruit prun-
ing as thinning, but by all means let it be
done by removing the fruit and not the fruit
spurs.

The curculio and gouger will try to do

the thinning for you. but they make such a
mess of it their work should be prevented
as much as possible. Sometimes the injury
from aphis is in such shape that it is well to
trim off and burn the infected branches.
Black knot and blights should be treated
with the knife and fire, but I have not been
troubled with these diseases, so can say but
little about them. In conclusion, would
say, keep your knife sharp. — American
A ^riculturist.

APPRENTICESHIP OF A GERMAN GARDENER

FIRST of all, it is required of an aspi-
rant to have a fair school education;
if possible, language (Latin especially) and
geography, which help him considerably and
save a lot of study in after days. If the
young man has found a place to enter as an
apprentice, the majority 'of establishments
charge a certain sum per annum, Germany
generally from lOO to 150 marks ($25 to
$37-5o) ; France and Belgium about the
same. Then he must enter a contract to
serve a time, generally three years. In rare
cases he will be allowed a small compensa-
tion at the last year of his time.

There are some places which take appren-
tices without pay, but then he must gener-
ally serve a time of four years.

This time will never be forgotten by any
young man who passed through it. It is a
time of hard work — in many places it is com-
pulsory to pass through evening school to
collect knowledge in landscape drawing,
geometry and surveying. This goes through
to sometimes three years during winter.
Then besides at home it is not only practi-
cal work, which occupies the young man,
but also theoretical. There are the names
of all the plants to be learned, their nature,
native country, under what conditions they
grow best, what soil is best for them ; books

have to be bought and studied ; many em -
ployers require their apprentices to keep a
day book in which all work done during the
day has to be entered. Not only super-
ficial, but to the minutest details. After
twenty-six years the writer recalls many in-
stances of apparent negligence and the
rather strong reprimands he received. In
this way the time passes for the apprentice
under constant work with few and long be-
tween pleasures. After the expiration of
his time he is called an assistant and re-
ceives his certificate, of which every young
gardener is as proud of as any young girl of
a new Easter hat.

Then his time comes to travel. Of every
young gardener it is expected that he sees
other establishments, if possible, other
countries, and widen his knowledge. We
all, who passed through the mill, know how
proud we felt and thought we knew it all :
but no matter how hard we worked and
studied, after getting to a new place he finds
out how little he really does know. Wher-
ever he goes there are dififerent methods,
other plants, always something new ; so it
keeps him hustling to keep up to date.

It is a constant learning as long as he is
in the profession. But this is a gardener.
— R. W. Unger, in Union Gardener.

SELF-STERILITY IN APPLES

C. B. S., U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE.

ABOUT ten years ago Prof. M. B.
Waite called attention to the abso-
lute sterility of certain varieties of
pears when fertilized with their own pollen.
Later Prof. F. A. Waugh and others showed
that all the varieties of Japanese plums and
practically all the native American plums are
self-sterile, and will not bear any fruit what-
ever, unless crossed with other varieties.
This work led to similar investigations with
apples, and very interesting results have been
obtained. The Ben Davis apple, which
proved self-sterile at the Kansas experiment
station, was found entirely self-fertile at the
experiment stations in Rhode Island, Ver-
mont, and Canada. Even in Kansas, where
26 per cent, of the self-fertilized blossoms
set fruit, it was found that the self-polli-
nated fruit was not so large or so vigorous
as the fruits from cross-fertilized blossoms
on the same tree. Besides, a much larger
proportion of the self-fertilized fruits drop-
ped before they reached the size of a hazel-
nut than of the cross-pollinated fruit.

The following alphabetical list shows the
varieties of apples that have thus far been
found by actual trial at one or more experi-
ment stations to be self-sterils : Astrachan,
Relleflower, Ben Davis. Blenheim, Canada
Red, English Russet. Fameuse. Gravenstein,
Grimes Golden. Hawley. Huntsman, King,
Mann, Northern Spy. Porter, Primate, Rib-
ston, Rhode Island Greening. Roxbury
Russet. Spitzenberg, Stark. Talman Sweet,
Wealthv. Williams Favorite. Willow Twig
and Winesap.

The following varieties have been found
more or less self-fertile and capable of pro-

ducing some fruit when standing alone, and
not cross-pollinated : Alexander, Astra-
chan, Baldwin, Ben Davis, Bough, Che-
nango, Early Harvest, Esopus, Fa-
meuse, Jonathan, Ontario, Rhode Island
Greening, Smith Cider, Twenty-Ounce and
Yellow Transparent. With many of the
varieties in this list not more than one blos-
som in a hundred set fruit when self-ferti-
lized. With scarcely any was a good crop
secured, and in nearly every instance the
fruit has been smaller and less desirable than
cross-pollinated fruit. The conclusion seems
inevitable that large blocks of a single va-
riety of apples should never be planted. Va-
rieties should be intimately mixed in the or-
chard to insure cross-pollination. These
varieties should be such as will blossom
about the same time and be capable of cross-
fertilizing each other.

With respect to. the latter point, Jonathan,
Huntsman and Cooper Early proved especi-
ally valuable as pollenizers at the Kansas ex-
periment station. Prof. G. H. Powell, at
the Delaware station, found that Paragon,
Staymen, Winesap and Lily of Kent, all
weak pollen bearers except the latter, to be
inter-sterile, and should therefore never be
planted together in commercial orchards for
the purpose of cross-pollination. Further
work along these lines to determine what va-
rieties bloom together and are most suitable
for pollenizing each other is very desirable.
And since varieties behave differently toward
each other in different sections of the coun-
try, these data should be determined in many
different localities.

Civic and Rural Improvement
Garden and Lawn

IMPATIENS SULTANI

WM. HUNT, SUPT. GEENHOUSES, O. A C, GUELPH.

THIS plant is very commonly known
amongst plant lovers as the " Pa-
tience plant," and is one of the best
and easiest plants to grow for the window.

Fig. 2720. Miss Ei.ma O'Farrell.

It is very seldom at any season of the year,
whether in the window in winter time or
when growing in the open garden in sum-
mer time, that at least a few of its beamiful
bright rose-scarlet flowers are not found on
the tips of its pale green waxy-like foliage ;
whilst at times the plant is almost covered
with its showy blossoms. This continuous
habit of flowering and its 'easy culture are
two strong points in favor of this perennial
relative of the annual Balsam (Impatiens
Halsamina), that is so well known and so
often seen in flower borders during the hot
summer months. The annual variety, how-
ever, is a native of tropical Asia, whilst tne
Impatiens Sultani is a native of Zanzibar in
tropical Africa, and is often for that reason
called the Zanzibar balsam.

There are several hybrids and types of the
Impatiens Sultani offered for sale by plant
growers besides the scarlet flowered variety,
named "Rosea" being amongst the best ot
the newer types introduced.

Cuttings of these plants will strike readily
in fine sand. The cuttings should be taken
in April or May. about two inches of the
tips of the shoots being best for this pur-
pose. Care should be taken in inserting tht
cuttings into the sand not to bruise or tear
the base of the cutting. The sand should
be well watered first and holes dibbled in the

CIVIC AND RURAL IMPROVEMENT.

37

Fig. 2721. Miss Minnie Bailey.

sand a little over an inch in depth to place
the cutting in, when the sand should be
filled in level aroUnd the cutting and suffi-
cient water given them to thoroughly mois-
ten all the sand in the pot or box that is
used. A warm place in the window where
the sun does not strike directly in the middle
of the day will suit the cuttings very well.
The sand should be kept moist, but not satu-
rated with water.

In about three or four weeks the cuttings
should be rooted sufficiently to pot ofiF.
Small pots ('2^-inch) should be used for

each cutting, and a compost consisting of
two parts of rich loamy potting soil and one
part of sand mixed with it will suit them
very well for the first potting; less sand can
be used for future pottings if the plants are
grown on in pots.

I have grown fine bushy specimens of
these plants in the open ground out of doors
during summer by planting the small plants
out about the end of June after danger
from frost is over. A light rather sandy
soil, fairly rich, suits them best. The plants
should be potted about the end of August

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

and taken indoors before the nights get
chilly and cold. Some broken pieces of
llower pot, coarse gravel, or some coal cin
ders should be placed at the bottom of the
pots before the plants are potted, as bad
drainage in the pots during winter will of-
ten cause the foliage to turn yellow and
drop off prematurely.

The aphis or green fly, as well as the red
spider, are often troublesome pests to these
plants. Tobacco smoke or tobacco water
will kill the aphis, whilst the red spider can
be disposed of by dipping the foliage of the
plants in tepid water once or twice a week
if the plants are badly infested.

I know of no plants that will give such
continuous flowering results the year round,
whether grown in a greenhouse or in the
window, more especially when the very little

care and attention they require is taken into
consideration, than these Zanzibar balsams
will.

I had intended to send along a photo of m
specimen of these plants with this article,
but unfortunately the negative was a failure.
Possibly I may secure a picture for next
month's issue.

CHRYSANTHEMUMS.

The two photos I am sending are those of
two of the new chrysanthemums I men-
tioned in the December issue, viz. : Miss
Elma O'Farrell, a bright rosy-magenta col
ored flower, and Miss Minnie Bailey, a light
silver pink flower, of a decidedly pretty ro-
sette shape. Both are good varieties foi
pot culture for the window or greenliouse.

DAHLIAS

I^HE most convenient method of raising
dahlias is to place the old roots — dur-
ing the month of April — in benches or boxes,
covering over with sand and stand them in a
greenhouse or hotbed in a temperature of
about 60 degrees. 'mey should be kept
moist, but not over wet. When the shoots
attain a length of about four inches, take off
as cuttings and insert in propagating bench
with about same temperature. When root-
ed, pot off singly into three-inch pots, using
a sandy compost. Shade till started, then
give plenty of light and gradually harden off.
Plant outdoors end of May. Training must
be done according to the purpose for which

the plants are intended. For exhibition
blooms, three shoots only are left ; these are
tied to separate stakes and all buds are re-
moved except the centre one in each shoot.
But for general purposes, twelve or more
shoots can be left. One strong centre stake
will be sufficient, the .side branches being
supported to this by a string of sufffcient
strength ; disbud to one bloom on each shoot.
These remarks on training apply only to the
larger double flowered varieties. For sin-
gles and pompons, little or no disbudding is
necessary ; all that is generally required is to
give them the requisite support. — Am. Gar-
dening.

THE CONFERENCE OF HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES

ONE of the wise steps in advance, intro-
duced by our worthy secretary, has
been the division of our annual meeting into
sections, so that delegates could attend to
those sections most in line with their work.
We have now a fruit section and a flower
section; by and by we may have a forestry
section and a domestic science section, all
coming together for a union session each
evening.

The chairman of the flower section was
Mr. T. H. Race, of Mitchell, so well known
to our societies by his talks on Rose Culture.
One of the most valuable papers was the
following, given by Prof. H. L. Hutt, of the
O. A. C, Guelph, on

BEAUTIFYING HOME GROUNDS.

THE sturdy pioneers who first settled
this country came with a determina-
tion to subdue the forests and to hew
out for themselves homes in the
wilderness. Their first aim was to
clear the land for the growing of crops, and this
usually kept them so busy that they had little
or no time for leveling of lawns or planting of
shade trees and ornamental bushes. But we
have now reached a period in the country's his-
tory when comfortable homes are thickly dottei
throughout the land, and more attention is be-
ing given to the beautifying of the home sur-
roundings. Not only is the skill of the land-
scape architect more and more in demand, but
there is a call for information on the subject by
which those who have not the means to employ
a professional gardener. In this paper we shall
call attention to some of the leading principles
which should guide in laying out and beautify-
ing the surroundings of a country home.

In the first place it must be understood that
the most beautiful scenes are, as a rule, more or
less natural. "We should, therefore, accept na-
ture as our teacher, and study the materials an'l
combinations which go to make up natural
beauties.

The materials with which the landscape gar-
dener has to deal may be classified as natural
and artificial. The natural materials are the
ground, grass, trees, shrubs, vines, herbaceous
plants and annuals, and in some cases rocks and
bodies of water. The artificial materials are
trees and shrubs clipped into unnatural shapes,
geometrical beds of improved fiowers, terraces,
walks, drives, buildings, fountains, statuary, etc.
The skill of the landscape gardener in producing

beautiful effects depends upon the judicious use
of these materials. We shall now treat of some
of these in detail.

The Ground. — One of the most important fea-
tures in the ground surrounding a home is the
contour of its surface. This is what gives
character to a place. A low lying lawn with
something of a depression in the centre, has an
altogether tame appearance, while an other-
wise similar lawn, with but a slight cov-
ering in the centre, has an altogether differ-
ent appearance. Sometimes a perfectly
straight surface line is pleasing, and the
level lawn is more in keeping with the place
and its surroundings than any other could be,
but as a rule some variation from the straight
line is preferable. In nature we take more de-
light in bold outlines of hills and valleys than
we do in level stretches of country. This is be-
cause we love the variety which hill and hollow
affords, and this suggests the desirability of in-
troducing undulations in landscape gardening
whenever the size of the grounds and other cir-
cumstances will permit.

The buildings should, of course, be on the
highest elevation, and the grounds should be
made to slope away from them. On a steep
hillside the grounds may have to be terraced,
which, if well done, adds much to the appear-
ance of a place, but likewise adds con-
siderably to the cost. Whether the grounds are
flat or rolling the small irregularities of the
surface should be levelled and smoothed so that
the mower may be worked easily. Wherever
much grading or filling has to be done due al-
lowance must be made for settling, and a few
inches of good surface soil should always be left
on top. The character of the surface soil is ::
matter of great importance, because on it de-
pends the luxuriance or poverty of the grass and
trees growing over it.

The Green Sward. — There are two ways of
clothing the ground with grass, either by sod-
ding or by sowing grass seed. On small plots
or steep banks and along borders, sodding is the
quickest and most satisfactory method, but on
large areas seeding is not only the cheapest but
the best. In preparing the ground for seeding
it should be plowed, harrowed, rolled and made
as fine as possible, and as a final preparation
nothing is better than going over it carefully
with a garden rake.

The kind of seed to sow is a matter of im-
portance. Coarse grasses, such as timothy, are
not suitable for lawn making. Many of the
finer and more delicate grasses may be obtained
in " lawn grass mixtures," but the most satis-
factory mixture we have found is made up of
equal parts by weight of Kentucky blue grass,
red top grass, and white Dutch clover. All of
these are hardy and stand well the extremes of
our climate. The seeding should be done on a
still day when there is no wind to carry the
lighter seeds. Thick seeding should be th.='

-\o

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

rule. Three or four bushels per acre is none
too much for seeding down a lawn. In fact, the
grass should come up as thick as the hair on a
dog's back. After the seed is sown it should
be lightly raked in, and if the weather is dry i1
is well to go over the ground with a hand roller.
The work of making a lawn may be done at al-
most any time of the year, but where much
levelling and filling is necessary it is well to do
the grading in the fall, so that the ground will
have finished settling by the spring, and then
the surface may be raked over as soon as it is
dry enough to work, and the seeds sown as
early as possible. A lawn sown early in the
spring should be nice and green by the middle
of the summer, or seed sown early in the fall
should give a good grassy carpet early next
spring.

Keeping a Lawn. — To keep a lawn in prime
velvety condition it should be mowed frequently,
particularly during the season of rapid growth.
The mowings should be so frequent that none of
the grass should have to be raked off. This is
the practice followed on well kept city lawns
where men, money and mowers are available.
On the farm, where these articles are not so plenti-
ful, and where the area to be gone over is usual-
ly greater, it may be kept in very respectable
condition with the ordinary farm mower, the
cutter bar of which should be set low and the
knives kept sharp. On the farm the front yard
and back yard, the lanes and the roadsides
should all be levelled, seeded and put in such
condition that they can all be gone over with the
farm mower, and if the mowing is done as often
as the grass is high enough for the knives to
catch nicely the improvement made in the ap-
pearance of a place would in many cases add
nearly 50 per cent, to the value of the property.

To maintain a luxuriant growth and a rich
dark green in the color of the grass, the lawn
should occasionally receive a top dressing of
stable manure in the fall. The soluble portion
of this is washed into the ground by the fall and
spring rains, and early in the spring the coars-
est portion of the manure should be raked off.

Trees and Shrubs. — In the treA and shrubs
we have some of the finest forms of natural
beauty. They present a great variety of orna-
mental qualities, in habit of growth, in size, in
color of bark and foliage, and in their flowers.

Taking the trees first, they may naturally be
divided into two classes, the deciduous and the
evergreen trees. If space permitted we could
give a lengthy list and mention the special claim
of each to a place on the lawn, but we must be
content with mentioning only a few of the most
desirable. Among the maples we have the
sugar maples, the soft maples, and Weir's cut-
leaved variety of the same, the Sycamore maple,
and the Box elder, sometimes called the Mani-
toba maple, which is particularly valuable on
new places on account of its rapid growth, but
along with it should be planted some of the
more durable trees, which will come in and last
long after the Box elder has served its purpose.
As a successor to it we know of none better than

our native American elm.. In its finest form,
with feathered trunk, high spreading arms and
long, pendulous branches, this is, in our opin-
ion, the most stately and graceful of our native
trees. On large grounds, where there is room
for variety, some of the rugged oaks and fra-
grant lindens add a charm to the scene. The
cut-leaf weeping white birch is very ornamental
in both summer and winter, and shows a strik-
ing color contrast, particularly when placed so
as to have for a background a group of ever-
greens or a dark colored building.

Among the evergreens the pines and spruces
occupy a first rank. The Austrian and Scotch
pines make handsome specimens, although when
young our native white pine is equal to, if not
superior to, any of the foreigners. The same
might also be said of our notive white spruce,
as compared with its more vigouous relative
from Norway. But for a handsome specimen of
nature's coloring let us have the dainty little
blue spruce of Colorado. Among the arbor
vitaes, junipers and retinosperas there are some
very beautiful forms, such as the pyramidal and
globose arbor vitae, the tall Irish juniper, and
the plumose retinospera, but those last men-
tioned are less hardy than the arbor vitaes and
require protection for a few years in the colder
sections of Ontario.

Ornamental Shrubs. — For a list of some of the
most desirable and hardy ornamental shrubs
adapted to our northern section, I cannot do
better than refer intending planters to the valu-
able list given in Mr. Macoun's report in the
Central Experimental Farm Report for 1897.
One hundred species and varieties are there
mentioned, with twenty-five of the most desir-
able marked. If we were compelled to reduce
the list to half of that number, we would from
our own experience select the following : The
Caragana or Siberian pea-tree, Hydrangea pani-
culata, the Tartarian bush honeysuckle, the
mock orange or Philadelphus, the golden cur-
rant, Spirea Van Houtii, the Weigelia, the Pur-
ple fringe, the oldfashioned lilacs in variety, the
snowball or viburnum, and last but not least,
roses in variety.

The Arrangement of Trees and Shrubs. — To
artistically arrange and distribute a collection
of trees and shrubs on the lawn requires much
more skill and judgment than to set out trees in
a straight line in an orchard. The following
rules should be observed in lawn planting :

1. Follow as nearly as possible the natural
order of arrangement. Nature does not plant
in stiff and formal geometrical lines, but rather
in irregular profusion, in too much profusion. If is
often necessary, therefore, to modify the natural
arrangement to meet the needs of the case. One
has said that " the aim should be to exhibit na-
ture idealized rather than nature real." A pro-
minent American landscape gardener tells us
that for his first lesson in arranging trees on
the lawn he was told to take in his hand as
many stones as he had trees to plant; to stand
by the house and throw them in the direction
he wished the trees to stand, then plant >vher-

BEA UTIFYING HOME GROUNDS.

41

ever the stones fell. And he says that with a
few slight modifications the effect was all that
could be desired.

2. Arrange to give an air of breadth and ex-
panse to the place. This is a most desirable ef-
fect, and is secured by preserving a more or less
open lawn in front of the house, by scattering
and grouping the larger trees at the outside of
the grounds so as to more or less hide the
boundaries. This suggests an unlimited extent,
beyond what the eye can see at any point. An-
other means is by opening vistas between the
trees, looking out upon distant scenes beyond
the boundaries. In this way we may shut out
undesirable objects, and we may appropriate to
ourselves desirable scenes, such as a wooded
hillside, a stretch of river, or a church spire, and
thus make our little grounds seem like part of
an extensive park.

3. Arrange for trees to give comfort as well
as ornament. One of the first considerations
should be to shade the buildings from the heat
of the sun and to shelter them from the sweep
of the prevailing winds. On the south and west
should be planted a few of the largest trees,
such as elms or maples, not so close as to ex-
clude the light from any of the windows, nor so
that any of the branches, when the trees are
full grown will overhang the house, but close
enough that their shade will fall upon it. In all
planting the effect should be watched from the
principal windows, and we must take into con-
sideration what the results will be when the
trees are full grown.

As a protection against the sweeping winds
of winter some of the strong growing ever-
greens, such as pines and spruces, are most use-
ful. Thick belts or clumps of these should be
planted on the most exposed quarters, and along
with them may be planted a few of the light
colored deciduous trees. In winter the ever-
greens give a cosy appearance to the place, and
in summer their sombre darkness is re-
lieved by the bright green of the deciduous
trees.

In arranging the smaller trees and flowering
shrubs these may be grouped into ornamental
groups, or occasionally fine specimens may
stand out by themselves. When grouping into
clumps the tallest growing specimens should bc^
planted in the centre, and along the border the
smallest shrubs should come to the front so as
to blend the grass with the taller trees in the
background.

Beautiful color combinations and contrasts,
both in flower and foliage, may often be ar-
ranged if the planter understands his work.
For instance, a beautiful color contrast is ob-
tained by planting a purple-leaved barberry
near a golden-leaved spiraea or a dark Austral-
ian pine as a background for one of the light
colored Colorado spruces.

Vines and Climbers. — Among the vines and
climbers we have a number of beautiful species
which may be made very effective in many
ways in beautifying the home surroundings.
They are particularly valuable on small
grounds and town lots, as they take up so little

room, but they are also quite as valuable in
beautifying a country home. One of the most
hardy and vigorous is the common Virginia
creeper. This is excellent for covering a sum-
mer house or an unsightly wooden wall. As, a
covering for a brick or stone wall the Boston
Ivy (Ampelopsis Veitchii) is one of the hand-
somest. In northern sections it requires win-
ter protection for the first few winters, but
when once established it grows rapidly, and will
soon convert a brown or red front into a wall of
living green. For a handsome, hardy flowering
climber we have nothing to equal Clematis
Jackmani, with its large purple flowers ; and
Clematis paniculata, with its innumerable small
white flowers late in the fall. Hall's climbing
honeysuckle and the Chinese Wistaria are beau-
tiful climbers, well adapted to climbing veran-
dah posts or festooning a balcony, but they will
not stand our winters without protection except
in the southern parts of the province.

Walks and Drives. — These are not in them-
selves very ornamental, but they are necessarj
and have an important effect in the appearance
of a place.

When properly located they convey the iden
that the place is inhabited, and they seem to im-
part an air of welcome.

As the walks and drives are artificial, and not
in themselves ornamental, there should be as
flew as possible. Business roads should as a
rule be straight, but pleasure drives give more
pleasure if they are laid out in graceful curves.
The curves give variety and help to relieve the
angular outlines of the buildings. They should
not, however, be introduced at the expense of
utility, 'and should offer no temptation to take
short cuts across the grass. Whenever a curve
is introduced there should be trees or some ob-
ject in the road to make the curve appear neces-
sary. If such are not there when the drive '^>
laid out, they may be planted afterwards. A
jurve without some apparent cause for it looks
meaningless and affected.

The drive, whenever possible, should enter
at the side of the lawn, and curve gently around
towards the buildings as though it were the
nearest and most natural way of approach. It
should be dotted here and there along the sides
with trees and shrubbery, which partly screen
the buildings from sight, so that we keep getting
a different view of the house as we approach.
This gives variety and pleasure, and always
leaves just enough unseen to make us feel like
following it up to see where it leads to.

The width of drives and walks should vary
according to their length and the amount of
travel upon them. If long and much travelled
the drive must be wide enough for two rigs to
pass easily, but if short and not so much used,
8 to 10 feet, or room for one wagon, is enough.
Walks or footpaths will vary from 3 to 5 feet.
The drives and walks should be properly graded
and made slightly crowning from the centre Ij
the sides so as to give good drainage. If good
gravel is obtainable they should be covered with
gravel, raked smooth and rolled hard.

Fences. — As a rule fences largely enter Into

42

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

most landscapes, and are worthy of note. They
are artificial materials, and at best they are
necessary eyesores, but in the majority of cases
their necessity is only imaginary. If all of the
really unnecessary fences were removed, and
the ground which they occupy leveled and
seeded down or put under crop it would make a
wonderful difference in the appearance of the
country. It would remove a great harbor for
weeds and Insects; it would effect a great sav-
ing of labor and expense, and it would remove
one of the most striking features which adver-
tise the slovenly farmers all over the country.
The only fences necessary, or which should be
necessary, are those for the purpose of fencing
in stock, and not fencing out that of our neigh-
bors. Fences, in many cases, might be mov-
able or temporary. Roadside fences in many
sections might be dispensed with, the ground
levelled and seeded and the grass kept mowed
from the boundary to the roadbed. Bill Nye
says that " the farm without a fence in front of
it looks as if the owner were honest and thought
his neighbors the same." If a permanent fence
is necessary let it be as inconspicuous as possi-
ble, or let it be an ornamental hedge.

Some of the other artificial materials some-
times used in landscape gardening are trees,
trimmed into fantastic shape, fountains and
statuary, fiower beds of geometrical designs.
All these are artificial and' should be used with
as much discretion as one should use in wearing
fine jewellery. The more the artificial prevails
in the general surroundings the more these can
be used without giving offense. In proximity
to large and expensive buildings, or in extensive
parks, they may have their place, but on the
farmer's lawn, where most of the surroundings
are natural, and where the buildings are not
elaborate and costly, they would be altogether
out of place.

Another excellent paper was contribute
by Mr. A. K. Goodman, secretary of the
Cayuga Horticultural Society, through
whose exertions the town of Cayuga and its
surroundings have been wonderfully im-
proved during the past few years. The fol-
lowing is his paper :

THE WORK OF OUR HORTICULTURAL
SOCIETIES IN OUR TOWNS AND CITIES.

THE work of our Horticultural Societies
depends largely on the individual en-
thusiasm of its members. The world
has been full of great messages.
There has been wonderful progress
and development in literature and art, in all that
is beautiful and good. The message of this so-
ciety is to take up the work and receive in re-
turn better health, a new lease of life. Who
are to be the messengers ? The local societie.5
that we have formed. After the message is
well established it becomes the message to the

individual. This is to join the local society, to
improve your own surroundings and get a home
of your own. That means that you are to get
up early and live a regular life. If you study
nature, the first thing that strikes you is the
system about it.-

A lesson that the society needs is the lesson
of co-operation. See that your town is in the
front rank of improvement. Keep pounding
away until you fairly make the council take hold
and do something. It is pretty ha,rd for one
man to go to the council and try to get them in-
terested. It is the individual member's duty to
promote an interest by growing everything he
can as well as he can, improving everything, and
giving the world what he can. I do something
like my friend, Mr. Race, and provide all my
friends and my neighbors with boxes of fiowers,
and it looks as though I was in the business
and expected a return for it. My return is im-
provement in my own character, and in my
other lines of work.

The most important thing around the town is
the drainage, and the horticultural societies
should take very great interest in that, because
on the drainage depends the health of the com-
munity. Water, like men, to keep out of mis-
chief, must be always on the move. There
must be no stagnant pools. The roads should
all drain to their proper water courses, the gar-
dens should be drained, and everything about
the property should be drained. The water
should keep moving. You look in a man's back
yard and see nature working out her system of
irrigation. T-here is a dry spell, and the earth
opens in cracks and fissures. The heavy rain
comes, and away rushes all that fever and dis-
ease into the well, and soon a typhoid fever
breaks out and a loved one is lost. All this
because the man did not realize the message
that was brought to him by the horticultural
society. Another thing, it encourages thrift
about the home. Many of the crimes of the age
are due to idleness. You are very lucky in the
neighborhood if idleness does not lead to drink
or crime.

Coming back to the home, a good beginning
is the planting of an asparagus bed, or the
growing of a little parsley. Get a man started,
and soon he will want to sl^ow his work to
everybody.

Then go to the schools. We neglect our
schools. Some of the trustees neglect the school
building. They will not go into the building to
see if it is properly lighted or heated, or the
grounds laid out properly and the children given
a chance to play. I was glad to see that in To-
ronto Junction they have spent $12,000 in get-
ting a playground for the school. In most cities
they skimp the school grounds. If you do not
begin with the children you might as well drop
the work right now, because you cannot ex-
pect older people to break off their habits.
You must get the children interested first.

Then go along the streets, to the different
public places. The street is often neglected as to
shade trees. They should exist for beauty, and
for the protection of the pedestrian. Also, they

CO-OPERATION AMONG FRUIT GROWERS.

43

increase the value of property. Anything you
make more beautiful you make more valuable.
People will like to come to the streets. Re-
finement and beauty do not exist only in im-
mense buildings, for the humblest of homes can
be made a bower of roses, and there is just as
much refinement and culture as there is in a
large home. Ruskin says that the character of
a people is displayed in their architecture. That
is not true in this country, where people have
to take things as they find them.

Another thing that seems awful to me is the
condition of the church houses and the church-
yards. This is the fault of the -clergymen.
There ought to be more life in their sermons. A
" Nature Sermon " from a clergyman who does
not know anything about it falls flat. The
church grounds should be models of neatness
and taste.

The promenades is another thing that should
receive attention. Attractive promenades will
induce people to go out walking. The tongues
get a great deal of exercise in this age, but the
legs do not get so much. There should be more
walking, more exercise.

Next as to the driveways. There is no excuse
in this country why any man should not swim
and shoot and ride and be pretty good at any
kind of sport, and the driveways and promen-
ades would encourage more of that sort of thing.
I am a great believer in keeping up the drive-
ways.

Another thing is the roads leading into the
towns. Good roads are a great assistance in
building up a town. I have known many towns
to be stunted because the roads are not in good
condition. Trade moves to the best centers of
transportation.

The horticultural societies should ■ encourage
individual gardening by displays, premiums, and
by teaching people of the work and how to do it.
If there is any religion in a man at all, when he

comes into the garden his nature becomes up-
lifted. He remembers that the Lord walked in
the garden. The Lord walked in the garden o°
Eden. The Lord of Life walked in the garden
of Gethsemane, and in the garden was a grave.
Every man's life is a garden and in every man's
life is a grave. Man is the finest flower of
God's creation; therefore, in your garden let
there be order and beauty, and a constant striv-
ing after better results.

A very good idea is to go to the public gar-
dens of our towns and rub shoulders with the
gardeners, the people in charge, and find out
from the practical men how they are doing
things. It is simply wonderful the information
you can get, and in many cases you can apply it
to practical use when you get home*

The horticultural society has a general ten-
dency to uplift the town. Canada is on the eve
of a wonderful burst of opportunity. Now is
the time for us to take the opportunity. People
should spend money in uplifting the town, and
the money spent on civic improvement is not
wasted.

To come to our little town, Cayuga. We had
one of the dirtiest and most miserable of towns.
We started our Horticultural Society. Of
course Mr. Beal is responsible for the whole
thing. He started the machinery and pressed
the button, and we have kept it going. We
have cleaned up the two schools, planted
hedges, and done wonderful things there. We
have spent probably $500 on these grounds since
we started them. We have spent $10,000 on ce-
ment sidewalks. We have new public gardens,
and now each neighbor vies with the other as to
who would have the best boulevard. The first
thing we knew we had landed a factory, a
leather goods factory, employing forty hands,
which we never would have done if we had not
started improving our town. And we owe it all
to the Horticultural Society.

PEANUT Candy as Food. — Professor
Hilgard, of the University of California, re-
commends peanut candy as a healthful sub-
stitute for a meal when it is necessary to
omit one, says Country Life in America.
The starch of the peanut, and the sugar in
the candy, are both blood and tissue build-
ers and are exceedingly nourishing and at
the same time harmless when obtained at a
reputable candy store.

Thu Ice Crop. — Have the ice pond

cleared out and made tight before letting in
the water to be frozen, and see that all
sources of pollution of the water are cut off.
Freezing does not purify water, and if im-
pure the ice will not be fit for use. Impure
ice is more dangerous than impure water, as
the impurity of it is so much more likely to
be overlooked in the hot weather. Clean
out the ice house, and if necessary thorough-
ly repair and drain it. If no ice houses ex-
ist now is th'e time to build one if it is ^.o be
used this winter.

COLEUS IN WINTER

C^ OLEUS plants, as a rule, are not a
success in an ordinary window in
— ^ the winter season. For several
years I experimented with them, using both
old and young plants, keeping them cool or
hot, moist or dry, and finally hit on a plan
by following which they area complete suc-
cess every year. My experience has been
that old plants generally do not do well the
whole winter through. When the main
stalk becomes tough and woody it is time to
discard it and begin afresh.

My plan is this : Just before the first
killing frost in the fall. I go the rounds of
my coleus plants taking about three slips of
each variety. These are placed in glasses
of water to root ; when nicely rooted they
are potted off into three or four inch pots in
a soil composed of two-thirds garden soil
(not too rich) mixed with one-third sand.
I find a very rich soil is not conducive to ex-
tra bright color in the leaves, and I have
known the plants to be grown beautifully
bright in pure sand. I keep two plants of
each kind and they remain in the same pots
until spring. They are placed in the high-
est shelf in my bay window, which makes
them six feet from the floor and one and a
half feet below the top of the window. It
is of necessity a very hot place as, in addi-
tion to the heat from the stove, the sun beats
in on them all the forenoon and half of the
afternoon of every sunny day.

As the plants begin to grow tall, I pinch
out the ends of the shoots to make them
branch freely until about February ist,
when I let them grow, for slips. They are
usually large enough by March ist, when I
put them in water to root. In a few days
the roots appear and they are potted off as
before. I give the new plants the upper
shelf then to get them in good condition to
bed out in. May and set the old stock plants
aside. Some of the old plants will branch
out again and raise another lot of slips,
which are discarded at once.

From the time the slips are potted off in
ihe fall until March that high shelf is my
particular pride. The gorgeous colors and
soft velvety texture of the leaves are as
beautiful as flowers.

Some of the best varieties are Golden
Redder, Charm, John Goode, South Park
and Golden Crown for yellow sorts ; Louise
Chretien, Ruby and Moonbeam among
white and pale tints ; Crisp Beauty, Geo.
Simpson among light red and pink sorts ;
Dr. Koch, Brightness, Firebrand. Fire King
and Midnight, crimson and maroon ; Pro-
gress, Mrs. Hunt and Butterfly among mot-
tled and shaded ones.

There are a few new varieties that are of
a stronger growth, with leaves of immense
size for coleus. I have not tried any of
them, but have seen them displayed in
greenhouses and also at our last agricultural
fair. Some of the leaves were five or six
inches long, and though the plants are hand-
some as decorative plants, they do not seem
so appropriate or beautiful for bedding pur-
poses as the old sorts. A specimen plant
is a lovely sight, but a mass of them spoils
the effect.

Coleus, as a rule, are remarkably free
from insect foes. I never found any but
the mealy bug on mine, but they can kill the
plants in a short time, as they seem to sap
the life of the plant so that it wilts and falls
over before one knows anything is the mat-
ter with it. Eternal vigilance is the best
remedy, but when . you find them on the
plants the use of alcohol or whisky on them
will kill them at once.

It is hard to give coleus too much heat,
but a chill -will cause the leaves to fall off.
Mine are watered three times a week during
cold weather. Later in spring they need it
every day. They are sprayed every morri-
ing before the sun is on them. To sum it
all up, young plants with plenty of heat and
not too much water will give one a fine dis-
play of coleus all winter. — Vick's Monthly.

7r[e (aogdign fjorticdltdrist

COPY for Journal should reach the editor ^s early in the month as possible, never later than the lyth. It should be addressed to
L. Woolverton, Grimsby, Ontario.

SUBSCRIPTION PRICE, $i.oo per year, entitling the subscriber to membership of the Fruit Growers' Association of Ontario and
all its privileges, including a copy of its valuable Annual Report, and a share in its annual distribution of plants and trees.

REMITJTANCES by Registered Letter or Post-Office Order addressed The Secretary- of the Fruit Growers' Association, Parliament
Buildings, Toronto, are at our risk. Receipts will be acknowledged upon the Address Label.

ADVERTISING R.ATES quoted on application. Circulation, 5,500 per month. Copy received up to 20th.
"'''^ LOCAL NEW.S — Correspondents will greatly oblige by sending to the Editor early intelligence of local events or doings of
Horticultural Societies likely to be of interest to our readers, or of any matters which it is desirable to bring under the notice of
Horticulturists.

ILLUSTRATIONS — The Editor will thanktuUy receive and select photographs or drawings, suitable for reproduction in these
pages, of gardens, or of remarkable plants, flowers, trees, etc. ; bur he cannot be responsible for Joss or injury.

NEWSPAPERS — Correspondents sending newspapers should be careful to maik the paragraphs they wish the Editor to see.

DISCONTINU.^NCE.S — Remember that the publisher must be notified by letter or post-card when a subscriber wishes his paper
stopped. All arrearages must be paid. Returning your paper will not enable us to to discontinue it, as we cannot find your name on our
books unless your Post-Office address is given. Societies should send in their revised lists in January, if possible, otherwi.se we take it fcr
granted that all will continue members.

.\DDRESS money letters, subscriptions and business letters of every kind to the Secretary of the Ontario Fruit Growers' Association
Department of Agriculture, Toronto.

POST OP'FICE ORDERS, cheques, postal notes, etc , should be made payable to G. C. Creelman, Toronto.

ST. LOUIS FAIR NOTES.

New York grape growers have two tons
of choice grapes in cold storage and will dis-
play them in the Palace of Horticulture on
the opening of the World's Fair.

Two acres immediately west of the Palace
of Agriculture at the World's Fair grounds
have been converted into a natural garden.
There may bee seen all the wild flowers and
shrubs indiginous to the Mississippi and
Missouri valleys.

NIAGARA DISTRICT FRUIT GKOWFRS.

THE following officers were elected for
the ensuing year: President, C. H.
Honsberger. Jordan : "^ice-President, George
S. Stewart, Jordan Station : Second Vice-
President, James Dunlop. St. Catharines:
Third ^^^ce-President. S. M. Gulp. Reams-

ville; Secretary-Treasurer, G. E. Fisher, St.
Gatharines.

The Western New York Horticultural
Society will hold its 49th meeting at Roches-
ter in the Gommon Gouncil Ghamber of the
Gity Hall, on January 27 and 28. An in-
teresting programme is announced. John
Hall, Rochester, is the secretary.

The Montreal Apple Market in De-
cember.— The Montreal Trade Bulletin
says : Gomplaints are beginning to be heard
regarding the unsatisfactory nature of ac-
count, sales received by shippers from the
other side, which is not to be wondered at
considering the immense quantities of apples
that have been pouring into Great Britain
during the past 2>^ months. One would
suppose that English consumers would have
been surfeited by this particular fruit before

46

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

this. Therefore, the recent dullness and
depression in prices should cause no surprise.
On the whole shippers have done fairly well
this season and are looking for better times
about the first of the year. The cause of the
recent low prices on the other side was said
to be due to the poor quality of fruit arriv-
ing at the different ports. Last week's ship-
ments from all Atlantic ports showed a big
decrease amounting to only about 60,000
barrels, which should afford a good chance
for the clearance of held over stocks in the
English markets. The market here keeps
very dull and depressed owing to the large
quantity of frozen apples selling to pedlars ;
about 1,200 barrels were sold at auction
which realized from 80c. to $1.60 per barrel,
the average being about $1.25. Until this
class of goods is worked off there will not
be much doing in the better qualities, as the
cheap stock will fill a considerable portion of
the demand in the meantime. No. i fruit
has sold at $2.50 to $2.75 in good sized lots,
and No. 2 at $1.75 to $2.25.

SALE OF CANADIAN FKUIT IN IKELANU

TO the Secretary Ontario Fruit Grow-
ers' Association:
I have recently been in communication
with the Canadian Department of Agricul-
ture relative to the advisability of Canadian
fruit frowers having a representative here
and have consignments sent direct to the
Irish market, instead of by way of Liverpool
or Glasgow. The department approved of
my suggestion, and proposed I should com-
municate with the Fruit Growers' Associa-
tion to ascertain if they would fall in with
my scheme, and thereby bring them in closer
touch with these markets.

As you are no doubt aware, American and
Canadian fruit exporters supply the English
markets (whence we get our supplies)
through brokers in London and Liverpool.
Bery little fruit is grown in Ireland, with

the result that American fruit exporters
have always found a good market here, but
nevertheless Canadian growers would have
a good field to work in if they so desire.

My suggestion is that one or more Cana-
dian Fruit Growers' Associations establish
a central agency in Dublin for the supply of
the Irish market, the fruit to be sent here
direct by say, the Head or Lord Line boats,
the agent not to handle any but Canadian
fruits, and this agency I am prepared to take
up and can undertake to work it successful-
ly. Amongst the advantages of such an
agency with direct representation are :

The growers would have an agent on the
spot to look after their interests.

Direct consignments to Dublin would save
to the growers and consumers the heavy
cross channel rates incurred by the present
system. These rates are nearly as heavy
as the rates from Canada.

A saving to growers and consumers of
the profits now paid to brokers and whole-
sale fruit dealers in Liverpool, London and
Glasgow.

The tendency nowadays is to buy direct
from the producer wherever possible. The
public realize that they have to pay dearly
for an article which, before reaching them,
passes through three or four sets of dealers,
all requiring a c&rtain profit. At present,
after providing for (a) middleman's profits
in England, (&) heavy freights from Canada
to England and thence to Ireland, and (c)
Irish retailer's profits, Canadian and Ameri-
can apples retail here at a penny to twopence
apiece.

I would impress on both Canadian fruit
growers and shippers that an agent here en-
gaged solely in their interests is absolutely
necessary if they wish to successfully com-
pete with Americans, Australians and other
competitors.

The Americans find a good market here ;
Australian apples are now prominent here,

Ilje (anadian f|orticolt(irist

Volume XXVII

FEBRUARY, 1904

THE ST. LAWRENCE APPLE

Number 2

THE St. Lawrence apple is not planted
in the commercial orchards of On-
tario bordering on lakes Ontario, Erie or
Huron, being inferior to other autumn varie-
ties of its season, but it is valued in orchards
along the St. Lawrence river, and in parts of
the province between latitudes 45 and 46.
In the Niagara district it is considerably af-
fected by scab and by codling moth.

Origin : United States,

Tree: Hardy, vigorous and productive.

Fruit : Large, often 2% x3^ ; form,
roundish oblate ; color of skin, yellowish,
with distinct stripes and splashes of car-
mine ; dots, obscure ; stem, ^ of an inch
long, inserted in a large deep regular cavity :
calyx, closed in a small deep basin.

Flesh : Color, white, slightly stained :
texture, crisp, tender, juicy; flavor, vinous,
slightly acid.

Season : September and October.

Quality : Dessert, good ; cooking, very
good.

Value rHome market, very good ; foreign
market, good.

Adaptation : Double starred at our
Georgian Bay station ; single starred at Bur-
lington and Lake Huron stations.

Ottawa District: Mr. R. B. Whyte
writes : I have not had much personal ex-
perience with the St. Lawrence apple. I

long ago cut out my only tree as unprofit-
able, and that has been the general experi-
ence in this district. It is fairly hardy, and
when we do get them they are very fine
specimens, but unfortunately it is a very shy
bearer.

The Lake Huron District: Mr. A. E.
Sherrington writes : The St. Lawrence tree
is vigorous and hardy here. The fruit is
large, and fine for dessert, but too soft for
shipping and subject to scab ; therefore I
cannot recommend it as a market apple.

Ba^t Central District : Mr. Elmer Lick,
Oshawa, writes : The St. Lawrence is a
fine dessert apple when free from scab. It
is not suited for shipment to distant markets,
but is fine for home use. To secure clean
fruit is requires thorough spraying. It will
never be a commercial apple in this section,
because we have other varieties superior in
many \^ys, which will succeed as well.

The St. Lawrence District: Mr, Harold
Jones, of Maitland, writes : The St. Law-
rence apple reaches its highest perfection in
the St. Lawrence valley. The tree is hardy
and vigorous, and early and abundant bear-
er, and the fruit is in season the first three
weeks of September. This apple finds ready
sale as a table apple and as a show apple for
fruit stands, but it is not tart enough to be
in demand as a cooking apple.

52

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

East Central District: Mr. Wm. Pick-
ard, Newcastle, writes: The St. Lawrence
apple is not largely grown in my district. It
is apt to spot badly, and while a first-class
dessert apple for home use, and is well
thought of and in demand in Montreal, usu-
ally bringing top prices, it is by no means a
good export apple. Under ordinary condi-
tions it usually lands in somewhat bad con-

dition, and consequently nett returns are
anything but satisfactory.

Essex District : . Mr. J. L. Killborn,
Leamington, writes : St. Lawrence apple
is not grown at all here, at least I have not
seen a tree of it in this county, but believe
there is an odd one. There are a few trees
growing in Lambton county, but they are
much affected with the apple scab.

I^ditorial %Gtt^

PivANTiNG TIME is near at hand. The
fruit grower, who intends to enlarge his
fruit garden or his orchard, should employ
these days of comparative leisure in study-
ing the varieties best adapted to his purpose.

* * *

Make up a list and write the most relia-
ble Canadian nurseries for their best terms.
By dealing direct, especially if the order is
large, much lower prices will be accepted
than by ordering through an agent, whose
expenses and time must be paid for out of

the sales.

* * *

For the Commercial Orchard the
novice in fruit growing should write the
Department of Agriculture for the report of
the Fruit Experiment Stations of Ontario,
in which will be found reliable information
with regard to the most profitable varieties
and those best adapted for the various sec-
tions.

For the Home Garden quite a different
list may be selected, for many of the best
and highest flavored fruits for the table are
not sufficiently productive to be worthy a
place in the market garden. Inquiries with
regard to varieties, their characteristics and
their adaptability to the various sections of

Ontario will be cheerfully answered in the

columns of the Canadian Horticulturist.

* * *

Worthless and Inferior Varieties
should be eradicated or top-grafted this
spring. It costs as much to grow a cider
apple as a good market variety ; the one sells
at lo cents a bushel, the other at 50 cents.

* ;|; -Jf

Top-GRAETiNG is a simple operation,
which every fruit grower should practice
for himself. Professionals charge $3.00 a
day for this work, and
often make double that
by charging three cents
for every cion that
grows. There is no
mystery about it. The
accompanying cuts will
show the process with-
out explanation.

Practice in grafting

of course makes perfect,

and the novice should

first try his hand upon

some waste branches.

The great point is to

, , ,, , Fig. 2723 Grafting.

make clear smooth cuts,

and for this sharp tools and a steady hand

EDITORIAL NOTES.

53

are essential. The inner bark, or cambium
layer of cion and stock must exactly fit in
each case, for here is the place at which the
union takes place. Care must also be taken, in

Fig. 2724. Top Grafting.

applying the wax, to exclude the air from
the cleft, or the parts will dry up before
growth begins.

* * *

CiONS may be cut any time during the
winter when the wood is not frozen, and
stored in the cellar. They should be
packed in new sawdust, of which the natural
moisture is quite sufficient to keep the wood
plump and fresh until needed in spring.

* * -.-

Cuttings of currants and gooseberries
and grapes made in pruning may be also
preserved in the same way as the cions until
planting time, and if given a fair chance 90
per cent, of them will grow. Quinces also
will grow from cuttings without much diffi-
culty. Cut them five or six inches long,
and plant to leave only one bud above the
ground. The earth must be packed firmly
about them.

* * *

Pruning should be pushed forward every
fine day in winter. Spring, with it drain-
ing and fencing and cleaning up and plant-
ing, is a busv time, and, if not attended to

sooner, the pruning is apt to be neglected.
Every tree in the orchard should be gone
over with knife and shears at least once a
year if the vigor of the remaining wood is
to be maintained and good fruit to be har-
vested.

>;s 2{c ^

Spraying also is facilitated by careful
pruning. A tree whose top is a brush heap,
full of useless and half-dead wood, wastes
much valuable material and time is
m^oney in this work. Every branch
and every bud should exist for a pur-
pose ; here is the ideal in an orchard
tree, and the grower should try to
attain as near to perfection as possible. If
three treatments only with Bordeaux are to
be applied, we would advise (i) just before
leaf buds open, (2) as blossoms are falling,
and (3) about a fortnight later.

* * *

The Usual Formula for Bordeaux is
copper sulphate, 6 lbs. ; lime, 4 lbs., and
should be first diluted in water, at least a
gallon to each pound, and then poured
together and the balance of the water
added. If not done so there will be
flak'y sediments which will clog the nozzle,
and the spray will not be properly mixed.
Possibly even this formula is too weak for
the best results. Johnston, of Simcoe, used 12
lbs. of copper sulphate, 18 of lime, and 50
gallons of water, and had wonderful results
last fall with his apple crop ; but no doubt
this was quite an extravagant quantity.

A Spraying Rig is a great convenience
where much of this work must be done. A
new power sprayer is being introduced, run
b}' carbonic acid gas pressure, and we hope
it may simplify the whole business. Where
two or three growers unite in the purchase, a
power machine of some kind would prove
the greatest economy.

54

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

The Canker Worm is very troublesome
in some parts, and must be fought persist-
ently if the trees are to be saved from de-
struction. Sticky bandages applied in fall
or spring will catch the wingless female
moths as they climb the tree to deposit their
eggs. Failing this, spraying with Paris
green, 4 ounces to 40 gallons of water, when
the young worms first appear on the young
foliage, is effective. If neglected until they
grow a little, they are much more difficult

to kill.

* * *

Baskets and Boxes for the coming sea-
son's fruit crop should be laid in early. The
popular basket for currants, gooseberries,
cherries, choice peaches and choice pears is
the 6 2-3 imperial quart basket holding about
nine pounds of fruit, or nearly one peck. The
12 quart (imperial) is too large except for
apples, pears, tomatoes and second size
peaches. The accepted apple box is 10 x 1 1 x
20, holding about one bushel. These may be
ordered in the flat, ready for nailing, which
can be done by hand for less than one cent a
box. Such boxes should be turned out at
a regular box factory for about $10.00 a

hundred.

* * *

A Fine Collection for the forestry ex-,
hibit at St. Louis has just been forwarded
the Department of Agriculture, Ottawa, by
K. N. Grout, Grimsby, containing one wal-
nut board, 21 inches x 12 ft. x i f t ; one but-
ternut board, 16 inches x 12 ft. x i in. ; one
sassafras board, 18 inches x 12 ft. x ^ in. :
one chestnut board, 21 inches x 8 ft. x i in. ;
one basswood board, 19 inches x 11 ft. x
^ in.

Pack to Command Buyers

AFTER each season all fruit growers
come to the same conclusion, viz.,
that more care in packing and in selecting
would pay ; but as often, when the new sea-
son comes around, is the same old way fol-

lowed up. We believe the selection might
well begin in the orchard, where only the
larger and finer fruits are worth gathering.
Poor, scabby and small specimens of pears,
apples and peaches should never be touched
except to thin the tree and give the better
fruit a chance. It costs money to pick the
rubbish, and money to cart it to the packing
house, and money to assort it out, and
money for baskets and boxes if it be ship-
ped, and lessens the returns for good stock
if sold in the same market.

R. A. Donald, of Toronto, writes our
director Caston, saying he has just returned
from the Northwest and has been amazed
at the lack of forethought on the part of
Ontario fruit growers and shippers. "Fruit
from our province," says he, " is far better
than that from any other place, but it will
not sell in competition with stufT from other
places until there is more style about its
packing and more selection about the fruit.
I would impress upon you strongly the ne-
cessity of packing your fruit in nice, small
baskets, the fruit carefully selected and
wrapped, in order to catch the best custom-
ers and make the largest sales. This year
we had a glut of plums, but in other parts
these were much sought after. Now had
these been selected, wrapped and nicely
packed in five pound baskets, they could
have been shipped to the west in such a con-
dition as to have positively forced them-
selves upon the attention of the consuming
public.

Pruning the Norway Spruce

A

MEMBER of the Waterloo Horti-
cultural Society writes :

" I have seven Spruce trees in my lawn about
eight years planted. I am thinking of prun-
ing them into different shapes, such as square,
round, diamond, three cornered, etc. Could
you give me some pointers to guide me ?"

To bring evergreens into shapes, such as
our correspondent desires, is a gradual work
and cannot be done in one or two cuttings.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Indeed, for best results, treeS seven years
out cannot easily be manipulated, nor can
they be cut back very severely without in-
jury. We would advise our correspondent
to begin with a light cutting about June ist,
topping back the tree to about the desired
height, and prune with hedge shears the rest
of the tree into the desired shape. This
must not be done too severely, but with
judgment, according to the size of the trees,
and be continued annually until the young
growth fills up all open spaces. In Eng-
land the shaping of the yew is begun in the
nurseries, while the trees are still quite
small, and continued for many years, until
the designs are perfected, when they are
sold at a fancy price. We do not commend
this shaping of trees unless in small yards
and near the house, where natural forms
would take up too much space.

-The following clipping from the Agricul-
tural Economist, of London, England, will
give the view of topiary work taken in a
country where it has been much practised in
the past :

The day has long since passed when the clip-
ping of shrubs and trees was considered the
highest form of garden art, and nowadays one
seldom sees the strange birds and beasts which
once delighted the eyes of a former generation.
Still there are one or two gardens to-day where
topiary is practised, and in not a few of the old
country pleasure grounds single examples are
yet to be found. In the days of the Romans the
formal garden flourished exceedingly, and Pliny
tells us among other wonders in his Tusculan
villa, of the forms of animals carved in box, and
the topiary figures keeping guard over the
strange scene. Almost every country adopted
the fashion for a while, and the yews at Ver-
sailles, long since neglected, were once among
the wonders of those gardens of folly. The in-
troduction of topiary work into modern gardens
cannot be desired for an instant, but one cannot
help feeling thankful that a few good specimens
still exist in various parts of England. Beau-
tiful they cannot be, but undeniably quaint they
certainly are, and serve to carry us back to the
days of the ruff and farthingale, when gardens
were appreciated more for their sentimental in-
terest, and horticultural • shows were unknown.
One of the finest topiary gardens is at Levens
Hall, "Westmoreland, and here may be seen a
cup and saucer, a judge's wig, a lion and crown,
an umbrella, and many other devices neatly

tiimmed in living yew. At Elvaston there are
several peacocks, a Chinese pagoda and a hen
similarly treated, and in other gardens there are
tommoner forms, as trees clipped into pyramids,
cones and globes. Visitors to Haddon Hall can-
not fail to notice the clipped yews in the garden
facing the picturesque lodge, one, a peacock,
representing the Manners' crest, and the other
■1 boar's head — though one would hardly realise
it without being told — that of the Vernon
family. These quaint emblems stand side by
side, and remind one of the old story of Dorothy
Vernon and her sweetheart, and the romantic
union of the two families. In spite of its be-
ing a deformity and a travesty of nature, we
should be sorry if the last of the old topiary
figures were to be swept away into the memo-
ries of the past.

Much Pleased With an Ontario
Fruit Farm

WE have an occasional inquiry from a
young Englishman of means
about the purchase of a fruit farm in On-
tario, and in several instances our advice
has resulted in a satisfactory settlement. We
never advise the purchase of a large farm,
because money would certainly be sunk in
such a case, but rather one from fifteen to
twenty-five acres in extent. Such a farm
always pays proportionately best on the in-
vestment, because less money is wasted on
ill-applied labor, and the most of the work
can be done by the owner, who is thereby
learning how best to manage his own oflfairs.
Just now we have a letter from a young
man of this class, who, in accordance with
our advice, purchased a well planted fruit
farm near Lake Ontario, of about twenty-
five acres in extent, with an old-fashioned
farm house, good, lawn, and old trees about
it, and a well-fitted barn, stable, and poultry
house, for about $6,500. He has now been
one year on the place, and writes :

Sir : I must tell you that considering the
glut that has been this year (1903), I have had
a very satisfactory start. I had over 600 bas-
kets of Early Richmond cherries, 3,500 baskets
of plums, about 800 of peaches, and am now in
my grapes, which I think will yield about three
tons to the acre.

The home spot is lovely here, and I am more
than satisfied, not only with this place in par-
ticular, but with farming in general.

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

Sour Cherries for Succession

^Y^ HE same gentleman writes for advice
JL in selecting varieties of sour cherries
adapted to keep up a succession of fruit dur-
ing the season.

" When my Early Richmond cherries," says
he, " begin yielding anything like a crop, I shall
be compelled to engage a great deal of help. I
should like a sequence of sour cherries to justi-
fy my having a gang of pickers until raspberry
time. I have about 140 Early Richmond, and
about 40 May Duke, and should like to put out,
say, 50 Montmorency and 50 Morello. I should
like to hear what you have to say for these
varieties, or if you would suggest any others."

There is no better sour cherry for profit
to succeed the Early Richmond than the
Montmorency. It hangs well on the tree
until about August ist, and always sells
well ; while the English Morello hangs still
longer and is about the latest of market
cherries. Of the Dukes, one or two should
be mentioned and in particular the Califor-
nia Advance, which in season immediately
succeeds the May Dtike. It is probably
identical with the Late Duke, and is not only
a beautiful cherry but also a most abundant
bearer. Another wonderfully fine cherry,
as grown in sandy loam in our experimental
plot, is the Reine Hortense, of which the
season is also about the middle of July.
Though of the Duke class, the tree is more
vigorous and spreading, and the fruit is
very large and luscious. The cherries are
evenly distributed on the tree, and are so at-
tractive in appearance that they command
their own market.

Power Sprayers

WITH so many manufacturers work-
ing to meet the present demand
among fruit growers for some satisfactory
power sprayer, we hope for one both
economical and effective before very long.
Already we have a sprayer which is run by
carbonic acid gas pressure, by which the
power is estimated to cost only about 25
cents a barrel, and to give double the pres-
sure of hand power. Gasoline engines are

expensive, so that at present these are not
likely to be used except by the professional
sprayman, who may make it pay to apply
spraying mixtures at a certain price per gal-
lon. Another scheme, which is not new, is
to have the pump run by a sprocket chain
from the wagon wheel, but so far this has
been imperfect, because the power ceased
when the wheel stopped. In a new sprayer of
this kind, recently invented in Illinois, there
is an air chamber of half a barrel capacity
in which the air is so compressed, as the
wagon moves, that the power is kept up for
some minutes after stopping. Surely this
is hopeful progress.

Bark Lice

MR. JAMES SHAW, of Lakeport,
has a young apple orchard seven
years planted, which is growing nicely, but
is affected already with the oyster shell bark
louse. He writes :

" I have been advised to grease the trees, but
before doing so I write for your advice. If
grease or oil is recommended please state what
kind is preferred and in what season it should
be applied."

The oil that is most destructive to the
bark louse is kerosene, which is at the same
time injurious to the trees unless applied
with great care. Painting with linseed oil
is also said to be helpful.

We would advise our correspondent to
scrape off all loose bark, and then about the
1st of June, when the young lice begin to
move, wash thoroughly all parts affected
with a strong solution of soft soap and
washing soda; or spray thoroughly the
trunk and branches with washing soda and
water, ^ of a pound to a pail of water.

Kniffen System of Grape Pruning

MR. W. C. WEBSTER, Stoney Creek,
writes :

" In the November number of your journal I
notice a reference to the Kniffen system of
grape pruning. I would be very glad if you
would explain it. I changed my vineyard
to this system last year for convenience, labor

EDITORIAL NOTES.

57

saving, and profit. We left from 50 to 90 buds
on each vine ; but this season my crop has
proved a failure. I was attributing the failure
to the system."

Fig. 2725. The Knifken System.

The Kniffen system is a very simple one.
and may be easily understood from the ac-
companying cuts. Instead of two arms on
the bottom wire, as in the Renewal system,
four arms are trained out horizontally, the
lowest about three feet from the ground,
and the higher about five or six feet. From
these the young wood is allowed to hang,
and of course little or no tying up is re-
quired. About one dozen buds on each
arm will give as much fruit as the vine
should produce.

One objection to this method is that the
upper arms usually become stronger and
seem to take near all the vigor, so that the
lower ones give little fruit. This may be
overcome in part by starting two uprights
from the ground, one to furnish the arms on

^

a

Fig. 2726. The Kniffen System.

the first wire, the other
those on the second.

Many growers renew
the whole arm each sea-
son, back to the upright,
taking in its place the
strongest branch, so that
one or two cuts accom-
plish the work of much
spurring.

The yield from Knif-
fen vines of strong
growing varieties should
be quite as large as from fi^
any other method. Con-
cords should yield twen-
ty to thirty pounds per
vine 'on the average, but
the Kniffen method is not
well adapted to weak
growing ' vines, such as
the Wilder or Delaware,

For Canadian farm-
ers, who have little time
to spend in their vine-
yards, this system is very
well ; but for the gar-
dener, or the vineyardist
who has some time to
devote to the work, the
renewal system is no
doubt the ideal thing ; or

for strong growers, like ^*^^- ^7^7

„ . 1 , A • LER System.

Concord, that American

modification of it known as the Fuller sys-
tem.

The Fuller System

This method is so well illustrated by the
engravings that we scarcely need to describe
it. The first year a single upright cane is
allowed to grow ; in the spring of the second
year this is cut at about one foot from the
ground and only two canes permitted to
grow ; and the third year these two canes are
tied to the bottom wire and stopped at about

FULL€f^,

FIG 61

iHE FUL-

58

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

four feet in length. All spurs are cut back
to one or two buds, from which the fruiting
branches will grow out during the summer.
For this method at least three wires are

FIG. 63.

Fig. 2728. The Fuller System.

needed, so that the young wood may be tied
up as it grows.

The renewal method differs from this only
in that the uprights are each grown for two
years before cutting down, and young canes
are meanwhile grown in readiness to take
their places. The number of these depends

FfGiSb yFULLEP)
Fig. 2729. The Fuller System.

much on the variety and strength of the
vine, and the fertility of the soil. The
usual distance apart for the upright canes is
from twelve to fifteen inches. On each of
these upright canes there will be seven or
eight fruiting buds.

Temperature Scales Compared

IN Canada and England such universal
use is made of the thermometer in-
vented by G. D. Fahrenheit, in which zero is
32 degrees below the freezing point, and 212

is the boiling point of water, that we are
quite at sea when we read in a foreign jour-
nal of 10 degrees R or 10 degrees C, repre-
senting quite a different scale of gradua-
tions.

It seems to us that the Centigrade ther-
mometer used in Europe, in which zero is
the freezing point and 100 is the boiling
point of water, is as much superior to the
Fahrenheit thermometer as the decimal
scale of counting money to the old English
division into pounds, shillings and pence.
There is another, the Reaumer scale, which
is similar to the latter, only that 80 degrees
is the boiling point instead of 100. During
this season, when we are closely watching
our thermometers to know the probable dan-
ger to our fruit crops, a diagram showing
these different scales of temperature nota-
tions will interest our readers. We also at-
tach formulae for converting one system into
another.

Boiling point lOO-p

- Fahnn-
. heli. Us

tuimuf.

T 80 Boilinf potni

200

SO -

180

70

60-

170

IftO ..

•60

70-

ISO ■

140 -

50

BO -

50 -

UO -

l!0

40

«0

100

30

, .

90

30

80

70

•20

20

60

SO

-10

Freezing point 0 ■

♦0

AX...

• 0 Freezing point

V)

10

10

IMO

20

•10

fK>rmulm fof cc

F =
C =
R =

ynuerting from one »y»t»m
to another

5 (F - 32)

9
4(F -

_32)

EDITORIAL NOTES.

59

Storage Temperature

AS already stated in these pages, it has
been definitely proved that the lower
the degree of temperature at which a fruit
can be held with safety the longer it can be
kept in good condition. In Chicago our
apples of 1892 were held until 1893 for the
Columbia Exposition at 33 degrees, and
fairly good results were obtained ; but since
that it has been found that apples will not
freeze at a temperature of 31 degrees, and
that if they can be stored at this degree,
without danger of parts near the pipes going
lower, they will keep in almost perfect con-_
dition. It is also found that at this tem-
perature the fruit is less inclined to scald,
rot or mould, while quality, aroma and flavor
are fully as good as if kept at a higher tem-
perature.

Spraying for Codling Moth

IT would seem that thorough spraying
with some good arsenical poison is the
most hopeful remedy yet discovered for cod-
ling moth. The most vigorous experimen-
tal work is in progress in Australia with
arsenicals, and so far the results shown are
that while untreated trees gave 42 per cent,
of the apple affected, those sprayed with
Paris green showed only 10 per cent, of the
fruit infested, and those treated with the
stock solution of Kedzie's arsenite of soda,
I lb. in 40 gal. of lime water, had only 5 per
cent, infested.

Peaches in Storage

LOISEAU, of Paris, France, has been
experimenting with peaches in cold
storage at a temperature of zero to i degree
C. (or from 32 to 33 degrees F.) In one
experiment he kept 600 peaches one month
in good condition. Unfortunately he does
not mention the kind. Those he had wrap-
ped kept no longer than those unwrapped.

One striking feature of his experiment
was that peaches submitted to cold storage

kept longer after removal than those picked
fresh from the trees. The latter could not
be exposed for sale more than three days at
the most without deteriorating, while the re-
frigerated peaches preserved a good appear-
ance for six or seven days after removal.

This is contrary to the general view, but
if true, it is a most valuable point learned,
and adds to the importance of a cold storage
to every fruit section.

For Prevention of Plum and
Cherry Rot

EARLY attention is wise for the preven-
tion of plum and cherry rot. During
mild days in winter, when the trees are be-
ing pruned into shape, the mummy fruit
should be removed and burned, as it con-
tains spores for the propagation of the
fungus. In early spring, before the leaves
appear, the trees may be sprayed with a so-
lution of copper sulphate, i lb. in 25 gallons
of water ; and before the blossoms open,
with bordeaux made with 6 lbs of copper sul-
phate, 4 lbs. of good quick lime, and 40 gal-
lons of water. This treatment may be re-
peated as soon as the blossom falls.

Asparagus Pays

A BADLY planted and poorly cultivated
asparagus bed is not only unprofit-
able, but an actual expense to the owner, A
half acre at Grimsby, planted thinly many
years ago on very dry sand, has never paid
for the plants ; and now comes the profitless
task of rooting them out. In contrast with
this, Doan, of Illinois, said at the last meet-
ing of the State Society that he had grown
asparagus for the Chicago market for
twenty years, and that a net return of $150
to $200 an acre could reasonably be ex-
pected from it. In setting, he plows fur-
rows 5 or 6 feet apart and 6 or 7 inches
deep, then he sets the plants two feet apart
in the furrows and covers with a few inches

6o

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

of soil. As the plants grow during the sea-
son the furrows are gradually filled up by
cultivation. When winter sets in the as-
paragus is cut ofif and given a good cover-
ing of manure, which can be worked into
the ground the following season.

Plans for Successful Fruit Growing

CEASE GROWING SECOND CI^ASS FRUIT.

NOT only should our Ontario fruit
growers cease shipping poor grades
of fruit, but they should cease to grow it. It
is a constant loss, because the trees occupy
valuable space in the orchard, takes valuable
time to gather and pack ; uses costly pack-
ages; costs as much as the best fruit for
transportation and sale ; brings down the
reputation of the grower in the market, and
lessens the net returns for his fruit crop.

It is good advice, and often given, to make
some disposal of the poor fruit at home ; but
a better plan is to cease growing it alto-
gether. How shall this be done? Well, in
some degree the following hints will help
bring it about :

/. Change your varieties. There are a
few kinds of apples that grow uniform in
size and color, and are not much subject to
scab. Select these for your district and
top-graft all poor varieties accordingly ; four
or five kinds of pears succeed and will bear
distant shipment, substitute them for the
, small kinds or the natural fruit ; a few varie-
ties of cherries and plums are not subject to
rot, and some grapes are scarcely ever af-
fected with mildew. Choose by all means
such varieties.

//. Spray, Cultivate and Manure in the
best manner. Details of these are so often
■written up that we pass them with the sim-
ple mention.

///. Prune with an eye to reduce the
amount of weak and crowded wood over the
entire tree, beginning from the exterior and
working inwards. This work must be done
with more judgment and deliberation than

has been customary. The amount of fruit
bearing surface will be thus decreased, leav-
ing, of course, the best and most vigorous
fruit buds. This will leave less wood to be
sprayed, less fruit to gather, and better fruit
for market. No saw should be necessary in
an orchard that is pruned annually with
pruning shears, but unfortunately this work
is frightfully neglected even in some of our
finest orchards.

IV. Gather only the best fruit. With la-
bor so high priced, and fruit so low priced,
it does not pay to waste time. We have
been in the habit of gathering all our apples,
pears, cherries, plums, peaches, etc., in bas-
kets and boxes ; of bringing them all to the
packing house and turning them out on
packing tables for sorting. In many cases
we believe this could be done economically
in the orchard, leaving the scrubs on the
trees. In case of apples, these could after-
wards be shaken down for cider.

V. Make successive pickings. In peaches,
successive pickings are customary already
because of the successive ripening of the
various samples; but there are good argu-
ments for extending the practice to many
other fruits if -a reputation for a uniform
high grade is desired. Red Astrachan ap-
ples, for example, do not color up all at once,
but beginning with the first week in August,
they continue during the whole month. At
Maplehurst we have an orchard of over one
hundred trees in full bearing, and get the
best results by going over the trees four or
five times, the pickers selecting each time
those in the pink of perfection for fancy
shipment. Were these all gathered at any
one time, either a large portion would be
very immature in case of early gatherirLg, or
an equally large portion would be over ripe
and fallen, in case of late gathering. This
same method we have adopted with our
Bartlett pears, making our first pickings
about the first of September and the last
about the 20th of the month.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

6i

VI. Uniformity of Maturity and Size.
The shipper of fancy stock, who indeed is
the successful fruit farmer of the near fu-
ture, must not only see that he grows and
ships good stock, but in the same package he
should have uniformity in size, color and
maturity. Whether to some extent this can
be more economically done in the picking or
only in the packing will be for each indi-
vidual to decide, but where a grower is
handling his own stock and knows how
things should be, we think much can be done
in gathering to save after handling.

Powell, of the U. S. Department of Agri-
culture, says on this subject of " Cold Stor-
age":

It is not possible to secure a uniform degree
of maturity and size when all the apples on a
tree are picked at one time, as fruit in different
stages of growth is mixed together on the same
tree. The apples differ in size and maturity in
relation to their position, the upper outer
branches producing the large, highly colored
and early ripening fruit, while the apples on the
side branches and the shaded interior branches
ripen later. Greater uniformity in these re-
spects is approached by proper pruning and by
other cultural methods, but the greatest uni-
formity can be attained when, like the peach or
the pear, the apple tree is picked over several
times, taking the fruit in each picking that ap-
proaches the desired standard size and maturity.

Summer apples, like the Yellow Transparent,
Astrachan, and "Williams, are usually picked in
this manner, and fall varieties, like Twenty
Ounce, Oldenburg, and Wealthy, are sometimes
treated similarly. In recent years a few grow-
ers of winter apples have adopted the plan for
the late varieties, with he result that the size,
color and ripeness of a larger proportion of the
fruit are more uniform.

Immediate Storage. The keeping quality
of all kinds of fruit is seriously injured by
the common methods of handling. Peaches
and plums are gathered in baskets and set
down for hours in the hot sun before ship-
ment ; pears and apples are sometimes left
in piles in the orchard, heating and ripening,
or held in a warm packing house, with no
cool storage to prevent the progress of ri-
pening. No wonder, after such conditions
previous to shipment, that we should hear
much of slacks and wastes in our export

apple shipments ; or that peaches, plums and
pears should reach Winnipeg in a disgrace-
ful condition.

Powell's remarks under this head are also
pertinent. He says :

The removal of an apple from the tree hastens
its ripening. As soon as the growth is stopped
by picking, the fruit matures more rapidly than
it does when growing on the tree and maturing
at the same time. The rapidity of ripening in-
creases as the temperature rises, and is checked
by a low temperature. It appears to vary with
the degree of maturity at which the fruit is
picked, the less mature apples seeming to reach
the end of their life as quickly or even sooner
than the more mature fruit. It varies with the
conditions of growth, the abnormally large fruit
from young trees or fruit which has been over-
grown from other causes ripening and deterio-
rating very rapidly. It differs with the nature
of the variety, those sorts with a short life his-
tory, like the summer and fall varieties, or like
the early winter apples, such as Rhode Island
Greening, Yellow Bellflower, or Grimes Golden,
progressing more rapidly than the long-keeping
varieties like Roxbury, Swaar, or Baldwin.

Any condition in the management of the fruit
that causes it to ripen after it is picked brings
it just so much nearer the end of its life,
whether it is stored in common storage or in
cold storage, while treatment that checks the
ripening to the greatest possible degree pro-
longs it.

The keeping quality of a great deal of fruit is
seriously injured by delays between the orchard
and the storage house. This is especially true
in hot weather and in fruit that comes from sec-
tions where the autumn months are usually hot.
If the apples are exposed to the sun in piles in
the orchard, or are kept in closed buildings
where the hot, humid air can not easily be re-
moved from the pile, if transportation is de-
layed because care for shipment can not be se-
cured promptly, or if the fruit is detained in
transit or at the terminal point in tight cars
which soon become charged with hot moist air
the ripening progresses rapidly and the apples
may already be near the point of deterioration
or may even have commenced to deteriorate
from scald, or mellowness, or decay when the
storage house is reached.

On the contrary, the weather may be cool dur-
ing a similar period of delay and no serious in-
jury result to the keeping quality, or the ripen-
ing may be checked in hot weather bq shipping
the fruit in refrigerator cars to a distant stor-
age house.

The fungus diseases of the fruit, such as the
apple scab (Fusiciadium dendriticub), and the
pink mold (Cephalothecium roseum) which
grows upon the scab, the blue mold (Penicillium
glaucum) which causes the common, soft, brown
rot, the black rot (Sphaeropsis malorum) and the
bitter rot (Glaeosporium fructigenum) develop
very fast if the fruit becomes heated after pick-
ing. The conditions already enumerated which

•02

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

cause the fruit to ripen quickly during tlie de-
lay between the orchard and the storage house
are also most favorable to the development of
fruit diseases. It is therefore of the greatest
importance that the fruit be saored immediate-
ly after picking, if the weather is warm, in or-
der to insure it against the unusual develop-
ment of the fungous rots.

Grafting the Cherry on the Plum

A SUBSCRIBER wants to know
whether it would be possible and pro-
fitable to top-graft cherries on his plum
trees. It is not strange he should ask the
question in view of the immense crop of
plums, and the wretched prices offered for
them in 1903 ; yet we believe that if it were
possible for plum growers to change all
their plums to cherries it would be a very
unwise procedure, based on experience of a
single season. A few years ago everybody
wanted to root out his apple trees, and' now
everybody wants to plant them. Four or
five years ago raspberries were unprofitable,
now they are counted one of the most profit-
able of small fruit crops.

We do not think, however, that it is possi-
ble to successfully top-work the cherry on
plum stock. We have never tried it our-
selves, but we know of no data encouraging
it. Macoun, horticulturist C. E. F., Otta-
wa, gives his opinion adversely. He says :

"In my experience and to my knowledge it
is not possible to successfully top-graft the
cviltivated cherry on the plum. If a union
takes place at all it will only be temporary
and the result quite unsatisfactory."

Peerless, Star and Trenton Apples

MR. R. T. ERASER, of Vernon, B.C.,
asks for a description of these three
varieties. It is a little premature possibly
for us to attempt a complete description of
these apples because they have not yet been
widely tested in Ontario, but we give a few
points concerning each :

Peerless: A fall apple of about the
^ame season as Colvert, as grown at our Bay

of Quinte Station ; size, large, even, oblate ;
color^ greenish, splashed with dull red;
cavity, wide ; stem, short ; skin, clean ; good
for dessert or cooking, and should export
well ; originated in Minnesota, and said to be
a seedling of Duchess.

Star : Originated in New Jersey ; a
good summer apple, ripening in August and
keeping until November ; color, yellowisfi
pale green ; flavor, pleasant sub-acid ; tree
productive; at our East Central Station a
twenty-two year old tree yielded 16 bushels
of apples.

Trenton : Origin, by the late P. C.
Dempsey, of Trenton, Ont, a cross between
Golden Russet and Spy ; fruit 2 x 2^ inches
in size; form, round oblate; color, yellow,
-covered with red, splashed and streaked with
dark red, and with numerous white dots ;
flesh, yellowish, tender, crisp, pleasant, sub-
acid ; season, autumn.

New York State Fruit Growers

APPLE GROWING PAYS.

A T the recent meeting of the Western
Jr\. New York Horticultural Society at
Rochester a very interesting address was
given by Dr. Bailey, of Cornell University,
on New York State as an apple growing re-
gion. He showed that this state had been
the leading state in the production of apples,
but that in the last decade there had been a
falling ofif in apple production here, while in
many other states, particularly the western,
there had been very rapid increase. No
doubt the explanation was found in the
greater attention given to plums, peaches,
grapes and small fruits, but he urged that it
was a mistake to neglect the planting of ap-
ple orchards. These other fruits were now
meeting glutted markets, while for the apple
new markets were constantly opening up.
True, it needs courage to plant an apple or-
chard, knowing that twenty years perhaps
will elapse before any adequate returns can

EDITORIAL NOTES.

63

be expected, but it will pay the patient
planter.

ADAPTATION AN IMPORTANT STUDY.

^ Bowstead, of the Bureau of Soils, Wash-
ington, pointed out three elements of success
or failure in fruit growing: (i) Suitable
climatic conditions; (2) suitable soil; and
(3) suitable market conditions. In the
study of the second, which belonged to his
department, he found that the great peach
sections were of sandy soil, and the great
apple sections were of clay soils, as for ex-
ample the peach sections of Michigan and
the apple section of Wayne County, New
York State. This agreed with the universal
experience of growers, and advice to young
planters could therefore be based upon it.
The great point is to define clearly just what
is a clay soil and what a sandy soil, so that
such advice would be really intelligible.

BALDWIN AND BEN DAVIS.

Bickworth championed these two varie-
ties as being the best commercial apples in
the world at the present time. He would
not be governed by sentiment, and even if
Ben Davis were denounced for inferior
quality, he would grow it. " We want to
grow," he said, " whatever apple brings us
most money, and no apple made better re-
turns than Ben Davis.

Van Deman stoutly condemned Ben
Davis. " I hate," said he, " to hear Ben
Davis spoken of as a desirable kind to plant.
Gano belongs to the same family, and has
the same old delicious sawdust flavor; it is
not one whit better ; it is just redder. Black
Ben Davis is just another kit out of the same
litter, still if I were going to plant any one
of this wretched family it would be the
Black Ben Davis."

DUST SPRAY.

Prof. Gray, of Cornell University, has
been experimenting with dust spray made of
copper sulphate, water and lime, dried and

powdered. This was appHed in the early
morning by means of dust guns, and seemed
to answer an excellent purpose, the dust
completely covering every portion of the
tree. The cost was a trifle greater than the
liquid. He thought that for small trees,
for small fruits, and for cherry and plum
rot, the dust spray was the more eflfective.

BOX OR BARREL.

One question aroused much interest. It
was, What shall be the future package for
apples and pears, the box or the barrel ?
Hooker, of Rochester, advocated the barrel,
because easier to pack, an important point
in these days of high priced labor. One
grower had used bushel crates in his orchard
for gathering, had stored them in these
crates and finally used them as market pack-
ages in Buffalo with excellent results. They
commanded ready sale, and were cheaper
than barrels. Mr. George F. Powell had
packed 1,000 boxes of Jonathans in boxes,
and was holding them in cold storage for
special sale as fancy dessert apples. Ell-
wanger & Barry have for years used a
small box holding about a half bushel, and
packed in it fancy pears and fancy apples
for a special trade. Anjou pears were
wrapped in thin paper on which was
stamped in crimson the monogram, E. & B.,
and sold to a New York buyer, delivered, at
$2.00 a box of only 45 pears. Of course
every pear was strictly fancy. Winter
Niles, Columbia, Josephine and Clairgeau
had been tried in the same way, but none, of
course equalled Anjou. Jonathan apples
were put up in the same style and sold in
New York at this season (mid-winter) for
$1.50 a box.

A committee was appointed to consider
the box question and bring in a report, and
we suggested the advisability of using a box
uniform with that agreed on for Ontario
which measures 10 x 11 x 20 inches inside
measure.

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

A YEAR OP INSECT PLAGUES.
THE APHIS.

Slingerland, of Cornell, pronounced 1903
a year of special insect infestation of or-
chards. In New York State the apple
aphis had been more destructive than ever
before. One orchardist declared that his
apple crop had actually been reduced one-
half by the lice, which had attacked both the
leaves and the fruit. The latter had been
small, blemished and ill shapen in conse-
quence. Nurserymen had been great suf-
ferers, one of them stating that his loss from
the plant lice in 1903 had not been less than
$5,000.00.

" Will they trouble us again in 1904?"
asked some one. " Nobody can tell with cer-
tainty," said the professor, " but if this win-
ter you can find their little black shining
eggs on the branches, you may look for the
lice, unless the cold rains of spring, or their
natural enemies, the lady beetles, should
combine in their destruction. The best
remedy is whale oil soap, i lb. to 7 gallons
of water, applied in spring, before the eggs
hatch out. Kerosene emulsion is also efifec-
tive, but a little more troublesome of prepa-
ration."

PEAR PSYLLA.

Unfortunately this insect has become a
more constant enemy of late, and is very
numerous some seasons, frequently doing a
great deal of damage. Pear growers must
therefore be prepared to fight the psylla, if
not every year, at least every second or third.
The simplest remedy is whale oil soap, i lb.
in 5 gallons of water, as a winter or early
spring wash, to kill the old psyllas, which is
now hiding in the crevices. The kerosene
emulsion is also an effective remedy.

PLUM CURCUIvIO.

Most plum growers still rely upon jarring
for combating the curculio, but it is much
more costly than spraying with arsenites

and possibly not more effective. The rea-
son of failure in the past appears to lie in
the weak poison used, for it has been de-
monstrated that stronger mixtures are quite
effective. Professor Slingerland advised
the use of arsenate of lead or disporene, of
which the strength is less variable. This
is not yet on common sale, but can be pur-
chased wholesale in New York City in 100
pound lots at about 10 cents a pound, and
since it requires about twice the quantity as
of Paris green, it is a little more expensive,
but this is more than offset by its greater
efficiency. This poison has been found not
only excellent in destroying curculio, but
also codling moth, and has the advantage of
remaining in suspension ten times as long as
Paris green.

ROSE CHAEER.

This insect has been very troublesome in
special districts, where the ground is sandy
and favorable for its transformation. In
some cases it not only attacks the rose
plants, but also fruit trees and even straw-
berry beds, and does great injury. In the
latter case early spring cultivation will de-
stroy the chafer as it is transforming in the
ground, and in the former, spraying with
disparene is recommended.

LEAF HOPPERS.

Leaf hoppers (or thrips) have been very
troublesome, particularly on rose and grape
vine leaves, but during the last year or two
there seems to be a decrease in their num-
bers, which we hope may continue. The
most effective mechanical method of de-
stroying them seems to be large wooden
trays on which tangle foot fly paper is at-
tached, carried along the sides of the vines
or bushes, and by these the hoppers are
caught when purposely disturbed. Spray-
ing with a solution of whale oil soap about
July 1st seems also to be effective, but must
be thoroughly applied, for it will kill only
those it hits.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

65

THE NEW SOIL GOSPEL.

Vanslyke, of Cornell, called attention to
Bulletin 22, recently issued by the Bureau of
Soils, in which it is claimed that nearly all
soils contain sufficient plant food for all pur-
poses and for all time to come ; that, there-
fore, the addition of fertilizers is not so
much required as such physical conditions
as shall make available the plant food al-
ready in the soil. The great object of the
orchardist, therefore, should be to so control
the soil moisture by careful cultivation and
otherwise, that it shall be in a condition to
nourish the plant. It is claimed that the
effect of such cultivation is more effective in
the growth and fruitfulness of orchards
than the application of fertilizers.

Prof. Vanslyke was not prepared to ac-
cept this teaching, neither was Mr. Jordan,
director of Geneva Exper. Station. It was
entirely too revolutionary.

PRIZES FOR BEST FRUIT FARMS.

Over ten years ago Mr. Geo. B. Ellwan-
ger had made a gift to the society of $1,000,
the interest to be used in giving prizes for
the best kept orchards in New York State.
The committee reported having visited the
orchards in competition, and had decided
upon giving the first prize of $40 to Mr.
Woodward Hopkins, near Lewiston, and
the second of $20 to Mr. N. Cook, of South
Byron, N. Y.

Mr. Hopkins' case was remarkable. He
already had a bearing orchard, when he
bought this lOO-acre farm to grow grain and
cattle upon and to furnish manure for his
fruit farm. He paid $36 an acre for it.
Then wishing to interest his son in fruit
growing and farming, he had set out on it
16,000 pear trees. Last year these had
given him 35,000 baskets of fruit, and had
been the means of convincing the son that
farming and fruit growing was the best
business in which he could engage.

Fig. 2730. W. A. McKi.nnon.

Mr. W. A. McKinnon, B. A., Toronto Univer-
sity, Graduate-in-Iaw at Osgoode Hall, Chief
of the Fruit Division, Dominion Department of
Agriculture, has in charge the working out of
the Fruit Marks Act. He was at our meeting
at Leamington, where his experience gained
by a prolonged stay among the great apple
markets of Great Britain was of especial ser-
vice in our discussions. In an excellent paper
recently contributed by him to the Farmers'
Advocate. London, he gives the following :

Three Essential Conditions of
Success in Fruit Growing

(i) Such orchard management as will
yield the maximum of clean fruit of good
quality, and such handling as will reduce to
a minimum the damage to mature fruit.

(2) Such a system of storage as will
enable us to tide over short seasons of con-
gestion, and to slightly lengthen the selling
season for tender fruits.

(3) Such packing as will enable us to put
up our fruit in handsome and attractive
form, and to offer it for sale in uniform sub-
stantial packages, of known capacity, each
package containing only one grade of fruit.

66

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

Packing Apples in Boxes

I^HE fruit packers of Ontario using
boxes are creating a very unfavorable
impression in the Old Country by the use of
an excessive amount of excelsior. The
trade in Great Britain entirely misunder-
stand the object of this excelsior. They
take is for granted that it is put in the cases
for the purpose of economising in the quan-
tity of fruit. As a matter of fact, our On-
tario packers have not yet acquired the art
of packing an apple box properly. It is
quite possible, with almost any size of apple,
to fill' the box recommended by the Ontario,
Quebec and British Columbia Fruit Grow-
ers' Associations (lo x ii x 20 inches, in-
side measurement) with the use of very lit-
tle, if any, packing material ; and those who
are using boxes largely will do well, during
the remainder of the season, to practice box
packing. The box has come to stay, and
those who first acquire skill in its use will
reap the reward. Let us have numerous
private experiments in the art of packing a
box of apples properly, as well as public de-
monstrations by competent packers at Farm-
ers' Institutes and Horticultural meetings. —
Dept. of Agriculture, Ottawa.

* * *

The Michigan Horticultural Society
will hold a two days' meeting at Port Huron
on the 3rd and 4th of March, with the idea
of making it international in character. Mr.
L. B. Rice asks that we extend a hearty in-
vitation to all members of the Ontario Fruit
Growers' Association to attend. He says
further : " The meeting will open at 9.30
stan.dard time on our side, and again at 1.30.
At 4 o'clock there will be an extra meeting
for the school children. If Prof. Hutt can
luring several cf his students with him we
shall try and have some from the Michigan

Agricultural College give them a reception

at 7 p. m."

* * *

Dr. James Mills, President of the O. A.
C, Guelph, has been appointed a member of
the Railway Commission, of which the other
members are Mr. Bernier and the Hon. A.
S. Blair, the latter being chairman. Mr.
Blair is an extremely able lawyer, and has
had much to do with the formation of the
present railway act which comes in force on
the 1st of February. Farmers and fruit
growers alike all applaud the selection of
Dr. Mills as one who knows their needs and
has the deepest interest in. their prosperity.

Mr. G. C. Creklman has been appointed
successor to Dr. Mills as president of
the Ontario Agricultural College. We
know of no one in the province better fitted
to take up the responsibilities of this very
important position. He has excellent natu-
ral abilities united with a long course of
technical education, besides having had e?^-
perience in college work while professor of
biology in the State Agricultural and Me-
chanical College of Mississippi. He has a
wonderful aptitude in managing men and
affairs, and all who know him will unite in '
favor of his appointment to this important

position.

* * *

Much has been said in favor of thin-
ning fruit on apple trees. President T. B.
Wilson, of the New York Fruit Growers'
Association, says : " When there is a gen-
eral crop of apples and the crop, or set, is
very full, so that the chance for small fruit
is very great and widespread over the coun-
try, I think it would pay to thin to such an
extent as to insure good-sized fruit. Aside
from this I do not think it would pay, only
for the protection of the tree."

A PEACH COUNTRY

MORE NOTES OF THE LEAMINGTON MEETING.

Mr. W. W. Hillborn, Fruit Experimenter in
Essex ; also Orchardist and Gardener.

^ I ^ HE home of our fruit experimenter,
1 Mr. W. W. Hillborn, is situated just
outside the town of Leamington, on a some-
wliat elevated location, and in the midst of
peach orchards which extend as far as the
eye can reach. Very few trees -remain of
those planted previous to the great Febru-
ary " freeze " of five years ago, but the new
orchards are now coming into bearing, and
in future the output of peaches from Essex
must be reckoned with in our already over-
stocked markets..

After testing about one hundred and fifty
kinds of peaches, Mr. Hillborn gives the fol-
lowing list as in his opinion the most desir-
able for commercial purposes, in order of
ripening, viz. : Yellow St. John, Garfield,
Early Crawford, Fitzgerald, Engol Mam-
moth, New Prolific, Elberta, Bronson, Kala-
mazoo, Late Crawford, Smock, Banner and
Salway.

The Longhurst he would not plant, the
Bronson and the Kalamazoo being much
better ; and in this our Niagara district
growers will agree with him, for most of us
have too many of this variety, which often
grows small in size and is unattractive in
appearance. The Banner is a local" variety
and quite a favorite in Essex.

We asked about two varieties which are
great favorites with us in our own experi-
mental plot, viz., Steven's Rareripe and
Champion. While admitting them to be
among the very best, he had omitted them
from his list simply because they were white
fleshed. Now in England the white flesh
kinds are the favorites for dessert ; we
believe the same is true everywhere, and
that the popularity of the Early Crawford
for canning purposes explains the prefer-
ence for the yellow color in America.

In this we are supported by Taft, of
Michigan, who said that in his state some
of the best white varieties are being special-
ly grown for a fancy trade. He would not
favor, however, any of those ripening ear-
lier than the season of the St. John. We
quite agree with the professor with regard
to most of the early varieties, but would ex-
cept a new variety, the Greensboro, a large
white fleshed variety of fairly good quality,
which we consider very valuable for home
use or for a near market.

Hillborn has had excellent success with
the lime and sulphur treatment for scale,
which had established itself in his orchard
before he was aware of it. One thorough
treatment, just before the buds opened, was
so effective that he has not since been able
to find a live scale. In applying he is care-
ful to spray on the windward side, finishing
on the other side when the wind changes.
With three lines of hose he applies five bar-
rels of the mixture per day, one man being
always at the steam cooker preparing the
mixture.

Mr. W. A. McKinnon said that the ex-
periments conducted by his department
went to show that $350 should provide a
power spraying outfit, with which one

68

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

skilled man, with such assistance as he
found necessary, could cover about 4,000
trees for the season. He had used three
lines of hose, and always took care to have
one man go behind to spray underneath the
branches. He had used both gasoline and
steam power.

Mr. W. H. Owen, of Catawba Island.
Ohio, was making use of compressed air as
power for spraying, and found it neither dis-

agreeable nor expensive. The apparatus
is so arranged that one man does all, operat-
ing twelve nozzles from his platform at the
back of the wagon. A large co-operativ«
power sprayer of this kind would cost about
$600, and a man could spray twenty acres
of peach trees in one day. Anyone own-
ing such an outfit would have a good in-
come making and applying a spraying mix-
ture at a charge of 3 cents a gallon.

THE OUTLOOK FOR APPLE GROWING IN ONTARIO

Sir : I remember with considerable satisfac-
tion and pleasure the very profitable and well
attended meeting of the Fruit Growers' Asso-
ciation of Ontario last November at Leaming-
ton, at which I was pleased to be present during
the whole session.

Great Progress.

Prom the time I used to meet with your
association with much more regularity than
I do now, along back in the seventies, I clear-
ly saw at this late meeting that onward
steps had been taken and that surprising
progress had been made. Deeper and more
vital questions relating to the great questions of
transportation and its requirements, packages
and packing stations, experiment stations and
their work, horticultural topics, etc. For all
of these various items, indicating large internal
growth, we are most truly pleased, and do hope
that this may be still more evident all over this
young and promising country. Now, while we
say that we are glad of the many small family
apple orchards already planted and bearing all
over this country, scarcely a small farm hold-
ing being without them, and even the vegetable
garden having its moiety of apple trees close
packed in between the rows ahd beds, yet we
are satisfied that for commercial purposes this
method of procedure is not good or profitable
to men. "Why ? because commercially it is too
small a business and not sufficient to attract
the attention of the buyers or the markets. And
here let me explain what is the commercial out-
look that I am trying to lay before your readers
and the reasons for the depression at present
ruling or pervading the apple growing business
in Ontario.

Plant Apple Trees.

I am about to make this proposition that
before we can make apple growing as a
business success we must plant apple trees
on a much larger scale and grow more apples
and better ones, and so make a life business of

it and not merely plant a few trees for pas-
time or pleasure as so many of us are and have
been doing. Everybody is now having a small
quantity just for family use, you know, but no-
body taking proper care of them or tries to
make them satisfactory in doing their best, so
if they get any fruit it is all right, and if they
get none it is all the same, because, you know,
we have not much care or interest or money in
them anyway. Now, in direct contrast to all
this old kind of thing, we have made up our
minds, after very long, deep and protracted
consideration of this whole matter, to venture
to propose another plan of working. It is to
plant apple orchards on a large scale suited for
the commercial requirements of the time and
the markets. These may be planted wherever
the soil and climatic conditions are known to
be favorable, two or three in a township or half
a dozen in a county, or a very attractive one
near a great populous centre. The sorts to
plant must be selected after a thorough know-
ledge of the varieties and the demands of the
distant markets, and these grown to the high-
est state of perfection that the sorts are capa-
ble of, and the question of market is absolutely
sure and profitable returns will assuredly fol-
low. Now, providing the conditions of soil,
climate, moisture and capital are all right,
which is very often the case in Ontario, after
proper selection and thorough preparation of
soil, cleaning, culture, fencing, etc., planting is
then in order, and these trees may be of good
thrifty stock not over 2 or 3 years from the
bud. Plant of these not less than a thousand
trees for first output, and these not too many
varieties, not more than four good standard
sorts in the lot ; but some would prefer only
one or two. Then as these grow, and the capi-
tal and help will assure you, go on planting un-
til the full number of five thousand or one hun-
dred acres are reached and in good thriving
condition. A few successful orchards in any
certain locality of our country after they begin
to come into bearing would secure an immense

THE OUTLOOK FOR APPLE GROWING IN ONTARIO.

69

notice from fruit men generally and be very at-
tractive to the buyers, and the markets of the
old world, where there is such an unsatisfied
demand for our beautiful sound Canadian ap-
ples.

Central Packing House.

We would further recommend that these
apples, as well as others grown in a neighbor-
hood, should pass through the hands of the
Central Packing Station to receive proper pack-
ing, careful handling and just and true assort-
ing. There is no system so vital to the best
interests of fruit as this modern system of sta-
tion packing, and for the interests of all who
are concerned it must have the most thorough
and immediate attention. These stations are
being planted so generally over the best fruit
regions of the United States, and even in Can-
ada, that all the particulars regarding them,
their rules of working, their expense of man-
agement, their officers and systems of organi-
zation may be all easily learned by correspond-
ing freely with them. It is essential to set
these in full operation in this country. These
apples, so packed and shipped away from a cen-
tral packing station and labelled with a well
known designation that carries value with it,
and can be relied upon by the buyers to take
one or five hundred or a thousand or more boxes
without questioning would shortly establish a
market for all the fruit that can be offered or
gathered.

Management.

Now, to successfully accomplish the work-
ing of this method of large commercial ap-
ple orchards there must in the first place be
the best of mature and well tested judgment
and a thoroughly trained competent experience
on the part of the management. There must
be no trifling in this case or merely experiment-
ing processes. They must know what to do
and how to do it. Everybody cannot do it. Of
course they cannot ; if they could there would
be nothing for anybody in it. But it is here,
as in all other business, that are successful.
It is simply a question of competence, wide ex-
perience and thorough business ability derived
from much actual work in the orchard in the
head of the directorate. In the man to do this
kind of work there must be better training in
head and heart, deeper study of all things re-
lated to the orchard, and the nature of his busi-
ness as to conditions of soil and surroundings,
etc., a general broader up-to-date intelligence
on the subject of apple growing than has ordi-
narily come to the practical business. I may
say here that this method of producing apples
is not merely dreamy, but has bright rays of
encouragement in it, for are we not even now
"having several attempts in this line of work ?
In our agricultural schools and horticultural
colleges there are numbers of hopeful and com-
petent young men being educated and trained
for this special line of introductory apple grow-
ing as their special life-work in this country.
Tt may not, therefore, be a long time before it
may be seen that this fine promising country

may be dotted over from the rivers to the lakes
with large fine beautiful orchards of apples
such as will gladden the heart of the buyers in
the old world and enrich the patient toilers in
this. A few days ago I was corresponding with
one of those young men now being educated and
trained at our far-famed Ontario Agricultural
College at Guelph with regard to a trip lately?
made by him as an enquiry tour to old Georgia,
U. S., and mostly their peach regions, so suc-
cessful in their shipments last summer. The
following ideas were freely communicated for
my information and bearing on the points at
hand. I dedicate them to the apple growers of
this country.

Peach Growing in South America.

" Although I consider," said he, " the Geor-
gia peach region to be most promising and
most successful regions, especially that around
Port Palley, in Houston County, where
peaches are being raised in enormous quanti-
ties, and of the finest sizes and qualities, es-
pecially in the case of the Elbertas, and where
a man might enter into a business in the larg-
est desirable extent with the fullest assurances
of success on account of the most perfect
adaptability of both soil and climatic condi-
tions to produce the finest desirable samples of
fruit that would take a full market anywhere,
and where labor and packing material are both
so plentiful and so cheap, yet I am not going to
settle for my fortunes in Georgia. I have had
my attention directed to other fields farther
away, but better suited for my designs in my
future life work and lying within the borders of
the Argentine Republic, South America. Here,
as you know, the climatic conditions are the re-
verse of ours, so that when it is summertime
there it is wintertime here. So for this rea-
son a large company of capitalists are going to
plant a very large area in peaches for the old
London and New York markets. They will
clear and plant 1,000 acres at first at least, and
they want me to take charge of the work and to
superintend the progress of affairs to success.
When no fresh fruit can be had from the north
we intend to pack and ship our South American
peaches into these markets, and expect good re-
sults. As the first plantation is nearing ma-
turity, and the demand for peaches good, we in-
tend going on in our planting until some five or
ten thousand trees are out." Now, the whole of
this was a shining revelation to me, and
seemed at once a feasible and splendid business
undertaking. This is the kind of enterprise
we want applied to the business of apple grow-
ing in this country that is at once so safe and
as well adapted to the growth and production
of the most beautiful, good keeping and flavor-
ful apples. In this way the business must be
made a specialty, when planting, working,
cleaning, pruning and spraying must at all
times and in all cases receive their proper and
fullest proportional treatment through the full
worklife of the trees. So the enthusiast apple
grower will take a deep intelligent pride in his
work and the results will abundantly attest the

70

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

wisdom of the management, he M'ill give his
fuller attention to details and thus obtain the
highest awards of his race for his products in
any market to which he may consign them.

Disposal of Fruit.

But about the method of disposal of the fruit.
Oh, this is a vital and primary question. I
would particularly emphasize the statements of
my friend about the Georgia methods of mar-
keting their peaches. The peach growers all
support the Central Packing Stations located in
every peach centre, and these are under the di-
rection of good efficient boards of management.
Here the sorting, packing, labelling, etc., of all
the fruit of the district is properly done, and
the accounts kept for each grower. There on
a uniform scale as to sizes, qualities and grades
the whole carload can be safely bought by the
inspection or label of one basket to the full
amount of the car or 5,000 baskets, because all
are exactly alike, which could never be done
when every man packs and sells for himself.
This is the system that commends itself to our
best judgment here also as apple growers. Un-
der no other system that we can conceive of
could this possibly be done either for apples or
any other fruit on a large scale. This then is
an outline, and remember an outline only of the

methods and managements of Canadian apple
growing on a large commercial basis, and we
are sure that in the no distant times of this
country's products in apple or peach growing
this or something like it will be practically car-
ried out among us properly filled in with the
details required for success. If not, why not ?
Who will propose and enact something that is
preferable ? That apples will be grown in this
country and grown on a larger scale than ever
heretofore thought of we are certain. It only
remains for us to fill in the details and supply
the positive requirements of success for this

But about the method of disposal of the fruit,
country to become shortly studded over with
those large flourishing commercial apple orchards
from shore to shore and all through the centre
of our land. Hoping, as the present writer does,
though now reached his three score years and
ten in the service, that he may see this en-
larged system carried out over our lands. If
this is the case, or ever to be the case, he will
be satisfied that his labors in this behalf have
not been in vain. For what he sees to-day he
does not regret the feeble efforts made in the
past years of his experience in this line by him-
self and his friends, the Fruit Growers' Asso-
ciation of Ontario. Yours, B. GOTT.

Strathroy, Ont., Jan. 20th„ 1904.

A CHEAP ICE HOUSE

C"^ HOOSE a well-drained spot conven-
y lent to the house and higher than the
surrounding ground.

Set corner posts of good size and almost
any desired height, then put in the interven-
ing posts at intervals of 2 or 3 feet. On
the outside board up with rough slabs, old
boards, or anything that is at hand. On the
inside do the same. Fll the intervening
space with sawdust. Inside and opposite
the posts place a 2 x 4 studding and repeat
the operation of boarding from the inside.
Fill this intervening space with sawdust.
This is usually sufficient, but if desired an-
other row of studding may be supplied and
the space filled with sawdust.

An outside wall is thus provided which
will prevent changes of temperature. The
doors must be so arranged as lo be perfect-

ly air tight, being also provided with air
spaces, or spaces filled with sawdust. In
putting on the roof, observe the same pre-
cautions. Provide a ventilator at the top.
If these precautions and suggestions are
followed, and the drainage has been satis-
factorily provided for, there will be no trou-
ble in keeping the ice.

Put in the ice on a cold, crisp day, so that
the surface of the cakes will not be moist.
Fill up to the top of the ice house, then
cover with 18 inches or 2 feet of sawdust.
Close up the house and the ice will keep
nicely until wanted for use. Begin taking
out from the top, always opening the ice
house in the 'early morning, while the air is
cool and there is little difi^erence between
the outside and inside temperatures.

THE WEALTHY APPLE

BY W. F. MACOUN, C. E. F. , OTTAWA.

^ I ^ HE Wealthy apple was originated by
1 Peter M. Gideon, Excelsior, ^Minn..
about 1 86 1, from seed which he obtained
from Maine. Mr. Gideon thought that it
was grown from crab seed, but many doubt
this. It is thought by some good authori-
ties that there is Fameuse blood in the
Wealthy, and certainly it has some of the
characteristics of that variety. Owing to
its hardiness, beauty, productiveness and
quality the Wealthy has justly become one
of the most popular varieties for planting in
the colder apple growing districts. The
tree will begin to bear two or three years
after planting and will produce a barrel of
fruit per tree six years after planting. The
tree is a spreading grower, but on account
of the great crops which are borne, it grows
slowly after coming into bearing. This
variety is very useful as a filler, as it will
produce profitable crops before some varie-
ties begin to bear. At the Experimental
Farm good success has been obtained by
planting these trees in a block ten by ten feet
apart each way, the object being to obtain a
large quantity of fruit from the land in a
short time and thin out in good season.
Planted in 1896, these trees had averaged up
to 1903 a net return per acre above all ex-
penses of $121.38. This year was an off
year, but the trees are in fine condition and
the promise is for a heavy crop next year.
The Wealthy apple exports well and keeps
splendidly in cold storage. Sent in ordi-
nary ventilated hold without cold storage,
they sold in Glasgow in 1902 at 6 shillings

I G. 2731. Wealihy Apples at C.E.F., Ottawa,

Planted 10 x 10 ft. Apart in Spring 1896.

Photo Taken in 1902. Some Trees

Bearing Over a Barrel Each.

and 9 pence per box of 128 apples. The
Wealthy has three faults : First, owing to
its heavy bearing habit the fruit becomes
rather small after a few years, but by thor-
ough cultivation and thinning the fruit can
be kept up to good marketable size. Sec-
ond, the fruit drops badly, but owing to the
heavy crop there is usually a good quantity
of fruit left on the tree, and for the local
market our experience has been that good
fallen Wealthys sell as well as picked ones,
as the higher color of the fallen fruit ren-
ders them more attractive. Third, the
trunk is subject to sunscald and canker.
The former, and perhaps the latter, can be
prevented to a large extent by protecting
the trunk.

On the whole, the Wealthy is one of the
most profitable apples for the more norther-
ly sections.

Fruit Reports from Our Directors.

PRESENTED AT THE LEAMINGTON MEETING OF OUR ASSOCIATION.

Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry, Prescott and
Cornwall.

(Division No. 1.)

Represented by A. D. Harkness, Iroquois, Ont.

With Mr. Lick I attended a meeting at Iro-
quois on April 7th ; Morrisburgr, April 23rd, and
at Lancaster on April 24th. At these meetings
the process of making- the Bordeaux mixture
was explained and demonstrated, as well as a
practical demonstration on pruning in orchards.
In this District there are so

Few Engaged in Fruit Growing

from a commercial standpoint that it is a diffi-
cult matter to organize an association, and then
it is more difficult to make use of it after it is
organized. If, in a district like this, where
there is not much fruit grown, some arrange-
ment could be made to have meetings under the
auspices of the Farmers' Institute, for addresses
and discussion on fruit growing and demon-
strating, on pruning and spraying by persons
who are acquainted with the local conditions, I
think much benefit might be derived from it,
and the Farmers' Institute would be benefited
as well.

In this district I think there are only three
toyrnships that put in grain in any quantity at
all and these border on the St. Lawrence river. In
Glengarry there is scarcely any grain ever grown
for local use. Prescott I do not know anything
about as yet. Stormont, in the township of
Osnabrook, there is considerable, but scarcely
any in the rest of the county. Dundas, in Wil-
liamsburg and Matilda, there is considerable,
but not much in the other townships. The ap-
ples that do best with us are of the Fameuse
class, and can be successfully grown for com-
mercial purposes, but from my observations I
do not think it will pay us to try to grow the
later winter varieties except for local use.

Plums.

Plums we cannot expect to grow successfully
for about four years in every five the first buds
will be destroyed. I am trying the American
class of plums. Last spring I planted 8 Stod-
dard, 8 Hawkeye, 8 Wolfe, and I got from Dun-
lop, of Outremont, 4 Raynes, 2 Mountain, and 2
Mount Royal to try them in our district.

Small fruits, strawberries, currants, goose-
berries and raspberries can be grown success-
fully.

Harold Jones.

Frontenac, Kingston, Leeds, Grenville and
Brockville.

(Division No. 3.)
Represented by Harold Jones, Maitland.

For a long time it
was thought that the
St. Lawrence Valley
would never hecome
a fruit growing dis-
tiict. Mr. Jones,
however, has demon-
strated to the con-
trary. He is one of
the men who has made
the apple known as
the " Mcintosh Red"
famous throughout
the world. On his
farm is located one of
the Provincial Fruit
Experiment Stations,
and through this Mr.
Jones has for years
demonstrated to the
farmers throughout
the Valley the bene-
fits to be derived from
clean cultivation, proper fertilization and persistent spraying. For
years past Mr. Jones has had large crops of potatoes, as a result of
spraying, while his neighbors even on adjoining fields, have suffered
sometimes to the extent of three-quarters of their crop from the
prevalence of rot.

Since making my last report to this Associa-
tion I have done some little work in the inter-
ests of the Society, and I hope of benefit to the
fruit growers of my division.

In December last I attended the annual meet-
ing of the Quebec Pomological and Fruit Grow-
ers, held at Waterloo, as a delegate from this
society. I find that there is more Interest be-
ing taken in fruit matters from year to year.
The attendance was very fair at all the sessions,
and the subjects were well discussed by the
public, and the fruit display would have been a
credit to many of our fruit growing centres in
Ontario.

In January I attended twelve meetings of the
Farmers' Institute in my division and gave
practical talks on fruit growing, taking up the
questions of varieties and giving illustrations
in budding, grafting, pruning, etc., and in pre-
paring mixtures for spraying, which created
much interest and led to animated discussions
at most places. These talks eventually led to
quite a large correspondence with parties ask-
ing for hints and advice on location of orchards,
drainage, varieties, etc., as well as many sam-
ples of fruit by mail for identification. I re-
plied to all questions where possible, in as plain
a manner as I could, and I hope it has started
many in the right direction.

FRUIT REPORTS FROM OUR DIRECTORS.

The experimental fruit plot on my own farm
affords an ocular demonstration of the success
or failure of many varieties of fruit to many
visitors during the summer.

Apple Scab.

The unusually dry weather that prevailed'
during part of April, May, and the first half of
June passed the fruit (apples) over the critical
part of the season when the most damage is
caused by spot, and although we had almost
continuous rain since June 16th, the fruit is
absolutely clean, even on orchards that were not
sprayed at all. This fact gave me an oppor-
tunity of pointing out to many the vital im-
portance of spraying early and often in seasons
of normal rainfall in the spring months, for this
season has shown us that if the spot can be
kept absolutely in check until the middle of
June our crop is absolutely safe.

In past seasons I have found that trees that I
had sprayed every week from the bursting of
the bud to the first of June and then stopped
were freer from spot than those not sprayed so
frequently and continued until the first of
August. This point needs further careful

study, for we must admit that we do not know-
all about spraying yet.

Profitable Apples and Pears.

Fameuse, Mcintosh, and varieties of that
family are the standards for my division, and
are the most profitable to grow from a commer-
cial standpoint. For a later keeper we have
nothing yet more profitable than Scott's Win-
ter, Golden Russet, and possibly the Canada
Red. Milwaukee gives promise of being pro-
fitable, being of large size, but it has a
tendency to drop during September gales, al-
though not nearly as badly as Pewaukee, which
makes that otherwise profitable apple very un-
satisfactory to grow. We can grow Spys and
Baldwins top grafted, also Kings, but why not
leave these varieties to the lake counties, where
they excel us every time, and make more and
more of a specialty of the Fameuse groups, for
we are, in the great apple belt of the St. Law-
rence valley, where the fruit grows to perfec-
tion and will keep in ordinary cellars until
February.

Among the pears we have Clapp's Favorite,
Flemish Beauty, and Ritson, three pears that do
well in this division, and are of good quality.
Intending planters would do well to stick to
these varieties until other pears of good quality
are found to grow successfully by the stations,
for so many of the so-called " ironclads " are so
poor in quality that there is very little use in
planting either for home use or market.

Satisfactory Plums.

Plums for the domestic class are of very little
value in this division. The most successful or
promising are Lombard, Gueii, Yellow Egg,
Glass Seedling, but even these will only come
through the winter without injury to the fruit
buds about two years out of five. Japans are

also proving unsatisfactory, being tender in
fruit bud. Red June, Burbank, Ogon and
Abundance will bear in seasons that are favor-
able for the Lombard.

The most satisfactory plums are those of the
American type, and Wild Goose, Whittaker, Mil-
ton, Hammer, Forest Rose, Col. Wilder, Hawk-
eye, Cherry, Stoddard being the most successful
of this class. These plums are fair for cook-
ing but are of very little value where European
plums can be grown. However, they will be a
boon to those in the eastern counties where
grown in gardens for family use.

Among the cherries the Orel and Ostheim
give splendid results, bearing good crops of fair
sized cherries. Montmorency is particularly
tender in bud, only having a scattered crop.
May Duke is tender in bud, also Reine Hortense.

Hastings, Addington, Lennox and Prince
Edward Counties.

(Division No. 4.)

Represented by W. H. Dempsey.

The heavy frost of last December did con-
siderable injury to the buds of the more tender
varieties of fruit, hence the crop of the more
choice varieties of plums and cherries was very
light, also some of the apples were injured.
The early spring being cool and wet, no cater-
pillars showing and seeding time at hand, the
farmers took it for an excuse for not spraying
as usual. If the season had not been unfavor-
able for the development of fungous diseases,
the growers would have suffered a great loss.
As it was, the fruit was quite free from fun-
gous and insects. In some sections a few pear
trees suffered from blight. The pear tree
Psylla also made its appearance to quite an ex-
tent in a few orchards, and the trees were so
badly infested that they were noticeable for
some distance.

Apple Growing County.

The year has been a favorable one for all en-
gaged in the fruit, business in this district
Fair crops of clean, well colored good sized ap-
ples brought fairly good prices in the orchard.
Pickers, packers and cooi)ers received high
wages for their services, the only drawback in
the business was the scarcity of help and of
barrels.

The County of Prince Edward has again
proved itself as being one of the best apple pro-
ducing counties in the Dominion, producing be-
tween two and three hundred thousand barrels
of export apples this season, as well as a large
quantity of Damson plums. Some of the grow-
ers had from 100 to 400 bushels of plums grow-
ing, you might say wild, in fence corners, and
sold them from 75 cents to $1.00 to the buyers.

There are not many pears grown in the
county, but what trees there were was loaded,
especially of the Flemish Beauty variety, which

74

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

were particularly nice and sold for good prices.
There are also large quantities of small fruit
grown, most of them are sold to canning fac-
tories and local markets at fair prices. In the
counties of Hastings, Lennox and Addington
apples have not been grown to any great extent
until within the last ten or fifteen years, when
large orchards have been planted principally in
those townships lying along the water fronts.
Many have fruited well this year. The apple
growers in this district find the fruit houses a
decided advantage to them for storing their
fruit, particularly the cold storage in Trenton,
where the fruit is cooled down and held at a low
temperature for but a trifle more cost than the
ordinary storage.

Several orcTiard meetings were held in the
early part of the season, and were fairly well
attended gy growers eager for informaition on
fruit storage. Mr. Elmer Lick, of Oshawa, gave
practical talks on spraying and pruning, which
were very much appreciated, also Mr. F. J. Bar-
ker spoke on the advantage of thinning fruit.

Durham, Northumberland, Peterborough and
Victoria.

(Division No. 5.)

Represented by Wm. Rickard, Newcastle.

As director for Division No. 5, I beg to report
that the local Fruit Growers' Associations for-
merly organized ait Bowmanville, Newcastle and
Orono, in Durham County, have not been active
or in good working order during the past year.
For a time there was considerable interest
taken, especially by the membership in Bow-
manville, where a number of interesting and
profitable meetings were held. Among other
things that received prominence was that of
building a cold storage fruit house, but up to
the present no action has been taken along this
line.

Outlook for Apple Growing.

In speaking of fruit culture in Northumber-
land and Durham, I might properly confine my-
self mainly to apples. There are a few who
have, to a limited extent, gone into growing
pears and plums and small fruits with some
measure of success, but the king of all fruits,
the apple, has been and is now receiving by far
the greater part of the attention and work of
the fruit growers of these united counties, and
in my opinion, very properly so; for when we
consider that the fruit townships bordering on
the north shore of Lake Ontario possess th e
natural condition of soil and climate for the
growing of apples that cannot be surpassed on
the North American continent, and when we
further consider the almost unlimited prospec-
tive markets for this health-giving fruit, both
in the east across the great Atlantic to the
teeming millions of Europe, and also in our
great and glorious west (I say our glorious

west, for it is ours, the heritage of our fathers),
in the near future destined to be the home of
many millions of well-to-do people, surprising
the world in the production of the greatest of
cereals, wheat, making them prosperous to such
a degree that while, generally spe^aking, they
will not be able to grow fruits, they will have
the purchasing power to buy. We say that as
far as we are able to look into the future, the
prospects for growing apples in this favored
district along the north shore of Lake Ontario,
are, to say the least, fairly good, and a consider-
able number of our most intelligent and pro-
gressive land owners are acting on this outlook
and planting quite largely young orchards of
apple trees of very considerable extent. As an
illustration, I may say we find in the second
concession of the Township of Clarke, in less
than one and a half square miles, two hundred
acres in apple orchards, some of them just com-
ing into bearing, and as an example of the suc-
cess that can be made in apple growing here, by
giving it careful intelligent management, let me
say that I picked and packed this season from
thirty-five Ben Davis trees just ten years
planted, one hundred barrels of apples.

Another Side.

Notwithstanding the above facts, there is, I
am somewhat sorry to say, another side to the
question of apple growing in this district. Some
of our farmers having orchards are disposed to
neglect them, allowing the trees to take their
chances. If the orchard receives any atten-
tion at all it is after everything else is done. The
inevitable result is that we have too much poor
fruit, and not enough of real good fruit, and
herein lies the success or failure in the grow-
ing and marketing of apples. No better work
can be done than to educate every man having
an orchard up to a careful intelligent manage-
ment of the same. This will result in success,
while neglect and inattention will result in fail-
ure, and this will apply not only to the indi-
vidual but to a certain extent to the great and
imporant apple business of the country.

The apple crop in this section for the present
year has been very abundant and of excellent
quality. As near as I am able to ascertain, the
shipments at the various railway stations up
to the present time considerably exceed any-
thing heretofore, unless it might possibly be in
1896, the year with a bumper crop. Summing
up the shipments this season, together with
what is put in store, I believe I am safe in say-
ing that Northumberland and Durham have
produced this year somewhere about three hun-
dred thousand barrels. But this great and im-
portant industry in this country is only in its
infancy. In after years it bids fair to double
and treble in this favored locality — the fruit
townships of Northumberland and Durham.

A Suggestion.

I would suggest that in connection with
Farmers' Institute meetings the cultivation of
fruit be dealt with by giving instruction in the
best methods of fruit apple culture.

FRUIT REPORTS FROM OUR DIRECTORS.

75

Elmer Lick.

York, Ontario, Peel, Cardwell and City of
Toronto.

(Division No. 6.)
Represented by Elmer Lick, Oshawa.

Mr. Lick makes a
specialty of fruit cul-
ture. He has had
charge of a large or-
chard on his own place
for a number of years,
and when the Fruit
Marks Act was passed
by the Dominion
Government he was
one of the first inspec-
tors to be appointed
by the Dominion
Department of Agri-
culture. In this
capacity he has had
an opportunity of
looking into all mat-
ters pertaining to the
fruit industry, from
the cultivation of the
soil to the disposing
of the products. He,
therefore, speaks with authority, and can view the question both
from the producers' and commercial standpoint.

In making: this report I think that the most
important statement that can be made is that
Division No. 6 has never produced as much
fruit of as great value in any previous year.
The apple crop, the great staple fruit in most of
this division, was large and exceedingly fine in
quality. The abundant rain fall of the past
three years gave the trees vigor, the favorable
weather during blossoming favored fertiliza-
tion, the conditions favorable to the develop-
ment foscab did not exist to any great extent.
The insect pests were not serious, and to finish
up with, the weather during the picking and
packing season was the best since 1892.

Waste of Apples.

Even with all these favorable conditions, and
none of them could be better, thousands of bar-
rels of finest apples have been wasted. Several
reasons have led to this, first the scarcity of
labor and its high price ; second, the greatest
difficulty on record in securing barrels. The
apple packers, in order to secure help, have had
to pay up to 20 cents per hour for picking and
packing, and in order to secure barrels have had
to pay up to 75 cents. The cost of picking,
packing, and the barrel has thus been excep-
tionally high, averaging some times about $1.00
per barrel, and in many cases even more. Un-
der the usual conditions of heavy shipments
week by week, the price in the English markets
would have fallen to such an extent that the
apples would have scarcely paid for picking.
Many dealers have made money, few have had
very much profit during part of the season. If
the English fruit crop had been heavy the
larger portion of the apples in our section
might have better stayed on the trees. Never-
theless the fact remains that apples of stand-
ard varieties, picked, packed and shippjed in
most careful and economical way have netted
from $1.25 to $1.50 per barrel for the apples on

the tree. This, of course, is only where bar-
rels had been stored at 35 cents and where pick-
ing and packing went on at the same time.

Co-operation Need&d.

Many sections have sent in complaints that
there was no dealer buying there. Careful in-
quiry has shown that in such cases orchards
were small, varieties numerous, consequently
the cost of packing was high and a very great
difficulty in securing cars of two or three varie-
ties at one time. If the small orchardist is to
get highest price for his apples there must be
more co-operation either between the producers
or between the producers or between the pro-
ducer and dealer. Barrels must be stored early
and in a clean place, producer must take more
responsibility in regard to picking, packing and
drawing to market.

Plums a Glut.

In some parts of the district plums were
scarcely worth picking. In common with other
sections large quantities of plums were allowed
to rot for want of a market. Yet we believe
that if the producer could have known where to
send them that fair prices could have been ob-
eained. The distribution of our fruit crop is of
vital importance. At several of the Farmers'
Institute meetings fruit growing was discussed,
fruit institutes were held in several sections,
and quite a lively interest shown.

In his orchard, near Oshawa, last year, Mr.
Lick had a large crop of fine apples — about
2,100 barrels in all, of No. 1 and No. 2 fruit. He
also handled 700 barrels outside of his orchard,
packing most of them himself. Altogether Mr.
Lick marketed over 1,600 barrels and 3,200 boxes
of apples. For fall shipped previous to Novem-
ber 1st satisfactory returns have been received.
Most of the fruit went to Machester.

Lincoln, Niagara, Welland, Haldimand and
Monl(.

(Division No. 8.)
Represented by E. Morris, Fonthill.

I have to report that the fruit crop this sea-
son has been the most abundant of any year in
the history of the Niagara District. Follow-
ing a large crop of last year, under ordinary
circumstances we should have expected only a
moderate yield of the large fruits, but owing to
freedom from storms during May all blossoms
developed fruit, particularly plums, peaches and
cherries, the former being more than the mar-
ket could take.

Plum Pulp.

In view of the possibility of another such glut,
I would like to draw the attention of the society
to the fact that there are thousands of tons of
plums being shipped annually from Germany
and other European countries, to England in the
form of pulp to be manufactured into jam. I

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

would suggest that steps be taken to ask for a
grant from the Government to experiment along
this line.

Various Fruits.

The peaches sold at very low prices, but the
crop being large, it proved fairly remunerative
to the growers. The cherries were a very large
crop and sold proportionately higher in the
market than any other fruit. The pears were
a medium crop and prices were fair. Apples,
above the average crop and unusually free
from scab and other fungus diseases, proved a
very profitable crop, and added considerably to
the bank account of the farmers. All small
fruits were the greatest crop known, although
there was great loss from too much rain during
picking season for strawberries and raspberries.
However, the market price was good. The
township of Pelham easily led in quantity of
small fruit grown. One grower, Mr. Albert
Railton, shipped 375 tons and realized a net
profit of $3,000.

Orchard Meetings.

I recommended last year that we should have
some orchard meetings in the central and
southern portion of the Niagara district. There
has never been a meeting of that kind held in
the section in Ontario where such meetings are
most needed and where the people would highly
appreciate them. I therefore request that
meetings be held in that section.

Elgin, Brant, Oxford and Norfolk.

(District No. 9.)
Represented by J. S. Scarf, Woodstock.

The year which has just closed has not been
quite as favorable to the fruit growers in this
district as was anticipated in the earlier part
of the spring. The season opened with great
promises of a very large crop of fruit, and just
about the time the buds were bursting there
came a cold wave with heavy rains, lasting for
several days. This, no doubt, was the cause
of a light set of the apples ; notwithstanding
this, the apple crop was a fairly good one. In
many places the quality was exceptionally fine,
but in a number of places the apples were at-
tacked by a scab. The Northern Spy was a
good sample and a good crop ; the Greenings
rather light crop, and the Baldwins were good.
Owing to the very great scarcity of barrels and
boxes a large quantity of the apples were not
picked, but were left on the trees and ground
to rot.

The pear crop was a little under the average,
and in many places badly affected with the scab,
the Kiefer and Bartlett being badly stung. The
plums were a very heavy crop, but rotted badly.
Cherries were a light crop, the buds in the
spring failed to come out well, but the quality
was very good. The raspberries did well, and
were a heavy crop, as also were the black ber-
ries, but the peaches were not as good as last
year.

The Woodstock Horticultural Society.

With regard to our local Horticultural So-
ciety in the city of Woodstock, it is doing good
work, continuing on the same lines as last year
in distributing shrubs, plants, bulbs and trees
to its members, also to the scholars of the pub-
lic schools. During the year the society dis-
tributed to the members 90 Hydrangea (Pani-
culata grandiflora) as premiums from the Fruit
Growers' Association and from the local society,
185 rose bushes. 32 peach trees, 33 cherry trees,
66 currant bushes, 575 Gladioli bulbs, 100 Can-
nas, 46 Caladiums and 2,826 tulip bulbs. To
the scholars of the schools 300 geraniums and 64
boxes of annuals, also tulips to the children, who
made an exhibit of flowers at the fall exhibition
of the Horticultural Society.

Monthly Meetings.

The society continues to hold regular monthly
meetings, and some very interesting papers are
read at some of these meetings from the mem-
bers. The visit we had in April from Mr. T.
H. Race, of Mitchell, who was sent by this as-
sociation, was very much appreciated by those
who heard him. Mr. Race's address was on
" Roses and Their Culture," and was of un-
usual interest to the large number who turned
out to hear him. It was said to be the best
lecture on horticulture that the society had ever
listened to.

Perth, Middlesex and City of London.

(Division No. 11.)
Represented by T. H. Race, Mitchell.

T. H. Race,

A Director of the O. F.G.A. ; Chairman of the Floricultural Section
of our Annual Meeting at Leamington, Ont.

The only work worthy of notice done in this
district during the year just passed has been in
connection with the horticultural societies.
There has been very little orchard planting
done, not enough, in my opinion, in view of
what the near future promises in the way of a
demand for good fruit. Generally speaking,
there has been little spraying done, and a few
varieties subject to spot have been badly dis-
figured. On the whole there has been a fair
crop of winter apples, especially Spys, and they

FRUn REPORTS FROM OUR DIRLCTORS.

77

have been comparatively clean and well de-
veloped.

The Fruit Marks Act.

It is gratifying to note that a respect for the
Fruit Marks Act is becoming more and more
manifest, and its requirements have been well
observed this fall. But while the farmers are
accepting the Act and approving its claims and
purposes, they are, with a few exceptions, not
applying themselves to the requirements of
their orchards to turn the Act to good account.
Those few exceptions, however, when the or-
chard has been properly cared for, are sure in
time to exemplify the influences of the school-
master in the community. A few farmers I
know of have made their orchards pay this fall,
and their example and experience must gradu-
ally work upon their neighbors. If not, then
our labor is all in vain.

The London Society.

In horticultural work the success of the Lon-
don society has been most marked. At the
"Western Fair, held in that city in September,
the special floral display made by that society
was one of the greatest attractions in the horti-
cultural building. All the annuals shown in
that splendid exhibit were grown from seed dis-
tributed by the society, and the flowers were
contributed by the members gratuitously. The
general admiration of the public seemed to be a
sufficient reward for the labor expended.

In the city of Stratford they have also a live
and active society, which I regret to say is not
in affiliation with usl They are doing excellent
work in giving prizes for the best kept lawn
and the best flower and vegetable garden. In
the latter part of August they held a flower
show, which was a splendid success, and left
them a considerable surplus in cash after pay-
ing prizes and all expenses.

The Mitchell Horticultural Society.

In my own town, Mitchell, we have a society
with a membership of aibout one hundred. Of
course I consider it the best and most enthu-
siastic in the province. Any meeting held un-
der its auspices is sure to have a crowded house.
Last spring we distributed nearly thirty dollars'
worth of plants and gladioli bulbs, and this fall
at out sixty dollars' worth of Parrot tulips and
mixed hyacinths. The work is showing itself
very conspicuous throughout the town, in school
grounds, church grounds, and especially about
the homes. The infection, in fact, is being
caught by many of the farmers, and the result
is telling in the surroundings of many of the
best farm homes.

Essex, Kent and Lambton.

(Division No. 12.)

Represented by J. L. Hilborn, Leamington.

In the district which I represent there are a
number of horticultural societies, and they are
doing a very good work, but there is not as
much interest manifested in them as there
should be.

The greatest difficulty appears to be that
many fruit growers and horticulturists are not
sufficiently alive to the advantages to be gained
by diligently attending meetings and co-operat-
ing for the advancement of our calling.

The Transportation Grievance.

One of the most importance meetings held in
this district was called at Kingsville in March
for the purpose of discussing transportation
grievance. There was a large gathering tX.
fruit shippers, Mr. M. K. Cowan, M. P., occu-
pied the chair and displayed considerable inter-
est in the welfare of the shippers. The express
companies were represented by their road
agents, also by Mr. Sparling, superintendent of
the Canadian company. As a result of this
meeting we get much better service this season,
but undoubtedly the express rate on fruit is
more than it should be, especially to certain
points.

The Mersea Agricultural Society hold their
fall fair at Leamington and manifest consider-
able interest in the fruit department, and an-
nually have a fine display of fruits, in which
much interest is taken and considerable infor-
mation is gained by the different exhibitors, and
the public generally, in regard to the best varie-
ties to grow, and in the proper naming of odd
and new varieties. I have for several years
assisted in the judging of this department and
correcting names where wrong.

The Fruit Crop.

The fruit crop of 1903 was a bountiful one,
but prices as a rule were rather low. Straw-
berries were an immense crop, especially in
Lambton county. Plums were a great crop
everywhere, and so cheap that some of them
were never gathered, as there seemed to be no
sale for them. It appears to be that there
should be sale for so good a fruit as the plum if
properly canned or jammed and put upon the
proper market. Perhaps there is room for the
O. F. G. A. to do some good work along this line
of investigating this matter and encouraging can-
ners to handle more plums when they become
so cheap, and thereby prevent a total glut in our
markets.

Peaches as a rule were a heavy crop, the ex-
ception being when varieties that are suscepti-
ble to the curl leaf were not properly sprayed,
and Crawford varieties that were growing on
soils too sandy to be well adapted for them.
Owing to so much wet weather during the
ripening period of peaches and plums there was
considerable waste from rot. The flavor and
keeping quality of peaches especially was
much affected by the same cause.

Apples yielded well, but the fruit was much
affected by the ravages of scab and codling
moth. There should be much more attention
given to the spraying of our apple orchards.
Much good work is being done by the Farmers'
Institute in the way of impressing growers with
the importance of more thorough pruning and
spraying of their orchards, but there is still
room for much missionary work along those
lines.

78

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST,

G. C Castun.

(Division No. 13.)
Represented by G. C. Caston, Craighurst.

Mr. Caston is a
past president of the
Ontario Fruit Grow-
ers' Association, and
has charge of the
Fruit Experiment
Station in Simcoe
county. He is one of
the oldest institute
worlcers, and is well
■ond favorably known
in this capacity
thraughout the prov-
ince. In addi ion to
the subject of fruit,
Mr. Caston is pre- •
paaed to discuss cold
storage and trans-
portation ; also the
marketing of farm
products. He has
probably done as
much as any other
man to introduce hardy fruits suitable to our northern climate.

In the district comprising- this division the
present year has been a favorable one for most
varieties of fruit. Strawberries, although
somewhat injured by drought, were a fairly
good crop. Raspberries, although not so good
as in 1902, were yet an average crop.

Two Good Blackberries.

The blackberry has not been grown commer-
cially in our district, with the exception of my
own plantation I know^ of none being grown in
a commercial way, and the reason is not far to
seek. Nursery agents have been selling varie-
ties that were not suited to the climatic condi-
tions of the district ; they would grow well in
summer but would lose nearly all the bearing
wood during the winter, and consequently this
fruit has been neglected. After a trial of some
twenty varieties I have found two that exactly
suit our conditions, the Eldorado and Agawam,
both of good size and quality, and produce mag-
nificent crops, so that I have found them to be
one of the most profitable of the small fruits.

Various Fruits.

The cherries were the next thing to a failure
this year, and plums, though plentiful and cor-
respondingly cheap in the district near and
around the Georgian Bay, were further inland
only a very moderate yield. Pears, which are
not extensively grown as yet, were very good in
quality. Apples were good in both quality and
quantity. That universal favorite, the North-
ern Spy, was more than usually prolific this
year and the quality very fine. One mistake

that has been made in our district is the plant-
ing of too many fall apples and of too many
varieties. Realizing this, planters are now con-
fining their planting to winter varieties only,
and only a few varieties of these. Some, act-
ing on advice from experienced growers, are
taking the better plan of planting Talman
Sweets and other hardy varieties for the pur-
pose of top-grafting them with the best winter
sorts for commercial purposes, the chief of
which is the Spy.

An increased interest is being taken in the
growing of orchard fruits. As an instance of
this, the Board of Trade of the town of Orillia
asked the Department of Agriculture to send
some one to investigate the capabilities of that
immediate locality for the production of com-
mercial apples. As a result of this action
Messrs. Creelman and McNeill were sent to that
place in the early part of the summer, and I be-
lieve their investigation proved that the best
commercial varieties can be grown successfully
there, more especially by the system of top-
grafting on hardy stock.

■My district is a very large one, reaching from
Lake Simcoe to the Lake of the Woods, larger
than all the others put together, and I am
pleased to say that apples are being grown
away north of that district of Algoma where it
was not thought possible a few years ago. On
Joseph's and Manitoulin Islands, and in several
places on the northern shore of Lake Huron,
and even on Lake Superior, some of the hardy
varieties are being grown. And I believe that
there is a strip of country reaching the whole
length of the north shore of Lake Huron, to
Garden River, a few miles wide, that will grow
a great many of the varieties that we are grow-
ing in the more southerly sections.

As a result of a meeting held in Toronto of
the Board of Control and Experimenters, a
move has been made toward having more ex-
periments in fruit growing conducted in New
Ontario, chiefly in the Temiscaming country.

Orchard Meetings.

I attended a number of orchard meetings in
our district, in company with Mr. McNeill, in
April. There were properly advertised, were
well attended, and an interest manifested that
will, I hope, lead to some practical and profit-
able results. Mr. McNeill explained very fully
at each meeting the commercia 1 side of fruit
growing, and we hope that co-operative mar-
keting will be one of the features of the future
of the industry in our section.

news from Trult Growers' Hssociations, horticultural
and €ivlc Improvement Societies

Good Work Being Done by Fruit Growers
of the Niagara Peninsula

WE are indebted to our worthy
president, Mr. W. H. Bunting,
for the following notes:

Several meetings of a somewhat import-
ant character in connection with the Niagara
Peninsula United Fruit Growers' Associa-
tion have been held during the past few
weeks, and matters of considerable interest,
not only to local fruit growers, but also to
the fruit trade generally throughout the pro-
vince have been discussed. The election of
officers took place on December i8th, result-
ing in the appointment of Mr. C. M. Hons-
berger, of Jordan, as president, and Mr. C.
E. Fisher, of St. Catharines, County Regis-
trar, as secretary, with an executive com-
mittee representing the various localities
throughout the entire district. This asso-
ciation has been active in the past as an or-
ganization closely identified with every
movement that gave promise of results bene-
ficial to the fruit industry, and has succeed-
ed in accomplishing some good work.

The meetings on December i8th and
January 2nd, 1904, which were largely at-
tended, were chiefly devoted to a discussion
of the present condition of the San Jose
infestation, and the best methods to be
adopted during the next few months in or-
der to destroy the present infestation and
prevent further spread. The San Jose scale
committees reported satisfactory work in
many orchards with the ' lime and sulphur
treatment, and stated that upon apple, pear,
and European plum trees crude petroleum
had been used with good results. The pre-
paration popularly known as McBain's mix-

ture, was referred to as very promising,
with a suggestion that growers give it a
more extensive trial this spring.

It was felt that spraying outfits of greater
power and capacity were urgently needed.
A resolution was passed requesting the Min-
ister of Agriculture to continue further ef-
forts and financial assistance to abate this
pest, which in many instances has proved
even more destructive than was at first an-
ticipated.

At the meeting of January i6th, also
largely attended, the questions of farm
labor and co-operation amongst fruit grow-
ers were discussed. The secretary was au-
thorized to place an advertisement in several
of the Scottish newspapers asking for good
competent farm laborers with and without
families, and members were requested to
make known their requirements in this dis-
trict to the secretary as soon as possible. A
very lively discussion ensued upon the re-
port of the Committee on Co-operation,
which contained a number of important
clauses, the chief of which referring to co-
operative spraying, uniform grading and
packing of fruit in central packing houses,
regulation of the distribution of shipments,
and the recovery of damages for loss aris-
ing out of the carelessness and negligence of
carriers and receivers. This subject will be
more fully discussed at subsequent meet-
ings, and it is expected that action will be
taken of great importance to the fruit trade.
New York State Fruit Growers' annual
meeting was held at Geneva, N. Y., January
6th and 7th. A large number of prominent
growers from all parts of the state were in
attendance. The chief speakers were Profs.
Bailey and Slingerland, of Cornell Univer-

8o

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

sity; Dr. Jordan, director N, Y. Exp. Sta-
tion; Mr. J. H. Hale, of Connecticut, the
Georgia " peach king," and Messrs. A. N.
Brown, of Delaware, and C. H. Powell,
Washington. Economic and Commercial
Fruit Growing were the chief topics dis-
cussed. A most extensive exhibit of fruit
and apparatus used in fruit culture was held
in the city armories. Hon. T. L. Wilson,
of Hall's Corners, was re-elected president.
Ontario Horticulture was represented by
Mr. W. H. Bunting, president of our Pro-
vincial Association, and Mr. Jas. Tweddle,
of Fruitland. These gentlemen were cor-
dially received and were given an oppor-
tunity to tender the greetings of the provin-
cial and local associations to the New York
State organization.

London Horticultural Society

1^ HE Directors of the London Horticul-
tural Society have much pleasure in
presenting their fourth annual report.

During the year 1903 they have had eight
meetings for the transaction of the business
of the society, in addition to the annual gen-
eral meeting in January. No public lec-
tures under the auspices of the society have
been given this year.

Owing to the peculiar weather in the early
part of the season, causing great irregularity
in the blooming of flowers, no spring flower
show was held. Two very successful shows
were given during the summer months in
the City Hall, which was kindly placed at
the disposal of the society by the Mayor and
City Council.

The first show was held on the 17th and
1 8th of June, when an excellent exhibit was
made. The display of roses, owing to the
unfavorable season, was not as good as in
former years, but the deficiency was made
up by a variety of other flowers. Mention
may be made of the collection of perennial
blooms by Mr. J. B. Bond, peonies by Mr.

George Prichard, early flowering perennial
phlox by Mr. C. J. Fox and Mr. R. W. Ren-
nie, Canterbury bells by Mr. H. W. Givens,
Columbines by Mr. C. P. Butler and others,
and roses by Mr. John Stephenson and Mr.
C. W. Furness.

The second show was held on the 12th
and 13th of August, and was considered to
be, in many respects, the best that the so-
ciety has yet given. The number of con-
tributors was larger, and the flowers ex-
hibited represented a much greater variety
of species than ever before, while the indi-
vidual blooms were of a higher standard of
excellence. It is satisfactory to find that
these shows are improving the popular
taste and developing a greater interest in the
production of rare and choice varieties. The
pleasant rivalry between our amateurs, for
which these shows afford a friendly oppor-
tunity, is of much benefit to those who take
part in it, and encourages others to aim at a
higher standard in their flower gardens than
was hitherto thought possible.

At the August show there were more than
forty contributors, among whom it was
satisfactory to find a number of new names.
It was estimated that the number of bottles
containing flowers on the tables exceeded
1,300, and the committee in charge found
much difficulty on the second day in provid-
ing room for the contributions. Among so
many exhibitors, whose products were all of
such high quality, it is not possible to select
individuals for special mention, the Direc-
tors can only express in general terms the
gratification that was afforded not only to
them but to the citizens at large. The at-
tendance was greater than ever before, and
all who came were delighted with the beauty
and variety of the blooms that were set be-
fore them.

A collective display of autumn flowers
was again made by members of the society
at the annual exhibition of the Western Fair

LONDON HORflCULTURAL SOCIETY.

during the week beginning September 14th.
The tall trophy erected in the middle of the
Horticultural Hall, with its several stages
covered with rare and beautiful flowers, was
a great attraction to the throngs of visitors,
and received abundant praise from florists
who had come from other parts of the coun-
try. One visitor stated that this was " one
of the most attractive departments of the
Western Fair this year, and the artistic ar-
rangement of fruit and flowers, together in
the Horticultural Hall was an object lesson
of real value."

During the year the customary distribu-
tions of bulbs were made to the members of
the society. In the spring half a dozen of
Grofif's famous Gladioli and some Montbre-
tias were given, together with several roots
of a choice Oxalis, the generous gift of Mr.
J. A. Balkwill. In the autumn each mem-
ber received seven bulbs of the Paper-white
and twelve of the Princeps Narcissus, and
in addition several Daffodils, the kind gift of
Miss Burris. One of the plants offered as
premiums by the Ontario Fruit Growers'
Association was also given to each member,
together with the monthly issues of its
magazine, The Canadian Horticulturist.

At the request of the directors, Mr. R. W.
Rennie attended as their representative a
meeting held in Toronto on the 13th of
February, for the purpose of organizing a
Provincial Civic Improvement Society. The
meeting was well attended by delegates from
all parts of the country, and resulted in the
formation of a league with an influential list
of officers.

On the 28th of August a meeting was held
in the City Hall here for the purpose of or-
ganizing a local Civic Improvement Society.
Mayor Beck acted as chairman, and after a
full discussion it was decided to form the
society, and a committee was appointed to
draft a constitution and to submit a list of
proposed officers. At a subsequent meet-

ing the committee accomplished the first
part of their task, but nothing has as yet
been done regarding the election of officers
and the actual formation of the society.
About fifty persons, including many ladies,
have entered their names as members and
paid their subscriptions of a dollar each for
the year 1904. There ought, therefore, to
be no difficulty in launching the society at
once and placing it in a position to begin ac-
tive operations forthwith. The Directors
of the London Horticultural Society are in
full sympathy with the movement, and many
of them have, already shown a warm inter-
est in the undertaking. They anticipate a
hearty co-operation on the part of all our
members.

The Mayor of the city, Mr. Adam Beck,
repeated this year his generous gift of $100
to be awarded in prizes in a garden competi-
tion. This amount was supplemented by a
grant of $50 from the City Council, and the
judges were thus enabled to offer a larger
number of prizes and to" increase the variety
of awards. The competition throughout
the city was well maintained, and the results
were very pleasing, not only in the care and
improvement of their own premises b ythose
competing, but also in the effect upon their
neighbors and the general interest excited.

The Directors and the members of the so-
ciety in general have every reason to feel
pleased with the good work that they have
accomplished during the four years of its
existence. It is much to be hoped that there
will be no diminution of energy during the
coming year, and that all will unite in the
effort to improve our city and to encourage
all its inhabitants to make the surroundings
of their dwellings and their places of work
and business as wholesome and attractive as
possible. Much has already been ddrLe, but
there is still plenty of room for improvement
and ample scope for both individual and
united effort.

82

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURISl

The treasurer's report, about to be sub-
mitted, shows a satisfactory balance on
hand, which will enable payment to be made
at once for the publication procured for the
members.

Chari^es J. S. Be;thune;, Pres.
R. W. Rennie, Sec.-Treas.

The election of officers for 1904 resulted
in the choice of Mr. C. J. Fox for president ;
W. H. Hamilton, ist vice-president; E. J.
Liddicoat, 2nd vice-president; Mr. R. W.
Rennie was subsequently re-appointed secre-
tary-treasurer by the directors.

Kincardine Horticultural Society

List of officers of Kincardine Horticultu-
ral Society for 1904:

President — Wm. Welsh, gentleman.

1st Vice-President — M. McCreath, cemetery
sexton.

2nd Vice-President — R. D. Hall, gentleman.

Secretary — Joseph Barker, Div. Court clerk.

Treasurer — Joseph Barker, Div. Court Clerk.

Directors — Archie Clinton, gentleman ; D. S.
McDonald, fruit grower ; S. 'W. Perry, Princi-
pal High School ; E. Miller, cabinet maker ; W.
G. Tuck, laborer ; Rev. Joseph Philp, Methodist
minister ; Rev. A. Pomeroy, Methodist minis-
ter ; Dr. Geo. McKay, retired minister ; Joseph
Abell, florist.

Auditors — John H. Scougall, town clerk ; Ed-
ward Fox, jeweller.

SWINE IN ORCHARDS

T ^ 7 HILE many orchardists do not be-
^ ^ lieve in having stock of any kind
in their orchards, there are others who find
it profitable under certain conditions. If the
orchard needs additional food, and most
bearing orchards do, the plan of keeping
swine or sheep in. them is not a bad one pro-
vided the arrangement is so planned that the
presence of the stock does not in any way
work injury to the trees or to the soil. If
swine are to be kept in the bearing orchard
the ground should be prepared for some
such crop as sorghum, clover and rye or any
similar crop which will serve as grazing for

the animals and add fertility to the soil
through their excrement.

On this plan one will help the orchard, but
if the hogs are turned into an orchard that
is in grass with an idea of increasing the
value of the animals by what they may get
in grazing, it will not require many seasons
of this sort of work before there will be de-
cided injury done to the trees. If an or-
chard is worth anything at all it is worth
caring for in itself and should not be used
as an adjunct to the hog pen or the sheep pen
unless the animals will more than pay back
to the trees through the soil all they take
from them. — Mail-Umpire.

A CANNING FACTORY

1"^ HE proposed canning factory for the
Leamington district is likely to be an
assured fact, as a large part of the $10,000
has already been subscribed. The Leam-
ington News says :

" Our fruit crop will increase, and when
the peach orchards planted to replace those
frozen out five years ago come in bearing
we shall not know where to find a market
for our output. South Essex is the very

garden of Ontario, and where so much is
produced — so perishable, and withal, so de-
licious— the only sensible thing to do is to
do it up in such a way that it can be mar-
keted at any season of the year. A factory
where the stock is held by local people will
never sell out to a combine, but will always
be a blessing to the community. It will not
be closed at the dictation of anybody or its
output restricted in any way."

flower Garden and Lawn

WINTER WINDOW GARDENING

AN ADDRESS BY WM. HUNT, ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, GUELPH.

southerly aspect is necessary to secure good
flowering results ; a window facing the
southeast being perhaps preferable, as it es-
capes the direct rays of the sun at noon that
perhaps even in winter time strikes much
too warm in a south window for the well
being of many window plants. It is de-
sirable on very bright days, especially in late
winter or early spring, to shade plants in
windows having a southerly aspect, by pull-
ing down the blinds or by partially closing
the shutters for an hour or two during the
hottest part of the day.

A very high temperature at midday, and
perhaps an equally low temperature at night,
is not beneficial to the growth of plants, and
often induces an attack of insect pests, or of
disease, that proves disastrous to a whole
collection of plants. An ordinary equable
house temperature, such as I first men-
tioned, with as moist an atmosphere as pos-
sible maintained around and about the
plants, will be found the most desirable con-
ditions for the successful winter culture of
window plants.

To secure the last mentioned condition in
ordinary windows is ofte n a difficult prob-
lem, as the surroundings are not adapted for
using much water around and about the
plants. Very much can, however, be done
by spraying or sprinkling the foliage of the
plants on fine sunny days, more especially
the smooth or glossy leaved varieties ; or by
sponging the leaves of these with a sponge
and some clear tepid water. About once in
every two weeks will suffice for this. spong-
ing or sprinkling. The plants may, per-
haps, be removed to the kitchen sink occa-
sionally, where no damage can be done the
surroundings by sprinkling.

Fig. 2732. Geranium, Peter Henderson.

THE most important feature necessary
tor success in window gardening is
the window itself. A window in
a bright sunny position, where a tempera-
ture of about 50 to 55 degrees can be main-
tained at night, with a day temperature of
from 60 to 70 degrees, will furnish the most
desirable surroundings in which to grow
successfully a collection of window plants in
Many plants can, however, be grown un-
der less favorable circumstances. Ferns,
selaginellas or exotic mosses, aspidistras,
ficus elastica or rubber plant, cyperus alter-
nifolia (umbrella plant), or even the arum
or calla lily, as it is usually termed, are some
of the plants that can be grown in windows
having a more northerly aspect, where the
direct rays of the sun never reaches in win-
ter time. But for flowering plants a more

84

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

Hirsute or hairy leaved plants should not
be sponged at all, Rex begonias objecting
most decidedly to this proceeding. . Geran-
iums, heliotrope, coleus, etc., do not require
much, if any,, syringing or dampening of the
foliage ; whilst calla lilies, fuchsias, roses,
rubber plants, cordylines and other smooth
foliage plants delight in a sprinkle or spong-
ing with clear water very frequently. Al-
ways choose a sunny, warm day for this
operation, and at a time when the thermome-
ter registers about 65 degrees in the win-
dow, or wherever the operation of sponging
or syringing is performed.

Much might be said as to the construction
and planning of a suitable window and fit-
tings, in which a collection of window plants
could be successfully grown, but time will
not permit. I feel justified, however, in
saying that with the increasing interest
shown by our people in the culture and
growth of plants and flowers around the
home, that architects and home builders
might well make this matter of suitable
window building a much more prominent
feature in their building plans than they
have hitherto done. There is no reason
why even the smallest villa or cottage could
not have a window so constructed that the
necessary overhead light and the necessary
heat could be obtained, without adding but
very little additional expense to the building
estimates of the residence.

Watering Plants. — This is a matter
that often troubles the plant grower con-
siderably. No set rule can be given to suit
all kinds of plants and their conditions, but
it is always safe to give any plant that is in
good growing condition a good supply of
water at the roots whenever the top portion
of the soil shows signs of dryness. Giving
the plant a small quantity of water at stated
times, or at regular intervals, is not the right
method to adopt when watering plants.
Ascertain first, by closely observing the top
of the soil in the pot. whether the plant re-

quires water or not. If the soil appears
dry give sufficient water to thoroughly
moisten (not sodden) all the soil in the pot,
and do not water the plant again until the
soil shows signs of dryness. It may be one
day, or it may be a week, or even a longer
time before it requires more water, but when
water is given the plant see that it gets suffi-
cient to well moisten all the soil in the pot.

Another method of ascertaining whether
pot plants require water is to tap slightly the
side of the pot with the knuckles. If the
pot, when struck, emits a ringing sound, the
plant requires water. If, on the contrary,
only a dull thud-like sound is given out
when the pot is tapped, water had better be
withheld from the plant for a short time.

Over-watering, over-potting, and insuffi-
cient drainage are often the main cause of
failure in the culture of window plants.
Over-potting is a term used when a plant is
potted into a pot two or three sizes larger
than the plant requires.

For drainage in pots there is nothing bet-
ter than small pieces of broken flower pots.
About an inch in depth of broken pot can be
usually used for six inch pots and larger
sizes, whilst half that quantity can be used
for smaller sized pots than four inches. Use
small pieces of broken pot for the small pots,
half an inch square being a good average,
whilst larger pieces should be used for the
larger sized pots. Coal cinders or coarse
gravel can also be used for drainage, but
they are more liable to clog and choke than
broken pieces of pot.

This matter of drainage is one of the most
essential points necessary to success with al-
most all pot plants, more especially window
plants.

The insect pests that are all too common
in house and window plants, have been very
ably described to you by Dr. Fletcher, as
well as preventives and remedies recom-
mended for the attacks of these troublesome
and destructive visitors, so that it is not

WTNIRR WfNDOW GA RDEVIXG.

85

necessary for me to speak on this matter.
Suffice it to say that much can be done to
prevent the attacks of insect pests by en-
deavoring to give window plants as early
as possible the conditions I have mentioned,
as extremes of heat drought or moisture are
the main inducements for insects or disease
to attack plant life at any time.

To succeed with a collection, or even a
few window plants, they must be closely
watched, always keeping in mind the old
adage, " that an ounce of prevention is bet-
ter than a pound of cure."

To secure a bright, healthy looking win-
dow of plants during the winter, it is neces-
sary to commence preparations during the
preceding summer and autumn months. It
is useless and unnatural to expect plants
that have been doing duty as decorative
plants on the lawn or in the flower border all
the summer to continue in their brightness
and beauty in the winter as well. Plant life
of all kinds demands more or less of a rest-
ing period at some season of the year, no
matter whether they are plants from a tropi-
cal or a more temperate zone. The all en-
during geranium even will not meet the ex-
acting demands for continuous flowering
that is sometimes made on it by plant lovers.
If geraniums are wanted for the window in
winter and give good results, they must be
grown during the summer especially for that
purpose. By striking a few cuttings early
in the summer and growing them on in pots
out of doors, nice plants can be had by au-
tumn to take into the house. Or small
plants at planting out time in early June,
potted into six or seven inch pots, and the
pots plunged to the rim in the ground until
fall, will make nice plants for the window
in winter. The tips of the growth should
be pinched back until August, and all bloom
buds, as soon as they are seen, kept pinched
back until September. By plunging the
pots in the ground they require less water

TO BE c

and make better plants than if th^y are left
standing above the ground.

Many so called "spring flowering" bulbs
make ideal pot plants for the window in win-
ter ; in fact, I know of no class of plants that
give such good results with so little skill and
care required to bring them to perfection.
The one great point to be gained to be thor-
oughly successful in growing these bulbs is
to secure a good root growth before top
growth commences. The only way to do
this is to give the bulbs, as nearly as possi-
ble, the same conditions for a time as they
receive when planted in the open ground.

By potting a few of the various kinds of
bulbs suitable for pot culture, at intervals
from the end of August to early in Decem-
ber, and burying the pots in coal ashes, sand
or light soil a few inches deep, for a month
or six weeks or even longer, a good supply
of roots will be obtained, when the pots can
be brought in at intervals to the window as
required. When the bulbs are first planted
the soil should be thoroughly watered. If
well packed and covered with ashes, etc., as
before mentioned, they will require no more
water until they are brought out into the
window. After this the soil must never be
allowed to become quite dry in the pot. A
damp, cool place suits bulbs best to make
roots in.

Roman hyacinths can be potted in Septem-
ber and plunged out of doors until October,
when they will be ready for bringing into
the window as required. There is no bulb
that will give more satisfaction than the
Roman hyacinth, the white variety being
preferable if treated as I have described, as
they give such a plentiful supply of their
sweet scented, waxy white flowers in return
for the small amount of care they require,
and besides they are not very particular
about the kind of soil they grow in, pro-
vided it is not of too heavy a nature. This
remark as regards soil will apply to almost
any kinds of bulbs used for pot culture.

ONTINUED.

Fig. 2733. Perennial Border at the Experimental Farm, Ottawa.

A PERENNIAL BORDER

BY W. T. MACOUN, HORTICULTURIST, EXPERIMENTAL FARM, OTTAWA.

AT the Central Experimental Farm, Ot-
tawa, there are more than 1,700 spe-
cies and varieties of herbaceous perennials.
As there is only a limited number of these
which can be recommended for general
planting, the writer has endeavored to bring
the best varieties into a comparatively small
area, in order that they may be more easily
examined and studied. A border near the
house about 150 feet long by 9 feet wide
serves the purpose nicely, a background of
purple leaved Barberry hedge adding much
to the eflfectiveness of the flowers. The ac-
companying photo, taken by Mr. Frank T.
Shutt, gives some idea of the appearance of
the border. The perennials are arranged
as far as possible to keep up a succession of

bloom from early spring until late autumn.
Between the clumps of perennials are small
clumps of tulips and narcissi, which make
the border very gay during part of April
and May. Scattered all through the border
are Iceland poppies, which begin to bloom
in May and continue until July. In July
and August the Shirley poppies, which are
also scattered through the border, keep up
the show. There are also a large number
of clumps of Cashmerian Larkspur, which
produce a fine effect in late summer. The
plan is to both keep up a succession of bloom
throughout the summer and to have plenty
of blooms, and this is well maintained by
the present arrangement.

THE CHRYSANTHEMUM

BY H. L. HUTT, B.S.A. , ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, GUELPH.

Fig. 2734. Chrysanthemum — Rose Travena.

THE chrysanthemum, or " Mum," as
she has been rudely nicknamed, has
been justly called by* one writer "The Au-
tumn Queen," and by another "The Star-
eyed Daughter of the Fall." Coming into
bloom in the month of November when all
nature in our northern clime seems to be in
its most sorrowful mood, I sometimes think
this grand flower has been given as a com-
pensation for the loss of summer friends,
and to help us to be bright and cheerful at
the Thanksgiving season.

That increased attention which is being
yearly paid to its cultivation shows that its
popularity must be based upon real merit.
One writer has said that " the transcendent
merit of the chrysanthemum lies in its al-
most limitless varietv of form, texture and

color of flowers." To this I think might
be added the ease with which it may be cul-
tivated. It is not now the flower of the flor-
ist only, tjut it is being more generally
grown throughout the country in the homes
of amateurs.

Its History. — Very little that is new can
be said of its history, yet something along
this line may be of interest. The chrysan-
themum has had its origin from one, or per-
haps two, small, single-flowered species of
plants native in Eastern Asia, their nearest
relatives in this country being the disreputa-
ble ox-eye daisies. For many centuries be-
fore it was introduced into Europe or Am-
erica it was cultivated, improved, and
brought to great perfection by the painstak-

FlG.

Chrysatnhemum — TVORY.

S8

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIS2,

Fig. 2736. Chrysanthkmum— Maud Dean.

ing gardeners of China and Japan. In the
latter country it is the national flower, and
may be seen upon all the modern Japanese
coins. The " kiku," as it is there called, is
also one of the crest badges of the imperial
family, and is used on the official seal. On
the ninth day of the ninth month it held the
annual '' Feast of Chrysanthemums," when,
it is said, the people not only revel in the
beauties of the " mum " but feast on a cold
slaw made of its petals. To some unknown
Dutch voyager is probably due the honor of
first introducing it into Europe. This 'was
about the end of the seventeenth century, but
it was not until the second decade of the
present century that the flower came into
general cultivation.

The first seedling raised in Europe was in
1827, and the first chrysanthemum show
held in England was at Norwich in 1829.

New varieties were from time to time
brought in by the tea ships, and the list of
varieties under cultivation increased each
year. The first plants of the Pompon sec-
tion were sent to England in 1846 by Robert
Fortune, a collector for the Royal Horticul-
tural Society, and in i860 he introduced the
first varieties of the Japanese type. From
that time to the present the interest in its
cultivation has steadily increased.

Just when the chrysanthemum was intro-
duced into America we do not know, but the
first chrysanthemum exhibit for prizes on
this continent was held at Boston in 1861,
under the auspices of the Massachusetts
Horticultural Society. In 1868 it was
styled a chrysanthemum show. These
shows are now common annual occurrences
throughout the country. The chrysanthe-

FiG. 2737. Chrysanthemum — N. H. Lincoln.

THE CHRYSANTHEMUM.

89

^fl

BB«tf" V ■

--^^--1

ft

''ft

'i

• i/

Fig. 2738.

Plant in suitable condition for furnishing cuttings.
2. Sample of cutting.

mum show at Toronto last fall was pro-
bably the finest exhibit of its kind that has
ever been held in Canada, and excellent
smaller shows were held in many towns and
villages throughout the province.

Possibilities of Development. — At each
annual exhibition new varieties are being in-
troduced, and something new of interest is
added to the development of this " Star-eyed
Daughter of the Fall." The size has been
greatly increased and the variety of shades

Fig. 2739. A well-rooted cutting.

of color has been multiplied. The variety
which created the greatest sensation at the
time of its introduction was the. one named
after Mrs. Alpheus Hardy, this being the
first of the hairy or ciliated type, which is
now represented by many excellent varieties
in various shades of color. With all the
new shades of color which have appeared,
we have still, however, to wait for the much
talked of blue chrysanthemum. How long
we may have to wait is hard to tell.

What, to my mind, is most needed now in
the way of improvement, is the development
of constitution and strength of stem in the
plant. Many of our finest varieties, in or-
der to show their bloom, have to be sup-
ported like cripples on crutches and staked
with a forest of props. When these sup-
ports can be done away with a considerable
step in advance will have been made.

Methods oe Culture. — Open air culture
in the flower border is not altogether satis-
factory in this latitude on account of the
danger from early frosts, although in the
southern part of the province I have fre-
quently seen them grown in this way. The
Pompon varieties, with their bright colored
little button-like flowers, are the hardiest and
best adapted for this purpose, as are also
some of the early flowering larger varieties.
Small plants may be set out as soon as dan-
ger of frost is over in the spring. They
should be planted from one and a half to
two feet apart, in good rich garden loam,
kept well cultivated, and watered if neces-
sary. The quality and quantity of bloom
will be almost in direct proportion to the
amount of attention given them.

Open Ground, Followed by Pot Cul-
ture.— This is the method usually followed
by amateurs who liave not the time or con-
veniences for growing the plants from first
to last in pots. About the last of August
the plants are lifted from the beds in which
they have been growing all summer and are
potted in eight or ten-inch pots. This must

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST

Fir 27/10 Chrysanthemum as first potted into
' ^ ■ three-inch pots.

Fig. 2741.

"Mum" in four-inch pot ready
for first heading back.

2. As headed back.

be done carefully, with as little injury to the
roots as possible. After potting they should
be well watered, and shaded during the hot-
test part of the day for a week or so until
the roots become established in the pots.
They may then be kept out of doors and al-
lowed to get all the sunshine possible, taken
into the house as the nights become colder,
and placed in bright sunny windows where
their blossoms will look out and smile in
contentment upon the blustering storms of
November and December.

Kix, Season Pot Culture;. — This is the
method by which the best results are ob-
tained, and as it is practiced altogether in the
production ©f exhibition plants, and fre-
quently also by amateurs in their home col-
lections, I shall speak of it more fully and in
detail.

Propagation. — When the plants have
done flowering they should be cut down to
within a few inches of the soil. A forest of
little shoots will spring up which may be
used to start new plants. These cuttings
may be taken any time from January to

May, but as a rule those taken in February
or March give the best results. The cut-
ting should be about three inches long, made
with a smooth cut at the bottom just below
a joint, and the lower leaves should be re-
moved. The roots may be started by in-
serting the cuttings in clear, sharp, gritty
sand. If but a limited number of plants are
wanted they may be started singly or other-
wise in small flower pots. An old bread
pan with a perforated bottom and filled with
about three inches of clear sand makes an
excellent propagating bed for the use of the
amateur. It goes without saying that the
sand should be kept moist, and for a few
days after the cuttings are inserted they
should be shaded from the midday sun by
placing over them a sheet of newspaper, but
as soon as established in their new quarters
the more sun they get the better.

Potting. — As soon as it is well rooted
and a few new leaves have formed, the
young plant should be potted into a three-
inch pot. When the roots have filled this,
as may readily be seen by straddling the

THE CHRYSANTHEMUM.

91

r IG. 2742. "Mum" in six-inch pot, ready for seconed check.

Stem with the fingers and tipping the plant
out, it should be repotted into a pot one or
two sizes larger, from which size it should
be potted into a six or eight inch pot, and al-
lowed to bloom in this, though better results
are obtained by getting the plant into an
eight or nine inch pot a month or two before
the time of bloom. When potting into any
size of pot larger than four inches, an inch
or so of broken pottery, brick, or charcoal
should be placed in the bottom of the pot to
assist drainage.

The Soil. — The soil for chrysanthe-

mums, or in fact any pot growing plant, re-
quires considerable attention. No absolute
rule can be laid down as to what mixture is
the best, as soils vary so much in different
parts of the country. One of the chief in-
gredients in any mixture should be well rot-
ted sods or turf. We prepare this by cut-
ting the sods in the fall, piling them upside
down in a large heap, with a few layers of
rotting manure throughout the heap. Dur-
ing the following summer the heap is chop-
ped down and turned, and when needed for
potting enough sand is added to make the
mixture friable so that it will not bake in the
pots. A little bone meal mixed with it it
this time gives good results afterwards.

Watering. — Many amateurs are at a loss
to know how to water pot-grown plants pro-
perly. One of the best rules that can be
given for the guidance of such is to with-
hold water until the soil begins to look dry
on top, then give a thorough soaking. A
florist can always tell when the plants need
watering by the hollow sound that the pot
gives when rapped with the knuckles. The
frequency with which plants need watering
depends much upon the temperature and the
amount of moisture in the atmosphere, as
well as upon the exposure to strong sun-
shine. Rain or soft water is the best. Be-
sides watering the soil it is well to occasion-
ally syringe the foliage, or to take advant-
age of nature's watering by placing the
plants outside during a gentle rain.

Exposure to Sunlight. — Chrysanthe-
mums revel in sunshine. There are a few
plants like the Calla lily, begonia, and fuch-
sia which do best when not exposed to the
strong midday sun, but the chrysanthemums
can hardly get too much of it, provided the
temperature does not get too high accord-
ingly. When grown in a window where the
light comes all from one side, the plants
should be turned every day so as to keep
them growing symmetrically, otherwise they
are likely to turn their backs upon the house-

92

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

"Mum," grown as a tree plant.

hold and smile upon the strangers in the
street.

Training and Staking. — The method
of training the chrysanthemum depends very
much upon the object sought. If the grower
desires to get an extra large bloom the plant
should be trained to a single stem. All of
the lateral buds should be pinched off as
they appear and the terminal bud allawed to
develop a bloom. In this way we get an
immense flower, but the plant is, to say the
least, top-heavy and unsightly.

The best looking specimens, both plant

and bloom considered, are grown as bush
plants. To obtain a plant of this kind the
terminal bud must be pinched out when the
plant is five or six inches high. In a short
time five or six shoots will branch out, which
must also be stopped when four or five
inches long, and the operation repeated upon
the shoots which branch out from these until
we get a bushy symmetrical plant, having
plenty of good strong branches upon which
the bloom will appear later on in the season.
If quality rather than quantity of bloom is
desired the weakest of these flower buds
may be pinched out and the vigor of the
plant directed into the larger buds left.

Staking will be found necessary to sup-
port the branches by the time the plants are
half grown. The neatest and least conspicu-
ous stake we have yet found for the purpose
is made out of stout, corrugated steel wire,
like that used for stays in wire fences.
These may be painted so that they will hard-
ly be discerned among the dark green of the
foliage. We use three of these stakes to
each plant, the length varying from two to
four feet according to the height of the
plant. Two or three hoops of much smaller
wire are tied around these forming a circu-
lar trellis with the plant in the centre, keep-
ing it in shape with as little unsightly stak-
ing as possible.

Growing Exhibition Plants. — For the
growth of large exhibition plants more care
is necessary than can usually be given by the
amateur, and unless he has a greenhouse it
is hardly worth while attempting it. To get
a standard plant, which is expected to as-
sume tree-like proportions by October, a
vigorous growing variety must be selected
and started early. It must be trained to a
single stem and allowed to grow to a height
of from three to four feet before it is stop-
ped. A bushy head may then be formed by
repeatedly nipping back the branches at
every first or second joint.

(TO BE CONTINUED.)

THE PREMIUM PLANTS AND BOOKS

E7^ VERY subscriber sending $i.oo mem-
J bership for 1904 will receive: (i)
The Canadian Horticulturist for 1904; (2)
The Annual Report of the Ontario Fruit
Growers' Association ; (3) The Annual Re-
port of the Entomological Society; (4) The
Annual Report of the Fruit Stations ; (5)
A choice between the Dorothy Perkins Rose
and the X X X X Gladiolus.

(i) The Dqrothy Perkins, a new pedi-
greed climbing rose. We give the origi-
nator's account and description :

Parentage : This rose was originated from
seed of the Japan variety, Rosa Wichuraiana,
hybridized with pollen from that grand old rose,
Mme. Gabriel Luizet. The seed plant was
chosen for its hardiness and vigorous habit of
growth, the pollen parent for its beautiful color
and remarkable freedom of bloom. The quali-
ties of both are combined to a remarkable de-
gree in the hybrid, which was one of a lot of
two hundred seedlings hybridized in the same
manner. While many of the others were of
great merit, the Dorothy Perkins was the best
of them all.

Hardiness. In this important point nothing
more could be desired. Two unusually severe
winters failed to injure the plants in the least,
although during one of them the temperature
went as low as 20 degrees below zero and there
was not the usual snowfall to protect them.

The Flowers are of large size for this class of
rose, usually about one and one-half inches
across; are borne in clusters of from ten to
thirty and are very double; the petals are very
prettily rolled back and crinkled; the buds are
remarkably pretty, being pointed in shape and
of just the right size for the button hole.

The Color is a most beautiful clear shell-pink
and holds a long time without fading. Even
when the flowers commence to fade the color is
still pleasing, being then a lovely deep rose.

In Vigor the Dorothy Perkins is a true de-
scendant of Rosa Wichuriana, making in a sin-
gle season strong, lusty shoots, often of ten to
twelve feet in height.

In Habit of Growth it is. unlike its seed par-
ent, decidedly upright, having, as stated by Mr.
"Wm. Scott, Assistant Superintendent of Horti-
culture at the Pan-American, exactly the habit
of the now well-known Crimson Rambler. It
is therefore especially adapted for planting as
a companion rose to Crimson Rambler.

Fragrance. The flowers are very sweetly
scented, a characteristic not possessed by most
other roses of this class.

The Foliage is of a deep green, of thick leath^
ery texture, and remains on the plant in perfect

Fig. 2744. Dorothy Perkins Rose.

condition till well on into the winter, making it
almost an evergreen variety.

At the Pan-American Exposition there was a
bed of Dorothy Perkins roses which attracted
an immense amount of attention, although the
plants w.ere young stock which had- been propa-
gated only some eighteen months before. Mr.
Wm. Scott, Assistant Superintendent of Horti-
culture expressed in the Florists' Review the
following unsolicited opinion regarding the va-
riety :

" Messrs. sent us last year some

plants of their new Rambler rose, Dorothy Per-
kins. This has exactly the habit of the well-
known Crimson Rambler. They have flowered
splendidly and have been very brilliant. This
seems to me to be a great acquisition, and I be-
lieve it to be a gooa forcing rose. The indi-
vidual flower is larger than the Crimson Ramb-
ler with not such heavy trusses, but it is a
beautiful shell-pink in color." Later on Mr.
Scott wrote : " The Dorothy Perkins proved to
be just as good a forcing rose as the well-known
Crimson Rambler. Had the plants been grown
on my own grounds and potted without delay
they would possibly have been still better. As
it was they forced well and flowered profusely."

From Gardening Illustrated (London) ; " A
beautiful New Rambler Rose. We now and
then get a very good novelty in the way of roses
from the United States. Dorothy Perkins is
the latest comer. The charming little double

94

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURISJ

shell-plnk flowers as they open, remind one of
the miniature Provence de Meaux, only that
they are brighter and rather larger. They are
produced in splendid clusters of twenty to fifty
flowers. One can imagine, therefore, the effect
obtained from a well developed plant. Grpwths
are made in one season of 10 to 12 feet long.
Although this new rose was raised from Rosa
Wichuriana, crossed with the old H. P. rose,
Mme. Gabriel Luizet, it loses the procumbent
form of the seed parent, and, instead, partakes
of the upright character of the Crimson Ramb-
ler, so that is is a first-rate companion of the
latter."

Fig. 2745. Calla and Eulalia.

CALLAS

AVERY successful arrangement of
potted calla lilies is shown in the ac-
companying cut. A florist writing to the
Country Gentleman says of it :

It was a large pot containing three strong
callas, and in the center a plant of zebra
grass (Eulalia japonica zebrina, var.) The
soil was rich, and during the winter a top
dressing of fine manure was given it, with
plenty of water. The growth was magni-
ficent, both of the callas and the grass,
which gave the whole object a particularly
pleasing efifect that is but too poorly ex-
pressed by a picture.

Many flowers were borne, and it con-
tinued in beauty till late in the spring, when
it was planted in the garden and given a

rest.

A Neglected Fruit

The dewberry in its glory is a most lus-
cious fruit, but it is known only in our large
markets. Many of our small dealers in the
local markets have never even heard its name.
Its cultivation has been left to the specialist
almost entirely, because farmers have been
ignorant of its value, and the method of
growing. The farmer has been fighting the
wild dewberry all his life, and is loath to
believe that any good can come out of Naz-
areth. If he only understood how easy it is,
he could add a money-making crop to his
list with small expense and trouble. Given
the right treatment at the proper time, it
turns out a very profitable investment. —
Country Life in America.

TREES

FRUIT ::: ORNAMENTAL

SPLENDID ASSORTMENT

Actually first hand. Why pay

ntermediate profits when you can

buy direct from the growers?

Send for price list and catalogue at
once iojf'^jf'^f^^^j^^^

WINONA NURSERY CO.

Winona, Ontario.

Try the=

CENTRAL NURSERY

if you are interested in good stock.

True to name and O. K. Trees for Lawn Orchard,
and Garden. Fresh dry roots and all just the kind wanted.

ORNAMENTALS, EVERGREENS, SHRUBS,
ROSES, BERRY PLANTS, Etc.

The Climax and October plums are like California fruit in sire,
and we say good enough. Try them. Send for price list and order
in good lime. We can please you.

Choice Seed Potatoes. Eggs fcr hatching. Wyandottes.

A. G. HULL & SON,

St. Catharines, Ont.

u.

\\t Qnadian f|orticaIt(irist

MARCH, 1904

Volume XXVII

mw

CHAMPION PEACH

Number 3

A BEAUTIFUL white fleshed peach
with a red cheek, and free stone.
The flavor is dehcious, and it may be classed
as the best dessert peach of its season, but a
Httle tender for distant shipments.

Origin : IlHnois.

Tree : Vigorous, moderately productive.

Fruit : Large, frequently measuring 2y2
inches in diameter ; form, roundish, fairly
regular ; color of skin, creamy white, with
red cheek in the sun ; suture, two thirds ;

apex, small in a slight depression ; cavity,
deep ; stone, free.

Flesh : White, pinkish at the pit ; tex-
ture fine, tender, juicy; flavor rich, sweet,
and agreeable.

Se.\sox : September ist to loth, coming
in with last Yellow St. John and the first
Early Craw fords.

Quality : Dessert, among the best.

Value: Very good for home markets,
and a good shipper.

THE WHITE FLESH PEACHES

BY THE EDITOR.

''I^ HERE seems to be a distinct difference
A in taste between peach consumers in
England and those in America. With the
former the white flesh are much preferred
to the yellow, while with us there is a de-
cided preference for the yellow. Perhaps
this is chiefly due to the great popularity of
that magnificent American yellow peach, the
Early Crawford, which has for so many
vears had no rival in the markets, whether
for dessert purposes or for canning. It was
a fairly good shipper, compared with such
contemporary white flesh varieties as Early

Purple and Old Mixon, and was therefore
planted more widely than any other.

This prejudice in favor of the yellow
peaches will be for a long time in the way of
the new white varieties taking the- place to
which their merits entitle them ; for orders
from consumers call for the yellow flesh.

On the other hand the very fact that
everybody is planting the yellow varieties
may give rise to a special demand for some
of the new and excellent white flesh dessert
peaches. Farraud, of the South Haven
(Mich.) station, says on this point: "As a

98

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

rule, white varieties have not been satisfac-
tory, and many growers have removed them
from their orchards, while very few are be-
ing planted ; and yet the better white varie-
ties grown at the station grounds, well
packed in open slat, one-fifth bushel baskets,
sold for a higher price than many of the
later yellow varieties on the Chicago mar-
ket."

The Champion, which we describe in this
issue, is large, handsome, and of the highest
quality for dessert. It is a fair shipper and
moderately productive, and for our own
table it is a special favorite. To be profit-
able for market it would need to command
a price above the average.

The Stevens Rareripe is a white flesh
peach of sprightly vinous flavor, coming in
late in September, and is more promising as
a profitable market variety than Champion;
another season we hope to secure a photo-
graph of this peach for our journal. Of the
other white varieties, two very early ones
have done well at Maplehurst for three
years past, viz., Sneed and Greensboro ; the
former, the earliest variety we know, of fair
quality and of some value for a near mar-
ket ; the latter ripening a little in ad-
vance of Rivers, and, though quite as
tender in flesh, in our opinion is a more
desirable variety for table use, or for a near
market.

%^i\oxm\ ^0t^s

March is a changeable month, and no
definite plans for work can be laid down for

the guidance of the gardener.

* * *

Pruning is usually finished during this
month, because as soon as the frost is out of
the ground the work of plowing and plant-
ing will begin on well drained soils. Gather-
ing the brush is a tiresome job in a large
orchard, and much labor would be saved if
the former could have a horse and brush
boat with him and throw on it the prunings

as he makes them.

* * *

Brush should be gathered and burned as
fast as it is drawn to the burning place.
Once get a good fire going and even the
green brush, if carefully placed, will be con-
sumed.

* * *

Old trees, past their usefulness, should
be dug out by the roots. Cut oflF the upper
limbs and leave as high a trunk as possible

for leverage. Attach a log chain high up,
and a span of horses will materially assist
the work of taking out the old trunks, roots
and all.

* * *

Grape pruning also should be finished ?,s
soon as possible, and the arms tied in place.
Then a harrow drawn between the rows will
remove the prunings to the ends, where it
can easily be forked over on to the brush

boat and drawn away to the burning place.

* * *

The ashes from the burnt brush is valu-
able as a fertilizer for the fruit orchard, and
should not be wasted. The sooner it is scat-
tered over the ground underneath the trees

the better.

* * *

Barn manure is the very best fertilizer
for the orchard, and, if procurable, leaves
all commercial fertilizers out of sight. It
should be drawn out and spread about the
trees while the frost is still in the ground :

EDITORIAL NOTES.

99

otherwise, when the rush of spring work
comes on it is apt to be neglected.

SettIvE at once upon the varieties you
wish to plant or to top graft, and order in
good time, lest you be obliged to accept sub-
stitutes or do without for. a year. The re-
ports of the Ontario Fruit Stations are of
great value to intending planters, because
the information given is entirely in the in-
terest of fruit growers, and not of the nur-
sery men.

3j< ^ jf:

Dwarf pears should be well cut back.
The pyramidal form is the ideal for them,
but is scarcely practicable unless begun with
the first year's growth. In any case the
young growth should be cut back about one-
third, or, if very vigorous, one-half.

.Cherry trees need very little pruning,
and no large cuts should be made. Simply
thin out the small branches where they over-
crowd, and cut back the top if inclined to
reach up too high.

* * *

The Burbank plum tree is one of the
ugliest of growing trees, and only by con-
stant attention can it be made presentable.
Perhaps its sprawHng. drooping habit has
something to do with its wonderful produc-
tivity. The Wickson, on the other hand, is
an upright grower of thin willowy branches,
and we fear will never be fruitful enough to

be profitable.

* * *

Peach trees should be gone over with
the pruning shears and the over-vigorous
upper and outer branches well shortened in,
and the interior of the tree well cleared of its
dead and feeble wood.

All pruning should be completed before
spraying time, so that the poisons will not be
wasted upon useless wood.

A Grade for No. 2 Apples

AT a meeting of the American apple
shippers in St. Louis last November,
it was agreed that a No. 2 apple may be one-
fourth of an inch less in diameter than No.
I ; not over 20 per cent, affected by deface-
ment, scab, dry rot, worms or other defects ;
hand picked, not bruised, of bright color and
shapely. We in Canada have not yet defined
our No. 2 grade, but the results of having a
No. I or XXX grade has been so excellent
during the past season that no doubt our
growers are quite prepared and indeed anx-
ious to have the No. 2 or XX grade defined
also. Anything that will facilitate sales of
dur fruit f. o. b. is decidedly in the interest
of the growers.

Kieffer Trees as Stock for Bosc

PERHAPS no variety of pear has been
so widely planted in Ontario pear or-
chards as the Kieffer. Its wonderful vigor,
its amazing productiveness, and its fair ap-
pearance gave it great popularity for a time,
until alas ! it met universal condemnation for
quality. Now there is little sale for the
fruit except to canning factories, and many
growers are asking whether it makes a good
stock for top grafting other varieties upon.
At Maplehurst we have been putting Anjou
and Bosc upon it, and the growth is encour-
aging. Powell, of Washington, D. C, has
observed a " nice balance between the roots,
the body, and the top of the tree, and that
each part has a strong influence upon the
vigor of the other two;" that "pears are
invigorated when worked on stronger grow-
ing bodies ; and that it is a practice with
some nurseries to double work slender grow-
ing varieties, like Bosc, on strong growing
bodies like Kieffer or Bartlett."

Since the Bosc is one of our best export
pears, combining good size, fine appearance,
and good quality, and, being withal an excel-
lent shipper, our pear growers need not re-

lOO

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

gret having planted Kiefifers, for they will
form excellent trunks on which to top work
the best varieties.

Hardy Apples

GREEN, of Minnesota, recommends the
following varieties as being of the
first degree of hardiness : Duchess, Hiber-
nal, CharlamofT and Patten Greening; and
of the second degree, Wealthy, Longfield,
Tetofsky, Malinda, Okabena and Peerless.

The crabs and hybrids most recommended
are Virginia, Martha, Whitney, Ealy
Strawberry, Minnesota, Sweet Russet.
Gideon No. 6, Briar Sweet, Florence and
Transcendent.

In light dry soils in the cold sections it is
recommended that the trees be planted 12
inches deeper than they grew in the nursery.
This of course is with a view to escape frost,
but while it may be helpful in this way, it
has been shown that the size of the tree and
the extent of the root development decreases
in proportion to the depth of planting below
the normal.

Don't Butcher Your Apple Trees

IT is discouraging to preach common
sense in pruning apple trees, and to see
so little of it used by our fruit growers in
practice. The saw is being used unmerci-
fully on 'every side, as if the trees were so
many cordwood sticks, instead of living be-
ings ; and every year the lower limbs must
come off and the fruiting branches grow
higher and higher. Dougherty, of Indiana,
has twenty acres of apple trees, which are
an example of the wisdom of his system of
pruning, which contemplates in the first
place lower branch growth. All over his
orchard this peculiar growth is noticeable,
the branches often sweeping to and resting
upon the ground. He claims (i) that these
lower branches are the strongest and most
vigorous, being closest to the root supply;
(2) that the foliage in summer protects the

ground from the burning rays of the sun,
and (3) that it greatly facilitates the gather-
ing of the fruit.

We do not give this instance to induce
every one to prune his trees so low as
Dougherty has done. On certain soils not
needing cultivation, or where mulching takes
the place of tillage, it might answer ; still it
emphasizes the mistake of the opposite ex-
treme.

Profitable Strawberry Growing

A COMMON' mistake in planting straw-
berries consists in setting them too far
apart and trusting to the runners to fill up
the spaces. Far better plant too near and
have your beds well covered, or your rows
well matted, with bearing vines the first
year. The rows may be set five feet apart
if you choose, but 12 or 15 inches apart in-
the rows is surer of good results than any
greater distance. Early potatoes, peas (jr
beans may be grown between the rows the
first year, and be harvested by the time the
runners begin to occupy the space.

Several growers have recently reported in
favor of Wm. Belt as being the best mid-
season variety.

The Competitive Power Sprayers

^'^ HE time is so near at hand when
spraying is to begin for the best suc-
cess in fruit growing, that it is none too
soon to consider whether we can improve
upon our hand machines, considering cost.
The two power sprayers most prominent at
present are the Niagara Gas Sprayer and
the Wallace Sprayer, both of which were
shown at the recent meeting of the New
York State fruit growers. The first is
operated by carbonic acid gas, which gives
the pressure without the use of any pump.
The gas is shipped in reservoirs, just as
soda fountain, fillers are, and cost from Y^
to ]4, cent per gallon of liauid applied, with
cost of freight added. The second was

EDITORIAL NOTES.

shown by Wallace & Co., of Illinois, and in
it the pressure is furnished by compressed
air made by a gear attached to one of the
hind wheels of the wagon. Where the or-
chard is 40 rods or more from the filling
point, it is claimed that enough pressure can
be pumped up to spray out a tank full with
the additional power gained by going from
tree to tree. We thought the gas sprayer
the finest instrimient, but no doubt the Wal-
lace machine will be much more economical
in running. The difference in first cost is
not great, the former a little less than $100,
the latter a little over that amount.

^^^

H

'■ \- .f'^'-f^-'''--"^^^^jr

i

\

■^^^^

hH

1

■^HQ

1

BiiiiMi^l

1

Fig. 2747. A Topiary Garden (See page 55.)

How San Jose Scale Spreads

AT an interesting Farmers' Institute
meeting at Grimsby in January, Mr.
Smith, of Burlington, gave an interesting
talk about the dreaded San Jose scale. He
had observed that certain trees, such as the
Greening apple and the Japan plums, were
especially subject, while other kinds, such as
the Kieflfer pear, are comparatively exemnt.

Now it is usually supposed that these tiny
scales are carried by the wind, or upon the
feet of birds, from one orchard to another,
but if so, why should one kind of tree es-
cape and another be infested? Mr. Smith had
found that the male scale is winged, and his
observations have led him to the conclusion
that this male carries the infant wingless
mites and places them upon such trees as are
the most congenial. If his inference is cor-
rect it reveals a wonderful degree of intelli-
gence in such a tiny brain.

For winter and early spring spraying he
advised the lime sulphur spray, and for
summer the kerosene emulsion, i gallon of
kerosene to 7 of water.

Onion Mildew

MR. A. J. COLLINS, of Listowel, asks
what is the trouble with his onions.
For two years past, after growing nicely for
some time, they seem to get a check, cease
growing, and the tops turn brown and rusty.
Several others in his neighborhood make s
similar complaint. We referred this mat-
ter to Prof. Lochhead, O. A. C. Guelph, for
his opinion, and have received the following
in reply :

I am of the opinion that the cause of the
death of the onions to which Mr. Collins
refers is the downy mildew of the onion, a
fungus which under certain conditions is
quite destructive. The disease shows itself
first by the yellowing of the leaves in
patches. These patches soon become cov-
ered with a whitish mildew, changing soon
to light lilac. Eventually the whole leaf
becomes affected and dries up, leaving noth-
ing but a stalk between the bulb and the base
of the leaves. The white mildew, as first
noticed on the patches of the leaf, consists
of the fruiting body and summer spores of
the fungus. The spores are soon liberated
3nd scattered by the wind to other plants m
the patch. In. the fall, however, another

I02

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

kind of spore is formed, which rests over
winter in the leaf and infects new plants the
following season.

As to treatment, the disease may be pre-
vented from spreading if the plants arc
dusted with sulphur or sprayed with sul-
phide of potassium, an ounce to two gallons
of water. To be effective these must be ap-
plied early at the first indications of the
disease.

Again, to prevent the infection of the
spring crop, the resting spores must be at-
tended to, and these spores can be destroyed
to a large extent by collecting and burning
all the diseased leaves. It will not do to
allow the leaves to rot or even to bury them
in the ground, for the resting spores will re
tain their vitality for two or three years. Do
not plant onions on the same plot more than
one or two years in succession. I should
be pleased to hear from all persons who have
difficulty in growing onions on account of
the mildew or maggot.

Tom&to Growing

I^HIS branch of fruit growing is much
followed in sections where the soil is
sandy loam, or otherwise suitable. For
market an early variety, such as the Ear-
liana, is needed, and it should be grown in a
greenhouse and hardened by transplantings
early enough to be in flower when sel
in the open field. Danger of spring frosts
is scarcely over before the end of May, so
that even in the most favored sections it is
risky, to say the least, to plant out earlier.
The writer has contracted for such plants at
$10.00 per 1,000.

Tomatoes for Factories

FOR this purpose of course quantity
rather than earliness is the object, be-
cause the grower usually contracts to sell
his whole crop at a fixed price. Very rich
soil is not considered necessary ; land that
wnll produce a good crop of corn will do

very well for tomatoes. A clay loam, not
too heavy, is preferred by many to sandy
loam for giving a large crop. Such land,
of course, is better fall plowed. The plants
for such a plantation can be had at a nomi-
nal price, because earliness is not essential ;
or they may be grown in a cold frame in
rich warm soil on the south side of a build-
ing or close board fence, until "four or five
weeks old, when they may be set out in the
field in rows about four feet apart each way,
for cultivation two ways. Begin cultivation
early, being careful not to touch the plants
with the cultivator, which is ruinous to
them, and- continue until the vines begin to
fall flat and cover the ground.

The Soda Bordeaux

A SUBSCRIBER in Waterdown asks
for the method of preparing the soda
Bordeaux mixture, mentioned in the Janu-
ary number of this journal; also the cost of
the soda. He is not, he says, at all in love
with the Bordeauk mixture. In this, no
doubt, we will all agree with him, and
heartily wish that some cleaner and less
troublesome fungicide were forthcoming.
The new nozzles, which do not drip upon
the hands, are a great convenience to the
operator while spraying, and remove one of
the troublesome associations of its use. At
Rochester this soda mixture was discussed,
and while acknowledged to be effective, it
was described as very hard upon the hands
and upon the pump. The soda is cheap
enough, only about 3 or 4 cents a pound.

Mr. Macoun, horticulturist of the C. E.
F., Ottawa, gives the following formula for
the soda bordeaux :

4 lbs. sulphate of copper.

5 lbs. washing soda.
40 gallons of water.

He adds : This mixture has been used
rather extensively in Great Britain and
Europe during the past few years, especially

EDITORIAL NOTES.

103

in spraying potatoes. It is claimed that it
adheres better than the ordinary bor-
deaux. This mixture is thought, how-
ever, to be harder on the spray pump than
the ordinary bordeaux. It has been used
at the Central Experimental Farm, but no
definite results have been obtained. The
formula given above was prepared at the
Central Experimental Farm, and experi-
ments were made to determine the amount
of soda necessary to neutralize the copper
sulphate.

Water Core in Apples

A CORRESPONDENT at Cornwall
asks the cause of water core in his
Gideon apples. He has a great many of
this variety and nearly all are affected.

We know of no one who has made a study
of the cause or remedy for this condition.
We have observed it in our Golden Sweets,
the off year of bearing, when there were
only a few specimens on the tree ; and occa-
sionally in wet seasons, in our Kings.

We referred the question to W. T. Ma-
coun, of the Central Experimental Farm,
who says in reply:

" The Gideon apple has been sold and
planted to quite a large extent in the north-
ern parts of Ontario and the province of
Quebec, but although the tree is hardy and
the fruit handsome it has proved a great dis-
appointment owing to its becoming water-
cored. There has been no study of the
water-coring of apples, as far as I am aware,
and no statement made as to the exact cause
of it, but after sixteen years' experience
with a great many varieties at the Central
Experimental Farm we have been able to
draw some conclusions. Apples of Rus-
sian origin are much more subject to water-
core than apples of American origin. Ap-
ples showing Siberian crab parentage are
more subject to water-core than others.
Water-coring is evidently a physiological

injury caused by certain climatic conditions.
Apples, such as Gideon, which water-core,
should be picked early and disposed of early,
as the injury increases as the fruit matures,
and some Russian varieties become quite
translucent, they are so badly affected."

Thinning Apples

EXPERLMENTS by Beach, of Geneva,
N. Y., go to show that in seasons of
very heavy crops, thinning, if done early,
say within three or four weeks after the
fruit sets, both increases the size and im-
proves the color, but in cases of a small crop
no benefit was perceptible.

In the main his method was to remove all
wormy, knotty and otherwise undesirable
fruits, and each cluster thinned to one fruit.
The cost for a well loaded tree of average
size he estimates at 50 cents.

Paint For Barns and Sheds

A SENSIBLE job for mild days toward
spring is the application of a fresh
coat of paint or whitewash to the farm
buildings. Perhaps in no respect is the
Canadian farmer and fruit grower more
negligent than with the exterior appearance
of his stables, his barns, his sheds, which
are very commonly left unpainted and most
untidy in appearance. Not only does this
neglect expose the buildings to early decay,
but it also exhibits a lack of taste on the
part of the owner. For buildings sided up
with planed lumber the regular white lead
paint is of course the best, but for the many
rough sheds and barns throughout the coun-
try a cheap paint or whitewash will work a
wonderful revolution. This may be made
by using just enough water to moisten the
slaked lime, and then adding kerosene oil to
thin it to a consistency of easy application
with a whitewash or other large brush. A
little color may be added if so desired. A
quick way of covering large barns and sheds
is. by use of the spray pump. Windows

I04

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

should be first covered with heavy paper or
other protection, and then the work may be
done with freedom.

Favored Fruit Sections

Sir : What section of the province do you
recommend most highly for general fruit grow-
ing, including the tender plants, considering not
only climate and soil, but also nearness to mar-
kets, economy in freights, etc.

I. S. BELL, Peterboro.

For tender fruits, such as peaches and
English cherries, the section adapted is very
limited, being mostly confined to the region
south of the Great Western division of the
Grand Trunk Railway, the Burlington dis-
trict, and to a less degree the east shore of
Lake Huron, including the Beaver Valley.
Pears and the finer plums may be grown
over a much broader belt throughout a dis-
trict north of Lake Ontario and east of the
Georgian Bay ; while apples, of course, may
be grown much farther north, especially by
making a careful selection of hardy varieties.

For commercial and economical market-
ing all depends on the markets selected. If
for the northern shore of the Georgian Bay.
a point near Collingwood or Owen Sound
would be convenient to steamer transporta-
tion ; if for Ottawa, or Montreal, or for ex-
port, a section such as we have east of Ham-
ilton, with competition between the C. P. R.
and G. T. R., and also between Canadian
and Dominion express, is desirable.

Will Co-operative Packing and
Selling Work in Ontario

THE low prices received for fruit ship-
ped on consignment, and the excel-
lent address of W. H. Owen at our Leam-
ington meeting, has created much general
interest in Ontario in the evolution of some
practical method of 'carrying out co-opera-
tive buying and selling.

At a representative meeting of Niagara
district fruit growers at St. Catharines on
the 30th ult, the question was discussed at

some length, but without reaching a definite
conclusion. The only scheme presented
was by Mr. A. H. Pettit, of Grimsby, which
provided for the formation of a stock com-
pany for the securing of a site, the erection
of buildings, and the current expenses of the
company. The large amount of capital
required before a beginning could be made
seemed to be a damper upon the acceptance
of the scheme, which, however, will be still
further discussed at a February meeting.

The Leamington fruit growers seem to
be advancing a little farther, and have
agreed upon a scheme which seems to in-
volve les^ outlay, and we give a report of it,
which appeared in the Leamington Post :

A meeting was held at Ruthven to consider
the constitution of the Erie Fruit Association.
The aim of the organization is to establish three
fruit depots, one at Leamington, one at Ruth-
ven, and one at Kingsville. The fruit from these
respective districts is to be graded and packed
at the stations, and sold to the best advantage,
so as to prevent, as far as possible, the fruit in
the section from competition with other fruit
grown in the Erie district. The constitution
provides for the election of a president, vice- \
president and two directors from each station.
The sales at each station to be under the con-
trol of a manager, under the supervision of the
directors.

The by-laws provide that the members shall
not be allowed to sell or solicit sales of any fruit
except culls, or fruit not acceptable to the com-
pany, but to deliver their fruit at the company's
packing house, where it will be sold to the best
advantage, the member receiving credit for his
fruit, at the average price paid on that day for
first, second or third-class fruit. The capital
stock to be $5,000, divided into 1,000 shares of
$5 each. Each member of the association is
expected to take one or more shares, although
it will not be compulsory. The limit to any
one member will be 10 shares or $50. A guaran-
tee dividend of ten per cent, will be given to all
shareholders, which will be a first charge on the
expenses. One-third of the selling price of
fruit will be retained until the close of the sea-
son, out of which the dividend above mentioned
will be paid and all other costs of selling, sala-
ries to secretary and treasurer, traveling ex-
penses, etc., and the balance will be distributed
among the members, in proportion to the num-
ber of bushels or baskets delivered. Parties de-
siring to take stock must first become members
by payment of one dollar. The only cost to the
shipper will be actual cost of selling, and the
dividends to be paid on $5,000 stock. If $5,000 .
worth of fruit is sold, the cost to the grower
who is a member of this society will be only 1
per cent, in addition to actual expense of selling.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Reckless Fruit Sales

THE only justification for the present
reckless method of shipping our
choice fruits on consignment, to be sold at
whatever prices the buyers choose to offer,
is their perishable nature. While we were
negotiating a sale our fruit was rotting, and
we were forced to take any offer rather than
lose it all. But this method of sale has been
taken advantage of by the buyers, until it
has become ruinous to the grower. In
some cases they agree not to bid against
each other, but rather that one one should
buy and divide up, in which case there is
little hope of getting value for our fancy
stock, no matter with what care we pack.
How shall this be remedied ? The only way
is by the making of sales at the point of
shipment, or at some storage house where
the fruit can be held for the grower until
sold.

Cold Storage Stations Will
Help Sales

^l OW here is the chief advantage of the
^ cold storage stations to the fruit
grower. By storing at a proper tempera-
ture he can hold his fruit long enough to
make sale for it, and thus have something to
say about its value. Apples may be stored
for almost a year, if need be, and therefore
there is little more excuse for shipping them
on commission than there is groceries or
dry goods. With pears almost the same
thing is true, and with peaches and pears to
a lesser degree.

Of course it is foolish to store No. 2
stock. The less expense one puts upon it
the better, and the sooner it is converted
into money the better. But with No. i. or
fancy stock, the case is quite different. It
is worth the added expense of storage and
of seeking suitable purchasers.

Cold storage houses, built on the most ap-
proved plan, have sprung up all through the

section from Rochester to Buffalo, says the
Rural New Yorker. It is not unusual to
find a town with 300 or 400 inhabitants with
a cold storage house holding from 40,000 lo
50,000 barrels. This is one of the greatest
blessings to the grower. It relieves the
market from the influx of fruit early in the
season, and prolongs the period when the
fruit can be put on the market. By the aid
of refrigerator cars it can be sent to parts
of our country and at seasons never possi-
ble to reach before. The men who control
these depots are searching out sections
where they can place the fruit, and though
they do it for their own profit, the benefit is
received by the grower as well.

Germany a Good Apple Market

FOR some years past a few Ontario ap-
ple growers have been shipping to
Hamburg and with considerable encourage-
n:ent. This season the results have been
more than usually satisfactory, Baldwins,
Russets, Greenings, Ben Davis and Spys
selling at from 20 to 28 shillings, with strong
demand.

The first car load of apples from this con-
tinent to Germany went forward in 1896.
It is stated that almost half as many apples
have gone to Germany in the year 1903 as
during the whole of the years previous.
From 1896 to 1903 a total of 489,000 barrels
went to Hamburg.

Layin|( Out an Apple Orchard

NOW that plans are being made for
spring planting of orchards, it is
well to consider details and have everything
in readiness. Mr. W. C. Abbott, of Hud-
son Heights, Que., writes :

Sir : If you had to plant in the spring an
apple orchard of 1,000 apple trees, how would
you proceed in order to have the work done in
the best and most expeditious manner possible ?

If the ground has been either summer fal-
lowed, or cultivated with corn or potatoes

io6

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

the previous year, and then fall plowed, the
soil will be in beautiful condition for plant-
ing in spring, and the task will be an easy
one. If the land is at all inclined to be
heavy this previous preparation is all the
more necessary, both for the ease and speed
in planting and for the after growth of the
tree. If conditions are favorable, two men
should lay out the ground and plant one
thousand apple trees in a week or ten days,
but if unfavorable it would take much
longer.

Should the trees arrive before the ground
is quite ready to receive them; dig a trench
about a foot deep, more or less, and stand
the trees in it close together, and then fill all
about the roots with fine earth. Here they
will be safe until you are ready to plant.
With a lot of I, GOO trees it would be best to
heel them in this way, even if the ground is
ready, and take out a few at a time as re-
quired. ,

Evans, of Ohio, gives directions for plant-
ing, as follows, which is essentially the plan
we have always adopted :

If the plot lies facing a road or lane, make
that the basis from which to lay out the
rows, running them at right angles away
from this base. A strong wire about two
hundred feet long is an excellent instrument
to use in staking out. File shallow notches
in it as far apart as you wish the trees to

*

*

i^iG. I. square; planting.

stand — say twenty feet for peach, pear, plum
or cherry and thirty feet for apple — then
stretch it out, sticking a peg at each notch,
which can be designated by small rags for
the sake of plainness. If the orchard is
wider than the length of the wire, prolong

the staked line by restretching the wire from
the end of the incomplete row. By taking
care to have a correct start and make the be-
ginnings of rows at regular intervals on the
base line, all the trees will line up, no matter
whether the point of view commands a
straight or oblique squint, as seen in Fig. i.
Another mode of arrangement which, under
certain conditions, may be desirable, is the
quincunx planting shown in Fig. 2. But
the most economical, beautiful and conveni-
ent arrangement is the hexagonal. Every
three trees form an equilateral triangle, and
each tree, except the outside ones, stands in
the centre of a circle described by six others
standing at equal distances around it.

The land prepared and staked, you are
ready to dig holes. When ready to pull up
the tree peg for this purpose, mark its posi-
tion by using a piece of i x 4 pine four feet
long, in the center and ends of which
notches are cut. Place the center notch at

FIG. 2. QUINCUNX PLANTING.

the tree peg and stick other pegs at the end
notches. Then pull up the tree peg, dig
the hole, and when ready to place the tree,
lay the board with the end notches fitting
their respective pegs and locate the tree at
the center notch. This is a simple and good
way.

As you plant, dip the roots of each tree
into a bucket of water, then place it in the
hole with the budding scar a little below the
surface of the ground. Work rich top soil,
well-fined, all around the rootlets, pressing
it firmly with the hands, and take care to iay
each root according to its natural bent.
Humor all idiosyncrasies of roots. Cut off
broken or bruised roots, making the slope

EDITORIAL NOTES.

107

of the cut on the underside. When enough
earth has been pressed into place to enable
the tree to stand, use the shovel for the rest,
watching to keep the tree in position with
regard to line and perpendicular position.
If out of plumb at all, lean it toward the
direction of prevailing winds. As the earth
goes into the hole, stamp it just as though
vou were setting a fence post, and I would
emphasize this point, for it is important
enough to mean success, or failure. Thus
laid out and the trees carefully selected and

FIG. 3. PIvANTiNG HEXAGONAL.

planted, your orchard will be a thing of
beauty and a source of satisfaction. But
do not let it grow up in weeds and grass.
Cultivate it like your corn field, and keep the
trees clean by eternal vigilance.

A New Tree Protecton !

LAST year and the year previous the
Expansive Tree Protector was pushed
most vigorously by the introducer. We or-
dered a lot for trial among our fruit stations,
and nearly all our experimenters com-
plained that the poison which was ap-
plied on the felt underneath the protec-
tor had an injurious efifect upon the
bark. Perhaps if the poison were
omitted it would be equally eflfective.
The Arndt Tree Protector takes warn-
ing and advises no poison. It is not
very costly, about 10 cents a foot, and
if applied in October and kept in place
until June, it should keep down
that troublesome female canker worm,
which transforms in the ground, and
being unable to .1y, can only reach

Fig. 2748. Tree Protector in Place.

the foliage by creeping. Possibly it may
be useful for some other insects which
have no wings, but like most other novelties,
no doubt much more is claimed for it than
it really merits.

The band is well shown in place by the ac-
companying cut. Fig. 2748, and a section of
the band in Fig. 2749. It is made of brass,
and comes in coils of twenty feet, neatly and
securely packed in boxes, with brass fasten-
ers and cotton wadding, and with full direc-
tions for vise on each box.

Fig. 2749 Section of Tree Protector

io8

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

A Canadian Power Sprayer

WE are always glad to notice any in-
vention which originates in On-
tario and is intended for the benefit of On-
tario fru;t or flower growers. Let it be,
however, fully understood by our readers
that \yhat is said of such untested novelties
must be more or less based upon the state-
ments either of the introducer or of the
originator. Just now we are' in receipt of
a letter from Mr. W. R. Liddy, principal of
the high school at Port Dover, commending
a power sprayer of Canadian invention, and
we think the inventor is on the right line, for
the cheapest power must be that furnished
by the turning of the wagon wheel. The
following is the letter :

Sir : In your issue of February you state
that power sprayers run by a sprocket cliain
from the wagon wheel have been imperfect, but
that an Illinois man has made some improve-
ment. As a constant reader of your valuable
journal, I do not think you would pass over, had
you known, a Canadian, my fellow-townsman,
Mr. P. A. Perkins, who has invented and pat-
ented a machine which is a credit to Canada.
It has a double acting cylinder pump with air
chambers. To each pump is attached three
lines of sprayers, each capable of throwing
spray twenty-five feet or more. The whole
mechanism is simple and complete, and at a
price within the reach of all. It will be placed
in the market this year, and those interested
should correspond with Mr. Perkins.

Give Canada Her Due

That Canada should now assert herself in
the great markets of the world no Canadian
will dispute, but hitherto our fruit growers
have not sufficiently realized the advantage
of using the name Canada as a trade mark
upon our export fruit packages. The Fruit
Marks Act is giving Canadian fruit a name
for reliable branding such as is given to no
other country in the world ; a name which is
every year gaining ground in the confidence
of foreign buyers. This means a complete
change in our methods of sale, and a
sharp advance in values for : as our XXX, or
No. I, brand gradually becomes known, for-
eign buyers will no longer hesitate to pur-

chase in large quantities f. o. b. at points of
shipment in Ontario, and the competition
will be keen for our XXX goods.

Mr. W. Barlow, of Salford, England,
writes as follows under date of February 2 :

Sir : In conversation with Mr. John Parkin-
son, of Portage la Prairie, who has been on a
visit to Manchester, it was arranged I should
write you upon the following matter, which had
come under his notice, viz., the necessity of all
Canadian produce being branded and labeled in
and outside with the word Canadian apples or
whatever kind of produce may be sent to this
country. At the present time very large con-
signments are sent over, and is known in the
English markets as of American origin, though
less than formerly. There is still a great ne-
cessity for having such produce made clear as
to its origin. If asked where they come from
the reply invariably is, They are American.
When I visited your country I often mentioned
what was in my mind should be done, but it was
not thought of much importance at the time.
Mr. Parkinson thinks the time has arrived when
the fause naming of Canadian fruit should be
corrected.

This matter is placed with you to take what
action appears in your judgment necessary.

The above particulars were sent to the High
Commissioner at London, who replied that the
matter was all important for Canadian growers,
and presume he will move in the matter. If
supplemented from your side something should
be accomplished.

The Transportation Committee

A MOST important meeting of this com-
mittee of our association was held at
the Walker House, Toronto, on Tuesday,
the 1 6th day of February. There were pres-
ent, W. H. Bunting, St. Catharines ; Alex.
McNeill, Ottawa; E- D. Smith, Winona; H.
H. Dawson, Toronto; D. W. Wilson, Sea-
forth ; R. J. Graham, Belleville ; C. L. Smith,
Toronto, editor of the Sun, and the editor of
this journal. The vital importance of the
question was shown by the live interest taken
by each member, all of whom were personal-
ly engaged in shipping on a large scale, and
had many well established grievances to pre-
sent to the Railway Commission, such as the
following :

(1) Excessive freight rates.

(2) Discrimination in rates (a) between indi-
viduals or firms, (b) between long and short
hauls, (c) between places or territories, (d) be-
tween commodities.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

109

(3) Want of proper accommodations at the
stations.

(4) I>elays in transmission of fruit.

(5) Scarcity of cars.

(6) Want of facilities for tracing cars.

(7) Delays in settling claims.

(8) Refusal to give special facilities for fruit
shipments, such as (a) " decking " cars for bas-
kets, (b) the use of ventilated cars, (c) the use
of refrigerator cars, (d) the use of frost-proof
cars, or (e) the use of heated cars.

(9) Refusal to give a receipt for the number
of packages delivered by the shipper.

(10) Difficulties with express companies.

(11) Demurrage charges.

(12) Want of competent or sufficient help at
stations, etc.

The following are some of the resolutions

passed in committee, embodying some of the

many points which are to be laid before the

Railway Commission :

EQUIPMENT.

Resolved, That the Ontario Fruit Grow-
ers' Association, through this committee, pe-
tition the Railway Commission to at once
take steps to compel the railways of Canada
to provide proper equipment for the car-
riage of perishable freight, such as fruit,
during both summer and winter, viz., good
clean ventilated cars, or refrigerator cars,
well iced, during summer, and heated or
frost proof cars during winter, and of such
a make as to insure the arrival of the goods
in as good condition as receipted for, rea-
sonable allowance being made for ripening ;
and that railways be compelled to provide
sufficient equipment for such service within
one week from shippers' request at any point
where they have freight stations, and that
the employes be compelled to keep a record
of the temperature maintained in such cars
at least once every twelve hours, and that
thermographs be carried, when furnished, as
a check on said operators, to see that that
temperature is reported correctly, and that
tracers be sent after each car, with the privi-
lege to the shipper of being provided with
information at least once each day by tlie
local agent of the location of such car in
transit.

INSPECTION.

Resolved, That the inspectors under 'he
Fruit Marks Act at IVIontreal and other
Canadian points should be empowered to
prevent vessel owners from placing fruit in
parts of a ship not provided with mechani-
cal ventilation ; also that the Dominion De-
partment of Agriculture be requested to
place thermographs in all compartments in
which fruit is carried, as well as on the deck
of the vessel, as a check ; and further, that
the chief inspector in Great Britain be te-
quired to return to the department a state-
ment of the record shown by the thermo-
graphs.

DELAYS IN TRANSIT.
Resolved, That in view of the intolerable
delav in the transit of perishable products
to and from interior points involving heavy
losses, we would urge upon the railway such
regulations as will ensure the carrying of
these goods wdth all dispatch practicable,
making a time limit for definite distances.
INTOLERABLE DELAYS IN SETTLING CLAIMS.
Resolved, That the Railway Commission
be requested to take immediate action to en-
force all railways doing business in Canada
to examine and report definitely on all
claims presented for delays, damages cr
overcharges to perishable freight, within
one month from receipt of such claim when
presented with the necessary documents in
support of such claims.

GRIEVANCES.
In discussing the above many instances of
injustice to shippers were brought out, such,
for example, the unfair discrimination be-
tween rates on apples and pears, by which a
few boxes of pears for export put in a car
of apples largely increases the rate on the
whole car ; or between the rates on flour and
apples, the former being carried to Liver-
pool for 38 cents a barrel and the latter for
90 cents. Even this would not be so much
of a grievance if the apples were given su-

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

perior storage, but when both are stored in
the same hold, and the flour is given the pre-
ference in the handling, the whole is a mani-
fest injustice to the fruit grower. The
miserable cars often furnished fruit growers
is another just ground of complaint. Fruit
easily takes up bad odors, and when cars in
which vile smelling freight has been carried
are furnished for carrying fruit, the flavor
is badly affected. The intolerable delays
are a great grievance to fruit growers. One-
half our fruit should go by freight which
much now go by express at excessively high
rates, just because of the slow service by
freight. Local shipments to Toronto from
points about 50 miles distant do not arrive
until the, second day after shipment ; they
ahe often weeks going from the Niagara
district to Palmerston, and about 15 days
going to the Sault. These are only a few
of the many points brought up, all of which
will make a strong case when presented be-
fore the commission.

Formation of Horticultural Societies

M

R. E. D. ARNAUD, of Annapolis,

N. S., writes :

Can you give me some practical directions
that will be of assistance towards the estab-
lishment of a local horticultural society ? I see
that there are several flourishing local societies
in Ontario, aided, I understand, by government
grants, but so far as I know nothing of this kind
has yet been attempted by the Nova Scotia
government. If it is not too much trouble I
would like you to tell me the steps usually taken
when a new society is started in your part of
the country.

In reply we cannot do better than publish
the by-laws adopted for our affiliated socie-
ties, which have worked out so well wher-
ever there has been a live set of officials.

These affiliated horticultural societies are
formed more closely in accordance with the
purpose and intent of the Agriculture and
Arts Act than any others, having in view
the interests of amateurs and of the mem-
bers generally rather than of the few pro-
fessional florists of the locality.

Encouragement is given to the holding of
monthly meetings, the frequent delivery of
lectures on horticulture, the distribution of
horticultural literature, in particular the
Canadian Horticulturist, the free distribu-
tion of seeds, plants and bulbs, and the hold-
ing of horticultural exhibitions.

BY-LAWS
For Affiliated Horticultural Societies.

This society, known as the

Horticultural Society, organized under the pro-
visions of the Agriculture and Arts Act of the
Province of Ontario, agrees to conduct its af-
fairs in accordance with the several provisions
of the said Act, and with the following by-laws
and regulations. A. & A. A., Sec, 13, 1895.

1. The members of this society for any year
shall be residents of this municipality to the
number of at least fifty, and also others, who
shall have paid one dollar into the funds of the
society as membership fee for that year. A. &
A. A., Sec. 7, S. S. (a), (b), 1895.

2. The objects of this society shall be to en-
courage improvement in horticulture, and to se-
cure to each member equal encouragement
therein. A. & A. A., Sec. 9, S S. 2, 1895.

3. There shall be at least

public meetings in each year for discussing
local horticultural matters and for hearing lec-
tures on improved horticulture. A. & A. A.,
Sec. 9, S. S. 2, sub-div. (a), 1895.

4. At any public meeting there may be an
exhibition of such plants, fruits, vegetables and
flowers as may be in season; and whenever such
an exhibition is held there shall be present at
least one expert gardener who shall give such
information and instruction appertaining there-
to as may be required ; but no money prizes
shall be offered for competition by the society
at such meetings. A. & A. A., Sec. 9, S. S. 2,
sub-div. (e).

The annual meetings and all other public
meetings shall be open to the members free of
charge, and members only shall have the right
to vote at any meeting.

(a) When exhibitions are held at such public
meetings the public shall be invited to exhibit
such horticultural exhibits as may be thought
suitable for the occasion by a committee ap-
pointed by the board to superintend such exhi-
bitions.

(b) This committee shall take such means as
they think proper to secure exhibits for the oc-
casion, and also provide proper conveyance for
collecting and returning the same free of ex-
pense to exhibitors.

(c) These exhibitions shall be open to mem-
bers and exhibitors free of charge.

6. A sum of money not to exceed dollars

may be offered in prizes in any one year for es-
says on any question of scientific enquiry relat-
ing to horticulture. A. «& A. A., Sec. 9, S. S. 2,
sub-div. (d), 1895.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Ill

7. Each member shall be given by this society
a membership in the Fruit Growers' Association
of Ontario. A. & A. A., Sec. 9, S. S. 2, sub-div.
(b), 1895.

8. There shall be procured for each member,
trees, shrubs, plants, bulbs or seeds of new and
valuable kinds, in each year, sufficient in quan-
tity to exhaust the funds of the society after al-
lowing for necessary working expenses. A. &
A. A., Sec. 9, S. S. 2, sub-div (c), 1895.

9. The annual meeting shall be held at half-
past 7 in the evening of the second Wednesday
in January, when there shall be elected a presi-
dent, a first vice-president, a second vice-presi-
dent and not more than nine directors, who to-
gether shall form the Board of Directors. At
this meeting the society shall also elect two
auditors for the ensuing year. A. & A. A., Sec.
7, S. S. (e) 1895.

(a) At this meeting only those members who
have paid their subscription for the ensuing
year shall be entitled to vote. A. & A. A., Sec.
4, 1896.

(b) At this and all subsequent public meet-
ings ten members shall constitute a quorum.
A. & A. A., Sec. 3, S. S. (ee) 1896.

10. The Board of Directors at its first meet-
ing shall appoint a secretary and a treasurer,
or a secretary-treasurer. A. & A. A., Sec. 7,
(f) 1985.

(a) Five directors shall constitute a quorum
for the transaction of business. A. & A. A.,
Sec. 14, 1895.

(b) Subject to these by-laws, the directors
shall have full power to act for and on behalf of
the society; and all grants and other funds shall
be expended under their direction. A. & A. A.,
Sec. 13, 1895.

(c) At each annual meeting the directors shall
present a detailed statement of the receipts and
expenditures for the preceding year ; and also a
statement of the assets and liabilities of the so-
ciety at the end of the year, certified to by the
auditors. A. & A. A.. Sec. 11, S. S. (c) 1895.

11. The said statement shall, when approved
by the meeting, be placed on permanent record
in the books of the society ; and such portions
thereof, together with what is required by sub-
section (a) of Sec. 11, A. & A. A. of 1895, shall
be sent within one month to the Department ■ f
Agriculture. A. & A. A.. Sec. 12, 1895.

12. These by-laws or regulations can not be
altered or repealed except at an annual meet-
ing or at a special meeting of the members of
the society, of which two weeks' previous no-
tice has been given by advertisement. A. & A.
A., Sec. 13, 1895.

Education in Floriculture

TO succeed in any business, in these days
of close competition, one needs to
add business tact and originality to a thor-
ough knowledge of the details of ordinary
practice. This latter is from a man in the

business, but often jealousy of prospective
competition keeps out the young aspirant
from the privileges he desires to have. Mr.
A. S. Gilmore, Cote St. Paul, Qvce., who has
for some time been carrying on a factory
with his brother, has decided to give it up
to become a florist. He says : " I think it
is healthier work, and I am very fond of
flowers. I have had no experience what-
ever, except in my own garden during the
summer, where I have had great success.
Is there any school in Canada where they
give instruction in the raising of flowers,
and in greenhouse work ; and are there any
spring and summer terms. Do you think
the florist business profitable for a young
man, etc." Now, suppose we answer the
last question first, and we would say yes and
no both ; for profit in any business depends
far more upon the man than upon the busi-
ness. One man will make money where
another man will starve to death. A few
men have made fortunes out of growing
roses and carnations, and many men have
failed ; a large percentage of the men who
open out stores in great cities sink their in-
vestments, while a few make fortunes ; a
neighbor, who began a village milk trade
without capital, has by industry and enter-
prise secured a large and profitable business
of several thousand dollars a year.

The best place to learn to be a florist is
with a florist, providing he would give you
a chance to learn details of all branches ; but
for a general knowledge of floriculture, the
construction and care of a greenhouse, and
much general information essential to an
educated business man, a course at the On-
tario Agricultural College, Guelph, is almost
indispensable.

Mr. Wm. Hunt, superintendent of green-
houses, is a thoroughly trained gardener,
and his long experience will give a young
man much valuable information which he
could not get from the ordinary practical

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

florist. For details of terms, write Mr. G.
C. Creelman, B. S. A., president of the O.
A. C, Guelph.

Fig. 2750. Mr. G. A. Putnam, B.S.A.,

Superintendent Farmers' Institute.

SINCE our work is so closely connected
with the farmers' institutes, our
readers will be pleased to have an introduc-
tion to Mr. George A. Putnam, B. S. A.,
who has recently taken up the work of
superintendent of Farmers' Institutes for
Ontario. Mr. Putnam was born in Elgin
County in 1869, and spent his early years on
his father's dairy farm near Aylmer. He
was educated at the Aylmer High School
and at the Forest City Business College,
London, and from the latter institution be-
came in 1890 secretary to the Agricultural
College. While at the college he took up
the regular studies and received his degree
in the spring of 1900.

Mr. Putnam is most familiar with details
of the organization of institutes, for under
Dr. Mills he managed all the details of the
work when the Ontario Institute branch was
first organized.

Nova Scotia Fruit Growers' Annual
Meeting at Bridgewater

NEARLY a hundred fruit growers met
at Bridgewater on the 27th and 28th
of January and conducted an animated dis-
cussion on the fruit interests of the pro-
vince. A noticeable change was the retire-
ment from the presidency of Mr. J. W.
Bigelow, of Wolfville, who for twelve years
has so ably filled^ the position. A resolu-
tion was unanimously passed expressing the
high esteem in which he was" held by the
members,

STANDARD VARIETIES OF APPI^ES.

At this meeting our vice-presidenj;, Mr.
Alexander McNeill, of Ottawa, gave good
advice to inexperienced orchardists. He
advises (i) to select varieties combining
many good qualities; (2) to avoid novel-
ties, because they are seldom perma-
nent ; (3) to watch the tree agent and
resist him when he advises little planted
varieties ; (4) to cater to your market,
and if distant to plant good shipping
kinds, mainly good winter varieties ;
(5) to consider which of these will suc-
ceed best under the local conditions of one's
own farm. Mr. McNeill had written to
six apple exporters representing firms which
operate in all parts of Canada, asking them
separately to name the best paying varieties
of apples, taking one year with another,
from the exporter's point of view. All
named the Baldwin, five the Spy, four the
Golden Russet, four the King, four the Ben
Davis, four the Canada Red, three the
Mann, two the Cooper's Market, one the
Hubbardston. Prof. Macoun suggested
that records of individual trees as to age,
bearing, etc., be kept each year, thus finding
out what trees give the best results ; a
number of gentlemen, representing the
various fruit districts, were appointed to
keep these records.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

'13

APPLE PACKING.

The use of the barrel and the box were
discussed, and Inspector Vroom gave full
details for packing in barrels, which are the
same as commonly practised. " The 10 per
cent, of poorer quality," he said, "are allowed
for the purpose of covering any accidental
putting in of poor quality, and not to allow
packers to pass off their poor trash."

For boxes Mr, W. A. McKinnon said
that only the very tinest quality should be
packed in them, and in this we believe he is
quite correct, for we have experimented
with a carload of XX stock in barrels and
in boxes, and the former brought the best
returns. We are glad to observe that the
Nova Scotians at this meeting agreed to
adopt the same sized box as we have
adopted in Ontario, viz., 10 x 11 x 20, inside
measure.

BOASTING THE PROFITS OF OUCHARDINC.

The Nova Scotians always have a way of
showing up great results of apple growing.
ReceHtly Mr. J. W. Bigelow has circulated
an article giving an account of the wonder-
ful apple yield of the Annapolis Valley and
the wonderful profits received by the grow-
ers ; and here at this meeting Mr. R. J.
Bridgewater, of Bridgetown, gave an ac-
count of a bearing orchard of 33^ acres for
four years, showing a net profit of $2,400
for the period.

It is rather a curious feature of the meet-
ings of fruit growers that they always de-
light in booming their business by tell-
ing big stories of immense profits, which are
exceptional, and by suppressing the stories
of poor prices and frequent losses.
In this way they encourage so many
to grow fruit that the prices come
down on account of competition. From
some such reason, for example, plums last
season were so abundant that they were
not worth gathering. Now men of no other

avocation adopt such policy. Fancy the
stove makers advertising the profits of stove
making, or the dry goods merchant the pro-
fits of his business ! He would not be so
foolish. We do not see why the fruit
grower does it unless either he wants to sell
out his fruit farm, or because he is inter-
ested in some nursery for the sale of fruit
trees. No doubt Nova Scotia people want
buyers for lands in the " great Annapolis
valley."

THE NEW OFFICERS.

For 1904 the president of the N. S. F. G.
A. is Mr. P. Innes; vice-president, Mr. R.
S. Eaton; secretary, S. C. Parker; assistant
secretary, J. H. Cox; treasurer, S. W.
Munro.

TRANSPORTATION.

This subject, so vital to the interests of
fruit growers, was taken up with great in-
terest. An instance of gross injustice was
mentioned in the case of the discrimination
between apple and flour, the former costing
27c. a barrel to Halifax and the latter i6c.
The poor service on both railway and
steamer was also discussed, and a committee,
which included the president, vice-president
and secretary, was appointed to act in har-
mony with other organizations in obtaining
improved service and fairer rates.

QUARTERLY MEETINGS.

More frequent meetings were advocated
by Mr. R. W. Starr and opposed by others.
Finally a resolution was passed asking the
executive to press for an increase of the an-
nual grant from $300 to $500, with the ob-
ject in view of holding quarterly meetings
in various parts of the province.

This is the opposite of the present policy
of our association, which is considering the
wisdom of centralizing the .meetings of the
body and sending experts to subordinate
meetings of farmers' clubs in every district.

BLENHEIM PALACE AND PARK

BY THE EDITOR.

THE student of landscape gardening in
Ontario can learn many useful les-
sons from the fine old parks of England.
There you see grand old elms, oaks, lindens
and other trees in their full development of
beauty ; the carriage drives approach the
mansion in graceful curves, over artistic
bridges, with fine vistas opening at inter-

FiG. 2751. Blenheim Palace.

vals ; and the open green sward of large ex-
tent gives interest and variety. Such a
park is that at Blenheim, which was visited
by the writer in the summer of 1903. It is
situated about eight miles from Oxford and
close to the town of Woodstock, and con-
tains one of the finest mansions in Great
Britain. According to the Economist the
forest of Woodstock many years since con-
tained a house to which Alfred the Great
often retired, and which was built by Henry
I. Henry II. often resided at this retreat
in the forest of 22,000 acres, and here was
hidden his favorite, " Fair Rosamond." The
estate was at length granted by the crown to
John Churchill, first Duke of Marlborough,
and Parliament, as a token of gratitude for
services in the wars of the Low Countries,
granted a sum of £240,000 with which to

build a mansion on the estate. Designed
by Sir John Vanburgh, the palace — for such
it is — is constructed in the most sumptuous
style. Among the more conspicuous fea-
tures are the Corinthian portico, which is
beautifully proportioned, the great hall, (yj
feet in height, and the library, a magnificent
chamber, 184 feet by 31 feet 9 inches. In
this last is a beautiful statue of Queen Arnie,
by Rysbrack, while some of the finest paint-
ings by Rubens, which were presented to the
great duke by the States of Holland adorn
the walls.

The park is very extensive, and contains
a large sheet of water comprising 132 acres,

Fig. 2752. A View in Blenheim Park.

crossed by a massive bridge of stone of such
imposing dimensions that the centre arch
has a span of over 100 feet.

Unfortunately our visit was not on the
right day of the week for admission to the
interior of the palace, but the gardener
showed us the dairy with great pride ; and,
while we waited at the porter's office, we had
a good view of the Duchess of Marlboro,
formerly Miss Vanderbilt, of New York
City.

Orchard and fruit Garden

FIRE BLIGHT

BY PROF. F. C. HARRISON, O. A. C. , GUELPH, ONT.

THAT species of blight which is some-
times called the " fire blight," fre-
quently destroys trees in the fullest appar-
ent vigor and health, in a few hours turn-
ing the leaves suddenly brown as if they had
passed through a hot flame and causing a
morbid matter to exude from the pores of
the bark, of a black ferruginous appearance.
This happens throughout the whole course
of the warm season; more frequently m
weather both hot and moist." So wrote
William Coxe in a book on the " Cultiva-
tion of Fruit Trees," published in 1817,
which is said to be the oldest American book
on fruit culture.

Nearly forty years before this we have a
record of the disease mentioned in a letter
written by one, William Denning, who first
saw the disease in the highlands of the Hud-
son in 1770. He described the disease
fairly well and thought it was due to a borer
in the trunk of the tree.

From 181 7 almost to the present time we
find in horticultural literature many theories
as to the cause of the blight. It would be
tedious to give an account of all the differ-
ent theories put forward by various writers
during this period. The most diverse views
were entertained as to the cause of the dis-
ease, and it was a constant topic for discus-
sion in the horticultural journals and socie-
ties. These discussions were so wearisome
and so barren of results that the Western
New York Society resolved that the subject
should not be discussed at their meetings
imless some one had something entirely new
concerning the disease to communicate.

'Amongst the numerous theories put for-
ward to explain the cause of pear blight, we
may mention the following:

1. Insects.

2. Rays of the sun passing through va-
pors.

3. Poor or deleterious soil.

4. Violent changes of the temperature of
the air, or the moisture in the soil.

5. Sudden changes from sod to high til-
lage resulting in surfeit or overplus of sap.

6. The effects of age ; old varieties being
most subject to it.

7. Autumn freezing of unripe wood,
which engendered a poison which destroyed
the shoots 'and branches in the following
season.

8. Electricity, or atmospheric influence.

9. Freezing of the sap, or freezing of the
bark.

10. The heat of the sun, assisted by rain-
drops acting as lenses causing the scalding
of the sap and bursting of the cells.

11. Fermentation of the sap.

12. The absence of certain mineral mat-
ters in the soil.

13. An epidemic transmitted from place
to place by the air.

14. Fungi.

Each of the above theories was sustained
by various writers, and it may be of interest
to note that Henry Ward Beecher was an
advocate of the theory that the cause of
blight was due to the autumn freezing of the
unripe wood.

A. J. Downing, the distinguished author
of " Fruits and Fruit Trees of America,"

ii6

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

applied the name " frozen sap blight " to the
disease. His theory was that the disease
was due to the freezing and thawing of the
sap. The sap thus lost its vitality, became
dark and discolored and poisonous to the
plant.

Thomas Meehan, editor of the " Garden-
ers' Monthly," supported the idea that fungi
was the cause of the disease ; but no tests
were applied to prove that the inoculation
of these fungi into healthy trees would
cause the disease.

It was not until the year 1878, when. W.
T. Burrill, the professor of botany in the
University of Illinois, announced to the
State Horticultural Society the discovery of
bacteria, apparently connected with the dis-
ease. Burrill also proved that the disease
was infectious and could be communicated
to healthy limbs, by inoculation, using the
gummy exudation from an affected tree as
a virus. Not only was he able to produce
the disease in pears, but also in apples and
quinces. Dr. J. C. Arthur, botanist of the
New York Experiment Station, subse-
quently confirmed Prof. Burrill's results and
thoroughly established the fact that a cer-
tain species of micro-organism, named by
the discoverer Bacterium amylovorum, or
the starch destroying bacterium, was the
sole cause of the disease.

Geographical Distribution. — This dis-
ease is peculiar to North America. So far
it has never been recognized in Europe.
Professor Budd, of Iowa, who is familiar
with the disease as it occurs in North Am-
erica, has inspected the orchards of Europe
and states that no trace of fire blight of pear
or apple trees can be seen in Europe. It
is also unknown in New Zealand and Aus-
tralia. In North America the blight ex-
tends from New York to California, and
from the northern counties of Ontario to
Texas. Dr. Beadle, in a sketch of the his-
tory of the disease in Ontario, states that
" in the early days of fruit growing in the

Niagara district we had no pear tree blight
nor apple blight. With the advent of what
people termed grafted fruit there came, after
a few years, 'blight ' on the pear tree." By
the year 1840 it had spread considerably.

N. J. Clinton, of Essex County ; S. Hun-
ter, of Oxford; E. D. Smith, of Went-
worth ; Stone and Wellington, of Welland ;
R. Hamilton, of Argenteuil, reported its
presence in their respective counties about
35 years ago. The colder parts of the pro-
vince have suffered as severely from the
disease as the more favored districts. The
orchard of the Dominion Experimental
Farm at Ottawa has been attacked, and the
140 Russian varieties of apples cultivated
there have suffered severely. In warmer
districts, however, the disease has been
much more severe. Whole orchards have
been completely destroyed in the State of
Texas, and certain pear growing districts
in that State have been practically ruined by
this parasite.

Losses. — No statistics are available to^
give us an idea as to the amount of loss to
fruit growers from pear blight, but a few
references to losses by this destructive dis-
ease will help to give us an appreciation of
the subject. Coxe in 18 17 reported that
he had lost upwards of fifty trees in twenty
years. In the years 1826, 1832 and 1844
there was an increased prevalence of the
disease, and few pear orchards escaped
without partial or total loss of many trees,
and some orchards were quite destroyed.
Downing called it the " monstrous malady
of the pear." Lyons stated, as the opinion
of many cultivators in the State of Michi-
gan, that " the pear tree cannot be grown
with financial success on account of the
blight." Hallam, in 1882, reported that
" in Southern Illinois pears have failed, ut-
terly failed, so that none are now cultivated
for market. The blight has destroyed the
trees, branch and root." While A. Noice,
of the same State, doubted " if one-tenth of

FIRE BLIGHT.

the pear trees that are planted Hved ten
years on account of this destructive agent."
E. H. S. Dart stated that the severities of
winter were not so much to be dreaded as
the ravages of blight. He had, in 1874, one
to two thousand trees affected. Dr. P. A.
Jewell, in 1876, lost 10,000 Tetofsky apple
trees by it. Bailey, of Cornell, declared
that fire blight was undoubtedly the most
serious disease with which the quince
grower has to contend. It was the same
disease which was so destructive to pear or-
chards in certain years and to certain varie-
ties of apples, particularly the crabs. Selby,
of Ohio, reported that the disease ranked
among the most destructive known to the
orchardist in his State. Chester, of Dela-
ware, announced that pear blight was of un-
usual severity during the season of 1901.
and caused much alarm because of its rapid
spread through the orchards of the State.
In 1895 its ravages were most severe on
apple trees in the vicinity of Hamilton and
Burlington Bay. J. Craig gathered infor-
mation as to the character of injury of the
disease from fruit growers throughout this
province, and a number of these state that
the injury was very severe.

These citations are enough to show that
the disease is of special economic import-
ance and greatly dreaded by many fruit
growers.

Symptoms. — (See Fig. 2753). The first
indication of fire blight is seen either in the
browning and subsequent blackening of the
leaves or of the young twigs or of young
tender shoots. When the twigs or shoots
are the principal parts affected the disease is
spoken of as twig blight. Pears show the
presence of the disease more frequently by
the blighting and blackening of the leafy
tufts of the spurs, and show it especially by
the darkening of the blossom clusters on the
larger branches; while later, the branches
themselves become blackened. The pro-

FiG. 2753. A Blighted Orchard.

gress of the disease is always downward, an
inch or more each day, depending upon the
season, until the larger limbs are infected.
In the more susceptible varieties it spreads
more quickly, involving the whole tree, but
in the more resistant varieties the progress
of the disease is not so fast. When the dis-
ease is active the bark of the diseased
branches cracks and a thick, blackish, gum-
my fluid exudes, and later the affected bark
becomes hardened, dry and shrunken. The
disease occasionally appears on the larger
branches and trunks of fruit trees when
these have been bruised or otherwise in-
jured, when its appearance is similar to the
injury known as " sun burn " or " sun
scald." This disease of the trunks or larger
branches is sometimes spoken of as " body
blight " or " rough bark." The inner bark
and cambium layer of the limbs and trunk
are the most important parts of the tree
killed by the blight. Instances are known

ii8

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST

Fig. 2754. Diseased Tissue — Magnified

of its attacking the fruit, producing watery
unlers, accompanied by brown discoloration
and decay. The disease may be known by
its peculiar odor, said by some writers to re-
semble putrefaction.

When the disease is in progress the dis-
colored blighted portion blends gradually
into the color of the normal bark ; but when
the disease has stopped there is a sharp line
of demarcation between the diseased and
healthy portions. (Waite.)

Microscopic Appearance of the Dis-
eased Tissues. — (See Fig. 2754). The
most conspicuous change in the tissues, af-
fected with the blight, is the disappearance
of the stored starch, and on account of this
peculiarity the organism has been named the
" starch destroying bacterium " (Bacterium
amylovorum) . The germ penetrates from
one cell to another and produces a gummy
or mucilaginous matter which is found on
the exterior of the affected parts. The
microbe is found, as a rule, only in the in-
ner bark and in the actively growing tissues
(called the cambium, which produces wood
on the inner side and bark on the outer
side). The organism is unable to grow in
tissues that are lignified or woody.

Life History of the Pear Bught

Germ. — The organism which produces the
disease is a small motile bacillus which in-
creases with great rapidity in the succulent
parts of affected trees. The microbe is of
microscopic size, so small that 25,000 placed
end to end would only measure an inch.
They are able to live and multiply in the
nectar of the blossoms, from whence they
are carried to other flowers by bees and in-
sects which visit the blossoms for honey and
pollen. From this locality the germs ex-
tend into the tissues and then downward into
the branches by way of the inner bark, gird-
ling the limbs and causing a large amount
of damage. The blight germ also gains
entrance to the plant through the tips of
growing shoots, thus producing twig blight.
The organism is not killed by the winter
frosts, but lives in the bark in a dormant
condition until spring. As soon as the plant
tissues became gorged with sap in the
spring the microbes, which have remained
alive all through the winter, start to grow
and extend into the new bark. This new
blight which develops in the spring can be
recognized by its moist and fresh appear-
ance from the blighted dead and dried bark
of the previous summer. A large amount
of gum is exuded from the affected bark
and runs down the tree and attracts to it
bees and other insects which carry the
microbes to the early blossoms, and from
these first flowers it is carried to others, and
thus the disease extends.

The germ has never been discovered in
the soil, although careful search has been
made, hence the importance of recognizing
the winter form of the disease, for if these
affected portions of the tree are cut out and
destroyed the pear blight question is solved,
for without the microbes there can be no
disease.

Conditions Affecting the Spread of
THE Disease. — Fire blight differs in severity
in different localities, and there are a num-

FIRE BLIGHT.

119

ber of conditions which affect the character
and progress of the disease.

Every tree of the pome family is sub-
ject to the Wight, but pears and quinces are
more susceptible than plums and apples.
The mountain ash, service berry and haw-
thorn are frequently diseased, but not to
such an extent as the first named trees.
There is a difference in the susceptibility of
varieties. Thus among pears, Clapp's Fa-
vorite, Flemish Beauty, and Bartlett, are
more liable to the disease than Keiffer and
Duchess, and amongst apples the crab varie-
ties are the least resistant.

CHmatic conditions influence the disease;
warm, moist weather with much rain favor
it; whilst bright, dry, sunny weather tends
to check it.

High cultivation, rich soil, heavy manur-
ing, free use of fertilizers, heavy pruning,
or any other treatment which has a ten-
dency to induce new and succulent growth,
favors the disease, as the bacteria grow with
far greater rapidity and penetrate more
quickly from cell to cell when the tissues are
gorged with sap. Insects are more partial
to young succulent shoots and leaves, and
the bites and punctures of such insects,
whose mouth parts may be contaminated
with pear blight germs, often serve to infect
the tree.

It is thus manifest that healthy, thrifty,
vigorous, well fed and well cultivated trees
are more liable to the disease than others,
and hence the severity of an attack of fire
blight may be lessened by conditions which
are under the control of the grower.

Treatment. — The treatment of fire blight
is of two kinds, that which is designed to
put the tree in a condition to withstand the
attack of the blight microbe, and those
methods which aim at the extermination of
the casual bacterium. Unfortunately all
methods which are used for hindering the
attack of the microbe consist of restraining

the full development of the tree, and hence
any such system of procedure should not be
followed unless an orchard is very badly
attacked.

High cultivation, winter pruning and
other conditions already mentioned as pre-
disposing trees to blight should be aboided,
but the trees should be allowed to ripen the
wood, and in order to do this the fruit
grower must use any method which will
check the amount of moisture in the soil, for
instance, by the growth of a clover crop.

The fire blight organism cannot be ex-
terminated by spraying, as the microbe lives
in the tissues beneath the outer bark, and it
is impossible to reach it with any spraying
solution, for unless the bacteria come into
contact with the germicide spraying is in-
effectual.

There is therefore but one remedy, to cut
out and burn the affected parts of the tree.
It is very necessary when cutting out a dis-
eased branch or twig to cut well below the
discolored portion, as the bacteria are in
teria; so that if only the discolored portion
the discoloration not being produced imme-
diately upon the appearance of a few bac-
teria, so that if only the discolored portion
were cut off numbers of bacteria would still
be left in the stump, and these would con-
tinue to multiply, and the disease would
soon be evident again.

Cutting off affected parts may be done at
any time in the winter and spring, but it is
not advisable to cut in the growing season,
as fresh cases may be constantly occurring,
and these, owing to lack of sufficient devel-
opment, would not be seen.

The best time for cutting out affected
branches is towards the fall, or when the
trees have stopped forming new wood,, when
most of the blight has developed, and when
the contrast between the discolored leaves
and branches and healthy tissues is easily
seen.

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST,

Trees should be carefully inspected for
blight during the winter, and in spring be-
fore the blossoms come out, in order to de-
stroy any affected parts that may have been
missed at previous inspection.

All wild trees of the pome family in the
vicinity should be examined as well, as

these, if blighted, may serve to reinfect an
orchard which has been carefully treated.

In cases where the bark of the trunk is af-
fected it can be cut out and the wound cov-
ered with a lead and oil paint. The cut sur-
face of branches over one-half inch in dia-
meter should be painted.

TEN TO ONE IN FAVOR OF SPRAYING

MY attention was called in your De-
cember number to an article, Does
it Pay to Spray?

I used an apple orchard of 300 trees
owned by my father and myself as a com-
parison, and to the interest to the fruit grow-
ers I feel it my duty to make a reply before
next spraying season, giving cost, etc.

Cost of Spraying and Quantities Used.

5,000 gallons water.

1,750 lbs. lime, 25c. per bush $ 6 25

400 lbs. vitriol, 6^40. per lb 25 00

20 lbs. white arsenic, 10c. per lb 2 00

20 lbs. Paris green, 16c. per lb 3 20

40 lbs. sal soda, 2%c. per lb 1 00

8 days team and man, $2.50 per day . . . . 20 00

16 days work, $1.25 per day 20 00

$77 45
Cost Harvesting.

Picking and packing $ 65 25

500 empty bbls., contracted in Aug. 160 00
106 empty bbls 42 40

267 65

Total expense $345 10

Sold.

606 bbls. apples, at $2.50 per bbl $1,515 00

114 bush, evaporating apples, at 20c.

per bush 22 80

Total receipts $1,537 80

Canning factory prices, figuring 3 bushels
in each barrel, with 114 bushels windfalls
and culls, would be 1,932 bushels at 25c. per
bushel, $483.00, less 2 cents per bushel for

picking up expense, would leave $444.36
net from the canning factory, while the net
on the barreled apples, after deducting all
expenses, would be $1,192.70. An invest-
ment of $77.45 for six months gives us a
profit of $748.34 more than we would have
got if it had been taken to the canning fac-
tory ; nearly ten dollars for every dollar in-
vested for spraying. Owing to my being \n
the apple business we probably got 50 cents
per barrel more than most other growers
would have got ; even at 50c. less this would
leave $445.34 profit in favor of spraying to
the grower. The expense we were to in
pruning, fertilizing and cultivating only
went last season in this section towards pro-
ducing the fungus canning factory apples,
and I consider the $748.34 was realized
from spraying, as I see unsprayed orchards
in this locality that had in previous years
better care in pruning, fertilizing and culti-
vating than our orchard that would not pack
(according to Fruit Marks Act) one barrel
of No. I apples out of fifty barrels of fruit
as picked from the trees. Such fruit would be
too expensive work to sort, consequently they
should go to the canning factory, as experi-
ence has taught the apple buyers that no
matter how cheap they buy the fungus ap-
ples it will, before the end of the season,
show up a loss. My opinion is, had the

DUST SPRA YING.

canning factory here at Simcoe realized the
apple situation in September as they did in
December, canning factory apples would
have been cheaper. There were large
quantities of apples never gathered, as they
had all or more contracted for than they
could take care of to advantage, and the ap-
ple buyers could not buy for shipping as
they were of such poor quality.

My observation of spraying in Ontario is
that whether the grower owns a spraying
pump or does not, he is apt to be busy at some
other work when he should be spraying, and
when he ought to spray he does not, and
when he does sipray it is in such a half-
hearted way that his spraying does very lit-
tle good, and unless you can spray at the
right time and not be afraid of expense I
consider you are losing your time and ma-
terial. One grower in New York State
last year estimated that he lost $1,000 on his
20-acre apple orchard by not spraying three
days earlier.

Climatic conditions may be such that we
may not have "any fungus disease next year.
Wet weather is favorable to fungus and dry
weather favorable to insects, so I shall con-
tinue to spray to hit both and insure one
crop.

Care must be exercised in preparing the
mixtures, as I have seen whole orchards of
fruit ruined by not preparing the spraying
solution properly. You must not guess,
but measure and weigh, and keep well agi-
tated every tank or barrel of the spraying

mixtures so as to have all go out of the tank
of equal strength, and soak the trees well
from the ground to its highest branches
with the finest spray possible, using Ver-
morel nozzles. I usually put 200 gallons
in my tank each time and run two Unes of
hose, four nozzles each, and can put on our
orchard 800 gallons each day with four men.
I have one man take a 20-foot line of hose
and walk under the trees and spray the
trunk and all the under branches of the tree,
while the other line of hose is used from on
top of the tank.

My spraying solution for apples : 200
gallons water, 70 lbs. lime, 16 lbs. blue vit-
rol, 4-5 lb. Paris green, 4-5 lb. white arsenic,
I 3-5 lb. sal soda.

The arsenic must be prepared by boiling
one pound arsenic with two pounds of sal
soda for 45 minutes.

Time of spraying: ist, as soon as the
buds begin to swell; 2nd, just before the
buds break open ; 3rd, just as soon as the
blossoms fall.

If you have a small orchard of 50 trees a
barrel pump will do, but for an orchard of
50 to 300 trees a tank, an outfit like we have,
is the best value, which cost about $50.00
complete, and for larger orchards a power
sprayer is the best.

Thanking you for this valuable space to
benefit the fruit growers. I am, your whole-
hearted believer in spraying.

James E. Johnson,

Simcoe, Ont.

BIRD CHERRY PICKERS

1SEE that one of your correspondents in
asking advice about a succession of sour
cherries, says : " When my Early Rich-
mond cherries begin to bear I shall be com-
pelled to engage a great deal of help."
What for? Not to pick the cherries. If
it is there as it is here the robins, jays and

catbirds will take everyone before they are
ripe. I have a dozen trees and can't get
enough to make a pie unless I take them
half ripe or be content to pick oflf the ground
what the birds let fall. The robins bring
their young, sit them on nearby limbs and
drop cherries into their wide open mouths

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

from sun up till sun down, and they appear
to send out runners to all the regions round
inviting all birds with their families to come
and have a good time.

When the Montmorency cherries come in
ten days later the red currants and early
raspberries are also ripening, so the birds
distribute themselves according to their
tastes, so I get about half that grow on fifty
trees. These birds ate for me last year at
least $75 worth of cherries, saying nothing
of strawberries, currants, raspberries and
grapes. What benefit are they to the fruit

grower and gardener that the government
should protect them ? In my opinion, none
whatever. Who ever knew of a robin eat-
ing a potato bug, a cabbage worm, or an
aphis ? They live on earth worms till straw-
berries ripen, then choice fruit until they
leave for the sunny south. I am in hearty
accord with the fruit growers of some of the
eastern States, " remove all protection, and
if you can't shoo them shoot them."
A. W. Graham,

St. Thomas, Ont.

THE HOTBED IN VEGETABLE GARDENING

FIRST consider the location. A gentle
slope to the south is preferable. A
windbreak, either natural or arti-
ficial, on the north, east and west, but not
near enough on the east and west to shade
the bed at any time of the day, is desirable.
Very good results can be obtained from a
hotbed built on level ground until the wet
weather comes ; then, as there is no chance
for the surplus water to get away, the bed
gets sour, and the stufif turns yellow and re-
fuses to grow. Have the ground on which
the bed is to be built free from ice or snow.
If the ground is frozen, cover it with two or
three inches of dry, cold horse manure.
Cover this with at least a foot of warm horse
manure, tread well and cover with another
foot of cold horse manure. This for a bed
built in the first part of February ; if later in
the season, smaller amounts can be used, or
if the bed is being built on unfrozen ground,
less will do. Tread the whole 'well, so that
it is quite level with no soft places. ' On this
foundation place the frame.

HOW TO make; the frame.

The frame in most general use in our part

of the country is 5 feet and 2 inches wide by

16 feet long, outside measurement; 12

inches deep, with three pieces of 2x4 ; 5 feet

2 inches long and 4 feet apart, cut into the
sides until level with the top of the frame.
Before fastening in these crosspieces it is
well to square the frame, or the sash will not
fit well. They will look like saw teeth, and
there is no danger of leaving holes. Under
the middle 2x4 put a piece of board 5 feet
long, 4 to 6 inches wide edgewise, the bot-
tom to be level with the bottom of the frame.
This will greatly stiffen the frame and hold
it in shape. We make the ends of this frame
of 2-inch stuff and the sides of inch stuff.

Cpver this frame with four sash 4 feet
wide by 5 feet 2 inches long. Do not use
glass larger than 8 x 10 inches; in large
glass the breakage is much greater. Have
glass bedded in putty and lapped about one-
quarter of an inch. I have used sash witK
the glass butted. I'he breakage in those
was much larger. The lap seems to give
the glass double strength. The wooden
part of the sash should be of 2-inch stuff. I
have seen i^-inch used, but they are too
light and will not stand nearly so much wind
when open.

FUELING THE HOTBED.

In the hotbed yards these frames may be
placed in rows; about three frames, or 12
sash, in as many as can be handled conven-

THE HOTBED IN VEGETABLE GARDENING.

iently in one row. Supposing this first row
to be on the north side of the yard (which
is the usual way), put the second 14 or 16
inches south and parallel with the first. Fill
this walk or space between the rows with
manure, dry, or frozen of you have it; any-
way have the top 4 inches of this dry stuff.
The wet manure will freeze in a foot, when
if covered with dry 4 inches it will not freeze
at all. I once tried to save labor by filling
the frame with manure when I built the
beds, and then take out enough to bank the
walks with of the wet, hot manure. It froze
to the bottom of the frame, and I had to re-
move it. Bank the ends of these rows well
2 feet or more.

In from five to seven days these beds
should be hot and ready for earth. Then
remove the sash and tread the manure until
it is quite solid and fill the soft places. If
this is well done the earth will come oif
much nicer in the fall, and if the manure is
level and the top of the earth level you will
have it the same depth all over. Spank the
loose straws down so that they will not stick
up into the earth and be caught by the rake.
Put in 6 inches of earth, and when it is nice-
ly warmed through, probably in one or two
days, your bed is ready for plants or seeds.
If it is about the first of March, and you
have good plants raised in the greenhouse or
earlier beds, you can have fine lettuce for
market or the table in 25 or 30 days.

The sash should be covered with shutters
on cold nights. They should be opened a
little in the morning when the thermometer
shows 70 to 75 degrees, when it will proba-
bly drop back to 60 or 65 degrees. If in
the middle of the day it should go to 80 to
85 degrees, open a little more ; by 4 o'clock
if it is not above 80 degrees it will be safe to
close the sash. If the wind is freezing, open
the sash on the side or end away from the
wind.

CROPS B'OR THE HOTBED.

A crop of radishes can be raised in bed of

this kind in 30 days. Sow the seed in drills
y2 of an inch deep, the drills about 4 inches
apart. It would be well to test radish seed.
If it all grows, a seed every ^ inch is
plenty; if only 50 per cent, is good, sow it
twice as thick. I believe that all seeds used
by gardeners for forcing purposes should
be tested the year before, so that you may
know that they will grow and also that they
are true to name. This is especially true
as to lettuce and cucumbers, for 15 cents'
worth of these seeds will produce $500
worth of vegetables, while if your seeds were
not true to name you might expend the same
amount of labor, the use of your sash, and
grow a poor crop, which would bring half
price or less, and always hard to sell. April
I is about as late as radish seed can be sown
in hotbeds and get the crop to market before
the outside crop gets in. But if you have
good plants you can keep putting in lettuce
up to May i with a good chance of market-
ing it in advance of outside lettuce.

About March 15 sow cucumber seed for
hotbed crop. Sow the seed either broad-
cast or in drills, in greenhouse or hotbed ;
cover with sand. They will come up quicker
covered with glass pressed down on the
sand ; remove this glass when the plants are
plainly seen under it. Transplant into 4-
inch earthen pots or berry boxes when plants
are just starting the third leaf. This will be
about April i to 5. May i you will have
nice plants. Remove the plants and dirt
from the pots or boxes and plant them in
center of sash, place having been made for
them by leaving out four or six lettuce
plants. I have always had the best success
with both lettuce and cucumber plants when
they have been kept growing right from the
start. Lettuce plants I would keep at 40
degrees if possible at night and on cloudy
days, and 70 to 90 degrees when the sun is
shining. Cucumbers I like at 80 degrees at
night and 100 degrees in the sun. — Ameri-
can Agriculturist.

f^ flower Garden and Lawn >g^

SPRING NOTES FOR FLOWER BED AND BORDER

BY WM. HUNT, ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, GUELPH.

PLANT life out of doors has been well
protected during the exceptionally se-
vere winter we have experienced by the
early and continuous falls of snow which
have been so general — and in many places
too copious — all over the province. In
spite of the mercury indicating zero for days
together, and sometimes dancing away
twenty or thirty degrees below that point,
there is very little frost in the ground at this
date (February 13th). In many places
there is only a few inches of frozen soil,
whilst a few specially well protected spots
have been found with only a slight crust of
frozen earth.

The trying time for plant life this season,
however, has yet to come. Owing to the
very early snow falls very little artificial pro-
tection could be given to plants in early
winter.

It will be well, therefore, for those who
have plants or bulbs of a tender nature in
the garden to prepare to give them some
protection, during the period of broken
weather usually experienced when spring
approaches. Tender roses, tender shrubs,
as well as plants of a tender nature in the
border, will be very much benefited by some
slight protection during periods of alternate
freezing and thawing, as well as sunshine,
the last mentioned being as hurtful to plant
life in many cases as severe frost at this sea-
son of the year. A few fine boughs or tree
trimmings, with a sprinkle of straw or long
strawy manure amongst them will make an
ideal spring protection for plants. Heavy,
close covering is not necessary. The cov-
ering should be placed over the plants al-
most before the snow has thawed away
from them. It can be left on day and night

if the nights are frosty and bright sunshine
prevails in the day time. A few days par-
tial seclusion from sun and light will not
hurt plants at this season when severe night
frosts prevail.

Pruning. — Flowering shrubs need very
little if any pruning at any time. Thin out
here and there the most prominent branches,
if the plant is overgrown or unshapely, but
do not clip or shorten back all of the young
growth, as this mistaken method of pruning
deprives the shrub of the growth necessary
to produce the coming season's wealth of
blossom. In most cases the thinning out
process before mentioned can be profitably
done later, when the shrubs are in flower,
as the prunings can then be used for decora-
tive purposes indoors. If not of too severe
a nature this late pruning in summer will
not injure the plants.

One exception to this method of thinning
flowering shrubs should be mentioned, viz.,
that of the hardy hydrangea (hydrangea
paniculata grandiflora). This plant should be
severely pruned back early in the spring be-
fore the buds tart, or it can be done in late
autumn time or early winter. If not al-
ready done, the young shoots of this popular
shrub should be cut back to within three or
four inches of the old growth. This method
of pruning produces much better and larger
panicles of bloom than if the plants are not
so severely pruned. Cedar and spruce
hedges may be clipped at any time during
April or early in May, not later. By clip-
ping them at this time, just before growth
commences, they can be clipped rather ,ie-
verely if necessary. Later clipping than
the time mentioned is not advisable, unless
left until autumn. Late summer clipping

SPRING NOTES FOR FLOWER BED AND BORDER.

of evergreen hedges or trees, as sometimes
advised, means the disfigurement and loss of
most of the delicate green tassel like growth
that gives them such a beautiful appearance
in the early summer months, more especially
that of Norway spruce.

Pruning Roses. — All hardy out door rose
bushes should be pruned about the end of
March or early in April, just as the buds
show the first signs of breaking into growth.
Bush roses require severe pruning, especial-
ly if the plants are extra strong and robust.
Cut out all the dead branches just as well as
the weak thin shoots. Prune the growth
that remains back to within four or five
inches of the old growth. The stronger
the shoots the more severe should be the
pruning. Strong young canes or shoots
growing up from the base of the stem
should be pruned back to about eighteen
inches in length. Care must be taken, how-
ever, to ascertain if these last named canes
or shoots are the real growth of the rose, or
only suckers from the stock. These suck-
ers occur onJy on roses budded on the briar
or manetti stock and may be discerned from
the true rose growth generally by their be-
ing of a much lighter shade of green in
color, as well oftentimes by the almost entire
absence of prickles that the growth of most
roses produce. These suckers should be
removed from as close down to the root of
the tree as possible, or they will eventually
kill out entirely the true rose growth.

Climbing roses should have the dead
shoots removed and the weak growth thin-
ned out so that the branches are not left too
crowded. The strong vigorous canes or
shoots should be pruned back so as to leave
them from three to five feet in length.

Removing Winter Protection. — In re-
moving winter covering from bulbs, plants
or shrubs, do not expose them at once to full
light and sunshine or the changeable spring
weather. Remove the protection by de-
grees as the state of the weather permits.

Weather conditions and not the calendar
must be the guide in this respect.

Seeds. — In making out the seed list avoid
putting down too many novelties. Use
these as extras ; it will often save disappoint-
ment.

Planting. — When plants or trees are re-
ceived from the nursery, either heel them in
or plant them in their permanent positions
at once. Exposing the roots of any plant
or tree to sun and air even for a short time
only is injurious, and is often the cause of
failure when transplanting. This is es-
pecially the case with evergreens, such as
spruce and cedar.

In transplanting make sure that the soil
is packed well around the roots, sufficient to
make the soil firm. Air spaces around the
roots of a newly planted tree or shrub often
means rot or decay to the roots and perhaps
death to the tree. The drier the soil when
planting the more necessity there is to pack
it firmly.

Plant when the ground is fairly moist if
possible. Better to wait a day or two be-
fore planting if the ground is of a clayey na-
ture and sodden with water.

Frozen Plants. — The best method of
treating plants that have been frozen is to
remove them at once — before the frost is out
of them — and place them on the floor in a
dark corner of the room, where a tempera-
ture of about 45 or 50 degrees prevails, not
warmer, as a too rapid thawing out is not
advisable. Cover the plants up carefully
with a blanket or rug so as to exclude all
light and as much air f'-om them as possible.
Do not touch the foliage with the hands or
allow the covering to touch the plants. Keep
them covered up close about twenty-four
hours. The plants should not be brought
into full light or sunshine for several days.
T have found this method of treating frozen
plants to be much better than the more
speedy and radical method of deluging them
with cold water as is often done.

THE CHRYSANTHEMUM

BY H, L. HUTT, B.S.A., ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, GUELPH.

(concluded)

flexed, Japanese Incurved, Japanese Re-
flexed and Hairy Japanese. But with all
the crossing and re-crossing, which has pro-
duced so many intermediate varieties, is is
often difficult to say to what class any par-
ticular variety belongs to. The list of varie-
ties, too, has become so long that only a few
of the best of each class need be mentioned.

The Pompons bear small button-like blos-
soms, an inch or an inch and a half in
diameter, of a great variety of colors. The
plants are of dwarf habit, hardy and very
free flowering. Rose Travena is the most
desirable variety of this class I have tried.

The Single Chrysanthemum is built on
the same plan as the Ox-eye Daisy. An
endless variety of these may be obtained by

Fig. 2755. RoHALLiON.

Another popular way of growing chrys-
anthemums is what is known as " single
blooms in five-inch pots." The beauty of
these is the dwarf size of the plant and the
large size of the bloom, although I think the
beauty of the plant as a whole is improved
by allowing three or four blooms to a plant.
To obtain such plants it is necessary to start
the cutting in May, pack the soil in which
they are grown very firm, keep in small pots,
and pinch back lateral buds as required.

Classification and Varieties. — Any
classification of chrysanthemums nowadays
is a difficult matter and very unsatisfactory.
The best classification, and the one usually
adopted, is as follows : Pompons, Singles,
Anemones, Chinese Incurved, Chinese Re-

FiG. 2756. Infant des deux Mondes.

THE CHRYSANTHEMUM.

127

■■

'**'^Zm.^^^^^^K^^^

^^^^^^^^^^^K^'^'' ^"^^^^1

^H

K^IH

^^^H

HnM^H

^^^M|

^S^B^^H

HH^H

PPx^

f

"^ /\

k.-<*^-'lA^

Ak,^^jl-fi>."^Jicyii

Fig. 2757. Mrs. H. Cannell.

Philadelphia. JudgeHoitt.

Gladys Spaulding. Mrs. Geo. Glenny.

JoRA. Enfant des Deux Mondes.

Joey Hill. Louis Boehmer.

sowing- seed, but, as a rule, they are hardly
worth while cultivating.

The Anemones have only one or t\\ o rows
of ray flowers, which may be wide spread-
ing or drooping. The centre florets are
usually the same color as the rays, but are
quilled and very much shorter. Judg'e
Hoitt is a typical variety of this class.

The Chinese Chrysanthemums are charac-
terized in the typical forms by the regular
globular form of the flower, and the evenly
imbricated petals of medium width. In the
incurved section the petals arch gracefully
inwards towards the centre, while in the re-
flexed section the petals are curved back-
wards. A few of the best I have tried of
this class are : Ivory, an early, pure white,
of dwarf habit ; Mrs. L. C. Maderia, a sym-
metrical, compact globe, of bright orange

color, and Mrs. George Glenny, a profuse
bloomer, bearing medium sized flowers of a
pale sulphur yellow color, a beauty when
loaded with bloom.

The Japanese Chrysanthemums, and the
numerous hybrid forms which have ema-
nated from them, make up the majority of
our large flowered varieties. Some have
flat petals, in others they are fluted, quilled
or twisted. Some are broad and short,
others are long and slender, almost thread-
like. In some the petals are incurved over
the centre, in others they are reflexed.

The petals of the hairy varieties are cov-
ered with hair-like granular growths. This
type is one of the most recent introductions,
and already includes many choice varieties.
An extensive list of grand Japanese varieties
might be given. In our collection at the

Fig. 2758. Helen Bloodgood.

Pitcher and Manda. Harry Balsey. Good Gracious.
Mrs. G. a. Magee. ♦ C. H. McCormick. F. L. Ames.

L. B. Bird.

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

Fig. 2759. Bride of Roses.

college we have about 130 varieties, but I
shall mention only a few of the most desir-
able ones, including the various shades of
the different types.

Maud Dean. This is a variety which can
hardly be commended too highly. The
flowers are large, a beautiful shade of lilac
pink, and of great substance. The plant
has stiff, long stems, is short jointed and of
healthy compact habit.

W. H. Lincoln. The habit of this variety,
like the one just mentioned, is nearly all that
could be desired. The flower is large, and
probably one. of the best of the bright golden
yellows.

Joey Hill. Flowers very large, florets
broad and reflexed, cardinal red above and
old gold beneath. The plant is healthy and
free flowering, but rather tall.

Rohallion. An excellent pale yellow.

The flowers are medium size, the florets
semi-quilled and curled. Plant healthy,
vigorolis and a profuse bloomer.

President W. R. Smith. A rather tall
growing variety for window culture, but one
of the best to grow as a standard. Flowers
large, late, incurved, and of a very pleasing
shade of light pink.

Lilian B. Bird. This is also a rather tall
grower, but the bloom is very striking, be-
ing made up of long straight quilled florets,
of a soft shade of light pink. One of the
latest to bloom.

lora. An exceedingly artistic flower of
light pink color. It is also a quilled variety,
but unlike the one last named, the florets are
curled and twisted. 1 he plant is moderate-
ly short jointed, vigorous and very free
flowering.

Fig. 2760. ViviAND-MoREL.

THE CHRYSANTHEMUM.

1-9

L'Enfant des deux Mondes, or The Child
of Two Worlds, is one of the finest of the
hairy varieties. Flowers large, pure creamy
white and densely covered with granular
hairs. Plant of good compact habit and a
profuse bloomer.

Louise Boehmer is a beautiful magenta
pink, of the hairy class, and similar to the
last mentioned variety in almost everything
but color.

To those who would like to get more in-
formation on the subject than could be given
in a short paper, I would like to recommend
some literature which would, no doubt, be
of interest to them. One of the best books
on the chrysanthemum is " Chrysanthemum
Culture for America," by James Morton.
As an excellent work on floriculture general-
ly for the amateur, I could not recommend
anything better than " Vick's Home Flori-
culture," ^by E. E. Rexford, the popular
writer on that subject in the Ladies' Home
Journal.

Fig. 2761. Louis Boehmer.

■^^&^

Fig. 2762. Porch Covered With Virgin's Bower.

Fig. 2763. Clematis Virginiana (Virgin's Bower).

ISOME GOOD CLIMBERS FOR THE PORCH— I.

FEW of our readers, even among those
who belong to our affiliated horticul-
tural societies, are aware that we have in
Ontario a native variety of Clematis which
is sufficiently hardy to be grown even in our
northern sections. Some years ago we re-
ceived some plants of it from Mr. J.. P.
Cockburn, of Gravenhurst, and these have
thrived wonderfully well, covering a portion
of the front porch as seen in our engraving.
The flowers are white and small, com-
pared with many foreign varieties, but are
so numerous as almost to cover the vine, and
grows in panicles as shown in Fig. 2763.
These come on the new wood in June and
July, and in August the flowers are suc-
ceeded by numerous carpels, with long tails,
as shown in Fig. 2764 and which are also
ornamental. The leaves of the Virgin's
Bower are alternate, and each leaflet is acute
heart-shaped, and coarsely toothed, and

often cut in deep lobes. The vine grows
stronger each year, and will reach up fifteen
or twenty feet.

Fig. 2764.' [Bunch of Carpels.

WINTER WINDOW GARDENING

AN ADDRESS BY WM. HUNT, ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, GUELPH.

(concluded)

are frozen too hard. All potted bulbs re-
quire plenty of water after they are brought
out to the light, that is, the soil should never
become really dry at any time.

In potting bulbs, the top or apex of
bulb should be barely showing above the
surface of the soil. Three Roman hyacinths
or three or four bulbs of narcissi can usu-
ally be planted in four or five inch pots. In
the case of Dutch hyacinths one bulb to a
four inch pot is usually sufficient.

The Freesia is another useful and easily
grown winter flowering bulb. Plant five or
six bulbs in a four or five inch pot in the
manner described for hyacinths, etc., but do
not bury the pots under ashes or soil. Stand
the pots in a fairly sunny position in a tem-
perature of about 50 or 60 degrees, and
water sparingly after the first watering until
growth has well commenced. The first
Freesia bulbs can be potted in August, and
as often as required afterwards until No-
vember. The delicious odor from only a
single spray of these flowers will perfume a
large house. Late planted Freesias should
be started in the window. The Arum or
Calla Lily should be kept nearly or quite dry
during the summer months. The best place
for these lilies during the summer is to lay
the pots on their sides about the first of June
or as soon as the plants are out of flower. A
shaded position under trees or in the shade
of a building or fence is a good place for
them while dormant. Re-pot them in Au-
gust if necessary, but do not overpot them,
as too large a pot often means a lot
of leaves and no lilies. Give the plants lots

Fig. 2765. Anthericum Picturatum.

Dutch hyacinths and several varieties of
Narcissi, such as Von Scion, Poeticus, and
the Trumpet, are among the best and
easiest varieties of bulbs to grow in a win-
dow, although the Jonquils and other types
of Narcissi than those mentioned succeed
splendidly as window plants. These last
mentioned species of bulbs are later flower-
ing than the Roman hyacinths, and do not
usually come into flower until February or
later. When potting these later flowering
bulbs it would be advisable to bury the pots
in the cellar, or plunge them in some posi-
tion where they can be protected from very
severe frosts. A certain amount of freez-
ing will not hurt them, but it is difficult to
remove the pots without injury when they

U2

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

of water whilst they are in a growing condi-
tion, never allow the soil to become quite dry.
Some drainage placed at the bottom of the
pot when repotting is advisable. Use light
rich soil for callas.

Many varieties of begonia make splendid
window plants for winter. Among the most
satisfactory is the beautiful golden blotched
leaf variety, Begonia manicata aurea. This
is, in my opinion, the best window begonia
we have for winter use. Begonia argentea
guttata is also another useful variety, also
the Paul Bruant variety. The Begonia in-
carnata rosea, with its pretty pale pink blos-
some, that it produces so freely at Christmas

Fig. 2766. Hybrid Rex Bei.onia, Bertha
McGkegok.

time, is another that should not be over-
looked, but it is rather more delicate than
those first mentioned.

The Rex, or ornamental leaved Begonia,
make pretty window plants. Many people
fail with these begonias from placing them
in a sunny position in the window and by
over-potting them. All Begonias like a
light soil to grow in, one third of fine sharp
sand and two thirds of fairly rich loamy pot-
ting soil makes a good admixture of soil for
Begonias. A little well rotted leaf soil
mixed in will be beneficial. Use nearly an

inch of drainage in the pots when potting
Begonias. Begonias like a temperature of
65 to 70 degrees, but do not like much real
hot sun, preferring partial shade, at noon
especially.

Many more varieties of Begonias could
be mentioned, but those I have named are
among the best for windows in winter.

A very easily grown and effective window
plant is the Anthericum picturatum. Its
pretty striped foliage makes it a bright, con-
spicuous feature at any season of the year,
more particularly in winter, its silvery, rib-
bon-like leaves contrasting very prettily with
the almost universal green of the foliage of
winter window plants. These plants like a
temperature of about 65 degrees, and re-
quire a rather shaded position in the win-
dow. Plenty of water should be given
them, as a very dry condition of the soil of-
ten results in serious injury, and perhaps the
total loss of the plant, if the drought is of
long duration.

There are many other species of plants
suitable and comparatively 'easy of culture,
but time will only allow of a few being men-
tioned. Among them is the Cyperus alterni-
folia or Umbrella plant, that delights in a
warm, partially shaded window, where the
sun does not strike at noonday. Given this
position, with plenty of water at the roots,
and its foliage also given a dip once or twice
a week in water, its whorls of delicate green
leaves will retain their freshness much
longer than if they are kept in a dry, over-
heated atmosphere.

Many of the varieties of Cactus help to re-
lieve the sameness that a collection of win-
dow plants often present in winter. Cactus
like plenty of drainage in the pot, plenty of
sand (nearly half) in the potting soil, and
not too frequent watering. The Lobster
Cactus (Epiphyllum truncatum) as well as
a few of the quicker growing Cactus of the
Phyllocactus type, may like a little richer and
heavier soil, but there is danger even to

WINTER WINDOW GARDENING.

'33

these, unless plenty of drainage is given, as
well as care in watering, as they are very
liable to rot at the base of the growth, es-
pecially if over-potted.

The Farfugium grande (Leopard plant)
is also a good window plant, its thick leath-
ery gold spotted leaves being particularly
noticeable in a window. It delights in a
rather cool shaded window, requiring plenty
of moisture at the roots. This is one among
the few plants that succeed better in a win-
dow than in most greenhouses. It is sel-
dom a good specimen is seen in a green-
house, whilst handsome specimens, a foot or
two in diameter, are often, seen in dwelling
house windows, as well as on verandahs in
summer.

The Ficus elastica (rubber plant) is also
a good enduring window plant. Its leaves
require sponging frequently to increase and
preserve the glossy green of its foliage ; the
latter, together with its power of resisting
gas and the bad effect of a dry temperature,
being its chief points of recommendation as
a window plant, as it is not of a very grace-
ful appearance, even under the very best
conditions.

Amongst climbing or trailing plants the
several varieties of Tradescantia or Wander-
ing Jew, as well as the variegated Japanese
Vincas or Periwinkles cannot be omitted.
The Saxifraga sarmentosa (Spider wort or
Mother of Thousands) is also a splendid
plant for a hanging pot or basket in a win-
dow.

The rampant climbing plant known as the
German or Cape Ivy is a grand climber for
the window, a single plant often covering
the entire window.

During the address practical illustrations
were given by the lecturer of the methods
of propagating most of the plants men-
tioned. The method of propagating the
Ficus or Rubber plant by mossing partially
severed cuttings, whilst the branch or cut-

ting is still left on the plant, was most in-
teresting. Cutting up the leaves of the Rex
Begonia into discs and sectional cuttings
from the leaves of these plants was also ful-
ly illustrated and described, as well as the
best methods and seasons of the year for
propagating them. Propagation from ter-
minal cuttings from plants, such as the
fuchsias, geraniums, begonias, etc., was fully
illustrated and explained, as well as sectional
stem cuttings, and raising plants from root
cuttings, natural specimens being used in the
different demonstrations made during the
progress of the address.

It was also explained that clean, sharp,
fine sand placed in well drained pots or shal-
low boxes was the best material for rooting
cuttings of most window plants, the sum-
mer time being the season when success was
most likely to crown the efforts of the ama-
teur in increasing his stock of window
plants from cuttings of any kind.

The best kind of soil to furnish the basis
of a good potting compost for window-
plants is obtained by cutting sod from a pas-
ture field where the soil is of a loamy nature,
and the grass kept fed down. Cut the sod
about four inches thick and the size over of
a spade. Make a pile of sufficient size of
this sod by first laying two thicknesses of
sod with the grass side downward, then put
about the depth of one sod, three or four
inches, of cow manure. Continue this suc-
cession of sod and manure until the pile is
large enough. Make the pile outside in a
corner of the garden away from chickens
and animals. In six months it will be
ready for use. This compost can be tem-
pered with sand or leaf soil as required for
plants that require a very light soil, such as
begonias, fuchsias, ferns, etc. ; but for
geraniums, roses, bulbs, and the majority of
window plants, the sod compost will suit
splendidly, especially if the sod is taken
from a sandy loam soil.

Tqe Gogdign i|ortic(iIt(irist

COPY for Journal should reach the editor as early in the month as possible, never later than the 12th. It should be addressed to
L. Woolverton, Grimsby, Ontario.

SUBSCRIPTION PRICE, $1.00 per year, entitling the subscriber to membership of the Fruit Growers' Association of Ontario and
11 its privileges, including a copy of its valuable Annual Report, and a share in its annual distribution of plants and trees.

"RE.VlITTANCES by Registered Letter or Post-Office Order addressed The Secretary of the Fruit Growers' Association, Parliament
Buildings, Toronto, are at our risk. Receipts will be acknowledged upon the Addpess Label.

ADVERTISING RATES quoted on application. Circulation, 5,500 per month. Copy received up to 20th.
^''I LOCAL NEWS — Correspondents will greatly oblige by sending to the Editor early intelligence of local events or doings of
Horticultural Societies likely to be of interest to our readers, or of any matters which it is desirable to bring under the notice of
Horticultu lists. v

ILLUSTRATIONS— The Editor will thanktuUy receive and select photographs or drawings, suitable for reproduction in these
pages, of gardens, or of remarkable plants, flowers, trees, etc. ; bur he cannot be responsible for [oss or injury.

NEW.SPAPERS — Correspondents sending newspapers should be careful to mark the paragraphs they wish the Editor to see.
f^ DISCONTINUANCES — Remember that the publisher must be notified by letter or post -card when a subscriber wishes his paper
stopped. All arrearages must be paid. Returning your paper will not enable us to to discontinue it, as we cannot find your name on our
books unless your Post-Office address is given. Societies should send in their revised lists in January, if possible, otherwise we take it for
granted that all will continue members.

,. „ ADDRESS money letters, subscriptions and business letters of every kind to the Secretary of the Ontario Fruit Growers' Association
Department of Agriculture, Toronto, to whom all POST OFFICE ORDERS, cheques, postal notes, etc., should be made payable.

THE CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF FALL
FAIRS.

H. B. Cowan, the New Superintendent.

The two days' convention of the Canadian
Association of Fall Fairs and Exhibitions, held
in Toronto, was one of the most successful, sys-
tematic and beneficial sessions in the history of
the organization. The attendance was large,
and great interest was manifested throughout
in the proceedings.

The association's officers for the coming year
are : President, W. B. Sanders, Stayner; 1st
vice-president, J. W. Shepperd, Cayuga; 2nd
vice-president, James Mitchell, Goderich ; re-
cording secretary, Alex. McFarlane, Otterville;
corresponding secretary, H. B. Cowan, Toronto;
directors, J. T. Murphy, Simcoe; Ed. Jeff, Bond
Head; Rev. C. B. Clark, Russell; Chas. Walker,
Erin; W. E. Smallfield, Renfrew; R. R. Hall,
Parry Sound; Allan Gray, Uxbridge.

The first paper of the day was that of Prof. C.
A. Zavitz, of the O. A. C, Guelph, who spoke on
" Experimental Plots in Fair Grounds." Mr.
Zavitz spoke of the striking increase in value of
Ontario's crops, which he attributed largely to
the seed plots at the Guelph College. The

Whitby Fair had first introduced plots, and
since then five other Ontario fairs had done so,
while applications for seed had come from Que-
bec and the Maritime Provinces. Mr. Zavitz
predicted that in the ensuing five years the fall
fairs would exert a greater influence in improv-
ing crops than they had done in half a century.
Mr. C. C. James, Deputy Minister of Agricul-
ture, stated his opinion that the fall fair should
be purely educative. He believed the farmer
should have amusement, but he should have it
all the year round, and not expect to get it only
for two days at his fall fair. He urged that
the rate of advance the past five years be main-
tained.

Enterprising Poultry.

The last item on the morning's program was
a talk on " Poultry Culture " by W. R. Graham,
of the Ontario Agricultural College. He made
the surprising statement that the hens at the
college had been laying all through the cold
weather, even one day when it was 13 degrees
below zero in the coop. This he laughingly
cited as a result of educating the hens. The
hens were not kept warm, but were given exer-
cise and fresh air.

At the afternoon session W. A. MacKinnon,
chief of the fruit division at Ottawa, gave a

THE EXPORT APPLE TRADE.

135

valuable address on " Fruit at Fall Fairs." He
advised that exhibitions of fruit be separated
into two classes — commercial and amateur.
The commercial class should again be classified
as export or domestic. The former should be
shown packed in barrels ready for shipment, and
in boxes, wrapped and unwrapped. Those in-
tended for domestic sale should be shown
packed in baskets, barrels and boxes. He said
that the Dominion Department of Agriculture
was willing to give all possible assistance and
to supply expert judges for fruit exhibitions.

This Year's Outlook.

Mr. Creelman, in an address on " The Outlook
for Fall Fairs in 1904," suggested that smaller
associations be formed, embracing districts
whose products were in common. In a central
association, covering so much territory, it was
possible to deal with subjects only in a general
way.

Mr. H. B. Cowan, who succeeds Mr. Creelman
as superintendent of agricultural societies, out-
lined his proposed work for 1904. He advocated
liberal advertising of fairs, a convention of sec-
retaries for rautual benefit, careful attention to
the interests of the farmer, the main support of
the fall fairs, and unity of effort by groups of
adjacent fairs, including the hiring of a mana-
ger to devote his whole time to a group of fairs.
Mr. Cowan also proposed a method of insuring
fairs against financial loss by reason of rain on
exhibition dates.

The usual votes of thanks to the city authori-
ties, the speakers and press were passed, and
the convention was closed. — The Mail-Empire.

ending February 13, 1904, were 2,922,906 barrels
as compared with 2,097,581 barrels for the corre-
sponding period last year, showing an increase
of 825,325 barrels. — ^Fruit Trade Journal.

THE EXPORT APPLE TRADE.

Late advices from Liverpool report a good
market for all arrivals of sound stock which
have sold at steadily advancing prices. Ac-
count sales have just been received from Liver-
pool of a lot of 150 barrels of Golden Russets
netting the shipper $3.40 in the west, a lot of
100 barrels Baldwins netting $3.10 in the west,
and 100 barrels of Greenings netting $3.00. A
choice lot of Golden Russets netted the shipper
a fraction over $4.00 per barrel. The same
western shipper, however, admits that by the
same mail he received returns of two lots that
only netted him 75c and $1.10 i)er barrel respec-
tively, on account of a portion of the fruit being
frosted. But on the whole he is well satisfied
with the result of his shipments this season up
to the present; but what he is afraid of is that
as the market on the other side has held up so
well, that shippers will be induced to send for-
ward second qualities, a considerable quantity
of which it is said is still held in the west, and
which it is difHcult to dispose of to the local
trade. Up to the present it is generally ad-
mitted that Canadian shippers have realized
good average profits this season, and a Montreal
firm is reported to have made splendid gains on
its Nova Scotian shipments to London market.
The total exports of apples from Canada and the
United States for the present season up to week

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION SHOULD
LEAD IN THIS.

At the Ontario Fruit Growers' convention
Principal Mills, of the Ontario Agricultural Col-
lege, made a suggestion that has elicited con-
siderable discussion, and may lead to a most
important change in the railway freight charges.
The suggestion was that the Dominion Govern-
ment should be asked to establish an express
branch in connection with the postal service.
The railway freight rates are much too high,
but the charges in a service carrying small par-
cels in connection with the postofHces is already
in existence and works in a most satisfactory
manner. With our express business national-
ized it would be possible to take a package of
butter, eggs or fruit to any postoflace on rail line
and have the same delivered to the customer
more promptly and at very much less cost than
now. It would be a great gain to the farmers
and to the consuming portion of the community.
In Canada a large proportion of the cost of rail-
way construction has been borne by the tax-
payers, and it is now proposed by the Laurier
Government to increase the grants out of the
people's treasury to the Grand Trunk by many
millions of dollars. It is then quite time that
the people should study their own interests
more, and the suggestion of Principal Mills re-
garding nationalizing the express service is a
ease which every intelligent citizen should
adopt and press to a conclusion favorable to the
people. The Fruit Growers' Association might
very properly lead the way in the agitation, and
it is to be hoped the association will do so. —
Bobcaygeon Independent.

FRUIT FOR ST. LOUIS.

JMr. T. H. Race, editor of the Mitchell Re-
corder, has been appointed as the Dominion
Fruit Commissioner at the St. Louis Exposition,
and expects to spend the greater portion of the
summer at the place. He will have entire
charge of the fruit exhibit of the Dominion.

" I think Canada will make a splendid show-
ing in the line of fruit," he said in a recent in-
terview. " All arrangements have been com-
pleted, and the growers are responding well.
The exhibit should be a good advertisement for
this country, especially as it is to be housed in
a very fine building which Canada is erecting.
There will be a fine showing of all agricultural
products, save live stock, and I can scarcely say
that I blame the stockmen for the stand they
have taken in the matter, as the conditions were
certainly most vexatious."

Mr. Race has been addressing institute meet-
ings, which on account of the weather have not
been as well attended as in former years. This
does not mean any diminution of interest in the

136

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

work, but the terrible state of the roads is en-
tirely the cause. Farmers are quite unable to
get out to attend the meetings, and with the
best desire in the world to hear what the speak-
ers have to say, they are impotent to help them-
selves. Last year was about the best in the in-
stitute work.

SPREAD THE FRUIT AROUND.

How Canadian Shippers May Obtain Good
Prices.

Mr. Peter Ball, Canadian Commercial Agent
at Birmingham, advises Canadian apple ship-
pers not to pour the whole of their fruit crop
into London, Liverpool, Manchester and Glas-
gow, within a few weeks, for sale in auction
rooms, but to spread them over the different
towns, placing them in the hands of firms who
could take regular supplies. The latter course
would pay better.

," I could place," he states, " among different
towns in this district up to 10,000 barrels a
week, divided among respectable men, if any of
our apple shippers would care to get into com-
munication for regular supplies." It was most
unfortunate that Canadians shipped so many
apples just before Christmas. At the present
time it is almost impossible to purchase Cana-
dian apples in the market. Spys, Russets and
Baldwins, which went for 12s 6d and 14s a bar-
rel, now command fro^m 21s to 25s.

CANNED AND EVAPORATED GOODS
TRADE.

Mr. A. W. Grindley, agent of the Department
of Agriculture in Great Britain, gives the fol-
lowing information in regard to the trade in
canned and evaporated goods during 1903, in ad-
dition to the extracts from his annual report,
published last week.

Fruit Pulps.

There is a good demand for the following
fruit pulps, which can be put up in Canada :
Strawberry, raspberry, gooseberry, black cur-
rant, peaches, pears, apricots.

The above fruits are largely used in jam fac-
tories in Great Britain.

Canadian packers of fruit pulps should ob-
serve the following points :

1. Use a heavy grade of charcoal tin plates
for making the cans.

2. Do not use resin for soldering the inside
seams, as the least portion imparts a bad flavor
to the contents.

3. One gallon tins are preferable to cans
holding five gallons, chiefly because there is less
loss in case of a puncture or other cause of
damage.

4. For colored pulps an internally lacquered
tin is very much preferred.

5. No coloring matter or preservatives of any
kind should be added.

6. Have cases holding cans made strongly
and with tight covers, not slats.

NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF FRUIT
GROWERS.

At the annual meeting of the Nova Scotia
Fruit Growers' Association at Bridgewater it
was mentioned that the Dominion Minister of
Agriculture had received a communication from
leading fruit growers of Prince Edward Island,
New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, asking him
to call together at Ottawa a conference of re-
presentative fruit growers from all the provin-
ces of Canada to discuss matters of national in-
terest, such matters as might call for legisla-
tion by the federal parliament, or matters that
might require unanimous action on the part of
the fruit growers of this country. In this con-
nection Mr. W. A. McKinnon, chief of the Fruit
Division, Ottawa, referred to the advisability
of concerted action regarding such subjects as
transportation, legislation, uniformity of pack-
ages, etc., and said that the Hon. Sydney Fisher
and Prof. Robertson would welcome a full dis-
cussion of the proposal and an expression of
opinion from the Nova Scotia and other provin-
cial fruit growers' associations. The matter
will accordingly be taken up by a committee of
the Nova Scotia Fruit Growers' Association,
some members of which suggested the forma-
tion of a Canadian Pomological Society of na-
tional character and scope.

APPPLE BARREL STAVES.

A leading Guelph apple shipper writes the
Fruit Division, Ottawa, that he can use from
12,000 to 15,000 barrels every year, and that it n
is his intention to buy the staves and make his
own barrels hereafter. He says: "The trade
will have to make great preparations, because
all staves in the country will now be very green
wood, and I should specially warn your depart-
ment to urge all stave dealers to get drying
kilns vrarking so that stock will be O. K. when
needed."

FRAUDULENT APPLE PACKING.

Under the above heading the Winnipeg Com-
mercial of February 6th hd^ an editorial of
more than ordinary interest to the fruit ship-
pers of Ontario. The article says: "Another
Ontario fruit man was fined at Winnipeg last
week for attempting to sell apples in this mar-
ket which had been falsely marked and packed.
The offender had not even the excuse that he
was ignorant of the law to offer, and his guilt
was even increased by the fact that he had been
warned for the same offence before. If we are
to judge the Ontario fruit shippers by the pro-
portion of them fined here for dishonesty of this
kind the opinion would be formed that more
than an ordinary percentage of them are worth
watching in business; and if we are to judge
Ontario business men generally by the standard
which this would set up for the fruit men, there
is danger that the good opinion of them hereto-
fore held will have to be considerably modified.
The number and extent of the frauds exposed

CANADIAN APPLES IN FRANCE.

137

by the operations of the inspectors working un-
der the Fruit Marks Act has been such that the
public may well believe that before the act went
into effect honest packing was the exception
rather than the rule. It is to be hoped that the
recent police court experiences of Ontario ship-
pers to this market, of which the above men-
tioned case is a sample, will have the effect of
stopping the dishonest practices which, if con-
tinued, can only have the one effect of driving
Ontario out of this market altogether."

THE FRUIT PROSPECTS.

It is a little early to say much about the fruit
crop of 1904. but it is a question of such im-
portance to fruit growers that we welcome even
the probabilities. The winter has been one of
such universal severity that the peach and sweet
cherry buds in even the most favored parts of
the province have been very severely thinned,
and in the less favored places almost entirely
destroyed. In our own orchards we find from
one-third to one-half the peach buds black at
heart when cut open transversely ; but, unless
the injury is more extended than this would in-
dicate, a sufficient number are still alive to se-
cure a good peach crop. If the reports are true
that New York and Michigan peach buds are
destroyed, then we have a fair prospect for
good prices in 1904.

Pears and plums are injured in sections far-
ther north, and even apples will be most severe-
ly tested in their most northerly limits.

Mr. J. S. Mitchell, Clarksburg, near Colling-
wood, writes :

" Peach buds seem to be badly hurt. All other
fruits are all right and prospects good. We
have had no thaw this winter. Most ice in
Georgian Bay in forty years, and deepest snow
I ever saw. Great damage done by mice, es-
pecially in uncultivated or grass orchards."

Mr. Harold Jones, of Maitland, near Brock-
ville, writes :

" It is too early in the season to state definitely
the condition of the fruit trees in this section.
The long continued cold weather and deeply
frozen ground has caused some shrivelling of
twigs and buds on the apple trees, but I cannot
see any serious injury as yet.

"Pears and plums will likely suffer serious in-
jury, as much of the wood is darkened, and
cherries are in an uncertain condition.

" The thermometer in January registered as
low as 38 and 40 degrees below zero, and we
have had steady cold with very few days above
zero since January last."

Mr. W. H. Bunting, of St. Catharines, writes :

" It is generally conceded that peach buds are
pretty well destroyed, although not entirely so.
A great many of the older trees are also badly
frozen, and in some cases will not in all probo-
bility recover. It is quite too early to discover
whether root killing has obtained to any de-
gree, but from the fact that we have had a
great deal of severe weather, with little snow
covering the ground during portions of the win-
ter, this trouble may be in evidence later on.
Under favorable circumstances we could hardly

expect a repetition of last season's heavy crop
of fruit this year. I would therefore not be
surprised if the coming season should be marked
by a very great decrease in the production of
our tender fruits."

CANADIAN APPLES IN FRANCE.

That only the finest qualities of firm fruit will
bring profitable returns when exported to Eu-
rope is again made manifest. "Writing to Mr.
W. A. MacKinnon, chief of the Fruit Division,
Ottawa, M. W. Richeux, of the firm of Cham-
pagne Freres, Limited, Paris, says: "In August
and September last we had occasion to write
you and take advantage of your kindness to ob-
tain information about the apple business in
your country, and also about the line of steam-
ers from Canada to France. As was foreseen,
and for the first time, this year Canadian and
American apples have come to France in im-
portant quantities, on account of the French
crop being almost a complete failure, and we
are glad to say that the best goods have ob-
tained satisfactory prices, although the market
is not so very good at present. We are, how-
ever, of opinion that it will soon recover, and
that prices will rise again, but what we want in
France are the best qualities and hard and
strong apples that will arrive in good condition.
Any arriving in somewhat doubtful condition
will sell very much lower. We have started
this business ourselves, and hope to receive
some Canadian apples and obtain satisfactory
results."

THE NORTH OF IRELAND MARKET.

Once again the attention of the Fruit Division,
Ottawa, has been called to the excellent market
that exists in the north of Ireland for first-class
Canadian fruit and other food products. This
time it is Mr. R. Andrews, 56 Clifton Park
avenue, Belfast, who mentions the fact that this
market is not properly cultivated by Canadian
shippers, and who desires to be put in com-
munication with some of these gentlemen. He
is in a position to do general commission trade,
and would undertake agency for Canadian
manufacturers as well as produce in the north
of Ireland, where he has good connections.

A similar request has also been received from
Albert Cabaret, 77 Bd. Gouvion, St. Cyr, Paris,
France. Mr. Cabaret is prepared to handle all
lines of Canadian goods, including fruit, of
which considerable quantities have been ex-
ported to France this season.

JOHN H. DUNLOP

Lansdowne Ave., Toronto, Ont.

Makes a specialty of . . .

POSES, CARNATIONS
AND VIOLETS ^ ^ ^

Growing these to the greatest perfection, in immense
quantities, and with specially built houses for the
purpose, thus ensuring strong, clean, healthy stock.

Write him for anything you equire in young plants of

roses or carnations.

Write for catalogue or call in person and visit the greenhouses.

The pussy-willow and the hazel know,
The bluebird and the robin, what rings true ;
I trust to such, and let the whiners go.
Bravo ! Bluff March ; I swing my hat to you.
— Country Life in America.

m

A Golden Rule
of Agriculture:

Be good to your land and your crop
will be good. Plenty of

Potash

in the fertilizer spells quality
and quantity in the har-
vest. Write us and
we will send you,
freey by next mail,
our money winning
books.

GERMAN KALI WORKS,

93 Nassau Street,

New York.

WE TRUST YOU

With 2 doz. large beautifully

colored packages of Sweet

Pea Seeds to sell for us aX'-

lOc. each. For your trouble we

will give you a beautiful little Watch

with Gold hands on which a large rose

with buds and leaves is elegantly

enamelled In seven colors. Edna

Kobinson, Powasson, Ont., says; "My

watch is a perfect beau ly." Write us

a Post ()ar4l to-day and we will

send you the Seeds postpaid. A 50c.

Certificate free with each package.

Gracie Brown, Ch';yerie, NS., said : i sold all the Seeds

in a few minutes." TKS DOMINION SEED

CO I, DEPT. 875» TORONTO* ONTARIO.

EVERGREENS

Hardy sorts, Nursery grown, for wind-
breaks, ornament and hedges. Prepaid, $1
lu$lU |ier lOU-50 Great Barcrains to select
from. Write at once for free Catalogut
and Hargain Sheet. I-ocal Age»t» wanted.

U.HIII/sprc?aiis?,Duntlee,lll.

Trees

True to Name

We sell only the best
rooted, straight, clean,
well branched trees, true
to name, at attractive
prices.

For Sale at Bargain Prices

New Niagara Peach Trees, 3 to 4 ft. high, at $6.76
per 100. Apple Trees, S6.00 per 100 and up.
Standard Pears, $8.00 per 100 and up. Plums,
$ 1 0.00 per 100 and Cherries, $ 1 6.00 per 1 00 and
up. Tliese trees are 4 to 6 feet high and desir-
able for orchard planting. Send for our new Uapage
illustrated catalog. Sena us a list of your wants tor
special prices. We can save you money.

Green's Nursery Co., Rochester, N.Y.

Mr.nt'fyn this paper and get copff of Fruit Magazine free.

GREGORYS

SEEDS

Famous for nearly half a century
for their freshness, purity and reli-
ability— the safest, surest seeds to
sow. Ask anyone who has ever
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warrants.
Send to-day for free catalogue.

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Slarblehead, Mass.

WOMEN

Send for our illustrated catalogue free.
I^adies' Toilette Supply Co.

313 Garfield Block, Clyde, 111.

To anyone who will prove we do not do as we advertise.

We wantto have our marvellous household remedies used by
every family in America, and we 1 ntend to give away at least
2.1.000 UIN.NER SKTS in order to do this. Co you want one?
Please note the only conditions: Send usyournameand ad-
dress and we will send you eight boxes of our remedies; sell
each box at 25c. .andretnrn us ONLY $1.00 of the $2.00 receiv-
ed for the sale of our medicine. This $1.00 is to show your good
faith and that you really wantthe dishes. The second dollar

?ou send us ONLY after you receive the dishes and have ac-
ually used them, and are entirely satisfied that they are equal
to any $10.00 set you can purchase in the country. We trust
you with the dlslies and also with $1.00 received tor our medi-
cine Wedothis becauseyoumayhavebeenfooledbysomefake
concern; and wewantymitothoroughlyappreciateour honesty.
The dinner set consists of 56 pieces, andisFDLL size for family
tise; including soup plates, dmner, tea, and bread plates; cups
and saucers, cover dishes, coffee pot, butter and milk pitcher.
They are hsnclsoiiiely decorated ^thblue, green and gold. Or we will allow you 50 per cent, commission for selling our assorted
remedies. COLONIAL MEDICINE COMPANY. No. 71 BROADWAY. Dei^.97, NEW YORK.

When Writing to Advertisers Please IVIention This Journal.

fje (anadian tjorticdltCrist

APRIL, 1904

Volume XXVII

Number 4

PRESIDENT MAS

A NEW FRGNCH PEAR OF FINE APPEARANCE

IT is contrary to our rules in editing this
journal to give prominence to novel-
ties that have not been at least fairly well
tested by our fruit stations ; but, for three
years past, a new French pear, in our dwarf
pear orchard at Maplehurst, has proved to
be of such fine size and quality, and ripens
<iuring such a favorable season, that we feel
warranted in using it as a frontispiece to
this number, even before distributing it
among our experimenters for further trial.

We have it dwarfed on quince stock, and
the tree is doing fairly well; but, according
to AI. Baltet, Troyes, France, it is a weak
grower on this stock and succeeds much bet-
ter on pear stock. The tree appears to be
productive. The fruit is very large and
fine, yellowing in color as it ripens, some-
what like the Anjou. The flesh is melting,
juicy, vinous, and very good in quality. Its
season is December and January.

PEARS FOR EXPORT

IN planting pear trees, or indeed any kind
of fruit trees, one needs to consider
first of all the market in which they are to
be sold. If they are to go to a near mar-
ket, such perishable varieties as Giffard,
Bartlett, Clapp's Favorite, Boussock, etc.,
are quite in place ; but if intended for Great
Britain or our own great Northwest, then
varieties of better shipping properties must
be chosen. It is only during the last few
years that we fruit growers dared dream of
exporting tender fruits at all ; and, when cold
storage accommodation was oflfered, many

of us were over-confident and sent forward
large quantities of those tender pears and
peaches which we had originally planted
with a view of selling in our own mar-
kets. The results, on the whole, of our ex-
periments in exporting Crawford peaches,
Bartlett pears, tomatoes and grapes, have
been most discouraging, because these
fruits would not stand up long enough after
arrival to reach the consumers.

We must therefore advise our Ontario
fruit growers against planting such kinds
for export ; and in favor of firmer fleshed

142

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

varieties. One of these is the Louise, a
beautiful autumn pear, when grown as a
dwarf on good rich soil ; another is the
Howell, a large yellow pear, following the
Bartlett, and succeeding best as a standard.
The dwarf Duchess is an admirable export
variety when grown on thrifty trees, so as
to be free from knots and scabs. It is large
and has already made for itself a market in
Great Britain. Another is the Anjou, a large
yellow pear of delicious buttery flesh, which
is easily kept until Christmas. The Bosc
is another excellent export variety ; it is a

large and beautiful russety pear, with a long
neck, of a delicious flavor when fully ripe.
It does not succeed as a dwarf, neither does
it make a good trunk when grown as a root
graft on pear stock, and therefore it should
be top worked on some good upright grow-
ing variety. For this some recommend the
Kieffer ; and we hope wisely, for there is no
question that we have too many orchards of
this miserable pear already planted in On-
tario, and the owners will soon need either
to root them out or to use them for top
working with better kinds.

%&Atoxm\ %otts

April is a busy month for the fruit
grower. Winter has relaxed her icy grip
and the fields and the orchards call for the
owner's undivided attention.
* * *

Furrows and ditches should be kept open
for the rapid escape of the surface water, so
that the land may be the sooner ready for
use. Stakes should be set along low places
where water stands to mark where drains
are needed.

Any land that remains too wet to spade
or plow for more than a week after frost
and snow have disappeared in spring needs
draining ; and the same may be said of land
in which water is found in holes dug two
feet deep for two or three days after a soak-
ing rain.

5jc :*: 3)«

Packages for fruit should be secured
early in the season. This lesson was well
learned last season, when barrels that could
be purchased in July or August at 30 cents
advanced in October to 50 cents, and were

almost impossible to buy at that price. The
basket makers will now store with the fruit
grower as many baskets as he chooses to or-
der, and wait until the fruit harvest for his
money ; and this opportunity is worth tak-
ing advantage of.

There is plenty op work for the rainy
days, cleaning up and grinding tools, paint-
ing the woodwork of plows, harrows, culti-
vators and old wagons. Besides all the farm
harness, much of which has been unused for
months, now needs cleaning and oiling with
great care.

The Raspberry Plantation

INTEREST in the growing of this fruit
has again revived, owing to an im-
provement in prices, which a few years igo
were so discouraging that many rooted up
their plantations. Notwithstanding the
many new varieties, the Cuthbert is still the
leading commercial raspberry for main crop,
though the Phoenix is worthy of a place
with it in the opinion of Mr. Sherrington.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

143

Fig. 2769. How to Prune Raspberries.

of Walkerton. Turner, Reliance and Marl-
boro are the best early varieties, the latter,
however, having the preference both for
shipping quality and productiveness.

Pruning the Raspberry

IF not already done, the work of cutting
out the dead canes should be finished
this month to give room for the new growth.
Not only should the dead canes be cut out,
but the superfluous young canes should be
removed for five or six canes to each stool
are quite sufficient, and too many will
tend to choke the vigor of the planta-
tion. The pruning of the bushes themselves
should be done very closely, as the small,
weak ends of the canes will not yield much
fruit, and yet they withdraw strength from
the bearing buds. These should be cut
back to where the buds are strong and well
developed; and the side branches should
also be cut back in the same way as the
canes, leaving short stubs from three to four
inches in length. Both blackcaps, and red
raspberries, the Cuthbert especially, may be
treated in this way. The method will be
better understood from the accompanving
engraving (Fig. 2768) than from a whole
paragraph of reading matter.

The Past, Present and Future of
the Canadian Horticulturist

THE first number of this journal ap-
peared at St. Catharines in January,
1878, so that on the first of January, 1904,
it completed twenty-six years of its history.
That number was a little sixteen-page
monthly, and as an introduction Mr. D. W.
Beadle, who had been the efficient secretary
of the Association since i860, wrote as fol-
lows :

The directors of the Fruit Growers' Associa-
tion have long- felt the importance of having a
monthly publication as a medium of communica-
tion between the members, and a means of im-
parting information on subjects of interesit more
frequently and promptly than can be done by
the annual report. And now, after careful de-
liberation, they have decided to make the ex-
periment, and commence to-day the issue of the
Horticulturist, in the hope that it will find favor
with the members. It will be devoted chiefly
to the publication of such information as is
sought after by those who are interested in fruit
culture, yet not neglecting those kindred sub-
jects which are closely connected with that pur-
suit. The lover of fruits is also usually a lover
of flowers, and delights to surround the house
with a well kept lawn. It will therefore con-
tain occasional articles intended to guide and
. help those who seek to cultivate flowering
plants and shrubs, and to make their grounds
bright with summer flowers. And if the less
showy, but not less important vegetalble garden
should have a place now and then in these
pages, there are those among the readers, it is
believed, who will welcome any timely informa-
tion in this department also.

But while the directors will spare no pains to
make the Horticulturist acceptable and profit-
able, it will nevertheless be, in a very large de-
gree, what the members shall make it. If they
shall use it as the medium through which they
tell each other of success and of failure with
particular fruits, flowers, trees, etc., then will
it become what the directors hope, a mirror, in
which is reflected continually the horticultural
progress and skill of Ontario. They ask, there-
fore, that the members will regard it as their
publication, put forth in their interests, to help
them in whatever way they can, and to be used
by them for the promotion of horticulture in
this Ca;nada of ours.

Mr. Beadle was well qualified to edit such
a magazine, having had a college education
as well as a practical training in horticulture.
Under his able editorship the journal be-
came very valuable to fruit growers, and the

144

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST

membership of our Association grew from
a couple of hundred to nearly 2,000.

In the year 1887 he was succeeded by the
present editor, Mr. Linus Woolverton, of
whom it is not our place to speak, except
to say that his qualifications for the work
were similar to those of Dr. Beadle, he
being a graduate of the University of To-
ronto and having an extensive practical ex-
perience in both fruit growing and nursery
business.

Thanks to the in-
terest taken in our
journal by the fruit
and flower lovers
of Canada, the jour-
nal has grown to
more than three
times the size of its
first issue, and has
now a circula-
tion of over five
thousand. It is
quoted as an au-
thority in fruit mat-
ters not only by
Canadian, American
and European jour-
nals, but even by
governmental ve-
ports, all of which
is a matter for con-
gratulation.

Two years ago
the combined work

of editor, secretary and treasurer for our As-
sociation became too heavy for one person,
and Mr. G. C. Creelman was appointed
secretary-treasurer, thus relieving Mr.
Woolverton of that part of the work.
No better organizer of men and af-
fairs could have been selected, and his
excellent work in working up fruit in-
stitutes, out of door meetings at our ex-
periment stations, and local fruit growers'
associations, has been most highly apprc-

FiG. 2770. Mr. D. W. Beadle

ciated. But before he had time to perfect
his plans for the benefit of fruit growers, he
was invited to take a still more responsible
position, and the executive committee of our
Association was compelled to act quickly in
the appointment of a successor.

Fortunately for us all, it became possible
to secure the services of Mr. H. B. Cowan,
the successful editor of the Ottawa Valley
Journal, who though only a young man, has
shown such marked
ability in extend-
ing the subscription,
list of that journal
and in making it
popular among the
farmers, that we
have great confi-
dence in what he is
able to do for our
journal and for the
extension of the
work of our Asso-
ciation. Although
superintendent of
fall fairs also, this
will not prevent
his giving a large
share of his time to
the business man-
agement and assist-
ant editorship of the
Canadian Horticul-
turist.
Mr. H. B. Cowan,
the new superintendent of fairs, al-
though only 26 years of age, has had
considerable experience in public mat-
ters. In 1 90 1, as editor of the Ottawa Val-
ley Journal, he organized one of the largest
plowing matches ever held in Canada. The
counties in Eastern Ontario held county
matches and sent their junior and senior
champions to compete in the final match at
Ottawa for the championship of Eastern
Ontario and Western Ouebec. The two

EDITORIAL NOTES.

145

Provincial and Dominion governments fur-
nished judges. His active efforts in favor
of road improvement resulted in the forma-
tion of the Eastern Ontario Good Roads
Association, of which he has been secretary
since its organization. In this work he be-
came known through planning and manag-
ing the good roads train which built several
miles of model stretches of roads in the
various counties of Eastern Ontario as ob-
ject lessons.

Three years ago
he arranged the
first circuit of fairs
ever held in the
province. Ten fairs
joined the circuit
and secured the ex-
pert judges. The
experiment was
such a success that
it has since grown
rapidly throughout
the provinces. He
arranged for the
holding of cham-
pionship athletic
meets at all the
fairs, with a final
meet for the cham-
pions at Ottawa.
These contests have
been held three
years in succession,
and have proved

very successful. The offering of a ban-
ner for the best conducted fair in East-
ern Ontario and Western Quebec was
also Mr. Cowan's idea, and has roused great
interest on the part of the eastern fairs. At
various times he has acted as secretary at
Otawa of the Dominion Live Stock Asso-
ciation and Eastern Ontario Dairymen's As-
sociation. During the past year he has been
editor of the New England Homestead at
Springfield, Mass.

Mr. Cowan is also well known in athletics,
having held the Canadian single blade pad-
dling championship, and is rated as one of
the best wrestlers in Canada, and in these
days it is universally acknowledged that
physical culture is an aid to mental vigor.
He has shown great energy in pushing to a
successful issue every project he has under-
taken, and with such a man as business head
we may expect, not onJy the carrying out of
the many excellent
plans laid out by
Mr. Creelman. but
also the inception
of many new meth-
ods for increasing
both the usefulness
and attractiveness
of the Canadian
Horticulturist.

Mr. Cowan will
begin his work with
the May number,
and will have in
charge the " make
up " of the journal
as well as the adver-
tising departments.

Codling Moths

Fig. 2771. Mr. Linus Woolverton.

R. WILLIAM
BRODIE, of
Toronto, who is an
expert student of
parasitic insects,

and whose studies have been carried on
for many years, has offered to follow up
his investigations into the parasites of the
codling moth and place his findings at the
disposal of the Ontario Department of Agri-
culture.

To carry on this work it will be, helpful
to procure from time to time burlap or other
bands in which the codling moths have been
caught. Some have already been received.
Anv fruit growers having bands now on

146

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

trees will confer a favor by corresponding
with the Department of Agriculture at To-
ronto. If parasites can be» obtained that
will be effective in destroying the codling
months, and they can be bred in sufficient
numbers to distribute to favorable points,
there may be accomplished a very valuable
work in helping bur apple growers to hold
in check this most destructive enemy to jur
most, valuable
fruit crop. Ap-
ple growers all
over Ontario
should be inter-
ested in this im-
portant investi-
gation.

Fruit Growers'

Unions

Commission Sales

Give Notliing

to Growers

w

E have
reached a

crisis in the his-
tory of fruit
growing in On-
tario. We have
been piling our
fruit into the big
cities to be sold
at whatever it
will bring, and
commission men
have used fruit
sent by one grower to cut prices with that
sent by another, until we must call a halt or
give up the business.

This was clearly brought out at a series
of fruit growers' meetings held recently in
the Niagara district. At the Grimsby
meeting, Mr. Usher, of St. David's, strong-
ly urged the adoption of some plan by which
the fruit grower should be no longer at the
mercv of the commission merchants. Last

Fig. 2772. G. C. Creelman, B.S.A

year he had shipped 15,000 baskets of fruit,
and when at the end of the year he reckoned
up all the expenditures for work, packages,
etc., he found that he had no money left as
an income from his fruits. " We should
unite," said he, " and agree together that we
will not produce a pound of fruit for less
than two or three cents, as the case may be.
and agree to stand by that price, even if we

lose some fruit
by it. How is it,"
said he, " that the
canning factories
are now getting
double the price
for canned fruits
than they got
some years ago,
and the fruit
grower gets less.
Simply because
the canners unite
and the fruit
growers do not
unite to protect
their own inter-
ests."

Union of Fruit
Growers Needed

Every one
seemed to agree
that a union of
some kind was
most essential —
a good strong
union, which
should include all the prominent fruit
growers of the province ; a union where
members would agree not to sell their
fruits below a certain price, and, if
they shipped on commission, not to ship to
rival houses. Every trade and business
these days has its union, even the workmen
employed by the fruit grower, and, if he,
alone, will not agree to co-operate with his
brother fruit grower, he must expect to get

EDITORIAL NOTES.

H7

the worst of it. But on what basis shall
tne union be formed?

Mr. Keyes, of St. Catharines, proposed a
stock company for the Niagara District,
with a capital of $200,000, and shares of
$100. The company to buy several acres
of ground, erect immense packing houses,
and attempt to pack and ship all the fruit in
the district. For the second grade an im-
mense canning factory would be erected.
This plan looked
well on paper, but
like all such stock
companies might
be a tremendous
failure unless man-
aged just right.
And what central
packing house, un-
der one manage-
ment, could handle
the immense crop
of peaches, plums
and apples grown
in the Niagara Dis-
trict. The conclu-
sion therefore pre-
vailed that each
member of a union
should pack his own
fruit according to
standards agreed on.
only by the com-
pany, and all pack-
ages would be sub-

FiG. 2773. Mr.

Business Manager of the

ject to inspection by the manager or his as-
sistants.

Where the Union Should Begin

The most common sense plan of union
proposed was suggested by Mr. M. Pettit,
of Winona. The greatest obstacle in the
way of successful fruit growing is the sell-
ing ; and here, in Mr. Pettit's view, is where
the union should begin. An instance was
given where grapes brought the grower only

15 cents a basket, and yet in Winnipeg these
same grapes sold for 45 cents a basket!
Similar instances, in the case of other fruits,
were related, and it was plainly evident that
the grower who spent his year's work and
his capital in producing the fruit was re-
ceiving the least share of the selling price.

M. Pettit's Plan of Co-Operative Selling

Mr. Pettit would have all growers and
shippers agree to-
gether that they
would sell certain
grades of fruit at
certain fixed prices.
He would have a
managing board in
each fruit district,
which would meet
every Friday morn-
ing and fix the
prices for the quo-
tations for the fol-
lowing week. No
man should sell be-
low these quota-
tions, whether fruit
grower, fruit buyer,
or commission mer-
chant ; but in sell-
ing to the trade the
producer would al-
low the dealer a cer-
tain regular trade
discount. In carry-
ing out this scheme, w^e suppose that a man-
aging director would be the paid official in
each centre, he would be in a position to take
large contracts, to be filled by the union
from surplus stock of which notice would
be given the manager, and much of which
would be held in cold storage until sold ;
while each member could make as many
private sales as he chose, providing
he kept up to the fixed price. This
scheme does not necessarily contemplate

H. B. Cowan,

Canadian Horticulturist.

148

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

a stock company. A small percentage
of the gross amount of the sales would pay
the manager and the rent of a storage house
for making up car lots. A large central
cold storage warehouse would be an im-
portant adjunct and would of course re-
quire capital, and those not taking stock in
it would of course have to pay for the use
of it should they store in it. We presume
that several district unions would cover the
fruit sections of the province, and the inana-
gers of these could agree together on the
fixed prices, and thus the output of the
whole province would be under control.

What About the Surplus Stock ?

Why, unless it can be sold to canning and
evaporating companies it had better waste
in the orchard than simply be unloaded on
the market and bring down the prices. But,
if properly distributed there is room in our
own country for all the No. i grade of fruit
v/e can grow, and we should spray, prune,
thin and cultivate is to avoid wasting the
vigor of our trees in producing No. 2 fruit.

Fruit Growers the Last to Unite

IT does seem that every other class of men
are more ready to unite than fruit
growers. Several reasons were suggested,
one that they were too selfish to risk an-
other's good for fear it might not prove to
their advantage ; another that they would
not trust each other, but would believe every
word of the sleek-tongued commission mer-
chant, who offered them his stamp and pro-
mised a good market. Nevertheless it was
agreed that the time had come for a union,
otherwise the business would be ruined by
foolish competition. The manager of a
union would be able to avoid all competition
by a careful system of distribution, and the
expense of the whole business would be a
much less percentage than that now paid the
commission merchants, while the net returns
would in many cases be doubled. Plainlv
this is the most serious and important ques-

tion before us ; let us face it and solve it a=
quickly as possible.

M

Early Plums

R. R. S. EATON, of Kentville, N.
S., writes :

Please give me your opinion on the time of rij;)en-
ing and the quality of the new plum, the Emerald,
as compared with Abundance and Red June.

Though not as showy a plum as the
Japans, and not quite as large, yet the Em-
erald is, in our opinion, a better dessert
plum ; while in point of season it is about ten
days in advance of either the Abundance or
the Red June. We have not yet fully
tested it at our stations, so that we are un-
able to give any very definite reply to our
enquirer,

Mr. Murray Pcttit, Winona, Our
Director for Wcntworth, Water-
loo, Halton, Etc.

AT a meeting of our Association, held
at Wingham in 1885, Mr. Murray
Pettit, of Winona, was elected a director of
our Association, and has held the position
ever since. He was born in 1843 o^i the
old Pettit homestead, near Winona, where
in the latter part of the i8th century his
grandfather, Mr. John Pettit, a U. E. Loyal-
ist, had received from the crown a grant of
468 acres of land.

Grape Growing

Some thirty years ago Mr. Pettit first
turned his attention to the cultivation of the
grape, a fruit which in his experience has
proved to be a more constant source of
revenue than the peach. He was one of
the first to plant a vineyard of Niagara
grapes, under the original terms of the com-
pany, in that each buyer should give in one-
half of the proceeds until the company liad
received $1.50 per vine. This investment
proved a profitable one for Mr. Pettit, the
three hundred vines planted in the spring of

EDITORIAL NOTES.

149

1882 yielded his in the fall of 1885, not three
years from the time of planting, an income
of $1.84 a vine, or $553.20 for the three hun-
dred vines. The average price was about
12 cents a pound, and the proceeds at the
rate of $800 per acre.

His Public Spirit

Mr. Pettit has ever been ready to serve
the fruit growers of Ontario in any public
enterprise. He was
long a director of a
local fruit growers'
association, and at
one time president ;
also for years a mem-
ber of the Niagara
District Fruit Grow-
ers Stock Co., a sort
of co-operative or-
ganization for the sale
of fruit. His name
has always been a
prominent one on
deputations and com-
mittees, as for exam-
ple for securing legis-
lation against the
Yellows or against
the San Jose scale.

Experimental Worlc
witli Grapes.

When an experi-
menter in grapes was
needed it was most

Fig. 2774. Mr

Experimenter in Grapes

natural that we should turn our thoughts
to Mr. Murray Pettit ; for not only
had he one of the largest vineyards n
the district, but he had himself been doing
experimental work for many years, and had
already a row of about 100 varieties, care-
fully labeled, from which he was making
himself acquainted wdth varieties. Our
Board of Control furnished him with all
other varieties of any promise, and have
thus secured in Mr. Pettit a fruit experi-

menter who is thoroughly posted in his
specialty, the grape.

At our Leamington meeting Mr. Pettit
gave us much valuable information, and at

A House Meeting of tlie Grimsby Horticultural
Society

the principal feature was his address on
" Grape Growing for Profit." He first gave
a very interesting review of the history of
grape growing in the
Niagara Peninsula.
In i860, when King
Edward, then Prince
of Wales, visited this
district, only four va-
rieties of grapes were
under cultivation, and
prominent among
them the old Isabella,
•now entirely dis-
carded.

It was in 1876 that
the first shipment of
grapes by express
was made from
Winona, and this was
probably about the
first made in the pro-
vince. Since that
time the industry has
grown . to a wonder-
ful extent, and now it
is not an uncommon
thing to see eight or
sent forward from this

Murray Peitit,

for the Province of Ontaeio.

ten carloads a day
station.

A Reliable Crop

After thirty years of experience in grape
growing Mr. Pettit claims that grapes are
among tlie most reliable fruits for profit, be-
cause the yield is more constant, the price
less variable, and the vine is less subject to
insects and diseases than other fruits. True,
prices have fallen to a low figure compared

I50

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

with those early days, when it was a com-
mon thing to sell them at lo cents a pound.
Nowadays we seldom get more than two
cents, and often only about one cent a
pound ; still, by economical management and
by growing such productive varieties as
Concord, the fair profit can be obtained.

In his opinion the Kniflfen system of
training the grape is the most economical,
with two wires and no summer tying. He
would put the rows lo feet apart and plant
Delawares 6 feet apart in the rows, and
strong growers, such as Concord and
Rogers, lo feet apart.

Mildew

The chief hindrance to the successful mar-
keting of the grape is the mildew, and the
shipping of unripe and mildewed grapes
does more than any other thing to discour-
age their sale. And yet it is easily con-
trolled by the application of powdered sul-
phur. He used about a tablespoonful to a
vine at each application, throwing it over
the vine, or partly on the ground under-
neath it. He gave the first application
about the ist of June, when the young
grapes were about the size of shot, and the
second about two or three weeks later. Most
of the injury from mildew is done about the
middle of June.

Soil for Grapes

With regard to soils, Mr. Pettit favored
one of a somewhat heavy texture, for jn
deep rich sandy loam some varieties were"
too much inclined to go to wood and too lit-
tle to fruit. He had noticed a difference of
from ten days to two weeks in time of ripen-
ing in favor of those grown on clay, and
also a sweeter flavor.

Horticulture Includes the Fruit
Garden

The evening was a most enjoyable one,
a portion of , the time being given up lo
music and conversation, and we believe that

if all our horticultural societies would have
fruit meetings as well as flower meetings
there would be no need of additional organi-
zations for the fruit grower in any locality
where such society exists. Horticulture,
or garden culture, properly includes the
fruit garden as well as the flower garden,
and many of our societies have became weak
by trying to confine their attention to the
latter department.

Lawn Decorating

TOO little taste is shown by our farmers
and fruit growers in the surround-
ings of the home, and very few seem to ap-
preciate the great importance of a well kept
lawn. Even some of our professional gar-
deners seem to think a front lawn must be
half filled with trees and shrubs to be at all
complete. Nothing is so beautiful as an
open lawn, kept evenly cut ; and the place to
plant trees and shrubs is not in it, but on its
borders, to hide fences or objectionable
views, and to close it in somewhat as a
frame does a beautiful picture.

A cozy corner at one side, half hidden by
pretty ornamental trees and v^ell shaded
from the sun, is a great source of pleasure
in summer. In such a corner the ham-
mocks may hang, inviting the reader with
his entertaining book, or the rustic seat,
backed with soft cushions from the house.
A pretty rustic seat was shown some time

Fig. 2775. Shady Rustic Seat.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Fig. 2776. The Wallace Power Sprayer.

since in American Gardening, m^de either
of natural tree branches, or of smooth sticks
closely covered with bark or a combination
of both, as in the engraving. Vines planted
at the ends and at the rear will soon cover
such a seat and give a delightfully cozy
nook.

Compressed Air Sprayers

AT the meeting of fruit growers m
Beamsville on the i6th inst., the
Wallace Sprayer and the Tweedle Sprayer
were both on exhibition, and both did ex-
cellent work. Mr. Tweedle gets a reser-
voir tank of galvanized iron filled with com-
pressed air by a stationary gasoline engine,
at the point where the mixtures are pre-
pared, and this, together with another gal-
vanized iron tank holding the mixture, is
not a heavy load for the horses to take
through the orchard. Mr. Tweedle had
also a spar of eight or ten nozzles, which by
a pulley he elevates along a vertical gas
pipe, so as to spray the highest apple trees
in a few minutes. The whole outfit, includ-
ing the gasoline engine, is valued at about
$500, and would make a capital co-operative
outfit.

The Wallace Power Sprayer takes its
power from the wagon wheel, and is not
as expensive an outfit. It is readily
thrown in and out of gear, and a short drive

will get up the air pressure in the reservoir
above the tank to 80 or 100 pounds to the
square inch. "The weight of the whole out-
fit, with a half round two hundred gallon
tank, wagon and all, before adding the mix-
ture, is about 1,400 lbs. Add to this two
hundred gallons of mixture, and the turn-
ing of the power wheel, and you have a fair-
ly good pull for a team of horses, which,
however, granting the ground is firm, will
not be too great. This is another machine
suitable for co-operative work.

We show above a cut of the Wallace
Sprayer complete, and below we show also
a cut of the Little Giant Spray Pump, manu-
factured by the Perkins ^^lanufacturing Co.
This latter machine we have not yet seen,
but judge might be useful for the individual
orchardist, who does not wish to use the co-
aperative pump. The cost of this is from
$100 to $125.

Thinning^Apples

1" O thin our apples in such a way as to
bring to maturity only the finest fruit
is no small undertaking, and it is still an
open question whether the work would pay
for the extra work. Mr. S. A. Beach, of

Fig. 2777. The Little Giant Spray Pump.

A Canadian invention. The pump takes its power from the
wagon wheel.

152

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

Geneva, who has been making some experi-
ments, has estimated the cost of thinning a
well loaded apple tree at 50 cents. In sea-
sons of heavy crops thinning was found to
heighten the color and to increase the size;
but in case of a small crop being set, it had
no appreciable effect. It would seem there-
fore that for growing fancy grades of fruit
that an advantage might be gained by thin-
ning. The work must be undertaken early,
within three or four weeks after the setting
of the fruit, even if the June drop is not
over yet.

The Canker Worm

^1^ HE usual method of fighting this in-
J. sect enemy, now so widely dis-
tributed, is by spraying with Paris green
about a quarter of a pound to 40 gallons of
lime water, early in May, or just as soon as
the young caterpillars appear, and by giving
a second application about a week la^er.
This is more certain in its effects than the
use of sticky bandages for preventing tlio
female from climbing the tree ; but the work
should be done while the larvae is still small,
because then it is more easily destroyed.
Experiments conducted by V. H. Lowe, of
Geneva, N. Y., indicate that arsenite of lime
is equally as effective as Paris green, when
properly applied, and has two advantages,
(i) its cheapness, and (2) trhe fact that it
will remain suspended in water much longer.

Horticulture in Nova Scotia-
Valuable Plums

Two

THE report of the School of Horticul-
ture of Nova Scotia for 1903, F. C.
Sears, director, has just come to hand, and
shows good progress in the school work
during the past year. Owing to the simi-
larity of climate in Nova Scotia to that in
England, it is found that English varieties
are better adapted to the climate than Am-
erican. For example, two recently im-

ported varieties of plums are very promis-
ing for market purposes, Cox's Emperor, in
season October i to 15, and Late Orange,
ripening about loth October, and keeping
until November. Both are yellow in color,
the former nearly covered with a deep red ;
the latter, larger, and all yellow in color, and
the fiesh is firm, fine orained and meaty.
Speaking of this latter plum, Mr. Sears
says : " Coming so late in the season when
plums for canning are in great demand, and
when most other varieties are gone, it must
certainly prove a valuable market sort, un-
less it develops some weak points after fur-
ther testing." We will have this plum
tested at our fruit stations as soon as possi-
ble, and see if it suits Ontario conditions.

Misleading Instances of Profit

SEVERAL times already in this journal
we have pointed out the evil of pub-
lishing remarkable instances of profits made
in fruit growing, without explaining that
the cases were unusual ; thus giving the
uninitiated exaggerated notions of the pro-
fits of our business. We could cite numer-
ous instances of persons who have given ijp
remunerative occupations to invest their
capital in a fruit farm, thinking they would
have a bonanza. Imagine the disappoint-
ment in many cases at finding the expenses
of labor, packages, express and commission
charges so nearly covering the gross pro-
ceeds that almost no income is left for :he
owner's time and investment ! Indeed, in
some instances, where the varieties are ill-
chosen, and the season unfavorable, there
is a positive loss, after a whole year's wait-
ing and expectancy! Why is it that ihe
dark side of fruit growing is concealed and
the bright side only advocated? Do our
fruit growers wish to have the whole coun-
try in fruit ? Do they invite so much com-
petition in their business that the markets
will be glutted and their fruit become un-
salable? Or do thev wish to boom some

EDITORIAL NOTES.

153

nursery and help the sale of fruit trees ? We
notice even in the annual report of the
School of Horticulture of Nova Scotia the
following statement :

"As an instance of the revenues growers are
securing from their orchards I may cite a small Non-
pareil orchard belonging to Mr. W. C. Healy, of
Round Hill, Annapolis County. There is about an
acre of land in the orchard, which gives two hundred
barrels of apples. These sold at ^2.50 per barrel, or
.$500 for the acre. Deducting 50c. a barrel, which is
Mr. Healey's estimate of expenses, we have .$400 left
as the profit on the acre, which is not at all bad."

We presume this is an advertisement of
Mr. Healey's farm, in order to sell it for an
■extravagant price to some innocent capital-
ist; otherwise how are we to explain this
statement, given without comparison with
less profitable orchards? Why does the re-
port not qualify the statement by at least
saying that it was exceptional, or that as a
rule the orchard only gives a crop each al-
ternate year?

Arsenite of Lime Instead of Paris
Green — Cheaper and Better

OF the substitutes for Paris green this
one seems to be the cheapest, not
being quite half the price of that article. It
remains suspended in water much longer
than Paris green, and it can be conveniently
made at home.

The following directions for making and
handling arsenite of lime are given in the
M. A. C. Record :

"Dissolve the arsenic by bottling with carbonate
of soda, and thus insure complete solution ; which
solution can be kept ready to make a spraying solu-
tion when wanted. To make material for SOO gal-
lons of spraying mixture boil two pounds of white
arsenic with eight pounds of sal soda (crystals of
carbonate of soda, 'washing soda,' found in every
grocery and drug shop) in two gallons of water.
Boil these materials in any iron pot not used for
other purposes. Boil for fifteen minutes or until the
arsenic dissolves, leaving only a small muddy sedi-
ment. Put this solution into a two gallon jug and
label 'Poison, stock material for spraying mixture. '

" The spraying mixture can be prepared whenever
required, and in the quantity needed at the time, bj^
slaking two pounds of lime, adding this to forty
gallons of water, and pouring into this a pint of the
stock arsenic solution. Mix by stirring thoroughly,

and the spraying mixture is ready for use. The
arsenic in this mixture is equivalent to four ounces
of Paris green."

Fig. 2778. Mr. J. L. Hilborn, Leamington.

Our Director for Essex

IN giving out readers an account of our
Leamington meeting, we had hoped to
also give a sketch of Mr. J. L. Hillborn, our
director for that section, whose untiring
energy over details so much of the success
of that meeting was due.

For a long time Mr. Hillborn has been a
familiar name, as being one of the leading
fruit growers of Lambton County. About
eight years ago he removed from Arkona to
Leamington for the purpose of taking up
peach growing. Here he purchased a
peach farm right along the north shore of
Lake Erie, and named it Peach Bluff.
Forming a partnership with Mr. McLaugh-
lin, who has been in his employ for eleven
vears past, he set twenty-eight acres to
peaches, a few acres to sweet cherries and

154

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

plum trees, and three good sized green-
houses. Besides these, the firm have about
2,000 yards of cotton, which are used for
forcing vegetables and cucumbers in early
spring.

We take the following details from the
Leamington Post :

The growth of early vegetables and fruit has
proven very profitable during the past few
years, and the new firm, with increased facili-
ties, will enlarge their building, add to their
greenhouses, and plant more extensively. The
firm have already three greenhouses, two of
them very large, while they also have what is
known as cold frames which require sixteen
hundred yards of cotton to cover. In irrigat-
ing their land they use an elevated tank holding
6,000 gallons of water. This is conveyed by
pipes and carefully distributed as required.
The greenhouses are used only for forcing early
vegetables. A windmill keeps the tank filled.
A perfect system of waterworks at a cost of
$400 is the result. In" addition to growing early
vegetables, which have so far been very profit-
able, they have nearly 5,000 trees, mostly peach.
A few plum, cherry and pear trees are also
grown. The principal business will be peach
culture. Mr. Hilborn, who has lately been in
Michigan examining the methods in use there,
has very advanced ideas, and is one of the most
progressive fruit growers in the county . Every-
where on the farm are evidences of thrift and
prosperity. His buildings are all neatly painted,
and no weeds are allowed to grow to the detri-
ment of the crop. The new firm know what is
required to ensure best results, and have suffi-
cient capital to carry out any plans desired.
During the past few years Mr. Hilborn has car-
ried on a very extensive business ; has built up
a good trade ; has made good business connec-
tions, and the new firm will be sure to enter
upon a period of increased prosperity.

Labels for Varieties

MANY people find a pleasure in having
about their homes an interesting
collection of trees and shrubs, but, through
neglect in labelling, by and by forget the
names of the varieties planted and conse-
quently half the interest is lost. For the
orchard, perhaps the old fashioned nursery
stake, painted white and tarred on the part
which goes in the ground, is as good as any-
thing; but if something more desirable is
wanted, and at the same time neater for use
in the ornamental grounds, cast iron labels,
such as shown in our cut from Popular Gar-

dening, are more desirable. To get a stock
of them, make a model of wood, 10 or 11
inches high, one inch wide at the shank, the
head four or five inches across and two
inches wide, as shown in our engraving, and
send it to the foundry. Paint them white,
and write the names in black, with a brush
and paint, first outlining the letters with a
pencil.

For large trees a simple label, e. g., Scar-
let Oak, is shown, made of a piece of tin
about four inches long by three inches wide.
Bend down about half an inch of the upper
edge at a right angle, which will form a lit-
tle coping for the label ; then make two little
holes just beneath this and pass a strong
copper wire through them, firmly nailing it
to the tree.

Bunching Asparagus

SO much depends upon the shape in
which the produce of the vegetable or
fruit garden reaches the market, that no one
who aims at success can afford to be negli-
gent in this matter. In putting up aspara-
gus for market a buncher will prove a great
convenience, enabling one to make the
bunches of uniform size, and to tie them
firmly. Raffia makes an excellent material
for tying, or the inner bark of the basswood
tree, such as is often used by nurserymen in
tying buds. After cutting, sorting and
washing, lay the stalks in the buncher. with

EDITORIAL NOTES.

DO

Fig. 2780. Asparagus Buncher.

the heads evenly placed against the top. The
bunch should be made about eight or nine
inches long, and about four and a half
inches across the butts. Press firmly and
tie in two places, one about three inches
from the top, and another about four inches
below that.

Crates for shipping asparagus can be
easily nailed up at home on rainy days,
if the material is at hand. This
can be had from the nearest mill, and
the parts should be ordered as fol-
lows: Ends and middle, 12 x 18 x ^
inches ; bottoms, sides and slats, 28 inches
long;- the bottoms to be nailed close to-
gether, the side boaVds 6 inches wide, with
slats for rest of sides and cover, leaving
good ventilation. Put two inches of wet
grass or moss in bottom, on which stand the
butts, so that heads will be about an inch be-
low the top. Pack tight with wet moss to
keep in place.

Some Good Climbers for the
Porch

IF beauty of floral display, and not shade,
is the object of planting a climber, we
know of nothing which surpasses the Cle-
matis. Although tender in the young wood
so that it is usually somewhat killed back in
winter in Ontario, yet the growth of the
vine is so rapid that it soon makes a good
display. For the veranda, as an ornamen-
tal screen for a lattice fence, for growing in
masses on rockeries, the Clematis is perhaps
the most desirable of hardy perennials.
Jackmanni has the most showv flowers : thev

Fig. 2781. The Bunch Tied.

Fig. 2782. Clematis Paniculata.

are large, and in color an intense violet pur-
ple, rich and velvety. Virginiana, shown
on page 129, is a native of Ontario, a remark-
ably vigorous grower, with a numerous
show of small flowers in August, but not
very ornamental Henryi is a beautiful
clematis for ornamental purposes ; the flower
is very large, and creamy white. It makes
a fine contrast with Jackmanni. But for
general excellence as a climber we know of
no clematis that surpasses Paniculata, shown
in Fig. 2782. This shows a vine only five
months planted, which proves it to be a

1^6

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

Fig. 2783. Clematis on Porch at Kingston.

rapid grower. It is perfectly hardy, and
produces a mass of pure white star shaped
flowers, which are sweet scented. These
appear in August and September, being
borne in long panicles, and are very pretty,

though the individual flowers are small.
This clematis will not be out of place any-
where, whether climbing a veranda post or
hiding an ugly fence, and we speak of it
with confidence.

APPLES FROSTED AND SMOKED

A NUMBER of shipments of apples,
which had been lying in Halifax for
several days awaiting the sailing of a vessel,
were recently found by the fruit inspectors
at that port to be seriously frosted and badly
smoked when loaded on the steamship. Mr.
McKinnon, chief of the Fruit Division, Ot-
tawa, consequently advises shippers in both
Ontario and Nova Scotia to take extra pre-
cautions in the packing of their apples, so as

to guard against the cold weather which
they are now almost sure to encounter in
transit. In addition, shippers should make
sure that the heating apparatus in the cars
is not liable to smoke. Having done their
part in these respects, they might also con-
sider the advisability of taking concerted
action to impress upon the railway compa-
nies the need of better attendance in the case
of fruit cars en route.

THE PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND FRUIT COWERS' ANNUAL

CONVENTION

I FEEL that my horticulturist friends in
Ontario may expect a line from me,
now that our anmial meeting is over, on the
work we are trying to do here in orchard-
ing. I shall not attempt to load your col-
umns with the matter of any of the reports,
papers or addresses which form the trans-
actions of our association, but merely state
in general terms that we assembled in
Charlottetown this year on the 3rd and 4th
of February, with all the best orchardists in
the province in attendance, and Messrs. W.
A. McKinnon, A. McNeill and Saxby Blair
from without. Our meetings were most
enthusiastic all the way through, the night
ones being crow^ded to the doors, and they
all furnished much instruction which must
ultimately benefit horticulture here.

The fruit show was a revelation to even
ourselves. This was the oflf year with ii<?,
and the season was late and the fruit crop
as a consequence retarded in growth and
ripening. Still, there was never such an
apple show here, and the pears were splen-
did as far as they went ; also Mr. McNeill
attended the Nova Scotia show before com-
ing here, and certainly Nova Scotia has fine
fruit this year and lots of it. He was also
at your Ontario show, but he did not hesi-
tate to say that little Prince Edward Island's
exhibit of winter fruit was facile princeps.
We did not expect this verdict this year.
We have ambitions in that direction for
some near period in the future.

Of all our apples the Baxter and the
Gravenstein elicited most agreeable surprise.
Of the former I can only sav that it is not
widely enough grown to be pronounced on
definitely ; but it is a beauty, and Mr. A. A.
Moore, a large grower, declares it everv-
thing that can be desired. He gives the lie

direct to many of the unkind things your
Ontario committee said of it some few years
ago. Do you ever revise your judgments?
Of the Gravenstein I can only say that we
can equal, if not excel Nova Scotia, and
ours is a month later. That means much
for us in tempting the British market. Our
association has done its share in stimulating
fruit growing in the past year. It has now
the whole province behind it. Education
is omnipotent in this regard at least. As
to the amount of aid received from the pub-
lic chest, it is still absolutely incommensu-
rate. But it is coming up a notch yearly.
The papers read were all of a superior class.
Vice-President Johnstone's on " The Need
of Grafting and My Experience With
Same," was one of the best papers we have
ever had, and Chief McKinnon declared
openly that he had never heard its equal.
Mr. Registrar White's paper on " My Ex-
perimental Orchard " brought out much
practical discussion on varieties and cul-
ture. Senator Ferguson's, on " The x\pple
Market," could not be well bettered, and the
other papers and reports were all of absorb-
ing interest. Of course Chief McKinnon
gave several of his pleasing and profitable
addresses on matters connected with the
commercial side of apple growing, and A.
McNeill was a host in himself on anything
and everything connected with horticulture.
He addressed the young people from the
cottages, come in to see what a fruit grow-
ers' convention was like, with the same ease
as he struggled with that interesting ques-
tion, " Is the Gano and the Black Ben Davis
Identical." or " What is the influence of ihe
stock on the cion and vice versa?" Then
we- had W. Saxby Blair's splendid address
on " How to Conserve the Moisture of Or-

158

THE CANADIAN HGRT1CULTURIS2

chard Soils." And there were demonstra-
tions— always intensely interesting — in
pruning, grafting, packing, etc.

The president's address resumed the work
of the year, and pointed out the needs of the
times. He wants co-operation as a neces-
sity here where orchards are small and
mixed ; a subsidized line of steamers to
Britain ; uniformity in packages (the con-
vention adopted the lo x ii x 20 box) ;
registration for tree sellers and grafters, and
better transportation, with lower rates by
rail and water. He dilated on the value of
the domestic market too, and advocated the
jamming, pulping, evaporating of inferior
fruit. The matter of central councils ini-
tiated here was further advanced in details.

The president and executive were heartily
thanked for the services rendet-ed in the

past, and the onus of office placed again on
their shoulders, the government being asked,
by special resolution, to make some attempt
to recompense them. Replying, as presi-
dent, I acknowledged my deep obligation to
tiie association for the great honor conferred
upon me so persistently, and promise
faithful service, although some one else
might more worthily preside over its desti-
nies. The only new name on the board is
that of Edward Bayfield, Esq., a past presi-
dent.

Everything points to a good year for
horticulture here. We extend our best
wishes to our Ontario co-workers, and
hope that every movement of our associa-
tions may be upward and onward for
Canada. A. E. Burke;.

Alberton. P. E. I.

FIRST FLOWERS OF SPRING

HOW many know that one's own home
yard can become a wondrous spec-
tacle long before the shady covert of ttie
woods sends forth the wild bloom? So
early as the first of March, or even the last
of February, we welcome the dainty Snow-
drop, modestly drooping its dainty cups,
even while the snow lies heaped in shady
nooks near at hand. Then the Crocus, of
various colors, puts forth a plea for recogni-
tion. Among the earliest blooming varie-
ties of these bulbs are the small yellow with
black stripes, quite unique. Then the large
white, pure large yellow, purple, and a
novelty among them is a certain red-bloom-
ing variety with slender, pointed flower-
cups, distinct from the others. Then comes,
almost at the same time, our Glory-of-the-
Snow, a dainty white and blue flower only

lately introduced. But chief among these
spring beauties, and held as prime favorites,
comes the marvelous bloom of a whole for-
est of Scillas. Then, indeed, does summer
seem to be upon the way, when the bees are
wild with delight, and the blue and white
mystery looks up laughingly and demands
whether there was ever anything half so
sweet or winsome, just at home. Borders
of these are very attractive for the garden
beds or set in little groups in the midst of
the sod upon the lawn, where they do quite
as well as elsewhere, and are sure to sur-
prise somebody. They seed themselves, and
increase very rapidly, and will bloom all
through April and May. It is well worth
the trial of flower lovers to invest in these
earliest of spring flowers, so easy of culture
and so delightful. — Vick's Magazine.

FALL AND WINTER PEARS

F^INE-SKINNED, smooth Bartletts still
seem to hold their own for the lare
summer and fall trade. The heavy yield
of these trees, and tne ready market which
they find, makes them a profitable pear to
grow. Bartletts are not by any means '.he
best pears for home use, for the common
Sackel, Flemish Beauty, and many dwarf
varieties far surpass them in my estimation,
but owing to the handsome appearance of
the former fruits they will always command
good prices. The buying public still judge
of fruits largely from their outside appear-
ance. The Bartletts are juicy and sweet,
but one soon sickens of them if plenty are
to be had.' They ripen so rapidly, and then
become so soft and squashy, that one must
use haste in selling them. They should be
pulled off the tree when quite green, and al-
lowed to ripen in a dark room to get the
best results.

The old Flemish Beautys are bright, red-
cheeked pears with a dark, greenish color,
but of late years they crack open and spoil
in many sections, so that they are unfit for
market use. The flavor of these pears is
delicious, and beyond comparison. They
never sold very well in the general market.

and of late years their cracked surfaces have
caused them to fall into greater disfavor.
Those who know them, however, would al-
ways prefer one to almost any other variety
of pear, cracks and all included. The cause
of this cracking open of the fruit must be
due to the soil in some way, but the weather
is partly responsible for their injury. In
very wet seasons the cracking is a great deal
worse than at other times.

The Anjous come in later in the season,
and owing to their tough skins are enabled
to stand inclement weather. They are very
seldom knotty and cracked, and they sell
pretty well in the average market. They
are abundant producers, and should not be
neglected in any orchard. The stings of
insects cannot injure these pears as much as
the Bartletts or Flemish Beautys. for their
skins are so tough and thick that the stings
hardly penetrate through to the meat of the
fruits.

Good fall and winter pears are always in
demand, and owing to the small quantity
grown the prices are generally high. They
should be ready for market just at the close
of the season for summer fruit. This is
generally when the grape supply is begin-

i6o

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST

ning to dwindle down. There is a demand
for fruit then, and it can be suppHed with
the late fall pears ; but if one waits too long
the hothouse fruits come in and cause prices

to decline. Some of this fruit can be kept
for the holidays, but only such pears as have
fine, fair outside appearances. — American
Cultivator.

ais(

TREATING FROZEN PEACH THEES

^HE very cold weather of the past two
months has done great damage to
the peach trees of New England and Hud-
son valley in New York. In a very large
majority of cases the fruit buds have been
killed and the crop of 1904 annihilated. In
a large number of instances the wood has
also been frozen and the trees damaged.
Hundreds or even thousands of trees are
reported to be killed to the ground. It is
quite certain that a large proportion of all
the trees are killed back more or less.

The best treatment for peach trees thus
injured by freezing is to cut the tops back
in proportion to the damage. In any case
it will be proper to cut away all the dead
wood, leaving, only that which is strong
enough to make a fairly vigorous start of
buds in the spring. This can be determined
in general by cutting into a branch with the
pruning knife. If the wood is black inside,
or if it shows considerable discolored layers,
it is probably either dead or so much in-

jured that it will not start its buds vigor-
ously.

In cases of moderate freezing, this rule
would require only the removal of the shoots
grown in 1903. In more serious cases it
would be necessary to cut back into two-
year-old wood. In a deplorably large num-
ber of orchards it will mean cutting away
all the main branches, leaving only the
trunks and a few stubs. Even such severe
pruning as this is practicable, particularly
with young trees, and is far better than
sacrificing the trees altogether.

It will probably be useful also, in connec-
tion with the cutting back of frozen trees,
to give them a vigorous start in the spring
by early cultivation of the ground and by
the application of a small amount of some
quick-acting nitrogenous fertilizer like nit-
rate of soda. In applying nitrate of soda,
from three to five pounds should be given
to each tree. — American Agriculturist.

REHEADING PEACH TREES IN ORCHARDS

IN American Agriculturist last winter at-
tention was called to the changing of
one variety to another in a well established
peach orchard ; also pictures were shown of
a large orchard that had been cut back and
new heads started. 1 he discarding of the
unfavorable and unpopular varieties, cut-
ting back the heads and rebudding another

variety on the same tree is becoming more
popular year after year as fruit growers be-
come familiar with conditions.

A young orchard on the eastern end of
Long Island, which was being changed from
one variety to another, was inspected last
summer. The trees were four years old
and were making a splendid growth, but the

THE ORCHARDS IN SPRING.

ibi

variety, Triumph, was very susceptible to
rot and not considered profitable. The
owner, John W. Hand, of Suffolk county,
decided to bud the whole block with Cham-
pion. The tops of the trees were cut back
in March. The orchard was given thor-
ough cultivation.

The trees made a magnificent growth.
They were budded about two weeks later
and will be cut back again this spring to the
dormant buds. In this manner a profitable

and choice variety of fruit will be secured
by the loss of the crop two years in succes-
sion. At the same time the trees will have
a root and trunk system that will make up
for this loss during their fruiting period.
Mr. Hand is one of the successful fruit
growers on Long Island who does not de-
pend upon what others do, but goes ahead
and finds out for himself what varieties best
suit his condition. He is the pioneer fruit
grower in his section.

THE ORCHARDS IN SPRING

NO time of the year requires more *n-
telligent work than the spring to
make visible results in the bearing of the
trees and vines. The work needs to begin
early, and it should be conducted well
through the growing season, until the crops
are harvested. More and more are suc-
cessful orchardists becoming convinced that
there is money in all of our fruit crops, from
strawberries to apples, if proper attention
and cultivation are given. We are raising
up as a consequence a generation of fruit
growers who get the most possible out of
their orchard trees at the minimum risk
from blights, insects and other pests. We
no longer recognize off years in the or-
orchard ; years when the crop is next to
nothing, while the following season's crop
is so large that the markets are glutted and
prices very low. By careful cultivation,
pruning and thinning out, the old-time trees
that used to produce big crops in alternate
years now yield a fair crop every season.
If they won't do this, then root them up and
plant varieties that will. To make orchard-
ing successful we must be able to depend
upon a good crop every season and there are
plenty of trees that will do it for us. But
if vou let the trees take care of themselves,

they will do as they used to do, produce such
a big crop this year that their vitality will
not be up to the mark of yielding much fruit
next. So they will take a season off, and
the owner will say this is the off year for his
apples.

By pruning, thinning out and fertilizing
our orchards we strike at the very secret of
the success of the trees. In pruning we
keep the vitality of the trees in proper limits.
It is not allowed to spread itself out in
dozens of useless and formless twigs and
limbs. By keeping the trees into a certain
form and symmetry we conserve their pow-
ers' and energies. Likewise in thinning out
the fruit we enable the tree to send all of its
vitality into the few fruits left, and they are
larger and fuller in every way. Some parts
of a tree are permanently ruined by permit-
ting too heavy loads of fruits to mature on
them. Let the bearing be as even and uni-
form throughout the tree as possible, and
the fruit will be better for it this year and
succeeding years. There is a great art to
be learned in thinning out the fruits of any
orchard, and the secret of it all must be
learned by intelligent experience. Then
there is the need of adding fertilizers to the
soil of the orchard. Plow and harrow and

ibz

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

summer fallow until July. Then put in
some chemical and green crops to be incor-
porated into the soil later. A couple of hun-
dred pounds of muriate of potash and acid
phosphate added and plowed under with a

crop of clover or rye would work wonders
in an orchard. It would not take many
years to notice a change in the size and
quality of the fruits produced. — American
Cultivator.

PLANTING PEACHES

ONE year No. i trees are better than
smaller or June-budded trees. The
varieties and their arrangement should de-
pend upon the location. Early and hardy
sorts should be on warm and early land, so
that they will come on before the bulk of the
crop. The late sorts should also be on
sunny exposures if they are hardy, as on the
north slope they would lack color and fail
to ripen. The Crawfords do well when
planted on northern slopes. Purchase ihe
trees of a reliable nursery and be sure that
they are free from root aphides.

Prune the tree to a single stem, cutting it
off at the height of two and one-half feet,
but do not remove suckers that form until
midsummer. To keep off the borers wash
the trees with a preparation of one pound of
sulphur, three pounds of copper sulphate
and enough lime to make a thick paint, when
three arallons of water has been added.

Scrub the trunks and larger branches, us-
ing a stiff brush. Cultivate until the first
to the middle of August. Beans seem a
good crop for the first year or two. No
fertilizer is necessary for the first few years,,
except when needed to supply food for che
crop that is grown between the rows.

A little clay may be placed about the trees
to advantage on light, sandy soil. A late
growth should be avoided, and if rye is sown
the middle of August it will aid in doing
this, which will be of far more value than
the food it will furnish. Plow under in the
early spring. If too late it may prove a dis-
advantage. A little wholesome neglect in^
the way of cultivation late in the season will
also be desirable.

Banking of the trees is advisable as it
lessens the injury from freezing and the ac-
tion of ice and frost on the trunks. — Michi-
oan Farmer.

THE CHERRY ORCHARD

A STRONG, loamy soil, and one which
is retentive of moisture, is the most
suitable for sour cherries. The fruit con-
tains such a large amount of water that it is
necessary to save the moisture of the soil to
the greatest possible extent. Dry clay
knolls produce cherries of less size and of in-
ferior quality than the moisture depressions

between them. Very early and thorough
cultivation is essential to this conservation
of moisture, and the tillage should be con-
tinued at frequent intervals until the fruit is
about ripe. In order to be able to cultivate
the soil at the earliest moment in the spring,
the land should be either naturally or arti-
ficially well drained. The crop of even the

GRO WING GA ULIFLO WERS.

163

Morellos is oil the trees in July, so that there
is abundant opportunity to sow a catch crop
on the orchard for a winter cover, if the
manager so desires. A variety of plants
may be used for this cover. The best is pro-
bably crimson clover, particularly if the or-
chard needs more nitrogen or growth ; and,
if American grown seed is sown by the mid-
dle of August in a well prepared soil, the
clover will probably pass the winter safely.
( )ther plants which may be used for cover
are rye, winter wheat, vetch, field pea, sowed
corn, millet and buckwheat. Of these, only
the two first will live through the winter and
grow in the spring. In using cover crops
which survive the winter, it is very import-
ant that they be turned under just as soon as
the ground is dry enough in spring. As
soon as the plant begins to grow it evapo-
rates moisture and dries out the soil ; and it
is more important, as a rule, to save this
moisture than it is to secure the extra herb-
age which would result from delay. This
is especially true with the sour cherry, which
matures its product so early in the season.

and which profits so mucli by a liberal and
constant supply of soil moisture. Plowing
can also be begun earlier on land which has
a sowed crop upon it, because of the drying
action of the crop. The fertilizers which
give best results with other orchard fruits
may be expected to yield equally good re-
turns with the cherry.

It is an almost universal fault to plant
cherry trees too close together. The Mont-
morency should not be planted closer than
18 feet each way, in orchard blocks, al-
though it is often set as close as twelve feet.
The English Morello is a more bushy growl-
er and may, perhaps, be set as close as 16
feet with success ; but I believe that even this
variety should stand 18 feet apart. The
sour cherry orchards in Western New York
are yet so young that the evil effects of close
planting have not yet been made apparent.
T find, how^ever, that nearly every shrewd
orchardist who has had experience with
these fruits is convinced that the general
planting is too close. — Cornell Bulletin.

GROWING CAULIFLOWERS

FIRST, it must be borne in mind that
while cauliflowers when young are
not to be distinguished from cabbage, yet
they are much tenderer than cabbage, and a
degree of cold that does not affect young
cabbage will readily destroy young cauli-
flowers.

The requirements of successful cauli-
flower growing are : First, good seed ; sec-
ond, good variety ; third, a rich soil in all the
essential elements of food. The cauliflower
requires more moisture than cabbage.
Plants should be made ready for setting otit
by the time it is safe to put them in the open

ground, and the cultivation should be shal-
low and frequent. A half acre of good land
will produce 2,500 heads easily. The Early
Snowball is one of the leading varieties, but
there are other just as good under other
names. To produce the best results the
plants should be transplanted at least twice
from one frame to another before the final
setting out in the operL By this means all
defective plants are sure to be rejected, and
the crop if grown in well prepared, highly
enriched soil, is almost sure to be profitable.
— Vick's Magazine.

The Home Fruit Garden

IN the' rush to plant commercial orchards
for profit there is no doubt that too
little attention has been given by either nur-
serymen or lot owners to the planting of
gardens for the supply of the family at
home. How many waste back yards in our
villages, towns, and even cities, that might
be' utilized to give pleasant employment to
the merchant or the lawyer for odd mo-
ments of his time, as a rest from the worry
of his shop or his office, and at the same
time give the best possible profit for the in-
vestment of his time and money.

No doubt the absence of literature upon
the home fruit garden, showing plans for
planting, varieties required to give a succes-
sion for the table, method of cultivation and
pruning, to a large extent account for the
neglect, and it would be a very wise subject
for a discussion at a session of the Ontario
Fruit Growers' Association. We notice
that Corbett in U. S. bulletin. No. 154, gives
some good hints along this line, which we
quote for our readers, under their several
heads, as follows :

PLANTING.

Preparation of Plants. — It is impossible to
give explicit directions for the many plants
which may be selected for planting in
fruit gardens in the various sections, and
general statements only can (be made. At
planting time all broken or decaped roots
should be cut away, leaving only smooth-
cut surfaces and healthy wood to come in con-
tact with the soil. If a large part of the root
area of the plant has been lost in transplanting,
the top should be cut back in proportion to the
roots remaining. By so doing the demand made
by the top when the plant starts into growth
can be met by the root.

The holes in which trees, vines, or shrubs are
to be set should be ample, so that the roots of
the plant may have full spread without bending
them out of their natural course. The earth at
the bottom of the holes should be loosened a
spade depth below the line of excavation. The
soil placed immediately in contact with the
roots of the newly set plant should be rich top
soil, free from sod or partially decayed organic

matter. Firm the soil over the roots by tramp-
ling, as this brings the soil particles close to-
gether and at the same time in close aontact
with the surface of the roots. A movement cf
soil water is thus set up and the food supply of
the soil brought immediately to the use of the
plane. When the operation of transplanting is
complete, the plant should stand one or two
inches deeper than it stood in the nursery.
Every precaution above enumerated will make
for the success of the plant and calls for care-
ful attention.

PRUNING.

While pruning has to be modified to suit the
style of training emiployed with any given plant,
each species of plant bears its fruit in a pecu-
liar manner, which renders the maintenance of
wood of a certain age and character necessary
in order to secure a crop of fruit.

Iry the case of the apple and pear the fruits
are borne upon wood of last year's growth only.
Heading in or shortening each shoot of the sea-
son's growth, therefore, must be done with care
in order not to reduce the bearing wood beyond
a profitable limit. With these two plants, how-
ever, the bearing shoots are not those making
the most vigorous growth . at the ends of the
branches, but they are usually more dbscurely
located upon the sides of the branches, and
make a much smaller growth, for which reas^n
they have been termed " spurs." ^

With the peach, however, it is the wood of
last season's growth upon which the fruits are
directly borne, and with them heading in may
be successfully employed to limit the quantity
of fruit borne by the tree. Japan plums bear
on both year-old wood and spurs ; pruning may,
therefore, be used to thin the fruit, the same as
in the case of the peach.

The quince bears its fruit at the extremity
of new shoots of the present season's growth,
in which respect it differs from both its close
relatives, the apple and the pear; but as these
shoots arise from wood of the previous season's
growth, pruning must be so adjusted that the
fruit crop will not be reduced.

The grape bears its fruit on shoots of the
season, which in turn usually arise from canes
of the previous year's growth. Old wood on
the grape is therefore -of little value, hence the
development of so many systems of training
which maintain only a single permanent trunk,
from the top of which the bearing canes are re-
newed each year. The so-called "renewal,"
" high renewal," " Kniffen," " Munson," and
various overhead systems of training all possess
this feature in common. In fact, it is the only
economical way in which to handle native kinds.
For the fruit garden, however, where the vines
are desired for covering artoors. pruning must
be modified so as to secure a screen from the

THE HOME FRUIT GARDEN.

lb;;

Fig. 2784. Raspberries Between Apple Trees.

new growth as early in the season as practica-
ble. For this purpose a modification of the
" horizontal arm " system of training will be
found most advantageous. By planting the
vines closely and carrying up single trunks to
a fixed height, and from the top of the stalk
carrying out horizontal arms along which
"spurs" are maintained, a short growth from
each spur will be sufficient to give a uniform
and sufllciently dense canopy of leaves for the
arbor.

Raspberries and Blackberries. — Raspberries
and blackberries both bear their fruits on short
shoots which arise from canes of the previous
growth. While these shoots are usually axil-
lary shoots, the fruits are always terminal. In
the case of the grape, which bears its fruit upon
annual shoots arising from canes of the pre-
vious year, the fruit is produced at a node, and
takes the place of a leaf; several fruit clusters
may therefore arise from a sing>le shoot of the
grape.

Currant and Gooseberry. — In the case of the
currant and gooseberry the fruits are produced
on both old and new wood ; the fruits appear
ns axillary growths from the shoot itself, and
wood three years or more of age is unprofitable
and should be cut away. •

Strawberries. — St^a\^iberries are rarely pro-
duced in profitable quaneities by plants more
than one year old. Plants over two years of
age should be rooted out to give room for new
ones.

DWARFING AND GRAFTING.

In order to secure satisfactory results from a
limited area devoted to fruit culture, one must
know the form of plant and method of pruning,
training, and culture best suited to the space
at command.

The fact that trees can be grown as dwarfs
as well as standards will ena,ble one to utilize a
space which had pi^viously been considered
considered unsuited iror the development of a
tree. The cultivator's art has developed many
devices which may be used to make plants con-
form to the conaitions in a fruit garden.

Value of Dwarf Trees. — The modifications
which plants undergo are sufficient to convince
one of the great possibilities which await those
who choose to make use of the methods to se-
cure a large return from . a limited area. It is

well known that, in proportion to size, dwarf
trees are more fruitful than standards ; that
they come into bearing sooner, and are there-
fore of special value for use in limited in-
olosures or fruit gardens.

Dwarfing is accomplished by budding or
grafting robust growers on slow-growing stocks,
and most fruit trees lend themselves to this
treatment. While the dwarf pear is undoubt-
edly the most familiar example of a dwarf
tree, there are stocks upon which apples,
cherries, plums and peaches can be grown
with the same general result. Besides
this mode of modification, there are other
methods quite as important to the growers of
small areas. Standards may be grown as
" bushes " or as " pyramids," thus making it
possfible to grow them much closer together.
Pruning and training, used in combination, have
shown the possibilities of restricting plants to
the " espalier," " cordon," and other styles of
training employed in growing fruits against
walls. These methods not only allow plants
to be grown more closely than is common in
orchard practice, but they allow the grower eo
take advantage of locations and conditions un-
der which trees could not develop normally.
The side of a building may be utilized as a sup-
port to an apricoe, nectarine, pear, or grape,
the last named being the only one normally
adapted to such a position.

Varieties Increased by Grafting. — Besides the
advantage of dwarfing, grafting may be turned
to good account to enable the owner of few
trees to increase his sorts beyond the limits of
the trees he possesses. By grafting, the list of
varieties can be increased almost at will. There
are single trees known which bear as many as
150 varieties of apples. While a tree of this
kind possesses little commercial value, it is of
interest in the way of proving what can be ac-
complished by grafting.

COMBINING PLANTS OF VARIOUS HABITS
OF GROWTH.

In addition to the advantages to be gained
from restricting the growth of plants by ti-ain-
ing and dwarfing, some of the methods of train-
ing offer adaptations which allow of comtoining
plants of various habits of growth, to the ad-
vantage of the grower and with little or no
disadvantage to the plants. To illustrate this,
currants may be combined with the grape, the
apples with currants or raspberries, as in Fig.
2784; grapes and strawberries, as shown in Fig.

Fig. 2785. Strawberries Under Grapevines.

1 66

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

The advantages of these methods become ap-
parent at once when the object is the most
economical utilization of a limited land area.

Besides the special adaptations afforded by
dwarfed trees and by special combinations of
low-growing and high-growing plants, certain
well known systems of pruning and training al-
low additional liberties to the skillful planter,
as, for instance, the grapevine, which readily
lends itself to arbor training, may be utilized
for screening tender or shade-loving plants. The
style of training the grape shown in Fig. 2785
is more desirable in many cases than a more
perfect orbor. Strawberries adapt themselves
readily to such situations if the shade is not al-
lowed to become too d^nse. Among flowering
plants none will thrive better under such con-
ditions than pansies and violets, and among
garden vegetables lettuce and radishes may be
.=uccessfulJy grown under such a canopy, as they
will be out of the way before a dense shade is
formed by the grapes. Asparagus can be suc-
cessfully grown under a shade of this charac-
ter, as it will, because of its early habit, make a
large share of its growth before the eardy grape
will have produced a shade dense enough to in-
terfere with the young, tender shoots.

Vines as a Cover for Walks and for Shade. —
The vine may be utilized as a cover for walks
and drives or as a canopy over small outbuild-
ings. A cozy summer veranda may be covered
by grapevines, thus securing the double ad-
vantage of a cool, shady nook during summer
and a supply of fruit in autumn. In one gar-
den a small ash house was made to support an
Isabella vine, and this vine in 1891 produced 300
clusters of grapes. The small Inclosure in-
which this vine grew, only 25 feet wide and 80
feet deep, also supplied foot room for 15 other
grape vines, several dozen strawberry plants, a
row of currants, and a limited supply of vege-
tables and annual flowers, besides a few square
yards of beautiful turf. The plan of this gar-
den shows the arrangement of the plants. The
grape vines are trained to the high tight board
fence which separates the lot from that of the
next neigWbor. The currants are planted near
one side of the inclosure. while the main walk
occupies a corresponding position on the oppo-
site side. The area between the walk and
fence on one side is given up to strawberries,
while that between the walk and currant bushes
on the opposite side forms the flower and vege-
table plot.

COMBINED FRUIT AND VEGETABLE
GARDEN.

Where there is more land at one's disposal
there may be both a fruit garden and a vege-
table garden. An area of 60 by 80 feet set apart
as a fruit garden will accommodate 442 fruit-
bearing plants of the kinds designated below,
while an area of 40 by 80 feet will be sufficient
for quite a variety of vegetable plants.

As before mentioned, the general plan will
serve as a guide to planting, but the sorts
chosen must be suited to that particular section

of the country in which the work is to toe exe-
cuted.

As will be seen in Fig. 2786, this garden is plan-
ned to utilize the space to the best possible ad-
vantage. In order to secure large returns, the
soil must be kept cultivated and well enriched;
walks, if any, are to be maintained as perma-
nent features, should only exist where necessary
for ease and comfort in getting about. A per-
manent walk should divide the fruit garden
from the vegetable garden. This is best made
of gravel or some other loose material, which
will preserve a dry passagewav without pre-
venting the rain from penetrating the soil be-
neath it, aS' the fruit trees which stand beside
it will need the moisture which it gathers. On
account of the small area occupied . and thf^

M K » K X K

.' -; ^

20 O O O O O
3

40 O
6

60 O

■—\

--I

o o o o

^

"o 80 O O O O O

y-r — \

lOO O O O O Q

VEGETABLE
GARDEN
40X80 FT.

SCALE, r-

H 20 FEET

Fig. 2786. Plan for a Suburban Place.

PREPARING THE LIME-SULPHUR WASH.

167

close planting necessary to secure the i-esult de-
sired, the culture of such a garden must of ne-
cessity be done by hand. If the grape vines
are trained on the Kniffen high renewal system
they will serve both as a screen for the rest of

the garden, and as a source of fruit supply. A
good wire fence should, however, be constructed
on the line between adjoining properties, and
the grape border planted not farther than two
feet from the boundary fence.

ON A NEWLY-PROPOSED METHOD OF PREPARING THE

LIME-SULPHUR WASH

BY FRANK T. SHUTT, M.A , F.I.G., F.R.S.C, CHEMIST, DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARM.

IN the report of the division of chemistry
in the experimental farms for 1902, the
results of a series of experiments in the pre-
paration by boiling of this valuable spray are
given. Since the appearance of that report
a method has been proposed by the New
York Geneva Experiment Station, which
obviates the necessity of boiling — the chief
drawback to the more common use of this
valuable remedy. The modification consists
in the addition, at a certain stage in the pre-
paration, of strong lye, such as Babbitt's or
Gillett's. The proportions and preparation
as given in Bulletin No. 228 of the above
named experiment station are as follows :

Lime, unslaked, 40 lbs.

Sulphur, ground, 20 lbs.

Lye, concentrated, 5 to 10 lbs.

Water, 60 gallons.

" In the preparation of the mixture the
lime was slaked, preferably with hot water,
and while it is slaking vigorously, the sul-
phur, which had been made into a thin
paste, was added and thoroughly mixed with
the slaking lime. The caustic soda is then
added, with water as needed, and the whole
stirred thoroughly. As soon as the chemi-
cal action has ceased the required amount of
water, preferably hot water, is added, and
the mixture is re^dy for use."

Tt will be noticed that in this process there
is no boiling and no salt, an ingredient in

the old formula which apparently had no di-
rect value as an insecticide, but was useful
in raising the boiling point of the mixture,
thus ensuring a more complete union of the
sulphur and lime.

At the request of the entomologist (Dr.
Fletcher) we made several trial prepara-
tions in the laboratory and found that the
proposed method is quite workable and sim-
ple and yields a product in which there 's
very little uncombined sulphur. This latter
is an essential point, as undoubtedly it is the
sulphur compounds that give this wash its
great value for destroying the scale. I^ is
necessary to this end that the sulphur be
added (in a thin paste) while the lime is still
actively slaking — for which purpose care
should be taken to use only a sufficiency of
water — and the mass stirred vigorously. As
soo^i as the sulphur paste is poured on to the
slaked lime add the solution of lye, with
such further quantities of water as may be
necessary, stirring and mixing, until all bub-
bling ceases. There is now an orange-yel-
low, pasty, homogeneous mass which can be
diluted to the requisite volume either at
once or at any subsequent time, if kept out
of contact with the air.

As far as one can judge from what might
be called the chemical or physical point of
view, this wash should prove equally eflFec-
tive with that prepared by boiling.

DUST SPRAYING

IN the Western States, particularly in the
State of Missouri, where orchards are
often on steep hillsides, and where water is
sometimes scarce, fruit growers have been
looking about for some easier way of apply-
ing fungicides and insecticides than by
means of water, which is difficult to get and
more difficult to draw over the rough
ground. Trees have been dusted with sul-
phur and other materials in the east in the
past, but copper sulphate had not been used
in this way until tried in the west. Ma-
chines for spraying dust mixtures have been
invented or old ones improved upon, and
during the past few years dust spraying has
been carried on in a number of commercial
orchards in the Western States and quite
satisfactory results are said to have been ob-
tained.

Air-slaked lime has been used in the place
of water for carrying the fungicides and in-
secticides, but it in itself has a beneficial ef-
fect also. The formula recommended up
to .the present year were not entirely satis-
factory, as they did not contain the copper
in the same chemical condition as in Bor-
deaux mixture. Experiments were con-
commended which is said to have the cop-
per in the right chemical condition. The
formula, with the method of preparation, is
given in Bulletin No. 60, Missouri Experi-
ment Station, Columbia, Mo.

A dust machine was obtained from the

Ozark Dust Sprayer Co., Springfield, Mo.,
and tested at the Central Experimental
Farm, Ottawa, in 1903, by the writer. It
was found to distribute the dust satisfac-
torily, but in order to get the dust to adhere
it must be applied when the dew is on the
foliage. This is a serious drawback to dust
spraying in this time of scarcity of labor.
Moreover, the liquid spray gives such satis-
factory results when properly made and ap-
plied that the dust spray is not likely to take
its place, except perhaps where the ground
is rough and where the orchards are on
steep hillsides, and possibly in spraying
young trees. It would appear at first that
there was great danger from the use of
arsenical poisons when applied in a dust
spray, but while there is undoubtedly danger
if the dust is inhaled, the nozzle is so far
away from the operator that there is really
little danger if the work is carefully done.'

As there was no apple spot fungus this
year, and practically no codling moth, ac-
curate comparison could not be made be-
tween the efl^ectiveness of the dust and li-
quid sprays, but the general conclusions
reached by experimenters elsewhere are that
although good results may sometimes be ob-
tained by dust spraying, it is not the best
method for general use.

W. T. Macoun,
Horticulturist Central Expl. Farm, Ottawa.

HEIGHT OF FRUIT TREES

THERE is considerable difference of
opinion among orchardists as to the
height at which fruit trees should be headed.
In the Eastern States there are many who
think the trunks should be four or five feet,
and some of the apple orchards have bodies
taller than this. However well this may he

for the eastern conditions, it is not the pro-
per way to train trees anywhere in the Cen-
tral and Western States, and in the east the
tendency is to lower heads. The more re-
cently planted apple orchards are rarely over
two to three feet to the lower branches, and
the pear orchards from one to two feet.

A LIVING FROM A TOWN LOT.

i6g

Any one who has had experience in the
west knows that ttie hot suns and ahiiost
constant summer winds work havoc in or-
chards that are headed high. The flat-
headed apple tree borer works in the trunk
and large branches that are exposed to the
sun. I have seen apple trees in Northern
Texas that were badly attacked by this in-
sect almost ten feet from the ground. In
Kansas and Missouri it is not so abundant
and destructive, but nearly all the apple trees
with tall bare trunks have borers on them.

Tall heads give the wind greater power
over the roots, which strains them unduly,
often causing the trees to incline to the
northeast or fall to the ground. The fruit

is much harder to gather from tall headed
trees than from those wdth low heads. It is
especially important that peach trees should
be headed low and then kept pruned back,
so that ladders will rarely be needed to be
used in gathering the peaches.

Spraying is much more easily done on
low-headed trees, and the same is true of
pruning. There does not seem to be any
good reason for heading fruit trees high, ex-
cept that they are troublesome to cultivate
when the branches are very low to the
ground. This can be largely overcome by
using tools that are made to meet these re-
quirements.— Midland Farmer.

A LIVING FROM A TOWN LOT

THE TOTAL RECEIPTS FROM THREE

IN a small western town, some years ago,
there lived a man who thought that
horticulture could be made profitable on a
small amount of ground. This man's capi-
tal was limited. The total area of land at
his disposal was a little less than one acre.
He had energy and ambition and a desire to
make his eflForts successful. The man se-
lected as his two main crops strawberries
and celery. One-fourth of an acre was de-
voted to strawberries, one-fourth of an acre
to celery, and one-fourth of an acre to mis-
cellaneous garden vegetables, to be sold m
the town. The problem was to handle these
crops as to secure the very highest returns
for the outlay involved. No other help
than that of the man himself was needed.
The soil was ordinary, but was made rich
by the application of stable manure.

The man developed a system which in-
volved a shifting of crops each year. This,
he gathered from what he could read, was
necessary, first to avoid diseases and insects,
and second, to rest the land. Eight thou-
sand strawberry plants were put out on one-

QUARTERS OF AN ACRE WERE $1400.

quarter of the acre, the plants all being
grown in small pots so that they could be
planted in the latter part of June, leaving his
ground free up to that time for his miscel-
laneous vegetable crops.

The strawberries planted in June gave
him a full harvest the following May and
June, and from these plants the average
yield amounted to $500 for his one-quarter
of an acre. His celery he planted in the lat-
ter part of July on the ground that his
strawberries had occupied. This celery was
taken oflf in October, and the ground was
therefore free the next spring for his vege-
table crops. His one-fourth of an acre of
celery handled in this way gave him $400
average yield. His miscellaneous vegeta-
bles, grown in rotation, such as green peas,
green beans, beets, lettuce, and crops of this
nature, gave him $400 more, making his re-
ceipts from his three-quarters of an acre
$1,400, of which approximately $40 was ex-
pended for fertilizers, necessary help, etc. —
The World's Work.

THE STRAWBERRY PLANTATION

Most Productive Varieties of Strawberries.

liV \V. T. MACOUN, HOkTICULUTRlST, Ce.NTRAl. EXI'ERI.MKNTAl.
J-AKIVI, OTl/lWA.

-^I^HE Strawberry is, undoubtedly, the

1

most popular fruit in Canada. It is
also one of the most, if not the most, profit-
able fruits to grow. There is, however, a
great difference in the productiveness, firm-
ness, appearance and quality of different va-
rieties, and the profits in growing this fruit
will depend largely upon the kinds grown.
At the Central Experimental Farm nearly
400 named varieties have been tested during
the past sixteen years, and a large number
of unnamed seedlings. This long and wide
experience with varieties makes it possible
to recommend certain kinds which have
proven superior to others. After having
discarded a large number of varieties, a
three years' test was made with no kinds.
Taking the average for the three years, the
most productive variety, the Mele. yielded
at the rate of 12,709 lbs. per acre, and the
variety 25th on the list, Arkansas Traveller,
yielded at the rate of 7,629 lbs. to the acre,
a difference of 5.080 lbs. per acre between
the best and the poorest of 25 varieties. It
can readily be seen how important it is to
plant productive varieties, providing the
fruit it salable. Among the best varieties,
both as regards productiveness and other
points of merit, are : Buster, Glen Mary.
Sample, Warfield, Greenville, Bisel. Marie,
Bederwood, Lovett, Barton's Eclipse, Bu-
bach, Daisy, Afton, Williams, Thompson's
Late, Enhance, Stevens' Early, Howard's
No. 41, and Mele. the last named varietv
having proved the most productive of all.
It is, however, a little under size and rather
soft. Further information regarding these
varieties will be found in the reports of the
Horticulturist Central Experimental Farm

To Be Successful in Strawberry Growing.

1^ U be successful in growing strawber-
ries, a rich soil must be available, and
Clean, thorough culture given during the en-
tire growth of the plants. Strawberries re-
quire a great deal of moisture, especially
during the fruiting season, and this can be
conserved somewhat by mulching between
the rows or by keeping the soil constantly
loose on top. If irrigation is practicable,
this can be used with much profit. Of
course there are a great many varieties of
strawberries, but there are only a few
which I have tested that are really adapted
to southern Ohio. One variety may do re-
markably well in a certain section and be al-
most worthless in another. For home and
table use and near markets I find the Cum-
berland, Haverland, Crescent. Bubach.
Ivanhoe and Allen's Seedling very profit-
able. They are vigorous growers and
hardy. The yield is large and the fruit
uniform. I think the Cumberland is pro-
bably the best for home use, but for ship-
ping is not so desirable.

When setting the plants in spring, pre-
pare the bed thoroughly, see that the soil is
rich and as free as possible from noxious
weeds and grass seeds. During the season
I pick out and mark the best plants and use
these for setting other fields the next year.
In this way the choicest plants can be se-
cured. I have always had the best success
in setting as early in spring as the ground
'"'•n be worked. As soon as growth beeins
tlie strawberry fields should be tboroughlv
'cultivated, and this should be continued un-
til the first of September. The weeds and
grass much be gotten rid of as soon as they
make their appearance. — .'lin. A ^^ricnlUirist .

GENERAL GARDEN NOTES FOR APRIL

BY WM. HUNT, ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, GUELPH.

VEGETABLE AND FRUIT GARDEN.

1"^ HE first opening operation in the vege-
table garden should be to attend to
the asparagus bed. No garden, however
small, where any vegetables at all are grown,
should be without a small plot, or a row or
two of asparagus plant. It is the earliest,
best, and most wholesome and acceptable of
all early vegetables. If you have no aspara-
gus in your vegetable garden, sow some
seed as early as the ground can be worked
in drills an inch deep ^nd three feet apart.
Two year old plants planted eight inches
apart in the same width of rows as before
mentioned gives quicker results than by
sowing seed. Make the asparagus bed en
the deepest, richest, best piece of land you
have, where the water does not stand In
winter or early spring. If you have an .;'-
paragus bed take off the covering of manure
it should have received in the fall, and fork
the soil over lightly around and about the
plants. Do this as soon as frost is out of
the ground and the ground fit to work.

The first crops to sow or plant in the gar-
den are peas., spinach, lettuce, parsnips,
parsley, leeks and onions. A little snow or

frost after the seed of these is in the ground
will not hurt them.

Beans, beet-root, salsify and carrot seed
should be sown a week or two later, whilst
vegetable marrow, squash, melon, corn and
cucumber seed should not be sown out in
the open until about the third week in May,
or later if the weather is cold. Never sou-
seeds when the ground is wet and soddened.

Parsnip and parsley seed particularly rtre
slow in germinating, often taking four or
five weeks before growth commences.

All small fruit pruning should be finished
up early in April, or before if possible, es-
pecially gooseberry bushes, as they break
into bud early. Grape vines should also
be pruned early, March usually being the
best month for the operation.

If the strawberry patch was mulched m
the autumn the mulch should be taken off
about the second or third week in April.
Fork the ground over lightlv around the
phnts just as the bloom buds are showing.
Leaving the forking over until this date is
preferable oftentimes to doing it earlier, -'s
summer weed seeds that germinate about
this time are easier destroved than'bv hoe-

172

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

ing or cultivating. Dig out and remove all
perennial weeds, such as dandelion, twitch
or spear grass, etc., when the bed is forked
over.

FLOWER GARDEN.

All bush and climbing roses should h-i
finished pruning before the leaf buds are de-
veloped too far. Fork the soil over around
the bushes as soon as the ground is dry
enough.

Seeds. — Sow sweet pea seed as early as
possible for early flowers. Sow for later
flowering the second or third week in May
if required, but early sowing gives the best
results. Mignonette seed should be sown
as soon as the soil is dry enough to work
nicely. Sow Annual Wallflower seed early.
This is one of the best late autumn flower-
ing annuals we have. Antirrhinum or Snap
Dragon seed should also be sown early to
secure early flowers. Aster, Stock, Zinnia,
Phlox Drummondii, Scabiosa, Candytuft,
Sweet Allysum, Gaillardia, Dianthus, Mari-
gold, Calliopsis seed, etc.. can be sown about

the first or second week in May usually, ex-
cept perhaps in the more northerly parts of
the province, where later sowing may he
better. Nasturtium seed should not be
sown too early, not until nearly the end of
May, as these are more tender than many
annuals, and the young plants are liable to
be damaged by late frosts if out of the
ground too early.

Perennials. — Peonies, Dielytra and
German Iris should be planted or
transplanted as early as possible in the
spring. I prefer early fall planting for
these plants rather than spring planting, as
they are early flowering perennials.

Perennial Phlox, Gaillardia, Coreop-
sis, Campanula, and later flowering per-
ennials can be transplanted or divided
any time during May. A good general rule
is to commence planting about a week after
the plants show the first signs of growth.
Plant when the ground is fairly moist, but
not when it is wet and sticky, especially if
the ofround is of a stifif clavev nature.

THE CINERARIA

BY WM. HUNT, ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, GUELl'H.

^^ HERE are about nine or ten species of
A the cineraria known to floriculturists,
most of them being classed as greenhouse
perennials. The varieties represented in
the accompanying cuts are known commer-
cially as Cineraria hybrida grandiflora and
Cineraria stellata (starlike). Both of these
are improved types of Cineraria cruenta
(purple leaved), a variety introduced from
the Canary Islands into England about the
year 1777.

The large flowering type C- hybrida
grandiflora aflfords a striking illustration of
what can be effected in the improvement
and development of plant life by a careful
selection of the best types from which to
save seed, as well as by a judicious selection

of plants for cross-fertilization purposes.
The flowers of the original type (C. cru-
enta) were of a reddish purple color only,
and about an mch in diameter, whilst now
from a packet of seeds of the improved type,
flowers upwards of three inches in diameter
are quite common, varying in many shades
of color from pure white to deep red, purple
or blue, a large percentage of the plants also
having flowers with a disc or centre of pure
white, varying in size from the smallest spot,
until in some flowers the markins of the
petals only are tinged with hues of the more
decided colors.

In the collection as seen recently in the
intermediate greenhouse at the college,
manv of the flowers were close on four

THE CINERARIA.

173

Fig. 2787. Cinerarias AT THE O. A. C, Guelph.

inches in diameter. It is perhaps question-
aWe whether these abnormally large flow-
ers are to be preferred to the more moderate
sized flowers, as oftentimes — more especial-
ly with chrysanthemums — other good points
such as beauty of form, habit of growth,
and robustness of constitution are often lost
sight of in the endeavor to secure flowers of
enormous size.

The variety C. stellata is of a tall branch-
mg habit, and in many respects resembles
the original type C. cruenta, with the ex-
ception that the flowers of C. stellata are
often seen in various shades of color rang-
ing from creamy white to pink, red and blue.

The flowers of C. stellata keep fresh much
longer when cut than do those of C. hybrida
grandiflora. a point that will enhance its
value as a florists flower. The flowers of
C. stellata are usually self-colored (one
color), and are only about an inch in diame-
ter. (The plants of C. stellata can be seen
in the background of the accompanying cut.
in the centre row of plants.)

There is no winter or early spring flower-

ing plant that will give such a gorgeous and
varied display of blossom as the Cineraria
if the plants are well grown. Greenhouse
Cinerarias are grown from seed usually, and
treated as annuals. Seed sown in June.
July or August will produce plants that will
flower from Christmas until April or May.
A cool temperature, about 50 degrees at
night to 65 degrees in the daytime will suit
them very well. A moist atmosphere and
plenty of water at the roots are also desir-
able. Frequent syringing of the foliage
whilst the plants are growing is necessary.
Partial shade must be given the plants dur-
ing hot sunny weather.

The green aphis and red spider are the
worst, insect pests that attack the Cineraria.
Tobacco smoke or tobacco water will kill
the aphis. Copious syringing with water
and a moist atmosphere are the best preven-
tives of red spider. Thrip sometimes at-
tacks Cinerarias. Dipping the foliage in
strong tobacco water is the best remedy for
thrip. Cinerarias cannot be grown very
successfully as window plants.

THE FERN DISH

Fig. 2788. The Fkrn Dish.

THE fern dish is the finishing touch cf
elegance to the simplest table. Have
you not many times admired the center piece
(upon some luncheon table) consisting of a
fern dish set in a silver filagree jardiniere
and wished with all your heart you could af-
ford such a dainty accessory to your own
table? Indeed, yes. But the prohibitive
])rice asked at a florist's has made many of
us resign all idea of possessing one. It
isn't really the silver which attracts our at-
tention. There may be many other silver
articles on the board. It is the green things
growing, airily, bewitchingly before us, and
while the silver may set oflf the green tracery
of leaf and stem, yet other material could be
used to decorate the plainness of the dish.

So I set to work. T bought a fern dish,
simply a flower pot, broad and shallow. To
the woods I went, bringing home leaf mold,
and a root of Maidenhair fern, called Crow's
foot. It has five fingers on its black stems.
The mold had a handful of sand mixed with
it and the fern was tucked carefully in the
dish. That was the beginning. T then

rooted a flowering begonia, Argentea gut-
tata, and put that in the dish. The object
in a fern dish is to have small plants. When
they grow large the fern dish can not be
used for a center piece. Beside the begonia
went a cyclamen bulb, raised from seed, and
then a couple of other wood ferns, the cof-
fee fern, and the gold back, both small deli-
cate ferns, native in California. This was
my first dish, but I learned the art of mak-
ing them up differently. Suppose^ you are
using eastern ferns which rest during the
winter. Do not put in flowering begonias,
but use gloxinias, achimenes, cyclamen, or
tuberous begonias, as these all rest during
the winter. When the dish is in full green-
ery and you desire to lise it on the table,
decorate it with tissue paper, or silk, the
color of your table decorations, and no one
will notice the absence of silver filagree. Do
not use reds or blues, but soft greens or
creams, or pale pinks or yellows, which will
harmonize with the greenery and not an-
tagonize.

As the principal object of a fern dish is
ferns, I will name some pretty ones. There
is the Davidiana, which in time grows large,
but while small is very pretty in a fern dish.
The maidenhairs 'one and all belong to the
fern dish, in fact, I think the fern dish was
'' invented " especially to set off the maiden-
hairs. In California we have the gold back,
a maidenhair with the black stems and a
glittering back which looks as though dusted
with gold ; the coflfee fern, small round
leaves like coffee beans, both remaining
evergreen the year round, if kept watered.
The Pteris variegata has leaves margined
with white, and is ever green, and Nephro-
lepis Duffli is a very dainty small leaved
fern, nice for the fern dish.

In making up fern dishes I aim to use

PANSV GROWING.

175

plants with delicate foliage, a bulb or two
for flowers, and ferns. The artillery plant
is especially pretty in a fern dish, as is also
the plumosus asparagus. When they grow
a little too large they can be cut back or re-
moved. Begonia multiflora is also a pretty
plant on account of its many small leaves.
Whenever a fern dish grows ragged look-
ing, remake it. One can have two or three
in various states of development, so that one
perfect one is always on hand. If I lived

east I should have a dish of native ferns and
lilies of the valley put away in a cold cellar
where it coiild freeze up until February and
then bring it into the warm rooms. And I
would have one of maidenhair and sweet
violets for early spring. One can get more
delight out of a fern dish than from a whole
conservatory of big plants. There is some-
thing so interesting in the slowly uncurling
fern fronds, it fascinates a plant lover. —
Vick's Magazine.

PANSY GROWING

Sir : Would you kindly give me a few hints
on raising pansies, the kind of soil they require
and treatment they should receive from time
seed is planted.

To secure the best results with pansies the
seed should be sown about the second or
third week in August, and the plants win-
tered over in a cold frame. At this, date,
however (March 3rd), it would be better to
sow the seed in a pot or shallow box in the
window, or in a moderately warm hot-bed.
The plants should be hardened off by plac-
ing them in a cold frame or some sheltered
position out of doors before being planted
out in the border. As .pansies are of a com-
paratively hardy nature, they can be planted
outside, usually early in May. Pansy seed
can also be sown in the open ground as
soon as the ground can be worked, but these

do not come into flower oftentimes until hot
weather commences, and pansies do not
succeed well in hot weather unless under
specially favored circumstances.

Pansies like a light rich soil, with plenty
of moisture, that is why they succeed best
as spring or eatly summer flowering plants.
Pansies planted out for late spring or early
summer flowering would be benefitted very
much by being planted in a position where
they were at least partially shaded from the
sun for a few hours at noon day. Light
rich soil, plenty of moisture, and a tempera-
ture varying from 50 at night to 65 or 70
degres in the daytime suits pansies splen-
didly. A burning hot sun soon ruins them.
A little shade suits them.

W. Hunt. O. A. C, Guelph.

FARMING AND HORTICULTURE

THE farmer is satisfied if his cereal crop
yields him a profit of $15 or $20 an
acre. The horticulturist — and I mean by
this term the man who grows fruits or vege-
tables outdoors — must get from $50 to

$500 per acre ; and to do this must be able
to make use of every possible fact which
science and practice have shown to be of
value. — The World's Work.

Civic and Rural Improwmcnt

PLAN TO CARRY OFF HOUSE WASTES

BY MISS BESSIE LIVINGSTONE, OTTAWA.

EVERY housekeeper knows that there
are many wastes going in in every
department of the house. I shall endeavor
to outline some methods of disposing of
household wastes. Every housekeeper in
the country is confronted with the difficult
problem of dealing with this subject. In
the towns and cities some co-operative sys-
tem is arranged, and the town householder
has very little to do with the disposal of a
great deal of the refuse, except what really
occurs in the cooking and preparation of
foods, and the ordinary accumulation of
dirt. In the country the question of dis-
posing of refuse must be ^ealt with indi-
vidually. Many cases of illness in the coun-
try are due to neglect and carelessness re-
garding sanitary matters surrounding the
farm and farm home. I might also speak
of the unattractiveness of the farm home,
where there is much refuse left lying
around.

In suggesting the topic of " Disposing of
Household Wastes " to Mr. Creelman, it
was with special reference to the disposal of
household waste in the country. In the
towns and cities a co-operative system is
acted upon, according to a consensus of
public opinion, and. though municipal house-
keeping is far from perfect, and the best
systems are criticised by sanitary experts,
yet, as I said, the system is fairly satisfac-
tory, and the occurrence of sickness or epi-
demics* usually causes the health boards to
look carefully into the cause of the out-
break, and the laws are periodically en-,
forced with vigor. The principles under-
lying methods of keeping the surroundings

sanitary and attractive in the country are
essentially the same, only the conditions
vary. In the country each one must attend
to these matters for himself.

Usually a wide area of distribution, out-
side occupation, a more plentiful supply of
fresh air, purer food, will prevent illness,
even where faulty systems of disposal are in
evidence. Very often you will hear people
accept with resignation an illness or death,
as a dispensation of providence, when it
really means that the accident is due to
drinking impure water, inhaling vitiated air,
or from some unsanitary condition.

This question of clean soil, pure air and
water, and the speedy and complete removal
of the waste of daily life in the house and
street should be intelligently understood by
every householder and every housewife. It
is a question of vital importance in relation
to public health and the health of the indi-
vidual.

The household wastes to be disposed of
consist of vegetable refuse, such as parings
of vegetables and fruits, and decayed vege-
tables and fruits, bones and scraps returned
from the table, dust and ashes, old rags and
papers, broken dishes, china and glassware,
old tinware, dishwater and soapsuds, closet
and bathroom sewage. Some convenient
receptacle for all such materials as may be
used as food for animals should be provided,
and for the disposal of this c'ass of waste
we need only say, that the more frequently
it is disposed of the better.

The garbage receptacle should be emptied
at least twice daily. It should be kept cov-
ered and thoroughly cleansed every day.

PLAN TO CARRY OFF HOUSE WASTES.

177

CEMENT

-^l^^.^:^Ci^___L.EVe.L *.

<3-UA2:EpT|UEDRA»M

CESStW>L

El I \ ' -1

Fig. 2789. Approved Flan of Kitchen Drainage System.

There is nothing more unsightly and un-
wholesome than a garbage pail, gathering
flies in the heat of the day, and poisoning
the air with its foul odors. For convenience
it is often placed beside the wall at the back
door, and part of the refuse frequently
adorns the pathway. It is a menace to
health, because its vitiated odors often pass
into the house and cellar.

Bones, which are rich in phosphates, may
be utliized as a fertilizer by embedding them
in ashes, or they may be ground and fed to
poultry.

Dust from the house is best and most
safely disposed of by burning, as it is pro-
bably rich in bacteria.

Ashes possess a high fertilizing value,
owing to the large percentage of potash con-
tained in them. They should be kept dry,
to prevent leaching, and applied to the soil.

Old rags, shoes, paper, etc., may be cre-
mated, thus removing any danger from con-
tamination, and preventing an untidy ap-
pearance.

Broken china, old tinware and such ma-
terials as cannot be burned or otherwise
utliized, are possibly best disposed of by
burying, or they may be used for filling up
hollows, making road beds, or for sub-soil
drainage. I saw an excellent path made of
such materials.

The sanitary and economic disposal of all
solid and liquid sewage, such as dishwater.

soapsuds, chamber and closet sewage, is Die
most difficult problem confronting the rural
householder. The vital point to be remem-
bered is that the sewage must be disposal of
— utilized, if possible — and this must be
done without endangering the water supply.

Some fairly satisfactory plumbing sys-
tems have been introduced into farm homes,
but such cases are isolated, compared with
the many rural homes, where the old-time
methods of disposal still prevail. In many
cases the soil around the kitchen door con-
tains the accumulated pollution of years, re-
sulting from throwing waste water and re-
fuse from the kitchen, both in winter and
summer. '

It is not the purpose of this paper o
specify details as to the construction of a
drainage and plumbing system, but to con-
vey a few ideas, emphasizing the importance
of giving the matter strict attention. Each
man must, to a certain extent, adopt a sys-
tem suited to his particular need, with
special reference to the porosity of the soil
and lay of the land.

In a general way, it seems to me safer to
suggest the separate disposal of liquid and
solid sewage. The liquid sewage is a very
valuable fertilizing material, and is easily
converted into plant food. The solid mat-
ter, though not possessing such high fertiliz-
ing value, should be carefully collected and
applied to the soil. It is well known that

'78

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST

the surface soil of the earth exerts an active,
purifying power upon these offensive
wastes, converting them into harmless sub-
stances and at the same time increasing the
fertility of the soil. This excreta is better
placed below the surface. It is interesting
to note how in so ancient a document as the
Pentateuch (Deut. xxiii, 13) it was especial-
ly enjoined upon the Israelites that excre-
ments should not be allowed to lie upon the
soil, but should be covered with earth. In
a general way, the best way to dispose of
solid excrement of closets is by the dry
earth system. It is a method still practised
in several populous cities of Europe, and is
a very safe one. The material is collected
by the pail or box system ; immediately cov-
ered by some absorbent material and trans-
ferred to the soil. The absorbent material
used for this purpose is : ashes, dry, finely

divided particles of earth, peat, moss, etc.
In disposing of waste of this kind, be sure
that it is not placed near the well.

The liquid sewage may be disposed of by
a system of sub-soil irrigation. This may
be effectively carried out by having a recep-
tacle placed some distance from and con-
nected with the house by means of a trap-
ped tank.

Almost any one of us can cast our mind's
eye at this moment upon the external ap-
pearance of many farm houses, whose un-
attractive, untidy surroundings are a menace
to health, and an offence to the eye. In
some places wastes are removed but once a
year, this being thought sufficient, instead
of clearing away all wastes as soon as pro-
duced. Let us do all that lies in our power
to make the farm home healthful and beau-
tiful.

SENSITIVE HORSES

The horse does not like a nervous, fid-
getty, fussy or irritable man. He is too ner-
vous and irritable himself, says Country
Life in America. " Why is it," one team-
ster was heard to ask another, " that Phin's
horses are always gaunt ? Phin feeds well."
■' Yes," was the reply ; " but he's like a wasp
around a horse." A well-known owner of
race horses, not at all a sentimental person.

recently made an order forbidding his em-
ployes to talk in loud tones or to swear in
the stable. " I have never yet seen a good-
mannered horse," he says, " that was being
sworn at all the time. It hurts the feelings
of a sensitive horse, and I'll keep my word
good to discharge any man in my employ if
I catch him swearing within the hearing of
anv horse in this stable."

USE OF FRUIT

WE do not use enough fruit. We do
not realize how very healthful it
is. Our tables should never be without it
in some form, and it should take the place of
meat almost entirely during the heated
months of summer. We should eat it be-
tween meals — not munch on it, but lunch on

it — when we are working long hours. When
the stomach gets empty we must draw upon
our reserve force, and that burns the tissues.
A light lunch of fruit will prevent this, and
gives us also a few moments recreation and
we return to our tasks with renewed energy.

Iqe (aoadi^n f{ortic(iIt(irist

%

COPY for Journal should reach the editor as early in the month as possible, never later than the I7th. It should be addressed to
L. Woolverton, Grimsby, Ontario.

SUBSCRIPTION PRICE, $i.oo per year, entitling the subscriber to membership of the Fruit Growers' Association of Ontario and
all its privileges, including a copy of its valuable Annual Report, and a share in its annual distribution ofjplants and trees

REMITTANCES by Registered Letter or Post-Offico Order addressed The Secretary of the Fruit Growers' Association, Parliament
Buildings, Toronto, are at our risk. Receipts will be acknowledged upon the Address Label.

ADVERTISING RATES quoted on application. Circulation, 5,500 per month. Copy received up to 20th.

LOCAL NEWS — Correspondents will greatly oblige by sending to the Editor early intelligence of local events or doings or
Horticultural Societies likely to be of interest to our readers, or of any matters which it is desirable to bring under the notice of
Morticultuiists.

ILLUSTRATIONS — The Editor will thanktully receive and select photographs or drawings, suitable for reproduction in these
pages, of gardens, or of remarkable plants, flowerj, trees, etc. ; bur he cannot be responsible for [oss or injury.

NEWSP.\PERS — Correspondents sending newspapers should be careful to mark the paragraphs they wish the Editor to see.

DISCONTINUANCES — Remember that the publisher must be notified by letter or post-card when a subscriber wishes his paper
stopped. All arrearages must be paid. Returning your paper will not enable us to to discontinue it, as we cannot find your name on our
books unless your Post-Office address is given. Societies should send in their revised lists in January, if possible, otherwi.se we take it fcr
granted that all will continue members.

_ ADDRESS money letters, subscription.s and business letters of every kind to the Secretary of the Ontario Fruit Growers' Association
Department of Agriculture, Toronto, to whom all POST OFFICE ORDFRS, cheques, postal notes, etc , should be made payable.

Credit is due " The Fruit Grower," London,
England, for the temperature clock and formu-
lae, given on page 58.

Mr. T. H. Race says the announcement of his
appointment as Dominfon Superintendent of
Fruit at St. Louis was not duly authorized.

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY AT ORILLIA.

Annual Meeting and Election of Officers.

The first attempt to hold the annual meeting
of the Horticultural Society having proved un-
successful, owing to bad weather, the Hon. the
Minister of Agriculture was requested to name
another date, as required by the act, and set
Wednesday, March 2nd. The meeting was ac-
cordingly held on that date. The annual report
submitted by the directors was as follows :

" Your officers and directors beg to report
that the past year has been one of average suc-
cess in the work of the society. As will be seen
from the treasurer's statement the finances of
the society are somewhat better than thev have
been, as there is a small balance of $22.08 in
cash on hand, with outstanding liabilities
amounting to some $2 or $3 more than this. The
entries at the exhibition of the society last fall
were slightly over ehose of the preceding year.

which was a remarkable good showing in view
of the very unfavorable weather during the days
of the show, very many of the large exhibitors
of other, years not being able to gather their
fruit for exhibition owing to the continuous
rain for two or three days before the show. The
quality of the exhibits was fully up to the mark,
and on the whole the show was a success con-
sidering the adverse circumstances. A demon-
stration of apple packing was given by Mr. Mc-
Neill, of the Fruit Department at Ottawa, and
much interest was taken in his explanations of
the best methods of handling the fruit. In May
last an open meeting was held at the residence
of Mrs. McCosh, when Mr. T. H. Race, of
Mitchell, delivered an address on ' Local Im-
provements.' This meeting was not so largely
attended as had been hoped and expected, but
a gratifying interest in the subject and in the
work of the society generally was shown by
those who were present."

The treasurer's report showed receipts as fol-
lows : Legislative grant, $65 ; municipal
grant, $25 ; members' subscriptions, $66.45 ;
prize moneys retained for membership for 1904,
$31.25 : grant from Agricultural Society towards
expenses of exhibition, $35. Total, $222.70.
The expenditures were : Prize money, $139 ;
meetings, $3 ; subscriptions to Horticulturist,
$24 : working expenses. $29.50 Total, $200.62.

i8o

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

It was also decided that in future exhibitions
no more than one entry be made in any section
unless the second and other entries be distinct
named varieties.

At a meeting of the directors, held imme-
diately after the annual meeting, Mr. T. W.
Robbins was appointed secretary- treasurer at a
salary of $25.

THE CARNATION SHOW.

The Toronto Electoral District Society, the
Toronto Gardeners' and Florists' Association
and the Toronto Horticultural Society recently
held their annual joint carnation show at St.
George's Hall, when a goodly show of exhibits
from Ontario districts, as well as from Joliet,
Buffalo and Lafayette, were displayed. Sev^
eral new varieties of roses were suibmitted to
the public, namely, the La Detroit, the General
McArthur, beautiful hybrids of the light pink
variety, the lates.t importation from the United
States. The central piece of the Canadian ex-
hibits was undoubtedly the beautiful Fiancee
vase, which won the Lawson gold medal at De-
troit at the last exhibition.

FRUIT GROWERS AND CO-OPERATION.

Addressing the Nova Scotia Fruit Growers'
Association at Bridgewater, Mr. W. A. MacKin-
non, Chief of the Fruit Division, Ottawa, spoke
as follows :

"This is the most important subject be-
fore the fruit growers of Canada to-day.
Individuals can accomplish very little if they
work entirely alone. , All the fruit growers'
societies and associations should co-operate and
pull together. Look at the work of the manu-
facturer's association. Whenever they speak,
they speak as one man, and they are getting
what they ask to a great extent. "That is why
I suggest that fruit growers should \ake a les-
son from them, and that all local jealousies
should be put aside, for they are worse than
fungous diseases.

" These are the objects which I think should
be obtained by co-operation. First of all,
growers who are beginning to plant in a new
district might co-operate to secure information
and purchase the best varieties of trees for that
district at the lowest price. Seven or eight
varieties are plenty for any district, and each
man would probably want three or four of
these. Then these growers might get together
and agree to adopt uniform methods of culture,
pruning, spraying, which would result in an en-
tire uniform quality of fruit. Growers within
a radius of five miles with a total of, say, 4,000
trees, could co-operate to secure effective and
systematic spraying by means of power outfits.

" Another advantage of co-operation is in
securing cheap and reliable supplies, such as
implements, chemicals for spraying, and pack-
ages for shipping fruit. The man who wants
only 200 barrels must pay a higher price for
them than if he were buying all the barrels re-
quired in the district. By putting up packing

houses at proper centres it will be possible to
secure uniform grading and packing by experts,
who will pack the fruit like machines and turn
out an even grade all through. A great deal
of the success of the California fruit is due to
this system, and we heard at the Ontario Fruit
Growers' Association how Ohio growers had
prospered under the co-operative method of
packing and marketing peaches. Large quan-
tities of one grade of fruit are packed in exactly
similar packages, and purchasers know that
they can get as many as they want of that par-
ticular kind in one place. This facilitates sales
and enables the growers to avoid glutted mar-
kets, for even with apples there is a time when
it is well to ship and a time wihen it is not well
to ship. With the best of orchard manage-
ment there will always be some culls, which
might be disposed of economically if a number
of farmers owned a co-operative evaporator.

" Advertising can Ibe done much more effec-
tively by co-operation. For instance, if you
had a Bridgewater Co-operative Association,
the buyers who attended your sales would be
able to depend upon the fruit and would buy
without hesitation. You cannot overestimate
the value of advertising such as that. You
would also have more influence with transpor-
tation companies to get fair rates, reasonaWe
care and better cars. Bear in mind that the
transportation companies are groups of stock-
holders who want dividends, but do not forget
that you want dividends too. You must bring
pressure to bear upon the managers of these
companies and upon the Railway Commission
to secure the removal of real grievances.

" I should like to see the county vice-presi-
dents throughout this province consider and re-
port upon the feasibility of co-operative asso-
ciations in each county. At Walkerton, On-
tario, there is a co-operative association that
Ibegan with a small number of members. Now
they have more applications for membership
than they are willing to grant. With such a
powerful organization they can say to a negli-
gent member : ' You do not cultivate your or-
chard ; you are sending in sixty per cent, of No.
2 apples. We cannot allow this, and will refuse
to accept your fruit unless you cultivate and
spray properly.' When an association attains
to that point it can insist on up-to-date methods
throughout the district. That is what I hope
to see established everywhere in Canada.

THE TOWNSHIP FAIR.

The Hon. Mr. Dryden, who presided at the
evening session of the convention of the Fair
Association, advised forming the township
shows into one good show in each county. While
many good reasons might be advanced for one
county in preference to a number of inferior
township shows, we do not think the time has
come when the township show should be given
up. Many of them are doing excellent work,
and give a good reason for their existence. A
well managed township show, with the educa-
tional features predominating, and limiting

NOTES.

i8i

competition largely to the township in which
the show is held, can accomplish a great deal
towards advancing the interests of agriculture
in the district.

THE EFFECT OF THE FAIR.

In 1868 the total vote for agriculture was
$64,350, or $54,000 to agricultural societies,
$10,000 eo the Provincial fair, and $350 to the
Ontario Fruit Growers' Association. In 1903 the
total vote was $184,000, $76,000 of which went to
the agricultural societies. From these figures
Mr. C. C. James showed that the agricultural
societies of the province had not kept pace with
other agencies in advancing the interests of
agriculture. Had they done so, their annual
grant would have shown a larger increase dur-
ing these years. Continuing, Mr. James stated
that the importance of a society's work did not
depend upon the number of its members. The
value of a fair does not depend upon a wide-
open door. The original intention of the town-
ship society was to develop the agriculture of
that particular township, not the neighboring
one. The success of a show should not always
be measured by the crowds attending. The
farmer is in a better position than he was a few-
years ago, and will need more enjoyment, but
this cannot be supplied by a two days outing
at the fall fair, which exists for another pur-
pose. There is a danger at present of going
too far along the lines of reform. There should
not be too much uniformity. Variety in the
prize list is best. — Canadian Farmer.

SOUTH AFRICAN FRUIT IN MONTREAL.

Fruit Inspector Wartman reports the arrival
in Montreal of a consignment of peaches and
plums from South Africa. The fruit arrived in
perfect condition, fbut the price, $1.00 per dozen,
indicates that the market for it in Canada will
be a rather limited one. There were 60 peaches
in a single layer box, e^ch fruit wrapped and
plenty of finest quality excelsior at top and bot-
tom of each case. Plums were put up in the
same style, about 45 to the case. Mr. "Walter
Paul, the consignee, had also some very fine
English hothouse grapes that arrived via New
York in perfect order. These grapes were put
in cotton batting bags, 1% lbs. in each of four
bags, or 5 lbs. to the box, with plenty of tissue
paper clippings for padding. The price was $2
a pound.

GOOD AND BAD FRUIT IN BOXES.

Mr. John Browh, inspector at Glasgow for the
Dominion Department of Agriculture, reports to
the Fruit Division that a shipment of 1,422 cases
of apples from a Burlington packer was landed
at that port recently. This parcel consisted en-
tirely of XXX Spys; all the apples were wrap-
ped in paper and graded in size from 2% inches
upwards; the fruit was in splendid condition,
and the extra trouble and care bestowed on the
apples would well repay the shippers. The
large sized fruit realized from 7s. to 7s. 6d.

(small cases holding only about 35 lbs.), the
smaller fruit, 6s. to 6s. 6d.

Another shipment by the same boat consisted
of 416 barrels and 401 cases. These were nearly
all Spys and were very much frosted and
wasty. Had these apples >^een properly re-
packed and looked after, they would probably
have landed in much bette'- condition. Prices
realized for barrels ranged from 10s. to 16s. The
cases were even worse than the barrels; some
fifty of these were thrown out, part of them be-
ing used to fill up wasty cases. These made
from 2s. 6d. to 5s. 6d. (large cases). If our ap-
ples in cases are to maintain a reputation for
strictly fancy quality, it will not do to send for-
ward such fruit as that just mentioned.

UNIFORM PACKAGES.

Canada once more scores a point against the
United States, this time in regard to uniformity
in fruit packages. Our American cousins are
still struggling with this question, while in
Canada the fruit growers of Ontario, Quebec,
British Columbia, Nova Scotia and Prince Ed-
ward Island have all adopted a uniform case
10 x 11 X 20 inches, inside measurements, for the
shipment of apples. A case half this size is
found a very suitable package for pears.

PACKING HOUSE FOR FRUIT.

The Walkerton Fruit Growers' Association
have under contemplation the purchase or erec-
tion of a (building for the storing and packing of
fruit. This building will be known as the Cen-
tral Packing- house. An ample supply of ice
has already been stored up, and this ice will be
utilized for cold storage purposes, when the
shipping season arrives. When the building is
ready for the reception of apples, an expert ship-
per will be employed to grade all apples brought
in and to see that they are all properly shipped
to the purchaser. In this way it is hoped uni-
formity in quality will be reached. Experience
has amply demonstrated the fact that when
every man grades his own fruie no fixed stand-
ard of quality can be secured, and the result is
dissatisfaction and 'grumbling at the far end of
the transaction.

CANADIAN APPLES IN LEEDS MARKET.

The Leeds Mercury says: "During the past
few years Canadian apples have found a ready
market in this country, and Leeds has received
a fair proportion of the supply. It is a strik-
ing tribute to the quality of the fruit that al-
though the supply of late has been in excess of
the demand, prices have slightly increased. For
cooking purposes Northern Spys are strongly
recommended, whilst Baldwins and Greenings
are also very good. There is very little differ-
ence in the price of these varieties, l%d. to 3d.
a pound being the general charge. Newton Pip-
pins and Golden Russets are excellent dessert
apples. Owing to the splendid quality of apples
from the Dominion the demand for those from
New York has suffered considerably."

1 82

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST,

DISPLACING UNITED STATES APPLES.

Says the Fruitgrower of February 11, 1904 :
" The United States Consul in Edinburgh re-
cords the fact that Canadian apple imports are
gaining a very strong position in the Scotch
markets. Mr. Fleming states that the system
of inspection adopted in Canada and subse-
quently renewed at the British ports has served
as a guarantee to the buyers of Canadian fruit,
and has in this way proved useful both to seller
and purchaser."

FRUIT PACKING CO. AT OAKVILLE.

At a meeting held in Oakville recently the
matter of establishing a packing house was dis-
cussed. A. W. Peart, of Burlington, told how
the apples from his district were shipped by the
local association to England. Returns were
most satisfactory, a number of good Old Coun-
try dealers bidding for their fruit. Special care
was taken in grading and packing and each
package was stamped with a private mark. Mr.
Peart advocated co-operation in spraying. One
man could secure an outfit and do the spraying
for the neighborhood. Mr. Dawson, of Toronto,
spoke of a company being formed that would
erect central packing stations in all fruit dis-
tricts. Boxes would be given the growers.
W'hen these were filled with all grades of apples
they would be taken to the packing house, the
apples graded, carefully packed and marked and
sold in one lot if possible.

NOVA SCOTIA FRUIT COMPLIMENTED.

The following is a copy of the letter accom-
panying the medal presented iby the Crystal
Palace Co., of London, Eng., to the Nova Scotia
Government for the display of Nova Scotia fruit
to be seen at the Crystal Palace during the fall
and early winter. It was addressed to J. How-
ard, Esq., agent general for Nova Scotia.

Dear Sir : You will be interested to learn
that my directors have decided to mark their
sense of the very excellent, and attractive ex-
hibit of Nova Scotia fruit which was held in the
Canadian Court at the Crystal Palace during the
months of November, December and January, by
presenting a special commemorative medal to
the Nova Scotia Government, who, we under-
stand, in conjunction with the Fruit Growers'
Association of Nova Scotia, were responsible
for the display.

I am directed therefore to forward this medal
to you as the representative of Nova Scotia in
London and to ask you to be good enough to
transmit it to the proper quarter.

There is no question that such periodical
special exhibits do much to maintain a lively in-
terest in the Canadian Court, and my directors
are sanguine that the other colonies will fol-
low Canada's practical example in utilizing the
undoubted educational and commercial ad-
vantages which the Crystal Palace offers, for
promoting the interests of our Colonial Empire

among the 2,000,000 visitors who come from
every part of the United Kingdom and of the
world. Yours faithfully,

J. H. COZENS, secretary.
This exhibit for which this medal was award-
ed was the 128 cases condemned by Hamilton
and others in the Department of Agriculture at
Ottawa as unfit for exhibition purposes. The
above is a clear verdict in favor of those who
forwarded the exhibit.

LISTS OF SHIPMENTS.

Mr. Thomas E. Davis, inspector at London for
the Department of Agriculture, reports that
consignees in Britain complain that senders of
Canadian produce do not forward lists of ship-
ments, thereby causing great inconvenience.
This is a matter which shippers should care-
fully attend to.

CHATHAM FRUIT GROWERS ADOPT
POWER SPRAYING.

Secretary- Treasurer W. D. A. Ross, of the
Chatham Fruit Growers' Association, writes the
Fruit Division, Ottawa, that his association has
purchased a power spraying outfit for the use
of the members, and asks that Mr. J. C. Harris,
who had charge of the government sprayer used
in the illustration work in the Ingersoll district
last year, be sent to- start their machine. Mr.
Harris recently gave the Chatham growers a
talk on spraying, with which they were very
much pleased. A good many of the members
were only giving the power spraying project
half-hearted support previous to his visit, but
now they are all anxious to go ahead with the
scheme according to the most improved meth-
ods. The association is also talking of putting
up a packing nouse and evaporator, but are
hesitating on account of the prevalence of the
San Jose scale, which though confined to a lim-
ited area is gradually spreading in the district.

A FRUIT MARKS BILL IN NEW YORK.

If imitation is the sincerest form of fiattery,
Canada may well take it as a compliment that
Senator Hill has lately introduced in the Senate
of the State of New York a bill very much like
the Dominion Fruit Marks Act. There is an ad-
additional clause in the New York bill requir-
ing packages to be marked with the name of the
place where the fruit was grown, but this clause
is strongly opposed by the trade, who maintain
that a large operator who repacks fruit brought
into his storehouse by the carload, and coming
from forty or fifty different shippers, could not
possibly comply with such stipulations. In re-
gard to the bill the New York Fruitman's Guide
says : " It conflicts with the Interstate com-
merce law that forbids the passage of an act
that hinders commerce between various states.
Why Canada's law is a success is because it is
a national law, but until such a law is passed
in the United States the merchants in such
States in which such a law obtains are at a dis-
advantage with the merchants of other States."

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Archibald Lampman.

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lie (anadian "Horticoltdrist

MAY, 1904

Volume XXVII

Number 5

CO-OPERATIVE POWER SPRAYING IN CANADA

W. A. MACKINNON, CHIEF FRUIT DIVISION, OTTAWA.

''T^ HOUGH the fruit growing public of
i. Canada has had instruction and en-
couragement in spraying for a number of
years, it has begun to appear evident that
small owners, as a rule, do not make a suc-
cess of spraying by the ordinary methods.
Many difficulties have combined to bring
about this result. Among them may be
mentioned the fact that the operation of
spraying is unpleasant, inconvenient and
highly distasteful to the average farmer.

It is totally different from his usual occu-
pations ; requires a plant* and chemicals with
which he is not familiar, and which must be
handled with scientific accuracy if success is
to be achieved ; the plant remains idle dur-
ing the greater part of the year, and finally,
the work must be done just at a time when
many other farm operations are pressing.
Even those who have purchased an outfit
and devoted much time to working it have
sometimes failed to apply the mixture at
exactly the right time or to distribute it
thoroughly over every part of the tree, and
the resulting failure has discouraged them
and their neighbors from further eflFort.

Consideration of these facts, among
others, induced the Honorable the Minister
of Agriculture, to authorize the conducting

of systematic experiments in power spray-
ing during the spring and summer of 1903.
The most successful of these were carried
on in the neighborhood of Woodstock, and
resulted in the production of almost the only
No. I fruit in that section. The season hap-
pened to be a particularly bad one for fun-
gous diseases in that part of Ontario, and
the sprayed orchards, yielding 80 to 90 per
cent, of perfect fruit, were in marked con-
trast to those which surrounded them, in
which the yield of No. i fruit varied from
20 to 50 per cent.

Without going into details it may be
stated that the spraying, which was per-
formed itour or five times on each orchard,
at a fixed charge to the growers amounting
to rather less than actual cost, was found
both effective and economical, though the
route was long and straggling, and some of
the orchards were in by no means perfect
condition as regards pruning and otherwise.
The operation cost less than five cents per
tree for each spraying. One should not
speak with too much certainty after a single
season's experience, but it seems probable
that five cents per " tree spraying " should
more than cover the cost for well grown
apple trees. A 2^ horse power engine was

1 86

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

used, giving a steady pressure of about lOO
pounds, with a 200-gallon tanJ< and two
Tines of hose, carrying six nozzles each.
Qu'arter-inch hose was uSed for the sake of
Hghtness and was found very satisfactory.
The Bordeaux mixture (with paris green
added) was the only one applied, except in
one or two cases towards the end of the
season.

WORK WILL BE TRIED IN NOVA SCOTIA.

Arrangements are being made for carry-
ing on a similar demonstration this season
in the Annapolis Valley, N.S., where Inspec-
tor Vroom has charge of the preliminary ar-
rangements ; and near Ingersoll, Ont., under
the direction of Mr. J. C. Harris. It need
hardly be said that the fruit division 'will not
make a permanent business of spraying or-
chards for owners. The object of the
demonstrations is to induce growers to unite
in groups, wherever 3,000 or 4,000 trees can
be had within a distance of about five miles
from end to end. Such a combination of
growers could afford to purchase an outfit
among them at a cost of something like $350,
or to hire the use of such an outfit from its
owner, who might undertake to do the work
thoroughly, at so much per tree.

Power spraying, it is hoped, will be taken
up either on the co-operative basis or by
men such as the threshermen, who could
give their whole time during two or three
months to this work, at a profit both to them-
selves and to the growers. One efficient
man, who understands the preparation of
spraying mixtures, who can learn how to
manage a gasoline engine, and who can be
depended on to do the work thoroughly at '
all times, will be sufficient for each group of
orchards. He may require two or three
assistants to drive and hold the lines of hose,
but they need not be skilled, as he will direct
the entire work.

THE ONLY LIKELY WAY.

It does not seem likely that in any other

way spraying will become general through-
out the country, and it is hoped that this
method, overcoming as it does most of the
objections to spraying either by power or
hand, will eventually, lead to a great im-
provement in the average quality of the
apple crop of Canada.

Already as a result of the successful
operation of the Woodstock outfit at least
one fruitgrowers' association has ordered a
power spraying outfit, and other groups of
orchardists, as well as some large owners,
are contemplating such a purchase. Grow-
ers appear only too eager to have the work
done for them even if it costs them more
than they have formerly been able to do it
for. Mr. Harris, of Ingersoll, states that
he could easily have taken orders sufficient
to keep two outfits busy in his immediate
neighborhood, though growers are asked to
pay the actual cost, about the five cents per
" tree-spraying." A group of King's
county growers in Nova Scotia have made
similar agreements for four sprayings dur-
ing the present season, and there would
have been no difficulty in securing a great
many more orchards. It would appear,
tiierefore, that new as the method is, it has
appealed to the common sense of the grow-
ers, and there can be no doubt that they will
very soon adopt it on their own account.

Examine the Apparatus. — Our spray-
ing apparatus is overhauled a few days be-
fore we intend spraying. The hose and noz-
zles are examined carefully, for it does not
pay to have " breakdowns " in the spraying
season. The Bordeaux and ' paris green
mixture is made very carefully, and the
ferrocyanide test is always made to deter-
mine whether sufficient lime has been used.
The agitator of the spray pump must be
carefully looked after to see that it really
agitates the liquid and keeps the paris green
in suspension in the Bordeaux mixture. —
(Prof. W. Lochhead. Ont. Agri. College.

CARE OF NURSERY STOCK

WILLIAM FLEMING, OWEX SOUND, ONT.

IMMEDIATELY on the receipt of pack-
ages or boxes of fruit trees, shrubs or
plants from the nursery, convey them to
some place sheltered from the wind and sun.
On opening the bundles lay the goods out
on the ground and check them to see that all
is correct. Sprinkle them with water and
cover with damp straw to keep the wind off.
It has a beneficial effect to puddle the roots.
Dig a round hole 2j^ feet broad and 1^4
feet in clayey soil. Half fill this with water
and with a hoe. or shovel mix clayey earth
with the water to the consistency of paint.
Dip the roots of the trees in this mud mix-
ture. When partially dry give a second
application. This covering of mud greatly
protects the roots and stimulates growth.

TRENCH THE STOCK.

Dig a trench deep and wide enough io
hold the roots and one-third of the tree
trunks. Loosen the bundles so as to ease
the roots and lay the trees in the trench, the
tops leaning to the north down close to the
ground. Cover the roots and one-third of
the trunk of the trees with earth, covering
the roots thoroughly. If the earth is dry
sprinkle well with water and leave so
trenched till planted in a day or two.

The ground for planting the stock in
should have been prepared and properly en-
riched the previous year. There should be
no grass nor sods to cause trouble after
planting. Nothing should be half done.

LAYING OUT THE GROUND.

When laying out the land put a straight
stake where each tree is to stand. Dig only
one hole at a time and plant the tree in it.
When this is done tne tree occupies the place
of the stake. Pass on to the next hole and
plant the second tree, and continue this till
all are planted. Doing the work in this
way the trees will all be in their proper

places. Planting sliould be done on a
cloudy day if possible.

If the ground has a sandy bottom it mat-
ters little how the hole is dug and the tree
planted. If it has a clay bottom it matters
a great deal. Where the ground is heavy
the greatest care is required. The hole
must not be sunk in the clay, as the water
sours under the tree in the hole and kills or
injures the tree permanently.

The hole should be dug wide and deep
enough to admit the roots of the tree. The
surface earth should be thrown on one side
and bottom earth on the other side of the
hole so as to be convenient for refilling.
PLANTING THE TREES.

When planting the tree, stand it straight
in the hole so it will occupy the exact place
of the removed stake and set it one inch
deeper than in the nursery. Let the sur-
face earth be put in the hole first and thor-
oughly packed among the roots so that no
crevices are left unfilled. When the hole
is two-thirds full pour a pail of water in it
close to the tree, and when soaked in thor-
oughly shovel the balance of the earth in the
hole. Do not press or stamp the earth, as it
would ruin the chance of the tree thriving.

If the ground is not dry, instead of water-
ing, a barrow of long manure should be put
on the ground two feet all round the tree,
but not close to the trunk, to keep the
ground moist. No manure should be put
near the roots of the tree in the ground
when planted.

The injured and decayed parts of the
roots should be cut carefully off. and half of
last year's growth should be removed and
the top of the tree balanced. If the trees
are allowed to take care of themselves after
planting the greater half of them will die the
first year and the balance will be permanent-
ly injured.

THE CANADIAN HGRTICULTURIS7

Compressed Air Sprayer Being Loaded. No. i.

The illustration shows a gasoline engine compressing the air into one of two tanks on the waggon and
filling the second tank with the mixture to be used. The tanks contain about loo gallons each and it takes
lo to 15 minutes to fill them. The air tanks are charged up to 160 to 180 pounds pressure to the inch.
When this_ compressed air is turned into the tank containing the mixture the liquid is forced out in the
form of a fine spray. (See article by Mr. J. Tweddle, in this issue )

the same time not
overlap any part.
This saves at least
25 per cent, in ma-
terial and enables
ten times as much
surface to be
sprayed as can be
done with the hand
sprayer with 3 or
4 nozzles.

The horse or
team going at a
good lively walk
can do a large
amount of work
in a day. Twenty
to 30 acres of
average sized ap-
ple trees can be
sprayed, using
1,500 to 2,000 gal-
lons.

I spray only
with the wind. The
stronger the wind ^
the better the

Power Sprayer Here to Stay

JOSEPH TWEDDLE, ERUITLAND, ONT.

HAVING leased some 60 acres of my
neighbors' apple orchards, and
knowing the need of thorough spraying, I
found the hand sprayer quite inadequate to
do the work in the time allowed. A com-
pressed air outfit, as shown in the accom-
panying illustration, was secured. It has
all the latest improvements, including the
Owen's spar and a hoist of my own inven-
tion for use on high trees.

This hoist does away with the use of the
clumsy and dangerous derrick and the heavy
labor called for in its use. By the present
arrangement the nozzles, %Vhich are about 9
inches apart, and in a perpendicular line, can
be made to cover the tree thoroughly and at

work. The opposite
side of the trees is covered when the wind
changes, which usually occurs in good time
to finish the work when required.

POWER SPRAYERS.

The power sprayer has come to stay. The
past two seasons have been productive of
much scab on apple foliage and fruit where
no spraying was done. It is not, however,
difficult to procure 80 or 90 p^r cent, of
strictly clean fruit by spraying three or four
times with Bordeaux mixture and white
arsenic or arsenate of lead. Fruit from
trees so treated has realized double to treble
the net price that unsprayed fruit has
brought. Nothing pays such handsome
dividends as the power sprayer. It doubles
both the crop and the price.

IMPORTANCE OF SPRAYING AND WHEN TO DO IT

VV. T. MACOUN, CENTRAL EXPERIMENTAL FARM^ OTTAWA.

ONE might suppose that farmers and
fruit growers would spray their trees
as a matter of course, just as they plough
and cultivate their fields, since the ad-
vantages of spraying have been so well
proven and demonstrated during the past 13
or 14 years by the best fruit growers of
Canada and by men employed by the gov-
ernment to do this work. Unfortunately,
there is yet a very large proportion of the
men engaged in fruit growing who do not
spray.

Some men spray their trees but are not
satisfied with the results, the reason being
that the mixture is not properly made, the
trees are not sprayed thoroughly, or the
spraying is not done at the proper time.
Spraying is an expensive operation, and it Is
surprising that fruit growers continue lo
waste hard earned money by not doing the
work properly.

The early sprayings are the important
ones, and these are too often neglected on
account of press of other work. When the
spraying is done it is often too late to be of
much service. A spraying calendar, with
directions for making the' different mixtures
and solutions, will be sent free, on applica-
tion to the Central Experimental Farm, Ot-
tawa. A certain nun]ber of sprayings are
suggested in the calendar and the times
when they should be made.

It should be impressed on those who spray
that if heavy rain occurs before the mixture
has dried on the trees it will be washed oflf
and the work must be done over again.. The
neglect of this is probably one of the chief
causes of poor success in spraying.

THOROUGHNESS IS REQUIRED.

Spraying should be dorte thoroughly and
the underside of the leaves should receive "s
much of the spray, if possible, as the upper

sides. Every leaf or fruit, or every part of
leaf or fruit, missed means a possible foot-
hold for disease or insect pests. The
spraying should be done as nearly as possi-
ble at the times mentioned in the spraying
calendar. A delay of a few days may mean
the loss of practically all the mixture or so-
lution used, as there might be no beneficial
results.

At the Central Experimental Farm this
spring the first spraying will be made during
the last few days of April, depending on
how far the season is advanced. The aim
is to spray the apple trees just as the buds
are breaking or have broken. The poisoned
Bordeaux mixture (4 pounds copper sul-
phate, 4 pounds unslaked lime, 4 ounces
paris green to 40 gallons of water) is used
at that time. The object of this spraying
is to prevent the spread of the Apple Spot
Fungus and to kill any leaf eating insects.

The first spraying at this season was be-
gun a few years ago when the Tent Cater-
pillars were very bad, as it was found that
the young caterpillars began to work just as
the buds were breaking, and could be easily
killed at that time.

SECOND AND THIRD SPRAYINGS.

The second spraying will be made just be-
fore the flower buds open, which at Ottawa
will be about two and a half weeks after the
first application, the poisoned Bordeaux
mixture again being used. This is to de-
stroy leaf eating insects also, such as the bud
moths and Tent Caterpillars, and prevent the
spread of the Apple Spot Fungus. A third
spraying with poisoned Bordeaux mixture
will be made within a week after the blos-
soms fall.

The two first sprayings are important, but
this third spraying is even more irrtportant
still, as at this spraying the poison is applied

I go

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST,

which is to destroy the Codling Moth. It
is also a season when the Apple Spot Fun-
gus is usually very active. These three
sprayings are the most important and should
not be neglected. At the farm we make at
least two more for winter apples, and be-
lieve that taking one season with another It
pays to spray winter apples five or even six
times.

WHEN SPRAYING MAY BE DONE.

If a fruit grower feels that he cannot
spray more than three times I would suggest
making the first spraying just before the
flower buds open, tne second within a week
after the blossoms fall, and the third from
ID to 15 days later. In districts west of
Toronto, where there are two broods of Cod-
ling Moth, it would be well to make two
sprayings of the poisoned Bordeaux mix-
ture in addition to the banding of trees.
These sprayings should be made about July
20 and two weeks later.

Plum trees will be sprayed while the trees
are still dormant with copper sulphate and
water (i pound copper sulphate to 25 gal-
lons of water), to prevent the spread of the
brown or ripe and black knot. A second
spraying for the same purpose will be made
with poisoned Bordeaux mixture before the
flower buds open. A third spraying will
be given with the same object and mixture
about a week after the blossoms have fallen.
This spraying will also destroy the curculio.

As with apples, the early applications are
the most important and should not be
omitted. Pears should be sprayed at about
the same time as apples.'

This immediate vicinity has few growers
of large fruit, as people became discouraged
in the days of darkness. New interest,
however, is now manifest, as farmers are
putting out new orchards. My brother is set-
ting out 300 trees this spring.— (W. H. Hut-
ton, Smith's rails, Ont.

Ownership of Roadside Trees

H. L. HUTT, ONT. AGRI. COL.

The council of the municipality in which I
live is selling the beautiful shade trees along the
highways for paltry sums of money and allow-
ing them to be cut down. The trees are princi-
pally pines and elms growing wild along the
fences. To me this seems scandalous, and if it
is not stopped the beauty of our country will be
destroyed. Can not the owner of the adjoining
land or any ratepayer forbid this cutting ? —
(E. E. D., Harrowsmith, Ont.)

Public officials elected by popular vote
are usually very sensitive to the effect of
public opinion, and if the pressure of pub-
lic opinion can be brought to bear upon
such a council probably this would be the
best way to deal with them. This, however,
may be too slow to prevent their seriously
destroying the natural beauty of the high-
ways. It may be necessary to resort to
stronger means. If this has to be done, I
give below the opinion of a legal friend :

A I.EGAL OPINION.

"If the trees constitute an obstacle to the
free use of the highway, as such, or are a
nuisance, it is the duty of the municipal
council to have them removed, and the coun-
cil may have such trees removed whenever
such removal is deemed necessary for any
purpose of public improvement. The owner
of adjoining property, however, is entitled
to ten days' notice of the intention of the
council to remove the trees, and the inten-
tion of the council must be expressed by a
resolution of council regularly passed.

" Compensation must also be paid to the
owner of the adjacent lands, but only if he
has planted or protected the trees. No
pathmaster or other person has any authority
to remove any shade tree on the highway
without a special resolution of council being
first passed.

"Under R. S. O., Chap. 243, Section 2,
Sub.-Sec. 4 : ' Every growing tree, shrub
or sapling whatsoever, planted or left stand-
ing on either side of any highway for the
purpose of shade or " ornament, shall be

PROTECT THE TREES.

191

deemed to be the property of the owner of
the land adjacent to the highway and near-
est to such tree, shrub or sapHng.'

" This property of the adjoining owner in
the trees is not absolute, however. It is of
a peculiar character. The trees cannot be
cut down without notice to him as above
mentioned, nor yet can he himself cut them
down or remove them, unless a special reso-
lution of the council has been passed, with-
out becoming liable to fine and possibly im-
prispnment."

Advice to Fruit Growers

" Fruit growers will do well," said P. J.
Carey, of Cobourg, to the Horticulturist a
few days ago, " If they take lonp- to consider
before investing in the method of protecting
trees against almost all known diseases ad-
vocated by a firm which has operated in
some of the western counties of the province.
The firm claims that by boring a hole into
the trees and giving them a sort of hypo-
dermic injection of a mixture composed in
part of charcoal, sulphur, soda and gun-
powder, the sap will dissolve this mixture
and carry it to all parts of the tree, there-
by protecting it against the various pests.

" The firm which is selling this mixture
presents its case in such' a plausible manner
that a large number of fruit growers have
been led to adopt the method which I am
satisfied is absolutely worthless. In a num-
ber of cases parties have actually paid $200
for townships for the right to sell this mix-
ture. At a number of the meetings I at-
tended during the latter part of March and
the beginning of April with Mr. Sherring-
ton, of Walkerton, we found growers who
had paid as high as 25 cents per tree to have
their orchards operated on in this way. We
told them frankly what we thought of the
method — that it was no good. It has been
tried so extensively in the United States that
Prof. Taft. at Washington, ha«: 'ssued a
warninsf to beware of the method."

Growing Catalpa Speciosa

H. L. HUTT, AGRI. CGI.., GUELPH.

I have read contradictory reports concerning
Catalpa speciosa Would you as a farmer
plant them out for fence posts or shades? Are
they hardy ? Do they attain sufficient size to
wire to m five or seven years ? If you recom-
mend them, where can the seed be obtained ? —
(W. J. C. Franconia, Ont.

CATALPA SPECIOSA, commonly
known as the Hardy or Western
Catalpa, i^ quite hardy in Southern Ontario,
and even does fairly well here in Guelph,
where we have several species, this, how-
ever, being the hardiest of the lot. This
species has been largely planted in the west
for shade and also for fence postsi it
makes a very ♦'apid growth from the seed
and usually attains a height of two feet the
first year.

On good soil and well taken care of, it
should be sufficiently large to support fence
wires in five or six years. I have seen it
planted for this purpose in some parts of
southern Ontario, where it has proved a
complete failure, but this was largely due to
lack of attention. The trees should not be
left to grow in sod without protection of
some sort. If they can be kept cultivated,
or even heavily mulched, they will make
double the growth that they would in sod.

As shade and ornamental trees they are
very desirable, not only on account of their
large leaves but because of the large showy
flowers which appear in July. The seed is
listed by J. M. Thorburn, 2>^ Cortlandt St.,
New York, at one dollar per pound. If
good seed can be procured, the trees can be
very cheaply grown from seed. They should
be started the first year in nursery rows and
kept cultivated the same as corn. In the
spring of the second season they should be
taken up and transplanted into other rows
or where they are to remain permanently.
The seedlings form very strong tap roots,
and give difficulty in transplanting unless
taken at one vear.

ig:

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTUR!Sl

Planting Fruit Trees

SMITH & REID CO., ST. CATHARINES, ONT.

1^ O beginners in fruit growing a few
hints, at this season, on the planting
of trees may be of value. There are a num-
ber of important points which should be
carefully watched. Before the planting is
done both the soil and the trees require to be
carefully prepared. For fruit trees the soil
should be dry — either naturally so or by
thorough drainage. It may be well pre-
pared by twice plowing. Manuring is
necessary in all cases, except on new land.
To insure good growth, the land should be
kept in as good condition as for a crop of
wheat, corn or potatoes.

PREPARATION OP THE) TREES.

Fruit trees as sent from the nursery vary
from five to seven feet in height, with the
naked stems or trunks and a number of
branches at the top forming a head. These
branches should all be cut back to within
three or four buds of their base. Cut r.ff
smoothly all bruised or broken roots up to
the sound wood. In case of older trees
prune in proportion. When digging the
holes for the trees make them large enough
to permit the roots of the tree to spread out
in their natural position. When the tree
has been pruned, as before directed, let one
person hold it in an upright position in the
hole while a second shovels in the earth.
The finest and best soil from the surface
should be placed among the roots, care be-
ing taken to bring every root in contact with
it. In dry weatner, when the hole is nearly
filled, a pail of water may be used to wash
the earth in around the roots. Guard
against planting too deep ; after the ground
settles trees should stand as they did in the
nursery. In dry gravelly ground the hole
should be dug twice the usual size in depth
and filled in with good loamy soil. If the
trees are tall and much exposed to winds,

Compressed Air Sprayer at work. No, 2.

A large orchard can be effective ly sprayed in a short time by one
of these sprayers equipped with a spar as here shown. This spar is
adjustable and can ))e moved when desired, until the upper part is
entirely above the lower, thus not duplicating the spray. The
gasoline engine, used to load the tanks, is usually kept at thw nearest
point to the orchard where a good supply of water can be obtained.
(See article by Mr. Tweddle on page i88 in this issue.)

tie to a stake in such a manner as to avoid
chafing.

MUIvCHING.

When the tree is planted place around it
as far as the roots extend and a little beyond,
five to six inches deep of rough manure or
litter. This prevents the ground from bak-
ing and cracking and maintains an even
temperature about the roots.

After they have been set out the ground
should be kept clean and loose around all
trees, as a growth of grass will stunt their
growth.

I spray the ordinary Bordeaux mixture on
plums three times a season and several times
on apples with good results. — (W. O. Bur-
gess, Queenston, Ont.

IN THE ORCHARD.

193

Hints on Pear Growing

R. L. HUGGARD, WHITBY, ONT.

PEARS are not grown as plentiful as
that class of fruit deserves. To get
the best results the land should be a good
clay loam surface, with a stiff clay subsoil
well underdrained. No varieties of fruit
trees give their best results on wet or soggy
soil.

The pear requires less pruning than al-
most any other fruit tree. Pruning should
be done while the trees are young, as very
little pruning is required after they come
into fall bearing.

I have tried both clean cultivation and
growing in grass, simply cutting the grass
once during the year. The result showed
clearly that cultivation is decidedly the best
both in the growth of wood and fruit. There
are many varieties that it will pay to thin,
especially the Kieffer, Bartlett, Jules Guyatt,
and frequently Louise Bonne, Lucrative and
others that have a habit of overloading.

VARIETIES THAT NEED THINNING.

I have never found it necessary to thin
Clapp's Favorite, Lawrence, Leonard, An-
jou or Duchess d'Angoleme, as they gen-
erally mature all the fruit that sets each
year. For several years' past the Seckel,
although one of the smallest pears I grow,
has brought the highest price per bushel on
the market. This, no doubt, is on account
of its superior quality. The trees, although
slow growers, are quite hardy and seem to
be free from pear blight.

About April i, or as soon as convenient
before the buds open, I spray with copper
sulphate and lime, and afterwards with the
full Bordeaux mixture, adding whale oil
soap. The fertilizers used in all the or-
chards is barnyard manure and ashes. I
have tried several brands of fertilizers, but
none seem to give as good results as the
ashes and manure. No trouble has been
experienced from blight for several years.

Trees Girdled by Mice.

H. L. HUTT, ONT, AGRI. COLLEGE.

The mice girdled my trees to a depth of two
feet Ibelow the snow level. The trees were only
put out a couple of years ago. Is there any-
thing I can do to save them ? — (B. C. Abbott,
Lucan, Ont

iN the case of young trees only a year or
two old they may better be taken out
and replaced by new ones if the injury is at
all serious. In the case of older trees,
which are well established and ready for
bearing, it is advisable to try to repair the
damage by binding or by bridge grafting.

If the injury is close to the ground, the
best thing to do is to bank some earth
around the injured part. If the injury is
too high for this to be done, the next best
thing is to apply a plaster of soft clay or
fresh cow dung, which should be firmly
bound about the tree with a strong bandage.

In the case of trees which have been en-
tirely girdled, they may be saved by bridg-
ing the injured part with long scions in-
serted beneath the fresh bark above and be-
low the injury. Several of these should be
put in so as to convey the cambium from the
upper to the lower parts of the tree. The
whole injured portion should be covered
with the plaster and bandaged as previously
mentioned.

If the trees had been protected last fall by
wrapping about them a band of felt paper
or something of that kind, as was advocated
by Mr. Harold Jones' and others in these
columns last fall, damage might have been
avoided.

Loss Through Neglect. — A great deal
of damage was done to fruit trees during the
winter by mice chiefly in grassy and neglect-
ed orchards. If growers would practice clean
cultivation and clean up the rubbish around
the fences they would not be troubled with
this pest. I have met growers who say
that they have lost hundreds of trees. — (A.
E. Sherrington, Walkerton, Ont.

194

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST

Black Knot in the Plum and Cherry
Plantation

Iv. w.

THE black knot has caused such devas-
tation among the plum and cherry
trees of Ontario that for a t;me their culti-
vation was almost given up. Since the
cause and the remedy have both been found
no one need fear to plant these fruits; The
cause is a parasitic fungus which grows
within the bark, and not, as many even yet
believe, the oviposition by some gall insect.
The remedy consists in cutting off and
burning all knots and infested branches m
winter or early in' the spring, before the
spores of the knot, which live in it over win-
ter, have an opportunity to develop and be
scattered. Many people simply cut off these
branches and leave them lying about. This
is almost as great an evil as leaving them on
the trees.

Often a lot of neglected plum and cherry
trees in a fence corner are left undestroyed
in the vicinity of good trees, the owner evi-
dently being either too careless or too ignor-
ant to have them cut and burned. Such
clumps of neglected trees often produce
spores of the black knot enough to destroy
the orchards of a whole neighborhood.

Where branches of valuable trees are af-
fected with knots which cannot be removed
without serious mutilation, the knots may
be carefully pared off with a sharp knife and
the wound well painted over with kerosene.

Spraying with Bordeaux, just as the buds
are breaking, for rot of the fruit is very im-
portant, especially with plums and such
varieties of cherries as Black Tartarian, Elk-
horn, Elton, Napoleon and Yellow Spanish.
The sour cherries are not very subject to it.
Before the buds open copper sulphate may
be used, one pound to 20 gallons of water,
but this cannot be safely applied to the
foliage.

Making the Bordeaux Mixture

PROF. WM. LOCHHEAD, ONT. AGRI. COLLEGE.

THE Bordeaux mixture is so often re-
commended for application in the or-
chard and in the small fruit and vegetable
garden, requests are constantly being re-
ceived for information as to how it is made.
For fungous diseases use copper sulphate
(bluestone), 4 pounds; lime (fresh), 4
pounds ; water, 40 gallons.

In making this mixture observe the fol-
lowing precautions and directions : Use
nothing but fresh quick-lime. The lime
should be slowly slacked by the gradual ad-
dition of water. For convenience stock
solutions of milk of lime and bluestone
should be prepared and kept in different bar-
rels in readiness for spraying operations.
In barrel No. i, 25 pounds of fresh lime are
gradually slaked, and barrel made up to 25
gallons of water ; in barrel No. 2, 25 pounds
of copper sulphate, or bluestone, are dis-
solved in 25 gallons of water. For rapid
dissolving use warm water. These are .he
stock solutions. Each gallon of milk of
lime contains one pound of lime, and each
gallon of bluestone contains one pound of
bluestone. When we wish to make up a
barrel of Bordeaux mixture we take out 4
gallons of milk of lime and 4 gallons of
bluestone solution, and pour each separately
into the barrel in which are already 32 gal-
lons of water.

Never mix the concentrated stock solu-
tions together. If the milk of lime and blue-
stone are mixed in the concentrated form,
just as they are taken from the stock solu-
tion, a precipitate of a flakey nature will
soon settle out, and either fall to the bottom
or clog the nozzle. Test the Bordeaux to
find out whether sufficient milk of lime has
been added. This is most easily done by
means of the ferrocyanide test. A saturated
solution of this substance can be purchased
at any druggist's for a few cents. In test-

IN THE ORCHARD.

'95

The Fitzgerald Peach.

The Fitzgerald Peach is a variety which serves to extend the season of high class yellow peaches a few days later than the Early Craw-
ford. It is too tender for very long shipments, but to the taste of many people the flavor is finer than that of the Crawford. Origin : Oik-
viile, Ont ; Tree : hardy, healthy and productive; Fruit : Size, two and a quarter inches in either diameter; Form, roundish, ovate; Color,
bright yellow, partly covered with deep red ; Down, moderate ; Cavity, broad and deep; Apex, a small point in a slightly depressed basin ;
Suiur, distinct ; Stone, free. Flesh: yellow, with red at pit ; Texture, tender an«l juicy ; Flavor, excellent. Season: Sept. ist to 7th.

ing, place some of the Bordeaux, which has
been thoroughly stirred, in a saucer, and add
a few drops of the ferrocyanide. If suffi-
cient lime has been used, no discoloration
will appear, but if insufficient, a deep dark
brown color will be produced.

Always strain the milk of lime to prevent
gritty particles from clogging the nozzles.
Use a fine nozzle ; do not soak nor drench the
tree. The stock solutions will keep, but the
Bordeaux mixture becomes useless after
standing for a day or two.

COMBINATION BORDEAUX AND PARIS GREEN
MIXTURES.

This mixture is for fungous diseases and
leaf-eating insects. It is prepared like the
Bordeaux, but 4 ounces of paris green are
added and thoroughly stirred before spray-
ing. Copper sulphate (bluestone), 4
pounds ; quick lime (fresh), 4 pounds ; paris
green, 4 ounces; water (i barrel), 40 gal-
lons. In^rnall quantities it may be made
as follows :" Bluestone, 4 level tablespoon-

f uls ; quick lime, 4 level tablespoonfuls ;
paris green, i level tablespoonful ; water, i
pail (2 gallons).

Fruit Scions. — At the Central Experi-
mental Farm, Ottawa, a great many re-
quests for scions of different varieties of
fruits are received. While W. T. Macoun,
the horticulturist, is always pleased to fur-
nish scions where it is possible to do so, a
great many kinds, he says, do not succeed at
Ottawa which are needed in other parts of
Ontario. It is necessary, therefore, to dis-
appoint fruit growers quite frequently.
Many fruit growers would like to know
where scions can be obtained at reasonable
rates, either from nurserymen or from fruit
growers.

When I set out my apple orchard twenty-
two years ago I committed the mistake
many do the first year, of planting too many
early bearing apple trees. — (A. Shaw, Wal-
kerton, Ont.

SPRAYING THE APPLE ORCHARD

L. W.

SPRAYING an apple orchard is an ex-
pensive as well as a disagreeable job,
but in nine years out of ten it brings large
returns if done with intelligence.

Some people spray with no definite ob-
ject in view ; they read in the papers that the
work should be done, and they do it with a
foolish expectancy of magical results.
Others, having tried it and failed, go to the
opposite extreme and declare spraying a use-
less operation.

Spraying must be done thoroughly and
with a definite object in view if definite re-
sults are to be obtained. Every inch of
wood not covered is liable to the attack of
the enemy. The finest nozzles must be
used, and the spray applied to every part
requiring protection in such a fine vapor that
like a mist it will deposit itself without run-
ning off in drops to the ground.

The trees must be prepared for spraying
by a most thorough and careful pruning,
else much costly material will be wasted
upon useless wood. If scab is present, an
especially severe pruning is judicious. Old
apple trees are often allowed to grow too
high to be easily reached by sprayer, pruner
or fruit gatherer; these should be topped
well back to a reasonable height.

For aphis, oyster shell bark louse and San
Jose scale, and all such insects as do not eat
the foliage, but simply suck the juices of
plants, kerosene emulsion, whale oil soap, or
the new sulphur and lime mixture are the
standard remedies. The latter is a winter
or early spring spray, while the others may
be applied in summer, in certain proportions,
without injury to the foliage. Not a day
of delay should pass after discovery of
aphis before the kerosene emulsion is ap-
plied, for when once the leaves are curled
with them it is almost impossible to destroy
them.

For insects that chew, such as the tent
caterpillar, the bud moth, the canker worm,
codling moth, and for such fungi as apple
scab, bitter rot, apple canker, etc.,^ apply
Bordeaux, with paris green or arsenite of
lime added, which is a combined fungicide
and insecticide.

MAY be; used in the garden.

Kerose'ne emulsion is useful, not only m
the apple orchard, but also in the garden for
destroying aphis on the rose bushes. It is
prepared according to the following for-
mula:

Hard soap, Yz pound, or soft soap i quart.

Boiling water (soft), i gallon.

Coal oil, 2 gallons.

After dissolving the soap in the water add
the coal oil, while still boiling, and stir vigor-
ously for five or ten minutes. This will
form the stock solution. When using, dilute
with 9 to 15 parts of water.

Bordeaux may be prepared according lo
the following formula:

Copper sulphate, 6 pounds.

Quick lime, 4 pounds.

Water, i barrel of 40 or 50 gallons.

First dissolve the copper sulphate in say
ten gallons of water, suspending it in coarse
sacking. Use an earthen or wooden vessel
for this purpose. When the copper sulphate
is dissolved pour the solution into the spray-
ing barrel and half fill the barrel with water.
Next slack the lime, diluting it .with water
to at least ten gallons : then pour this milk
of lime into the spraying barrel through a
wire strainer to keep out all lumpy bits. Add
water to fill the barrel, and stir vigorously.

WHERE TIME MAY BE SAVED.

For large orchards much time will be
saved by having stock solutions in readiness ;
that is a barrel of copper sulphate solution
and a barrel of milk of lime. II these are

IN THE ORCHARD.

197

made so that in the one there is one pound
of copper sulphate to a gallon of water,
and in t^ie other one pound of lime, it is a
simple thing to take six gallons of the for-
mer and four of the latter and pour them
together in the spray barrel, afterwards
filling it with water.

The arsenite of lime is cheaper and better
than paris green. The best formula for its
preparation is that known as the " Kedzie
mixture," which is as follows :

White arsenic, 2 pounds.

Sal soda (washing soda), 8 pounds.

Water, 2 gallons.

Boil together about 15 minutes until the
arsenic is all dissolved ; replace the water
lost in boiling and place in an earthen or
wooden vessel as a stock solution. One
pint of this is equal in strength to four
ounces of paris green and may be used in
the same way; that is, add one pint to each
barrel of Bordeaux, or if the latter is not
used, use one pint of the solution, two pounds
of quick lime and say 45 gallons of water.

WORK THE PEACH TREES REQUIRE

Iv. w.

'''1"^ HE pruning of the peach trees may be
A done at any time, but preferably just
before the spring growth begins, especially
if wood growth needs encouragement.
Many Canadian peach growers prune in
such a way as to produce long sprawling
arms with tufts of bearing wood at the ex-
tremities. This is a great mistake.

Two-thirds of the young growth should
be cut off every year, from the first year
after planting, and the tree kept round
headed all its life with bearing wood almost
to the very trunk. ...ucH a tree will prove
more productive, longer lived and fairer to
look upon than the sprawlers above de-
scribed.

AN ENEMY TO WATCH FOR.

The peach root borer is often a most
serious enemy of the peach tree, giving it a
sickly look and resulting in premature death.
The presence of the pest may be detected
by the gum and castings about the root at
the ground surface. The best remedy is to
dig out the grub with a sharp knife and Kill
it either this month or early in June, before
it has transformed into a moth. The grub
is easily found and readily identified, being
a yellowish color and about an inch in
length.

The yellows of the peach is still a mystery
even to students of plant pathology, and to
the peach grower it is the most formidable
and destructive of all diseases affecting his
orchard. If diseased trees are allowed to
remain, the yellows will soon spread through
an entire orchard, first making the fruit use-
less and afterward destroying the tree.

The only known method of checking it
consists in digging out affected trees, and
burning them root and branch. . Trees hav-
ing diseased fruit should be " blazed " ni
fruit season, and early the following spring
they can be pulled out by the horses. A log
chain is attached as high up as convenient,
and if the ground is wet a span of horses
pulling first one way and then another will
quickly take out a tree, roots and all. If
this work has not been done, no time should
be lost in attending to it.

I spray peaches once a year with lime and
sulphur, using 30 pounds of lime and 30
pounds of flower of sulphur to 80 gallons of
water. I find 30 pounds of first-class white
lime quite sufficient, as more makes the trees
white, which is no gain. An excess of lime
increases expenses and clogs the spraying
nozzles. — (W. O. Burgess, Queenston, Ont,

PROTECTING THE PEAR TREES

I,, w.

THE spraying hints given in another
column for the apple orchard will ap-
ply for the most part to the pear. Bor-
deaux applied before the buds open will go
a long way in preventing leaf blight and
scab, two very common fungous diseases of
the pear tree. A second application ought
to be made just before the blossoms open
out.

These two sprayings will prove the most
beneficial of any that can be given during
the season. If the work is omitted during
any month of the year, it should not be in
the month of May.

For pear psylla or blister mite, use kero-
sene emulsion when the leaves open, and for
codling moth add arsenite of lime to the Bor-
deaux and apply when fruit is about the size
of peas.

In case the Bordeaux is not used after the
fruit is formed, use one pint of the stock

solution of arsenic and washing soda, de-
scribed under the " apple orchard," to two
pounds of lime and 45 gallons of water.

PREVEINTING THE SPREAD OF BUGHT.

The blight is the terror of the pear grower
and many a fruit grower has become thor-
oughly discouraged on account of its rava-
ges. For a long time the nature of this
disease was a profound mystery, but re-
cently it has been found to be due to a very
minute fungus which is present in the sap
and in the leaves and blossoms of the
blighted portions. The virus is carried
chiefly by insects ; and bees, when visiting
tire infected blossoms, often carry the germs
ot blight to the bloom of healthy trees.

To prevent the spread of blight all in-
fected wood should be cut and burned be-
fore the blooming period. If this has not
been done, no time should be lost before do-
ing it.

Trees for the Farmers — As provided
by the Minister of Agriculture, we have set
aside two acres of land at the College farm
on which to grow trees for planting the
farmers' wood lots. It is estimated that one
acre of nursery will accommodate 60,000
seedlings. We are buying this year a large
number of small plants, which will be ready
for distribution in the spring of 1905-06. In
addition we will plant seeds during the com-
ing summer and fall so as to keep up our
stock from year to year. We are planting
this year Norway Spruce, White Pine,
White Ash, American Basswood, Sugar
Maple and American Elm. — (G. C. Creel-
man, Pres. Ont. Agri. College.

Spraying Formulas. — In the April and
May issues of The Horticulturist last year-
was published an article and spraying calen-
dar prepared by Prof. Wm. Lochhead, of
the Ontario Agricultural College. It de-
scribed fully how the various spraying mix-
tures are prepared and when they should be
applied to control such pests as canker
worms, tent caterpillars, mildew, scab, oys-
ter-shell bark lice, curculio, brown rot and
many others prevalent at this season. Sub-
scribers desiring such information will do
well to look up their back numbers. Copies
of these issues will be sent on request if ten
cents in stamps is enclosed.

I prune my apple orchard every spring,
and some years do some pruning in June. I
believe June is the time to cut oflF any large
limbs that should be removed. — (A. E. Bell-
man, Bowmanville, Ont.

We planted some Mackintosh Reds this
year. They appear to be A. i and are
proving to be better keepers than we ex-
pected. We have some of last fall's fruit
which IS still in excellent condition. — (Geo.
Hutton, Easton's Corners, Ont.

THE SMALL FRUIT GARDEN.

199

Picking Strawberries on an Ontario Fruit Farm.

With many Fruit Growers in Ontario, Strawberries are among their best paying crops. On some plantations several acres of these
berries are grown yearly. The illustration shows pickers at work in the strawberry fields of Morns & McCuUough, Nantyr, Ont. (bee
article on this page.)

Growing Strawberries on a Large
Scale

MORRIS & m'CULIvOUGH, NANTRY, ONT.

DURING the last six or seven years v/e
have grown three to six acres of
strawberries each year. In preparing the
land we like it well manured and worked up
in some root crop the year before, such as
turnips, potatoes, sugar l)eets or something
of that kind. This sprouts any seeds that
may be in the manure and leaves the land
clean.

In the late autumn the land is plowed to a
good depth, giving the winter and frost a
good chance to pulverize the soil. As soon
as the land is dry enough in the spring the
harrow is put on it every week until plant-
ing or near planting time. It is plowed
nicely and harrowed and rolled. If it is
lumpy the harrow and roller are kept on
until the land is i/i nice condition for setting
the plants. The early harrowing keeps the
moisture from escaping.

In plants we are not satisfied with any-
thing but the very best of whatever variety

we may desire. Care is taken to see the new
plant has the same gland system as that from
which it came. It does not pay to be too
careful about expense in securing plants.
SETTING OUT THE) PLANTS.

Our method in planting has been to set
small stakes at both ends of the field 4 feet
apart. Some varieties, such as the Clyde,
should not be more than 3 feet apart. From
these stakes a line is stretched, a man and
boy starting with it at one end. If we have
help enough the men start at both ends. Two
men in this way should put in about 5,000
plants in a day.

After planting, the scuffler should start
and go through them at least once a week,
or as soon as the ground is dry enough after
a heavy rain. This should continue all
summer, and also the free use of the hoe
among the vines to keep them perfectly
clean. Keep all bloom picked off during
the first season.

Our mulch is put on in the early winter
after the ground is nicely frozen. The rows
are covered with pea straw if we 'can get it,
if not we use the next best thing we can se-

200

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIS2

cure. In the spring, as soon as the hard
frosts and cold winds are over, we go along
each row pulling or raking the mulch off the
rows and leaving it between them. This
answers three purposes : it keeps or holds
the moisture in the ground during the dry
time, it keeps the berries clean during the
heavy rams of the summer, and also an-
swers for a cushion on which the pickers can
sit down in great comfort.

Strawberries are a risky crop, but like
everything else, a man with plenty of push
and perseverance and with good methods will
succeed and make money. Several varie-

ties have been tried, but this year we have
nearly settled down to the Williams, which
will be the principal crop, although some of
the William Belt will be grown. The Clyde
has been discarded. It shows a great bloom,
but only matures a very limited number of
berries. Glen Mary and Marshall are fine
berries and productive, but are not good
shippers, being soft. The Burbach is a pre-
serving berry and a good fruiter, but soft.
Several other varieties have been tried, but
the \villiams is preferred as a commercial
berry to any other.

SPRING WORK IN THE FRUIT GARDEN

WM. HUNT, ONT. AGRI. COLLEGK.

EARLY in May is usually the best time
to transplant young strawberry
plants. The young runner plants are then
just beginning to make new roots. For a
small garden patch leave 2 feet 6 inches be-
tween the rows, and set the plants about 15
inches apart in the rows.

The ground should be dug thoroughly and
deep before planting, and should be rich in
humus or fertilizing properties. Autumn
prepared ground is best for a strawberry
patch. Never attempt to make a new patch
on land where strawberries have been grown
before, unless the ground has been cropped
with some other garden crop for three or
four intervening seasons.

A garden trowel is the best tool for set-
ting out strawberry plants. Press the soil
firmly around the roots of the plant, and see
that the roots are all under the soil, and at
about the same depth as they were before
the plant was taken from the old patch.
Water the plants well once, and then pull a
little light fresh soil around over the roots.
Keep the soil well surface-stirred between
the rows and free from weeds all the sum-

mer. If the weather is at all favorable
once watering the plants should be suffi-
cient.

some; good varieties.

A few good varieties for a small garden
for a succession of fruit is the Marshal,
Clyde, Nick Ohmer, Haverland and Bu-
bach. The two last named have not per-
fect blossoms, and must be planted only a
row or two from some of the other varieties
mentioned.

Fork over the soil lightly between the
rows of strawberry piants just coming into
flower, and remove all weeds. A mulch of
straw, or the clippings and grass cuttings
from a lawn makes a good mulch for a
strawberry patch, as it keeps the fruit clean
and free from earth and sand. Work the
mulch well in underneath the foliage and
bunches of blossoms.

WATCH THE GOOSEBERRY AND CURRANT
BUSHES.

Gooseberry and currant bushes will re-
quire careful watching toward the end of the
month for caterpillars. A weak solution of

THE SMALL FRUIT GARDEN.

20I

paris green water sprinkled on the foliage
before the fruit is formed will oftentimes
prevent the attack of these pests for a whole
season. Avoid using the paris green solu-
tion after the fruit has formed. A small
teaspoonful of paris green will make nearly
two gallons of the solution.

White hellebore powder dusted over the
leaves will destroy ■ the caterpillar. This
can be used after the fruit has formed if not
used too liberally on the fruit itself. Dust
the hellebore on when the dew is on the
leaves, or after a rainstorm before the
foliage is quite dry.

The crop of fruit on raspberry bushes will
be increased in quality and weight if a
mulch of half rotten stable manure is spread
over the ground around the canes, more es-
pecially if the weather is very dry and hot
when the fruit is swelling. The mulch
should be kept an inch or two clear of the
canes, and should not be over an inch or two

in depth. I have mulched gooseberry
bushes in very dry seasons, and it has pre-
vented to a great extent the fruit dropping
from the bushes, as it often does, when the
mercury registers 90 to 100 degrees in the
shade in July.

In England where the climate is much
more moist than here, it is quite a common
practice to mulch not only small fruits, but
also dwarf pear, plum and apple trees dur-
ing the hot summer weather that often pre-
vails when the fruit is swelling. In a small
garden the mulching process would not be
an arduous task, where grass or lawn grass
cuttings or trimmings is available.

Never waste the soapsuds. These
poured around the roots of fruit trees or on
the ground around the roots of most vege-
tables are very stimulative and beneficial to
plant growth of almost every kind, and have
a deterrent effect on the increase and attacks
of insect pests.

Destroying the Currant Worm

L. W.

''I^ HE currant worm is the great enemy
X of the currant ^and gooseberry bushes.
The female fly deposits her eggs on the un-
der side of the young leaves, in rows on the
larger veins. In about ten days they hatch
out and feed in companies, soon stripping
the bushes of their foliage.

The usual remedy is powdered hellebore
mixed in water, in the proportion of an
ounce to a pailful. I have found paris
green very effective, one teaspoonful to a
wooden pailful of water, but of course it can
not be used for the second brood, which
often appears when the fruit is ripening.

There are far too many branches, in my
opinion, left on trees, the result of which is
small fruit, and expense in picking and in-
jury to trees. — (A. Shaw, Walkerton. Ont.

There is a good opening for a man who
will buy a sprayer and contract with farm-
ers to spray their orchards at a nominal
price say 5 cents per tree. Hundreds of
farmers are anxious to have their orchards
sprayed, but cannot afford to do the work,
and do not know how to go about it. A
man with a spraying outfit who will do this
work can make a handsome income in the
same way that the threshers do in the fall.
— (P. J. Carey, Cobourg, Ont.

My pruning this spring was done in a
drastic manner. Many large limbs were
cut off that might split off, and all the lower
limbs so that air might pass through the
trees, also to permit of better cultivation.
The wounds were painted about two weeks
after cutting, commencing with those ear-
liest pruned. I have to await the results,
but I have no fear of the outcome. — (A.
Shaw, Walkerton, Ont.

THE RASPBERRY PATCH

L. W.

1"> HE raspberry field is considered by
many fruit growers the most re-
munerative part of their plantations. The
profit depends largely on the soil ; if heavy,
or poor, or too dry the best results cannot he
expected. On deep, rich, moist sandy loam
most satisfactory returns may be counted on.

The pruning out of the dead canes, which
fruited last year, is completed by most grow-
ers early in April. If not yet finished, the
work should be hurried up, and all rubbish
burned, so that nothing will interfere with
early and constant cultivation.

The planting of red raspberries in April
is usual, but some growers prefer to wait
until May and move the young growing
shoots. If these can be taken up and set
immediately after, the plan, is excellent, and
few failures will result. Take them up
with a ball of earth attached and set them at
once in holes prepared for them.

PLOWING INJURES THE ROOTS.
Plowing the small fruit plantations is not

/■

as a rule to be commended ; not even with a
one-horse plo,w, because it is almost certain
to cut the roots and lessen the vitality of the
bushes. It is better to use a first-class one-
horse cultivator and keep it constantly going
until the fruiting season. A one-horse disc
which will stir the ground to a depth of ay
three inches without disturbing the roots is
even better still.

The habit of growtk of the young canes of black raspberry
plants is here shown.

Dark brown or reddish spots, sometimes with a light centre as
here shown, may be seen on the foliage of raspberry plants when it
IS attacked by the fungus disease, anthrocnose. If not checked by
spraying, as described on this page, the disease will soon ruin the
plantation.

Blackberries need topping during the
growing season unless the object in view is
the propagation of young plants., The habit
of growth of the young canes is shown in
the illustration. With a little encourage-
ment they will reach to the ground and take
root.

If the object is to harvest as much fruit as
possible, these canes should be stopped at a
height of about 2^^ or 3 feet, so that they
may make a stocky growth and throw out
laterals from each bud.

GUARD AGAINST THIS DISEASE.
Anthracnose of the raspberry is a conta-
gious fungous disease which spreads rapidly
especially during wet weather. The first

THE SMALL FRUIT GARDEN.

appearance of this disease,
early in June, may be recog-
nized by small white pits on the
young canes, surrounded with
a dark bluish circle. These
pits soon enlarge and spread
over the canes, sometimes com-
pletely girdling them. The
disease may also effect the foli-
^ asre, appearing in the form of

!i^ rflP dark brown or reddish spots,
sometimes with a light centre,
as shown in the accompanying
illustration. The spots soon
enlarge and cause the foliage
to dry and curl up as if a fire
had gone over the plantation.
The white pits, ^hc remedy is a preventive
drrrwt'h'^ir^ one. viz., to spray in early

on' The^ng ^priug with bluC vitriol, OUC

re"r?y°pUnTs pou^d to 20 gallons of water,
by'the^fung^sdrs' ^ud duriug May with Bor-

easeanthracnose, deaUX
are here shown.

vidirby sp^aT- ^^^ ^^'■^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^

ing as described cultivator through the rasp-

on this page. o r

berry patch will do better
work if he wears a wire muzzle, so that he
will not have his attention diverted from his
work while nipping ofj the young growth.
A leathern apron may be provided to pro-
tect his breast from scratches. This is es-
pecially desirable in cultivating the black-
berry plantation.

I would strongly advise all owners of
vineyards to spray their vines two or three
times a year with the Bordeaux mixture. It
not only prevents disease and fungous
growth, but gives the vines a healthy ap-
pearance, and the fruit will be clean, bright
and nice. — (Aaron Cole, St. Catharines,
Ont.

I plant my raspberries in rows about 5
feet apart, with 3 feet between the rows. —
(D. Bettschen, Violet Hill, Ont.

A Practical Grape Grower's
Methods

W. F. KYDD, SIMCOE^ ONT.

IN growing grapes my method has been
to plant vigorous growing varieties, 12
feet apart in the row, with 10 to 12 feet be-
tween the rows. Dig a hole about 2 feet
square and i foot deep. Place the vine at
the back of the hole and spread the roots
straight out, covering them with several
inches of top soil. Tramp the soil down
quite firm, then fill the hole with loose earth.

When planted cut the vine back to three
buds. After these buds have made a growth
of several inches, cut off the two poorer
ones, as only one is required for my method
of growing, which is called the Kiffen sys-
tem. In this system only two vines are
needed. The first is 3 feet from the ground,
the next 2^ feet higher.

A thin stake must be driven into the
ground to train the young vine on till it
reaches the top wire. Allow no laterals to
grow on the young shciot, except two, one
on each side as near the first wire as possi-
ble. The upright must be tied several
times to the stake, for at this stage it is very
tender and easily broken by the wind. Never
use a hose among vines or young trees with-
out a muzzle, for even with the greatest of
care one will sometimes tear off an import-
ant arm or branch. Pinch off the upright
as soon as it reaches the top wire, then start
the upper laterals, allowing the four laterals
to grow only 6 feet.

It may take two years to get the four
arms, but if every lateral is pinched off as
soon as possible it may do this the season, it
is planted, as mine have often done. About
every four years the arms should be re-
newed. This is done by training a young
shoot during the summer for the next year's
arm, starting it as near the upright as possi-
ble. I would not advise renewing the four
arms in one year.

204

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURISi .

CARE OF the; arms.

After the vine is old enough to bear fruit
shorten the hanging laterals * during the
summer. Never permit those on the upper
arms to reach the lower ones, as they will
make a tangled mess hard to prune. They
will also take away strength that should go
to perfect the fruit. After frost has set in
prune off all unnecessary wood. Most
vmes have too much bearing wood left on.

The varieties that have given me the best
results are Concord, Baden, Niagara, Salem
and Moyer. They are vigorous growers
and productive. For fertilizers I use barn-
yard manure, 12 loads to the acre, and about
50 baskets of ashes. Plough the manure
under in the spring just as shallow as a plow
can he held, and sow the ashes on top and
cultivate them in. Cultivate as often as
necessary to always keep the soil loose on
top. Hoe where the cultivator does not
reach so there will be no weeds.

I have had no trouble from insect pests or
fungous diseases, as I spray every year
about four times with Bordeaux mixture
and paris green. Grapes pay me as well
as any other variety of fruit.

Best Grapes and Berries to Grow

RESIDENTS of eastern Ontario who
are planning to set out grapes or
berries this spring will do well to ascertain
the varieties that are likely to do the best in
their section.

At the Central Canada Experimental
Farm, Ottawa, the following kinds have
given the best results. In other sections,
where the climate corresponds to that at
Ottawa, these varieties should do well.

Grapes. — Black varieties, Campbell's
Early, Moore's Early, Wilder; red varie-
ties, Moyer, Delaware, Lindley, Brighton ;
white varieties. Green Mountain, Moore's
Diamond.

Strawberries — Buster, P. ; Warfield, P. ;
Enhance, B. ; Glen Mary, B. ; Beder Wood,

B. ; Sample, P. ; Lovett, B. ; Barton's
Eclipse, P.; Bisel, P.; Bubach, P.; Wil-
liams, B.

Red Raspberries. — Commercial varieties :
Marlboro, early ; Cuthbert, main crop. For
home use — Herbert, Clarke, Sarah.

Black Caps. — Older, Hilborn.

Blackberries. — Agawam, Snyder.

Red Currants. — Wilder, Pomona, Cher-
ry, Fay's Pronfic.

Black Currants. — Victoria, Success,
Standard, Climax. The last three are seed-
lings originated by Dr. Wm. Saunders.

Spraying the Small Fruit Bu&hes

PROF. WM. LOCHHEAD, O.NT. AGKI. CCLLIiGH.

\ 1 , HERE small fruits are being raised
V V at all extensively spraying will
■""requently prove an excellent investment.
Larger and better fruit and more of it will
be the result. The following short formulae
may prove helpful to some :

RASPBERRY.

Anthracnose, Leaf-Blight and Saw-fly
Larvae. — First spraying: Bordeaux mix-
ture and paris green just before growth be-
gins.

Second spraying: Bordeaux mixture and
paris green about when first blossoms open.

Third spraying : Bordeaux mixture when
the fruit is gathered.

CURRANT AND GOOSEBERRY.

For Worms and Mildew. — First spray-
ing : Potassium sulphide or Bordeaux
mixture and paris green before buds e: pane

Second spraying: The same 10 to 15 days
later.

For worms alone, hellebore or paris green
will be effective.

STRAWBERRY.

The Rust or Leaf Blight. — Bordeaux mix-
ture, when it can be applied without disfig-
uring the fruit, will control this disease.
Apply at intervals of two or three weeks on
new beds after they begin to make runners.

SHIPPING FRUIT TO THE NORTHWEST

E. U. SMITH, M. P., WIXO.NA, OM".

ONE of the main requisites for success
in shipping fruit to the Northwest
is to get good shipping varieties.

In peaches we have nothing until the
Elberta is ready. It is as perfect as one
can well expect to get a peach, but the tree
is defective in that the foliage is weak, be-
ing more subject to curl leaf than any
variety. Growers are, in consequence, loth
to plant it largely.

There is no other variety until the late
peaches come on, and they are rather too
late. Shippers require four or five Elber-
tas at diflPerent seasons, commencing as
early as our earliest and covering the season
till Smocks come in. The trees should be
perfect as well as the fruit.

In plums we require a kind that will keep
well. There is a great difference in the
varieties we already have, but even our best
are not good enough to compete at all with
the long keeping California plums.

Our best sorts are Emerald, Burbarik,
Purple Egg, Shropshire, Damson, Fillem-
berg-, German Prune and Reine Claude, in
order of ripening. These do not cover even
half the season of plums, and are not good

enough themselves. They are, however,
much superior to most sorts for shipping,
and are all good plums.

There are no good all round grapes. The
Concord is lacking in shipping quality. As
they are usually picked a large part of them
are split, and these mould on the journey.
Even if carefully picked there is sure to be
a considerable proportion damaged before
they reach the consumers in the Northwest.
ALI, HAVE DEFECTS.

The Niagara is similar in shipping quali-
ties. There are good shippers, such as
Vergennes, Agawam, Rogers 4, Rogers 43,
Rogers 44, and many others, but all have
other defects, and so I might go on over all
our fruits.

Here is certainly room for a vast amount
of experimenting, hybridizing, and efforts
in the line of producing new varieties in
every way possible. One perfect shipping
sort would be worth hundreds of thousands
of dollars to Ontario for that great and
growing northwest market. The opening
is ready for a large experimental fruit farm
in the Niagara district and the work cut out
for it at once.

Securing Material for Packages — As

yet 1 have experienced little difficulty ob-
taining the necessary material for packages
in which to market my fruit. I have ?n
idea, however, that it will be well to hold
some elm in waiting until my orchard,
which is young, gives its first returns of any
consequence. I can get the material sawed
and make my own barrels in winter. The
box is the best package for fruit, but before
it will be practical to make them here the
labor problem must be solved. — (E. H. Hut-
ton, Easton's Corners, Ont.

Ready to Co-operate. — I have held meet-
ings in 20 places this spring to discuss co-
operation in the handling and shipping of
fruit, and I think there will be a number of
associations formeu this season for this
purpose. There is nothing that is creating
so much interest among farmers and grow-
ers as co-operation, and the time is ripe for
a great movement in that direction. — (A. E.
Sherrington, Walkerton, Ont.

It gives me pleasure to renew my subscrip-
tion to the Canadian Horticulturist for another
year. — (J. B. Bruce, O'Kanagan, B. C.

THE VEGETABLE PATCH IN MAY

SOWING and planting for a succession
of vegetables for summer and au-
tumn use will be one of the main features of
vegetable gardening for May. A second
sowing of peas can be made. The Hors-
ford Market Garden Pea is a good second
early variety. These will crop, and can be
cleared ofif in time to plant late celery on the
same ground.

Beans of either the dwarf or climbing
varieties can be sown at any time from
early in May until July, at intervals of two
or three weeks as required. Two good
kinds of beans for medium and late crops
are the Early Valentine and Tabers I. X. L.
The latter is one of the best varieties of late
beans. It is a strong grower, heavy yielder,
and the pods keep fresh and crisp longer
during the hot summer months than any
other variety I know. The best pole beans
are the Asparagus and Kentucky Wonder.

Corn can be sown at any time during May
or June. Two good varieties for a small
garden are the Early White Cory and the
Country Gentleman. Put a seed or two of
the Long White Bush Marrow in every al-
ternate hill of com. This bush growing
marrow is in many respects preferable to the
English marrow, but does not produce a crop
for as long a period of time as the latter

(Continued

variety, which is of a running habit of
growth.

The best variety of beet for a small gar-
den is the Dark Egyptian. The long smooth
blood beet is best for winter use. For an
all season carrot there is none to beat the
Chatitenay. It is the best flavored carrot
grown, comes in fairly early, and is a good
cropper,

THE CUCUMBER AND MELON PATCH.

Cucumber and melon seeds can be sown
outside toward the end of the month. Plant
double the quantity of seed required, as
some of the seed may not grow. The plants
not wanted can be easily transplanted when
the second leaf has developed, or they can
be pulled out and thrown away. Four good
plants to a hill is sufficient.

A second sowing of lettuce should be
made early in May. Nonpareil and Gar-
deners' Favorite are two good varieties. If
you have a nice light piece of fairly rich soil,
sow a few turnip rooted or olive shaped
radish. The scarlet white tipped and scar-
let olive shaped are two of the best kinds.
A plate of the first named, fringed with a
few lettuce leaves, is not onJy very appetiz-
ing in appearance, but is, from a decorative
point of view, quite as eflfective as a vase of
flowers or a plant jardiniere,
on Page 215.)

CELERY GROWING

H. R. ROWSOME, BURI.INGTON, ONT.

NEXT to cauliflower, celery is the most
difficult of garden crops to grow
and bring to a first class condition for mar-
ket. It is considered to be a profitable crop
to grow because by sitting in an arm chair
with pencil and paper one can figure on a
profit of $4,000 per acre when grown by ir-
rigation, but practically very few gardeners,
one year with another, clear more than $250.-
It is the average profit at Kalamazoo,
Mich., where 5,000 acres are grown by the
hard slugging of a colony of Hollanders,

who work their women and children. Many
gardeners who have commenced growing
this vegetable on a large scale have gradual-
ly gone out of it because olten the crop is a
complete failure. As $200 an acre can
easily be thrown away in expenses, the aver-
age grower does not want to face a bad year
with a large acreage.

Since celery is an acquatic plant it de-
lights in a swamp muck. Some peaty mucks
contain a good deal of iron, and it will not
grow there. Black sand with a quicksand

THE VEGETABLE PATCH.

207

subsoil is nearly as good, but will not grow
if the subsoil is clay. Other soils will grow
celery if enough manure and water are used,
but it is too much of a fight against nature
to make the culture profitable. At least 40
tons of manure per acre must be applied
each year. There must not be any coarse
manure near the top of the ground or the
plants will die out when set out. Four or
five applications of nitrate of soda — 100
pounds at a time every ten days or two
weeks will hasten growth.

GOOD VARIETIES.

For early fall, summer and early winter
use, the following self-branching kinds are
used : Paris Golden, Rose Ribbed Paris
and White Plume. The Paris Golden is the
best ; the seed should be grown by the origi-
nator in France, as plants' from Californian
and Chinese grown seed become punky and
useless.

For late winter use the red celeries are :
London Red, Bruce's Hamilton Red (Not-
tingham Red in England), must be earthed
up often, and Carter's Crimson, which has
narrow stalks. Green celeries include sev-
eral good varieties. The Giant Pascal is
brittle and rots at the heart, but its flavor is
the best. The Evans' Triumph is soft, but
blanches to a beautiful wavy line. It is a
great favorite. Perle le Grand much re-
sembles the Triumph. On some muck soils
it is very hard, while on other soils it is ver}-^
punky. Kalamazoo is a perfect celery, with
the exception that it rusts. Ewing's Large
Ribbed White is much too short and needs
lots of earthing up to make it grow com-
pactly.

For early celery, which is being overdone
in a limited market, sow thinly in February
in a warm greenhouse on raked soil. Pat
the earth with the back of a spade and cover
with a cloth; water frequently. As soon
as the seed commences to come up remove
the cloth. When the plants become 2 inches
high, prick them out in good hotbeds 2^2 or
3 inches apart each way.

NEEDS PROTECTION FOR BEST RESULTS.

Celery grows better if shaded by thin cot-
ton or cheese cloth. These plants are set
out in JMay with as much earth on the roots
as possible in rows 3 feet more or less apart
and 53/2 or 6 inches apart in the rows. The
plants should be sorted into two or three
sizes, because if a large plant is placed be-
side a small one, the larger will grow at the
expense of the smallec. After the ground
has been marked out, a furrow 50 yards or
so at a time may be plowed with an impro-
vised plow made out of a skimmer. This
makes a furrow just the depth required, and
only a short furrow is made at a time be-
cause celery must be set out only in fresh
moist earth.

Seed for late celery may be sown in the
open field about April 20 or 25, with the
seed drill as shallow as possible, covered
with say a quarter of an inch of soil, in rows
one foot apart. The plants appear in 21
days, and ought to be thinned to about 100
to the foot. They will grow much faster if
sub-irrigated by tile one foot or so below the
surface, and will become stocky if mown
with a scythe when 5 or 6 inches high.

(to be continued.)

Mammoth Yellow Spanish or Prizetaker ground can scarcely be made too rich or

onions should be sown as early in the spring
as the ground can be worked, in rows 15
inches apart. Cover the seed with about a
Yi inch of earth. When the sprouts are
well up, hoe and thin to 2 inches apart. The

worked too much. By using well rotted
manure this crop can be growm continuously
on the same ground without rotation. — (D.
M. Ferrv, Windsor. Ont.

208

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

How Troubles May Be Prevented

PROF. WM. LOCHHEAD, ONT. AGRI. COLI.EGE.

VEGETABLES are often attacked by
fungous diseases and insect pests,
and unless great care is taken much of the
crop will be lost. Many remedies are advo-
cated for most of the more common troubles.
The following, if carefully applied, should
prove effective :

TOMATOES.

Rot and Blight. — Spray with Bordeaux
mixture as soon as rot or blight appears,
three times if necessary, at intervals of lo to
15 days.

POTATOES.

Scab, Blight, and Beetles. — For the scab :
Soak the " seed " potatoes or tubers for two
hours in a solution of formalin (8 ounces in
15 gallons of water).

For blight and beetles : First spraying :
Paris green as soon as the beetles appear
(one pound to 100 gallons of water).

Second spraying: Bordeaux mixture
and paris green when plants are six inches
high.

Third and fourth sprayings : Bordeaux
mixture at intervals of 10 to 15 days, if
necessary.

Spraying with Bordeaux mixture will
prevent the blighting of the plants and the
rotting of the tubers.

CELERY.

Leaf Blight. — First spraying: Bordeaux
mixture while in the seed bed.

Second spraying : Bordeaux mixture a
week after transplanting.

CUCUMBER AND SQUASH.

For the Squash Bug. — Kill the early bugs,
and the yellowing eggs on the underside of
the leaves ; kill the bugs every morning
which collect under chips and boards placed
near the vines.

For the Striped Cucumber Beetle. — Keep
vines well covered with Bordeaux mixture ;
cleanliness in garden in fall : protect young
vines with muslin or cheesecloth netting ; in-

sect powder and flour as for cabbage worm ;
tobacco water and soft soap mixture
sprinkled on vines, followed by a dusting of
lime.

ASPARAGUS.

For Beetles. — Spray plants after cutting
season with paris green ; regular cutting of
all shoots.

For Rust. — Cut and burn all plants in fall.

CABBAGE.

For Cabbage Worms and Lice. — Pyreth-
rum applied in solution (i ounce to 3 gal-
lons of water) or dusted on (i part pyreth-
rum to 5 parts flour).

For Cabbage Root Maggots. — No thor-
oughly reliable remedy is known, but good
results have been obtained by using Goff's
tarred paper cards. These are pieces of tar-
red building paper, 3 inches in diameter. In
the centre is a hole through which the root
of the young cabbage is placed on trans-
planting. Card lies flat on ground.

The Tomato Plantation

L. w.

EARLY tomatoes for the market are
often very profitable. Indeed, the
experience of many growers last summer
has encouraged them to plant largely. The
most desirable variety for early market is
the Earliana, which is being grown on a
large scale this spring by growers in the
Niagara district. The earlier the young
plants can be set in the open ground and es-
cape frost the better will be the results.
Many gardeners will plant about May 15 or
even earlier, and take their chances of a cold
spell.

For the factory it is not necessary to plant
until June, but ev6n for those plants, it has
been found that the early planted give the
most pounds of fruit in the season, because
at best our season is too short for the plants
to reach their full maturity.

The best distance apart is five feet each
way, the wide spaces giving room for better

THE VEGETABLE PA TCH.

209

cultivation of the plants, and for walking
through the vines in harvesting the crop. If
the ground is rich very little barn manure is
needed ; but, if poor, it should have a liberal
application of well rotted manure. Nitrate
of soda, applied soon after setting the plants.

will bring excellent results, especially if the
soil is rich in vegetable matter. Shallow
cultivation should commence soon after
planting and be continued for at least four
or five weeks, until the vines begin to cover
the ground.

GINSENG GROWING IN ONTARIO

W. T. MACOUN, CENTRAL EXPERIMENTAL FARM.

Is much ginseng- grown in Ontario, and if so,
with what success ? I am thinking of grow-
ing some. — (A Reader.

F'- OR information regarding the culture
of ginseng I would suggest that
reader write to the Pennsylvania state col-
lege experiment station, State College, Pa.,
for a bulletin on this subject. There is also
a little pamphlet, published a few years ago,
called American Ginseng, by the American
Ginseng Gardens, Rose Hill, N, Y. This
might also be obtained on application.

As a great many persons are becoming in-
terested in the culture of Ginseng I should
like to quote from an editorial in the Rural
New Yorker of April 2, 1904. This edi-
torial sums up in a reasonable way the pros-
pects from growing ginseng. It reads :

" We have received a number of letters
like the following :

" There is getting to be a sort of craze
over the raising of ginseng roots in this part
of the state. There are big stories of enor-
mous profits going the rounds. If you could
get at the truth of the matter from those
who have had experience with it, you would
confer a great favor upon many who are
about to invest in it."

Craze ' seems a mild term to apply to
the way some people talk about this crop.

Plant cucumbers as early in the spring as
danger of frost is over, in holes 5 feet apart
each way. Fifteen or 20 seeds should be
placed in each hole and covered a 3^ inch
deep. After danger of bugs and worms is

* * * Millions of roots and seeds
have been planted, and some of the gardens
are looking well. Prices for young plants
are very high, and fortunes have been made
in sel'ing these plants for transplanting. So
far as we can learn very little, if any of the
cultivated root has been offered for sale.
We believe that thus far the trade in gin-
seng has been almost entirely in plants and
seeds intended to start new beds.

" If 20 per cent, of the roots thus sold
ever grow large enough for commercial pur-
poses the market will be glutted. Why do
we say this? Scientific men find little if
any virtue in the ginseng root. * * *

" While the Chinese will for years con-
tinue to demand ginseng, we think such de-
mand will inevitably grow less. Should
any large proportion of the plants now
growing come to marketable size the limited
market will be overstocked, with no possi-
ble outlet for the surplus. We doubt, how-
ever, if many of such plants will be heard
from. If we haa tue money that has been
paid for seeds and roots that never grew we
could feed a good many thousand poor peo-
ple, ^loney and care put into some stand-
ard crop will in the long run bring better re-
turns for most people."

over, thin to four of the strongest plants in a
hole. It is desirable to enrich the bottom
of the holes with well rotted manure which
should be well mixed with the soil.— .(D. M-
Ferry, Windsor, Ont.

WHAT TO GROW IN THE VEGETABLE GARDEN

IT is often no easy matter, even for the
experienced grower, to decide what
varieties of vegetables to plant. For the
amateur grower the question is a hard one
indeed.

There are so many varieties advertised by
the seed firms, and their good qualities are
so temptingly set forth in the catalogues, the
making of a choice of seeds is rendered the
more difficult. The following is a list of
the varieties which have given the greatest
satisfaction in the horticultural department
at the Cefitral Experimental Farm, Ottawa :

Asparagus. — Conover's Colossal is the
best all-round variety, but this variety is
more subject to rust than Palmetto or
Argenteuil.

Beans. — Keeney's Rustless Golden Wax
or Wardwell's Kidney Wax, for early crop ;
Early Refugee, for medium ; and Refugee
or i,ooo to I, for late crop, are the most
satisfactory dwarf varieties. Asparagus,
and Lazy Wife and uld Homestead are
three of the best pole varieties.

Beets. — Egyptian Turnip, Eclipse and
Bastian's Blood Turnip are three of the best
varieties.

Cabbage. — Early Jersey Wakefield (early),
Succession (medium). Late Flat Dutch,
Drumhead Savoy (late). Red Dutch (red),
is, a select list of the best varieties of cab-
bage. For extra early use Paris Market is
desirable, being a week earlier than Early
Jersey Wakefield.

Cauliflowers. — Extra Early Dwarf Erfurt
and Early Snowball.

Carrots. — Chantenay is one of the best,
but if a good extra sort is required the Early
Scarlet Horn can be planted with advantage.
It is a small variety.

Onions. — Yellow Globe Danvers and
Large Red Wethersfield are two of the best
onions in cultivation.

Cucumbers. — Peerless White Spine or
White Spine, Cool and Crisp, and Giant
Pera are three of the most satisfactory slic-
ing varieties. Boston Pickling is a good
pickling sort.

Egg Plant. — New York Improved and
Long Purple succeed best.

Lettuce. — -Black Seeded Simpson, The
Morse, and New York (curled). Improved
Salamander, Unrivalled, Tennis Ball.
Golden Queen (cabbage). Trianon and
Paris Cos lettuce make a good list.

Parsnips. — Hollow Crown and Dobbie's
Selected are both good sorts.

Parsley. — Double Curled is as good as
any.

Peppers. — ^Cayenne, Cardinal, Chili and
Golden Dawn are four of the best.

Peas. — Gregory's Surprise, Gradus, Am-
erican Wonder, Premium Gem (early), Mc-
Lean's Advancer, Nott's New Perfection,
Heroine (medium). None of these are tall
growing varieties. Stratagem, Juno (dwarf),
Telephone (late). Excelsior is a promising
second early sort.

Radishes. — Early — Scarlet White-tipped
Turnip, Rosy Gem, French Breakfast, Red
Rocket (red). Icicle (white). Late — White
Strasburg, Long "W hite Vienna. Winter —
Long Black Spanish, Chinese Rose-colored.

Rhubarb. — Linnaeus, Victoria.

Salsify. — Long White, Sandwich Island.

Spinach. — Victoria, Thick-leaved.

Squash. — Barly — White Bush Scalloped,
Summer Crook Neck. Late- — Hubbard.

Tomatoes. — 'Early — Sparks' Earliana.
Main crop — Brinton's Best, Trophy, Match-
less (scarlet), Burpee's Climax, Autocrat
(purplish pink). liiere are many varie-
ties of tomatoes which are almost equal in
excellence and productiveness.

Turnips. — Early — Extra Early Milan,
Red Top Strap Leaf.

HOW THE FLOWERS LIKE TO BE TREATED

WM. HUNT, ONT. AGRI. COI.I.KGE.

SEED sowing and transplanting will be
the first work in the flower garden. It
will be too early until about the second or
third week in June to plant out the tender
varieties of plants such as Coleus, Achyran-
thes and Alternantheras, etc.

Hardier flowers, such as carnations, chry-
santhemums and even geraniums, can usual-
ly be planted out of doors early in May,
more especially the two first mentioned.
Care must be taken with all kinds of plants,
either naturally tender or hardy, never to
plant them out in the open ground, whether
from the window, greenhouse, or hotbed,
without first putting the plants through the
hardening-oflF process. This is done by
gradually introducing the plants to the al-
tered conditions of out-door life by exposing
them for a few hours a day at first to out-
door conditions.

This can be done by standing the plants
out where they can either be lifted indoors
again, or where they can have some tem-
porary protection until the growth has be-
come somewhat hardened to the more trying
and altered conditions^ to be found out of
doors in early spring time. A cold frame
is a good place to harden tender plants in.

Nasturtium, Balsam and Portulacca scid
can usually be sown outside with the best
chance of success about the second or third
week in May. The Cobea scandens, al-
though a purely tropical climber, succeeds
splendidly even in the northern parts of the
province if not planted in the open until well
on in June, when the ground has become
thoroughly warmed up and all danger of
frost is over.

A few seeds sown in pots early in May
and kept in the greenhouse, window or hot-
bed until the time mentioned for planting
them out will make nice plants for planting
sometime in June. About three seeds in a

The Favorite Spring Flowers.

The demand for Easter Lilies this spring was so active, florists in
the leading Canadian Cities wers unable to fill all their orders. An
article on this suWject appears in this issue. (Photo by Galbraith
Photo Co., Toronto.)

three or four-inch pot is the best way to sow
them. They will not need re-potting be-
fore planting out, as they do not transplant
very readily if separated. It is best to plant
the whole pot of plants out together,
whether there be one, two or three plants in
the pot. Use rather light sandy soil to sow
the seeds in, and cover them with about a
quarter of an inch of soil. Keep the soil
in the pot moist, but not soddened with
water. Put the pot in a warm surmy place
in the window until the seed is up, when a

212

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

slight shading in the hottest part of the day
may be beneficial for a few days.

A SPIvENDID CIvlMBER.

There is no better annual climber for cov-
ering a rockery, trellis work, or fence, than
the Cobea Scandens, if given only fairly
good treatment. A light rich soil suits it
best. The purple flowering variety is the
best and strongest growing. The white
flowering variety is more delicate.

Rose bushes should be sprinkled with a
strong solution of, tobacco water as soon as
the leaves have developed, or the leaves and
stems of the plant can be sprinkled with dry
finely powdered cigar dust or raw tobacco
leaves dried well and rubbed into fine pow-
der. This should be sprinkled well all over
the underneath side of the leaves when the
dew is on the foliage, or shortly after a
shower of rain. If this is done early in the
season and repeated once a week until the
flower buds commence to open, the aphis or
green fly, or that still greater rose pest the
white thrip, can be kept under during the
greater part of the season. For the rose
worm or rose slug the paris green mixture
'or. dry hellebore powder, used as recom-
mended for the currant bushes, will effectu-
ally stop the attacks of these enemies of the
rose garden.

If It is necessary to dig up the spring flow-
ering bulbs when they are out of flower so
as to set out other plants, the bulbs should
be lifted and heeled in just under the ground
in some place out of the way until July. The
bulbs should then be lifted and kept in a dry
cool shed until they are required for plant-
ing again in the fall.

SETTING OUT GIvADIOLI BULBS.

Gladioli bulbs or corms can usually be
planted out about the second week in May.
Plant the bulbs about 3 or 4 inches under-
neath the soil, and about 6 or 8 inches apart,
whether they are planted in clumps or in
rows. Dig the ground thoroughly before
planting. Dahlia roots can be planted out
about the same time as the gladioli. A
rather rich open soil suits the dahlia best.
Put a stake in by the side of the roots when
plantmg them ; it will often prevent the
growth of the plant from being destroyed by
the hoe just as the young shoots appear
above the ground.

Canna roots should not be planted outside
until the second or third week in June.
There is nothing gained by planting them
too early, as they must have heat to grow
and succeed well. If started indoors, fine
sharp sand or very sandy soil placed in shal-
low boxes 3 inches in depth is a good method
of startinsf them into growth.

Care of Plants from the Florists

JOHN H. DUNLOP, TORONTO, ONT.

WHEN amateur flower growers re-
ceive their packages from the
dealers they should unpack them at once and
ascertain if the plants are dry and inclined
to wilt when exposed If so, they should
place them in damp moss or other material
in a shady place, and allow them to stiffen
out before picking out or potting off. Never

pot good cuttings inclined to be dry. They
will never make thrifty plants.

After plants have been potted they should
be thoroughly watered. Syringe the plant
to keep it from wilting, shade carefully
until growth has started, then remove gradu-
ally. Rich soil for cutting-s should be
avoided. Fresh loam with manure is more
desirable, as cuttings are not in a state to
take up rich food. When growth has com-
menced and the plants are stronger they will
be benefited bv richer food.

FLOWER AND PLANT LORE

EDWARD TYRRELL, TORONTO, ONT.

4k '"I '^ HE fascination of plant names has its
JL foundation in two instincts, love of
nature and curiosity about language. Plant
names are often of the highest antiquity, and
more or less common to the whole stream of
related nations. Could we penetrate to the
original suggestive idea that called forth the
name, it would bring valuable information
about the first openings of the human mind
towards nature, and the merest dream of
such a discovery invests with a strange
charm the words that could tell, if we could
understand, so much of the forgotten in-
fancy of the human race." So wrote Mr.
Earl in the preface to his volume on Eng-
lish plant names.

I have found it very interesting and in-
structive hunting up the history and lore of
plants ,and I hope some of the readers of
the Horticulturist will find something inter-
esting in the selections I present to them.
The Tulip will be in full bloom this month,
and therefore the following may be appre-
ciated :

TULIP. TULIPA, OR THE DALMATIAN CAP.

The species are found in the Levant, Ar-
menia, Caucasus, Persia, Central Asia and
Afghanistan. This gcty flower having been
obtained from the Turks, was called Tulipa,
from the resemblance of its corolla to the
eastern head dress called Tulipan or Turban,
and from hence our name of Tulip. The
resemblance its shape bears to the turban is
thus allueded to by Moore in Lalla Rookh :

What triumphs crown the rich divan to-day.
With turbaned heads of every hue and race,
Bowing before that veiled and awful face,
Like tulip-beds of different shape and dyes,
Bending beneath the invisible west wind's sighs.

From time immemorial this flower has
been made the emblem by which a young
Persian makes a declaration of his love.
The tulip was first seen in Europe at Augs-
burg, in Germany, in 1559, was sent by
Busbec, Ambassador from Germany, to the
Porte, with the remark that the Turks
charged a very high price for it. It was
first introduced into England in Elizabeth's
time. Gerard fixes it in 1577. It has
been crossed and re-crossed till it has been
found almost impossible to refer our present
plants to their original type. Owing to the
great beauties of the flowers they have been
favorites for two or three centuries.

In 1630 the tulip, came into fame, and
from what I can learn no flower ever
created such speculation and gambling. In
Holland, hundreds gave up their business,
sold their houses, land, horses and carriages
to buy and sell tulip bulbs, which resulted
in the ruin of many who engaged in it.
Three thousand dollars was paid for a bulb
of Sempert Augustus, $1,000 to $1,200 for
a Viceroy, $500 for a Gonda.

In the register of the city of Alkmaer,
1637, is an entry of a sale of tulips for the
benefit of the Orphan Hospital, when 120
bulbs were sold for 9,000 florins, and one of
them, the Viceroy, brought 4,203 florins, the
sale realizing in sterling £1,314. It must
be remembered that this Tulipomanio of the
17th century was really a form of gambling,
in which the admiration of the flower and
interest in its culture were secondary mat-
ters. The Dutch government at last issued
a proclamation to suppress this ruinous ex-
cess bv the votaries of Flora.

I plant my grape vines 10 feet apart each
way. This gives me plenty of room to
cultivate them with a team and gather the
crop. I prefer trellising with two wires,

the Knififen system, a post for every three
vines, leaving the arms not more than 2S4
to 3 inches long. — (Aaron Cole, St. Catha-
rines, Ont.

214

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST

Easter Flower Trade Was Brisk

THE Easter flower trade this spring was
unusually brisk in all the leading
Canadian cities. The floral decorations ni
many of the churches were exceptionally
elaborate. To this fact was largely due the
actual scarcity of plants which existed in
some centers. An improvement was also
noticeable in the retail demand for home
decorative purposes. Many families made
pretty displays, particularly of lilies, in their
front windows while the season lasted.

In Hamilton there was a scarcity of lilies
for some time owing to a disease which at-
tacked many plants. A number of florists
were forced to fill their orders through To-
ronto houses. The Townsend Estate re-
ports that lilies, which in ordinary years
would only be worth about 75 cents, sold for
as high as $2 each.

The Ottawa florists, practically without
exception, announce their sales this year
were the largest on record. When seen,
Graham Bros, said they were well satisfied
with the Easter business and had sold out
completely their stock of Easter lilies. Mr.
R. H. Wright remarked: "I never saw
trade better. It seemed to me that every
one was buying flowers."

TORONTO SALES WERE BRISK.

The Easter demand for flowers in To-
ronto, according to the well known florist,
Mr. E. Grainger, was a great .deal better this
year than ever before, especially in Easter
lilies, which were much lower in price than
last year. This was on account of one or
two florists, who ordered a large stock be-
fore Easter. That they might be sure ii.o
stock would oe left on their hands they were
obliged to lower their prices to dispose of
stock. Blooms usually selling for 10 to 12
cents sold for 5 to 8 and 10 cents. Poor
ones sold for 5 cents.

By Easter time these were all gone, and
retailers advanced their prices for good

blooms. Large stores, such as Eaton's and
Simpson's, kept up their prices, and by
Easter Saturday there was a great scarcity
of Easter lilies.

A great many more azaleas were sold
than ever before and at the lowest prices
ever known in Toronto. Messrs. Wm. Jay
& Son reported flowers for the Easter trade
never sold so well as this year. Roses and
lilies take the preference, with violets next.
Prices were about the same as last year,
azaleas, hydrangeas and lily plants were
all in good demand.

Boston Ivy on Painted Wall

PROF. H. L. HUTT, ONT. AGRI. COLLEGE.

Will you kindly let me know if the Boston Ivy
(Ampelops'is Veltchii) will cling to a brick wall
after it has been painted ? — M. B., Ont.

I think you will find it will cling to the
painted brick wall nearly, if not quite, as
well as where it is unpainted.

Good for the C. P. R. — A leaflet has
been sent to all station agents of the Cana-
dian Pacific Railway system by the flower
department, giving instructions regarding
the planting and care of flowers and the ar-
tistic decoration of gardens and garden plots.
To assist in the work the agent is supplied
with about 20 different varieties of flower
seeds. Practical instructions for planting
are also given. 'ine flower department
urges the agent to make his house or station
the prettiest place in town.

Do not plant beans until the ground is dry,
the weather warm, and all danger of frost
is over. Light rich soil should be selected
and the beans be planted in drills i^ to 2
feet apart. Plant them 3 or 4 inches apart
and cover 2 inches deep. If planted in hills,
make the holes i^ to 2 feet apart one way
and 2 to 2>4 feet the other, and plant 6 or 8
beans in a hole. Hoe them, but only when
the leaves are dry. — (D. M. Ferry, Wind-
sor, Ont.

THE VEGETABLE PATCH IN MAY

WM. HUNT, ONT. AGRI. COIvI^EGE;, GUEIvPH.

A sowing of white mustard for salads can
be made now. Sow the seed quite thick in
drills half an inch in depth. Cut for table
when the second tier of leaves has de-
veloped. Sowings of this delicious table
relish are not advisable after May 15. i\s
soon as the seed onions are about six inches
in height, give them a good sprinkling of
dry dusty soot or wood ashes, or both mixed
together. Sprinkle this on very early in
the morning when the dew is still on the
plants, so that it will stick well to the
growth. Put on directly after a shower will
answer as well. If this dusting process is
done thoroughly about once a week until
July you will not be troubled with the onion
maggot, as the fly that produces that mag-
got will not go near the plants if they are
thoroughly dusted. A half pound of pow-
dered sulphur thoroughly mixed with a pail-
ful of dry soot or ashes will also help to pre-
vent the onion mildew that has been so pre-
valent and so destructive to onions the last
season or two. , ,

CABBAGE AND CAULII^LOWER.

A few plants of the early variety of cab-
bage should be planted now. The Jersey
Wakefield and the Early Winningstadt are
good. Early cauliflower should also be
planted at once ; these, however, are a very
uncertain summer crop in most seasons.
Early Erfurt or the Snowball are the two
best kinds. Early cauliflower requires a
deep, rich, moist soil to grow well in. They
are also much benefitted by a mulch of par-
tially rotted strawy stable manure, spread
an inch or two in thickness on the ground
around the plants. This mulch should be
applied as soon as the hot dry weather sets
in. Lawn grass cuttings make a very good

mulch to retain moisture, but has very little
fertilizing property in it. Manure makes
the best mulch for cauliflower.

If you wish to raise your own cabbage
and cauliflower plants for late crops the
seed should be sown early in May on a piece
of fairly rich light garden soil. A square
yard would raise several hundred plants.
Sow the seed rather thinly in drills nearly an
inch in depth and six or eight inches apart.
The best varieties are Erfurt and Snowball
cauliflower and All Season's autumn cab-
bage and bavoys. These latter are of a very
hardy nature, and are at their best after be-
ing exposed to a sharp frost of eight or ten
degrees. In favorable seasons I have cut
splendid heads of these well on into Decem-
ber from the open ground.

The Savoy cabbage has not that rank,
strong flavor that makes the common^ flat-
head cabbage so disagreeable and objection-
able to vegetable lovers. In England and
all parts of northern Europe the Savoy cab-
bage ranks close, and is often preferred to
the popular Brussels sprouts, that is con-
sidered to be par excellence in this class of
vegetables by connoisseurs. In point of
quality the Dwarf Ulm and Victoria Savoy
rank first. The Savoy cabbage should be
more universally grown than it is, more es-
pecially when grown for one's own use. If
quantity more than quality is desired, the
drumhead Savoys are just as heavy yielders,
and will keep as well or better than the com-
mon flathead winter cabbage.

Surface-stir and cultivate the soil well
around all growing crops. It kills all
weeds out almost before they start to grow,
and assists plant growth in a marked degree.

PROMISING METHOD OF CO-OPERATION

ROBERT THOMPSON, PRES. ST. CATHARINES COLD STORAGE AND FORWARDING CO.

A NUMBER of the fruit growers in the
vicinity of St. Catharines have been
endeavoring to improve the present system
of shipping fruit. A committee was ap-
pointed last winter to work out a system that
all would have faith in, and which would
enable us to work harmoniously together.
We have agreed to adopt the following plan
for the coming season :

The charter of the St. Catharines Cold
Storage and Forwarding Company, to which
we belong, allows us to buy and sell fruit
and produce, as well as store and ship. Our
plant has cost us $8,000, on which there is
a debt of about $2,000. We had a surplus
over running expenses the past season, after
paying interest charges, of over $500, so that
our organization is in good shape except that
there is not enough capital subscribed.

In the past, members received no more
benefits than outsiders. In the future this
wni be changed. We propose that a mem-
ber to receive the full benefit must hold five
shares worth $50. A member holding three
shares, or $30, will receive half benefit.

WILL BUY SUPPLIES WHOLESALE-

The company will purchase supplies
wholesale, such as baskets, barrels, apple
boxes, bluestone, sulphur, and anything that
is wanted in large quantities, as well as
spray pumps and fertilizers. Members will
be supplied at cost, outsiders at an advance.

Fruit will be sold whenever practical. As

many growers as possible will be urged to
fill orders. The company will purchase, if
necessary, to fill orders. Members' fruit
will always be given the preference. Out-
siders will be charged a percentage for sell-
ing their fruit.

A system of inspection of members' fruit
by a disinterested party, will be established.
In all packages that pass as high grade an
attractive company label will be placed.
These will state the packages are guaranteed
by the company, and requests purchasers to
communicate direct with the company for
further supplies of this same brand, and* to
write giving suggestions as to any improve-
ments that can be made in the package or
method of packing. All such packages will
bear the packer's or grower's name.

POINTS THAT WILL BE WATCHED.

Shipments will be confined to as few as
possible of the leading commission houses in
the larger cities when fruit is sent on con-
signments. An effort will be made to ship
as far as practical by freight. In the apple
season a competent man will be engaged and
placed in charge of packers to pack the fruit
of members.

These are a few of the methods we be-
lieve will help the growers of the district.
Already we have purchased three carloads
(500,000) berry boxes and crates, and thir-
teen spray pumps, and we are negotiating
f(i>r a ton of bluestone.

Planting: Strawberries. — I prefer to
set strawberry plants in rows 4 feet wide,. as
they are more easily cultivated. Experience
has shown that with a row 18 or 20 inches
wide the pickers do not have any too much
room in which to work in the middles. It
is not necessary to set plants 12 to 18 inches
in the row, as advised by many people who

sell them. They should be set so that the
crown is just above the level of the ground.
If set too deep tne dirt will smother the
crown ; if too shallow, the sunshine and wind
will dry the roots, and when the hot days of
July and /august come the plants die or fail
to grow properly.— -(Charles H. Snow,
Cummings Bridge, Ont.

COMMERCIAL FRUIT GROWING.

217

Marketing Vegetables

4 . I F vegetable growers fully realized the
1 difference in profit between market-
ing their vegetables in a neat and attractive
manner as compared with careless methods,
more attention would be paid by them to the
appearance of their produce. This differ-
ence," said Mr. Dawson, the well-known
commission merchant of Toronto, to the
Horticulturist a few days ago, " often means
the difference between profit and loss on the
goods.

" When I have some nicely cleaned and
neatly done up vegetables, and some that
have been marketed in a dirty condition and
careless manner, the former are nearly al-
ways sold before the latter are even looked
at, and generally bring a better price, al-
though they may not be any better in quality.

" Radishes shouid be marketed in small
packages, as they are easier to sell. When
we have to divide the fruit up into small
packages before selling them injury often
results. Rhubarb can be sold in almost any
kind of package as long as it is not cumber-
some.

" As regards the neatness of package, one
man will often sell 20 dozen radishes for 5c.
a dozen more than another man can get for
his radishes, which are not in as neat a con-
dition. Early onions, as soon as they get
big enough, will be in demand this year, as
old onions are well cleaned out."

Prospects for the Currant Crop

L. W.

^"P^ HE currant has not been popular of

1 late with commercial fruit growers,
because of the low prices received ; yet why
such prices should continue is hard to un-
derstand when the many uses to which this
fruit may be put are realized and its excel-
lent influence upon the health considered.
What is more agreeable in summer than the
mild acid of a currant pie, or what greater

delicacy is there than the rich delicious jelly
made from this fruit?

At one time no fruit was more profitable,
and immense plantations were set, resulting
in over-production arid a rapid decline in
prices. Now that so many have become dis-
couraged with currant culture and have torn
out their plantations a decided advance in
price may be expected.

Opening For Our Fruit. — Mr. A. Cabaret. 3
Rue Aubroit. Paris. France, writes the Fruit
Division, Ottawa, that "In years like 1903, when
French fruits were very scarce, the amount of
business done between France and California
was very large. This might have been done as
well with -^anada, the sympathy being greater
between the countries."

Wants to Buy Apples. — An English wholesale
fruit dealer writes the Fruit Division, Ottawa,
that he is desirous of importing Canadian apples
next fall, and asks to be put in communication
with reliable shippers who would make consign-
ments against pre-arranged advances. He
would prefer to do business only with those who
export their selected fruit in layer boxes. His
address and further information may be had on
application to Mr. W. A. MacKinnon, chief of
Fruit Division.

I do not consider the raspberry crop a paying
one for the average farmer. The bushes re-
quire many hands at a time when much help is
needed elsewhere on the farm. — (D. Bettschen,
Violet Hill, Ont.

There is no doubt in my mind that money is
to Ibe maue in fruit, provided we do four things,
and ao-them right : Spray, prune, feed and culti-
vate.— (W. O. Burgess, Queenston, Ont.

The Fruit Division, Ottawa, received about
the middle of April from Mr. C. L. Stephens, of
Orillia, a basket of very fine Salome apples.
"These had been stored in a cellar all winter, but
were in perfect condition, although the Salome
is generally considered an early winter apple.

I think there can be no question as to the
pront in growing apples if the orchard is pro-
perly looked after. On our farm there are a
few Mackintosh Reds, planted 7 years ago this
spring, that gave us over 2 barrels to the tree
last fall. We have good local markets and are
not far from --cawa. Should this market fail,
I fancy it will be some time before the British
market will be glutted with the right quality of
apples. — (G. H. Hutton, Easton's Corners, Ont.

I have taken the Horticulturist 15 years and
woui^ not like to be without it. — (Walter M.
Turnbull, Gait, Ont.

2l8

EDITORIAL.

Tr[e (anadian WorticfiltOrist

The Leading Horticulturist MaKazihe in tlie
Dominion.

1. The Canadian Horticulturist is published the first of
each month.

%» Subscription I'rice $i.oo per year, strictly in advance,
entitling the subscriber to membership in the Fruit Growers'
Association of Ontario and all its privileges, including a copy of its
report and a share in its annual diuribution of plants and trees.
For all countries except Canada, United States and Great Britain
add 50c for postage.

3. Remittances should be made by Postoffice or Money
Express Order, or Registered Letter. Postage stamps axepted for
amounts less than $100. Receipts will be acknowledged on the
address label which shows the date to which subscription is paid.

4. Discontinuances — Responsible subscribers will continue
to receive the Horticulturist until the publishersare notified by letter
to discontinue when all arrearages must be paid. Societies should
send in their revised lists in January : otherwise it will be taken for
granted all will coutinue members.

5. Change of Address — When a change of addressis ordered'
both the old and the new addresses must be given.

6. Advertising; Bates quoted on application. Circulation
5,500 . Copy received up to the 24th. Responsible representatives
wanted in Towns and Cities.

7. Articles and Illustrations for publication will bethank-
fuUy'received by the editor.

8« All Communications should be addressed ■

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST,

TORONTO, CANADA

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

The general horticultural interests of the
Dominion have made wonderful progresis dur-
ing the past few years. Desiring to keep in
line with this advancement, the directors of the
Ontario Fruit Growers' Association have ar-
ranged to considerably improve The Canadian
Horticulturist. Starting with this issue a num-
ber of new departments have been added." The
various subjects treated have been grovrped un-
der their respective headings. Sections have
been reserved for artioles pertaining to the or-
chard, small fruits, the vegetable garden, edi-
torials and other matters of interest to our
readers.

Spraying, being the most important work en-
gaging the attention of fruit growers at this
season, has been given special prominence.
Several pages have been set aside for articles
dealing with what may be called the business
side of fruit growing. The first of a series of
crop reports is published. It is hoped these re-
ports, which are to appear monthly, will be of
direct value to all fruit growers. Several pages
have oeen devoted to the work of the horticultu-
ral societies. If these innovations meet with
the approval of our readers other improvements
will be made in the near future. Write and let
us Tcnow what you think of them and what more
you would like. Help us to make The Canadian
Horticulturist the best horticultural paper on
the continent.

Fruit growers generally are rapidly coming
to the poiiii, where they will realize that future
success depends on co-operation. No subject
aroused greater interest at the recent series of
institute meetings held throughout Ontario. So
much were the growers at some of the meetings
impressed with the advantages of co-operation>
as set forth by the speakers, several co-'opera-
■tive associations have since been formed. With
careful management growers, by co-operation,
can reduce the cost of spraying their orchards,,
obtain supplies at lower values, have their fruit
properly graded and safely stored in suitable
warehouses and secure better shipping rates
from the railways and express companies. L»ea3-
ing growers have already done this. More
should. Those who do not need expect but lit-
tle sympathy next fall if their apples are left to
freeze in their orchards or the railways swallow
up all their expected profits by excessive rates.
Some excellent co-operative suggestions are
contained in the article in this issue by Mr. R.
Thompson, of St. Catharines. They are well
worth reading and should not be missed.

It is to be regretted that more of our schools,
both urban an._ rural, do not observe arbor day.
The setting apart each year of a day or portion
of a day for the planting of trees, shrubs and
plants must have a very beneficial effect on the
little people. Once they are interested in
watching the growth of plants and trees they
have had a share in setting, few of them will
ever wantonly destroy such afterwards. It can-
not be denied many of our schools would be the
better were their barrenness relieved by a few
rows of shade trees and small fiower plots.
Apparently but few schools observe the day.
Over fifty school inspectors and principals of
model schools were written to 'by The Horti-
culturist during April and asked what work of
this nature their scholars have done in the past
and what their plans are for this year. Three
replied, only one of whom was able to report
progress. Why is this thus ? Does it not afford
an opportunity for good work on the part of our
horticultural societies ?

The statement of , grievances prepared last
month on behalf of the fruit growers, and which
has been laid before the railway commission,
should have a beneficial effect. It was care-
fully drawn up, the charges of discrimination
and unfair rates on the part of the railways
were specific and uncontrovertable, the import-
ance of the interests affected was clearly set
forth, and it was signed by some of our most
representative growers. It is the commission's
turn to movef.

Nothing is more indicative of the improve-
ment that is taking place in the methods of the
average fruit grower than the increased interest
manifest this spring in spraying. Wherever a
few growers gather it is generally the chief sub-
ject of discussion. Lack of spraying in the past
has taught some salutary lessons. The effect
is now apparent. In many districts more than

EDITORIAL.

219

twice as many orchards will be sprayed this
year as last. The great demand for informa-
tion on this subject is the reason for so much
space being devoted to it in this issue.

The farm places in the vicinity of Renfrew
should show considerable improvement in ap-
pearance if their owners will adopt the sugges-
tions recently made by the Renfrew Mercury.
The Mercury urges the farmers of the coun-
try, and also residents of the town of Renfrew,
to plant trees on the road sides and residential
streets, to paint old buildings and barns, to .re-
move unsightly fences, and to place the names
of the farms in some prominent position near
the house. To assist in the work, the Mercury
oners to furnish trees at a greatly reduced cost,
also sign plates for the farmers who desire to
name their farms. This is enterprise in a good
cause. Were more of our local papers to show
the same public spirit much good might be done.

In several States of the Union a strong agita-
tion has been in progress for some months back
looking for the enactment of legislation that
will tend to.ward a reduction in the number, if
not the extermination, of robins. The charge
against the red breasted gentleman and his
mate is that they are very destructive in the
cherry orchards. Their chances for life in one
or two of the States do not appear bright.

To ascertain the feeling on this point of our
Canadian growers The Horticulturist wrote last
month to a number of representative men. Al-
most without exception they have replied
strongly in favor of Mr. Robin. While they
admit he sometimes does considerable damage
they also claim he does much more good. The
replies are interesting, and will be published in
the June Horticulturist. Lack of space pre-
veniea their appearance this month.

It seems to me that The Horticulturist is im-
proving all the time. I get much help from it.
The Editor's answer to my inquiry regarding
the planting of trees in last month's issue was
most satisfactory. The illustrations such as
appeared in The Horticulturist in the April is-
sue, showing the methods of pruning raspber-
ries, speak louder than words. — (A. C. Abbott,
Hudson Heights, Que.

In the April issue of the Horticulturist an
article appears entitled Apples Frosted and
Smoked. The matter for this article was sent
out by Mr. W. A. MacKinnon, chief of the fruit
uivision at Ottawa last January. It was in-
tended for an early issue of the Horticulturist,
"but being crowaed out was used by mistake in
the April issue.

A Arm in Ireland has written the Fruit Divi-
sion, Ottawa, through the agent at Birmingham,
Eng., staling it is prepared to engage with
Canadian apple shippers for shipments during
the coming season.

Of General Interest

I cultivate about half an acre of raspber-
ries and prefer the Cuthbert variety. It is
hardy, stands the winter well, is very pro-
ductive, has a good flavor and sells well. —
(D. Bettschen, Violet Hill, Ont.

I consider the Northern Spy, King and
Russett the best kind of apple trees to grow
in the Georgian Bay section. We are too
far north apparently for Baldwins. A good
many of mine have died after being planted
6 or 7 years, and I replaced them with Spys.
— (A. Shaw, Walkerton, Ont.

Our raspberry plants have been badly
broken down by the weight of snow, but
otherwise plants seem to have come through
the winter in good condition. — (A. E. Sher-
rington, Walkerton, Ont.

Observing Arbor Day. — It has been the
custom in the schools of this town for some
years to observe Arbor Day by cleaning up
the school grounds, planting trees wherever
such were required for shading purposes,
and filling up vacancies in the rows of trees
surrounding the grounds. Flower beds,
where possible, have been prepared and
planted. Our exercises this year will, I ex-
pect, partake of this nature. — (J. A. Brown,
Principal Model School, Whitby, Ont.

Set strawberry plants as early in the
spring as the ground will permit. Person-
ally I prefer early May seeding. Its chief
advantage lies in the fact that at this time
the plant has not started to grow, and no
vitality is lost in the transfer. Plants left
in the ground until the end of May, have
started to grow, and transplanting checks
their growth for a while. They can, how-
ever, be successfully set any time before the
fruit is formed on them. — (Charles H.
Snow, Cummings -.ridge. Ont.

WHAT THE SOCIETIES ARE DOING.

SPLENDID WORK IN TILLSONBURG.

After considerable trouble members of the
TilLsonburg- Horticultural Society have secured
from the town council the use of the greater
part of G-rand Avenue Park in the centre of the
town and are having- it laid out in 30 plots. The
land was first reclaimed and properly prepared
for the use of selected male pupils from the
public school. Each pupil will have 1 package
of Aster seed and a proper number of Gladioli;
also 4 packages of garden seeds. These plots
are to be cultivated by the children under the
supervision of a gardener under the control of
the -society.

In order to inoculate the townspeople gener-
ally, the society will distribute 300 or 400 pack-
ages of flower and garden seeds, mostly vege-
tables, to families of the public school children.
These seeds will be grown at their own homes
and the work inspected from time to time by
committees of the society. An exhibition of re-
sults will be held in due season, awards made
and prizes given.- We had a delightful lecture
this spring by Mr. T. H. Race. — (W. W. Living-
stone, sec. Tillsonburg Hort'l Soc.

A GOOD WAY TO SECURE MEMBERS.

Members of the Perth Horticultural Society
meet the first Monuay in every month. Notice
is given in the local papers and the meetings
are well attended. Some member or members
of the society deliver a short address at these
meetings. In other cases papers are prepared
and read. In all cases the address or prepared
paper is the basis of discussion, and in this
way many valuable hints are 'brought forth.

This year a soliciting committee was formed,
each member was allotted a portion of the town,
and in this way many new names were brought
in. While all of the former year's membership
was retained. The experiment proved such a
success it has become a fixture. A spring and
autumn distribution of bulbs and plants takes
place every year. This year a lecture was
. given by Dr. James Fletcher, L..L.D., of the Cen-
tral Experimental Farm, Ottawa. In the after-
noon he addressed the school children on " The
Mr. J. O. McCulloch, Hamilton. We expect to
a public address on " Spring work for the gar-
dener." Both lectures were given in the town
hall, and from the attendance at both it was
readily seen that the people of the town and
surrounding country were taking a lively inter-
est in horticulture. — (C. J. Foy. sec. Perth
Hort'l soc.

HAMILTON BRIGHTENED UP.

Our meetings have usually been held during
the winter season, with informal gatherings
hela at the members' grounds in summer. Dur-
ing the past year we have had addresses from
iTof. P. T. Shutt, Dr. Jas. Fletcher, and Prof.
W. T. Maooun, of the Central Experimental
Farm, Ottawa ; Prof. Hutt, O. A. C, Guelph, and
opening of spring," and in the evening he gave
have Dr. Saunders, from Ottawa, shortly.

For several years we have distributed a large
number of plants and packages of seeds to the
children of the public and separate schools in
the spring, holding an exhibition in the fall,
when prizes, not cash, were awarded to the
pupils, and also for the best display from any
one school. A number of prizes have ^been
given for the best kept gardens, rockeries and
window boxes. "These awards have had con-
siderable influence in brightening up the ap-
pearance of the city. — (J. M. Dickson, sec. Ham-
ilton Hort'l Soc.

INTERESTING SUBJECTS.

The program for the year of the Owen Sound
Horticultural society provides for the considera-
tion each month of interesting subjects. It is
as follows : April, Lawns, how to make and
keep them ; May, Bees, Suggestions how to pre-
pare a flower bed ; June, Plums and their ene-
mies and how to get rid of them. Small fruits
and their enemies and how to get rid of them ;
July, Wliat to do with house plants now. Domes-
tic Science, How to prepare for Camping; Octo-
ber, How best to take care of fall bulbs and how
to keep others over winter ; November, Timely
points on winter house plants. Domestic Science;
December, How to use a few flowers to best ad-
vantage for Christmas decorations. The meet-
ing this spring, addressed by Mr. Hunt, of the
Ontario Agricultural College, was greatly en-
joyed.— (Lou A. Harrison, sec. Owen Sound
Hort'l Soc.

PANSY AND ROSE SHOWS.

An early commencement was made by the
Toronto Horticultural Society in laying out
plans for the year. Mr. C. C. James, Deputy
Minister of Agriculture, gave an address in
February on " Fruit, and the Fruit District of
Ontario," which was much appreciated.

A Pansy show is to be held this month, and
the second annual show of hardy and other
roses and flowers in season will take place the
latter part of June. It should be extra good
this year. Entries from friends outside the
city will be welcomed. The society desires to
see a great development in rose growing. In
July or August a Sweet Pea show will be held.
During 1903 the society made marked advance-
ment both in membership and work. — (Edward
Tyrrell, pres. Toronto Hort'l Soc.

MAY HOLD A FLOWER SHOW.

In the spring of each year we distribute
among our members fruit trees, plants, shrubs,
bulbs, etc. For the last two years we have
given each fall a grant of $10 to the agricultural
society to be applied to the flower prize list.
The society has allowed us to revise and make
out the flower prize list to suit ourselves.

Every fall we give each member a few winter
flowering bulbs. For the coming summer we
have not decided whether we shall hold a flower
show or join with the agricultural society, — (C.
W. Schierholtz. sec. Elmira Hort'l Soc.

WHAT THE SOCIETIES ARE DOING.

A BIG IMPROVEMENT IN THE TOWN.

After the organization of the Cayuga Horti-
cultural Society for the first time in the history
of the county public gardens were made in the
town and Court House parks. The high and
public schools were aided in their zealous ef-
forts. This year, in co-operation with the town
council, the town park is being completed. The
result will be quite remarkable, in fact, a dis-
tinct transformation.

Next year we will drop into normal conditions,
our public work having been performed. The
oramary member will receive as an incentive to
home work the bonus we are able to give in
plants. We have given nothing in prizes. Our
funds have been given entirely to the pulblic im-
provement of the town. — (F. G. Lishman, sec.
Cayuga Hort'l Soc.

IMPROVED HIGH SCHOOL GROUNDS.

The Port Hope society has for a number of
years distributed amongst its members plants,
flowers, bulbs, etc. It has also materially as-
sisted in adorning and beautifying the high
school grounds. Last spring the school re-
ceived 350 Gladiolus ibulbs, and in the fall some
250 Tulips were planted in a large bed directly
in front of the main entrance.

Money has been granted by the society which
will be used to further improve the school
grounds this spring. Since the government re-
duced our grant we have not been able to do as
much civic improvement as we would wish- — (J-
G. Jackson, sec. Port Huron Hort'l Soc.

CHILDREN GIVEN SEEDS.

At the spring meeting of the St. Catharines
society, when Mr. T. H. Race addressed us, we
held a flower competition of house plants which
aroused greater interest in our society among
the citizens. In June and September there will
be further flower and fruit «shows.

With the double object of beautifying the city
and creating an interest in horticultural work,
fine Aster seeds have been distributed gratis to
the different schools, the blooms to be shown at
the September meeting. The scholars of each
school compete for prizes offered in that school
only. Later prizes of Cannas will be offered
for the best four large collections of Asters, for
which all the schools will compete. Big beds
of Cannas will thus lie grown in the school
grounds. — (S. Richardson, sec. St. Catharines
Hort'l Soc.

NEED ORGANIZATION.

Hagersville Horticultural Society is having a
hard experience, needing proper organization and
more interest on the part of members. This
year we will continue our usual distribution
of premiums. — (S. M. Howard, sec. Hagersville
Hoht'l Soc.

FRUIT GROWERS WILL CO-OPERATE.

Whitby fruit growers have held a number of
meetings lately and formed a co-operative as-
sociation. A constitution and by-laws were
adopted April 16. The constitution announces
that the organization shall be called " The Fruit
Growers' Union of WTiitby," and that it shall
be composed of fruit growers living in the
vicinity who shall pay a membership fee of 25
cents per year. The expressed object of the
union is the improvement of the methods of
packing and marketing fruit.

It is intended to accomplish this through co-
operation in the buying, packing and market-
ing of the fruit in the most economical manner
possible. By-law No. 3 provides that the mem-
bers who sign the by-law shall be lia>ble unless
they have notified the secretary previously in a
manner set forth in another clause to pay the
treasurer 5 cents a , barrel or 2 cents a box on
No. 1 or No. 2 apples which they dispose of
through the union.

MANY QUESTIONS ASKED.

The members of the Midland Horticultural
society greatly enjoyed the lecture of Mr. Wm.
Hunt, of the O. A. C, at a meeting held there
this spring. The manner in which he illus-
trated from natural specimens the different
methods of propagating plants was much ap-
preciated.

The question 'box was a feature of the even-
ing. Slips of paper were distributed at the
lecturer's request before the meeting commenc-
ed, and a general invitation was given to those
present to ask lots of questions. Some 25 writ-
ten questions on almost all phases of horticul-
ture and floriculture were handed the lecturer
at the close of his address. All were answered
satisfactorily and promptly.

In the afternoon Mr. Hunt visited the East
and West ward schools, where about 500 of the
more advanced scholars were addressed. At
his suggestion our society will distribute a
packet of flower seeds to the scholars to grow
at home. The results \\\\\ be exhibited at a
flower show to be held in the summer. — (Frank
Cook, Pres. Midland Hort'l Soc.

Improving Their Homes. — Our members will
this year be given trees, plants, etc.. to the value
of 75c., in order to encourage them to beautify
their homes and thus greatly add to the general
appearance of the town. We were recently
favored with the presence of Mr. Race, and his
address was highly appreciated. — (J. Thos. Mur-
phy, sec. Simcoe Hort'l Soc.

A fruit growers' association has been formed
at Goderich with Mr. D. F. Hamlink as secre-
tary.

Allenford Fruit Growers. — At a meeting of
fruit growers held at Allenford recently, a fruit
growers' association was formed, with James
Rushton. of Elsinore. president; Thomas Askin,
Allenford, vice-president ; Mr. Scarrow, secre-
tary treasurer: directors, Wm. Evans, C. Dor-
man. D. MacKinnon, Peter Stuart. I. L. Broad-
foot and Charles Arnott, all of Allenford.

WHAT THE SOCIETIES ARE DOIXG.

LADY MINTO'S GARDEN COMPETITION.

For several years Lady Minto has offered
prizes for the best kept gardens in the city of
Ottawa. The results of the competition held
last year have been recently made known. In
the first class the successful competitors will
be given an engraved certificate signed by Her
Excellency and the judges. A silver medal
will be given to each competitor scoring 180
points, or 75 per cent of the number obtainable.

The winners in the first class were : "W. G.
Black, Alex. Lumsden, Lady Aylmer, James
Hagan, Mrs. Peter Whelan, G. A. White, James
Thorn, J. E. Northwood, C. C. Cummlngs and
S. Short. In the second class the competitors
who secured 60 per cent, will also receive an
engraved certificate and a cash prize. They
were : J. H. Bennett, W. G. Smith, J. G. Gib-
son, H. A. Scott and C. A. Parker. The judges
were Mayor J. A. Ellis, Prof. W. T. Macoun and
Mr. R. B. Whyte. There will be no competi-
tion this year owing probably to the fact that
Their Excellencies dre leaving. The competi-
tions are believed to have done great good.

FALL FRUIT AND FLOWER SHOW.

A joint meeting of representatives of the To-
ronto Horticultural society, Toronto Florists'
and Gardeners' Association, Toronto Electoral
District society, and representatives of the On-
tario Fruit growers' association, was held in
Toronto April 19, to make arrangements for the
joint fruit, flower and honey show planned to be
held in Toronto next November.

The representatives present were Messrs. J.
H. Dunlop, Thos. Manton, John Chambers, for
the Gardeners' and Florists' association ; E.
Tyrrell, E. F. Collins, of the Toronto Horticul-
tural society ; W. G. Rook, J. McP. Ross and E.
F. Collins, of the Electoral District society, and
H. B. Cowan, representing the Fruit Growers'
association. A rough estimate of the expenses
of holding the show placed it at about $2,500,
including prize lists for the floral department,
but not for the fruit. The show will probably
be held in the Granite street rink, as it will be
impossible to obtain the armouries. A meeting
will be held in a few days, when arrangements
for the show will be rushed. It is intended to
make it a big affair.

East Lambton Fruit Growers. — At a meeting
of fruit growers held at Arkona, April 11, a
fruit growlers' as^sociation was formed, with
Philip Austin, president ; Geo. Gott, vice-presi-
dent ; W. J. Seymour, secretary-treasurer, all
of Arkona ; directors, David Johnston, Thomas
Riggs, of Arkona; W. A. Hodgson, of Forest ;
J. W. Johnston, of Sylvan ; David Simmons,
Donald Johnston, of Forest. The association
starts with a list of 27 members.

We find The Canadian Horticulturist a valu-
able advertising medium, circulating largely as
it does among those who take an interest in the
cultivation of flowers. — (Campbell Brothers,
Nurserymen and Florists, Simcoe, Ont.)

Diplomas Will be Given. — The board of direc-
tors of the Toronto Horticultural society have,
subject to the approval of the society, decided
to award diplomas to those who take an interest
In making the surroundings of their places' of
business, etc., attractive with plants and flowers
or well-kept lawns. The diplomas will be de-
termined by the report of a special committee
who will make it their business to ascertain who
are entitled to them. The diploma is of hand-
some design, lithogr^aphed in Ave colors, and
while the aggregate expense to the society in
distributing them will be considerable, it is felt
that in awarding it the society will have noth-
ing to be ashamed of. — (Charles E. Chambers,
sec. Toronto Hort'l Soc.

Ottawa Society Active. — Arrangements have
been made by the Ottawa Horticultural society
for an exhibition on May 10. Prizes will be
oiTered for exhibits of Pansies, Narcissus, Hya-
cinths, Tulips, Herbaceous Perennial Blooms,
Geraniums, rhubarb, asparagus, lettuce and
radishes. There will be a prize for Tulips, given
by Prof. C. E. Saunders, of the Central Experi-
mental Farm. Exhibitions will also be held in
June, July and August, and two in September.

Our society has bought 200 plants to dis-
tribute among the school children, with instruc-
tions that the plants will be exhibited in the
fall, when prizes will be given for the best kept
plants. — (E. Gurney. sec. Hort'l Society. Hes-
peler, Ont.

Grimsby Horticultural Society has a good
program for May, June and July, and it is ex-
pected that the meeting's will be largely at-
tended.— (.J. W. Brennan, sec.

We know our advertisement in The Canadian
Horticulturist is read and appreciated by our
many customers in Canada. — (Flansburg & Pier-
son, Leslie, Mich.

Trace less Harness. — ^Fruit growers report the
Baker Traceless Harness, manufactured by the
B. F. Baker Company, Burnt Hills, New York,
is a success. It is adapted to work on the
plow, harrow, cultivator, scraper, log hauling,
the stone boat, and all kinds of low down farm
work. It is light, strong, does not gall or
chafe, and allows the utmost freedom of the
horse. To the fruit grower this harness is
very convenient. It eliminates the barking and
skinning of trees, as it has neither traces nor
singletrees. A harness which enables growers
to cultivate close up to trees without interfer-
ence of single tree or tug, and with absolutely
no danger to the trees is a boon. Many users
who have once tried it feel that they could not
possibly go back to traces and singletrees again.
The catalogue issued by the manufacturer illus-
trates and describes the harness fully. A card
will bring it, with all particulars.

FRUIT PROSPECTS THROUGH THE PROVINCE

Althougrh the winter has been the most severe
on record, the damage to orchards in the com-
mercial fruit growing districts does not appear
to have been as severe as at first feared.
Peaches in many sections have suffered severe-
ly, some growers having lost their entire or-
oharas. On the other hand, the buds in many
orcharus are reported to be in a promising con-
dition, with prospects for a fair crop. The
damage has been sufficiently heavy to make it
certain the crop will not be a large one. Should
further damage occur, it is possible the yield
this year will be quite small. The plum, pear
and apple orchards are generally considered to
be in a pretty fair condition, in spite of some
injury by mice and frost.

Mice have caused more damage this season
than for many years. In some districts or-
chards have been almost entirely destroyed by
them, although the total injury will not ma-
terially affect (.he crop of the province in any
line of fruit. The Horticulturist had hoped to
give in this issue a detailed statement of the
fruit prospects of all the leading crops in the
principal fruit producing counties of the pro-
vince. It has, however, (been unable as yet to
complete its list of correspondents in the
various counties, with the result that the re-
turns for this month's report have not been as
complete as it was hoped they would be. For
this reason no definite conclusions have been
drawn concerning present conditions. The
statements of the correspondents have, instead,
been given in considerable detail, so that grow-
ers will oe able to, draw their own conclusions.
During the summer months the Horticulturist
hopes to be able to give its readers complete
and accurate reports concerning all the princi-
pal fruit crops. «

But Few Plum Trees Being Planted.

The great majority of plum orchards are ap-
parently in very fair condition, although in
some sections the severe winter caused heavy
damage. Most of the correspondents of the
Horticulturist made out their reports during
the week ending April 23, at which time they
claimed it was too early to state definitely just
what the injury to trees would amount to.

One correspondent in Lambton county placed
the number of trees killed by frost at 25 per
cent., while several in Lincoln county, without
making any definite estimate, state trees have
come through the winter in very poor condition,
many of them being badly frozen. In the
northwest and central counties trees are said
to be in fair to excellent condition. Quite a
little damage occurred in Whitby townsihip, On-
tario county, where one man reports losing 200
trees.

Mice have. done more damage than for many
years past. . In a number of sections the crop
will be materially affected through their rava-

ges, although the total crop of the province will
hardly be affected by this cause. In a number
of cases correspondents state mice have caused
no damage at all to orchards, while others state
40 per cent, of the young trees have been de-
stroyed. It seems safe to state that the com-
parative number of trees in the province in-
jured by mice will be very small.

The heavy crop and low prices last year has
apparently affected the amount of planting
which will be done this season. Out of the
many correspondents heard from not one re-
ports any new orchards being set out. Grow-
ers apparently were greatly discouraged by the
returns from their crops last year.

On the whole, more spraying is contemplated
this season than last, although the number of
growers who intend to spray, compared with
those who do not, is very small. While more
spraying will be done than formerly in most
sections, in many districts no spraying is likely
to be done at all. One correspondent states
that farmers will not spray unless they are
mad,e to, and suggests that the government offer
a bonus to growers who will spray, instead of
paying ibonuses to railroads. The compara-
tively small number who will spray, as indi-
cated by the reports of the correspondents,
shows plainly the need for much energetic edu-
cational work along these lines.

A Liberal Apple Crop Looked For.

Prospects for the apple crop, at this early
date, appear bright. Letters received from
correspondents to the Horticulturist, in all
parts of Ontario, show trees generally have
come through the winter in good condition.
While reports of injury have been received
from a number of sections, a great many corre-
sponuents announce that orchards are" appar-
ently all right. Mice in some sections have
done great damage, but in others they have ap-
parently done no appreciable harm. A few
growers have lost almost their entire orchards.
In the majority of cases growers state that only
1 per cent, to 5 per cent, of the trees have been
injured by mice. A few run the per cent, up as
high as 25 per cent., and in one or two cases to
30 per cent.

In a number of counties, including Ontario
and Durham, as well as in the eastern and
northern sections, a large number of trees are
being set out. In many other counties the
acreage will be increased little, if any. Re-
ports from four townships in York county, five
in Grey county, and almost equally as many in
Bruce, Victoria, Peterboro', Northumberland,
Wellington, Leeds and others, show the acreage
of new trees will be very small. Some corre-
spondents in Simcoe county state growers there
will not set out any more new trees this year,
as they have found it difficult to give orchards
now bearing proper attention. Only one grower

224

OUR SPECIAL CROP REPORTS.

out of all those heard from in these different
counties mentioned any new trees being set out.

More Spraying Will be Done.

There will be more spraying done by large
growers than ever 'before, although the number
of small growers who will attend to this work
will show but little increase. While in most
sections the number who will spray this year
will s'how a considerable increase, other reports
indicate that less spraying will be done this sea-
son than in 1903. In York county one corre-
spondent estimates one grower in 12 in Mark-
ham township will spray, while another corre-
spondent in Etobicoke township estimates the
number who will spray at one in 20.

In Collingwood township, Grey county, the
number of growers who will spray is stated to
be increasing all the time, while a report from
G-lenelg says that no spraying will be done at
all. A correspondent in Slmcoe county puts the
situation very tersely when he says that " not
half enough spraying is being done." The gen-
eral tone of the reports received indicates hat
growers are hopeful that the crop this year will
be a liberal one if conditions during the sum-
mer are favorable.

Considerable Damage in Peach Orchards.

Although many reports of great damage to
peach orchards have been received by the
Horticulturist, indications are that a large pro-
portion of the orchards have come through the
winter in a very fair condition. Reports con-
flict to such an extent that it has been impossi-
ble to gain any very accurate information as to
conditions as a whole. While a correspondent
in one township reports trees have wintered in
good condition, another correspondent in the
same township writes nearly all the young trees
have been killed. The following brief extracts
from the reports of correspondents will give a
general idea of conditions.

LINCOLN COUNTY.

Contrary to the opinions of a good many
other growers, I do not think any appreciable
number of our trees or vines have been injured
by the cold. As regards fruit buds, on the
more tender varieties of peaches they are pretty
well killed. With favorable weather from now
on we may hope for a crop of peaches in hardy
varieties and on vigorous trees. Plums of the
Japanese variety show the buds vigorous and
swelling fast. Strawberries, like the wheat,
have been badly scorched by the intense cold,
and we may look forward to rather a light crop.
— (Robert Thompson, St. Catharines.

In Grantham township trees have wintered
fairly and are in good condition. Mice have
done consiuerable damage. Peach buds have
been considerably injured.

It is still too early to say how the trees have
wlntere^.* in Pelham township ; about one-fifth
have been injured by mice. Quite a number
of new plantations have been set out this year.
Between the damage from mice and frost, my
opinion is fruit will run very sliort this year.

One quarter of the trees in Pelham township

have been injured by mice, while many were
dstroyed by the severe winter. Buds on peach
trees have nearly all been killed by the frost. —
(J. P. Townsend, Pelham township.

Old trees have wintered poorly in Grantham
township ; young trees fairly well. About 5
per cent, of the peach trees have been injured
by mice. Owing to the fear of scale, not many
peach trees are being set out. Only a small
crop can be expected from the old trees.

ESSKX COUNTY.

In the vicinity of Leamington the severe and
long continued cold weather destroyed the
peach orchards. The damage appears to be as
great as it was during the winter of 1899. Very
few peach trees planted over 2 years have suffi-
cient life and vigor to be of any commercial
value. Plums are much injured ; cherries,
pears and apples to some extent. The frost
went down 4 to 5 feet, and there was not a thaw
during the whole winter. The blossom buds
on peach trees are probably not more than half
destroyed.

In East Sandwich township trees have win-
tered well, only about 1 per cent, having been
injured by mice or frost. Few new peach or-
chards have been set out. A few orchards win-
tered poorly, but in my section they have done
fairly well.

About 5 per cent, of the peach orchards in
Colchester township have been injured by mice
and frost ; very few if any new orchards will
be set -out this year. Fruit buds appear to be
in good conaition. The wood in the older trees
is partly killed, but the young trees are ap-
parently all right.

Some 50 per cent, of the peach trees in Gos-
field township have been injured by mice and
frost, and from 10 to 25 per cent, will die. The
greatest damage was due to the severe winter.~~
On light soils many orchards will be a complete
loss.

Prospects for the peach crop in the vicinity
of Ruthven are fair ; old trees that went
through the freeze of 1898 are injured, but these
are a small per cent of the number of trees out.
Several hundred have been destroyed by mice,
but this injury will only affect a comparatively
small part of the total number of trees. Euro-
pean plums have been (badly injured, while the
Ja;panesie varieties are all right.

KENT COUNTY.

Peach growers in East Tilbury township re-
port trees have wintered fairly well, and that
buds are promising. About one -eighth of the
trees have been injured by mice. Few, if any,
new trees are being set out. Some orchards
have been slightly damaged by water. Out of
2,000 peach trees 200 have been killed. Other-
wise, orchards are in fair condition. Few trees
in Harwick township have been frozen ; the
total damage by mice or frost amounting to
about 25 i>er cent. Fruit buds are not in very
good condition. The San Jose scale has done
great damage and discouraged growers.

WENTWORTII COUNTY.

Peach buds are of a dark color and have pro-

TALKS WITH THE FRUIT GROWERS.

225

bably been seriously injured. In a few days it
will be possiibJe to tell more definitely what the
damag-e amounts to. Wood, particularly on the
east side of the branches, has been badly in-
jured. Where the snow was blown away or ice
laid the roots have been partially destroyed.
The roots of trees in sod. and of trees covered
with snow during the winter, are sound.

LAMBTOX COUNTY.

Peach buds are in fair condition, although
danger of late frosts is not over yet. Trees
wintere-^ well.

HALTON COUNTY.

Tender varieties of peaches were frozen, al-
though, on the whole, trees wintered well. Two
to 5 per cent, have been injured by mice or
frost. The buds on the hardy varieties look
well, enough being alive for a fair crop. Ten-

der varieties one year planted, and those bear-
ing heavy buds last season, suffered from the
hard winter.

NORFOLK COUNTY.

Nearly all the peach trees in the vicinity of
Simcoe were killed by the severe winter. I had
1,400 trees killed. Great damage was done
young trees by mice. Not as many new trees
have been set this year as usual.

WELLAND COUNTY.

Peach trees wintered without injury in Bertie
township, none being destroyed either by mice
or frost. Fruit Ibuds are well advanced.

About half the young trees in the vicinity of
Fonthill have been injured by mice or frost.
Not many new plantations are being set out. It
is still too early to judge the condition of fruit
buds.

TALKS WITH THE FRUIT GROWERS

Apple and plum trees have an abundance of
buds anu are in excellent condition. Sweet
cherry buds badly killed. Peach fruit bud
varieties more or less damaged. Grapes not in-
jured.— (W. M. Orr, Wentworth Co.

Plum orchards look badly. Don't think there
will be much this year, as they bore so heavy
last year. — (H. P. Townsend, Lincoln Co.

Plum rot was quite bad last year, therefore
quite a number of trees have been destroyed. —
(Samuel Brigham, York Co.

The number of growers who will spray this
year will be greatly increased. Former bitter
opponents to this treatment of trees are now
most anxious to fall into line and thus save their
orchards. — (Wm. Armstrong, Lincoln Co.

About one-fifth of the young trees have been
girdled by mice. Cannot t^U of damage by frost
to fruit trees until after the leaves come out. —
(G. C. Brown, Welland Co.

Grapes look well. Good prospects for full
crop if no late frosts appear. — (S. P. Townsend,
Lincoln Co.

Peach buds nearly all killed by frost. Few
live buds to be found. — (S. P. T., Lincoln Co.

In my opinion, between mice and frost, fruit
crop will be very small this year. — (C. Sloat,
Lincoln Co.

Orchards slightly damaged by water. Out of
2,000 peach trees 200 have .been killed ; other-
wise orchards are in fair condition. — (Geo.
Chalmers, Kent Co.

Takes too many men to work our present
spraying outfits. A one-man rig auto-sprayer
is needed to fill the bill. — (S. S'pillet, Simcoe Co.

Wood in older trees is partly killed, but the
young trees are apparently all right. — (A. Fer-
ris, Essex Co.

Fruit in this locality wintered fairly well ;
mice have damaged shrubs and ornamental
"trees baaly. — (D. James, York Co.

There will be very few plums this year. A
good show of apples, cherries and pears if
weather is favorable. — (Wm. Adams, Ontario
Co.

Old trees did not make much growth this
year ; no crop expected. Young vigorous trees
about one-third of the buds alive. Should be
enough for crop if not injured by frost. — (F. G.
Stewart, i^incoln Co.

Tender peaches, one-year planted trees, and
those bearing heavy loads last season, have suf-
fered from the hard winter. — (W. V. Hopkins,
Halton Co.

My escape from the ravages of mice I at-
tribute to a good collie dog and a good cat kept
at the barn, but not at the house. — (J. J. Col-
lins. Lincoln Co.

A great deal more spraying is being done in
my neighborhood than in the past, and I think
the sooner growers all get in the way of spray-
ing the better. — (J. A. Swan, Simcoe Co.

Not much spraying done here. A neighbor
and I have a barrel sprayer, the only one I know
of around here. — (Jas. Chandler, Simcoe Co.

Where there was a profusion of rubbish mice
have girdled young trees more than usual, and
the more tender fruits, such as the peach, are
injured ; some winter plums are safe. — (W. A.
Parsons, York Co.

Some varieties of fruit are more susceptible
to frost than others. Exposed places are noted
as being somewhat injured. — (D. James, York
Co.

AoouL half the people spray ; I think people
don't spray often enough during the year. Ma-
jority only spray once. — (A. E. Clemens, Dur-
ham Co.

I had about 150 apple trees girdled by the
mice, 12 plum and 15 peach trees. Nearly all
the apple trees were 10 years planted and had
just begun to bear. — A. H. Jacobs, Huron Co.

226

TALKS WITH THE FRUIT GROWERS.

I had my young trees protected with old
stove pipe against mice. — (Wm. Cook, York Co.

Having land plowed in orchards, not so much
damage was done as where grass has been in
QifCerent parts. — (A. McDonald, Grey Co^

There has not been spraying enough done in
this district for any particular benefit to be de-
rived.— (I. Smith, Northumberland Co.

Present season likely to be a good fruit year.
Buds not out yet and all vermin killed by cold.
Spraying only useful 1 out of 10 times. Plenty
of fruit buds. — (L. Conant, Ontario Co.

I have found no difficulty this spring spray-
ing peach trees 10 years old, which touched in
the rows, by means of my Wallace power
sprayer. This sprayer has proved satisfactory
in evei^y way. Any growers who would like to
see it in operation are invited to visit my or-
chard.— (J. Wi Smith & Son, Winona, Ont.

I have saved my apple trees when girdled by
mice in the following manner : I use fresh cow
manure and wrap it with a cloth around the
tree, tying securely. Trees 6 or 7 years old,
that were completely girdled, have been saved
in this way. — (A. J. Lace, Northumlberland Co.

Many fruit buds have been destroyed by the
severe winter. Orchards with long grass have
suffered badly from mice. — (A. E. Bellman, Dur-
ham ^o.

The present cool weather will delay blossom-
ing until late and may mean a good crop of
apples.' — (.^imer Lick, Ontario Co.

Cannot tell what injury trees have suffered
from frost, but I think very little, as snow was
deep and remained all winter. Expected more
trees would be girdled than there are. — (W. T.
Weir, Ontario Co.

Currant, gooseberry and raspberry bushes
very much .damaged by crust on heavy snow. —
(P. D. Stubbs, Muskoka Co. i

I am going to spray the first day it is fit, and
with the lime, sulphur and caustic soda, as
given in the April Horticulturist, for the oyster
shell bark louse, which is very bad in this dis-
trict.— (A. D. Harkness, Dundas Co.

There are far to many poor varieties of fruit
and too little top grafting is done. Give farm-
ers a bonus for grafting and spraying instead
of railroads. — (J. G. Graham, Grey Co.

Am very busy shipping apples now ; selling
very good. Have kept good Baldwins, Spys,
Russetts and Ben Davis. — (W. W. Cox, Grey Co.

Very little spraying done in our locality ;
farmers have very little faith in it from tests
generally. Some trees have been girdled with
mice as many as 10 to 15 per cent. — (C. Hoare,
Huron Co.

My plum trees have been out five years last
fall, and they have Iborne plums for three years.
They are full of buas now, if the frost does not
kill them. — (A. Swazzer, Monch Co.

Most severe season I have ever seen. Late
frosts so severe that many of the spring birds
were frozen to death. — (Frank Metcalf, Huron
Co.

Last year, out of 200 trees, I lost 83 trees
by mice. Last fall I put common screen door
netting around the trees to a height of one foot.
— (Samuel Cherry, Norfolk Co.

The mice have done large damage even to
large apple trees, by girdling them. The frost
has apparently killed many peaches ana plums,
as far as can be seen now.— (C. S. Coatsworth,
Kent Co.

A? an advertising medium for selling straw-
berry plants, The Canadian Horticulturist is
away in the lead. From an advertisement in
The Horticulturist my yearly sales have more
than doubled. — (Charles H. Snow, Strawberry
Plant Nurseries, Cummings Bridge, Ont.

We recommend The Canadian Horticulturist
to any person requiring a purely horticultural
paper for advertising purposes. — (J. A. Sim-
mers, Wholesale Seed -Merchant, Toronto, Ont.

The Canadian Horticulturist is an excellent
medium in which to advertise our business, and
we are glad to recommend it as such. — (John A.
Bruce & Co., Seed Merchants, Hamilton, Ont.

sfe Orchard Monarch

is the spraying machine which should receive the attention
of large sprayers. It is a mounted sprayer carrying ISO gal-
lons of liquid. The force for operating is supplied by the mere
movement of wagon by means of hind wheel gearings. It
is intended for large orchard operations and is a

Perfect AutomaLtic Sprayer.

Driving from tree to tree generates power— 130 lbs
to the inch — to spray five minutes with two nozzles
and reach top of tallest trees. It also operates
automatically the liquid agitator and brush for

cleaning suction strainer, so that vines and fulia^^e are never
scalded nor burned and nozzles never cloj^. Tlie Monarch, as
the name suggests, is the peer of sprayers for large orchard op-
erations. We manufacture many kinds and sizes of sprayers for
all purposes. Writeusforanythingin the spraying line, formu-
las, appliances, et:., aiii aslc fjr oar F/aa book on s.).'j.yia^.

Field Force Pump Co.. 231 Eleventh St., Elmira, N.Y

C3. <3r. I>.A.-V-iai, Agsnt lor Ontario, - 1P-d.Si:EiT%a..AJSS , C:>3VX«.

TEN DOIiLiARS for the Reader ivho buys Goods to the Greatest Value from Advertisers in this Issue.

See Notice in Advertising Columns. |3

K

u

JOiE

<^ND -what is so rare as a day in June?
Then, if ever, come perfect days ,-
Then Heaven tries the earth if it be in tune.

And over it softly her -warm ear lays:
Whether -vsre looK, or -whether -we listen, '

We hear life murmur, or see it glisten;
Every clod feels a stir of might.

An instinct within it that reaches and towers.
And, grasping blindly above it for light,

Clirnbs to a soul in grass and flo-wers.

JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL.

OJ 0) *- 1) -o

j: j; — j3 V

•a

e
s
o

u

s

Ttie (anadian i{ortic(jIr(irist

JUNE, 1904

Volume XXVII

Number 6

THE SAN JOSE SCALE IN ONTARIO

4 k A LTHOUGH the area affected by
.l\ the San Jose scale increased
slightly last year, and while I doubt if the
scale will ever be entirely stamped out in the
province, yet on the whole I think the con-
dition of the scale is most encouraging.
The panic period when growers did not
know what to do for the scale has passed.
It is now realized that thorough spraying
will not only check the spread of the scale,
but that if continued it may entirely re-
move it."

These remarks were made recently to The
Horticulturist by Mr. J. Fred. Smith, of
Glanford, San Jose scale inspector for the
province. Mr. Smith for several years has
been in close touch with the work of fight-
ing the scale, and consequently is in a good
position to speak authoritatively concern-
ing it.

" An encouraging feature of the present
situation," continued Mr. Smith, "is that
growers are spraying as they never sprayed
before. There has been a large increase
this season in the number of growers who
have bought spraying machinery. Last
year there were only three power sprayers
in use in the province. This year eleven
have been used for the scale alone, not
counting those used by the Dominion De-
partment of Agriculture. This year 86,464

pounds of sulphur have been purchased to
use in fighting this pest. This is fully one-
third more than was purchased last year
and twice as much as two years ago, al-
though the area in which the scale is located
has increased very little during that period.

" In most of the infected localities the
people appear to be thoroughly alive to the
necessity for action. All through these
sections may be seen boiling plants of every
description, from the threshing engine boil-
ing the lime and sulphur either in large
tanks or rows of barrels, to the work of the
individual who boils his spraying mixture
alone in iron kettles.

WHY the; scale may spread.

" There are two great dangers. In the
sections which are seriously infested with
the scale many growers have become ro
thoroughly discouraged that they have given
up all attempts to fight the pest. The con-
sequence is these districts become bad breed-
ing points for the scale and infest other sec-
tions, and the orchards of growers who con-
tinue their preventive measures. It seems
hard to convince these men who have given
up, that all other sections where the scale
has gained a foothold are not so badly in-
fested as their own.

" The second danger lies in the difficulty
we find in convincing growers who have not

2 HE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST

actually seen the ravages of the scale of the
seriousness of the situation. These men are
inclined to minimize the danger and are slow
about taking preventive measures. They
may thus allow the scale to gain a foothold,
after which it is almost impossible to eradi-
cate it.

" In 1897, when the department of agri-
culture became aware that the scale was be-
ing imported in nursery stock received from
the States, steps were taken to induce the
Dominion Government to prohibit the im-
portation of stock from the infested dis-
tricts. Knowing that the scale had already
been located at several places in Ontario, an
act was passed called the San Jose scale act.
This act provided for the appointment of in-
spectors, and wherever the scale was found
the trees 'were destroyed.

ACT WAS PASSED TOO LATE.

" It was thought at this time that in a few
months all the scale in the fruit growing sec-
tions could be stamped out by burning the
trees. When the act was passed the scale
had been located at Kingsville and at Van
Home, a small postofifice near Chatham, and
also in the section near Burlington. Un-
fortunately the act was passed about three
years too late, as the scale had become es-
tablished. The first imported trees had
stood so long that they had become badly in-
fested and the scale had spread so far and
so rapidly that in none of these places has
it been possible to entirely stamp it out. I
would like to emphasize the fact that in no
cases where the scale has become thoroughly
established have the people been able to
eradicate it. All the infested trees have at
times apparently been destroyed, but sooner
or later the scale has cropped up in some
unexpected place.

"The destruction of the trees was con-
tinued for two years, but the government
realized that it could not hope to stamp it
out and called in the inspectors and started
a series of experiments with the, object of

finding some remedy for the destruction of
the scale. These experiments have been
carried on to a greater or lesser degree in
the infected districts and remedies have been
found which if properly applied will help
keep the scale in check. In some sections,
where the scale was not very thoroughly es-
tablished, they appear to have entirely
stamped it out.

NO NEW OUTBREAKS.

" In the early days of this fight over 100
places were found, where the scale had
started through the distribution of nursery
stock, that were treated in time to destroy
the scale. In none of these places has the
scale since been found. One remarkable
fact remains that during the last two years
no new outbreaks of the scale have- been
found. This goes to show that the work
done by the inspectors in these early years
was very thorough.

" Scale has been found more or less all
through the chief fruit growing districts of
Ontario, but it has made some remarkable
skips, leaving some townships so free from
it that the people cannot yet be brought to
realize that in some districts of Ontario
thousands and thousands of trees have been
destroyed by the scale. Scale has been
found all along the fruit belt skirting Lake
Ontario from Toronto to the Niagara fron-
tier, where the scale is at its worst, getting
lighter and lighter,' with some skips, until
after leaving Clarkson. . No more scale Is
known to exist east of that point, although
scale has been found in young trees at sev-
eral points as far east as Belleville. In
these last cases it has been stamped out. In
the western fruit growing sections, quite ■
badly infested sections have become estab-
lished at Kingsville, Rondeau, Chatham and
Van Horn.

" The lime-sulphur wash is the most popu-
lar of all the remedies on trial. It is three
years since it was first introduced into
(Continued on page 267.)

INDIVIDUALITY OF FRUITS

VV. T. MACOUN, HORTICULTURIST, CENTRAL CANADA EXPT. FARM.

THE Stock breeder has for a great many
years paid especial attention to the
individual animal in breeding for size, shape
and markings, and for flesh and milk. Just
as satisfactory results should be obtained in
improving the strain of a variety of fruit,
and although comparatively little has yet
been done by horticulturists in this respect
with fruits, much has been accomplished
with flowers and vegetables. It is now
recognized by the best authorities that each
bud of a tree has individual characteristics
which separate it from all other buds, and
although the differences in buds are in most
cases so slight that it is impossible to detect
them, yet in some instances they may be
quite marked.

Fruit growers have often noticed that one
tree or bush is more productive than an-
other, or bears larger, more highly colored
or better flavored fruit. Take as an exam-
ple the Fameuse apple. When this excel-
lent old variety first bore fruit several hun-
dred years ago one tree produced all the
Fameuse apples there were at that time.
Some apples on that original tree were pro-
bably not as highly colored as others, al-
though exposed to the same amount of
light. Some branches, probably, were

more heavily laden than others, although
there was no apparent reason why they
should be. On some branches the fruit
was larger though as well loaded as others.
In time scions were cut from that tree and
grafted, and a new generation of Fameuse
trees was the result. Were the trees thus
produced identical in vigor and productive-
ness, and was the fruit borne on each of
them exactly similar in every respect? We
believe that they were not. Every bud on
every tree of every generation of Fameuse
apple trees had individual characteristics,
and although the differences were barely
enough marked to see, there were doubtless
manv fine shades of variation.

It does not need a great stretch of imagi-
nation to see that if such changes can be
made as have been made in live stock, flow-
ers, vegetables and other economic plants,
by careful selection, that if, when that first
generation of Fameuse apple trees began to
bear, scions had been taken from the most
productive tree bearing the finest colored
apples of the best size, that in the next gen-
eration of trees there would be at least a
slight improvement, and if this selection had
been carried on down to the present time we
should have a better Fameuse than we have
to-day. This selection, however, has not
been carried out, and about all that has been
done, in a few cases, is to graft from trees
bearing highly colored fruit, but as yet we
have practically no reliable information in
Canada as to whether the results have been
satisfactory.

In small orchards, where the fruit is in-
tended for home consumption, the indi-
viduality of different trees is more noticed
than in large orchards, where the record of
each tree is not brought so prominently be-
fore the grower. The effect of the stock
on the productiveness of the tree and char-
acteristics of the fruit is not yet well under-
stood. Whatever may be the influence of
the stock there is no doubt that each variety
maintains most of its individual qualities.

At the Central Experimental Farm the
yields ape kept from each individual tree in
the orchard, making it possible to tell at the
end of a certain period just what each tree
has borne. It has been found that trees
planted at the same time, and growing under
practically the same conditions as other trees
of the same variety, vary widely in produc-
tiveness. Some trees also bear a medium
crop every year, while others bear a heavy
crop every other year.

In the following table will be found the
yields of trees of four varieties of apples for
the past six years, with the total yield per

234

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

tree for that time. It will be seen that
some trees haye yielded two to four times
as much as others. The yield is given in
gallons rather than in barrels, to avoid large
fractions.

It is worth mentioning that of the 17
Wealthy trees in the table only 7 bore fruit
in 1903, and of those that fruited the tree
which had borne regularly during the past
four years again bore a good crop in 1903 :

AjPPLES— WEALTHY— PLANTED 1896.

APPLES— GREENING — ^PLiANTED 1892.

Tree

1899

1900

1901

1902

1903

Total

1

1

2.25

2.75

l.'i.O

21.0

2

2

.5

2.5

12.0

17.0

3

1.75

12.0

2.25

8.0

24.0

4

9.0

2.25

15.5

20.5

27.0

74.25

5

7.5

6.5

7.75

23.0

7.5

52.25

6

3.25

6.5

3.5

24.0

37.25

7

7.5

1.0

10.0

19.0

16.0

53.5

8

8.5

.5

21.5

.30.5

9

11.25

.25

27.5

39.0

10

1.0

12.25

30.0

43.25

11

1.25

11.25

21.5

34 0

12

7.5

18.5

2.0

28.0

13

4.25

6.25

4.5

20.0

.5

35.5

14

2.5

5.5

.5

34.0

42.5

15

2.25

3.5

21.5

8.5

35.75

16

3.0

2.25

4.0

22.5

45

.36.25

17

20

1.0

22.5

25.5

APPLBS^MoMAlHON WHITE— PLANTED 1888

Tree

1898

1899

1900

1901

1902

1903

Total

1

62.0

83.0

2.0

147.0

1.5

295.5

2

42.0

1.0

6.0

12.5

98.0

2.3.0

182.5

3

32.0

29.0

49.0

18.0

55.0

63.5

246.5

4

,3.5.0

34.5

4.0

63.0

34.0

. 170.5

5

37.5

55.0

49.0

61.0

210.5

6

29.0

4.5

46.0

.5

69.5

430

192.5

7

.5

9.5

19.5

4.0

19.0

39.5

92.0

8

7.0

9.0

27.0

9.0

53.0

15.5

120.5

APPLES— 4MCINTOSH HBD— PLANTED 1890.

Tree

1898

1899

1900

1901

1902 1903

Total

1
2

17.5 ; 26.0
1.0 9.5

37.0
10.5

6.5
1.0

71.5
37.5

94.0
31.0

222.5
90.5

Tree

1898

1899

1900

1901

1902

1903

Total

1

27.0

2.0

35.0

1.5

71.0

15.0

151.5

2

2.0

6.0

14.0

19.0

24.0

55.5

120.5

3

2.0

31.0

1.5

40.5

22.0

67.0

164.0

4

13.0

6.5

12.0 1 15.0

46.5

5

1.0

19.0

.5

17.0

21.0

59.0

Experiments are being conducted at the
Experimental Farm by top grafting with
scions from productive and unproductive
trees, to determine how far the productive-
ness and unproductiveness of the trees is
constant. Root grafted trees are also being
grown for this purpose.

In order that fruit growers might learn,
by personal experience, of the great varia-'
tion in individual trees of the same variety,
a co-operative experiment was begun in
1903. On application to the horticulturist,
six pieces of zinc, bearing six consecutive
numbers, were sent to each person. These
pieces of zinc when received were to be at-
tached to six bearing trees of a single
variety of apple, pear, plum, or peach, the
trees to be the same age, and growing under
the same conditions of soil and culture. A
record of the yield of each tree was to be
kept for at least five years. A number of
fruit growers in different parts of Canada
have already joined this co-operative test,
and it is hoped that more persons will de-
sire to take part in this experiment.

If scions from productive trees will pro-
duce productive trees 'when grafted, and if
scions from unproductive trees will produce
trees which are poor croppers, it is very im-
portant that scions should be taken from the
best yielding trees. As grafting will, in ail
probability, become much more general
among fruit growers in the near future, the
importance of knowing that trees vary
widely in productiveness is easily seen.

CURE WANTED FOR THE PLUM ROT

PROF. W. LOCHHEAD, ONT. AGRI. COI.LEGE, GUELPH.

I am troubled a good deal with plum rot, and
as yet have been unable to find a cure for it.
Can you give me a remedy ? — (Philip Austin,
Arkona, Ont.

On account of the fact that the plum
rot or brown rot can thrive on many hosts,
such as the plum, peach, cherry, apple,
raspberry, blackberry, etc., it is difficult to
outline a treatment which will be effective.
There are two lines of treatment which
should be tollowed, one as important as the
other.

First, gather and burn all the mummy
plums which usually remain on the tree in

One Method of Preparing the Lime Sulphur Wash — No. 1.

where insecticides are used, and w*here the
curculio is not so abundant, the brown rc<t
is not severe.

There seems to oe some connection be-
tween the abundance of curculio and that

of the rot, and no doubt the curculio is an
■f

agent in the spread of the disease. Thin-
ning the friiit is also an important aid in
controlling the disease. As with many
other diseases, co-operation among the fruit
growers is essential for the control of the
plum rot, for it is not fair to the wide-awake
careful fruit grower to have an orchard
near by which is un-
tended and the mum-
mified plums allowed
to remain all winter
and become a source
of infestation to the
best orchards of the
district.

WHAT THE DOMINION

HORTICULTURIST

SAYS.

The above question
by Mr. Austin was
also submitted to
Mr. W. T. Macoun,

In some sections where the San Jose Scale has made its appearance fruit growers have united to q£ thc Central Can-
fight the pest. One grower agrees to prepare the spraying mixture for the others, who buy it from him

at a fixed price. The method here shown is a commoa one. The wash is prepared in barrels and boiled ^(J^ Experimental

by steam from a threshing engine. This photograph was taken near Burlington, where Mr. C. J. Davis "

prepares the mixture for seme 15 growers. Farm for aUSWCr

a dry hard condition all winter. It has
been proven that these mummified fruits
serve to carry this fungus over the winter
and that they retain their power to give off
in the spring the spores which will continue
the disease the following season.

WHEN TO SPRAY.

Second, spray thoroughly with Bordeaux
mixture. The spraying should be made
before the buds open, again just before
blossoming, and after blossoming, and the
fourth spraying when tne fruit is three-
quarters grown. It has been found that

who has replied as follows :

This disease does great injury every
year to the peach and plum crop. It is not
' as easily controlled as the apple spot, but
thorough spraying has been found very ef-
fectual. The ripe rot spreads by means of
spores, which germinate early in the spring
and penetrate the twigs from the leaves and
flower buds on which they alight. In or-
der to destroy as many of the spores as pos-
sible, all diseased fruit should be gathered
and burned, whether it is on the ground or
on the tree. This fruit harbors mvriads

235

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST

of spores, which endure the winter, and are
capable of infecting the trees the following
spring.

The trees should be thoroughly sprayed
in time to destroy the spores before the
disease penetrates the wood in the sprmg.
The first spraying should be made with
poisoned Bordeaux mixture, or a sulphate
of copper solution, i pound sulphate of cop-
per to 25 gallons of water, shortly before
the buds start to develop, and with poisoned
Bordeaux mixture just before the blossoms
open. 'I'hese sprayings are very important,
and should never be neglected. After the
trees have bloomed they should be thor-
oughly sprayed again with ordinary pois-
oned Bordeaux mixture, and also ten days
to two weeks before the fruit begins to
color. The trees should also be sprayed

The Apple Tree Borer

L. W.

EARLY in the month of June the trunks
of the apple trees should be washed
with a strong solution of soft soap and
washing soda not only to cleanse them of
bark lice and fungi, but also to prevent the
attacks of borers. Vigorous growing young
orchards are seldom attacked, but if the
trees are stunted in growth they are often
adly affected and sometimes almost ruined.
Two species are often met with in Ontario,
the round headed and the flat headed, the
former of which spends three years in its
larvae state working between the bark and
the sapwood, and even tunnelling into the
hardwood, while the latter completes its de-
velopment in a single year.

The wash above described should be re-
duced to the consistency of paint and ap-
plied with a broom cut short so as to form
a sort of scrubbing brush. The object is
to prevent the female moth from depositing
its eggs within the bark during the summer
season.

with ammoniacal copper carbonate solution
when the fruit is beginning to ripen. This
will destroy the spores which appear in great
numbers on the mature plums, and will not
discolor the fruit.

Plums and peaches which touch one an-
other on the tree give very favorable con-
ditions for the spread of the disease from
one fruit to another. Being close together,
moisture is retained on the skin, and the
spores which, may be on one fruit germinate
readily and soon infect the next, and thus
the disease spreads rapidly. Thinning the
fruit makes the conditions much less favor-
able for the development of the disease.
Also discolored and dead wood should be
cut out and burned in the meantime. If
spraying is thoroughly done the injury from
this disease will be much lessened.

Pruning Apple Trees

it T HAVE almost invariably done my
1. pruning early in the spring, as soon
as the hard frosts are over, and consider-
ably before the sap moves. This is the
general practice in my neighborhood and
has given good results."

So stated Mr. Wm. Rickard, M. L. A., of
Newcastle, Ont., to an editorial representa-
tive of The Horticulturist a few days ago.
" Some well known authorities," continued
Mr. Rickard, "claim June is the best time.
In my opinion June 'pruning tends to fruit-
fulness, while winter pruning tends to
growth of wood.

" June undoubtedly is a good time to
prune, but I have never tried it, not having
had time to do the work at that season of
the year. I purpose, however, trying some
June pruning this year on some of my trees
to see what the effect will be."

If a tree bears uniformly the fruit will be
larger and better every year. There is much
to learn about pruning and fertilizing.

GROWERS ANXIOUS TO ORGANIZE

A HOPEFUL feature of the fruit
situation is the desire apparent on
the part of fruit growers, in many sections
of the province, to organize. It is becom-
ing recognized that only by co-operating in
the purchasing of supphes, spraying, and
the sale of their products, can the small fruit
growers expect to realizie the best returns.

As a result of the series of fruit institute
" meetings held during the spring several lo-
cal fruit growers associations were formed.
A number of these associations are anxious
to commence operations but do not know
just how they should set to work. With
the idea of gaining a little information on
this subject The Horticulturist recently
wrote to the officers of several well known
and successful fruit growers organizations.

THE eHATHAM FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION

" The principal features of our bylaws,"
writes W. D. A. Ross, secretary-treasurer
of the Chatham Fruit Growers' association,
" are that new members are passed upon by
the board of directors before being admit-
ted. H a member sells outside of the asso-
ciation he forfeits his membership, but may
come in as a new member if the board sees
fit. All sales of similar grades are aver-
aged in making returns, so that each mem-
ber profits by a good sale or shares the loss
in a poor one.

" I may say here, however, that no mem-
ber has been asked to put up a dollar in the
way of loss yet. Our returns have not
always been as large as we could wish for,
5till on the average they have been very

satisfactory, and we have not been at the

buyers' mercy.

" Our fruit is all packed at a central pack-
ing 'house, a warehouse placed at our dis-
posal by the C. P. R., and since it is all
graded by the one set of hands the quality
is uniform. We find too that we can do it
cheaper in this way, and can work in all
kinds of weather, which in a season like the
last two is quite an advantage.

" Our directors thought of putting up a
packing house of our own this season, but
decided to let the matter stand over till next
season, and devote their attention and funds
for this season to power spraying."

ST. CATHARINES COLD STORAGE AND FOR-
WARDING COMPANY.

One of the most noted and successful or-
ganizations of fruit growers in the province
is the St. Catharines Cold Storage and For-
warding Co., Limited. This company has
been in existence for some six years, and
now does a large business. Its receipts
last year amounted to $3,005, and its assets
total $8,585.73. Last year it shipped for
its members 2,465 tons of all kinds of fruit.
By conducting their business on such a large
scale the members are able to obtain many
concessions from the buyers, railway com-
panies and other firms.

Through the kindness of the president of
the company, Mr. Robert Thompson, of St.
Catharines, The Horticulturist is enabled tr>
print the by-laws of this company. They
read in part as follows:

(Continued on page 263.)

Is Willing to Help. — I would esteem it
a great favor if fruit growers and all others
who read The Canadian Horticulturist would
write me about the troubles of the orchard
and garden and send me specimens pf the
pests. By coming in close touch with them,
it should be possible for me to do a great

deal more for them, as well as make myself
better acquainted with conditions as they
actually prevail. In exceptional cases I
might visit the locality where the disease is
spreading or alarming. — (W. Lochhead,
Entomologist and Plant Pathologist, Guelph.

CULTIVATION OF THE ORCHARD

L. W.

THE key word of orchard work during
the month of June is cultivation. A
great change has come over the methods
employed during the past few years, and es-
pecially with respect to working up the or-
chard. Even yet a few advocate leaving
apples in sod, but the more progressive fruit
growers and those who grow the finest fruit
give the best and most thorough cultivation.
The object of cultivation is two-fold, (i)
to increase the fertility of the soil by mak-
ing the plant food more available by the tree
roots, and (2) to conserve moisture. There
is little doubt that much of our orchard soil
is sufficiently rich for the needs of our apple
and pear or-
chards, pro-
viding such
tillage is
given so as
to make the
plant food
available by
the tree
roots The
saving of
moisture is
perhaps the
more import-
ant'object of
the two in a

Boiling the Lime Sulphur Wash in Tanks— No. 2.

At Winona, Mr. J. W. Smith prepares the lime sulphur wash for some 25 growers.
Last year 10 large barrels were used, but this year two large tanks, holding some 500 gal
Ions each, were made. It is much easier to heat the water in these tanks, less fuel is needed
and the amount of work is reduced. It is much more difficult to stir the mixture in a small
barrel than in a tank. The wash is boiled for two hours, by which time it is thoroughly
mixed.

Steal the soil moisture from the orchard
trees, and because at' this time the greater
part of the wood growth is made.

Another most important reason for con-
tinued cultivation is the retention of soil
moisture. Every one knows ^ that a mulch
will retain the moisture in the ground be-
neath it. Lift a board or a heap of rub-
bish in summer and note the moist condition
of the soil beneath., A mulch of fine dry dust
will act in the same way, and the easiest
method of providing it is by frequent shal-
low cultivation. After the ground has been
once worked up with plow or disc, a sharp
tooth harrow should be a suitable tool for

keeping the
dust mulch
on the sur-
face. Ground
should be
gone over
every ten
days or so,
and in par-
ticular soon
after every
rain, because
this latter
tends to form
a crust and
destroy the

country like ours, where rains are not so fre-
quent in mid-summer.

If cover crops occupy the ground these
should be plowed under as early as possible
before they begin to draw moisture from
the soil. And in any case an early plowing
of the orchard will make it pervious to the
early rains, so that the water will sink into
the soil and not be carried oflf by surface
drains.

Continued cultivation during the month
and a part of next month is essential to the
best fruitage, because either a sowed crop,
or a self-sown crop of weeds will rapidly

effect of the dust mulch.

No one rule applies in every case. There
are orchards which do not need cultivation,
and may be left in sod with better results
than if worked. We refer to those planted
on deep rich sandy loam, inclining to be
moist, such as are found along the base of
the Niagara escarpment. The springs from
the " mountain " in some cases tend to keep
a supply of moisture in summer, and the
land is so rich that the wood growth is al-
most too great. If such orchards were in
sod the excessive wood growth would be
lessened and greater fruitfulness result.

238

IN THE ORCHARD.

239

In working about orchard trees some men.
have great difficulty in avoiding injury to
the trunks, especially if the trees are young.
A careful adaptation of harness and tools
will much facilitate the work. The ordi-
nary farm harness, with its projecting hames
and upright turrets, is entirely unfit for or-
chard use. The former should lie as close
to the collar as possible, and the latter
should consist simply of a ring, which will
be flat on the saddle.

The ordinary long double trees also are
entirely unfitted for the orchard; the ends
will surely scrape the trees in passing even
if bound with cloth. At Maplehurst we ulc
a set made with principal beam 31 inches
long, of an oak piece 2 x 3^, and the whiffle
trees are each about 22 inches long. These
enable a horse to walk quite close to a row
of trees without injury to the trunks.

Most of tne plowing in an orchard on
sandy soil may be done with a gang plow,
and the trees may be finished with a one-
horse plow, followed by a grape hoe, like
the one shown in the accompanying illus-

tration. This tool enables a wonderful sav-
ing of work, not only in the vineyard but
also in clearing away the sod and earth close
about the trees. If managed skillfully with
a horse trained to the work there will be
very little left for hoe or spade after the
grape hoe has done its work.

GRAPES AS A PROFITABLE CROP

AARON COLE, ST. CATHARINES, ONT.

THE best variety of grapes that may be
grown for profit will depend very
much on the character of the soil. I have
two vineyards, one on a alay loam and the
other on a deep gravel. The same varie-
ties of grapes are planted on both, namely
Niagaras, Concords and Worden.

These I consider the three best varieties
for money making, but it is also essential to
have some red grapes. The Vergennes and
Brighton are possibly the best. None of
the Rodgers variety have proved satisfac-
tory to me, but for an assortment I would
recommend a few Agawam and Rodgers
No. 15. It is necessary to have red, white
and blue grapes in order to fill a car in good
shape for the northwest trade.

SOIL AND FERTILIZERS.

The soil requires more or less fertilizer.
I find nothing better than well rotted barn-
yard manure placed around the vines in the

fall of the year. Above all things, do not
place green manure around them during the
winter season, or your vines will suffer from
incursions of mice. Bone meal is also
good, about 400 pounds to the acre being a
proper amount.

The best" soil for grapes is deep coarse
gravel, and the next best a clay loam.
Either of these require very little fertilizer
as compared with a sandy loam. In the
spring of 1867 I planted 270 vines on
gravel, and I have had occasion to manure
that portion of my vineyard only once since.
Those vines furnish me with plenty of wood
and grapes every year. My impression is
that the stones in the gravely soil draw from
the air what is required for the nourishment
and fruition of the vines, and the soil as a
result is self-sustaining for grape culture.
No crop gives the farmer more pleasure to
handle and market than a good grape crop.

SPRAYING MIXTURES UNDER TEST.

PROF. R. HARCOURT, ONT. AGRI. COIvLEGE, GUELPH.

A TEST of the relative efficiency of
the lime sulphur wash and the Mc-
Bain mixture was jnade this spring under
the auspices of a special committee appoint-
ed by the Fruit Growers' Association to
ascertain which of the two above named
substances is the most effective in destroy-
ing the San Jose scale. The orchard se-
lected for the experiment belongs to Mr.
Bunting, of St. Catharines, and consists of
about 65 thrifty growing peach trees.

Before the spraying was done each tree
was carefully examined by Messrs. Bunt-
ing, Robert Thompson, and Healy, the
members of the committee present, ind
Prof. Lochhead, and full notes were taken
regarding the condition of the scale on each
tree at that time. Every other row was
then sprayed with the lime-sulphur wash,
and the intervening rows with the McBain
mixture. Mr. Buntmg was responsible for
the application of the former and Mr. Mc-
Bain for the latter. Both men were al-
lowed to make the spraying as thorough as
they saw fit, but nothing further was to be
put on the trees until after they had been
examined by the committee at the end of
June or the early part of July. Every pos-
sible point was safe guarded, and there is
no reason why the tests should not be con-

sidered thorough and fairly conclusive.

The same day a barrel of the lime-sulphur
and salsoda and a barrel of the lime-sulphur
and caustic soda washes were prepared and
applied to an adjoining orchard. The for-
mer was made according to the following
formula : Lime, 25 pounds ; sulphur, 20
pounds ; sal soda, 12 pounds ; water, 40 gal-
lons. These were put together without
any artificial heat being used in the boiling.
The lime-sulphur and caustic mixture was
also prepared without any artificial heat, and
tne following amounts of the various sub-
stances were used : Lime, 30 pounds ; sul-
phur, 15 pounds; caustic soda, 5 pounds,
and water, 40 gallons.

Both solutions developed the characteris-
tic color of the lime- sulphur wash, and those
present were delighted with the simplicity
of the method -of preparation. Since that
time several barrels of these mixtures have
been made and applied in the same neigh-
borhood, and it will be interesting to see
how effective they will prove in destroying
the scale. Their great advantage over the-^
regular lime-sulphur wash is that they are
not boiled, and thus that tedious process is
saved. Some other substances have been
applied, which, if effective, will greatly re-
duce the cost and trouble of the spraying.

THE OYSTER SHELL BARK LOUSE

Iv. W.

PERHAPS the most common insect
enemy of the apple in our province
is the oyster shell bark louse, an introduc-
tion from Europe nearly a century ago. It
gets its name from the shape of its shell,
which, however, is only about one-sixth of
an inch in length.

During the warm weather early this
month, these young lice hatch out and begin
moving about, and in a few 'days attach
themselves to some portion of fresh bark by

inserting their tiny sharp beaks to suck the
sap. These young lice are scarcely visible
to the naked eye, being only about the one-
thousandth part of an inch in length. It
is at this stage of their history that these
bark lice are most easily destroyed. A thor-
ough washing of the tree with a strong so-
lution of soft soap and washing soda, or a
spraying with a solution of washing soda
and water, 5^ a pound to a pailful, will
cleanse the bark of them.

IN THE ORCHARD.

241

Does Not Believe in Low Topping

JAMES C. HUGGARD^ WHITBY, ONT.

THERE are a great many very useful
hints given in The Horticulturist, but
some features presented to your readers are,
to my mind, entirely misleading. One I
cannot agree with is the training of low
headed fruit trees. By low headed trees I
refer to those that branch out two to four
feet from the ground instead of four and a
half to ix feet.

I would like to ask the advocates of low
heading where they obtain their prize sam-
ples of fruit, if not on the top branches?
As it is well known that cultivated orchards
yield a much greater return of first-class
fruit than an uncultivated orchard, I would
like to know how an orchard of say Green-
ings, Talman Sweet and many other varie-
ties of like habit of growth can be cultivated
where the trunk is only three feet high?
As a matter of fact, I have never seen well
colored fruit on low branches, nor yet the
best specimen of green or yellow varieties,
except invariably on the higher branches.

A SERIOUS MISTAKE.

Having been actively engaged for the
past 30 years in fruit growing, I have found
to my sorrow that to allow branches to form
less than 4 to 6 feet from the ground, ac-
cording to the variety planted, is a serious
mistake. The argument usually advanced
is that the low -leaued trees are easier to
pick, but this is in theory only, as a picker
will gather just as many baskets on a ladder
twelve to fifteen feet long as on one six feet
long.

As to cultivation, it is simply impractical
to get the land cultivated near the trees
where the limbs are close to or lying on the
ground. I advise all fruit growers, there-
fore, to get good clean trunks while the
trees are young. They will not then be
under the necessity, later on, of cutting
branches 3 to 6 inches in diameter, as some

orchardists are doings this year-, in order that
they may work among their trees.

Another matter fruit men should attend
to at once is the planting of spruce for wind
breaks. They not only add to the beauty
of a farm or orchard, but add very material-
ly to the total crop of fruit by protecting che
trees from high winds in the fall. I cannot
too strongly recommend the planting of
spruce both xor ornament and use. I have
several hundrea spruce planted, some of
which have grown 40 feet high in 22 years
from seed.

Trimming Apple Trees

PROF. H. L. HUTT, OXT. AGRI. COLLEGE,
GUELPH.

I would like to know the proper time of the
year to trim apple trees. Most of those pro-
fessing to be experts differ. I saw a statement
by one member of the fruit growers' associa-
tion who said, " prune when your knife is
sharp." When is the best time ? — (M. H. D.
Silver, Sutton, Ont.

There is a great diversity of opinion in
regaid to the proper time for pruning trees,
which, in itself, shows there is considerable
latitude within which pruning may be done
safely. Light pruning may be done almost
any time of the year, but it is not well to
prune to any extent when the trees are m
foliage, nor is it well to prune heavily in the
fall after the foliage is off, as the wounds
are exposed to severe winter conditions be-
fore healing begins.

The safest time to prune is early in the
spring after severe frosts are over. Wounds
made at this time heal rapidly. I had oc-
casion recently to visit an orchard near
Ingersoll which had been severely pruned
last fall before the leaves were entirely off
the trees. The result was that the sap in
the trees at that time was not properly
elaborated, and as a consequence it was
badly effected by severe winter freezing, so
much so that in some cases the bark this
spring peeled readily from the trunks of the
trees.

242

THE CANADIAN H0RTICULTURIS7

The Cherry Crop

Iv. w.

TOWARD the end of June, and before
the strawberry harvest is quite com-
pleted, growers will be engaged with the
early varieties of sweet cherries. The Early
Purple will be the first to ripen, and will
soon be followed by Governor Wood, Cleve-
land, Elton, Knight's Early Black and Black
Tartarian. No doubt the severe winter has
severely thinned out these tender varieties,
even in the more favored districts. In some
parts the cherry has become a very import-
ant market fruit, and the loss of it by the
severe winter will be a serious misfortune.

As a rule men are the most satisfactory
cherry pickers, because the ladders are too
heavy to be moved by women and children,
and one might better do the work than to be
on constant call to move them. Besides
women's wages are nearly as high as men's,
now, women have invaded nearly every avo-
cation in life. A good man cherry picker
will gather one hundred quarts a day, in
average picking, and do it properly too. By
this is meant handling the fruit by the stems
and scarcely touching the cherries with the
hands. We usually gather the fruit into
the half basket, holding about 7 quarts, and
if free from rot they will not need turning
out on the packing table. Unfortunately
the early kinds are often very subject to rot,
in which case they must be turned out and
repacked.

A GREAT trouble: WITH CHKRRY GROWERS.

The rot is one of the greatest evils of
cherry growing, for it spreads rapidly and
soon destroys a magnificent crop of large
fancy cherries. It pays the cherry grower
to begin early spraying his sweet cherry
trees with Bordeaux, especially such varie-
ties as Elton, Black Tartarian and Napoleon
Bigarreau, and to continue the treatment
until the cherries are well grown, with the
ammoniacal copper carbonate and soap, be-

The Salome Apple — No. 1.

L. W.

This is a new western apple which promises to be of great value,
especially for the Muskoka and Ottawa sections and parts similarly
situated. The hardiness of the tree, the clean, bright color of the
fruit and its long keeping quality seem to combine in its favor as a
commercial variety. Mr C. L. Stephens, of Orillia, has fruited it
in his garden and has kept samples of it until June.

cause it does not whiten the skin of the fruit.
The addition of soap is advised as an im-
provement on the old formula, by • the^
Geneva Experiment station in a recent bul-
letin, as follows : Copper carbonate, 6
ounces ; ammonia, 3 pints ; soap, i pound ;
water, 50 gallons. Dissolve the copper
carbonate in the ammonia, somewhat diluted
with water, using no more ammonia than is
necessary barely to dissolve the copper car-
bonate. Put this into 40 gallons of wafer.
Dissolve the soap and add to the solution of
copper carbonate. The solution loses
strength on standing in open vessels, but
may be kept indefinitely in stoppered bottles.

If we fruit growers expect to keep in line
with other branches of business we must
get out of the old rut «nd be alive to our
duty. See to it that our trees are doing
the most possible for us.— (George A. Gott,
Arkona, Ont.

IN THE ORCHARD.

243

Sod and Cultivation in the Orchard Cultivation in the Plum Orchard

*fc]\/l Y belief is," said Mr. William
11 Rickard, M. L. A., of Newcastle,

Ont., to an editorial representative of The
Horticulturist recently, " that in deep soils,
which will retain moisture readily, the Spy
apple will do better if the land is left in sod,
especially if it is mulched with barnyard
manure. Where the ground is left in sod
the apple appears to color more readily.
With the Baldwin and Greening the differ-
ence is not so marked. All varieties of
apples grow larger when the ground is cul-
tivated. Where cultivation is practised the
Spy seems to grow too large and not to
color as well,

" On sharp, dry soil, cultivation is neces-
sary, as otherwise trees will suffer from the
drouth. The season, of course, must always
be considered, as not so much cultivation
will be required if there is plenty of rain.

" When my orchard was young I used to
keep it in hoed crops. As the trees become
larger and the roots took up the soil, these
crops were discontinued. A cover crop is
always best after July i. I prefer clover,
although some sow buckwheat or rye.
Clover is the best for the land.

" Plow lightly as soon as tne land is fit,
and then keep the harrow and cultivator at
work, stirring the surface at least once a
week that it may be kept fine. When the
cover crop is put on in July it helps to check
growth and mature the wood. I am trying
sod now in my orchard, because the land
does not need conservation of moisture and
because the branches of my trees are touch-
ing, although the trunks are 30 feet apart."

We are looking .forward this season for
better results in our orchard from power
spraying. — (W. D. A. Ross, Chatham, Ont.

J. G. MITCHELL, GEORGIAN BAY EXPERI-
MENTAL STATION.

ON i naturally well drained soil suffi-
ciently rich to grow good farm crops
will do nicely for plums. Trees grow
faster and bear better on loamy soil, but pro-
bably live a little longer on clay.

For the first few years hoed crops may be
grown, providing there is sufficient plant
food for both trees and crops. After trees
come into bearing they should have the land
to themselves and receive clean cultivation.
CONSERVING THE MOISTURE.

In order to conserve moisture, begin in
the spring as soon as ground will work
nicely, and continue cultivation right along.
Harrow or cultivate once every week or two,
or after every heavy rain. As soon as the
tools will work clean, provide a good heavy
blanket of dust or very fine earth. This
will prevent capillary attraction and hold all
the moisture needed, even if it should not
rain for a week.

About the last of July, or first of August,
cultivation should cease, so as not to en-
courage late growth, but a hard ripening of
the wood. Sow with crimson or red clo-
ver. I do not know which is best, as I have
had splendid stands of both. This should
be plowed down during the following spring
and cultivation renewed as outlined above.
Don't forget to feed seven or eight cents
worth of barnyard or commercial fertilizer
to each tree. It will keep them doing nicelv.

In thinning the apple tree try and do it so
the vitality of the tree will be sent into the
fruit. — (J. S. L., Bartonville, Ont.

Trees Ringed By Mice. — It has been §aid
that if trees ringed by mice have the earth
thrown up around the injured part they will
still grow. This is not so; I have tried it
and it failed. Mice want the inner bark,
and go for what they want, and if the trees
are treated in that way they will die. The
only way is to bridge them. I have always
been successful in bridging. — (A. Shaw^,
Walkerton, Ont.

SOMETHING ABOUT PLUM GROWING

PHIUP AUSTIN, ARKONA, ONT.

I HAVE one block of plum trees contain-
ing 151 trees, seeded down to Lucerne
clover, from which I cut three crops of
grass annually. Tne trees are healthy and
productive, but if the land was not seeded
so heavily it would probably break up.

I prefer clean cultivation, because sod
makes a harbor for mice, although last year
I had the best plums on the sod. They had
a better color and the trees were heavier
laden than where the ground was culti-
vated.

Wood ashes and barnyard manure are my
favorite fertilizers, although I have not used
any for two years in the orchard, as the
ground has been in good heart and did not
require it. About 40 bushels of wood ashes
per acre, every other year, is sufficient ferti-
lizer, providing the ground is in good shape.
Last season I fruited 19 distinct different
varieties, and would pick the Burbank as my
business plum, it having been the most pro-
fitable with me. Eighteen trees yielded
about 50 bushels of as fine fruit as one

would wish to see. Satsuma Blood is an-
other favorite. Any grower who has none
of these should try them. Six trees yielded
me over 15 bushels. They excel anything
I have in quality and are the best and easiest
sellers owing to their color. They have a
very small pit and thick flesh.

The Saunders SeedKng is a plum of merit
owing to its earliness, coming on the market
when there is a demand for such a plum. It
is our earliest European. The Lombard is
a good plum, but a poor seller.

We need something that is attractive on
the market, especially in a season like the
one just passed. It is a great mistake to
put plums on the market before they are
ready. It is a pity to see plums on the
market when they should have remained on
the trees for weeks longer. Grand Duke,
Bradshaw and Niagara also do well with us,
but do not yield as well, and hence are not
so profitable. Reine Claude is a favorite
owing to its lateness, coming when people
are not usually looking for plums.

SPRAYING IN JUNE

L. W.

THE two important sprayings have been
done in May by most fruit growers,
viz., the one just before the blossoms open
and the one just after they fall. For fungi
and codling moth a third should follow a
couple of weeks later when the fruit, such
as apples and pears, are still small.

Xhe dust spray is coming into favor in
some sections because of so much easier ap-
plication than the Uquid. Mr. Goodman,
secretary of the Missouri Horticultural so-
ciety, has used it altogether on 400 acres of
apple orchard, and is satisfied with the re-
sults. He claims it is safer, more easily
applied, costs less, takes less time, and saves
hauling large loads of water. He uses the
following formula : Lime, 30 pounds ; paris

green, i pound; dry Bordeaux, i pound;
concentrated lye, pulverized, i pound; sul-
phur, I pound.

For San Jose scale the lime sulphur spray
is being prepared with the use of caustic
soda to avoid the boiling, which was the
great bugbear in the way of its general use.
One formula is as follows : Thirty pounds
of lime, 15 pounds of sulphur, 5 pounds of
caustic soda, using a little hot water to
slack the lime, with no further boiling. This
is a winter or spring spray, and is mentioned
now because so many are interested in the
discovery of some method which will sim-
plify the preparation of this lime sulphur
spray, and will be interested in further re-
ports concerning it.

IN THE ORCHARD.

245

The Salome Apple — No. 2.

L. W.

The Salome originated with E. P. Hathaway, Ottawa, 111. The
tree is very hardy, productive, an early and an annual bearer.
Fruit : Size medium to large, about 3x3 inches ; form roundish, •
conical, somewhat lop-sided ; color bright red with stripes of darker
red and numerous small grey dots on a yellowish ground. When
karvested the skin is green, but during the winter it takes on the
coloring above described. Stem stout, three-quarters of an inch
long, .set in a deep uneven cavity ; calyx half closed, segments erect,
in a moderately deep, slightly plaited basin, having five distinct
prominences ; core large, open, sessil. Flesh : Color yellowish ;
texture firm, becoming tender towards spring, not very juicy;
flavor pleasant, subacid. Season : November to May. Quality :
Dessert or cooking, fair to good. Value : Promising for export.
Adaptation : Succeeds remarkably well in the county of Simcoe.

Enriching the Orchard

PROF. H. L. HUTT, ONT. AGRI. COLI^EGE,
GUEI.PH,

What is the best crop to sow in the orchard
to enrich it ? My orchard is about 20 years
planted on excellent clay loam. It was in grass
for some years, till last season I plowed and
sowed to buckwheat. I did not reap the buck-
wheat, but allowed pigs and cattle to tramp it
down. I intend cultivating to keep grass from
growing. All the manure available was put
on. I thought of sowing it to peas and allow-
ing stock on it the same as last season. Would
you advise me to ? — (M. H. D. Silver, Sutton,
Ont.

The plan you are adopting of raising
crops in the orchard and pasturing them off
with Stock is not the best one for the or-
chard. The plan adopted now by the best
orchardists is to give the orchard clean cul-
tivation until about the middle or end of
July, then seed down with a cover crop of

some kind, preferably a leguminous one, if
the ground is in first-class condition.

We found the red or mammoth clover,
sown at the rate of 20 pounds to the acre,
makes an excellent cover crop, but one of
the best crops tried yet is the hairy vetch,
sown at the rate of 40 pounds per acre.
This plant forms a low dense mass of vege-
tation, which does not interfere with the
harvesting of the apple crop in the fall, and
it is so hardy that it goes through the win-
ter in good condition.

All such cover crops should be plowed
under first thing in the spring, or if the
hogs are allowed in the orchard they may
be turned in in the fall after the apple crop
is harvested, and what is left of the cover
crop can be plowed under in the spring.

The Peach Orchard

Iv. W.

EARLY in June the peach grower may
count with some certainty on the
condition of his peach crop. Often a nip-
ping frost about the beginning destroys al-
most as many peaches as the intense cold of
winter, but when this is over, and what is
known as the " June drop " has thinned out
the superfluous young fruit, those remain-
ing may reasonably be expected to reach
maturity.

This is the month for thinning peaches,
a job which takes considerable time, but
which in many cases pays splendid divi-
dends on account of the increased size of
the fruit that remains. Even the Alexan-
der, which has received so much abuse from
fruit growers during the past season be-
cause of its small size and poor quality, has
in consequence of careful thinning grown to.
double its usual size and brought almost
double its usual price.

Thin the fruit until no two peaches touch
each other ; indeed, some advise thinning
until every peach stands 4 to 6 inches. from
every other peach.

THE FRUIT GARDEN IN JUNE

WM. HUNT, ONT. AGRI. COIvLEGE;, GUE;LPH.

THE ground around the plants in the
newly planted strawberry patch
should be kept well surface stirred. This
not only kills out all weeds whilst small or
in the seed leaf, but the loose soil forms a
mulch that assists the young plants ma-
terially in making growth. Unless the old
patch is in very good condition and free
from weeds it had better be dug up. Toma-
toes, potatoes, beans or corn would be the
best garden crops to plant where strawber-
ries have been dug or plowed in.

A better plan still to bring the ground
back into good condition after being ex-
hausted as it is by growing strawberries,
would be to dig or plow the patch up, har-
row or rake lightly, and sow a cover crop
of vetches — the hairy variety preferred —
or crimson clover could be sown. This
cover crop can be dug in late in the fall. A
good coat of manure can also be added, es-
pecially if the cover crop is not of very rank
growth. Strawberry plants should not be
planted on the same ground again for three
or four years.

PLUMS.

The curcuHo wnl be busy on the plum
trees as soon as the blossoms are fallen.
Spraying plum trees with paris green or
Bordeaux mixture is of little use to pre-
vent the mischief of these destructive little
beetle like pests. The old fashioned plan of
jarring the limbs of the trees and shaking
the curculio from the tree into a sheet pre-
viously spread underneath to catch them is
perhaps the surest way to kill and destroy,
and prevent injury by these little pests, as
they can be crushed or put into a tin con-
taining coal oil and destroyed when caught
on the sheet.

A flat strip of inch board about 2 inches
in width and about 2 or 3 feet in length with
the sharp edges sawed ofT, and the sheet or
white cloth before mentioned as well as a
short heavy club or wooden mallet are the

only implements necessary for this opera-
tion. Bind one end of the flat strip of
board before mentioned with a few thick-
nesses of old cotton or cloth to prevent in-
jury to the limbs of the tree. Place the end
of the strip protected by the cotton or cloth
against the limbs of the tree and give it sev-
eral hard blows with the club or mallet.
This will jar the limb sufficiently to cause
the curculio to drop into the sheet, which
should be spread under the tree before the
tree is shaken or jarred. The curculio can
then be picked from the sheet and destroyed
at once. Shaking the limbs with the hand
is not as effective as the jarring, method, al-
though some good may be done by shaking
the tree.

Another very effective remedy or preven-
tive of attacks of the curculio, especially on
trees of moderate size, is to thoroughly
sprinkle or dust them with dry wood ashes
or chimney soot, or both mixed together.
This should be done once or twice a week
during June or perhaps early in July as
well, directly after the blossoms have fallen^
and on until the fruit has attained to about
half its full size. Early in the morning or
late in the evening, when the dew is on the
foliage, or after a shower of rain is the best
time ^o dust the trees. A step ladder will
be of assistance to reach the larger trees.

Dust bellows can be purchased at seed
stores for distributing this and other dry
insecticides, but good work can be done
with a fire shovel, a piece of tin or shingle,
and a little perseverance. Start as soon
as the blossom has fallen, do not wait until
you see that a lot of the fruit has been stung
before you start. If you do the remedy will
be of little use. Prevention is the remedy
in the case of curculio, as there seems to be
no method of applying insecticides to kill
the curculio effectually when once they
commence operations.

Spraying the cherry trees with kerosene
•46

THE SMALL FRUIT GARDEN.

247

emulsion is the best remedy for the attack
of the aphis. The spraying should be done
as soon as the blossoms drop.

Currant and gooseberry bushes may still
want looking after for caterpillars. Dry
hellebore powder sprinkled on where the
worms are is the best remedy, now that the
fruit is formed. A small mustary or bak-
ing powder tin with small holes punctured
through the lid makes a good distributor
for dry insecticides.

The young shoots of grape vines should
be pinched ofif as soon as the bunches arc
formed on them, and before the bunches
blossom. Pinch the shoots back so as to
leave one leaf or joint clear beyond the
bunch nearest the tip of the shoot. Small

useless shoots with no fruit bunches de-
veloped may be broken or cut out close to
the old wood if the growth is too crowded.
Leaders or shoots that are wanted to extend
the size or growth of the tree should not be
pinched back until they have attained a
length of 3 or 4 feet.

If mildew threatens to be troublesome
sprinkle the bushes with dry powdered sul-
phur, or " flowers of sulphur," as it is
termed. Start the sprinkling on the first
appearance of the grey, dusty looking ap-
pearance the leaves present when mildew
appears. A spraying with Bordeaux mix-
ture directly the blossoms have fallen will
often prevent mildew appearing the whole
season.

THE SYRAWBERRY HARVEST

Iv. W.

THE first fruit of the season to bring
money into the pocket of the fruit
grower, and the one perhaps of the whole
season most valued by the consumer, is the
strawberry.

For handling the crop no package seems
more popular, and none so economical as
our 24-quart basket crate, which can be pur-
chased for about 16 cents each complete,
with the small quart boxes inside. Women
and girls usually make the best pickers and
packers, and their skillful fingers not only do
the work quickly, but well.

Each picker should have a six-quart pick-
ing stand, with handle, which holds six
strawberry baskets, while filling. Two
pickers to a row, one each side, will work
to advantage, and they should be required
to pick the rows clean, leaving no ripe ber-
ries to waste. Pickers who will not do this,
and those who bruise the berries, should be
discharged.

At Maplehurst we insist on having our
strawberries and cherries handled by the
stems onlv. These fruits are too soft and

tender to be squeezed between the finger
and thumbs. Carelessness, in these par-
ticulars, will often make all the difference
between profit and loss in the prices ob-
tained. Besides, an expert picker will snap
off as many berries an hour, cutting the
stems with the thumb nail, as a careless
picker who grabs . ^e berries themselves in
her hands. But, if careful picking does
take more time, let it be fairly paid for, and
let the work be done right.

Don't top the baskets. If you have care-
ful pickers instruct them to turn the stems
down of the upper layers so that they may
present an attractive appearance. A packer,
who keeps tally of the number of quarts
brought in by each picker, may do this work
and then pack the berries away in the crates
ready for shipping.

Not much spraying is done in my locality.
Orchards receive very little care. A few
are being cultivated through the influence
of farmers' institute meetings, and with good
results — (Thos. Welsh, Bruce Co., Ont.

248

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST

Growing Gooseberries and Currants

WILUAM FI,e;mING^ OWEN SOUND, ONT,

IN growing gooseberries and red and
white currants all plants should be in-
spected in the spring and those parts need-
ing to be pruned or thinned out should be
attended to before the leaves are opened.
The bushes should all be sprayed thorough-
ly before the leaves are half opened, and
again in aoout ten days, always doing the
work when the weather is fine and dry. If
rain falls inside of 24 hours after spraying,
the operation should in each instance be re-
peated until a perfect application is accom-
plished.

A liberal application of well rotted stable
manure should be worked into the ground
between the rows and around the bushes.
Not a blade of grass should be allowed to
exist in the plantation. As soon as the
ground is dry after the first heavy rain, let
the spaces between the rows and around the
bushes be thoroughly raked or scufifled
shallow by a hoe till it is in a perfect mellow
condition. The same operation should ^:i<i
repeated when the ground is comparatively
dry, and after every heavy rain throughout
the whole season. Every weed and all
grass should be entirely destroyed in order
to secure tne best results.

If the plantation is large most of the work
of keeping the ground in proper condition
can be done with less expense by horse with
a scuffler and three-cornered harrow. When
this is done the bushes should be planted in
rows two ways and much farther apart.

If the currant worm appears during the
summer one ought always be on the lookout
for it. The bushes should be sprayed at
once. If the worm is found before the
fruit is half size or after it is picked, the
solution should be one-half pound of paris
green to 40 gallons of water. If the fruit
is half formed or more the spraying material
should be a heaping spoonful of hellebore to
a pail of water.

Cultivating the Vineyard

4 ( 'T^ HE cheapest method of cultivating
J. the vineyard," said Mr. Murray
Pettit, of Winona, recently, to an editorial
representative of The Horticulturist who
visited his place, " is to cut away from the
rows in the spring with a disc harrow as
close as possible, then work out what is left
with the grape hoe. Mellow and clean the
ground between the rows by cultivation,
particularly after rains where the land is
heavy. About August i reverse the disc
or use the gang plow and throw the earth
to the vines.

" Where I have practiced this shallow
cultivation for several years I have had
good crops, and find it very much cheaper
than the frequent plowing usually given.
This cultivation allows the rootlets or feed-
ers to come near the surface, where they get
more warmth and nutriment. The grape
requires a great deal of heat.

" Where cover crops are sown, which is
far the cheapest way to keep up the fertility
of a vineyard, one plowing is necessary
to turn it under. When rape is used we
sow it about August i in alternate rows. If
sown in every row it prevents picking for
some time after dew or rain. The other
space can be sown with rye quite late in the
season. A treatment that would cause one
soil to give good returns might bring about
very different results in another. - The
grower must study the character and re-
quirements of his own land to obtain the
best possible returns. My soil is clay.

" From experiments conducted at the sta-
tion Here I find Worden, Delaware, Lindley,
Niagara, Concord, Agawam and Catawba
the most profitable varieties. Campbell's
Early is the most promising of the newer
varieties."

Some spray and some do not. I find the
best apples are to be found where spraying
is done. — (R. Collacutt, Durham Co., Out.

PRUNING

L.

PETER PRUNING KNIFE used to
say, " Prune when your knife is
sharp," meaning, we suppose, that it mat-
tered httle as to the season, so long as the
work is done some time. The month of
June, however, has one especial advantage
over other months, in that it is the chief
growing season of the year, and wounds
made this month begin at once to heal. The
tendency to fruit bearing is also increased
bv summer pruning, because the removal of

IN JUNE

w.

the branches of foliage, gorged with elabo-
rated sap, is a check upon the wood growth
of the tree.

Very little attention is given in Ontario
to summer training of the grape vines, and,
as a rule, the vineyards are a hopeless tangle
before fruit season. Could our growers
give a little more attention to directing the
growth in June and July, lopping off a
great deal of needless wood, we believe bet-
ter fruit would result.

COMMERCIAL BULB GROWING

JOHN A. CAMPBELL, STMCOE, ONT.

IN growing Gladiolus bulbs for commer-
cial purposes the object is to secure
good strong bulbs, little attention being paid
to flowers.

A good coat of barnyard manure is ap-
plied and plowed under in the fall. In the
spring, as soon as the soil is dry, the land is
again plowed, and it is then time to plant.

Shallow furrows are thrown out with the
plow about 2 feet 9 inches apart. Men fol-
low with hoes, the object being to make an
even drill, 4 inches wide and about 4 inches
deep for the larger bulbs, and somewhat
shallower for younger stock. The bulbs
are strewn quite thickly in the drill and boys
follow and place them, keeping then an inch
or two apart, and covering them with hoes.
A few days before the new growth appears
I run over the drills with the rake, which
breaks any crust that may have formed, mel-
lows the soil and keeps the weeds in check.

CULTIVATION DURING THE SUMMER.

Summer cultivation consists simply in
keeping ,the soil well stirred and the plants
free from weeds. I first use a harrow tooth
cultivator, and when the soil becomes firmer
an ordinary one. - his year a new two-row
pivot wheel cultivator, drawn by two horses,
and completing two rows at a single pas-
sage, will be used. As soon as the flowers
appear the spikes are cut. This is done m

order to throw the whole strength of the
plant into the bulb.

Large growers in the United States de-
rive considerable revenue from the sale of
the flowers, shipping them to the big cities,
but in Canada the demand is limited.

PLANT EARLY.

The commercial grower plants as early as
he can in order to have a long season to ma-
ture the bulb. I generally have most of
mine planted in April. A Canadian seeds-
man's catalogue states that bulbs may be
planted from early in May until the end of
June. This is all right if some late flowers
are wanted, but well ripened bulbs cannot
be expected from late planting.

It is interesting to note, from a grower's
standpoint, how the improvement in any
flower tends to increase consumption, es-
pecially in this case. It is to a Canadian,
Mr. H. H. Groff, of Simcoe, that we are in-
debted for the greatest advance made in the
Gladiolus.

Last year Mr. Cowee, who grows Groff
hybrids in the United States, had 70 acres,
and this year he will have 80 acres closely
planted. Some five acres or more were
grown last year al Simcoe, and instead of
importing most of our bulbs as formerly,
considerable quantities were exported.

249

SUMMER TREATMENT OF WINTER WINDOW PLANTS

WM. HUNT, ONT. AGRI. COLIvEGE;, GUELPH,

NO one who has even the smallest col-
lection of window plants should be
without an ash-bed made of coal ashes, on
which to stand plants in pots during the
summer, to give them the rest many of them
require after having done duty in the win-
dow the preceding winter. The best posi-
tion for the ash-bed to suit most window
plants is on the north side of a fence or
building. In the event of this position not
being obtain-
able, the par-
tial shade of a
tree or shrub
will answer the

By plunging or sinking the pots in the
ashes the plants in them will require much
less water than if merely stood on the ashes.
In plunging pot plants, about an inch of the
rim of the pot should be above the surface
of the ashes. A rough board frame a few
inches in depth could also be put together
roughly to hold sufficient ashes for a few
plants if thought advisable.

Ihis ash-bed will make an ideal place for

purpose
well.

very
The

great ponit to
be secured is
to have the
plants in a po-
sition w h e "^ e
they are shad-
ed from the
sun for an
hour or two
before and af-
ter the middle
of the day.

All the ma-
terial that is
really neces-
sary to make
the ash-bed is
some coal

A Beauty Spot For Travelers' Weary Eyes.

The idea of improving the station grounds along its line by planting flowers and shrubs was first started by
the Canadian Pacific Railway over six years,ago by Mr. N. S. Dunlop, then a resident of Toronto. The first
year Mr. Dunlop furnished the seed out of his own garden. This year there are between 900 and 1,000 gardens
along the railway. The illustration shows the station grounds at Windsor, Ontario. The agents are not forced
to grow the flowers but are encouraged and assisted to do so. It is a splendid work that is bringing excellent
returns.

ashes that have been sifted through a
fairly fine sieve. The ashes should
be spread to a depth of 3 or 4 inches
— or even deeper for large plants —
over a space of ground sufficiently large
to contain the plants to be placed there. If
any of the pots are to be plunged or sunk in
the ashes, it would be best to remove some
of the original soil to the depth of 3 or 4
inches, filling up the space with coal ashes.

standing out or plunging many of the pot
plants in during the hot summer months of
July and August. Much of the trouble
that most window plant growers have from
earth or garden worms in flower pots could
be avoided if a proper place, such as I have
described, were prepared to stand the pots
of plants on, as the earth worm will not
penetrate through or live amongst coal
ashes. Many fine plants are ruined every

250

AMONG THE FLOWERS.

season by the drainage in the pot becoming
\ choked by earth worms.

Imperfect drainage in pot plants soon pro-
duces a sour condition of the soil, and con-
sequently an unhealthy plant. If the ash-
bed were in more common use during sum-
mer by amateur plant growers than it is,
there would be fewer failures with window
plants than t^iere is where plants are stood
about on common garden soil, and where
the moisture caused by watering the plants
is always a great inducement for earth
worms to congregate. Gravel or coarse
sand are good materials to stand pot plants
on during summer, but neither of them are
as effective as coal ashes.

FlvOWERS THAT WIIvL BE BENEFITED.

Amongst the plants that will be benefited
by being given the position mentioned are
Azaleas, Pelargoniums, old plants of Ger-
aniums, Palms, Rubber Plants, Aspidistras,
Fuchsias, Cordylines, Cyperus alternifolia
(Umbrella plant), most varieties of Cacti,
as well as many of the stronger growing
winter flowering Begonias and other plants.
Most of the pots of the plants mentioned
can be plunged — or partially plunged for a
few inches, perhaps — in the ashes so as to
require very little attentioni during the sum-
mer. The pots of «v-acti, however, should
not be plunged in the ashes, as there is dan-
ger of their getting too much water at the
roots. The Cacti plants would do much
better if they stood away by themselves,
where they could be given special treatment
in watering, as a too plentiful supply at
the roots is oftentimes the cause of non-
success in Cacti culture.

Many of the plants mentioned, such as
Palms, Rubber plants. Aspidistras and
Fuchsias in flower, make splendid decora-
tive plants for grouping or dotting in
shaded positions on the lawn during sum-
mer. When these are used for this pur-
pose it would benefit the plants very much
if the pots were plunged in the soil nearlv

or quite to the rim. If about 2 inches of
coal ashes were placed underneath the pot
it would prevent, to a large extent, the in-
trusion of earth worms into the pot. A
handful of air-slaked lime sprinkled under-
neath the pot will answer the same purpose,
as the garden worm has a great dislike to
lime.

A good remedy for earth worms in the
soil of potted plants is to give the plants a
watering with a weak solution of lime water.
The same quantity of lime — about a pound
— as before mentioned, put into about two
gallons of water, will make a strong-
enough solution. A teacupful of this ap-
plied to the soil once or twice at an interval
of a week between each application will
usually expel the worms from the pot, and
will not injure the plant. The Hme should
be allowed to settle in the solution and the
solution be strained off before using.

HOW TO REST PLANTS.

The best and really only available method
of resting most window plants in summer is
by placing the plants in a cool, partially
shaded position and by giving them a very
limited supply of water at the roots, or in
the case of some kinds of bulbous rooted
plants withholding water altogether from
them. This is the case with the bulbs of
the Freesia when they are through flower-
ing. The soil in the pots should be al-
lowed to dry gradually until the foHage is
quite yellow, and no more water should be
given them until they are started into
growth again in the autumn.

Many of the herbaceous varieties of the
Amaryllis require almost the same treatment
but not quite as severe as the Freesia, a little
water very occasionally during the summer
being best for most varieties of Amaryllis.
The Vollotas and evergreen Amaryllis
again should be given sufficient water to
barely keep the soil moist during summer,
as a too dry condition of the soil does not
suit these last named.

SWEET PEAS IN THE GARDEN

EDWIN VTh^Y, TORONTO^ ONT.

SWEET PE*AS require plenty of mois-
ture. Some growers recommend
pouring a stream of water into the trenches
until they are full, and then not watering
again until they are dry. I have not found
this system beneficial.

The greatest enemy the Sweet Pea has in
the hot weather is the red spider, or as some
call it, " the mite." These attack from the
ground up, and the result of their work is
shown by the leaves starting to wither and
dry up near the earth, and gradually doing
so higher and higher until the vine droops
and dies long before it has reached maturity.
The best preventive for this is a good
sprinkling of water every day, and in the
very hot days twice a day.

Fix your hose nozzle so that it will give
a moderately fine spray, and get the water
all over the foliage, back and front if possi-
ble. Never let the ground get thoroughly
dry, and never keep it too wet. The quan-
tity of water they require at the roots will
depend very much on tne soil ; if it is sandy
and of a very porous nature you can hardly
give them too much, if the soil is clay be
more sparing, and should the surface cake
and become hard (as all clay soils will do),
rake the surface gently about an inch deep.
If your seeds come up very thickly, pull up
every other one, until the plants are not less
than 3 or 4 inches apart.

Have the supports for the vines to climb
ready as soon as they are 2 or 3 inches in
height. Do not, as I have seen many do,
leave the plants until they are quite tall, be-
fore giving them something for the tendrils
to cling to. The very best material for this
purpose is brush. If you cannot get this,
poultry netting with meshes i inch or ly^
inches in diameter is very good, or put in
some 2 X 4-inch scantlings every 10 feet in
the row, leaving them 6 feet out of the
ground, and stretch a galvanized iron wire
(about No. 19) on each side of this scant-

ling every six inches. By putting the 4-
inch side of the scantling across the rows
this will give two lines of wire 4 inches
apart, with the peas growing up between.

If the vines are allowed to grow too tall
before giving them support they become
crooked and cannot afterwards be straight-
ened, and your flowers will have very
crooked stems. The rows of wire need not
be put on all at once, but can be put on two
by two as required. Keep the posts
stretched apart by nailing i inch by i^i
inch strips (furring) from post to post
along their tops.

Sweet Peas will not thrive in a shady
place. Let them have all the sun you can.
Keep every flower which is fully developed
cut each day. Do not attempt to save seed
from the vines you are cutting flowers from.
If you want to save your own seed, keep
one plant of each kind for that purpose, and
don't cut any ilowers from that one at all.
You cannot hope to get good seed from a
plant that is continually exhausting its
vitality in its endeavor to replace the flowers
you keep cutting away.

RAISING LARGE FLOWERS,

If you want to get extra large flowers for
exhibition or otherwise, disbud the same as
you would a Chrysanthemum, and only let
the number of buds come to maturity that
you require. The best time to water is in
the evening, but I have never found any
damage done even when watering on a hot
day with the sun full out. Cut what flow-
ers you want before you begin to water, as
the water and sun combined will damage
the flowers that are open.

If you find the usual bright green of the
foliage is becoming pale your ground is pro-
bably not rich enough. When this is the
case I have found a heaping tablespoonful
of nitrate of soda dissolved in a pail of water
and poured along the roots about once a
week, very beneficial.

252

SUMMER CULTURE OF GERANIUMS

WM. HUNT, ONT. AGRI. COLLEGE, GUELPH.

IF nice plants and a good supply of the
bright showy blossoms of these popu-
lar plants are wanted during the autumn
and winter months, the plants must be
specially grown during the summer for this
purpose. Even the all-enduring geranium
rebels at doing duty in the flower border all
summer and being lifted in the fall to do
duty in the window during winter as well.
Plants treated in this way seldom give good
results in winter. This treatment is often
accountable for the poor, lanky and almost
leafless specimens of these plants one often
sees in windows during early fall and winter.

Old plants of geraniums that have be-
come tall and unsightly looking can by
proper treatment be made into nice bushy
plants by autumn if started on now.

The plants should be first cut severely
back to within a few inches of the old, hard
wood. After the cutting back process the
soil in the pots should be kept only moist,
not soddened with water. As soon as
growth commences, which should be in
three or four weeks, the plants should be
shaken out of the soil they are in and pot-
ted into a pot one or two sizes smaller than
the one they were in. This process is called
potting back by professional plant growers.
The soil used when the potting back is done
should be composed of two parts of loamy
potting soil and one part of fine sharp sand.

If the plant has a large supply of roots it
may be necessary to shorten them so as to
get the remaining roots into the smaller
sized pot. Water the plant well once after
this repotting, but do not give it too much
water until the growth has well commenced.
The soil should be kept moist, but not
soaked with water. In three or four weeks
time the plant should have made a growth
of several shoots 2 or 3 inches in length.
When the growth has attained to about the
length mentioned the plant should be re-
potted into a pot two sizes larger, or about

the size it was originally in, and a good rich
loamy compost used with only a small ad-
mixture of sand in it. A few broken pieces
of pot should be used for drainage when re-
potting.

HOW TO WATER THE PLANTS.
Water the plant orLce so as to moisten all
the soil, then give water only when the soil

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Cutting Back the Geranium.

When it is desired to keep an old geranium plant for use in tht
winter time it is well to cut it back during June. It can be grown in
the open garden during the summer.

appears dry. When the plant has com-
menced to make good growth more water
can be given it as required. An old plant
of geranium treated in the manner I have
described can, if it is cut back any time in
June, be grown into a nice specimen in time
to take into the window in autumn. The
plant can be grown as described out in the
open garden during summer. It may be
advisable, for ease of management, to
plunge the pot into coal ashes, as recom^
mended in another article in this issue.

2S3

254

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST,

Young plants of geraniums in three and
a half or four-inch pots, the same as used
for planting out at this season in beds or
borders, can also be grown on specially for
winter flowering. The treatment is a little
different from that described for growing
on old plants.

The young plants should be at once p')t-
ted into 6 or 7-inch pots in good loamy pot-
ting soil, and the pots plunged to the rim in
the open ground. An inch or two of coal
ashes should be placed underneath the pot
before it is sunk into the ground, or the pot
can be plunged altogether in coal ashes.
The plant should be well watered once after
re-potting, but not over watered. More
water can be given after the plant has well
started into growth.

PINCHING BACK.

About every two or three weeks, until
ab9ut the first week in August, the tips of
the young shoots or growth should be
pinched out. This can be done at any time
until August, when the young shoots are 5
or 6 inches in length. By pinching out
just the tips of the shoots the plants are
made to grow bushy and shapely, as well as
growing a larger number of shoots than they
would if the pinching process was omitted.
All the bloom buds should be pinched off as
soon as they appear. The plant should not
be permitted to open a flower bud until Sep-
tember, when the flowers should be allowed
to grow.

In September, before frosts appear, the
plant can be lifted into the window or under
the cover of a veranda on cold days and

nights, until it is taken permanently into
the window. If the pot is very full of roots
in the fall it may be necessary to pot it into
a slightly larger pot, but as a rule a 7-inch
pot is large enough for almost all geraniums
grown in the way I have described. Al-
most any of the ordinary bedding varieties
of geraniums treated in 'this way make good
winter flowering plants, and will give good
results with their bright trusses of bloom if
placed in a bright sunny window during the
winter "and given only ordinary care and
treatment.

GOOD VARIIITIES fOR WINTER FI.OWERING.
Amongst the many single flowering varie-
ties suitable for winter flowering are Mrs.
E. G. Hill, salmon; W. A. Chelfant, crim-
son scarlet; Gettysburg, magenta scarlet;
Lucreece, bright pink with white centre ;
Phyllis, pale salmon ; Madonna, pale pink.
Amongst the double and semi-double varie-
ties are Thomas Meehan, pink ; Jean Viaud,
pink; Mme. Jaulin, magenta scarlet; Her-
mine, white; La Favorite, white; Mme. de
la Rue, magenta pink; M. A. Bouleans,
scarlet; Marquis de Gallard, rosy-cerise
shaded. Many of the Bruant type make
strong growing pot plants, Bruant, Garden
Director, Le Contres and Alphonse Ricard
being amongst the best for pot culture.

The bronze and' variegated leaf varieties
includ'e the Mme. Saleroi, Wm. Languth,
Marshal McMahon and Happy Thought,
which are well adapted for growing for
window culture. All of the fragrant
leaved geraniums are also suited for the
method of summer culture described.

There is a good lawn in front of our
school. By the side of the school we have
flowering shrubs and small flowers. Ferns
have been planted around the outside fence,
and on the whole we try to keep our grounds
as beautiful and as up-to-date as possible. —
(F. Downey, Poft Perry, Ont.

You cannot grow a Spy apple in any cud-
dled-in place, where it will lack plenty of
air and sunshine. — (Wm. Rickard, Newcas-
tle, Ont..

Severe pruning and judicious fertilizing
are one of the secrets of success in fruit
growing. — (J. S. L., Bartonville, Ont.

ARRANGEMENT OF THE CITY GARDEN

J. E. NORTH VVOOD^ ONT.

r

T^HE gardener who has as his object rhe
A beautifying of his home should direct
his efforts more to the massing of color and
the effective grouping of plants than to the
cultivation of prize specimens. The aver-
age city gardener will not allow the space
which is required for the production of per-
fect plants and at the same time permit the
massing of color and foliage that is re-
quired to cover unsightly objects, break the
straight lines of fences,
round off abrupt cor-
ners and give an artistic
effect to the grounds.

Perhaps the most
useful plants to over-
come the disadvantages
of a city garden are the
flowering vines. Of
these the different va-
rieties of clematis, the
Japanese hop, some va-
rieties of gourds and
also the morning glory
will be found very
satisfactory. Another
very good climber is
the Japanese Dolichos
or Hyacinth bean,
which has a very luxu-
riant growth, and which
in August is covered
with beautiful spikes
of sweet pealike flow-
ers of pure white or
cring. After flowering shrubs, such
-^s the Hydrangea paniculata, Deutzia
Lemoini, Azalea mollis, Spiraes or the com-
mon white snowball, if kept free from aphis,
can be used to good advantage in a small
garden. A good plant of the Ricinus or
castor oil plant, witn its tropical growth, is
also useful for its foliage effect.

GRASS ADDS TO THE EFFECT.
A plot of well kept grass, even if very

small, adds greatly to the appearance of a
garden and shows off to advantage die
shrubs and plants if they are arranged" with
due regard to their habit of growth. Strict
formality and set designs in a small garden
are entirely out of place. A much better
effect is obtained by simply endeavoring to
show the plants to their best advantage, at
the same time keeping a certain amount of
regularity in the arrangement and also pay-

One of the Prize Gardens in the Lady Minto Competition.

Great interest has been take> in Ottawa during the past few years in the garden competitions
inaugurated by Her Excellency Lady Minto. A portion of the gardens of Mr. J. E. Norlhwood, one
of the winners in last year's contest is here shown. The flowers to be seen are a collection nf some of
I he easiest grown and freest flowering plants ; such as petunias, gladiolis, coreopsis, some of the
liitter class uf perennial phlox and some others, all of easy culture and effective colorings.

dark violet col-

ing considerable attention to neatness.

June has been found the most satisfac-
tory month for starting city garden compe-
titions. By that time the gardens should
be in good condition, with most plants well
advanced in growth and making a good
show of bloom. May is too early, as the
majority of flowers then in bloom are spring
flowering bulbs, and the gardener who
spends the most money is almost sure to
have the best showing.

255

^THE SELECTION OF BEDDING PLANTS

E. F. COI.I.INS, TORONTO, ONT.

^T^ HE selection of bedding plants for the
X bed or border is often a source of
worry to the experienced gardener, and
more so to the amateur and small cottage
gardener. The chief points to bear in
mind are to procure plants that will grow in
the position you wish to plant them, and also
to make a bright effect and have a sweet
fragrance from a very limited number of
plants.

For a small bed on the lawn a few scarlet
geraniums in the centre, with a row of snap-
dragons next, and a row of sweet alyssum
on the outside, with about three tobacco
plants (Nicotiana Affinis) dotted in between
the geraniums, will give a fine effect and
also a sweet fragrance in the evenings. If
a lot of flowers are wanted for cutting, in
place of the above use zinnias, asters, stocks,
phlox, with dwarf nasturtiums on the out-
side, all of which can be bovight very cheaply
by the box, which usually contains about a
dozen plants each.

AN attractive; arrangement.

Another pretty bed is made by using a
few dark coleus in the centre, then a row
of pink geraniums (Madame Balney is the
brightest pink), and for the outside row use
silver leaf geraniums (Madame Saleroy),
sweet alyssums, or blue lobelia. An odd
corner in the back garden can be made very

attractive with a very few plants by using a
couple of cannas with two or three tobacco
plants (Nocotiana Affinis) at the back of
the plot, then a plant or two of Salvia
Splendens, or as it is commonly called,
scarlet sage, next a few asters mixed with
stocks. Place these two together, as the
stocks will be over and can be pulled up by
the time the asters want more room. Next
to them put a few snapdragons and phlox
(Drummondii) in the front. This will
give a variety of flowers to cut from the
whole summer and until frost.

Tuberous Begonias are also very effective
and do well when planted in a partially
shaded location and freely watered. They
are fairly cheap and easy to procure. Two
or three dozen hills will give a fine show if
matted together in a small bed.

The well known Begonia Vernon, and the
more dwarf variety, Ergoldii, are also very
pretty, and they usually produce flowers of
all shades, from pure white to dark pink and
red.

If you have a woodshed or board fence,
don't forget to plant a clump of rudbeckia
(Golden Glow), a couple of coboea scan-
dens, with a few plants of gaillardias, then
a few petunias in the front, and you will
transform an ugly view from your window
into a very pleasing one and at small cost.

GOOD USE FOR THE FILTHY WEED

WM. HUNT, ONT. AGRI. COLLEGE, GUELPH.

IT is often difficult for plant growers to
secure tobacco suitable for making a
solution of tobacco water to be used as a
remedy for either the green or black aphis
that infests so many varieties of greenhouse
and window plants. The ordinary commer-
cial plug tobacco is of very little use.

By sowing a few seeds at this season, of
some of the coarser growing tobacco or
Nicotiana, a supply of tobacco leaves can be

secured that will last the whole season. The
seed should be sown on rather light soil, and
the plants set out as soon as large enough
into some good rich garden soil, about i8
inches or 2 feet apart. The soil around
the plants should be well surface stirred.

In early autumn, before frost, the plants
should be cut off close to the ground and
the whole plant hung up in an open airy
shed, where it can stay all the winter if kept

2-6

AMONG THE FLOWERS.

•257

dry. The leaves of the tobacco grown in
this way will make a splendid tobacco solu-
tion to destroy plant destroying insects, es-
pecially green and black fly or aphis, and
thrip that infest rose bushes, grape vines,
ferns and many other plants.

The best variety of tobacco to grow for
this purpose is the Connecticut seed leaf or
some of the coarser growing kinds of to-
bacco. The purple flowered Nicotiana is
about the best of the decorative varieties to
grow for making the tobacco solution.

FLOWER AND PLANT LORE

EDWARD TYRRELIv, TORONTO. .

FROM all parts of the world the histori-
ans of bygone centuries have con-
tributed their accounts of the rich assort-
ment of flowers in demand for ceremonial
purposes. Associated with the customs
which had important significance in the his-
toric days of Greece and Rome, we have
abundant details of the skill and care dis-
played in procuring for religious purposes
the choicest varieties of flowers.

The profuseness with which flowers were
used in Rome during triumphal processions
is proverbial, in allusion to which Macaulay
writes,

" On they ride to the Forum
While laurel boughs and flowers
From house top and from windows
Fell on their crests in showers."

and the Coronation, which we now call the
Carnation, was a favorite.

Carnation Dianthus, • from Dios divine,
Anthos, floiver — divine flower, flower of
love, July flower. Up to the beginning of
the 1 6th century writers gave it the name
Coronation, in illusion to its use in chaplets
or from the dented or toothed above like ^'O
a little coronet. Pliny gives a long list of
garland flowers used by the Romans and
Athenians in which the Coronation held
such a high place that it was called by the
name, Flower of Love.

After the i6th century, or thereabouts,
the word Carnation came into use as ex-
pressive of the color, the hue or color of
one's skin or flesh, a light rosy pink, but
sometimes used for a deeper crimson color,
as in the Carnation flower. This carnation
color is often used by painters to express

the various tints of their colors, and when
this is done natural, bold and strong, and .s
well colored, they say of the painter that his
carnation is very good.

THE FLORISTS LIKED IT.

It is not known how soon it became a
florists' flower, but it must have been early,
as Gerard, who was contemporary with
Shakespeare, says " a great and large vol-
ume would not suffice to write of every one
in particular, considering how infinite they
are, and how every year, and every climate
and country bringeth forth new sorts, such
as have not heretofore been written of, some
whereof are called Carnations, others Clove
Gilloflowers, some Sops in Wine, some Pa-
giants or Pagion Color. Also a Gilloflower
with yellow flowers, the which a worshipful
merchant of London, Mr. Nicholas Lite,
procured from Poland, which before that
timiC was never seen nor heard of in these
countries. This great Carnation Gillo-
flower hath a thick round woody root, from
which riseth up many strong jointed stalks,
set with long green leaves by couples, on
the top of the stalk do grow very fair flow-
ers of an excellent sweet smell and pleasant
carnation color, whereof it took its name,
Cariophyllus maximus multiplex (the great
double carnation).

The Carnation belongs to the Pink (Dian-
thus) family, and on account of its delicious
fragrance, closely resembling that of the
Clove of Commerce, or Clove Pink (Dian-
thus cariophyllus), the latter being the
generic name of the Molucca Tree, from
which the spice is obtained.

FORCING VEGETABLES FOR EARLY MARKET

ALINE of work that promises to de-
velop into an important industry
has been undertaken by a number of the
leading fruit growers situated along Lake
Erie in Essex county. It is the raising of
vegetables in greenhouses and under cot-
ton. By planting the vegetables early in
March it is possible to force them so that
they will be ready to market in June, when
vegetables are scarce and realize high prices.
In ordinary years cucumbers raised in this
way are ready to market about June i, which
is some six weeks earlier than the regular
crop. Tomatoes are ready about the second
week in June and can be sold until the regu-
lar crop comes in during the latter part of
July. ■' So strong
is the demand for
fruit raised in this
way," said Mr. H.
W. Dawson, the
well known commis -
sion dealer of To-
ronto, " I am satis
fied there is a good
opening for people
favorably situated
who will take up
this work. The
vegetables market-

Messrs. Hillborn & McLachlan, of Leam-
ington, who were the first to take up this
work. Mr. Hillborn started seven years
ago with a small greenhouse ii x 24 feet in
area. He now has three greenhouses about
18 X 50 in area and 2,000 yards of cotton
frames. He is also using a large number
of glass frames. • This year Mr. Hillborn
has put up two new forcing houses 200 feet
long and 10 feet in width, and a third one
10 X 100 feet.

" The idea that work of this nature might
be undertaken profitably." said Mr. Hill-
born to The Horticulturist representative.
" first came to me when I noticed the nature
of the soil in this section, much of which is

Combination Greenliouse and Cotton Frames, No. 1.

In Essex County, as described in this issue, the forcing of vegetables for the early markets is
becoming quite a business. The vegetables are started in greenhouses early in March. Later, they are
set out in cotton frames and sometimes are finally set out in the open. The forcing hou.ses here shown are
on the farm of Mr. J. D. Fraser, of Leamington, who hasundertaken this work on quite an extensive scale

ed by Ontario growers at this season
have been of excellent quality and have
created a demand which is likely to grow.
The vegetables sold at this time do not meet
with much competition from American
growers, as the period comes between the
arrival of Florida crops and those from
Mississippi."

NEW HOUSES ERECTED.

An editorial representative of The Horti-
culturist visited Leamington recently, where
a number of these greenhouses and cotton
frames have been erected this spring. About
20 growers are raising vegetables this year.
Two years ago there were only four or five.
One of the largest plants is owned by

a light sand, containing a large amount of
mineral deposit, including iron. This
causes a quick maturity of fruit and vege-
tables. My start was made on a small
scale, but the results obtained were suffi-
ciently encouraging to warrant me enlarg-
ing my operations. During the first two
years I was the only grower, finally one or
two others started, until two years ago there
were five ; this spring there has been a
marked increase in the number raising vege-
tables in this way."

WHEN THE SEED IS STARTED.
" During early March," continued Mr.
Hillborn, " the seed of the tomatoes and cu-
cumbers is started in the greenhouses.

258

WITH THE VEGETABLE GROWER.

259

When the seedhngs have four leaves, which
is usually about the middle of March, they
are transplanted into larger boxes and
given more space. About the last of March
the tomatoes are again transplanted into
pots and divided boxes, so that each plant
has four inches of space to grow in. Cu-
cumbers are only transplanted twice, the
second time when they have six or seven
leaves, or about the first of July. They
are then put into large boxes and pots.

" This year the third transplanting of the
tomatoes was late, taking place from April
20 to the second week in May. At this
period they were taken out of the green-
house and placed under the cotton frames'
to harden. The tomatoes were planted in
the open about the middle of May, although
some seasons this work can be done mu'^h
earlier. Cucumbers are kept under cotton
all the time. During June the cotton is
sometimes taken off for short intervals. It
is no easy matter to make a success of the
cucumber crop, as it requires a large
amount of water. I frequently use 100 bar-
rels of water at one application on a quar-
ter acre of land.

THE CULTIVATION GIVEN.

Tomatoes in the open are given the same
cultivation as corn. About May 15, c*
sooner, the plants are cultivated with a horse

cultivator and later with a hoe. This cul-
tivation is conducted thoroughly until the
crop is being picked freely, about July 15.
The ground is worked over once every week
or ten days. In wet seasons less cultiva-
tion is necessary. Only shallow cultiva-
tion is practised, as deep cultivation cuts
the roots of the plants. On this account
it is going out of favor, not only in vege-
table growing, but in fruit raising as well.

The land where I raise my vegetables is
so rich little manuring is done. For melons
I use barnyard manure well decomposed.
The second year I follow with tomatoes,
which absorb any of the fertilizer not taken
up by the melons. Where the land is verv
rich the tomatoes are likely to make too
large a growth. To maintain the fertility
of the soil cover crops are sown as soon as
the vegetables are picked. Rye, oats or
turnips make about the best and prevent
washing of the light soil.

The crop is all sold to individual buyers
located in about 20 towns in western On-
tario. Every week I send them quotations.
They order what they feel they can handle,
and the surplus is sent to commission men
in the leading cities. Four or five of these
buyers in the different cities are telegraphed
and the vegetables are sent to the sections
where the best prices are offered."

CELERY GROWING

H. R. ROWSOME, BURLINGTON, ONT.

FOR late celery plants that have been
sown in the field and thinned out to
100 to the foot, must be set out during the
first week in July in order to reach market-
able size by the last of October. Being
grown so close together they have not many
fibrous roots and do not get as quick a start
as those ^.lants which have been trans-
planted into hot beds. They ought to be
as thick at least as a lead pencil so as to

have sufficient body to live through hot July
days until they get rooted. Of course the
plant must be placed only in the moist earth,
which must be very firmly pressed against
it. Plants that are to be set out after the
middle of July are grown to a large size in
cold frames after the manner of those trans-
planted for early celery.

Early celery, i. e., the self-blanching
ki-nds, such as Paris Golden and White

26o

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

Plume, are blanched by placing boards one
foot wide snugly up against each side of the
row. If earth were used before September
the celery would rot. For late celery the
self-blanching varieties do not need blanch-
ing, as they blanch all too soon in the store-
house. The green and red celeries are
whitened by pulling earth up against the
row with a dandelion rake (about i6 inches
wide) after the earth has been loosened up
with a cultivator.

If the celery is to be kept a long time it
ought not to be blanched higher than 2 or 3
inches from the root, because blanching is
the first step towards decay. Then, when
it is kept a long time in the cellar it gradu-
ally blanches itself. Most varieties require
some earthing up to make the heads com-
pact. This earthing up is greatly facili-
tated if the plants are set out in a shallow
trench or depression made by a double
mould board plow ; but of course the plants
must be large or they would be smothered
out by the washings from thunder storms.

SHOULD BE LEFT OUT.

Celery, for late winter use, ought to be
left out until just before the ground freezes
because two weeks of warm weather
while it is in the storehouse will destroy it.
It will stand a great deal of frost if it is

banked up high enough to keep the hearts
from freezing.

In storing celery the main object is to
keep it from heating. The usual method is
to stand it up in stalls, i. e:, between the
boards that have been used for blanching;
they stand on edge about a foot apart. If
it is packed in very tightly it will heat ; while
if it is not pretty snug, it will all topple over
in one direction, and the heads, lying upon
each other, will rot, besides the hearts grow
upwards at right angles to their respective
heads. There is no danger of the heads
wilting, as the celery sweats and gathers
moisture. This method is further improved
by packing straw or leaves in with the tops
so that the tops will be tight and the stalks
loose. The tops are allowed to freeze. An-
other way, which is too laborious to practise
on a large scale is to place the celery in earth.

If the celery heats the outside stalks turn
yellow ; there is the odor of mouldy hay and
your crop rots in two or three weeks. If
you try to market it the heads have to be
trimmed down to a very small size and the
price is correspondingly low. It is easy
enough to grow celery, but very few can
keep it until the middle of March in such a
condition that it does not have to be trim-
med down almost to the hearts ; and celery
is hard to sell in the early winter.

JUNE \«rORK IN TELE V£G£TABL£ GARDEN

WM. HUNT, ONT. AGRI. COLLEGE, GUELPH.

A SOWING of peas and beans may yet
be made for late crops. Peas are
not, however, a very reliable crop sown
now, unless the season is very favorable.
The green varieties of dwarf beans give the
best results for late crops, and are of more
service for pickling or salting down if there
is a surplus of them, than are the yellow
wax-beans.

A row or two of late carrots and beets sown
about the end of June or early in July will.

if the season is at all favorable, produce
better roots for winter use than the early
sown crops. Corn can be sown at any time
during June, and will come in before frost
generally. Late cabbage and cauliflower
can oftentimes be planted to advantage be-
tween the rows of early potatoes before the
latter are dug. A week or two can be
gained in this way, as sometimes there is
scarcely time for cabbage and cauliflower to
head if they are not planted until after early

WITH THE VEGETABLE GROWERS.

261

potatoes are dug. Late cabbage and cauli-
flower should not be planted too near to-
gether. Two feet between the rows and
from 18 to 22 inches apart in the rows is
about the proper distance. Some of the
larger growing kinds of cabbage require 2
feet each way apart. Try some Savoy cab-
bage ; you will not care for the quality of
the flat Dutch cabbage for cooking purposes
after trying the Savoys. These latter re-
quire less cooking than the ordinary cab-
bage, especially after a few sharp autumn
frosts.

Cotton Frames 'Used For Vegetable Growing, No. 2.

The first person in Essex County to undertake the growing of vegetables under cotton fortbeearly
summer markets was Mr. J. L. Hilborn, of Leamington. Starting on a small scale Mr. Hilborn has grad-
ually enlarged his plant until now he has quite extensive cotton frames and greenhouses.

AN INSECT PEST.

The cabbage worm or caterpillar is very
troublesome in summer time. Commer-
cial growers spray the plants when young
with a weak solution of paris green. A tea-
spoonful of green to two gallons of water
is about the strength of the solution. This
should not be used very late in the seaso.i,
and should be thoroughly mixed before
using. A safer solution to use, but not as
effective, is a solution of salt and water.
Two tablespoonsful of salt dissolved in a
gallon of water and sprinkled over the leaves
once or twice a week will help to keep down

the cabbage worm or caterpillar. Dusting
dry pyrethrfim powder over the plants is
also a preventive of these ravenous grubs.

GET AFTER THE BUGS.

To prevent squash bugs appearing on
squash or vegetable marrow vines, the plants
should be sprayed with kerosene emulsion
two or three times from the time the plants
are in flower first until the first fruit has
well formed. Soot or wood ashes sprinkled
on and around the stem of the plants, par-
ticularly on the underneath side of the foli-
age, every few days during the hot weather,
will often prevent the
attack of the squash
bug. The ashes or
soot should be dusted
on when the plants
are damp with dew or
after a rain. Preven-
tion in this case seems
to be the only remedy
for these pests, as it
seems to be impossi-
ble to get rid of these
detestable and de-
structive bugs when
once they get a strong
hold on the plants.
Partial shade, plenty
of moisture and a
good rich open soil
necessary elements for the success-
culture of vegetable marrows or
They will often grow splendidly
old half decomposed rubbish or
an unsightly spot

are

ful

squash.

on an

manure pile, making

sometimes one of utility and even of some

slight picturesque beauty.

Keep the hoe going during the hot dry
weather. The hotter the weather the more
the crops will benefit by the ground being
surface stirred. Water plants in the even-
ing or early morning if possible, but water
them at any time rather than allow them to
suffer for want of water.

262

EDITORIAL.

Jqe (anadian florticditdrist

The Leading Horticulturist Magazine in the
Dominion.

1. The Canadian Horticulturist is published the first of
each month.

!8» Subscription Price Si. 00 per year, strictly in advance;
entitling the subscriber to membership in the Fruit Growers
Association of Ontario and all its privileges, including a copy of its
report and a share in its annual distribution of plants and trees.
For all countries except Canada, United States and Great Britain
add 50c for postage.

3. Remittances should be made by Postoffice or Money
Express Order, or Registered Letter. Postage stamps a;cepted for
amounts less than $1.00. Receipts will be acknowledged on the
address label which shows the date to which subscription is paid.

4. Discontinuances — Responsible subscribers will continue
to receive The Horticulturist until the publishers are notified by letter
to discontinue when all arrearages must be paid. Societies should
send in their revised lists in January : otherwise it will be taken for
granted all will coutinue members.

5. Cliange of Address — When a change ofaddress is ordered
both the old and the new addresses must be given.

6. Advertising Rates quoted on application. Circulation
5,500 . Copy received up to the 24th. Responsible representatives
wanted in Towns and Cities.

7. Articles and Illustrations for publication will be thank-
fully received by the editor.

8« All Communications should be addressed :

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST,

TORONTO, CANADA

TRANSPORTATION OF FRUIT.

Probably no class of the community who may
have occasion to use the railroad and transpor-
tation companies of the country in the ordinary
course of their business with the public, have
a greater claim upon these public carriers for
consideration and. assistance in their efforts to
satisfy their customers, than the fruit growers
of Ontario. From the very inception of his
effort to engage in the production of fruit, the
grower is beset on every side with difficulties
and o^bstacles that might well appal the most
courageous and energetic. If " Hope deferred
maketh the heart sick," under any circumstan-
ces it is certainly true in the fruit industry.

After having run the gauntlet of unsuitable
soil and atmospheric conditions, and the liability
to 'have had worthless varieties foisted on him
by the unscrupulous "tree agent"; after hav-
ing battled with the myriad fungous diseases
and insect pests, and escaped the early and late
frosts, he secures a good crop of fruit, the ex-
pressman or freig^it handler in a very short
time often reduces the results of his care and
efforts to a more or less damaged and demoral-
ized condition. Even should his fruit pass
through this ordeal in a fairly satisfactory, man-
ner it is liable to be delRyed in transit for hours
or even days, until finally It reaches its desti-
nation in a rotten and worthless condition.

For this so-called special service the patient
and long-suffering fruit grower is charged the

highest rates possible. Surely the time is ripe
for some relief in this respect. It is to be
hoped the presentation of the facts and condi-
tions of this trade to the proper authorities, as
has been done, is all that will be required to
secure a substantial improvement in the service
and in the handling of this rapidly increasing
business. A tariff of charges is needed that
will commend itself to the public as being at
once reasonable and in accordance with the
principles of justice and equity. Now our fruit
growers have put their hand to the plow they
must not turn back.

THE FRUIT INSPECTION ACT.

It is interesting sometimes to " see ourselves
as other see us." The United iStates Consul in
Edinburgh reports to his government that the
system of fruit inspection adopted in Canada,
and subsequently renewed at British ports, has
served as a guarantee to British buyers, of
Canadian fruit. Canadian apple imports as a
result, he says, are gaining a very strong posi-
tion in Scotch markets, and in some cases dis-
place United States supplies.

Coming from such a source this statement is
a strong endorsement of both the wisdom and
efficacy of our fruit inspection act. The views
of the two British apple buyers expressed in
this issue of The Horticulturist further empha-
size this belief. Already this act has resulted
in much good to the Canadian fruit trade. It
does not seem unreasonable to expect that,
after it has been in operation a little longer and
its workings are still better understood on both
sides of the Atlantic, its benefits will become
even more apparent. As for our cousins to the
south it will probably be a long time before they
will adopt such a law. Action by individual
states will not be effective, and it will be a diffi-
cult matter to induce congress to deal with the
situation.

Unknown seven years ago in Ontario, the San
Jose scale is now one of the worst enemies that
the fruit growers have to contend with. When
it crossed the Niagara frontier the entomolo-
gists, knowing its evil reputation, at once
raised the alarm, ibut the majority of the grow-
ers made light of their fears and made no at-
tempt to keep the scale from their orchards.
The result is that to-day so serious have been
the ravages of the scale, thousands of what
would have been fine bearing trees are worth-
less. Many once valuable orchards are being
torn up by the owners. The excellent work of
the Ontario department of agriculture in trac-
ing and destroying infected stock sent out by
nurseries, appointing inspectors to assist in the
control and eradication of the disease, and in
meeting part of the cost of spraying material
has undoubtedly been of great value to the
fruit gro\Ters of the province. It is encourag-
ing to hear that the fruit growers are now thor-
oughly alive to the seriousness of the situation
and that there has been a great increase in the
amount of spraying done to check the spread
of the scale.

EDITORIAL,

263

The ,'big fruit, flower and honey show it has
Tieen decided to hold in Toronto next November,
affords a splendid opportunity for the fruit
growers and florists of the province. Both our
fruit and our floral interests require advertis-
ing. Their importance is not sufficiently un-
derstood. The public at large needs enlighten-
ment. We have all heard much of the magni-
tude of our dairy industry. Live stock men
make a big stir each year at the winter fair and
through their annual sales. Fruit growers and
florists, but more particularly the former, should
push themselves to the front in a similar man-
ner and then stay there. By making a display
of fruit and flowers next November, which will
truly represent the province, they should at-
tract sufficient public attention to do their cause
much good. The Department of Agriculture
deserves credit for starting the idea and for its
financial assistance. The people directly in-
terested now have the matter largely in their
hands. The enthusiasm already displayed
augurs well for success.

Many of the horticultural societies of the
province are not doing good work. Some, in
fact, do not even seem to know what they are
expected to do. No attempt is made to hold
regular meetings or exhibitions of fruit, flow-
ers and vegetables; such a thing as a distribu-
tion of seeds is unheard of by the members, and
apathy widespread seems to exist. This' should
not be. The excellent work being done by a
number of societies, such as those at Ottawa,
Perth, Guelph, Toronto, St. Catharines and
Hamilton, shows what can and might be done.

The suggestion, therefore, that the horticul-
tural societies of the province shall appoint
delegates to attend the fruit, flower and honey
show in Toronto next November, that they may
meet to discuss matters of mutual interest seems
an excellent one. It should then be possible
to form a provincial association and arrange
for the holding of similaj- meetings annually.
Keep this matter to the front; it is worth care-
ful consideration.

The objections expressed in this issue by
leading buyers to the use of boxes for the ship-
ping of apples will come as a surprise to many
fruit growers. It is hard to attribute this dis-
like to anything more than conservatism in re-
gard to the changing of the old order of things.
Boxes have not yet become established as a
commercial package and have yet to overcome
m.any objections that promise to disappear in
due course of time.

The Horticulturist finds it is short of copies
of the January, February and March numbers
published in 1901. Any readers who have
spare copies of these issues in good condition
will confer a great favor iby returning them to
this office.

I have enjoyed The Horticulturist very much
the phort time that I have taken it. It has
be°n grpptly improved of late. — (Stewart Burns,
Pririce Edawrd Island.

GROWERS ANXIOUS TO ORGANIZE

(Continued from Page 237.)

By-laws of the St. Catharines Cold Storage and
Forwarding Co., Limited.

Whereas, the directors of the St. Catharines
Cold Storage and Forwarding Company, Lim-
ited, deem it expedient that certain by-laws
for regulating the affairs of the company should
be made; now, therefore, be it enacted and it is
hereby enacted,

MBETINGrS.

1. That the annual meeting of the sharehold-
ers of the company shall be held at the office
of the company on the fourth Thursday in the
month of January in each year.

.2. That a general meeting of the sharehold-
ers may be called at any time by the directors
whenever they may deem the same necessary
for any purposes not contrary to law or the let-
ters patent of the company, and it is incumbent
on the president to call a special meeting of the
shareholders whenever required so to do in
writing, by one-tenth part in value of the
shareholders of the company, for the transac-
tion of any business specified in such written
requisition and notice calling the meeting.

3. That notice of the time and place for hold-
ing the annual or a general meeting of the
company must be given at least ten days pre-
vious thereto, in some paper published in the
city of St. Catharines, or by mailing the same
as a registered letter, duly addressed to each
shareholder at least ten days revious to such
meeting, or by a personal notice delivered to
each shareholder by a director or officer of the
company. ****** *

5. That at general meetings of the company
every shareholder shall be entitled to as many
votes as he owns shares in the company, and
may vote by proxy. No shareholder, however,
is permitted to purchase more than 20 shares
of the company's stock.

6. Questions at meetings shall be decided by
a majority in value of the shareholders present,
either in person or by proxy, and in case the
number of votes are equal the president or
chairman shall have a deciding or casting vote.

DIRECTORS.

7. The affairs of the company shall be man-
aged by a board of five directors, of whom three
shall form, a quorum.

8. That the president and vice-president shall
be chosen by the directors from among them-
selves at the first board meeting after the an-
nual meeting.

9. That the president shall, if present, preside
at all meetings of the company. He shall call
meetings of the board of directors and share-
holders when necessary, and shall advise with
and render such assistance to the manager as
may be in his power. In his absence the vice-
president shall have and exercise all the rights
and powers of the president. A director may
at any time summon a meeting of the directors.

264

THE CANADIAN HORT1CULTURIS2 .

10. That questions arising at any meeting of
directors shall be decided by a majority of
votes. In case of an equality of votes the
chairman, in addition to hisi original vote, shall
have a casting vote.

11. That the secretary shall keep a record of
the proceedings at all meetings of the board
and of the shareholders of the company, and
sliall be the custodian of the seal of the com-
pany and of all books, papers, records, etc., be-
longing to the company, which he shall deliver,
when authorized so to do by a resolution of the
board, to such person or persons as may be
named in the resolution.

12. That any shareholder holding not less
than five shares of the company's stock, and not
in arrears for payments on calls upon his stock,
may be elected a director.

13. That the directors shall hold office for one
year, and until their successors shall be elected.

14. That in case of the death of a director, or
his being unable to act as such, or his ceasing
to be a shareholder, the vacancy thereby created
may be filled for the unexpired portion of the
term by the board from among the qualified
shareholders of the company.

15. That the company shall have a corporate
seal of such design as the board may determine,
which seal shall, whenever used, be authenti-
cated by the signature of the president and
secretary- treasurer.

16. That the board shall from time to time fix
the salary or wages of the officers of the com-
pany.

17. That the sum of one dollar per meeting
be paid to each director for his services.

18. That the board shall have full power to
fix the amount of remuneration to be paid to
any member of the board who may act in an
official capacity.

STOCK.

19. That calls upon subscribed stock shall be
made from time to time as the board may de-
termine. No call shall exceed 25 per cent, of

the subscribed stock, and there shall be an in-
terval of at least 30 days between calls.

20. That the board shall have power to sum-
marily forfeit shares and the money paid en
them, upon any call having remained unpaid
for a period of six months after it shall be due
and payable, and such forfeited stock shall
thereupon become the property of the company
and may be disposed of in such manner as the
company in general meeting think fit.

21. That receipts for payment of calls shall
be issued from time to time as such payments
are made, but stock certificates shall only be
issued when shares are fully paid up. * * *

22. That shareholders may, with consent of
the board, but not otherwise, transfer their
shares, and such transfers shall be recorded in
a book required for the purpose. * * *

ACCOUNTS.

23. That the directors shall cause true ac-
counts to be kept of the stock in trade of the
company, of the sums of money received and
expended by the company, and the manner in
respect of which such receipt and expenditure
takes place, and of the credits and liabalities of
the company. ******

25. That once at least in every year the direc-
tors shall lay before the company in general
meeting a statement of the income and expen-
diture for the past year. A balance sheet shall
be made out every year, or oftener if desir-
able, and laid before the company in general
meeting, and such balance sheet shall contain
a summary of the property and liabilities of the
company arranged under the necessary headings.

BANK ACCOUNT.

26. That a bank account shall be kept in the
name of the company at a bank to be selected
by the board, and all checks shall be signed by
the secretary-treasurer and president of the
company.

Three other rules provide for the appointment
of auditors, the borrowing of money, and the
making of changes in the by-laws.

AN ENGLISH FRUIT BUYER'S VIEWS

J. B, THOMAS, COVENT GARDEIN MARKET, LONDON, ENG.

If Canadian growers desire to stimulate the
British demand it is necessary they should grow
only the best varieties of apples.

As most of the standard varieties are very
prolific, it seems a waste of time to cultivate
sorts that will never be of any use for export.
In indicating the best kinds to grow, I can al-
most confine myself to four, viz., Baldwins,
Golden Russets, Spys and Greenings.

There has been an idea prevailing for some
time that boxes are superior to barrels for
packing fruit. This is a great mistake. Not-
withstanding the fact that the London market
takes every year hundreds of thousands of
boxes of apples from California, Australia and
elsewhere, yet for Canadian apples there is but
one package, and that is the ordinary hardwood
barrel. There is no question that apples, if
properly packed in barrels, will carry better
than in any other way.

There is another important point to be con-
sidered, and that is the shipping of the fruit and
the necessity of employing only the best steam-
ers. In my experience there has been more
money lost by apples being shipped in slow i)l-
ventilated steamers than through bad markets.

Of late a marked improvement has been ap-
parent in the Canadian methods of growing,
packing and marketing apples. The fruit in-
spection law in Canada has proved very bene-
ficial, and also the different methods of pack-
ing.

Although the Nova Scotian apples have
always been properly graded, yet it is only now
that Ontario has taken this up generally. The
result is it is much more satisfactory to buyers
to know that the contents of the barrels are
something like what is shown on the heads and
that the middle part is not filled up with in-
ferior and common grade fruit.

DEFINITION OF A NO. 2 APPLE

AN apple; shippkr.

The committee appointed by the American
Apple Growers' Congress last season recom-
mended as a defloition of a No. 2 apple the fol-
lowing :

" No. 2 apples may be i/4-inch less in diameter
than No. 1 apples, and not over 20 per cent, of
the apples affected by defacement of surface by
scab, dry rot, worms or other defects, shall be
hand picked from the trees and not bruised or
skin broken, shall be of a bright and normal
color and shapely formed."

This definition of a No. 2 apple is of the very
greatest interest to the Canadian apple grower.
We have in Section 6 of the Fruit Marks Act a
definition of No. 1 fruit that is in every respect
satisfactory, and there is a constant demand for
a definition of a No. 2 ; but the difficulty is that
language appears to be hardly definite enough
to mark out clearly the degree of imperfections
that will be allowed in a No. 2 apple, because
it is of course understood that a No. 2 apple is
a defective apple.

The above definition of the Apple Growers'
Congress has also been adopted iby the Interna-
tional Apple Shippers' Association. I can not
help thinking this definition is not workable.
The reference to the size of the apple might
pass, though it is little better than using the
phrase, " Too small to grade No. 1." But the

most serious objection is the admission of 20
per cent, of defective apples, with little or no
regulation as to the degree of imperfection in
the individual fruits. The inference is that the
remaining 20 per cent, would be free from scab,
dry rot, worm holes, or other defects. "Virtually,
then, 80 per cent, would be No. 1 apples except
in the matter of size. Now, size is of the least
consequence of the qualities mentioned, so that
practically a No. 2 barrel would consist of two
grades, viz., fruit with worm hole and scab to
the amount of 20 per cent., and 80 per cent, per-
fect fruit slightly smaller than No. 1.

This violates the first principle of tn»e grad-
ing, in permitting different qualities to go in
the same package. I, therefore, consider that,
so far from making matters better, this defini-
tion makes matters worse. In looking for a
description of a No. 2 barrel, the individual
apples must be taken into account, and if cer-
tain blemishes are permitted they must be per-
mitted in each specimen. It will not do to dis-
tinguish between certain specimens in the same
package, except so far as to make a reasonable
allowance — say 5 to 10 per cent. — for the in-
evitable errors that come in rapid work by the
class of help that must be employed in packing
fruit.

GRAPES FOR BRITISH COLUMBIA

WILLIAM FRETZ, JORDAN HARBOR, ONT.

I have been shipping grapes to British
Columbia for at least three seasons. They
were all crated and shipped by express, the
bunches being selected. So far this market
has not been very satisfactory.

The great objection to it is that as soon as
grapes arrive there by freight, customers, who
have placed standing orders, will wire cancell-
ing all orders, while perhaps at least two ship-
ments are in the express company's hands. In
most cases these grapes are refused, causing
loss.

I expect to continue shipping to my best
customers, But there are others I would not do
business with under any circumstances. All
goods are shipped C. O. D., but this does not
compel the buyers to receive them.

So far as Manitota is concerned there is no
apparent reason why, with proper facilities, we
shouia not supply all the fruit consumed there.
I have also made several trial shipments of
strawoerries to Winnipeg, but have not met
with much success.

A Different Shaped Box Desired.

craze; & GOODWIN, manche;ster, e;ng.

For ordinary fruit the barrel is the most
profitable package for the Canadian dealer or
farmer. Boxes should onJy be used for the
highest class fruit, and should contain about 60
pounds weight of fruit.

The box of 36 pounds is too small, and there
is too much waste space at the bottom, top and
siues. The box should be half as long again
so as to give it some appearance in the market.
At present it is too short and dumpy.

The inspection of fruit in Canada and the new
government method of grading are working out
satisfactorily on our English markets.

2\S

The Wagner Apple for Export. — ^Mr. John
Brown, inspector for the Department of Agri-
culture at Glasgow, reports to the Fruit Divi-
sion, Ottawa, that the Wagner apple is much
esteemed by some in the trade there, and if the
fruit is of good size it is readily bought by cer-
tain of the best /buyers. Others again will not
look at this variety if they can get Spys or Bald-
wins, and class it next to Ben Davis. Its color
and appearance are its redeeming points, as it
lacks the flavor and juiciness of the two above
mentioned varieties. Some dealers say it is a
mistake to ship Wagners after the month of
December, as they take on scald very easily.

I like The Horticulturist.— J. C B., Gait.

266

ECHOES FROM SOCIETY MEETINGS,

Flowers for Guelph's School Children

A distribution of 500 packages of Semple's
Branching- Aster seed was made to the older
scholars of the Guelph public schools during
May by the Guelph Horticultural society.

The seeds are to be sown and the plants cared
for by the scholars themselves at their own
homes. An exhibit of Aster blooms grown by
the scholars will be held early in September.
The society also gave each scholar a printed
laulletin compiled by Mr. Hunt, O. A. C, con-
taining rules and regulations governing the
competition, as well as a schedule or premium
list, and full directions for the culture, cutting,
and arranging the blooms for exhibition pur-
poses. A copy of the bulletin will also be for-
warded to each memiber of the Guelph society.

gether with several days' work with teams for
the beautifying of the school grounds. — (F. G.
Lishman, sec.

May Meeting Was a Good One

The first meeting of the year of the Ottawa
Horticultural society was held during May. In
spite of the lateness of the season there was a
fair showing of flowers and vegetables. The
exhibits were considered better than those
made at the corresponding meeting last year.

In his opening address President P. G. Keyes
referred to the increasing cultivation of both
house and garden flowers in the city, and at-
tributed a great deal of it to the good work
done by the society. Members were urged to
offer plants and seeds to their less interested
friends and neighbors in order to create an in-
terest in horticulture. Mention was made of
the test conducted in Chicago, which showed
that over 100,000 children in that city did not
know the difference between a dandelion and a
rose. An interesting talk on tulips was given
by Dr. C. E. Saunders.

Among the special exhibits was a tray of
"beautiful pansies of numberless shades and
hues, grown 'by Mr. W. Spendlow, of Rideau-
ville. Among the chief prize winners were
Messrs. W. H. Snelling, Jas'. Rowley, R. B.
Whyte, James Thorne, W. G. Black, James Cox,
D. McLaughlan, J. F. Phillips, H. P. Carstesen
and Dr. Fletcher.

All the Schools at Work

The Cayuga Horticultural society has just
complete^- its spring distribution of seeds,
plants and trees. No salaries have even been
taken by the ofl!icers, and as much public inter-
est has been excited as possible. The enthu-
siasm promoted by Mr. Goodman, the founder
of the society, reached its annual climax at the
meeting addressed by Mr. Race this spring, at
which nearly 500 people were present.

The county council has given its annual grant
to the grounds overseer for floral work. The
liigh and public schools and local enthusiasts
are not lagging in their good resolutions taken
some years ago. A nice feature of the work
is the enlisimg of interest in the rural schools,
particularly the Decewsville school, where Mr.
W. J. Neale is principal. The members ob-
tained by him give their society bonus to-

Hold Garden Competitions

The directors of the Stratford Horticultural
society are pushing garden competitions with
excellent results. Prizes are offered for the
best gardens, and our society gives annually
seeds and bulbs to each member, requesting
them to make exhibits at our annual show, for
which we give prizes. Flower seeds in variety
have been distributed, including sweet peas,
asters, gladiolus, and this year tuberous be-
gonias.

The prize list for our annual show, which
will be held in the City Hall, August 31 and
September 1, has been prepared. It is quite
liberal, and includes many classes for cut flow-
ers, fruit and vegetables. At the time of the
show it is possible we may arrange to have a
talk by the judge on flowers. There seems to
be a great apathy on the part of the public gen-
erally regarding horticultural matters, although
we have some enthusiasts who push things
along. — (W. iSanderson, sec. Stratford Hort'l soc.

Doing Excellent Work

The beautifying and cleaning of the old ceme-
teries of the town has occupied the attention of
the Perth Horticultural society. This laudable
work has been left entirely with the ladies, and
the manner in which it has been performed has
been such as to reflect the greatest credit on
those interested.

During the summer months monthly meetings
are held on the lawns of the members, and this
has proven to be one of the most practical
means of instruction of any undertaken by the
society. Just now a movement is on foot, the
initiative being taken by the society, to lay out
a park in the town, and no douibt it will be car-
ried to a successful issue.

The society has been of great benefit to the
community, as it has been the means of instill-
ing into the minds, of the people in general a
greater desire to beautify their homes and
lawns, so much so that many are found that
would compare very favorably with those to be
found in much larger places. The success of
our society is assured, as each succeeding year
sees an increased interest and a larger member-
ship.— (C. J. Foy, sec.-treas Perth Hort'l soc.

Gave Away Trees. — The directors of the
Lindsay Horticultural society this spring sent
the members a few apple and pear trees, some
Victoria black currants, and a few packets of
flower seeds for spring sowing. The apple
was the York Imperial and the pear the Worden
Seckel. We had a very intetresting lecture
from Mr. Hunt on window plants. There was
a very good attendance. We have no special
line of work laid out for the year. — (F. T.
Trampton, sec. Lindsay Hort'l soc.

ECHOES FROM SOCIETY MEETINGS.

267

The May Meeting Was Interesting

At the regular monthly meeting of the To-
ronto Horticultural society, held in May, an
exhibition of bedding plants was made, and Mr.
Wm. Hunt, of the Ont. Agri. College, Guelph,
gave a good, plain and instructive talk on gar-
den work for the season, describing the proper
method of making a lawn, the places for the
flower beds, and the classes of flowers suitable
for the various places. He emphasized the
great advantage of growing perennials in some
of the permanent borders, naming many he
thought not suitable and perfectly hardy. Un-
sightly walls, etc., he said, might be covered
with climbing plants, and rockeries be made in
corners. In these w:ays a small plot of ground
may ibe made a place of beauty. Many ques-
tions were asked and answers given by Messrs.
Hunt, Manton, J. McP. Ross, and others.

The officers of the society and a large number
of members and visitors were present. The so-
ciety will hold a pansy show the first Tuesday
in June, and near the latter end of the month
the annual show of roses will be held, it b^ing
the desire of the society to stimulate the
growth of hardy roses. Exhibits from friends
outside the city will be much appreciated. Mr.
Chas. E. Chambers, Exhibition Park, is secre-
tary.— (Edward Tyrrell, pres. Toronto Hort'l soc.

Holds Good SI10WS

The Kingston Horticultural society in the
pa^t has applied itself to practical as opposed
to theoretical work. Instead of defraying the
expenses of speakers it has joined, year after
year, with the city agricultural society, and put
on a splendid horticultural show as part of the
annual fair. Their displays of flowers, etc., on
these occasions have been highly praised by
outsiders as well as by citizens. It is doubt-
ful if finer displays could be found anywhere.
Splendid money prizes have been given, and
these have greatly encouraged and stimulated
interest in local horticulture and floriculture.

In all probability the Horticultural society
will hold a separate show this summer or fall,
as there is little prospect of a fall fair. To
make this a success the society will use its
strongest endeavor.^(L.eman A. Guild, sec-
treas. Kingston Hort'l soc.

Have Interested the Children

The Xewmarket Horticultural society has
completed arrangements and prize lists for its
flfth annual flower show, to be held in the skat-
ing rink at some date in July. A promenade
band concert will be given in the evening.
There will be a school children's sweet pea com-
I>etition, open to the children of the public and
separate schools, for which no entrance fee will
be charged.

A packet of the best strain of mixed pea seed
has been given to every pupil 9 years of age and
over, attending the schools, who has applied for
it. and who has agreed to grow the flowers for
this competition. Although the bulk of the
prizes will be offered for exhibits of flowers,

there will also ibe exhibits of fruits and vege-
tables.

■^''e find the interest in horticultural matters,
as well as the number of our exhibits, increas-
ing very materially each year. This spring we
held a meeting, which was addressed by Mr. T.
H. Race, of Mitchell, who gave us an interest-
ing lecture. — ("Wm. Keith, sec. Newmarket
Hort'l soc.

Have Given the Children Flowers

I would like to hear through your pages the
methods adopted by other societies in dis-
tributing premiums to members. It has been
the custom in Hespeler to allow members to
make a choice to the value of 60 cents of any
kind of shade, ornamental or fruit trees, shrubs,
flowers or ibulbs, and also to make their choice
of premiums offered by The Canadian Horti-
culturist, as well as to receive that paper. If
any one will tell us of any better method I for
one would be glad to hear it. Our aim is to
give every member, as far as possible, just
what he most needs.

Our society distributed. 200 geraniums and
coleus among the school children during the
second week in May. The teachers detained
the children they thought would be likely to
take care of a plant, after school, and the princi-
pal, the Rev. C. W. Cook, and the writer, in a
few words, explained to the children the plants
were the gift of the Horticultural society and
that those who received them were expected to
take every care of them. In the fall an exhi-
bition will be held of all the plants, when a
number of prizes will be given for the best
plants. A few simple directions were given as
to the treatment the plants require, and the chil-
dren filed out each receiving a plant. fThe chil-
dren were pleased, and in many instances the
parents have developed an interest, partly per-
hapis to please the children. These are the
first flowers many of the little ones have ever
been able to call their own, and I believe will
help to develop ^ love for flowers and the beau-
ties of nature. — (E. Gurney, sec. Hespeler
Hort'l soc.

THE SAN JOSE SCALE IN ONTARIO

(Continued from page 232.)

Canada from California, axid the quantity used
has increased every year. The next most
popular preventive is crude oil. This is used
quite extensively in the Niagara peninsula,
where 8,376 gallons were applied this year. In
summer, when the scale is found on trees, crude
or kerosene emulsion is used to prevent its
spreading.

" In sections where the townships have ap-
pointed local inspectors, as they are required
to do on the application of fifteen growers, good
work seems . to have been done to check the
pest. With the information we now have in
our possession there does not seem, to be any
grave danger of the disease spreading to any
great extent."

A PROVINCIAL HORTICULXURAIi ASSOCIATION

The horticultural societies of the province
appear to be in need of ibetter organization.
There is no means by which the members of
one society can be brought in touch with those
of another to the benefit of both. The dairy,
live stock, poultry, fruit and other interests all
have their provincial organizations, but horti-
culturists hav ■ none The agricultural societies
of the province are brought in contact with
each other yearly at the annual meeting of the
Canadian Association of Fairs and Exhibitions.
Why should not representatives of the horti-
cultural societies hold a similar annual meeting
at Toronto ?

This spring Mr. T. H. Race, of Mitchell, who
visited and addressed a number of meetings
held by horticultural societies, reported on his
return that he had found many of the societies
appeared to have a very poor conception of their
dudes. They were not attempting to hold
regular meetings or exhibitions or even to dis-
tribute plants or seeds. He suggested that
steps be taken to put life into some of these
societies.

In this connection Mr. H. B. Cowan, superin-
tendent of agricultural societies for the pro-
vince, has written to the horticultural societies
to learn if they would like to have a general
meeting of their representatives held in Toronto
next November at the time of the combined
fruit flower and honey show. If considered ad-
visable steps could then be taken to form a pro-
vincial association. Already a number of re-
plies have been received, all of them being in
favor of action of some sort. Some of the re-
plies are here given.

WHAT THE SOCIETIES SAY.

That the Horticultural societies are at a dis-
advantage in not having a provincial associa-
tion, to my mind, there can be no question. It
would be well for you to state for the benefit of
those who have never given the matter a
thought what the benefits would be. The sug-
gestion could then be discussed at society meet-
ings. The combined show it is purposed to
hold in Toronto next November is a good idea
and should be largely patronized. — (E. Gurney,
sec. Hespeler Hort'l soc.

I am satisfied that this is a step in the right

direction, and I am sure our society will only be
too glad to comply with your request in ap-
pointing delegates to attend this show. Such
an exhibit must result in lasting good. — (J. G.
Jackson, sec. Port Hope Hort'l soc.

I have consulted with prominent members of
our association and they all express an opinion
favorable to the idea of a provincial horticul-
tural association, and it is likely that this fo-
ciety will be represented at the meeting in No-
vember. The letter will be laid before the di-
rectors at our next meeting. — (W. W. Living-
stone, sec. Tilsonburg Hort'l soc.

At a meeting of the board of directors of the
Cardinal Horticultural society, held last even-
ing, I was instructed to advise you that our so-
ciety would consider favo;rably the proposotion
to form a provincial Horticultural association,
and will be pleased to support anything that
may be done along that line at the meeting in
November. — (D. Gow, sec. Cardinal Hort'l soc.

The Cayuga Horticultural society approves
of the suggestion to form a provincial horticul-
tural society, and will send a delegate to the
combined fruit, fiower and honey show to be
held in Toronto next november. — (F. G. Lish-
man, sec.

The suggestion to organize horticultural so-
cieties on a plan similar to the Fairs associa-
tion is, I think, feasible, and sure to work for
their good. I have no doubt a delegate will be
appointed to attend by the Simcoe Horticultural
society. — (J. Thos. Murphy, sec.

The president of the Oakville Horticultural
society desires me to say that he heartily con-
curs in the proposal to hold a provincial meet-
ing .of delegates from horticultural societies in
Toronto in November next, and that he has no
doubt but that the Oakville society will send
delegates to such a meeting. Personally I shall
be glad to do what little I can to promote the
success of such a meeting. — (J. Cavers, sec.

Messrs. Chris Firth, secretary of the Durham
Horticultural society, and Allan Cameron, sec-
retary of the Owen iSound society, have both
written expressing sympathy with the proposal
to form a provincial association and promising
to lay the matter before their directors at the
first opportunity.

Doing Good Work.— Our society during May
was busy preparing Grand Avenue Park for the
use of 30 selected pupils of the public school,
who have each been given a plot and furnished
•with flower and vegetable seeds and gladiolus
bulbs. They planted both seeds and bulbs, un-
der the supervision of a practical gardener. We
have also distributed amongst the other children
of the school about 500 packages of flower and
vegetable seeds, and intend holding a children's
flower and vegetable show at a suitable time.
We will also give prizes for best cultivated
plots both at the park and at the houses of the
children. — (W. W. Livingstone, sec. Tilsonburg
Hort'l soc.

Hold an Annual Show. — An annual exhibition
of plants is held each autumn by the Cardinal
Horticultural society, at which prizes are given
for the best exhibits of the different varieties

of garden and house plants. This has the ef-
fect of stimulating competition, among the
members, and truly the town hall, where the
exhibit is held, is a beautiful sight on the day
and evening of this exhibition. Since the for-
mation of ithe society in the village a marked
improvement has taken place in the lawns, as
well as in the number and quality of the house
plants owned in this place. — (D. Gow, sec. Car-
dinal Hort'l soc.

268

THE BIG FRUIT, FLOT^JSR AXD HONEY SHOW

Arrangements are now nicely under way for
the Provincial Fruit, Flower and Honey show
it is proposed to hold in Toronto next Novem-
ber. Judging from the interest and enthusiasm
already displayed success seems almost assured.

A joint meeting of the representatives of the
Ontario Fruit Growers' association, the Ontario
Bee Keepers' association, and the Toronto
Horticultural Society, was held Friday, May
13th, in the Parliament Buildings, Toronto. The
gathering was presided over by Mr. G. C. Creel-
man, president of the Ontario Agricultural Col-
lege, and chairman of the board for experiment '
stations.

Those present included Mr. W. A. MacKin-
non, Chief of the Fruit Division, Ottawa, and
Alex. McNeill. Senior Fruit Inspector, Ottawa.
The Ontario Fruit Growers' association was re-
presented by Messrs W K. Bunting, St. Catha-
rines, the President; Murray Pettit, Winona ;
T. H. Race, Mitchell; Wm. Rickard, M. L. A.,
Newcastle ; J. S. Scarff, Woodstock, and P. W.
Hodgetts, Toronto, the Secretary. The On-
tario Bee Keepers' association was represented
by J. W. Sparling, Bowmanville, the President;
H. G. SibbaJd, Claude, and R. H. Smith, St.
Thomas, Vice-Presidents, ' and Wm. Couse,
Streetsville, the Secretary. For the Toronto
Horticultural society Edward Tyrrell, the Presi-
dent; J. McP. Ross, W. G. Rook and C. E.
Chambers, the Secretary, were present.

A letter was read from Hon. Mr. Dryden,
Minister of Agriculture, which stated that the
idea of holding a flower show for educational
purposes, on the same lines as the Provincial
Winter Fair at Guelph, was first talked of by
the department last fall. The suggestion met
with such approval that he had secured an ap-
propriation of $1,000 to aid in holding such an
exhibition. It had been suggested that the On-
tario Bee Keepers' association and the Toronto
Horticultural society be invited to co-operate.
Mr. Dryden authorized Mr. Cowan, Provincial
Superintendent of Fairs and Exhibitions, to take
full charge of the arrangements for the pro-
posed exhibition, and in this connection to call
a meeting of representatives of any of the vari-
ous societies interested that they might confer
and work together to make the exhibition a suc-
cess. In compliance, with this letter Mr. Cowan
was appointed secretary of the joint meeting.
DISCUSSED THEIR PLANS.

Previous to the joint meeting the representa-
tives of the various associations had met and
discussed their plans for the show. Mr. Cowan
announced that at a joint meeting of the repre-
sentatives of the Toronto Horticultural society,
the Toronto Electoral District society and the
Toronto Florists' and Gardeners' association,
the selection of a place for the holding of the
show had been considered. Committees from
the various bodies and from the Fruit Growers'
association had visited the two rinks on Church
street and had found that they would be avail-
able during November, and that they were in
every way suitable for the purposes of the exhi-
bition. It had been found impossible to secure
the use of the Armories. An estimate of the ex-
penses connected with holding the show nad

269

been prepared at the joint meeting, as follows :
Rent of rinks, $100 ; carpentering, $200 ; adver-
tising, $250 ; music, $200 ; printing prize lists,
etc., $150 ; labor, including caretaker and ticket
sellers, etc., $100 ; heating, $200 ; incidental ex-
penses, $100. Total $1,300. These figures, it
was thought, would cover all the general ex-
penses of conducting the show aside from the
prize lists and the securing of exhibits.
DATE OF THE EXHIBITION.

The question of the best date for the exhibi-
tion was the first subject discussed by the joint
committee. Representatives of the Fruit Grow-
ers' association were anxious that the show
should be held the latter part of November. It
was finally decided, on motion of Mr. Ross, sec-
onded by Mr. Pettit, to hold the show Novem-
ber 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, as being the dates best
suited for a floral display. It was. moved by
Mr. Race and seconded by Mr. Tyrrell, that the
estimates placing the expenses at $1,300, as sub-
mitted to the meeting, should be accepted, and
that the Fruit Growers' association and the To-
ronto Horticultural society agree to divide the
gate receipts and expenses equally on that basis,
the Ontario Bee Keepers' association to be
charged nothing for expenses nor to receive
any share of the gate receipts.

To avoid expense it was decided that a joint
committee, representative of the various asso-
ciations, should be appointed to look after and
make all necessary further arrangements and
report back from time to time to their respec-
tive associations. The committee appointed
consists of Messrs. Bunting, McNeill, Rickard,
and Hodgetts for the Ontario Fruit Growers'
association; Sparling, Sibbald, Smith and Couse
for the Bee Keepers' association, and Tyrrell,
Ross, Rook and Chambers for the Toronto
Horticultural society.

The Gardeners' and Florists' association and
Toronto Electoral District society will appoint
two representatives each. Mr. Edward Tyr-
rell was appointed president of this committee
until it meets and elects a permanent president
and secretary.

Dr. Orr, secretary of the Toronto Industrial
exhibition, addressed the meeting and suggested
that the show might be held at the time of the
Toronto Industrial exhibition. • He contended
that the holding of so many shows of this na-
ture in Toronto has a tendency to weaken the
Industrial. The present he considered a criti-
cal time in the history of this exhibition, so he
thought everything possible should be done to
insure its success. Both the representatives
of the Fruit Growers' association and of the
floral interests explained to Dr. Orr that thu
Industrial exhibition is held at too early a dale
to enable the making of a first class exhibit ot
fruit and flowers, and that, therefore, a latex
date had been selected. It is also the inteir
tion to hold the annual meetings of the various
associations at the same time and to adopt
other features which would be diflftcult to man-
age on the exhibition grounds where so many
other attractions are carried on at the same
time. No action was taken on Dr. Orr's sug-
gestion. The meeting then adjourned.

270

OF GENERAL INTEREST.

ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SHOW.

Already elaborate preparations are being
made for th-e show. The Toronto Horticultural
society purpose offering prizes amounting to
$1,300 or $1,400, and inviting exhibits from all
parts of the province and from the United
States. The Ontario Fruit Growers' associa-
tion will only offer about $500 in prizes, but will
spend considerable money securing representa-
tive exhibits from the Experiment stations
and from the districts in which the directors of
the association are located. Money will also
be appropriated for the transportation of ex-
hilbits and for keeping them in cold storage.
The Bee Keepers' association will offer some
$200 in prizes.

The prizes will be offered in such a way as to
make the exhibits of as great educational value
as possible. The intention is to hold the
flower exhibits in one rink, the fruit and honey

exhibits in the second rink, and an exhibit of
orchard machinery in the open space of land
lying between the two rinks. The rinks and
the intervening ground are surrounded by a
high fence.

The annual meetings of the Ontario Fruit
Growers' association and of the Ontario Bee
Keepers' association will be held at the time of
the show. It is possible that there will ilso
be a meeting of representatives of the provin-
cial horticultural societies. The Fruit Division
at Ottawa has agreed to make an exhibit of
commercial fruit packages. Demonstrations
will be given in packing fruit. Under the di-
rection of the Farmers' Institutes ways of pre-
paring fruit and honey for the table will be
shown by some of the lady institute demonstra-
tors. The prize list committees of the various
associations will shortly have their lists com-
pleted and ready for distribution.

Fruit Prospects Throughout the Dominion

As a result of enquiries made throughout the
Dominion the Fruit Division at Ottawa an-
nounces that the damage from mice has been
most serious in Ontario and Que'bec. There
has been a serious increase in the number of
mice during the past year. The damage to
nursery stock was particularly severe, and it is
safe to say that not less than 25 per cent, of all
stock " heeled in " out doors has been destroyed.
The injury was almost nothing where young or-
chards had clean culture throughout the sea-
sion. The loss will probably reach about 25
per cent, of all young trees. The practice of
the best orchardist seems to be to grow the
cover crop even at the risk of encouraging the
mice and to protect the trees against their at-
tacks. Keeping a small circle about the trees
clean is not, in itself, a sufficient protection.
DAMAGE BY FROST.

The damage by frost, though exceedingly
serious in Ontario and Quebec, will not affect
to any great extent the amount of fruit put on
the market this year, except in the case of
plums and peaches. Apples and pears were
seriously injured along the northern border of
the fruit belt. The Baldwin, Greening, Ontario,
Spy and Blenheim have been killed in places
where they are usually considered hardy. Top-
grafting only very slightly increases the hardi-
ness of the variety. None of the large apple-
producing sections were seriously injured.

The Flemish Beauty pear again proved one
of the hardiest of good varieties. In both pear
and apple orchards the trees suffered much less
from frost and more from mice when grown in
sod or cover crop. Plums were killed in some
of the heavy plum-producing sections, and in
all probability the buds are so seriously injured
everywhere as to render a heavy crop this year
improbable. •

The reports from the Essex peach district
show a damage approaching that of 1899; 50 per
cent, df the trees will be killed outright. The
Niagara district is not so severely injured. The
Crawford type proved particularly tender.

Cherries are also injured severely in bud. Small
fruits escaped with less' injury.

Cold Storage Company's Meeting

The annual meeting of the St. Catharines
Cold Storage and Forwarding company was held
May 21. The financial statement for the year
showed a surplus of over $700, which was con-
sidered highly satisfactory. It was announced
that in future the directors will help members
more than in the past in the purchasing of sup-
plies, 'baskets, >barrels, spraying materials and
similar articles at wholesale prices. The fruit
of members will be sold direct to consumers
and dealers.

During the past five years over $3,000 of the
surplus earnings have been used to reduce the
original debt on the plant. This debt now- only
amounts to $1,500. In the future it is expected
dividends will be paid on the stock. Up to the
present no new stock has been offered for sale
since the company's inception, but some new
stock will now be offered for sale at par. The
board of directors was re-elected. The general
feeling was that the company had been very
successful during the past year.

The Inspectors Meet. — A meeting of the Do-
minion Fruit Inspectors was held at the Central
Experimental Farm at Ottawa, May 17, 18 and
19. The idea of the- gathering was to bring the
inspectors in touch with each other and to in-
form them of the latest developments in all
branches of the fruit industry. Model orchard
meetings were conducted for their instruction,
and addresses were given by Mr. W. A. Mac-
Kinnon, chief of the Fruit Division, Ottawa ;
Dr. Fletcher, Mr. W. T. Macoun, and other au-
thorities.

The advertisement of the Pure Culture Spawn
appears in this issue for the first time. They
invite the attention of all mushroom growers to
their new " Tissue Culture Pure Spawn," grown
after improved methods, fully described in
their interesting circular, on the origin, history,
and improvement of " Mushroom Spawn."

FRUIT CONDITIONS IN ONTARIO

The Canadian Horticulturist up to May 25th
had received fruit crop reports from some 400
fruit growers in all the leading fruit producing
sections of Ontario. Detailed &tatements deal-
ng with the prospects of each of the leading
fruit crops are given below.

iReaders must bear in mind that all state-

ments given at this early season are liable to be
greatly changed as the season advances and the
actual conditions become more apparent. In
brief it now appears that the yield of strawber-
ries, plums and peaches will be light, while
apples, pears and cherries will be a good aver-
age crop.

Apple Trees in Good Condition

Several hundred correspondents scattered
throughout all the principal apple producing
counties of the province, reporting to The Horti-
cultunist state that trees have come through
the winter in good condition. Prospects for
both the early and winter varieties of apples
are very encouraging. A few correspondents
indicate that Baldwins and Spys will be light
in some sections. On the whole the early varie-
ties appear to be in quite a little the better con-
dition.

The damage by mice will be no greater than
reported last month, when it was estimated the
total loss for the province would not be greater
than 2 to 3 per cent. In some counties whole
orchards have been destroyed through the trees
being girdled, ibut in many sections no loss at
all has taken place. Trees appear to be bloom-
ing very nicely. _ On the whole, the reports le-
ceived from growers show that they feel quite
hopeful for this year's crop. In the early varie-
ties of apples prospects are fair to good in
Wentworth, Halton and York counties, uniform-
ly good in Ontario. Northumberland, Hastings.
Victoria and the eastern counties. In the vi-
cinity of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. Lamb-
ton and Huron counties report trees are in full
bloom. Conditions along Lake Erie are equally
favorable, as large crops are anticipated in
Kent, Oxford, Lincoln and Norfolk counties and
fair to good crops in Essex and Welland coun-
ties.

THE WINTER 'VARIETIES.

As already intimated, prospects for the win-
ter varieties do not appear to be as bright as
for early apples. Bordering Lake Ontario,
Wentworth, York, Northumberland, Dunham,
Hastings arid Lennox counties intimate that
they do not anticipate more than 50 to 80 per
cent, of an average crop, while in Peterboro
and the eastern counties only 60 to 70 per cent,
of a full crop is expected. Trees in Ontario
county are said to be in excellent condition.

Much the same conditions rule in the Lake
Huron section, as reports say the yield is not
likely to be more than an average in Huron,
Bruce and Grey counties, while Simcoe county
will probably be below the average. Moderate
yields are expected in Essex, Kent and Welland
counties, and good returns in Norfolk and Lin-
coln county.

I had thought of stopping The Horticulturist,
for at 75 years of age I do not take as much in-
terest in fruit is I formerly did, but I like to see
how fruit growing improves, so am renewing
my subscription. — (A. D. Lee, Stoney Creek, Ont.

Peach Prospects Still Uncertain

Up to as late as May 25 correspondents lo-
cated in the peach districts reported that it was
very difficult to give an accurate estimate of the
chances for the peach crop. From the replies
received it would seem that the number of trees
\\Hnter Killed will not be as large as at first
.feared, although in some districts, and in fact
■in a few townshivs, peach orchards have been
'utterly ruined. There are, on the other hand,
numerous sections where the damage is re-
ported to be very light. , .

The most serious reports of loss have been
received from Brant county. In West Brant-
ford township the peach trees are reported al-
most all winter killed. One grower, living near
Mohawk, announces that he has lost all of the
peach trees on his farm, over 2,000 in number,
and that 10,000 trees in that section have been
killed. A second correspondent places the
numiber of trees killed at 70 per cent., while a
third says that half the trees have been killed
and all the buds destroyed.

In Essex county the estimates of damage
range all the way from 5 to 90 per cent, show-
ing how conditions vary in different parts of the
county. On a whole the loss is evidently much
less than at first feared. The conditions in
Kent county are much the same, estimates rang-
ing from 3 to 75 per cent. The prospects in
Elgin county appear to be better, as no corre-
spondent places the damage at above 25 per
cent. Growers in Welland and Lincoln coun-
ties appear to take a more hopeful view of the
situation. Most of them write that while it is
too early to state definitely what the damage
has been, they know it has been serious. Old
trees have suffered much the worst. One
grower writes tHat his old trees are going to
leaf out nicely and some to blossom, but he fears
there is not much vitality left in them and they
will die later. On the whole it appears that
the loss in these two counties has not been
serious. Prospects in Wentworth county are
good. The trees appear to have come through
the winter in excellent shape, although there
has been some loss in the old orchards.

PERCENTAGE OF BUDS.

Buds appear to be showing in a most encour-
aging manner. On this point some growers
are enthusiastic in their replies, announcing
that there is a " splendid showing for fruit " or
" enough for a full crop." Brant county seems
to be the worst sufferer, as replies indicate that
many trees there are not budding at all, al-
though in two or three sections trees .have bud-
ded in a promising manner. In Essex and
Kent counties estimates of the number of buds

272

OUR MOWTHLY CROP RR PORTS.

showing range from 25 to over 50 per cent., and
in a few cases even higher. In Elgin county
buds are not showing to the same advantage.
Estimates of the percentage range as low as 5
to 15 per cent., although the hardy varieties are
said to be budding freely.

The percentage of buds on trees in "Welland
county ranges from 10 to 15 per cent., and 15 to
90 per cent, in Lincoln, depending largely on
the location of the orchards. The majority of
the correspondents replied that there will at
least be a moderate crop on thrifty trees. In
Wentworth county the conditions are much the
same, most replies indicating that sufficient
buds are showing to insure a crop of most of
the varieties.

NOT MANY NEW ORCHARDS.

In reply to the question. " To what extent are
new orchards being planted?" the majority of
replies indicate that few or no new trees are
being set out. although isolated reports show
local activity in this line. In the vicinity of
Raleigh, Kent county, it is stated that the num-
ber of orchards being planted is the largest in
years, while near St. George, in Brant county,
large orchards are being set out. numbering in
all aibout 5,000 trees. In Lincoln and Welland
counties not so many trees are being planted
as last year, although quite a few growers are
said to be filling in gaps in their orchards. Re-
viewing the situation as a whole it seems that
the area in bearing peach trees this year will
be quite a little less than two years ago. In
another month it will be possible to obtain a
pretty accurate idea of the fruit prospects in all
the counties.

Strawberry Crop Will Be Light

The 1904 strawberry crop in Ontario will not
be a very heavy one, as plantations in many of
the leading counties have been badly destroyed
by the severe winter. The southern counties
have suffered the most. In the section border-
ing Lake Erie and in the Niagara peninsula the
yield will not likely be more than 10 to 50 per
cent, of an average crop.

In the northern counties prospects are more
encouraging. Where the snow fall was heavy
and where the snow remained until late in the
season, beds appear to have wintered fairly well,
although some reports indicate that where
strawberries were mulched heavily the heavy
fall of snow had the effect of smothering them.
Beds that were at all exposed, unless they were
mulched heavily, have been almost completely
ruined. Some growers have plowed under as
many as 25 to 30 acres of their strawberries.

The most severe loss seems to have taken
place in Welland and Lincoln counties. Esti-
wates of the loss range from 50 to 90 per cent.
of the average crop, although in a few cases
beds have done nicely. A good crop may be ex-
pected in Bruce, Durham. Hastings, Grey and
Lincoln counties and in the eastern sections of
the province, and fair to good crops in Huron
rnd Ontario counties, while in Brant, Lambton

and Northumberland counties the yield is
problematical, as in some sections beds have
suffered severely, while in others they have
come through in good condition. In Essex.
Kent. Elgin, Wentworth. Halton. Lennox and
Norfolk counties correspondents state the pros-
pects are fair to bad. On the whole there
seems no doubt but that the crop of strawber-
ries this year will be quite a little lighter than
usual.

Light Yield of Plums Probable

Plum growers this season are not likely to
find it as difficult to dispose of their crop as
last year, owing to the fact that trees have ap-
parently come through the winter in rather
poor condition. Reports received by The
Horticulturist from the leading plum producing
sections show that many trees have been quite
baoly injured. In some cases growers are pull-
ing up their plum orchards, having become dis-
couraged as a result of their inability to dis-
pose of their last year's crop at satisfactory
prices. Insect pests have also tended towards
a decrease in the plum acreage.

In Huron and Bruce counties the crop is re-
ported to be fair to good: conditions in Simcoe
county are much the same, while in Lambton
county prospects are said to be promising.
Along Lake Erie trees in Norfolk and Lincoln
counties are doing well, while in Essex and
Kent counties only a fair crop is expected. In
Wentworth. Halton, York, Ontario, Durham,
Hastings, Frontenac and Grenville counties the
yield will be light; in Victoria, Peterboro, Len-
nox. Leeds, Elgin and Oxford counties a poor
crop is looked for.

Good Prospects for Pear Crop

Prospects for the pear crop this year are pro-
mising in all the chief producing sections. Out
of several hundred growers heard from by The
Horticulturist the replies indicate that large
crops may be expected in Essex, Kent, Norfolk,
Welland, Lincoln, Wentworth, York, Ontario
and Brant counties, and fair to good crops in
Lambton, Huron, Bruce, Simcoe and Halton.

In Northumberland, Durham and Elgin the
prospects are not quite as bright, although a
good crop is generally anticipated. Growers
in Victoria, Peterboro, Lennox. Hastings and
the more easterly counties anticipate a light
yield. On the whole the pear trees aprear to
have .W'intered in good condition and to give
good promise of a very satisfactory yield.

Cherry Crop Conditions

Both the sweet and the sour cherry trees give
promise of a full fruit yield in most of the pro-
ducing sections. In Essex, Kent, Welland and
Wentworth sweet cherry frees are reportetd to
be in excellent condition, while in Lincoln, Ox-
ford., Lambton, Huron, Grey, Simcoe, Halton,
Ontario and Durham a fair crop is looked for-
ward to.

GROWURS' VIEWS OF FRUIT PROSPECTS

Our peach trees were thought at first to be
frozen, but good luck saved them. They are
not so bad as first indications led us to believe.
Have been through 10 or 15 orchards and find
them all the same. The mice did a lot of dam-
age to young trees. I lost 100 out of 4,000
trees. Some are very bad. — (J. E. Hambley,
Kent Co., Ont.

Peach trees are killed at the ground, but are
showing blossoms. Those on sandy ground are
all killed; those on clay loam only a few killed,
except those by mice. — (Harry Forbes, Kent
Co., Ont.

The spring has been so unfavorable for the
trees that it is difficult to determine the true
condition of the trees as to injury done by the
winter. — (M. G. Bruner, Essex Co., Ont.

I find strawberries are very badly injured by
the winter, except where heavily mulched. — (G.
A. Heath, Norfolk Co., Ont.

Very few strawberries in our county. I tried
them for three or four years; they would have
many blossoms, but very few berries, so plowed
them under. — (J. W. Harum, Hastings Co., Ont.

otrawberries look fine. Peaches are all dead,
and some plum trees. The fruit crop looks
favorable. The first cry was that the buds
were all killed, but they are coming out all
right and everything is growing fast — (R. Mor-
ton, Durham Co., Ont.

Red raspberries here have been badly winter
killed. Blacks have come through better. —
(H. M. Casselman, Lambton Co., Ont.

Strawberries are in very poor condition.
About half the most extensive growers are
plowing their iberries up. In quite a few cases
there are not enough plants to set out a new
bed. The ice in the spring killed the strawber-
ries, I think. Fall mulched plants are injured
as bad as those not mulched. — (J. W. Munroe,
Welland Co., Ont.

We have not been troubled to any extent with
borers or oyster shell bark louse. We give
clean cultivation and stop working about August
1st. We tltin the fruit to about six inches
apart on the limbs and find it pays well to do
so. If we allow our trees to overbear one year
we are almost sure to have no crop the next.
The loss of trees in this section has been very
heavy the past winter, in some cases almost 90
per cent. My own loss by actual count has
been 34 per cent. — (A. Dawson, Brant Co., Ont.

The strawberries that were not mulched or
covered with snow during the winter were near-
ly all killed. I lost about 25 acres. Straw-
berries in this section are nearly all killed.
Raspberries are also damaged very much.
Blackberries came through all right. — (A. Rail-
ton, Welland Co., Ont.

Strawberry plants are badly injured. On
three acres I will not have enough to fill a crate,
and what plants appear alive have not strength
enough to throw out a blossom. Some peach

trees around Leamington appear to be as badly
killed as they were five years ago, but here I
believe the orchards will show a good per cent,
of uninjured trees, probably 75 to 85 per cent.
They are now full of bloom and foliage, except-
ing a couple of spots; my orchard never looked
better. — (J. O. Duke, Essex Co., Ont.

Strawberry plants are looking pretty well, but
are backward. The few blossoms that are out
are black with frost. — (John Mead, Halton Co.,
Ont.

Strawberry plants in poor condition and over
two-thirds winter killed. A large percentage
of the peach trees that are showing buds now
I think will die. As a rule, if one bud in ten
matures a peach it makes a large crop. The
few buds that are out now look very pale, which
is not a good sign, as they generally drop off. —
(F. G. Stewart, Lincoln Co., Ont.

Plum trees bore so heavy last season they
were in poor condition to stand the winter. — (G.
Gott, Lambton Co., Ont.

Vineyards are being pulled up on account of
dry and grey rot ; poor prospects for this year's
grape crop. — (J. Dougal, Essex Co., Ont.

In Glenleg township little spraying is done.
Japanese plums promise a good yield and have
wintered all right. Lice are common on apple
trees. Pruning has been well done. — (R. T.
Edwards, Grey Co., Ont.

Little can be said with certainty yet about
the mice and winter frost. A great deal of dam-
age was done. I lost one large Abundance, one
large Burbank, and a lot of smaller trees. — (S.
Spillett, Simcoe Co., Ont.

The prevailing wet weather during May will
make apple scab very prevalent, where trees
are not sprayed, and curl leaf on peaches. — (Jos.
Tweddle, Wentworth Co., Ont.

Strawberries are not much good owing to Ihe
last two seasons being wet. The plots have all
gone out of repair and grown up into grass, and
many of them will have to be plowed up. — (J. J.
Coyle, Lambton Co., Ont.

Old trees are hurt to a great extent, perhaps
50 per cent ; 4 to 6 year old trees about 5 per
cent., and 1 to 2 year trees are strong and heal-
thy. One man had 800 trees, fully 700 of which
are killed. Very few fruit buds seen as yet. I
have ten acres of fruit, and not one tree girdled
by mice. Out of an orchard of 1,500 peach
trees only 25 are killed. Strawberries very
badly killed. — (James Ellis, Wentworth Co., Ont.

Peach trees show about 30 per cent, of the
usual bloom in some cases and less in others.
Winter killing of peach buds has been unusually
severe, partly because many orchards are in a
weak condition on account of San Jose scale
infestation. Orchards that have been treated
for this enemy have wintered well and buds
show for a fair crop. One grower near Queens-
ton Heights lost 300 fine peach trees and others
more or less.— (Mr. Armstrong, Niagara Co.

273

THE FRUIT TRADE WITH THE WEST

THE MACPHERSON FRUIT CO., WINNIPEG.

The bulk of our apples commence arriving
in Winnipeg from the south the latter part of
July and continue coming forward until the lat-
ter part of August. The Ontario crop in sea-
son, when it has been plentiful, has always dis-
placed them at this date.

British Columbia has sent, late in the season
of different years, one or two cars of apples
which have been much admired for their fine
appearance but are generally regarded as lacic-
ing in flavor. A few also have been sent from
Oregon an- Washington Territory, but the
same remarks apply to these as to the ship-
ments from British Columbia. From all these
points the apples are sent in boxes.

Pears, peaches, plums and grapes nearly all
come from California. Oregon and Washing-
ton Territory also contribute some of these.
Ontario, with the exception of grapes, sends
such a small proportion it does not seriously
affect the shipments from the other.

THERE HAVE BEEN HEAVY LOSSES,

Shipments of Ontario fruit, always excepting
grapes and apples, have succeeded so badly that
we do not like to write or ever to think about
them. The long list of heavy losses from badly
packed fruit, put up without care or honesty
and sent forward without discrimination cr

knowledge of what is required on long distance
shipments, is so great that it is exasperating to
merely contemplate them.

All fruit is in demand that can be put on this
market in good order and at fair prices. The
best package to use is a subject that requires
much study and one that cannot be answered
within the space of an ordinary letter. Our
inspector here has had a long experience iboth
here ana in Ontario and will doubtless be able
to give intending shippers some valuable infor-
mation along that line.

Manitoba and the Northwest Territories are
for apples, and ought to be for small fruits, the
best customer Ontario has. Before this can
taKe place in small fruits there must be an en-
tire and tremendous change in Ontario in the
methods of packing and transportation. On-
tario peaches or strawberries are not likely to
ever be a pronounced success on this market.
The same remarrk applies to plums.

For apples, grapes and pears it remains with
the Ontario men to either hold this market or
lose it just in proportion as they show them-
selves intelligent and enterprising in adopting
up-to-date methods and when organization be-
comes powerful enough to compel concessions
for transportation facilities that will ensure the
rapid transit and proper handling of goods.

OBSTACLES TO SUCCESS IN FRUIT GROWING

The codling moth, apple scab and caterpillars
are our most serious obstacles, together with
the way in which commission men buy and han-
dle our fruit. In some cases the fruit is not fit
for home market, much less for exporting. —
(Daniel Durham, Lambton Co., Ont.

The tent caterpillar has appeared earlier than
usual this season, and is most in evidence at
this time. Insect pests are our chief hindran-
ces to growing fruit successfully, together with
the expense of handling the fruit properly.
Help is so scarce that the fruit cannot be han-
dled in time to prevent spoiling. As a rule the
farmer does not spray, and the insects get part
of the crop. — (Charles J. S. Natel, Huron Co.,
Ont.

The Fruit Marks Act is the most serious ob-
stacle to successful fruit growing in our locality.
— (Theo. Murray, Bruce Co., Ont.

In this district, as in all others, the question
of farm labor is the most serious drawback. —
(J. W. Munro, Welland Co., Ont.

Excessive freight rates are a serious obstacle
to our fruit raising. We pay as high as 7 to 9
cents per basket to send them to London. —
(Fred. Howell, Brant Co., Ont.

People in my vicinity have not had much ex-
perience in growing fruit, and lack of proper
knowledge in taking care of trees and selecting
the proper kinds has been a great drawback. A
great many poor quality trees have been bought
find (brought into the section by agents, all of

which has been a hindrance. — (J. W. Harum,
Hastings Co., Ont.

Fruit growers should be protected by law-
from nurserymen selling trees untrue to name.
This difficulty and San Jose scale are our two
greatest difficulties. — (H. iS. and C. Fisher, Lin-
coln Co., Ont.

The most serious drawback to successful
growing of fruit in our section is the lack of at-
tion by many fruit growers. Apples are our
main crop grown for export. Packages are too
dear. It is a serious hindrance when the pack-
age costs nearly as much as the apples are
worth. — (W. J. Bragg, Durham Co., Ont.

Caterpillars are not so bad this year as the
past two years, but there is a fly or insect
which is very bad, stinging the apples and thus
doing a lot of harm. We have no market to
encourage fruit growers to raise fruit to sell. —
(Chas. Brethour, Ontario Co., Ont.

A great drawback to planting good orchards
of apples is to get good stock to plant, as nur-
serymen supply you with anything but the kind
you order. They give you mostly varieties that
bear in the fall and which are worthless on the
market. — (Thos. O'Brien, Durham Co., Ont.

Farmers think it will not pay to spray. They
have been taken in by men going around spray-
ing and have had no results. The man who
goes around spraying looks out for his own
pocket. — (A. H. Crosby, York Co., Ont.

The want of a better market is a great obsta-

274

WHAT THE WEATHER MAN SAYS.

275

cle to fruit growing successfully. For instance,
take the plum crop of last year; we could not
g-ive our plums away because we had no open
or foreign market. — (Tbos. Cairns, Peel Co., Ont.

iCarelessness in growers not looking after
their trees in the way of trimming, spraying
and cultivating- is a great obstacle in growing
fruit.— (John Leonard, Northumberland Co., Ont.

Scarcity of labor and not properly cared for
orchards are serious obstacles to fruit growing.
Proper cultivation will bring apples every year
in our section. — (William "Wade, Northumber-
land Co., Ont.

Scarcity of help among the farmers, and in-
difference in the care of apple orchards in prun-
ing, fertilizing and spraying are all great ob-
stacles to successful fruit growing. — (M. S.
Schell, Oxford Co., Ont.

Boarding gangs and uncertainty of getting
apples packed in season militates against large
orchards. — (Thos. Baker, Solina, Ont.

The greatest obstacle to successful fruit
growing is probably the tedious and constant
work of spraying, which is necessary to pro-
duce marketable fruit, also multiplicity of varie-
ties and too much fall stuff; also the exorbi-
tant freight rates to our markets in the west. —
(Frank J. Barber, Halton Co., Ont.

I know of nothing that will aid and help the
apple business of Ontario more than expert
spraying. It is aosolutely necessary to accom-
plish a condition of things we should aim at,
viz., that all apples "packed for market should
be of uniformly good quality. Seasons may
differ, various conditions may differ, but the
destroying of insect pests must be reckoned
with. — (Wm. Rickard, Newcastle, Ont.

The fruit growers of to-day find that in or-
der to realize the highest prices for their fruit,
it is necessary to place on' the market a good
sized and clean article free from worm holes.
It is impossible to do this without the free use
of the spray pump. — (George A. Gott, Arkona,
Ont.

^ Our Monthly Weather Report 1^

In Ontario, April was a cold month in all dis-
tricts, and particularly so in the southwestern
portions of the province, where the temperature
was 6 degrees below average and lower than in
any April since 1885. In northern and eastern
districts conditions were much nearer normal,
and in the Ottawa and Upper St. Lawrence
Valleys the temperature was higher than in the
Niagara peninsula and near Lake Erie.

The rainfall was generally above average, ex-
cepting in the more central districts of western
Ontario, and there %vere a few light snowfalls
in all parts.

Up to May 20 the mean temperature of the
current month has been below average in west-
ern and considerably above average in eastern
Ontario, Toronto being 1 degree below average.
The city of Montreal reports the highest mean
temperature for the twenty days, 58.5 degrees,
and Ottawa comes next with 68 degrees, being
i-espectively 3.7 degrees and 2.8 degrees above
average. Compared with last year, this May
has so far been cooler, the difference being very
small in the Ottawa Valley and fairly pro-
nounced in the more western portions of the
province, and this taken in connection with
April conditions amply accounts for the fact
that all vegetation in eastern Ontario is much
in advance of western Ontario, including even
the southwestern counties, which is extremely
unusual. Ample rains have fallen in all parts
of the province.

Maximum temperatures recorded during
period May 1 to 20 : Port Arthur, 74 deg.;
White River, 76 deg.; Parry Sound, 82 deg.;
Saugeen, 84 deg.; Port Stanley, 70 deg.; Toron-
to, 74 deg.; Kingston, 78 deg.; Ottawa, 82 deg.;
Bissett, 86 deg. — (This report is furnished The
Horticulturist for the benefit of fruit growers
by the director of the Toronto meteorological
office.

s/>e Orchard 'Monarch

is the spraying machine which should receive the attention
of large sprayers. It is a mounted sprayer carrying ISO gal-
lons of liquid. The force for operating is supplied by the mere
movement of wagon by means of hind wheel gearings. It
is intended for large orchard operations and is a

Perfect AutomaLtic Sprayer.

Driving from tree to tree generates power — 130 lbs
to the inch — to spray five minutes with two nozzles
and reach top of tallest trees. It also operates
automatically the liquid agitator and brush for
cleaninf suction strainer, so that vines and foliage are never
scalded nor burned and nozzles never clog. The Monarch, as
the name suggests, is the peer of sprayers for large orchard op-
erations. We manufacture many kinds and sizes of sprayers for
all purposes. Write us for anything in the spraying line, formu-
las, appliances, etc., and aslc for our Frao book on sprayiuij.

Field Force Pump Co.. 231 Eleventh St., Elmira. N.Y

C <3r. T:>.A.-\rHS, Agent for Ontario, - lE'H.IESIEaai-A.JV, OJVM".

TEN DOLiIiARS for the Reader T»ho buys Goods to the Greatest Value from Advertisers in this Issue.

See Notice in Advertising Columns.

A crop that pays may not
pay as well as it should.

Potash

is a plant food which all crops must have.
Wilhout sufficient Potash to Red upon
no crop can reach that
point where it pays dcs^.

Experiments have de-
monstrated the v?,lue
of Potash.

We will send free,
to any farmer who
will write for it, a
little book that will
give facts in full.

GERMAN KALI
WORKS

93 Nassau Street,
New York.

THE

S)AWSON COMMISSION CO

solicits your
Consignments of Fruit and otlier Produce.

THE BEST FACILITIES FOR
HANDLING. PROMPT RE-
PORTS AND SALES

Corner West Market and Colborne Streets,

TORONTO.

Tags, Stamps, Pads supplied on application. Correspond with us.

From i

(Shipi-erl

(ol Outario)

To /VIcWilliam & Everist

TORONTO

The Shipper using these tag's is assured
of the best results possible for his fruit
on Toronto Market

HIGH

GRADE

CAMERAS

Plate, Film or Plate and Film Combined.
Manufactured by the

CANADIAN CAMEfiA CO.

7 and 9 Bolton Ave.
TORONTO, ONT.

Phone M 1858

Full Line of : : : :

Holders, Tripods,

Plates,

Papers, Etc. , always in stock.

WRITE FOR QUOTATIONS.
Pure Culture

MUSHROOM SPAWN

Has proven to be most productive. Made accord-
ing to methods recommended by the U. S. Dept. of
Agriculture. Send for instructive circular on
"Mushroom Spawns."

PURE CULTURE SPAWN CO.

Box^ St. Louis, Mo., U. S. A.

McWILLIAM & EVERIST

25 & 27 Church Street.

AsK s'our Orocer for

Its Pure— That's Sure.

I Can Quickly Sell For Cash

Without local publicity, your Business, Real
Estate or Partnership, no matter where located,
Send me full particular.^, prices, etc. Address

CHAS. E. POWELL,

19 W. Mohawk Street. Buffalo, N. Y_

T£N DOLLARS for the Reader who buys Goods to the Great<>8t .Value from Advertisers in this Issue.

See Notice in Advertising Columns.

)^^

/^O him. -who in tKe love of Nature Kolds

Communion -wltK her visible forms,"sh.e speaKs
A various language ; for his g'ayer Kours
SKe Kas a voice of glaclness,"anct a smile.
And eloquence of beauty, and sKe glides
Into his darKer musings, -with, a mild
And healing sympathy, that steals avy/'ay
Their sharpness, ere he is a'ware. . . .
Go forth, under the open sl^y, and list
To Nature's teachings, -while from all around—
Earth and her -waters, and the depths of air-
Comes a still voice.

'pie (anadian Ijorticolrorist

JULY, 1904

Volume XXVII

worn

Number 7

CANADA AT THE ST. LOUIS EXPOSITION

T. H. RACE, OF THE STAFF OF THE CANADIAN FRUIT COMMISSIONER.

THIS is truly a World's fair. The
average American's idea of things is
bigness, and that idea is carried out here in
St. Louis to almost an extravagant degree.
Magnitude seems to have been the end aimed
at in the planning and execution of every-
thing, and now the almost universal verdict
is that the w'hole tning is too big.

The cloud-capped towers, the gorgeous
palaces, the stupendous temples are planned
and executed on such a magnificent scale
that it may truly be claimed the world has
never beheld the like before. But they
cover too much ground, and one loses too
much time and energy in getting from one
to the other.

But all that aside, the readers of The
Horticulturist will want to know where,
amid all this magnitude and splendor, Can-
ada comes in. In the common phraseology
of the day, let me assure them that Canada
is fully and emphatically "in it." No
country or state is more so. And let me
observe just here that nothing less than
Canada has done would have sufficed to give
that effect required at the present time. The
name of Canada, and I might say the fame
of Canada, has penetrated every quarter of
the United States during the past two years,
and every citizen of the United States has
heard what is called here " the Canadian
boom." What Canada is doing here at this

great exposition is practically substantiating
all that has been heard of her boundless re-
sources and the marvellous variety of her
products. " These exhibits," said a promi-
nent Cincinnati man, " tell us more than we
have ever 'heard about Canada, and we can
no longer doubt."

The majority of Americans were willing
to believe that Canada could produce grain,
live stock and agricultural products in al-
most unlimited variety, but they were
scarcely prepared to believe that she could
produce such a variety of fruits. " Does all
this fruit grow in that cold country?" is the
question that we have to meet continuously.
That we are meeting and answering the
question convincingly, may be gathered from
the remarks that one hears on the streets, in
the public places, and even from the pulpits
sometimes, when the features of the fair
come under observation.

SOMETHING ABOUT OUR EXHIBITS.

Of the Canadian exhibits in the mining,
agricultural and other departments I will
merely say that they are attracting wide at-
tention and provoking much favorable com-
ment. The horticultural building, general-
ly speaking, comes last on the list, and the
visitor has seen pretty nearly everything be-
fore he comes to the fruit. We have the
advantage, therefore, in getting the impres-
sion that he has alreadv formed of Canada

79

28o

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

before he reaches us. And this satisfaction
is generally ours, that he never has to lessen
his good opinion, but on the contrary his
" as.tonishm'ent " at Canada's display is con-
siderably intensified.

Very few citizens from the south were
prepared for so varied an exhibit of fruit
from Canada. They did expect to see
apples, but were quite unprepared for such
a display of grapes and peaches. Without
exaggeration or boasting I can say with
pride that, barring California, no exhibit in
the horticultural pavilion attracts so much
attention or receives so many favorable com-
ments for its variety and artistic arrange-
ment as does the one that I have the honor
to preside over.

Of the qualities of the Canadian display I
will speak but briefly. From an Ontario
standpoint I am not too well satisfied with
it. If we had a few cases of those Canada
Reds, Kings and Yellow Bellfleurs that I
saw at Simcoe last fall we could easily beat
anything in the 'building in these varieties.
Even the Baldwins at Simcoe would give us
second place, while now we hold about
fourth. But, take the display as a whole,'
I can stand in the midst of it and say with
pride to the visitor. " This is what Can-
ada, my country, can do."

SOME CANADIAN EXHIBITORS.

Mr. Harold Jones, of x«iaitland, has done
splendidly for us, his Scarlet Pippins and
Mcintosh Reds are greatly admired. Mr.
Dempsey, of Trenton; Mr. Sherrington, of
Walkerton ; Mr. Woolverton, of Grimsby ;

Spraying is a live question with most fruit
growers now, or should be, as the San Jose
scale will force many to spray who never
gave the matter a thought before. Where
one has a lot of trees to cover the old hand
pump must give way to the power outfit to
insure the completion of the work in a rea-
sonable time. — (Frank Blaikie, St. Catha-
Fines, Ont.

Mr. Stephens, of Orillia ; Mr. Pettit, of
Winona, and some others, also deserve
special credit. Others worthy of mention
may come to my notice as the cases come
from cold storage and are opened.

At present we have 94 varieties of apples
on display from cold storage, but - many
more than that in bottles. Apart from
apples our bottle display comprises large
collections of pears, plums, peaches, cherries,
gooseoerries, red and white currants, straw-
berries, raspberries, blackberries, cranber-
ries, dewberries, blueberries, grapes, toma-
toes, wax beans, green peas, snow-white
cucumbers, rhubarb, strawberry-raspberry,
and almost everything that is grbwn for
household use. There is no such variety
or collection shown within the exhibition
grounds, and it is largely that feature, to-
gether with the arrangement in display, that
attracts so much attention. Two opinions
are freely expressed ; first, that Canada has
a surprising variety of products, and sec-
ond, that Canadians have the faculty and
enterprise for showing them to the best ad-
vantage.

May I add a word to readers of The
Horticulturist who are intending to visit the
fair and want only moderate accommoda-
tion. Take a Market street car at the Union
station and go right out to the west end
heights close to the agricultural entrance,
and ample accommodation can be found
within a few minutes in any direction at
from one dollar a day up, meals extra at
moderate prices.

I have about 450 apple trees and have a
preference for the following varieties : Red
Astrachan and Duchess of Oldenburg, for
the early varieties ; Hulbert, St. Lawrence,
Alexander and Snow for the autumn, and
j->en Davis, Northern Spy and Grimes'
Golden for winter use. These so far have
given me the best results. — '(Chas. Hay,
Ontario.

THE MARKETING OF FRUIT

C COMMISSION dealers who handle
/ fruit on a large scale are often in a
position to note methods of marketing,
which result in the securing of advanced
prices for fruit. Differences in the shape
and size of packages, and of their construc-
tion, often materially affect the prices ob-
tained for the fruit. In this connection
some interesting information was given a
representative of The Horticulturist recent-
ly by the manager for Messrs. McWilliam
and Everist, commission dealers, of To-
ronto.

" It often pays handsomely," said this
gentleman, " to have a lid on the fruit case.
Where covers are nailed on they are fre-
quently broken off by the customers in their
desire to look at the fruit before making a
purchase. Other customers who examine
this fruit see broken covers and get the idea
that the fruit has either been tampered with
or rejected for some good reason by a pre-
vious intending buyer, and they immediately
receive the impression that there must be
something wrong with the fruit or that it is
not as good as it appears. Where a case
has a lid which can be readily lifted, any
number of buyers may examine the fruit
without in any way injuring the appearance
of the package.

THE BEST STRAWBERRY CASES.

"For the marketing of strawberries, 24, 2^
and "^(i quart cases, non-returnable, are pre-
ferable to the 54 quart case. They have a
much better appearance and are always
fresh and clean looking. They also save a
great deal of trouble on the part of the con-
sumer, who is not put to the bother of look-
ing after the return of the packages.

After a 54-quart case has been used a
couple of times it soon looks the worse for
wear, especially if the customer, as some do,
has used it for the holding of potatoes. A
nice clean looking case of fruit will often
bring a better price than better fruit mar-
keted in dirty boxes, although good fruit

and good packages are DOth required to ob-
tain the best prices.

TOO MANY DIEEERENT SIZES.

There are too many sized baskets used
in the marketing of cherries, grapes, peaches,
plums and pears. These include all sizes,
from the 6-quart to the 14-quart baskets.
The best and most popular sized basket is
the i2-quart for the larger size and the
8-quart for the smaller one. It is well to
have at least two sizes like this, for some
buyers desire a large basket, while others
prefer a smaller one.

" One of the greatest objections to having
too many different sizes of baskets is the
difficulty experienced in filling large orders
with fruit packed in uniform baskets. It
does not look well to fill a customer's order
with different sized baskets. It always
complicates matters when we are unable to
fill our orders with baskets of the same size
as those upon which we quoted prices, when
taking the order. Confusion is also caused
sometimes among the growers, who hear
that we are paying one grower more for his
baskets' than we have been paying them.
These men do not realize that the difference
in the size of the baskets is responsible for
the difference in price paid.

" The Ontario Fruit Growers' Association
would take a progressive step were it to
adopt a uniform basket in the same way it
has adopted a uniform apple box. The
same reasons which led the association to
adopt a standard apple box apply in the case
of the basket.

" Where there is uniformity in the size of
the packages buyers order with more confi-
dence as they know just what they will re-
ceive.

WHERE LOSS OCCURS.

" One great objection to putting up cher-
ries in .large quantities is the tendency of
this fruit to heat, which results in great in-
jury to the quality. A great deal of money
is lost by growers through lack of care in

281

282

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURISi.

picking cherries. From the appearance of
the fruit when it reaches us it would seem
as ii these growers had simply grabbed the
cherries from the trees, and I believe this is
what some of them do. This treatment
wounds the fruit and decay sets in inside of
three hours.

" When fruit that has been picked in this
way reaches us it is generally practically
worthless. Cherries should always be
picked by the stem, the cherry itself not be-
ing touched. The same care should be
exercised in picking all kinds of fruit.

" Some of the 24-quart crates have a han-

dle which has many strong points. A hole is
simply cut into the ends of the crate, large
enough for the insertion of a man's fingers.
This kind of a handle is never in the way,
and does not take up any room. Another
good kind of a handle is a wire one, which
drops onto the top of the box when not in
use.

" The wooden handles, which are used so
extensively on 24-quart crates, often break.
This makes it not only difficult to handle the
boxes conveniently, but affects the appear-
ance of the package. These handles are
good except for this drawback."

SPECIAL CARE NEEDED THIS SUMMER

HAROLD JONES, MAITLAND, ONT.

OWING to the severe injury received
by fruit trees, as a result of the cold
weather last winter, which resulted in the
rupturing of the wood cells in the trees, i)t
is necessary for us to pay particular atten-
tion this summer to the cultivation andl fer-
tilization of our orchards that as rapid a
growth as possible may be brought about to
cover the defective wood with' new tissue.
If this is not done there is danger that the
trees will not recover their accustomed vigor
and that they will go into next winter in a
weakened state. In such a case conditions
will possibly be worse a year from now than
they are to-day.

During July I intend to follow up the
thorough sysstem of cultivation started in
May and June, with the object in view of
building up a good covering of new tissue

for the wood in the trees that were injured
last year.- Not later than the first of
August I purpose sowing a heavy cover
crop to ripen up this new wood growth and
prepare the trees for the coming winter.
There is nothing better for this than clover,
either the common red or mammoth red ;^
crimson clover is not hardy.

It is necessary to have the land in as fine
tilth as possible, so as to ensure the germi-
nation of the seed and give vigorous growth.
It has often been the case that where a
heavy cover crop exists in the fall, serious
injury is caused during the winter by field
mice. To prevent this the trees can be
easily and cheaply protected by wrapping
them with building paper; not tar paper,
which causes injury to the trunks of the
trees.

Plums being so low in price, farmers are Nine-tenths of our trees are not trimmed

cutting many of their trees down. Black
knot is a great drawback to plums. Many
growers do not keep it down, and the law is
not put in force. — (Henry Wiggins, Not-
tawa, Ont.

enough. I believe that if we would all trim
trees more closely and head in or shorten
the branches that this is the cheaper and
most practical way to thin fruit. — (Robert
Thompson, St. Catharines, Ont.

WHICH SHALL WE USE, THE 28 OR 30 INCH BARRELS?

ALTHOUGH the standard apple barrel
contains 96 quarts and is 28 inches
high, the majority of Ontario fruit growers
appear to prefer and to be using one of
larger size, known as the 30-inch barrel.
For this and other reasons the suggestion
has been made that the Ontario Fruit
Growers' Association should adopt the 30-
inch barrel. The views of some of Ontario's
leading fruit growers on this subject have
been gathered by The Horticulturist.

" The 30-inch barrel," said William
Rickard, of Newcastle, " contains several
quarts of apples more than the standard 28-

The Georgian Bay Fruit Experiment Station.

" I prefer the 30-inch barrel over the 28-
inch one," said Mr. W. H. Dempscy, of
Trenton, " because it is the standard barrel
in my section, and we have become accus-
tomed to its use. Nova Scotia shippers
have been using the 28-inch barrels, as have,
I believe, the New England fruit growers.
The result is that apples from these sections
and from Ontario are often distinguished
by the different sized barrels.

" Quotations in English catalogues show
that Ontario fruit brings more than enough
extra in price to make up the difference in
the quantity of apples contained in the larger
barrel. As long as
our fruit continues to
bring the best prices
I think we should
stick to the barrel by
which our apples are
recognized.

"Another point to
be considered is how
the 28-inch barrel
would effect the coop-
ers. Were the 28-
inch barrel to become
generally used, coop-
ers who happen to
have considerable
stock left at the end

A partial view of the orchard at the fruit experiment station in the Georgian Bay district, coj
ducted by J. G. Mitchell of Clarksburg, is here given. Some 300 varieties of fruit are being teste
The orchard shown on the left side in the illustration contains four acres of such varities of apples as
Spy, Baldwin, King, Ben Davis, Golden Russets, Gravenslein, Rode Island Greening and others.
In the background are 1200 plum trees' including 180 varieties all of which are labeled and numbered,
that an exact record of each tree may be kept. There is a. sixteen acre orchard of winter apple trees
which cannot be seen in the illustration. It contains two blocks of dwarf pear trees o' such varieties
as Bartlett, Duchess, Louis Bonne, Clapp's Favorite and others. It has been found th?t pears have
done as well attbi^ station as apples, the results far exceeding expectations.

inch barrel. For myself, I rather like the
larger barrel ; it does not cost any more,
either to buy, pack or ship.

" It is, I think, a little better appearing,
and is likely to strike the buyer more favor-
ably. In my section the larger barrel is
used almost exclusively. I would like to
see the Ontario Fruit Growers' Association
adopt either one size or the other as its
recognized barrel."

of the season, would
be unable to use the
extra barrels for ship-
ments of sugar and
flour, and the stock
would be left on their hands. By using the
30-inch barrels, if they have any left over,
they are able to utilize them for other pur-
poses. The appearance of the 30-inch bar-
rels is also nicer."

" I think it would be a great mistake were
the apple trade of Ontario to adopt the 28-
inch barrel," writes J. G. Anderson, of
Lucknow. " The freight and other charges
are the same on the larger as on the smaller

283

284

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST

package, and we get more money for fruit
in the larger barrel. If the department of
agriculture at Ottawa desires a uniform
package for the whole Dominion it should
choose the 30-inch barrel."

Mr. J. W. B. Atcliflfe, of Westmount,

Que., also favors the 30-inch barrel, al-
though he prefers to ship Fameuse and early
apples in boxes. Mr. F. E. Brown, of
Mitchell, was the only shipper heard from
who expressed a liking for the 28-inch
barrel.

Winter Killing of Apple Trees

PROIf. H. I,. HUTT, ONT. AGRI. COLLEGE;,
GUELPH.

I have about 20 acres of apple orchards,
planted eight years ago. Last winter the se-
vere weather froze them in the crotches, and I
am afraid they will be killed. The Starks, Bald-
wins and Arties are badly frozen. Some of the
Baldwins are dead, and I fear I will lose the
other varieties. In some cases I have cut away
the dead bark and covered the spots with a solu-
tion of resin, tallow, turpentine and methelated
spirits, to keep out the sun and rain. I notice
the bark peeling off the upper side of the limbs
and on the trunks in many instances. Do you
think it advisable to trim heavily ? — (W. H.
Bentley, Prince Edward County.

The past winter has been an exceptionally
severe one on nearly all kinds of trees, and
it is doubtful if many of the tender varieties
will survive the effects of the severe freez-
ing. I find that Baldwin trees have suf-
fered particularly in our experimental or-
chard at the college, nearly all of this
variety having been killed.

LET NATURE HAVE HER WAY.

Probably the only thing that can be done
is to allow^ nature to reassert herself. In
cases where the bark shows signs of peeling
off it would be well to tack it down or bind
it firmly about the trunk and branches to
prevent exposure to the sun and air. Where
the injury is on the trunk it would be well
to encase the trunks of the trees with boards
and fill in next the tree with earth. This
wouldi keep the bark from peeling arid pro-
tect the cambium layer from exposure to air.

Where the injury is in the crotches of the
trees, it is more difficult to treat. Where
possible it would be an advantage to band-
age the injured parts with clay plaster,
which would keep the parts fresh. In

cases where new growth does not start until
quite late in the season, it is doubtful if they
will recover sufficiently to stand another
winter.

Topping Apple Trees

44 T AM in favor of the low topping of
1 apple trees because of the great con-
venience in picking. When trees are low
there is less likelihood of the fruit being in-
jured in cases of windfalls." These views
were expressed to The Horticulturist recent-
ly by Mr. William Rickard, M.L.A., of
Newcastle, Ont.

" I have seen trees so trimmed," continued
Mr. Rickard, " that pickers had to go up 12
to 15 feet to obtain any apples. In such
cases the cost of picking amounts to nearly
all the apples are worth. The only objec-
tion to low branches in the orchard is the
difficulty experienced getting under the
limbs for the purpose of cultivation. Trees,
I am satisfied, will yield just as well when
the branches are low as when they are high.
I have had my Greenings so that I could
stand on the ground and pick two barrels of
apples from a tree.

" As regards the coloring, I find the Spy
and red varieties generally will not color as
well on low branches as on high ones, and
for that reason I would not trim these varie-
ties as low as the others. They may, in or-
dinary cases, be topped when the trunk is
five feet high, which I think is high enough
for any tree. I grow my Greenings low
down on the ground and find they are not
damaged in any way. They do not need
the coloring the red varieties do."

FRUIT GROWERS ARE FOND OF THE ROBIN

A VIOLENT agitation has been carried
on during- the past year by fruit
growers in several states of the American
Union to secure laws that would lead to a
reduction in the number of robins, if not to
their total extermination. It has been
claimed that robins are very destructive to
fruit.

The Canadian Horticulturist recently
wrote to a number of leading Canadian fruit
growers to ascertain their views. Some
of the replies are here given, and the rest
will be published in following issues. It
will be seen that, with one or two excep-
tions, our Canadian growers are very fond
of and appreciate the good done by our red
breasted friend and his mate.

FRUIT growers' VIEWS.

Robins are not nearly so bothersome as
the crows, nor do they eat as many cherries
as the crows. Would dislike much to
see any laws tending towards their extermi-
nation.— (R. J. Lightle, Brown's Nurseries,
Ont.

The robin is the worst of all the small
birds. I have some eafly cherries, but the
robins get them all before they are fully
ripened. I have a few sour cherries, but
Mr. Robin will not touch them. There are
a great many robins around .our place, and
I think it would be wise to reduce the num-
ber if possible. — (S. W. Brigham, Isling-
ton, Ont.

While the robins do sometimes take a few
cherries, and an occasional strawberry, with
sometimes a few grapes, in my personal ex-
perience I have never suffered any great
loss from their ravages. I have always
considered they do an immense amount of
good by destroying large numbers of our
insect foes. If it were not for the assist-
ance we fruit growers get from our native

birds we would have to do a great deal more
spraying and insect fighting than we have
at the present time, and dear knows that's
needless. — (F. A. Sheppard, Queenstown,
Ont.

I have some five or six hundred cherry
trees in two blocks, and a. row of mulberry
between. The robins go for the mulberry,
and my cherries are safe. I suggest plant-
ing mulberry instead of killing the robins. —
(G. Findlay, Walkerville, Ont.

OPINION OF AN EXPERT.

Dr. James Fletcher, of the Central Can-
ada Experimental Farm, Ottawa, writes
The Horticulturist an exceedingly interest-
ing letter strongly in favor of protecting
the red breasted songster. He says : " The
food of the American robin has been investi-
gated by students of birds. In the Stomachs
of 500 robins, collected in various parts of
the country, cultivated fruit formed less than
8 per cent, of their food, and practically all
that was eaten in June and July. It was
found that over 96 per cent, of their food in
April, 97 per cent, m May, and over 43 per
cent, in June consisted of insects, of which
almost one-fifth to nearly two-fifths was in-
jurious insects. in June they began eat-
ing fruit, cherries forming 14.6 per cent,
and raspberries 36.6 per cent, of their food."
From the evidence presented in Dr.
Fletcher's letter it is safe to say that noxious
insects comprise more than one-third of the
robin's food, vegetable food nearly 58 per
cent., wild fruits 47 per cent., and varieties
that were cultivated a little more than 4 per
cent. The Horticulturist will publish Dr.
Fletcher's letter in a later issue.

The well known authority on birds, Mr.
C. W. Nash, of Toronto, has also sent The
Horticulturist a valuable statement on this
subject, which sustains the position taken
bv Dr. Fletcher.

2S5

FANCY PACKING

I,, w.

I have thought out what I think is a new way
of packing fruit in boxes; one which is clean,
handy and cheap, and which will grade the fruit
at the same time. I am sending by express a
sample box with the packing. The packing
will accommodate itself to pears as well as
apples, which is one of its best features, and
still grade the fruit. The boxes could be made
any size and the packing according to kind and
quality. I have to thank you for other valu-
able information furnished me in the past. —
(Tom Gibson. Toronto.

The best methods of packing fancy fruit
for export has been made a study by the
writer for seven or eight years past. At
first a box containing eight shallow trays
was tried, in which the fruit was packed
in a single layer. These cost about
40 cents for the box of trays and onJy
held about one bushel. At the end of the
season it was decided the box was too elabo-
rate and cost too much money, and in this
the English buyers concurred. Next came
the Wilson box, with trays and cardboard
divisions. These were similar to the Coch-
rane case, much used in Montreal, and
shown in the illustration, but the
trays or drawers were made to slide, a
difficult thing to work without bruising the
fruit. These cases are mentioned to show
that the plan of packing proposed by our
correspondent is not at all new. This pack-
age was given a thorough trial. While the

Planting Peach* s

J. Iv. HILLBORN, LEAMINGTON.

Would you advise the planting of many
varieties of peaches ? — 'Subscriber.

That depends largely on how you sell
your crops. I grow a variety of crops and
send out weekly quotations to my customers.
By growing a number of varieties it is pos-
sible to have them ripen in succession, so
that peaches can be picked every day.

I have not been troubled much by the
peach tree borer. The best method of get-

value of the little pasteboard cell for each
individual fruit is fully appreciated, and
while it might be a fine method of packing
for export tender fruits of great value, such
as our finest Elberta peaches, the package
at that time was too costly to be used for
apples and pears, ,but I understand some

The Cochrane Case.

This box for shipping fruit, fitted with trays and cardboard
divisions, has been muck used in Montreal. It is known at the
Cochrane case. While excellent for costly fruits it Is rather expen-
sive f r common use.

improvements have since been made and that
the price has been considerably reduced."
Indeed, no box for apples can be more de-
sirable than the one now adopted by On-
tario, of which the inside measure is 10 x 11
X 20 inches, while for pears a box just half
as deep, measuring 5x11 x 20 cannot be
excelled-

ting rid of them seems to be to dig them out
with a knife. — (Robert Thompson, St.
Catharines, Ont.

I consider spraying, when it is properly
and thoroughly done, to be of great import-
ance. It must, in almost every case, be of
great good ; but, on the other hand, when
carelessly, recklessly and improperly done,
it will not only result in doing no good, but
may cause very serious injury. — (Wm.
Rickard, Newcastle, Ont.

2S6

IN THE ORCHARD.

287

Free Sulphur ia the Lime-Sulphur-
Lye Wash.

FRANK T. SHUTT, M. A., CHEMIST, DOMINION
EXPERIMENTAL EARMS.

^ I '^ HERE has recently been devised a

X method for the preparation of the
California spray, which does away with the
most troublesome part of the process, name-
ly, the boiling. The union of the lime and
sulphur is effected by the aid of lye, the
modification reducing the time of prepara-
tion and simplifying the whole operation.

The efficacy of this wash, as in the case
of the lime-sulphur-salt wash, for the de-
struction of scale insects undoubtedly lie%
in the sulphur compounds it contains — in
other words, upon the degree to which the
component elements have united in the pn^
paration of this insecticide. ' With this fact
in mind, it is important, therefore, to know,
first, how completely the sulphur is com
bined when the modified method with lye jj>
used; and, secondly, if the preparation can
be kept for any length of time without a
marked separation of the sulphur.

Last November a quantity of, the wash
was prepared, using the lime, sulphur and
lye in the following proportions : Lime. 40
parts; sulphur, 20 parts'; lye (caustic soda),
10 parts. A sufficiency of water was em-
ployed to allow the proper preparation of
the compound, but the water requisite to
bring it to the right strength for spraying
was not added. As made, it was an orange-
red mass of a stiff, pasty consistency.
Analysis showed it to contain, approxi-
mately, 50 per cent, water, and further, that
traces only of sulphur existed in the free
state.

I This pasty mass (which contained, ap-
proximately, 15 per cent, of combined sul-
phur), was placed in a large, glass-stop-
pered vessel to protect it from the air, and
allowed to remain in the laboratory all win-
ter. On April 15, practically 5 months

after making, it was carefully examined for
free sulphur, and as a result 0.5 per cent,
was found to be present. It is evident from
the foregoing (i) that in the preparation
by the use of lye practically all the sulphur
may be brought into combination; and, (2)
that when preserved in the pasty condition,
out of contact with the air, no appreciable
amount of sulphur separates for a consider-
able length of time.

It should not be inferred from the fore-
going that it is advisable to make more of
the mixture than is required for immediate
use. Exposure to the air, as in a barrel,
will, undoubtedly, cause deterioration. The
evidence here brought forward, however,
may prove of service to those who have
thought that the efficiency of the spray is
dependent upon its application within an
hour or two of its preparation.

Hogs in the Plum Orchard

PROE. H. L. HUTT, ONT. AGRI. COEIvEGE,

GUELPH.

What is the cause of apple trees dying- in the
orchard ? The trees are 10 to 15 years old and
fully four feet in diameter. Hogs used to run
in the orchard. The Toark of the trees near the
ground is gone. Can the hogs have done this ?
— (M. A. H., Oakville, Ont.

It is quite possible that hogs may have
girdled the trees, as they will frequently do
this if pasture or feed becomes at all scarce,
and sometimes for no other reason than for
mere hoggishness. If the bark has been
destroyed all around the tree there is no
hope of saving the tree except by bridge
grafting.

Scions for this purpose should be cvit long
enough to bridge the injured portion and
should be inserted beneath the bark above
and below the injury, and then bound firmly
with bandages, in which moist clay is held,
firmly about the trunk. If the injury has
been done so long ago that the tops are
already dying, it will be too late to save the
trees in this way, but trees recently girdled
can be saved by bridge grafting.

ENGLISH FRUIT GROWERS AND FLORISTS FOR ONTARIO

wk f~\ URING the past two years 150 to
I—-' 300 British people have emigrated
to Ontario as a result of the work of the
agents of the Ontario government in Eng-
land. I know personally of at least 160
who have come out this year, and while it is
difficult to give any estimate, I feel satisfied
that upwards of 300 have actually come
over. Of this number, possib-y one-third
have been men interested in fruit raising
and the growing of vegetables under glass
and cloth." These remarks were made to
The Horticulturist recently by Mr. M. E.
Kyle, of Oakville, Ont., who has just re-
turned from Great Britain, where he has
been since last November in the interests of
the colonization department of the Ontario
government.

" I find," continued Mr. Kyle, " that a
great many people living in the Channel Is-
lands of Jersey and Guernsey, who make a
specialty of raising potatoes, tomatoes, and
early vegetables and grapes all under glajss,
are becoming deeply interested in. the
chances for fruit and vegetable raising in
Ontario. While I was in their sections
these people asked me a great many ques-
tions about Ontario, and a number decided
to come over. As a result of our work a
year ago 50 to 60 families from these sec-
tions are already located on some of our
Ontario farms. When I am asked for in-
formation regarding openings for this work
in Canada I always advise intending settlers
to arrange to work for a year at least for

Cultivate Plum Trees. — Some of my
plum trees are growing in the fence rows
and receive no cultivation, but seem quite
healthy. Others receive the same cultiva-
tion as my apple orchard, viz. : one orchard
is sown with peas during the last of May.
The hens and hogs are allowed to harvest
the peas, which are not plowed until the fol-
lowing May. The other orchard is well
cultivated during June and part of July, and

some of our practical fruit growers before
buying ground and starting for themselves.

ORCHARDS NOT WHAT THEY MIGHT BE.

'■ While travelling through Somerset and
Hereford I was greatly surprised at the
condition in which I saw many of the fruit
trees. It is scandalous the way they are
neglected. Many of the trees were cov-
ered with moss and apparently had never
been pruned. I did not see a decent or-
chard. The growers informed me that they
simply raised apples for cider, and that
therefore they did not give the trees the care
and attention they otherwise would. Of
course this lack of attention on their part is
all the better for our Ontario growers.

" English farmers never grow Spy, Bald-
win or Greening apples, and do not seem to
want these varieties. It may possibly be
that these apples do not grow well there.
The most popular local varieties seem to be
the Russets, Blenheim Orange and Ribston
Pippin. Even in the good orchards, the peo-
ple do not seem to give the trees the same
care and attention we do in Ontario. I
think this is largely due to the fact that most
of the farms are rented, and the tenants do
not feel like improving land which does not
belong to themselves.

" There are some extremely large straw-
berry plantations. I visited one place near
Chester where a man had over 800 pickers
employed yearly. Near Stanley, in Kent
county, is another large strawberry center,
as well as in Cambridgeshire."

then seeded to crimson clover mixed with a
small quantity of red clover and allowed to
stand until the following June. — (D. James,
Langstafif, Ont.

To make apple raising profitable we must
be able to secure a crop every year, and with
proper care and attention there are plenty of
varieties that will bear annually. — (J. S. L.,
Bartonville, Ont.

288

IN THE ORCHARD.

289

Best Fruit for Eastern Ontario

fc* A PPLES are certainly the most pro-
x\. fitable fruit to raise in the St.
Lawrence valley, particularly the Fameuse
and varieties of that family, such as the Mc-
intosh, Scarlet Pippin and Shiawasie. These
varieties attain a greater state of perfection
in this section than in almost any other part
of the province." These views were ex-
pressed recently by Mr. Harold Jones, of
Maitland, to an editorial representative of
The Canadian Horticulturist, who visited
his place.

Mr. Jones conducts one of the fruit ex-
periment stations, and is doing an invalu-
able work. It is probable not another sta-
tion in the province is obtaining better re-
sults. Mr. Jones has devoted five acres of
the best land on his fargi to experimental
work, and is thoroughly versed in the results
of all the experiments he has conducted.
Some of the results he has obtained
have already been of great value to the fruit
growers in the eastern part of the province,
some of whom have driven distances of 25
miles to secure his advice as to the best
varieties to grow.

" The Fameuse and kindred apples,"
continued Mr. Jones, " from a commercial
standpoint, are of as much value to the
growers of eastern Ontario as the Bald-
wins, Spys and Greenings are to the grow-
ers in the rest of the province. Most of the
varieties of apples in my experimental or-
chard are proving hardy. Winter injury is
noticed on the Ontario, Blenheim, Pippin,
Downing, Winter's Maiden Blush, Sutton
Beauty, Stark and Rolph. In this part of
the province there has been some serious in-
jury by frost to the Fameuse and Scarlet
Pippin, which were overloaded in the sum- -
mer of 1903. Where trees were not debili-
tated by over loading they are in fairly heal-
thy condition, with good prospects for a full
crop this year.

As a result of the severe winter it would
appear that as a whole European plums are
not satisfactory for this section of the pro-
vince, 'ihe Japanese plums, with the ex-
ception of one or two varieties, are proving
almost as tender as the European.

Very good plums of the Americana class
can be grown here successfully, as they are
proving hardy in wood and bud. Some are
of very poor quality. Among the better
varieties may be mentioned the Whittaker,
Hammer, Stoddard, Wolfe and Wyant.
Among the better known European plums
that were winter killed are the Communia
and Coe's Violet.

PEARS have; been injured.

All the varieties of pears have been more
or less injured in the fruit buds, except the
Russians. The hardiest varieties, or varie-
ties that came through with the least injury,
are the Flemish Beauty, Clapp's Favorite,
Ritson and Sudduth. These are pears of
good quality. Experiments with five or six
varieties of the Russian pears indicate they
are not a desirable fruit for Ontario, as their
flavor and texture are very inferior.

When to Stop Cultivating

PROF. H. L. HUTT, ONT. AGRI. COLLEGE,
GUELPH.

What time of the year should I cease culti-
vating my orchard ? — (W. T. Nutt, Zenda, Ont.

Cultivation in the orchard should cease
about the middle of July, depending some-
what upon the locality and nature of the
season. If continued too late it stimul .Les
late growth of wood, renders the trees
liable to winter killing, and does not allow
of a good catch of cover crop, which should
be sown as soon as cultivation ceases.

If we leave our apple trees to take care
of themselves they will produce a large crop
of inferior fruit one year and none the next.
The orchard that is managed In this way
will be very unprofitable. — (J. S. L., Bar-
tonville, Ont.

290

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

Should our Farmers Raise More
Fruit ?

D. JAMES, LANGSTAPF, ONT.

WHETHER or not the average farmer
should raise more fruit depends
largely on his individual circumstances. If
a man has a fair sized farm and not much
help of his own, with little prospect for se-
curing any, most decidedly it would not pay
him to raise more fruit. The care, the har-
vesting and the marketing would interfere
with farm work and loss be sure to follow.

I believe in fruit and plenty of it for the
farmer, but not one farmer in 20 is quali-
fied or has suitable appliances to carry on so
many branches of agriculture and horticul-
ture. If a man has help or prospect of help,
and a small farm, or can get help from a
near town or village, lie may well raise more
fruit, but paying $1.25 to $1.50 a day and
board, or $30 per month with board for
eight months, which many pay, is too much.

where; profits go.

There is a prospect for a demand for fruit
in the northwest, but the railroads will ab-
sorb the profits in freight charges.

Sections of the country that are extra well
adapted for fruit should be given up to that
industry. Spraying could be done more
cheaply, the marketing could be better at-
tended to, the buyers would know where to
go, and better rates in freight might be pro-
cured.

I believe in mixed farming, but there is
danger of getting it too much mixed. It is
nice to have plenty of honey and strawber-
ries on the farm, but the farmer who is go-
ing to be successful with either one must not
allow seeding or harvesting or threshing or
corn cutting or root hauling to interfere
with the care of his fruit. Every farmer
should have plenty of fruit for his own use
and some to spare ; but if he goes further he
should first count the cost.

Does Cultivation Promote Scab ?

IN the opinion of Mr. A. W. Peart, of
Burlington, clean cultivation in the or-
chard has a tendency to promote scab. " It
is my belief," said Mr. Peart to The Horti-
culturist, " there has been too much clean
cultivation. I have been keeping my or-
chard cultivated for 15 years.

*' If anything green is on the soil it has a
neutralizing efifect on vapors arising from
the soil, which tend to promote scab. I
think that the finest lot of apples sent to the
old country last year came from an orchard
which had been in oats. I firmly believe
that clean cultivation promotes the scab."

Winter Killing of Pear Trees

PROF. H. I.. HUTT, ONT. AGRI. COLLEGE,
GUELPH.

T\vo'or three years ago I set out a few hun-
dred pear trees. Up to the present they have
done very nicely, but this year there seems to
be a blight t.. Lacking and killing them. The
leaves curl up and gradually turn black, and
shortly the whole tree dies. I will be very
much obliged if you can give me any receipt
for spraying that will counteract this. — (C. C,
Simcoe, Ont.

The dying of your pear trees is probably
due to winter killing, the same as that of
plum trees. The past winter has been one
of the most trying experienced in many
years, and reports are coming in from all
over the country that pears, plums, and even
tender varieties of apples, have been serious-
ly winter injured.

In many cases the killing has not been
outright, and the trees did not show the in-
jury at first except in the blackened condi-
tion of the wood, which may have been
noticed at pruning time, but now that the
foliage should be in good condition the trees
are showing lack of vigor and many of them
will succumb before the end of the season.
The experience of last winter should teach
us many valuable lessons as to what are the
" iron clad " varieties.

ORDERING APPLE BARRELS

"I

LIKE to order my apple barrels as
early in the season as possible," said
Mr. W. H. Dempsey, of Trenton, recently
to The Horticulturist. " I have sometimes,"
he continued, " had them all made up in
May and always have them completed be-
fore August. There are many advantages
gained in this way. The timber smell has
all passed off, so that when the apples are
placed in the barrels they are not likely to
becom.e tainted with anv odor. It is easier

An Old St. Lawrence Landmark

Few occupied houses in the province are in as good a state of preservation and as old as the
homestead here shown. It is owned by Mr. Harold Jones, of Maitland. Mr. Jones' great
grandfather, with his wife a- d mother, moved o to the farm in 1783, drawing 1000 acres of land
from the government. The residence here shown was built in 1796, and is cunsequently 108 years
old. It faces and commands a lovely view of the St. Lawrence river. Mr. Jcnes' four chil-
dren are the sixth direct generation that has lived on the farm. Owing to portions of the original
acreage having been bequeathed to sons and daughters the farm now contams only - 65 acres. Not
an acre of the first 1000 has ever been sold. Mr. Jones conducts one of the provincial fruit ex-
periment stations. He has about 1100 trees of all kinds but devotes most of his attention to
apples. Five acres of the farm are devoted to the expermental work. Mr. Jones is increasing
his fruit acreage every year.

to secure help early in the season to manu-
facture the barrels, and the material can
generally be obtained at lower prices. The
barrels are also set up better, inasmuch as
they are not thrown together the way they
often are late in the season when there is a
big demand for them. A cooper who makes
a barrel early in the season knows that he

will have to make it well, or it will go to
pieces on his hands before he will be able to
sell it.

A BETTER BARREL.

" I prefer the eight-hoop barrel, as while
it costs me about three cents more to manu-
facture, it is much stronger than the six-
hoop barrel. It stands shipment so much
better that the difference in the cost price is
more than made up. Coopers here are ask-
ing 45 cents for manufactured barrels, com-
pared with 35 cents at
this time last year, and I
believe that this price is
likely to go up at any
time.

" I prefer to have my
barrels made up on my
own farm, because it en-
ables me to inspect them
all. I buy the material
and have a cooper come
to my place and do the
work. If I find a cooper
is using some inferior
lumber I reject the bar-
rels and send them back
into the shop. He soon
learns that I will only
accept good work, and
culls out the poor and
cracked staves. I would
rather lose the poor
staves and have a strong
tight barrel than accept
one with holes and
cracks in it. When
barrels are turned out

by the factory all the timber on hand
is used by the cooper, with the result
that many of the barrels are made very
poorly. Growers who buy from the manu-
facturers have to take what they can get,
and consequently are unable to obtain as
good stock as they otherwise might."

291

292

THE CANADIAN H0RTICULTURIS2

Good Results from Japanese Plums

W. D. A. ROSS, CHATHAM, ONT.

1HAVE tried a good many varieties of
plums in a small way, and each season
confirms my good opinion of the Japanese
varieties. The Burbank, Abundance, Wick-
son, Red June and Climax are my favorites
thus far.

In some districts there is a prejudice
against the Japanese varieties for two or
three reasons ; early blossoming perhaps be-
ing the principal, but in this section they
give two or three times the crop the Euro-
pean sorts of the same age do.

I esteem the Burbank very highly. It is
a steady and heavy cropper, good shipper
and good seller. The buyer asks for it the
following season too, which is a very good
sign. Abundance, when fully ripe, for
near market is also an excellent plum ;
Wickson and Red June are good, and CH-
max, which has only fruited one season, has
done well.

The blossoms of these varieties are scarce-
ly ever injured here by late frosts. The
trees seem perfectly Jiardy, are good thrifty
growers, and come into bearing at a very
early age. The quality of the fruit quite
equals that of most European sorts.

Among the older varieties, Reine Claude,
Imperial Gage, Yellow Egg, Niagara and
Guii are favorites. If I were confined to
two varieties for general use and market
they would be Burbank and Reine Claude.
The very early varieties have not proved as
profitable as the mid-season and late ones,
as the demand early in the season is limited.

As to fertilizers, I have never used any-
thing but stable manure, which with clean
cultivation seems to produce good strong
growth and abundant crops.

The plum rot has proved a much more
difficult thing to combat than the curculio.
Last season the curculio did little damage,
at least the crop set so heavily that there
were plenty left after they had destroyed

their share, but rot developed badly, es-
pecially in the Lombards. Bordeaux mix-
ture was used as a preventive, but even
with this it was a very difficult matter to
keep it in check.

In this respect too the Japan varieties
have a great advantage, as they do not seem
to be affected with rot nearly as badly as
European sorts. There are decided profits
in Japan plums. Europeans are question-
able, at least with the varieties which go to
make up the average orchard.

Manac^ement of Small Pear Orchard

Frank j. barber, ge;orgetown, ont.

MY pear orchard is small, containing
some 50 trees in all, so I look to
our home markets for the disposal of my
fruit. For this reason, when starting, I
selected varieties of superior quality, such
as Clapp's Favorite, Sheldon, Seckel and
Flemish Beauty.

The Flemish Beauty has done particu-
larly well, and finds a ready sale as a can-
ning or pickling pear. For eating out of
hand the little Seckel comes first for quality,
with Flemish Beauty a good second.

I spray three times with Bordeaux mix-
ture and paris green; first, just when the
leaves are coming out; second, before the
blossoms open, and third, just after the blos-
some fall. The Flemish Beauty trees are
sprayed once or twice more at intervals of
10 to 12' days with Bordeaux to keep the
pear scab from developing. For pear
psylla and aphis I spray with whale oil soap
solution, I pound to 7 gallons of water, as
soon as they appear.

The orchard is not cultivated. It has
been seeded down to Lucerne clover for
eight years. In the spring a limited
amount of well rotted manure is spread
around the trees to act as a mulch. Since
adopting this method there has not been the
least sign of pear blight. This is probably
due to the fact that plenty of the Bordeaux
mixture has been used every year.

JAPANESE PLUMS NOT RECOMMENDED

J. G. MITCHELL, GEORGIAN BAY FRUIT STATION.

AFTER a careful test of several years
with many of the leading varieties
of Japanese plums, I find them sufficiently
hardy, exceedingly strong growers, wonder-
fully productive and strikingly handsome
and attractive. Their quality or flavor,
however, is so much against th'em I could
not recommend them for extensive planting
in the commercial plum orchards of Ontario.
Where they are best known they are the
least wanted, in fact some of our lake trad-
ers will not buy them at any price if they
can obtain anything else. They say they
are poor plums and hard to sell.

THE BEST VARIETIES.

The following varieties I have found to
be the best, after full tests : Abundance,
tree a strong upright grower ; fruit, when
well grown, large and beautiful ; color, yel-
low or amber, overlaid on the sunny side
with dots and splashes of red; flesh, ex-
trerpely juicy, a delicious dessert plum to
eat fresh from the tree. That is about ail
it is good for. It is too poor for a shippe".

Burbank: One of the strongest but mo it
spreading and sprawling growers in the or-
chard. It is a great bearer, but to produce
the finest fruit the tree should be severely
thinned. Quality of fruit fairly good. It
is attractive in color and a good shipper,
making it one of the best of the Japanese.

Red June is the earliest good plum we
have ; also the most desirable of the Japan-
ese varieties. Tree is a strong grower,
forming a large well-shaped top, bears the
third or fourth year and abundantly. Fruit
is medium to large, color bright red, quality
fairly good. It is more like the European
than any other Japan plum, except Wick-

son, which we have not fully tested yet, and
which we think will be too tender for here.
Season, first two weeks in August.

Orient is a very handsome symmetrical
grower and fairly vigorous; fruit as large
as the Burbank, but much more even in size.
It resembles the latter variety closely.

Chabot : This is a very hardy, strong
grower, forming a handsome and symmecri-
cal top. It bears the third or fourth year.
Fruit about the same size as Red June, not
quite as conical, sometimes very large when
trees are young. Skin is amber and well
covered with splashes and markings of red,
making it most attractive. In quality it is
about the best of the Japans, and it is a
regular and abundant bearer, in fact, in-
clined to overbear. September is its season.

Hale's Japan is a strikingly handsome
fruit, but far too juicy for a shipping
plum ; good for dessert, and like Abundance,
one tree would be nice in the home grounds.

Satsuma or Blood is a most remarkable
fruit tree, a strong spreading grower, but
not so much so as the Burbank. It is a
great bearer of fruit, and if not too heavily
loaded the plums will be large. The color
is dark maroon, covered with a light bloom.
Quality of fruit, when fully ripe, is fairly
good; season, middle of September.

Although Japanese plums are proving
quite hardy, strong and vigorous, regular
and most abundant bearers, strikingly hand-
some and attractive in appearance, yet they
are indifferent in quality or flavor when
compared with the Europeans which ripen
their fruit at the same time. Were I plant-
ing another plum orchard, and I likely shall,
I would put very few, if any, Japanese
plums in it.

I have taken The Canadian Horticulturist for You should receive The Horticulturist

many years and like lit well. — (Kenneth Cam- promptly on or about the first of every month,
eron, Lucknow, Ont. Do you ? If you don't, let us know.

293

A FARMER'S STRAWBERRY BED

WILUAM SCOTT, EIRAMOSA, ONT.

^ I HE Strawberry is perhaps the most
A highly prized of all the small fruits
that come to the table. A very little sacri-
fice of time and money would suffice to
bring fresh strawberries to every farmer's
table during the strawberry season, as well
as to enable the farmer's wife to put by a
store for future use.

The land for my own little plpt faces the
southeast and is a rich, warm, loamy soil.
It is given a generous coat of well-rotted
stable manure early in the spring, and
plowed, cultivated and harrowed until the
manure is thoroughly mixed with the soil.
The treatment is much the same as would
be the case were the land being prepared for
a crop of roots. The amount of prepara-
tory work required will depend largely on
the plot of ground at the start. If weeds
of any kind appear, further cultivation will
be required.

SUMMER CUIvTiVATION.

About the end of August put the cultiva-
tor and harrows on again, getting the soil
into as fine tilth as possible ; then roll it be-
fore planting, which should be done, if pos-

sible, after a shower. I leave 3^ feet be-
tween the rows and plant 18 to 20 inches
apart in the row. For some varieties
which propagate rapidly perhaps a greater
distance apart would be advisable.

When planting, dig the holes with a
spade, spread out the roots and pack the
soil firmly about them. After planting,
keep the hoe going as often as possible to
assist nature in her work. My plants grow
in a matted row about 15 inches wide, and
each plant has about 4 or 5 square inches
of space. Late in the fall "mulch with
horse stable manure to protect plants dur-
ing winter.

SATISFACTORY VARIETIES.

The varieties I prefer for table use are
Jessie, William Belt, Clyde and Brandy-
wine, all of which may be had at a reason-
able price from a reliable grower.

If any farmer is willing to take time to
prepare and plant the plot, with a little
effort in the way of hoeing and picking, he
will be amply repaid for his labor by the
rich luscious fruit that will grace his table
four or five weeks during the summer.

A Glimpse at Some of Ontario's Noted Vineyards.

This illustration gives an excellent idea of the extent of the truit intsrests in the vicinity of Winona, Ont., near the extreme western
end of Lake Ontario. Portions of the truit farms of Messrs. E. M. Smith, Ira Van Douzer and R. R. Smith are shown.

294

MARKETING THE CHERRY CROP

IN some portions of Prince Edward,
Hastings and Northumberland coun-
ties, fruit growers of late years have con-
siderably increased their cherry acreage.
About 25 years ago both red and black cher-
ries were largely grown in these counties,
but the black knot destroyed so many or-
chards that growers became discouraged,
and during the last 20 years comparatively
few have been produced. Now that it is
recognized that there is no difficulty in keep-
ing down the black knot by thorough spray-
ings greater interest is being shown in the
crop and the area under cherry trees is be-
ing considerably extended. Speaking on
this subject to The Horticulturist lately, Mr.
W. H. Dempsey, of Trenton, said that some
growers in his section have lately set as
many as two or three acres to cherries.

" The only drawlback I have found with
this crop," said Mr. Dempsey, " is the ex-
pense of gathering. Many of the cherries
grown in this vicinity last year were shipped
to Toronto, Peterboro and northern towns.
Girls, I believe, make the best pickers, be-
cause they can be obtained more cheaply and
are easier to get. I get my neighbors' girls
generally to, help m§ with the work. Al-
though they don't need the money, they are
generally willing to assist.

ARE GIVDN LIGHT LADDERS.

" To lighten the work for the girls I fur-
nish them with step-ladders that they can
handle easily. These ladders are made by
myself and are five feet high, enabling the
girls to reach fruit ten feet above the
ground, which is generally sufficient. The
girls pick apples in the same way. The only

In fertilizing my cherry trees I first use
barnyard manure, later sowing red clover
and finally oats. About tlie first week in
June, when the oats are 6 to 8 inches high,
I turn in the pigs. Late in the fall this crop
is turned under. A disc harrow is used in
the spring. — (John D. Wigle, Kingston.

drawback I find in using girls to pick the
fruit is that they are not strong enough to
carry the fruit around) and load it on the
wagons. Men are always required for this
work. I used to pay girls 75 cents to $1 a
day, but now the common wage is 75 cents
to $1.15. In picking apples I have had
gangs of girls that would average 20 bar-
rels for each girl a day.

THE BEST TIME TO PICK.

" I prefer to pick the cherries when the
fruit is cool, either in the morning when the
dew is off, or in the cool of the afternoon
and early evening. The trouble is we can
seldom do this, as it is generally necessary
to put in the full day at this work. By
picking in the cool of the day, the fruit
keeps much better.

"Aside from the trouble in gathering, cher-
ries compare very favorably in point of
profit with any other of our fruit crops.
Early Richmond give me the best results. It
is the only variety I would recommend to be
planted around here. It is hardier than the
others, so the buds will stand more frost.
Some other varieties are sweeter and a trifle
larger, but they winter kill.

" Cherries will be a light crop with me
this year. All the varieties had blossom
buds, but were destroyed more or less by the
severe winter. Two Russian varieties I
received as premiums from xhe Horticul-
tudst have bloomed more highly and were
leS^ injured by the winter than any other
trees in my orchard. I do not expect to se-
cure 10 per cent, of a crop. Most of the
other cherry orchards around here seem to
be affected about the same."

I would rather take chances on raising
grapes for protit than any other kind of or-
chard fruit, as the crop is more certain and
the principal labor is performed at the sea-
sons of the year when one can best afford
the time to attend to the vineyard and the
crop. — (Aaron Cole, St. Catharines, Ont.

295

296

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

Pruning Blackberries

ii O PEAKING from a commercial stand-
O point," says Mr. A. W. Peart, Bur-
lington, "the leading varieties of blackber-
ries are Agawam, Kittatinny, Ohmer,
Snyder, Stone's Hardy, Taylor and West-
ern Triumph. My blackberries are summer
pruned in early July. I cut back tht suck-
ers to three or four feet high, causing them
to send out laterals and form a stout sturdy
tree. In March or April I again prune back
the longer laterals.

The; best raspberries.
** Since 1895 I have tried 20 varieties of
raspberries, and find the Cuthbert and the
Marlboro the best. The Marlboro is ear-
lier and firmer and can be readily seen by
the pickers. The bushes are not so leafy
as those of the Cuthbert.

" Both are large berries. The Marlboro
is about ten days earlier than the Cuthbert.
Give the Marlboro good well-drained soil,
with liberal manuring, and there is no better
berry in Canada."

Picking Strawberries

J. O. DUKE, OUNDA, ONT.

A STRAWBERRY patch may be picked
twice ; sometimes a third crop is
profitable. My patches are usually run
out by clover, and the third year make a bet-
ter pasture than berry patch.

I pick in quart boxes, each picker being
provided with a carrier holding six boxes.
The pickers are given a ticket, on which
they receive credit for fruit picked. The
number of quarts picked is punched in the
margin of the ticket. These tickets, when
the numbers have all been punched out, are
worth five dollars.

THE BERRIES ARE PICKED CAREFULI^Y.
I pay two cents per quart for picking, and
have it done right. The pickers are re-
quired to exercise care both in h-.mdling the
fruit and in filling the boxes. The fruit is

packed in crates holding 24 boxes, and ship-
ped to points north and east, wher ' I always
find a good market, my berry season being
over before they start to ripen even at Lon-
don. For varieties I plant mostly early
kinds, Bedar Wood, Crescent, Mitchell's
Early and Tennessee Prolific being good
standard early varieties, with Williams to
finish up on. Williams is the best bearer
and long distance shipper I have ever grown.

Black Currants Unfruitful

PROF. H. L. HUTT, ONT. \GRI. COLLEGE, GUELPH.

I have about 20 black currant bushes, set out
four years ago. They were full of green cur-
rants the last four years, but all dropped off.
They were full of blossoms again this year.
Why do they not bear ? There are no insects
on them. — (A. S., Winger, Ont.

I am somewhat at a loss to account for the
unproductiveness of your black currant
bushes. Your experience has been the
same as that of a number of others. In
speaking of this subject some time ago with
Mr. E. D. Smith, proprietor of the large
nurseries at Winona, he told me that he once
had a number of black currant bushes grow-
ing on heavy land on " the mountain "
which always bore an excellent crop, and, to
increase his plantation of them near at home
on what ne thought more genial soil, he pro-
pagated from these bushes extensively ; but
when planted in good rich soil below the
mountain they proved quite unproductive.
He was inclined to believe that it was very
much a question of suitability of the soil.

One of the finest crops of black currants
I ever saw was growing on heavy clay soil
in Algoma. When the bushes are on rich,
loamy land they are inclined to produce
wood rather than bear fruit. Some have
attributed this lack of productiveness to lack
of fertilization of the blossoms. This may
be the case in some instances, but if this
were the cause in your case the green ber-
ries would hardly be formed, or, at least,
thev would not grow to^any extent.

THE SMALL FRUIT GARDEN.

297

I am inclined to believe that the first thing
necessary is to get some of the most produc-
tive varieties, plant them upon, good heavy
soil, and do not stimulate an excessive
growth of wood ; keep the bushes well
pruned out so as to allow for the fertiliza-
tion of blossoms, and guard against the
aphis, which is one of the most troublesome
insects upon these bushes. If under these
conditions the bushes are unproductive, I
know of nothing better than to root them up
and try again on other land.

Cultivating Gooseberries and
Currants

S. SPILLETT, NANTYR, ONT.

IN the June issue of The Canadian Horti-
culturist Mr. William Fleming, of
Owen Sound, advised the stirring of the soil
about gooseberries and currants in the
spring. I followed this method until about
15 years ago, when the loss of three succes-
sive crops of gooseberries after the berries
were as large as peas, opened my eyes.

This accounted for entire crops of black
currants and Fay's Red currant dropping in
the same way. The Shaffer and Columbia
raspberries will not tumble off, but the crop
is greatly lessened.

My rule now is not to stir the soil about
gooseberries or the Shaffer or Columbia
raspberries in spring until after the fruit is
picked. I have never failed to have a good
crop of Pearl and Red Jacket since I have
followed this method. My big crops have
been when the bushes are kept mulched.

I make it a practise to thin my peach
trees whenever necessary, endeavoring to
get the work done as soon as possible after
the June drop. I thin to not less than six
inches apart, which is scarcely thin enough
unless the trees have a thorough pruning. —
(W. D. Culp, Beamsville, Ont.

The Best Paying Currants

4 fc I N growing red currants," said Mr. A.

1 W. Peart, of Burlington, who is con-
sidered quite an authority, to The Horticul-
turist, a few days ago, "the best money-
makers in my experience have been the Wil-
der, Cherry, Pomona, Fay's Prolific and Red
Victoria. The North Star, too, is a good
variety, its merit lying in its being late.

" In white currants there are two stand-
ard varieties — ^Imperial and Grape. The
Imperial is a larger fruit, but not so produc-
tive as the Grape. In black currants the
best commercial varieties are Saunders,
Naples, Black Victoria and Collins' Prolific.

" As regards cultivation, my practice is
to plow to the rows in the fall to form a
watershed. In the spring I start cultiva-
tion as early as possible, which tends to level
the ground down again. Up to ripening
time I cultivate lightly every ten days to
keep moisture in the soil."

Profitable Returns from Cherries

44/^^HERRIES do not require as much
V^-/ attention as other fruit," said Mr.
A. E. Kimmins, manager for Mr. E. D.
Smith, of Winona, to The Horticulturist re-
cently, "but are a little more expensive to
pick, as the fruit is so small. Early Rich-
mond for an early variety, and the Mont-
morency for late maturity, are two of the
best kinds. The English Morello is also a
good late cherry,

" The Dyehouse matures even earlier than
the Early Richmond. These varieties are
all hardy and can be grown almost every-
where apples can. From 17 cherry trees of
the Montmorency variety on our farm,
which are ten years old, last year we pro-
cured 192 baskets of cherries which sold at
an average of 75 cents per basket.

" These trees have been bearing since
they were four years old, and last year's crop
was the largest on record."

298

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURJST

Care of the Strawberry Patch

J. H. DAVISON, MT. FOREIST, ONT.

'^ I "■ HE soil in which my strawberries are
A grown is number 1 clay loam, very
dark, with marl and gravelly subsoil. This
is thoroughly tile drained every two rods,
and the land has a good fall.

The ground I purpose planting to straw-
berries in 1905 is planted to celery this sea-
son, and on this ground no weeds are al-
lowed to seed and very few to grow. It is
plowed in the fall and again in the spring,
and worked thoroughly. As soon as land
is fit it is marked off 4 feet apart, across lot
in rows 30 rods long. Runners from last
season's growth are planted fourteen to
eighteen inches apart in the rows.

The land being rich and clean, they grow
rapidly, and if the season is at all favorable
they matt pretty thoroughly about 2^ feet.
This gives an excellent crop of vecy large
berries if a good dressing of unleached
hardwood ashes is given.

As soon as the crop is picked all vines,
weeds, straw, etc., are plowed under and
the ground sown with rye (fall rye) for fall
feed for cattle, and also for feed the follow-
ing spring. In this way only one crop is
picked from each planting. It is cheaper
and better to plant every year than to try
and clean up an old patch. I plant only one
variety, the Williams.

Success With Black Cherries. — " 1 ! :i\e
1,000 black currant bushes in bearing.
They are a good paying crop when given
good cultivation. Part of my plantation
has been in bearing for about 15 years, and
is not doing as well as formerly. Every
spring I trim each bush to four or six stalks,
keeping the old wood well cut out and leav-
ing at least two new stalks every season.

My soil is heavy clay. The ' varieties
grown are Lee's Prolific, Black Naples and
Black Champion." — George Stevenson,
Freelton, Ont.

Grapes That Turn Black

PROP. H. L. HUTT, ONT. AGRI. COLIvEGE,
GUEIvPH.

Some of my grapes turned black in the
bunches last year. Can you give me a cure ?
— (James Symington, Port Dover, Ont.

This information is not sufficient to enable
me to reach a satisfactory conclusion as to
what the trouble is. It is quite likely that
the disease may be the grape rot, which is a
very difficult disease to combat successfully.
Spraying with Bordeaux mixture* is one of
the best preventives. Where the disease
becomes serious the diseased berries should
be gathered and burned to prevent its
spreading.

Landscape Gardening in Cities

p. G. KEYES, OTTAWA.

PEOPLE who are compelled to reside in
the city upon lots of small dimensions
cannot undertake a system of landscape
gardening in its broadest scope; neverthe-
less, there are a few rules and fundamental
principles that are quite as applicable to the
small lot as to the great estate.

Of the two kinds of landscape gardening,
the natural and the formal, I prefer the first
mentioned. This consists in re-arranging
existing natural forms with a desire to
create new beauties, to combine flowers;
shrubs and trees so as to produce an aesthetic
effect. In the first place it is necessary to
avoid straight lines.

It is a mistake to fill every available space
with trees and plants, but instead, try tq
create a picture, using the green lawn for
your canvass and framing the whole by a
well massed border, planting tall shrubs or
trees to screen objectionable features near
by, and low planlts so as to appropriate to
your view some desirable feature of the sur-
roundings. Use hardy plants and shrubs
for the borders and plant groups, not indi-
viduals. Nature rarely scatters her plants.

HOT WEATHER PLANT AND FLORAL NOTES

WM. HUNT, ONT, AGRI. COLLEGE,, GUELPH. ♦

A GOOD method of disposing of a few
window or house pot plants during
the summer is to place the pots with the
plants in them in an ordinary window-box
made deep enough so that the rims of the
pots are about on a level with the edge of
the box. Fill in the spaces around the pots
with common moss or sphagnum moss ; the
latter can be obtained at any florist's. The
moss should not be packed too tightly in the
boxes or it will rot and decay.

I have known sawdust to be used for
packing around the lower part of the pots,
about an inch in depth of moss being used
on top of the sawdust. The main idea of
putting either of the materials mentioned
around the pots is to prevent a too rapid
evaporation of moisture. Tnis evaporation
is one of the great troubles plant growers
have with pot plants when they are stood out
singly on a window sill or on a veranda, as
we often see them, and where they often
suflFer for want of sufficient moisture at the
roots, no matter how frequently they are
watered. By filling in around the pots as
suggested, the plants give very much less
trouble in watering, than if stood about
singly, and the plants thrive much better, as
more natural conditions are given them in
this way. Besides this, a tastily filled box
of even ordinary window plants, with its
carpet of green moss, has a very pretty
natural looking appearance in a window.
This plan of mossing window boxes is par-
ticularly suited for houses that have little or
no garden accommodation for pot plants in
summer.

Azaleas, palms, fuchsias, aspidistra, leo-
pard plant (Farfugium grande), umbrella
plant, tradescantia or Wandering Jew
plant, and ferns are among the plants that
would do well in the mossed box, more es-
pecially in windows or verandas facing the
east of north. Agayes, cactus, echeverias.

vincas and similar plants succeed well in
south and west aspects. Care should be
taken to have holes bored in the bottom of
the box to allow of free drainage, or the
moss will soon become soddened and rotten,
a condition not desirable either for the
health of the plants or their owners,

HOUSE PLANTS IN JARDINERES.

The fancy jardinieres so extensively used
now for pot plants in house decorative work,
are often the cause of the premature decay
and loss of pot plants. Too often the plants
are kept constantly — oftentimes when not
necessary — watered, and no thought is given
as to what the surplus water that the plant
does not take up is doing, until perhaps the
plant begins to look sickly, or maybe the
unpleasont odor of stagnant water is de-
tected, or in some very neglectful cases that
I have known, tJae surplus stagnant water
has actually run over the top of the jardi-
niere before it was noticed. More plants
are injured both in winter and summer, es-
pecially palms, by the accumulation of stag-
nant water in jardinieres than is supposed,
the summer months being the worst in this
respect, as there is no fire or artificial heat
to dry up surplus moisture.

Examine plant jardinieres at least once a
week, and throw out all the water found in
them, and rinse them out with clear
cold water. The plants, as well as the
health of those living in the house, will not
be endangered, as undoubtedly they are
where plant jardinieres are neglected and
not looked closely after.

The same remarks will also apply to cut
flower vases and jardinieres. The water in
these should be changed every day. If the
ends of the flower stems are cut off about an
inch every day it will help to preserve the
flowers for a longer time than if the stems
are not cut off.

299

IliU CAAADIAA' JiUKJlCULTURlS':

Dahlias should have sufificieiit water
given them at the roots to keep the soil
always fairly moist. Soapy water is bene-
ficial to dahlias applied to the soil near the
roots. A solution of liquid manure made
by diluting a pail full of cow manure in
about ten gallons of. water — or in that pro-
portion if a smaller quantity is required —
will also help dahlias considerably. An ap-
plication of the Hquid manure once a week
will benefit them. Dahlias like a moist
atmosphere to grow in. The foliage should
be sprinkled or syringed every day if possi-
ble during very hot dry weather. Early
morning or evening is the best time to
sprinkle them, clear cold water being the
best for this purpose. If large specimens
are wanted on the dahlias, all the small weak
stems should be cut out, as from two to four
main stems is sufficient if large blooms are
required. Some of the side or lateral bloom
buds can also be picked off if the buds are
very weak. If quantity rather than quality
is required, more growth can be left on the
plants. The growth of dahlias should be
well staked up, as it is very brittle and liable
to be damaged by storms.

AbTERS.

A mulch of long, strawy manure, or of
short lawn grass trimmings spread thinly
about an inch in depth around aster plants
will help them to develop their flowers in
very hot dry weather, and the plants will not
require as frequent or copious supplies of
water when the soil around them is well
mulched. This mulching process is also
very beneficial to newly planted fruit or
shade trees, especially during the hot months
of July and August.

AGAVES.

These succulent plants, which are often
misnamed cactus, require very little water
even during summer time. Being natives of
tropical countries, where they grow and
thrive on the almost arid deserts, where
oftentimes there is no rainfall for months at

a time, they are particularly adapted for ex-
posed sunny positions on the lawn. Good
drainage at the bottom of the tub or pot they
are in, and not too frequent waterings, are
essentials necessary to be thoroughly suc-
cessful with these plants. More agaves
are injured or perhaps eventually killed by
giving them too much water than from any
other cause. Watering them once a week,
even during the hottest weather, will usually
be sufficient, unless the tub or pot they are
in is very full of roots.

There is no class of plant that gives the
lawn a more tropical looking appearance in
summer time than a few agave plants.
There are a great many species of agaves,
the most common and probably the most
serviceable being the plain green variety,
Agave Americanus, or the variegated type
of the same species. Agave Americanus
variegata. The greatest objection to these
agaves is that they are slow growing, and
the points and edges of their thick fleshy
leaves are very prickly, which make them
difficult to handle.

The greatest enemies to successful agave
culture are over-watering and a continued
low temperature and frost, although the
first light frosts of autumn or the white
frosts of spring seldom injure them, as the
thick fibre-like coating of their fleshy leaves
is able to resist two or three degrees of
frost very efifectually. Agaves can be kept
over winter in a warm, fairly well lighted
cellar or basement. The dry heat of a fur-
nace is not as injurious to th'em as it is to
many plants. A dark, cold, damp cellar
does not suit agaves in winter. If the
plants are small it is better to keep them in
the window in winter and give them very
little water than to put them in a damp cold
cellar.

OLEANDERS.

These plants like to be treated in almost
a directly opposite manner to the agave, es-
pecially in summer time, as they like a good

FOR LOVERS OF FLOWERS.

301

supply of water at the roots and a partially
shaded position during the hot summer
months. An application of liquid manure,
as recommended for dahlias, will also bene-
fit them in summer, especially when the flow-
er buds are beginning to show. The liquid
manure application should be discontinued
as soon as the first flowers open, or after the
end of July, as the fertilizer would tend to
induce a late sappy growth that would be
difficult to winter over in a basement or
cellar, where oftentimes these plants have
to be kept in winter time. Oleanders are
very subject to the scale, a small insect that
infests both the foliage and stems of the
plants, and will, if not checked, destroy the
plant. On the oleander they are usually
found at first on the underneath side of the
leaf, close to tne mid-rib, but are
often found on the main stems of the

plants. When quite young they are of a
whitish color, becoming brown and almost
black as they reach their full growth. It is
in the earlier stages of their growth they do
the most harm. A good sponging with a
strong solution of soapy water first, and then
given a fairly hard brushing with an old
tooth brush, so as to move all the scale from
their position on the plant, is the best method
to rid plants of scale. The great point to
be gained in eradicating the scale from any
plant is to rub the Scale so as to move it from
its position, as a scale once moved cannot
attach itself to the plant. It is an old say-
ing amongst plant growers, " Move a scale
and it must die." The plant should be
sponged with clean water immediately after
the soapy water has been used on it, so as
to remove any soap stains left on the foli-
age.

The Prize Winning Garden in tlie Lady Minto Competition.

The main portion of the garden which won first prize in both the amateur and professional classes in the Lady Mi»to garden
competition, held in Ottawa last year, is here shown. It is owned by Mr. W. G. Black, who may be seen in the illustration. Mr.
Black has but little ground around his house, but he makes it a place of beauty and a joy to all who see it. His specialty is roses, of
which he has a large number of varieties. The fact that there was strong competition for first place is proof of Mr. Black's ability as a
gardener.

OUR COMMON GERANIUM

CORA B. MORSE.

" Geraniums ! Geraniums !

With brave and steadfast eyes,

Ye face the darkest day that comes,

The bluest, sunniest skies ;

For shade and shine are one to thee,

And come what may your blooms are free."

EVERYONE calls the geranium a com-
mon flower, yet there are those
among us who can remember the furore the
bright red flowers created when they first
became known. It is a strange fact that
the geranium, which grows almost every-
where and under about every condition,
grows wild in but one corner of the earth,
this being on the Cape of Good Hope, where
it was found by the Dutch as far back as
1652, when over 600 species were dis-
covered.

The ideal geranium is a thrifty strong
grower, having thick woody stalks, many
branches, making a broad circular plant,
with branches from nearly every joint.
Leaves should grow quickly and luxuriant-
ly; flowers should be well shaped and full,
broad and round. But, how frequently we
see the plants straggling for an existence of
some kind, often more dead than alive.
Some geraniums may be seen at a standstill
for months, one leaf dropping off as soon
as a new one appears. Others are " noth-
ing but leaves," while many remain splendid
in their gay colors the whole summer
through, but when winter comes have not a
solitary blossom to gladden tKe hearts of
those who care for them daily.

If grown as pot plants, the geraniums
offer their greatest difficulties. One of the
most frequent mistakes made in growing
geraniums- for pot plants is over potting
them. Don't put a small healthy looking
plant, only large enough to have a 3 or 4-
inch pot, into a 6 or 8-inch one. If you do,
you may expect them to stand month after
month, scarcely growing an inch in that
time. The first step then is to provide
small pots. Geraniums from 4 to 6 inches

high require a pot only about 35^ to 4
inches in diameter. Drainage is the next
essential, and a most important one. Drain-
age material is always easily obtained, a
layer of broken pieces of pots, small stones,
charcoal or even pebbles being all that is re-
quired. Through the chinks between these
bits all surplus moisture will ooze, passing
out of the small hole in the bottom of the
pot. When placing the plant in the pot,
leave about three-quarters of an inch at the
top which is not filled with the soil.

A German authority gives as the best pot-
ting soil for geraniums one-third clean
sharp sand, free from clay, one-third thor-
oughly rotted cow manure and one-third
loam. Water plants well after potting, set
them away in a dark closet, and leave for
three or four days. Bring gradually to the
light, not giving full sunshine for another
week. Don't give your geraniums in pots
too much water — they do not like it, neither
do they require it. Water them when they
need it. When the earth about the top of
the plants is dry, give them a thorough soak-
ing. This is easily and satisfactorily done
by placing the pot in a basin or pail of
water, leaving it there till it has soaked up
all the water it needs.

As for potted plants, the ground must be
well drained and in a good mellow conii-
tion. If it is a dry season, or a hot sum-
mer country, a mulch about the plants is
found very desirable. The old fashioned
scarlet, whites and good pinks are always
in demand for bedding. Better still a bed
with one color alone, or with colors harmon-
izing well, than a variety of colors of any
and every hue.

In dusty times, spray the plants and water
the leaves at night. The plants do far bet-
ter cleaned of the dust they catch during
the day. Keep the ground soft and do not
let it become dry, baked and hard around the
plants.

302

A TALK ON PANSIES

SOME exceptionally fine large pansies
were exhibited at the June meeting
of the Toronto Horticultural society by M.
Fog-arty, of Toronto. A number of those
shown were fully two and a half inches in
diameter. So much interest was taken in
the exhibition that a talk given the same
evening by Mr. G. H. Mills on the growing
of pansies was much appreciated.

" In growing pansies," said Mr. Mills, " a
cold frame is needed ; that is, a small piece
of ground lined with a box, but not neces-
sarily covered with glass. The glass does
not need to be put on the box until real cold
weather sets in. Before planting, secure a
box about 6 feet square, or larger if a larger
number of plants are to be grown. Sow
the seed in a drill. One row of seed across
one end of the box is all that will be re-
quired. Cover the seed with about one-
quarter of an inch of earth. It is possible
to secure 30 to 40 distinct varieties of pan-
sies.

"After the seed has sprouted and the plants
have two or three leaveis, it is time to trans-
plant them in the box. Each plant should
have at least 4 inches of space aj-ound it.
The frame in which' the pansies are kept
seldom needs covering until after Christmas.
During the winter, should a soHd week of

soft weather come on, the cover may be
taken off the frame to give the plants air."

Beling asked if he kept his pansies in the
dark. Mr. Mills replied that he did. "A
glass cover," he said, " is not necessary, as a
door made of ^-inch stock makes as good
if not an even better cover." Asked if he
secured his seed in England or obtained it
here in Canada, Mr. Mills repUed it was pos-
sible to obtain good seed in this country'.

" After you take the plants out in the
spring," he continued. " do not let them dry
out. See that they are given plenty of
water. Keep the blossoms well picked, so
that no seed can form, and they will bloom
continually until cold weather. In the old
country there are certain strains that grow-
ers do not allow to go to seed, propagating
them instead by means of cuttings. These
cuttings may be taken off in August by
breaking off the top three joints. Put
these in the ground, and they will root in
two or three weeks, after which they should
have the same treatment in the cold frame
as the seedlings received during the winter.
When planting cuttings, do not set them
where the sun will be likely to wilt them, as
they need a little shade and plenty of water.
Pansies like a rich soil ; a good sandy loam
is about the best soil for them."

BORDER FLOWERS

B

ORDER FLOWERS " was the sub-
ject of an interesting illustrated
address given recently before the Guelph
Horticultural society by Mr. J. O. McCul-
loch, president of the Hamilton Horticul-
tural society. People can, in Mr. McCul-
loch's opinion, be more easily interested in
.flowers by showing them pictures of actual
growing plants than by talking about them.
He therefore had prepared a set of lan-
tern slides showing for the most part flow-

ers grown in the neighborhood of Hamilton.
The first pictures were of spring flowers,
more particularly the Narcissi, as these are
not grown to the extent they should be. The
requirements are a soil rich in humus, but
no barnyard manure should come in con-
tact with the bulbs. Rotted leaves, with
the addition of a small quantity of bone-
meal, are the best fertilizers. A good half-
dozen varieties are the Emperor, Empress,
Barri Conspicuus, Sir Watkin, Poeticus and

:^^3

304

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

Poeticus Ornatus, but the number of varie-
ties is very large, and it is really all a mat-
ter of taste.

EARLY SUMMER FLOWERS.
Passing on to the early summer flowers,
pictures were shown of Delphiniums, Fox-
gloves, Campanulas, and many others. The
Campanulas were particularly recom-
mended. Many failures with them, how-
ever, are caused by a lack of knowledge as
to whether the plant grown is an annual,
biennial or perennial. Campanula Medium,
the true Canterbury Bell, is a biennial, and
seed must be sown each- season to have
flowering plants the next. Of perennial

July Care of Dahlias

E. P. COLLINS, TORONTO.

NOW is the time to watch your dahlias
and see that they do not suffer for
want of water or stimulants. They are
very gross feeders, and if you desire fine
flowers you must feed them with manure
water and attend to tying them up to stout
stakes to prevent the wind blowing them
about.

It is best to only allow about one stem to
a plant ii they are rather weak, but if good
and stout, then two or even three may be al-
lowed to grow, always keeping them tied
up. When the flowering time arrives a lit-
tle disbudding must be done.

The buds are usually produced in threes,

and as the centre one generally makes the

best flowers, it is wise to pinch the other two

off, which will result in a much better bloom.

DIEEERENT VARIETIES.

The dahlias in cultivation to-day are di-
vided into six distinct classes, viz., show,
cactus, fancy, bedding, bouquet and single.
These distinctions are somewhat difficult to
define. The show varieties comprise all
self-colored flowers, and those with d'ark
colored tips. The cactus variety is now
taking a place well to the front for cutting

varieties, Persicofolia, Moerheimi, Car-
patica and Pyramidalis were mentioned.
Perennial Phlox is one of the best summer
flowering plants and is easily propagated by
cuttings taken in May or June.

Many varieties of annuals were shown,
including asters, marigolds, scabiosa and
antirrhinums. The last, while strictly
speaking a perennial, can only be grown as
an annual in this cHmate. Of fall blooming
plants Japanese Anemones, Pyrethrum
Uliginosum, Boltoma Asteroides and others
were shown. Marigolds and antirrhi-
nums were particularly mentioned on ac-
count of very late blooming.

wm..^

:« ^^^fe

School Children in the Garden.

In many sections of Ontario excellent work is being done in
the direction of interesting schoolchildren in the growing of flowers.
The illustiation shows boys of the junior fiftk class of Church St.
School, Toronto, at work preparing a bed for planting Asters. The
photograph was taken on Flower Day which was obse ved on June
3rd.

and decorative purposes, and appears to
have derived their name from the fact that
the Mexican variety. Dahlia juareryii, is the
original type. The cutting of blooms from
the cactus, and single varieties, does not in-
jure or check them in any way. To
comprise a fancy it must be striped or
flaked with two distinct colors.

The bedding dahlias are free branching
and dwarf, and have their flowers well
above the foliage. The bouquet are some-
times known as the Pompoms, which have*
small but very double flowers, and produce
large quantities of them.

THE HISTORY OF THE ROSE

EDWARD TYRRELL, TORONTO.

1"" HE history of the Rose is a subject
worthy of most careful study and
treatment. I have been at a loss to find a
starting point, have searched many books to
learn something of its history, but have not
been very successful. The most ancient
quotation I have read is a translation by Mr.
Wm. Gaul from the writing of Sappho, the
Greek poetess, who was born 600 years B.C. :
" Would love -j^point some flower to reign.
In matchless beauty on the plain.
The Rose (manKind will all agree),
The Rose, the queen of flowers should be."

It is indisputably a flower of antiquity, al-
though it graces alike the temperate regions
of Europe, Asia, Africa and America. It
has been a symbolic flower in every age, it
was renowned for its medicinal properties,
was abundantly used in joyous festivities
and religious ceremonies, and enters into
commercial life to a very large extent.
Dean Hole writes, " the roses of all lands
are here, but so changed, so strengthened by
climate, diet and care, so refined by inter-
marriage with other noble families, that
they would no more be recognized by their
kinsfolk at home than Cinderella at the ball
of her sisters." Petsia, China and Japan
are the countries from which we have re-
ceived our best originals. The Rosa
Centifolia (Cabbage or Province Rose), the
oldest of all, and one which exceeds all
others in its beauty, form and odor ; from
Persia, 1569. Moss Rose, from Persia.
Banksian Rose, named after Lady Banks,
from China. China Rose (Rosa Indica),
the old familiar monthly rose, from China,
1789. Fairy Rose (Lawrenceana, Minia-
ture or Toy Rose), China, 1810. Tea
Rose (Indicata Odorate), pink, 1819; yel-
low, 1824; the most celebrated group, and
the true aristocrasy of the Rose world, from
China. The first person to exhibit tea
scented roses was the Rev. Mr. Hillings-
worth in an exhibition at Hanover Square
rooms, London, in 1855. Noisette Rose,

named after Mons. P. Noisette, originated
in America, supposed to be a cross between
Alusk and China. Musk Rose (Rosa
Moschata), Persia, 1600. Polyantha Rose
(Rosa Multiflora), Japan. Turner took the
first prize in 1893 for the Crimson Rambler
of this class. Ayrshire Rose (Rosa Arven-
sis), Europe. Stocks for budding are from
the Dog Rose or Briar, (Rosa Carmina),
Manietti or Wild Rose, from Italy about
1830.

To the French we are indebted for some
of the choicest ornaments of the rose gar-
den, as the rose is a pre-eminent object of
horticulture with them, and the skill of the
French has originated many new and beauti-
ful varieties, yet England is considered to
be the true home of the H. P. rose, and in
growing perfectly those already known none
can surpass the British. The English cH-
mate is better suited to its perfect develop-
ment.

That the title of " Queen of the Flowers "
is no modern assumption for the -rose, has
ever been seriously questioned, yet we find
a Scotch poet (Dunbar) who lived about a
century before Shakespeare championing the
title for the rose, for he asserted the dignity
and beauty of the rose to be superior to the
Thistle of Scotland.

The rose appears to have first attracted
attention for its medicinal properties. Pliny
wrote about it more fully than any other of
the ancient writers, and his system of culti-
vation is as necessary to-day as when he
wrote, and for the garden is just as essential.
He says that the genuine rose is indebted
for its qualities to the nature of the soil, and
considers that roses without perfume are
not genuine roses. niny's writings, how-
ever, refer mostly to the medicinal proper-
ties of the rose, and he gives so many re-
cipes that one would think the rose would
remove or cure all the ills flesh is heir to.
But a German writer (Rosenburg), in 1631,

305

3o6

WHERE VEGETABLES RULE.

surpassed Pliny by publishing a book of 250
octavo pages, giving receipts and describing
the curative properties of the* rose for al-
most every known disease.

Travelers who have visited Persia say
that in no country of the world does the
rose grow in such profusion as in Persia ;
it has been caned the fatherland of the rose.
In eastern literature there are many chaste
and beautiful allegories. Here is one : " As
this dark mould sends upwards and out of
its very heart the rare Persian Rose, so does

hope grow out of evil, and the darker the
evil the brighter the hope, as from a richer
and fouler soil comes the more vigorous and
larger flower." In a Persian legend we read
that Sadi, the poet, when a slave, presented
to his tyrant master a rose, accompanied
with this pathetic appeal : " Do good to thy
servant whilst thou hast the power, for the
season of power is often as transient as the
duration of this ueautiful flower." This
melted the heart of his lord, and the slave
obtained his liberty.

GROWING VEGETABLES UNDER CLOTH

W. T. MACOUN, HORTICULTURIST, CENTRAL CANADA EXPT. FARM. OTTAWA.

AT the Central Canada Experimental
Farm last .summer an experiment
was tried in the raising of vegetables under
cloth. A small enclosure, 24 x 14 feet in
area, was made in which different kinds of
vegetables were grown.

The same kinds of vegetables were raised
just outside the enclosure for purposes of
comparing the two. Owing to the very
cool, wet summer, which was unfavorable
to a test of this kind, the results in most re-
spects were by no means conclusive, but thp
following notes are interestir^g and may be
suggestive. All the vegetables inside grew
better than those outside, and some con-
tinued to grow better until' the end of the
season.

some; inte;ri;sting results.

Beets — The tops were about as good •n-
side as outside, but when pulled it was
found that the crop of roots outside weighed
225^ pounds, while that inside was only 9
pounds.

Lettuce, sown June 10. — The plants grew
almost equally as well inside as outside the
enclosure. Outside they were from two to
four days earlier than inside.

Radish, sown June 10. — Radish was ready
for use inside, fully three days before those
outside. The radishes inside were perfect-

ly free from maggots, while those outside
were practically worthless. Those inside
grew to be a large size before losing their
crispness.

Beans, sown June 10. — The beans were
ready for use three days earlier inside than
outside, and the pFants were about as vigor-
ous. There were 11 quarts of green beans
inside, as against 14 quarts outside.

Egg Plants, Water Melons and Musk
Melons, planted June 10. — These were all
failures as regards crop, both inside and
outside, owing to the wet and cool summer,
but all plants grew well in both cases. Hand
pollination would be necessary to insure a
crop even in a favorable season, as few or
no insects cou.- get into the enclosure.

Cauliflower, planted June 10. — The root
maggot attacked those outside badly, while
those inside, though injured some in the cold
frame before transplanting, were not affect-
ed inside the enclosure. ■

Cucumbers, planted June 10. — Although
the plants grew well, no cucumbers set in-
side until autumn, at which time a few rent's
in the cloth permitted insects to enter.
There was only a very small crop outside
owing to the unfavorable season.

Tomatoes, planted June 10. — The plants
grew well inside, but were never as robust

WITH THE VEGETABLE GROWER. 307

as those outside. The first tomatoes ripened growing, daily records, with the exception

inside on July 15 and outside on July 21, of Sundays, were kept of the temperature

six days later. The crop of ripe fruit was inside and outside the enclosure. The aver-

55 pounds 2 ounces outside, and only 15 age temperatures during the summer

pounds 8 ounces inside, but there was twice months up to September i were :
as much ripe fruit oefore the middle of No. of

August inside as out. . Keadmgb.

Corn, planted June 10.— This grew more Outside, 7 a. m 58.4 26

rapidly inside than out at first, bur. later on inside, 7 a. m 58.3 26

was not as robust. Outside, i p. m 72.8 68

NO INJURY FROM FROSTS. ^"^^^.^' ^ P" "^ 76-23 68

The rain came through the enclosure as Outside, 4 p. m 74.7 52

a mist, and hence the soil was not compacted ^"side, 4 p. m 76.9 52

the way it was outside. Light frosts which As will be seen from the above, the tem-

injured vegetables outside did not injure peratures averaged a little higher inside than

those inside. While the vegetables were out. The greatest difference was 9 degrees.

THE VEGETABLE GARDEN IN JULY

WM. HUNT, ONT. AGRI. COLI^EGE, GUEI.PH.

WEEDS ! Keep them down whilst
they are young by the constant
use of the hoe. Surface stirring the soil
amongst growing crops not only keeps
down weeds, but keeps the soil cool during
the hot weather. Surface stirring the soil
without watering is, generally speaking,
more beneficial to plant life during hot
weather than giving water to plants with-
out keeping the surface of the ground well
cultivated and loosened up. Keep a loose
earth mulch on the top of the soil around
all growing crops.

It is best to water all newly planted
planted plants once, as soon as they are
planted. It settles the earth around the
roots and gives them a fair start. Hoe a
little loose soil over the moist earth as soon
as the water has soaked away. This will
help to retain the moisture in the soil much
longer than if the moist soil was left ex-
posed to the sun and air.

SOWING AND PLANTING.

There is not much to be done in €Owing
and planting during July. Late cabbage
and cauliflower should be planted at once if
not already attended to. Late celery

should be planted as soon as possible. A
sprajdng or two with Bordeaux mixture
without paris green will help to prevent
" rust " in celery. The spraying should be
discontinued as soon as the earthing up
operation is commenced.

Celery should be planted early in July if
wanted for autumn use, although fairly
good celery can sometimes be obtained by
planting as late as the first week in August.
Celery can be planted after early peas or
potatoes have been taken ofif, but the ground
must be well manured before planting.
Well rotted short manure is necessary. On
very rich well prepared land celery can be
planted 12 inches apart between the rows
and 8 inches apart in the rows. This
method necessitates not only very rich land,
but also compels the use of land tile, card-
board, boards or some similar material to
be used for bleaching the celery for autumn
and early winter use, as earth could not be
obtained or easily used for bleaching pur-
poses if the rows were as close together as
mentioned. As a rule, and especially where
well rotted stable manure is scarce, it is best
to dig out a trench about 12 inches in depth

3o8

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST,

and about lo inches in width. Put about
six inches of well rotted manure at the bot-
tom of the trench, fill in about 5 or 6 inches
of the top or richest soil taken out. This
will leave a slight hollow or depression
where the row of celery is to be set out.
The hollow or depression will allow of the
celery being easily and thoroughly watered
during the summer months. If it is in-
tended to bleach the celery with earth the
rows should be at least 4 feet apart. The
plants should be set about 8 inches apart m
the rows. Double rows are sometimes
planted where space is very limited. This
is done by planting two rows about 6 or 8
inches apart. The plants should be set 10
or 12 inches apart in each of these two rows
and should be planted diagonally and not
directly opposite to each other, in the fol-
lowing manner, *^^*^^■^^'■. *.*^t
so that each plant forms the extreme point
of a triangle. The trench, however, for a,
double row must be dug at least 12 inches
in width.

Freshly planted celery should be kept well
watered and shaded from the hot sun. In
fact, during the hot days of July and Au-
gust celery will be much benefited if a 12-
inch board be placed over it on hot days for
a few hours in the middle of the day, and
removed' after" the hottest part of the day
has passed. Any other material that will
afford shade will answer as well as boards
for the purpose. of shading. All the soapy
water should be saved and poured into the
celery trench, as it is some benefit as a fer-
tilizer as well as giving moisture to the
plants. Although celery is very fond of a
moist condition of the soil it is best not to
plant or handle it when the foliage is wet.
All celery growers seem agreed on this'
point, as handling it when the tops are wet
induces rust and rot. A spraying of Bor-
deaux mixture without the paris green
every two or three weeks during July and
early August will prevent to a great extent
the attack of rust. Paris Golden Yellow,
Boston Market and the Giant Pascal are

Celery Beds at the Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa.

In the May, June aad July issues of The Horticulturist considerable attintion has been given to the growing of celery. While good
money can be made raising this crop, success depends on close attention, suitable conditions and hard work. The illustration shows the
celery beds at the Ottawa Experimental Farm.

WITH THE VEGETABLE GROWERS.

309

good varieties to plant. The White Plume
variety and Paris Golden Yellow are more
subject to rust than the other varieties men-
tioned.

There is time yet to put in a row or two
of dwarf beans, and some corn for late use.
Sow the early varieties of corn, such as the
Cory and Country Gentleman varieties, as
these mature quickly. There will be
scarcely time for the late varieties, such as
Stowell's Evei-green, etc., to produce a crop,
unless very favorable weather is experienced
during early autumn.

BKANS Fi'^K PLANTING

The best kind of beans to plant now are
the Early Six Weeks and Early Valentine.
These are both quick growing varieties and
green in color, making them more useful
for pickling than the yellow wax beans, if
there is a surplus of them for table use.

If really good leeks are wanted they
must be planted out in a trench prepared

exactly as recommended for celery. To se-
cure the long white stems that make the
leek so valuable for cooking as a vegetable,
they must be watered and earthed up
exactly in the same way that celery is
grown. ivceks grown in this way are con-
sidered by many to be far preferable to
onions when boiled. It is seldom that good
well grown leeks are seen either in our mar-
kets or in private gardens.

Potatoes should be sprayed once or twice
during the season when in full growth, with
Bordeaux and paris green mixture. It will
not only help to keep down the bugs, but
will also destroy the fungus that produces
the potato rot. Put the mixture on when
the vines are dry.

Burn the old pea vines as soon as the last
peas are picked. This will help to eradicate
the pea weevil or pea bug that has become
so destructive a pest to farmers as well as
gardeners.

A WHOLE HOST OF INSECT ENEMIES

PROF. H. L. HUTT, ONT. AGRI. COLLEGE, GUELPH.

I have a number of Early Jersey cabbage
plants set out in the garden. The ground was
fall plowed, but in cultivating this spring I saw
a number of large white grubs. What shall I
do to prevent them from cutting the plants ?
What shall I use as a preventative against
caterpillars on my cabbage plants ? Should
the grub cut tihe stems of my tomato plants
what shall I do ? (E. G. Carp, Ontario.

It is a difficult matter to deal with white
grubs in the soil, as one never knows just
where they are -going to prove troublesome.
Usually the best remedy is to dig them out
and destroy them wherever they are seen.
They usually show their presence below the
ground by the injury to the plants above
ground, so whenever a plant is found dying
you may look for white grubs at the roots.

Sometimes to prevent these and cut
worms from cutting off the plants, a small
band of stiff brown paper is inserted in the
soil around the plant, not so deeply as to in-

terfere with the roots, but merely to keep off
worms in their attempt to reach the plant.
After the land has been two years under
cultivation from the sdd, the white grubs are
not likely to give any more trouble, as the
Eggs from which they develop are laid by
the May beetles in soft land.

The best protection against cabbage cater-
pillars is to spray with paris green or helle-
bore. Some have dread of using these
poisons on plants like the cabbage, which
are used for food, but when the method of
heading the cabbage is understood it can
readily be seen that none of the poison is
enclosed in the head, but is instead de-
posited on the outer leaves, which are strip-
ped off when the cabbage is prepared for
the table. When tomato plants have been
cut off by the worms there is nothing else
to do but replant or patiently bear the loss.

310

EDITORIA L.

Tqe (anadi^n MorticOlt^rist

The Leading Horticultural Magazine in the
Dominion.

1. The Canadian Horticulturist is published the first of
each month.

8» Subscription Price Si.oo per year, strictly in advanc*
entitling the subscriber to membership in the Fruit Growers'
Association of Ontario and all its privileges, including a copy of its
report and a share in its annual di<tribution of plants and trees.
For all countries except Canada, United States and Great Britain
add 50C for postage.

3. Remittances should be made by. Postoffice or Money
Express Order, or Registered Letter. Postage stamps a:cepted for
amounts less than $1.00. Receipts will be acknowledged on the
address label which shows the date to which subscription is paid.

4. Discontinuances — Responsible subscribers will continue
to receive The Horticulturist until the publishers are notified by letter
to discontinue when all arrearages must be paid. Societies should
send in their revised lists in January : otherwise it will be taken for
granted all will continue members.

5. Cliange of Address — When a change ofaddress is ordered,
both the old and the new addresses must be given.

6. Advertising Raies quoted on application. Circulation
5,500 . Copy received up to the 24th. Responsible representatives
wanted in Towns and Cities.

7. Articles and Illustrations for publication will be thank-
fully received by the editor.

8« All Communications should be addressed :

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST,

TORONTO, CANADA

FRUIT EXPERIMENTAL ORCHARDS
WANTED.

Growers interested in the fruit possibilities
of the Niagara peninsula are urging the Domin-
ion department of agriculture to establLsih an
experimental orchard, on a pretty extensive
scale, somewhere in that portion of the pro-
vince. These efforts are to be commended, but
one argument that is being used by some of
those "Who are active in the matter, should be
dropped. With the object of strengthening
their case they have claimed that the orchard
at the Central Canada Experimental Fiarm at
Ottawa is out of the fruit belt, that it is on very
poor soil, and that generally it is not accom-
plishing the good it might were it located some-
where in the Niagara district. As this con-
tention has been attracting considerable atten-
tion it may be well to examine the situation
closely.

While it must be admitted that the orchard
on the farm at Ottawa is rather exposed and
that the soil is (by no means ideal, most of it be-
ing a light sandy loam, with a compact sandy
subsoil, the fact remains that most of the hardy
varieties of fruits do well in it, and there is lit-
tle actual proof that the soil is unsuitable for
most of the fruits that will succeed in the cli-
mate of that district. So many varieties of
apples, pears, plums and cherries tested at Ot-
tawa have not proved hardy, and the orchard
presents a very broken appearance. To one
not acquainted with the circumstances the

blanks in the orchard where trees have died
would certainly lead to the conclusion that the
soil was the principal cause. It has, however,
been found that varieties which do not succeed
at Ottawa do not succeed in places where the
climate is similar, whatever the soil. This
proves that the conditions are not as unfavor-
able as might be imagined from appearances.
A poor soil for experimental work is, in some
ways, to be desired. Most of the tests with
cover crops, spraying mixtures, methods of
grafting and other experiments connected with
horticultural work can be done as well at Otta-
wa as in a more favored section. There is, fur-
thermore, the fact that as the apple trade is of
the greatest importance to this country, the
Niagara district has no more right to a station
than the great apple, pear, plum and cherry
growing districts along the Georgian Bay and
Lake Ontario.

The truth is there is room for experimental
orchards both at Ottawa and in the Niagara
section, and possibly, also, in the Day of Quinte
and Georgian Bay districts. It is to be hoped
the Dominion department of agriculture can be
induced to taKe up this line of work. Care will,
however, have to be taken to see the operations
of the Ontario fruit experiment stations are not
unnecessarily duplicated.

SHOULD THE ACT BE CHANGED?

It is now practically assured that there will
be a meeting of delegates from the horticultural
societies of the province at the time of the big
fruit, flour and honey show to be held in To-
ronto next Novemiber. A matter which may
well engage the attention of this gathering is_
the basis on which horticultural societies re-
ceive their government grants. In the act
granting government aid to provincial horticul-
tural and agricultural societies both are placed
in practically the same class. If a horticultural
society is established in a town or village it
means that the government grant to the agri-
cultural societies in that division is reduced by
the sum the horticultural society receivers.

There are a number of places in the province
where live, active horticultural societies are
needed, but their establishment has thus far
been blocked by memtbers of the local agricul-
tural society or societies who do not want to
have their government grant reduced. In some
sections where horticultural societies have been
formed it has only been at the expense of hard
feeling between the local societies. There are
other sections where the horticultural societies
have been induced to use all their funds to as-
sist the horticultural exhibits at the agricul-
tural society's annual fair. While this is good
work in its way, it is not nearly equal to what
can -e done by a live horticultural society
working along the lines of those societies whose
methods of procedure have lately been de-
scri... in The Horticulturist.

There is a large field for work in the province
for both agricultural and horticultural societies,
and the establishment of one should not detract

EDITORIAL.

311

from the possibilities of work open to the other.
General aissatisfaction is being expressed with
the work of many of our agricultural societies,
and a change in the act granting them aid
seems probable in the not very distant future.
Now is a good time for the officers of the horti-
cultural societies to consider this whole sub-
ject. The convention proposed for next No-
vember will afford their representatives an
opportunity to consider the matter fully.

HOW OUR READERS CAN HELP.

The management of The Canadian Horticul-
turist is endeavoring to pu'blisii a magazine that
will be of direct value to fruit growers' and all
interested in horticultural subjects. As our
readers must have observed, the amount of set-
ting in each issue has lately been increased,
and more attention is being given to all sides
of the fruit and general horticultural interests,
while every item each month is fresh, there be-
ing no clippings from other magazines or
papers. If our readers and that section of the
public which is interested in horticulture will
show their appreciation by rallying to the sup-
port of The Horticulturist, the only magazine
of the kind published in Canada, it will soon be
possible to considerably increase the number of
pages, add other departments, and make a num-
ber of further improvements.

There is one way in which readers can ma-
terially assist the management, viz., by buying
from our advertisers and telling them that they
saw their advertisement in The Horticulturist.
This will encourage advertisers to continue and
even enlarge their advertisements, which will
mean more money for the management and the
desired improvements in the magazine. Only
high class advertisements from reliable firms
are accepted. During the past two months
several advertisements which savored of the
fake nature, which had crept into The Horticul-
turist, have been rejected and will not appear
again, although the money offered for their pub-
lication has been needed. Help us to publish a
horticultural paper that will be a credit to
Canada by telling your friends about the maga-
zine and patronizing our advertisers.

Marketing Small Fruits. — Currants are han-
dled in baskets and in quart boxes put up in
crates. I have tried both ways, and find a bet-
ter margin of profit from using the quart box
in the 24-quart crate. In fact, all currants and
berries pay best when put up in quart boxes and
crates. In selling grapes I use a basket which
holds two and three quarter quarts, and find
that size of package pays the best. — (A. "W.
Peart, Burlington, Ont.

We advertise in a large number of news-
papers in Canada and can truthfully say that
we obtain better results from our advertisement
in The Canadian Horticulturist than from any
other. — (The Smith & Reed Co., Dominion Nur-
series, St. Catharines, Ont.

A WELL PRESENTED CASE.

The fruit growers are to be congratulated on
the excellent case they presented to the railway
way commission. The trans-portation difficul-
ties which have, to use the words of President
Bunting, " harassed the fruit growers of the
province for a number of years," were set forth
so clearly, the proofs offered were so positive,
and the spirit in which the evidence was given
was so free from petty spite of any kina it was
apparent, almost from the very start, that the
commissioners were considerably impressed by
the facts presented.

The praise given Mr. Bunting by Hon. Mr.
Blair and Hon. Mr. Bernier for the clear and
moderate manner in which he set forth the case
of the fruit growers was well deserved. The
evidence of Messrs. E. D. Smith, M. P., H. W.
Dawson and Ex-Mayor Graham was also given
in a manner deserving of every commendation.
The whole case was handled so ably as to show
plainly the care with which it had been pre-
pared and the great amount of time those in-
terested in it must have given the matter.
Even if the fruit growers do not succeed in se-
curing all the redresses asked for, an excellent
start towards an improvement in existing con-
ditions has been made.

Fruit growers owe considerable to the maga-
zine. Physical Culture. This monthly, which is
the foremost of the kind published, is constant-
ly drawing attention to the value of fruit and
vegetables as a food. The average person, ac-
cording to Physical Culture, eats too much. If
instead of eating hearty meals three and, as
some people do, four times a day, more would
satisfy their hunger by eating a little fruit they
would both feel and be ,the better for it. Eat
more fruit and vegetables and less meat is its
constant advice. There is a great deal of com-
mon sense in what Physical Culture says. If
the general public would only follow this advice
it would be a splendid thing for the fruit in-
dustry.

Quite a little is being said by fruit growers
in regard to which are the best sizes of boxes
and Tjarrels for the shipment of fruit. In this
connection one point deserves attention. The
two baskets most commonly used for the ship-
ment of plums, cherries, etc., are the 11-quart
and the 6 2-3 quart. The general public is in-
clined to consider the smaller package a half
size of the larger and to refuse to pay more
than half the price of the larger basket for it.
This, of course, spells loss for growers who use
the smaller basket. An effort should be made
to secure the adoption of a straight 5% or 6-
quart basket.

There are a large number of horticultural
papers puiblished in the United States, but only
one in Canada, and that is The Canadian Horti-
culturist. Help us make it a credit to Canada
by recommending it to your friends and patron-
izing our advertisers.

THE CANNED FRUIT INDUSTRY IN CANADA

" One of the greatest difficulties Ontario fruit
growers 'have to contend with is the ow prices
at which dates, prunes, dried apricots, pears,
etc., are shipped here from the south and Cali-
fornia, ana sold on our Canadian markets. The
duty on this fruit is so low that it is no obsta-
cle to the free sale of these goods, and conse-
quently these goods are serious competitors
against our canned Ontario fruit and vegeta-
bles."

These views were expressed recently to The
Horticulturist by one of the officers of
the Canadian Canners' Co., Hamilton. " An-
other difficulty," continued Mr. Innes, "lies in
tlhe fact that our Canadian cities are so small
the demand for our canned fruits is very lim-
ited. Were the 35 canning factories owned by
our company to work at their full capacity they
could turn out enough goods in one year to sup-
ply the demand for two or three years. The
output of our factories last year was about
40,000,000 cans.

"The duty on fine cane sugar, of $1.26 for
every ^ . pounds, is quite a serious handicap to
us when we compete for trade in the British
market. In Great Britain, where our trade,
although smal , is growing, we have to compete
against the goods offered from all parts of the
world. It is necessary, therefore, that we
should be able to offer our goods at as low a
rate as possible, and we find the duty on the
sugar we need for preserving purposes a serious
handicap.

" There is no outlet in the United States for
any of our canned fruit, as the duty is entirely
prohibitive. The trade with the northwest is
good and is growing. There Is a great demand
on the part of some small towns throughout On-
tario for more canning factories. The people
who advocate the establishment of these fac-
tories do not appear to realize how small the
demand for canned fruit is. Were the demand
large enough to warrant us doing so, we could
readily establish factories in 150 towns in the
province that are calling for them."

FRUIT THE OTTAWA MARKET DEMANDS

G. W. HUNT^ OTTAWA.

There are so many different views as to the
varieties of fruit that sell to the best advantage
in Ottawa it is difficult to enumerate them all.
A few kinds, however, are known to always
bring good prices.

In the past few years Clyde strawberries
have sold remarkably well, with one or two ex-
ceptions, where the color has been very pale.
The consignments of several shippers have sold
at the top of the market. The William, while
a good carrying (berry, does not appear to have
the sympathy of the buyers to aiiy great extent.
There are two or three other new varieties com-
ing in which are not named on this market, or
sold as any particular variety that sell well.
If fruit growers would name their berries and
all other fruit it would in the end be very bene-
ficial to them. This applies particillarly to
peaches, as 90 per cent, of all the yellow flesh
peaches sold on this market are sold as Craw-
fords, when in reality only about 20 per cent, of
that class of peaches are Crawfords. The trou-
ble is, the average householder either telephones
his order or sends some person else to buy his
peaches. He asks for Crawfords, and invaria-
bly the dealer sends anything that has yellow
flesh like a ^rawford peach.

When the peaches are canned and used
the buyers find them very fine, and the next
season still want Crawfords, believing they are
using a Crawford peach, when it is some other
variety. The naming of peaches would, of
course, be detrimental to new varieties coming
in, but in the end would be money in the pock-
ets of the growers, as they would introduce
every new variety permanently in that way.

In the demand for plums there does not ap-
pear to be any great difference so long as they
are either blue, red or green. Buyers do not
even ask for Green Gages, but when they do
they are sold Reine Claudes, Washingtons, or
anything else. To my mind the "Reine Claude
is much superior for canning purposes to the
old-fashioned Green Gage, and it sells for more
money.

The best selling varieties of pears are Bart-
letts, Clapp's Favorites, Louise Bonne, Sheldons,-
Buerre d'Anjou, Buerre Clairgeau. The Keiffer
is a very slow seller.

FOIvLOW the; CAII.FORNIA STYI^e; op PACKAGE.

It appears to be a difficult matter to change
buyers' views on packages. My own impres-
sion is that if all the fruit were done up in the
California style it would pay the grower in th'i
course of a year or two. The only objection-
able feature to the baskets is the fact they are
too wide and not long enough. When they lu^
piled eight to ten high the ends of the baskets
are liable to sink into the fruit in the under
tiers. If the baskets were half an inch nar-
rower and an inch longer there would be a good
firm basis for them to rest on the baskets
underneath. No matter how high the baskets
were piled there would be no danger of the bot-
tom tiers being damaged in any way, providing
of course they were not piled high enough to
break the basket outright. The sooner the
growers get down to using a six and a twelve -
quart basket, with no others, the better for all
parties concerned, as ten-quart baskets are only
injuring the trade.

We always read The Horticulturist with in-
terest. It is worth reading. — J. J. H. Gregory,
Marblehead, Mass.

We consider The Canadian Horticulturist a
very valuable paper. — (German Kali Works, 99
Nassau street. New York City.

312

FRUIT SHIPMENTS TO GREAT BRITIAN

NOTHARD & LOWE, TOOLEY STREET, LONDON, ENG.

The best way to ship apples is in barrels,
with a thick pulp head on top of the apples to
prevent bruising. A few extra fine varieties
might do in cases if packed as the California
fruit packers pack theirs, but we are opposed
to the use of oases as a rule. Every steamer's
holu, where iruit is carried, should have a
therm'ograph. This should be opened and ex-
amined in th'e presence of your inspectors in
London, and the temperature officially pub
lished for the benefit of the fruit growers and
shippers. There would be no difficulty then
finding out which boats carried fruit in the most
satisfactory manner.

Varieties That Have Done Well.

The bulk of the apples "we handle are from
Nova Scotia, from which province we receive
very large quantities. We have fruit houses in
most of the principal stations from where fruit is
shipped on the railways. The principal varie-
ties that are shipped are Gravenstein, King
Tompkin, Ribston, 'Spy, Baldwin, Greening, G.
Russets, Fallawaters, Nonpareils, and this last
season there have been quite a good few ship-

per ^^ a new variety known as the Stark. This
apple is growing in popularity here.

A few seasons ago we sent out a considerable
number of grafts of the celebrated English
varieties, the Cox's Orange Pippin and the Wel-
lington. There have been a few hundred pack-
ages of Wellingtons shipped to us this season;
they have made a very high price, and there
have been a few packages of Cox's Orange ship-
ped, also which made still higher prices.
This latter variety appears to be a light bearer.
The Ben Davis discolors badly.

There has not yet been any great improve-
ment in the packing, although the Fruit Act is
in force to prevent fraudulent packing. There
are, of course, a great number of shippers who
never pack inferior stuff, and there are also a
lot of them who do pack inferior apples, and
there were a great number of cases of this dur-
ing the past season. The inspectors at this
end should report every case they can trace of
false packing, to the inspectors at the other end.
No doubt this is done. It is the most effectual
way of tracing false packing.

BRITISH GROCERS DISCUSS THE PACKAGE QUESTION

At the quarterly meeting of the federation of
the Grocers' Association, held in London, Eng-
land during the early part of June, an interest-
ing discussion took place on the subject of
packing apples in boxes. The following report
of the meeting is taken from The Grocer :

Mr. Button, on behalf of the Chester Asso-
ciation, moved :

" That in the opinion of those grocers in the
General Purpose Committee who deal in fresh
fruit, the movement in -America in favor of the
packing of apples in boxes of a reasonable ca-
pacity, insteaa of barrels, is deserving of the
strongest support at the hands of all retail
fruit dealers in this country, such reduced size
packages having very many advantages, whilst
the cumbrous barrels hitherto used have many
>_isauvantages; and to recommend tbat this
opinion be sent to all American fruit associa-
tions."

Mr. Button saiu he had noticed from time to
time that there was such a movement In pro-
gress in America, and he had the advantage
that morning of conversing with Mr. George
Monro, one of the largest fruit dealers
in Covent Garden, who thought it would be
an excellent thing if they could send the reso-
lution forwaru to the various authorities in
America who were responsible on that side for
the packing of goods. He had an article writ-
ten by Mr. G. A. Cochrane, of Boston, on this
barrel problem, in which the writer said : " I
think this great scarcity of barrels is going to
result in good to growers in the end. The
barrel has always been a most unsuitable pack-
age to pack such delicate fruit in, as it gets an
immense amount of abuse on all hands, in con-

sequence of its being so easy to move from
place to place by rolling. Another thing, its
contents, for one compartment, contain too
great a quantity of fruit, and in order to carry
well a pressure has to be used that virtually
bruises every piece of fruit it contains.

" When one looks at the intelligence shown
by the Californians and the Floridians in the
matter of grading and packing of their fruits,
as well as the inviting packages they use, one
is forced to admit the utter lack of intelligence
or an indifference on the part of growers of
fruit in New England and the middle states in
this matter. No advancement whatever is dis-
cernible, as they continue in the same old ways
of their grandfathers in adhering to the bar-
rel, and with a little less honesty in the matter
of packing their fruit. There are no fruit
growers in the world who have such a low
standard of grading fruit and using such an
unsuitable package as the barrel to pack in as
the apple growers in the middle and New Eng-
land States of America; and the Canadians are
not better, except in better barrels, as they
generally use new ones.

"They continue to try to market one-third
to one -half of their apples that should never
have left their orchards, and if they could only
realize this, and that they would receive from
one-third to one-half more for their perfect
fruit than they do now, as well as saving the
cost of packages, labor, freight, cartage, and
other charges on this worthless portion of their
shipments — ^when they realize this and bring up
their standards of quality, they will find their
apple trees will yield them a profit to exceed
anything they can raise on their farms." It

3^3

3H

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

was said that the barrel was handy for transit,
but they wanted something' that the average
assistant could carry about, and by having dif-
ferent packages they could have four or five
different kinds of apples.

Councillor Shirley seconded the motion, and
said that if properly packed the apples would
be worth double the price. Mr. Oliver sup-
ported the resolution, and suggested that the
apples should be of uniform size, and the con-
tents of the packages graded in a similar man-
ner to California plums.

Mr. J. W. Thomas suggested that the pack-

ers should put the same apples in the bottom
as on the top. (Laughter.) Mr. Weeden said
that in Tasmania he saw thousands of boxes of
fruit being packed, and the apples were packed
in boxes and not barrels, which appeared to
him much the better plan.

The chairman said he wished they couFd find
some kind of package which would preserve
the flavor of the apple. His experience lately
was that when the apples got to him there was
little of the flavor of apples about them. (Hear,
hear.) The resolution was carried.

PRIZE LIST FOR THE BIG FLOWER SHOW

The following liberal prize list has been pre-
pared for the floral department of the provincial
fruit, flower and honey show, which will be held
in Toronto, 'November 8 to 12. Over $1,200 is
offered in prizes.

This part of the big show will be in charge of
representatives of the Toronto Horticultural

Society, Toronto Gardeners' and Florists' Asso-
ciation, and the Toronto Electoral District So-
ciety, who are already hard at work in an effort
to make the exhibition a great success. The
fruit prize list will be ready for publication
shortly. Tihe honey prize list is already in cir^
culation.

CHRY SANTH ElM U M— ( PLAN T S ) .

Section 1. Best 1 specimen, any variety or
sized pot, 1st $8, 2d $7, 3d $5, 4th $4.

Sec. 2. Best 1 standard, any variety or sized
pot, stem not more than 3 ft, 1st $8, 2d $7, 3d
?5, 4th $4.

iSec. 3. Best specimens, white, pot not to ex-
ceed 10 inches.

Sec. 4. Best 3 specimens, pink, pot not to ex-
ceed 10 inches.

Sec. 5. Best 3 specimens, yellow, pot not to ex-
ceed 10 inches.

Sec. 6. Best 12, single stem and flowered, not
less than four varieties, pots not to exceed 6
inches, 1st $7, 2d $5, 3d $4, 4th $3.

Sec. 7. Best 25, single stems and flowered, not
less than eight varieties, pot not to exceed 6
inches, 1st $12, 2d $10, 3d $8, 4tih $6.

iSec. 8. Best 3 specimens, Pompon Anemone or
single flowering, pots not to exceed 8 inches, 1st
$5, 2d $4, 3d $3.

PLANTS^MISCBLLANEOUS.

Sec. 9. Best group of plants, arranged for ef-
fect, consisting of 'mums, palms, ferns and
selaginellas, space not more than 90 sq. ft., 1st
$30, 2d $25, 3d $20, 4th $15.

Sec. 10. Best group of foliage plants, arranged
for effect, in which a few 'mums may be intro-
duced, space not to exceed 90 sq. ft., 1st $20, 2d
$15, 3d $12, 4th $10.

Sec. 11. Best 1 specimen palm, 1st $10, 2d $8,
3d $6. ' ■

Sec. 12. Best 12 specimen palms, not less than
four varieties, pot not to exceed 8 inches, 1st
$10, 2d $8, 3d $6.

Sec. 13. Best 50 ferns, not less than 8 varie-
ties, not larger than 3-inclh pots, 1st $5, 2d $4,
3d $3, 4th $2.

Sec. 14. Best 25 ferns, not less than 6 varie-
ties, pots not to exceed 3 inches, 1st $3, 2d $2,
3d $1.50, 4th $1.

. Sec. 15. Best 6 specimen ferns, 1st $10, 2d $8,
3d $6.

Sec. 16. Best 1 specimen fern, 1st $6, 2d $4,
3d $3.

Sec. 17. Best display of ordhids, in which
Nepenthes and any green foliage may be used,
1st $25, 2d $20, 3d $15, 4th $10.

iSec. 18. Best 3 orchids in flower, 1st $6, 2d $4,
3d $2.

Sec. 19. Best 1 orchid in flower, 1st $3, 2d $2,
3d $1.

Sec. 20. Best 6 cyclamen in pots, not to exceed
8 inches, 1st $5, 2d $4, 3d $3.

Sec. 21. Best 12 primulas in pots, not to ex-
ceed 8 inches, 1st $5, 2d $4, 3d $3.

iSec. 22. Best 6 pots of callas in bloom, pots
not to exceed 10 inches, 1st $5, 2d $4, 3d $3.

Sec. 23. Best 6 ibegonias in bloom, pots not to
exceed 8 inches, 1st $5, 2d $4, 3d $3.

Sec. 24. Best 6 flowering plants, distinct varie-
ties and distinct from other entries, pots not to
exceed 10 inches, 1st $10, 2d $8, 3d $6.
CLASS II.
C UT BLO OM— CHRYSANTHEMUM S.

Sec. 25. Best 25 distinct varieties, 1st $10, 2d
$8, 3d $6, 4th $4.

(Sec. 26. Best 12 distinct varieties. Ist $6, 2d
$4, 3d $3, 4th $2.

Sec. 27. Best 25 any varieties, 1st $10, 2d $8,
3d $6. 4th $4.

iSec. 28. Best 12 one variety, 1st $6, 2d $4, 3d
$3, 4th $2.

Sec. 29. Best 6 new varieties, 1st $5, 2d $4, 3d
$3, 4th $2.

Sec. 30. Best 6 T. Eaton, 1st $4, 2d $3, 3d $2,
4th $1.

:Sec. 31. Best 6 Col. Appleton, 1st $4, 2d $3, 3d
$2, 4th $1.

Sec. 32. Best 6 Dr. Oronhyatekha, 1st $4, 2d
$3, 3d $2, 4th $1.

PRIZES OFFERED FOR FLOWERS.

o^s

Sec. 33. Best six white (Eaton excluded), 1st
$4, 2d $3, 3d $2, 4th $1.

Sec. 34. Best 6 pink, 1st $4, 2d ?3, 3d $2, 4th $1.

Sec. 35. Best 6 yellow (Appleton and Oronhya-
tekha excluded), 1st $4, 2d $3, 3<i $2, 4th $1.

Sec. 36. Best 6 crimson, 1st $4, 2d $3, 3d $2,
4th $1.

Cut blooms in this class, except sections 25
and 26, to be exhibited with stems not less than
15 inches, each entry to be exhibited in one vase.
Sections 25 ana 26 to be exhibited in individual
vases.

CUT BLOOM— ROSES.

Sec. 37. Best 10 Perle des Jardin, 1st $4, 2d $3,
3d $2, 4th $1.

Sec. 38. Best 10 The Bi.ae, 1st $4, 2d $3, 3d
$2, 4th $1.

Sec. 39. Best 10 The Bridesmaid, 1st $4, 2d $3,
3d $2, 4th $1.

Sec. 40. Best 10 The Meteor, 1st $4, 2d ?3, 3d
$2, 4th $1.

iSec. 41. Best 10 Mrs. Pierpont Morgan, 1st $4,
2d $3, 3d $2, 4th $1.

Sec. 42. Best 10 Golden Gate, 1st $4, 2d $3, 3d
f2, 4th $1.

Sec. 43. Best 10 Ivory, 1st $4, 2d $3, 3d $2,
4th $1.

Sec. 44. Best 10 Canadian Queen, 1st $4. 2d $3,
3d |2, 4th $1.

Sec. 45. Best 10 any other variety, 1st $4, 2d
$3, 3d $2, 4th $1.

Sec. 46. Best 10 American Beauty, 1st $8, 2d
$6, 3d $4, 4th $2.

Sec. 47. Best 10 new varieties, introductions
1904, 1st $6, 2d $4, 3d $3. 4th $2. .

iSec. 48. Best vase of 50 roses, arrangement to
count in judging, not necessarily grown by ex-
hibitor, American Beauty excluded, 1st $15. 2d
$.^, 3d $lv. 4th $8,

Sec. 49. Best vase 2p American Beauties, 1st
$15, 2d $12, 3d $10, 4th $8.

CUT ^LOOM— CARNATIONS.

Sec. 50. Best 25 white, named, 1st $4, 2d $3, 3d
$2, 4th $1.

Sec. 51. Best 25 red, named, 1st $4, 2d ?3, 3d
$2, 4th $1.

Sec. 52. Best 25 light pink, named, not darker
than Scott, 1st $4, 2d $3, 3d $2, 4t'h $1.

Sec. 53. Best 25 dark pink, named, not lighter
than Scott, 1st $4, 2d $3, 3d $2, 4th $1.

Sec. 54. Best 25 yellow, named, 1st $4, 2d $3,
3d $2, 4th $1.

iSec. 55. Best 25 fancy, named, 1st $4, 2d $3, 3d
$2, 4th %\.

Sec. 56. Best 50 blooms, one variety, arranged
loosely in vase, 1st $8, 2d $6, 3d $4, 4th $3.

Sec. 57. Best 50 blooms, any varieties, with
any foliage, arranged loosely in vase, arrange-
ment to count in judging, not necessarily grown
by exhibitor, 1st $8, 2d $6, 3d $4, 4th $3.

Sec. 58. Best 25 new varieties, introductions
1904, 1st ?5, 2d $4, 3d $3, 4th $2.

CUT BLOOM— VIOLETS.

Sec. 59. Best bunch 50 violets, double, 1st $3,
2d $2, 3d $1.

Sec. 60. Best bunch 50 violets, single, 1st $3,
2d $2, 3d $1.

FLORAL DESIGNS.

Sec. 61. Best hand boquet, any flowers, 1st
$10, 2d $8, 3d $6, 4th $4.

Sec. 62. Best funeral design, standing anchor,
any flowers, anchor frame not to exceed 24
inches, 1st $15, 2d $12, 3d $10, 4th $8.

Sec. 63. Best presentation basket of 'mums,
1st $10, 2d $8, 3d |6, 4th $4.

Sec. 64. Best presentation basket of any floTv-
ers, basket not to exceed 14 inches, 1st $10, 2d
$8, 3d $6, 4th $4.

Sec. 65. Best flat basket of 'mums for table
decoration, not to exceed 20 inches, 1st $10, 2d
$8, 3d $6, 4th $4.

An Interesting Move for Supplies.

The St. Catharines Cold Storage and For-
warding Company has recently purchased 250,-
000 baskets, witJi an option on 200,000 more,
getting 10 per cent, discount from the regular
price. Two carloads of apple and pear boxes
have also been purchased at very good prices,
enabling members to, procure these supplies at
very reasonable rates. New m.embers are be-
ing received continually, about five a week be-
ing the average for some time T>J.?t, at $50 each,
thus bringing quite a goodly rum into the so-
ciety's treasury. The comj>r.ny has a good
supply of wooden berry boxes and crates on
hand at the storage. Baskets, fasteners, bar-
rels and other supplies will be secured at lib-
eral discounts for the members who hold five
shares of stock.

We arrangeu our first exhibition of fruit and
fiowers for June 28. This was the first event
of the kind in the history of the city, and no
pains were spared by the directors of the so-
ciety to make it a great success. — (S. Richard-
son, Sec. St. Catharines Hort'l Soc.

A New President. — The members of the
Kingston Horticultural Society have chosen a
new president, the new officer being Col. R. E.
Kent, who was unanimously elected to fill the
vacancy made by the former president leaving
the city. Mr. Kent is sure to do well for the
society at Kingston, as he is much interested
in horticulture and has been a hard and faith-
ful worker in the interests of former shows.
He has one of the finest gardens in Kingston.
A meeting will be held shortly to determine the
advisability and probability of the society hold-
ing a show next fall.

Broken Apple Boxes. — iMr. John Brown, in-
spector of the Department of Agriculture at
Glasgow, reports to the Fruit Division, Ottawa,
that a shipment of over 1,200 boxes of Cana-
dian Baldwins and Greenings recently landed
in that city with a large number of the boxes
broken. This condition of affairs seemed to be
due to the fact that the boxes were made with
only a straight dovetail, simply matched, as it
were. -^ne advisability of having the boxes
made with the regular fan-shaped dovetail or
else strongly nailed is therefore apparent.

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES ARE FALLING INTO LINE

The sug-gestion made in the June issue of The
Horticulturist that a provincial horticultural
association mig-ht be formed at the time of the
big flower, fruit and honey show, to be held in
Toronto next November, is being generally en-
dorsed. The need for better organization on
the part of horticultural societies- appears to be
recognized. The following societies have been
heard from since The Horticulturist appeared
in June :

WHAT THE SOCIETIES SAY.

Our president, as well asi our secretary, have
been giving some consideration to this question,
and also to pages 268 and 269 of The Canadian
Horticulturist for June, the perusal of which so
favorably impressed us both in regard to the
imiportance of the proposed new association
that I am advised to write you stating our so-
ciety will appoint one or more delegates to the
big fruit, flower and honey show to be held in
Toronto next November. That the org^aniza-
tion proposed will be successful in every sense
we feel convinced. You may count on the co-
operation of the Kincardine Hort. Society.
^(Joseph Barker, Sec.

I think the idea of sending delegates to the
fruit, flower and honey show to be held in To-
ronto in November next, a capital one. There
is no reason why an organization such as you
suggest, viz., for horticultural societies, should
not only prove a success but also of lasting
benefit to all interested in horticulture. No
doubt whatever but our society will be repre-
sented at such a meeting. — (C. J. Foy, Sec.
Perth Hort'l Soc.

I think it would be a good idea to have such
a meeting in Toronto next November. — (C. W.
Schierholtz, Sec. Elmira Hort'l Soc.

Tree Protectors

During- June The Horticulturist wrote to the
fruit experiment stations of the province which
are using the Arndt tree protectors, asking
them how the protector is working. Replies
received from several of the stations are to the
effect that it is still too early in the season to
announce what results will be derived from
these protectors. At one or two of the sta-
tions the protectors have not yet been put on
the trees.

Mr. iSlurray Pettit, of Winona, writes as fol-
lows: " I think the Arndt tree protector will
be valuable where the panker worm is trouble-
some. The female crawls up the trunk of the
tree, and as there are two forms of them, one of
which deposits its eggs in the fall and the other
in the sipring, it will require a full year to test
the protectors."

Mr. Nicholas Young, of Richard's Landing,
writes that he believes the Arndt tree protec-
tor just fills the bill as far as preventing crawl-
ing insects from going up the tree is concerned.
" It is," he writes, " about perfect,, being easily

The president of the Port Dover horticultural
society desires me to say that he heartily con-
curs in the proposal to hold a provincial meet-
ing of delegates from horticultural societies in
Toronto next November. The combined show
it is purposed to hold is a good idea, and should
be largely patronized. There is no doubt but
that this society will be glad to send delegates
to such a meeting. Personally I shall be glad
to do what I can to promote the success of the
same. Success to The Horticulturist. — OS. L.
Butler, Sec.-Treas.

I am instructed by the directors to say that
thfey heartily approve of the idea of forming a
provincial association of horticultural societies.
Delegates will be sent when the time arrives.
I wish the movement every success, and
trust every horticultural society will see the
matter in its true light. — (iS. Richardson. Sec.
St. Catharines Hort'l Soc.

We believe that a provincial horticultural as-
sociation could be so managed as to greatly im-
prove the work and the results of our local
societies. We heartily approve of the propo-
sal.— (S. W. Howard, Sec. Hagersville Hort'l
Soc.

I have brought this matter to the attention
of our horticultural society, and they heartily
cooperate with the sentiment of your com-
munication. I will report later to you who the
delegates may be. — (T. T. Thrasher, Sec. Stir-
ling Hort'l Soc.

I consider the proposition to form a provin-
cial horticultural association a move in the
right direction. We ■ may not appoint dele-
gates, but I hope to be present for one day at
least. — (W. Sanderson, Sec. Stratford Hort'l
Soc.

applied. It would have saved me many an
hour's work five years ago, when I had an in-
vasion of forest tent caterpillars."

Ottawa's Successful Rose Show

Roses ran riot at the June exhibition of the
Ottawa Horticultural Society on the 21st ult.
A splendid showing of peonies was also made,
while strawberries were well to the front. An
interesting and instrustive talk on Roses was
given by Mr. W. G. Black, a full report of which
will be published later in The Horticulturist.

Out of 50 odd varieties of roses tested by Mr.
Black, a group of hybrid perpetuals for some
years past have supplanted all others, they be-
ing hardy and having a beautiful bloom. The
principal exhibitors of herbaceous perennial
blooms were W. H. Snelling, J. Thorne, R. B.
Whyte ; of roses, W. G. Black, J. Rowley, G. A.
White and Mrs. John Laing. Peonies were
shown by Messrs. P. Oster, MacGrady, Snell-
ing, H. P. Carstesen, T. Judd, S. Short, R. B.
Whyte and Miss V. Keyes'.

-if)

BETTER TRANSPORTATION OF FRUIT ASKED FOR

A strong case was made out by the repre-
sentatives of the fruit interests of Ontario at
the sessions of the Railway Commission, which
met in Toronto during the week beginning- June
20. The commission, as is generally known,
was recently appointed by the Dominion Gov-
ernment for the purpose of hearing and deter-
mining complaints in regard to the service ren-
dered by the railway companies. For years
there has been general complaint on the part
of fruit growers in regard to the treatment they
have received at the hands of the railways. It
has been felt that the development of the fruit
industry has been seriously retarded in conse-
quence.

The fruit interesits represented included the
Ontario Fruit Growers' Association, the Nia-
gara Fruit vjrowers' Association, and the Inter-
national Apple Shippers' Association. The
principal witnesses were Mr. W. H. Bunting, of
St. Catharines, the president of the Ontario
Fruit Growers' Association ; Mr. E. D. Smith,
M. P., of Winona ; Mr. H. W. Dawson, the well
known commission dealer, of Toronto, and ex-
Mayor R. J. Graham, of Belleville, who was the
representative of the Apple Shippers' Associa-
tion. The railways were represented in part
by Mr. G. M. Bosworth, 4th vice-president of
the Canadian Pacific Railway; Mr. John Pul-
len, general freight agent of the Grand Trunk
Railway; Mr. B. B. Mitchell, of Detroit, gen-
eral freight agent and traffic manager of the
Michigan Central Railway ; A. Patriarche, gen-
eral traffic manager of the Pere Marquet sys-
tem ; Mr. Hinton, of the Canadian Atlantic
Railway, and several others.

The case for the several farming organiza-
tions was introduced by Mr. W. D. Gregory,
barrister, of Toronto, who quoted statistics
which indicated that during the past 26 years
increased from $29,000,000 to $83,666,000, while
the total earnings of Canadian railways have
the working expenses have only increased from
$22,390,000 to $57,343,(>00. This expansion of
business and increase in profits, he claimed,
may be fairly advanced as a justification for
the demand for the reduction in rates and a
better service. Reference was made to the fact
that Canadian roads gave lower rates on Am-
erican traffic carried through Ontario than
they do on Ontario traffic carried over the
same lines.

MR. BUNrriNG'S EVIDBNOE.

Some strong evidence was given by Mr.
Bunting, who stated that the fruit growers have
not taken the stand they have through any
spirit of hostility to the railways. The com-
plaints of fruit growers are, he said, divided
into three classes, " Equipment," " Despatch,"
and " Rates."

Owing to the McKinley tariff having shut
Canadian fruit out of the American markets, Mr.
Bunting showed how dependent Ontario fruit
growers are on the services they receive from the
railroads in the transportation of their fruit to
their distant markets. The shutting off of this
market and the great increase in production

has caused prices for fruit to fall greatly dur-
ing the last 10 or 12 years. It is therefore im-
perative that transportation charges shall not
be excessive. v^ases were quoted which
showed how little margin fruit growers fre-
quently have for their products. On 2,502 bas-
kets of mixed fruits, shipped by express from
the St. Catharines district, to points between
Montreal and Toronto, the gross returns were
$839.27, the express charges were $33».o0, and
the commission for selling $83.90. The gross
returns from the fruit were about equally di-
vided between the grower, the express company,
and the commission man. Many cases, he
claimed, could be given where growers actually
realized nothing for their product.

In reply to the claim that in only about one
year out of two is >.«iere a good fruit crop, fig-
ures were quoted which showed a steady c.--_
marked increase in the shipments from St.
Catharines. These shipments, which in 1898
only amounted to 256 tons of tender fruits, had
increased in 1903 to 2,465 tons. It is natural,
he claimed, to believe that the general increase
throughout the province has been in about the
same proportion. The express charges are so
high it is impossible to send much in that way.
Although speed is essential in the shipment of
fruit, the railways refuse to accept any re-
sponsibility for delays unless negligence can be
proved, which is generally impossible. Owing
to delays on the road fruit frequently misses
the market it is intended for and consequently
has to be sold at a great sacrifice.

Mr. Bunting asked that the classification of
mixed fruit in baskets in less than car loads be
reuuced from first to third class, and in car lots
from third to fifth class. If this is granted,
instead of it costing growers 33 cents per hun-
dred pounds to ship to Montreal in car lots it
will only cost 22 cents. A higher rate is
charged for the shipment of pears than for ap-
ples. In the case of mixed shipments in the
same car the high rate is charged for the entire
shipment. Mr. Bunting asked that pears be
charged at the same rate as apples.

A material reduction in the cost of icing cars
was requested. It was stated that fruit grow-
ers will be satisfied if they are simply charged
the actual expense of icing each car instead of
a flat rate of $16 per car as at present. On the
conclusion of his evidence Mr. Bunting was
highly complimented by Commissioners Blair
and Bernier for the able manner in which he
had presented his case.

DELAYS IN SHIPMENT.

Evidence along a slightly different line was
given by Mr. E. D. Smith, M. P., of Winona,
who asked for quicker transportation, better
equipment, and the ability to get car's when
they are wanted.'

Last fall Mr. Smith said he had to wait three
weeks at Port Perry for cars for apples. Thou-
sands of barrels were frozen because of the lack
of cars. In the moving of less than car lots of
fruit there is almost no system at all. A num-
ber of cases of slow delivery were mentioned.

317

3i8

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

including a shipment from Winona to "Wood-
stock, a distance of 60 miles, which was on the
road six days; to Port Perry, a distance of 100
miles, which took 13 days.

- ully 25 per cent of Mr. Smith's shipments
were on a par with those mentioned. This re-
sults in frequent and heavy loss. , He asked
that if the railways cannot supply cars when
calleu for they should at least state the precise
time, two or three days^ later perhaps, when
they could furnish them. Shippers are charged
demurrage when they delay cars over a short
time, and he thought this rule should work both
ways.

SOME INTERESTING INFORMATION.

Mr. R. J. Graham, of Belleville, disputed the
statement of the railroads that the apple busi-
nessi is confined to two months of the year.
Last year between April and August almost
150,000 apples were shipped, the entire export
totalling over 1,000,000 barrels. He asked that
cars be shipped within at least one week of the
order and that the fruit shall be delivered at
its destination in a reasonaibly good condition.
A statement from the Dominion steamship line
was quotea which showed that none of their
ships from Novemiber 28th to March 6th carried
freight which was not receipted for as " partly
frozen," " frosted " or " chilled," owing to the
lack of proper equipment. Apple shippers, he
claimed, must have proper equipment or they
will be obliged to go out of business.

Complaints were also made of the character
of the agents' receipts, which are given at the
owner's risk. Shippers are willing to accept
the risk if they can get proper cars, but if the
equipment is inferior the companies ought to
bear part of the risk. Shippers also desire to ■
receive receipts for the exact count, and not
" owner's count, more or less."

LITTLE ATTENTION PAID TO CLAIMS.

Troubles of the fruit growers in regard to the
failure of the railways to furnish satisfactory
information concerning claims were described
by Mr. H. "W. Dawson. These claims are often
thrown back to the shfppers by the railroads
with a disclaimer of all responsibility. He
presented over 1,000 claims, about which no
satisfaction could be secured.

Mr. Dawson favored a flat rate on fruit ship-
ments, no matter what the value of the ship-
ment. It should not make any di.^erence to
the railways whether a car load of peache"s is
worth $1,000 or $400. He had examined his
books and found that the claims which were
settled by the railways had averaged' over a
year in settlement. The rate on apples is 150
per cent greater, considering weight, than that
on flour, which is given much more protection
en route and in transhipping.

WHAT THE RAILROADIS SAID.
In their replies the representatives of the rail-
roads admitted the correctness of most of the
charges that had been made, but claimed that
the railroads are doing their best to grapple
with the situation.

Mr. Pullen admitted that there is a deficiency
of cars, both in numiber and quality, in spite of
the fact that the company has added greatly to
its equipment of late years. He could not,
however, give any particulars as to the addi-
tions that have been made. He claimed that
demands for cars for small fruit have been
fairly well met. One reason for damage to
fruit is that growers will not organize and erect
warehouses for the proper storage of their fruit.
He read a letter from Mr. J. M. Riddell. local,
freight agent at Montreal, to the effect that 65
per cent, of the fruit cars reaching Montreal
last summer up to the close of navigation were
in refrigerator cars, which went through in 36
hours.

Mr. Pullen claimed that much of the fruit
shipped is -over ripe, and that one cause of low
prices is the fact that shippers flood the mar-
ket. The modern air brake causes cars to stop
suddenly, which frequently results in the break-
age of frail packages. The chief cause of de-
lay in the shipment of fruit is the nximerous
transfers at junction points. Mr. Pullen would
not admit that lack of ventilated cars is re-
sponsible for much of the loss complained of.
The great cause of delay in train service is due
to facilities at stations not having kept pace
with the growth of traflSc. The railroads are
endeavoring to improve these.

OBJECTED TO THE PROPOiSED CHANGE.

Mr. Bosworth Objected strongly to the re-
quest of the fruit growers to have the classifi-
cation of small fruits reduced. Montreal, he
claimed, is a dumping ground for fruit, and it
is reasonable to expect small returns there.
The reduction asked for would put small fruits
in the same class as sugar, soap, iron, nails,-
etc., and as the latter are not subject to injury
by delays, the railroads, if forced to handle fruit
on the same basis would naturally give these
other goods the preference. Fruit growers, he
said, want more .and better cars, but ask that
their fruit shall be carried at a lower rate, al-
though to furnish the improved cars will re-
quire money. This he did not consider fair.
Were the change made in the classification it
would spoil the existing harmony, as the can-
ned goods man, for example, would have a good
case to come before the commission and also
ask for a reduction. If the fruit growers find
the rates will not leave a fair margin of profit
the companies are willing to consider the cases
on their merits. Mr. Bosworth askeu tlie com-
mission not to make a change in classification,
which will effect business from Halifax to Van-
couver.

Further evidence will be taken by the Com-
mission.

There are a large number of horticultural
papers published in the United States, but only
one in Canada, and that is The Canadian Horti-
culturist. Help us make it a credit to Canada
by recommending it to your friends and patron-
izing our advertisers.

OUR SPECIAL CROP REPORTS.

319

Average Yield of Apples Probable

Prospects for a liberal yield of apples next
fall throughout the province continue bright.
In many counties a full crop of most of the
leauing varieties is expected, while there are
very few counties in which a medium yield is
not anticipated. The Lake Huron and Greor-
gian bay district promise to give almost a full
crop of the early varieties, conditions in Grey
and Simcoe counties being particularly favor-
able. In Bruce most of the correspondents
look for at least a medium crop. Fall varie-
ties do not appear to be doing quite as well.
In Lambton, Gravensteins, Fameuse and Bell-
fleurs will be about a medium yield. Alexan-
der and Colvert promise better. Gravenstein,
Fameuse and Alexander in Bruce county will
also be only about a medium crop, with brighter
indications for Colvert and Bellfleurs. In
Grey and Simcoe counties there will be a me-
dium to full crop of all fall varieties. All
these counties will probably produce a medium
to full crop of the winter varieties, such as
Baldwins, Greenings, Spys, etc.

THE LAKE ONTARIO DjlcjTRICT.

Counties bordering Lake Ontario promise a
meuium yield of the early varieties, a medium
to full yield of fall apples, and a light to me-
dium yield of winter sorts. Only a light pro-
duction of the winter varieties is anticipated
in Lennox, Hastings and Leeds counties, most
of the others reporting that there will be at
least a medium crop. In Northumberland
many of the fall varieties appear to have been
more or less injured.

THE SOUTHERN SECTION.

In the Niagara district and along the shore
of Lake Erie a medium to full crop of early
apples is expected. itent and Essex counties
do not send in as favorable reports. Such fall
apples as are grown will probably be a good
yield in the -ot named counties, Essex and
Kent running light. "Winter apples promise
better in all tnese counties. The yield of
apples throughout the province as a whole
seems likely to be almost if not quite up to the
average.

the Niagara, and Lake Erie counties corre-
spondents expect a light to medium yield.

A report from Wentworth county states that
the black aphis has been more destructive this
year than ever before. Sour cherries have
come through the winter in much better condi-
tion all through the province than the sweet.

Cherry Trees Injured

Cherry trees have been bacly injured in al-
most all the northern counties, particularly in
the j^eorgian Bay district and along the shore
of Lake Ontario. Most of the growers report-
ing to The Horticulturist from these sections be-
lieve the crop is likely to prove almost a total
failure, although some expect to have a light
to medium yield.

In the southern portion of the province pros-
pects are more favorable. In Wentworth
county a medium yield is probable, although in
some sections there has been heavy loss. On
the other hand, quite a few reports from this
county estimate there will be a full crop. In

Light Yield of Plums Probable

In the June issue of The Horticulturist it was
announced that the plum crop this year would
probably be a light one. A large number of
reports received since indicate that this esti-
mate was a correct one. In many sections of
the province the crop is reported to be an ut-
ter failure, while in others correspondents do
not expect anything more than a light yield.
Very few of the sections heard from look for
much more than a medium crop.

In the Georgian Bay district Simcoe county
will probably have a light to medium crop.
Reports received from Grey and Bruce counties
in>^icate that the yield will range from a failure
to a light one. Along- Lake Ontario and in
eastern Ontario the severe winter has killed
and badly uamaged a large proportion of the
trees. Some growers ar^ taking their trees up,
having concluded that the crop is not a sure
enough one for their district. The majority of
the reports received from Ontario and York
counties indicate that plums will be an almost
general failure, while in Halton, Durham, Hast-
ings and Northumberland counties a light to
medium crop is expected.

In the southern portion of the province re-
ports are more favorable. Wentworth county
will have a medium to light crop, while Wel-
land and Lincoln counties will not yield 50
to 70 per cent of a full crop. Brant county
will produce a moderate crop, while Norfolk
and Lambton counties will range low. In Es-
sex and Kent counties a moderate yield is an-
ticipated.

A Small Crop of Strawberries

Reports received as late as June 23 show that
the yield of strawberries throughout the pro-
vince as a whole will be a rather light one.
The northern counties, in some sections, pro-
mise almost a full crop, but in some of the
larger producing districts the crop will be very
small. Along Lake Erie and in the Niagara
peninsula correspondents expect a light t«^ me-
dium yield. Little more than a medium crop
is looked for in eastern Ontario, or in the coun-
ties bordering Lake Ontario. Prospects are
brighter in the Georgian Bay and Lake Huron
sections, where a full production is generally
anticipated.

Summing up the reports received from the
correspondents in the different counties, the
yield will be about as follows : Wentworth
medium ; Welland and Lincoln, light : Brant,
medium ; Norfolk, light ; Lambton, light to
medium; Elgin and Kent, light, and Essex a
full yield. Along Lake Ontario light crops are

320

OUR SPECIAL CROP REPORfS.

expected in Lennox and Northumiberland coun-
ties, and medium ones in Durham, Ontario, York
and Halton. Simcoe will have a, medium to
full crop.

A large yield is expected in Grey county,
nearly all the correspondents out of a large
number heard from esitimating- a full yield.
Prospects are almost egually as bright in Bruce
county. One grower writes that the fruit is of
good quality, the first berries having been
picked in this section about the middle of the
month.

Pear Orchards Promise Moderate Yield

Prospects for a fair crop of both early and
late pears are promising. While many trees
were badly injured by the severe weather last
winter, orchards as a whole appear to be in
pretty good condition. In the Niagara and
Lake Erie sections a moderate crop of the early
varieties is anticipated in all the counties.
Late varieties have not done quite as well, al-
though conditions indicate that there will be a
pretty full yield.

In Lincoln Duchess and Anjou pears have
suffered considerably ; Bosc and KeifCer pro-
mise better. Reports from Welland indicate
all varieties of late pears will be a light yield.
This is also the case in Brant county, with the
exception of the Duchess variety, which it is
thought will be a medium crop. Essex and
Kent county orchards will bear moderately. A
very good yield of the late varieties is looked
for in Wentworth county, and almost a full crop
of early ipears. Along Lake Ontario both early
and late varieties will be a light crop, except
in Halton, which will likely produce a moderate
crop.

Peach Crop Will Be Light

The reports received by The Horticulturist
during the latter part of June bear out the cor-
rectness of the an .--— ^ement made last month
that the peach crop will be light, especially in
Brant, Essex and Kent counties. In Went-
worth, Welland and Lincoln counties, and one
or two of the light producing counties,
correspondents estimate there will be at least
a fair to medium crop. Only one corresipond-
ent in Essex county places the peach crop as a
total failure. Others indicate that the pros-
pects are for a light crop. One grower writes
there will be a medium yield where trees were
not -^inter killed.

In Kent county growers expect a light crop.
All the reports from Brant county estimate the
crop as a total failure. Welland county grow-
ers look for light to medium returns, while the
Lincoln peach men hope to have a fair to me-
dium yield. In Wentworth county prospects
appear to be the brightest of any section, as a
large number of the growers expect at least
medium returns. It is quite evident that the
severe winter has played havoc with the peach
orchards as a whole, and that in spite of the
fact that there are few insect pests reported to
speak of, the crop will be a light one.

The European Fruit Crop

The Fruit Division, Ottawa, has received
from Champagne, Freres Limited, the largest
fruit dealers in Paris, the following report :
" From special information that we have taken
all over Europe, it appears there will be very
heavy crops of all classes of pears and apples
in France, Germany, Bohemia, Austria, Swit-
zerland, etc., so that they will no doubt injure
to a great extent the sale of your Canadian
fruit." ^

Garcia, Jacobs & Co., London, say that the
prospects of the English fruit crops are not so
good as at first reported. The apple crop is
doubtful at present, cold winds affecting the
fruit. The best late pears are said to be a
failure, with common fruit fairly good. Early
pears are falling rapidly and promise only a
light crop. The plum crop will not be as good
as expected; some districts will have a fair
yieia, others an entire failure.

MANITOBA WANTS FRUIT.
Inspector Philp writes the Fruit Division
that in Winnipeg the coming demand for flrst-
class fruit, especially apples, will be the great-
est in the history of the trade. He, however,
repeats previous warnings that inferior fruit is
not wanted at any price ; only the best will
give remunerative returns.

Something About Apples

" For export, the Baldwin apple," said Wil-
liam Rickard, M. L. A., of Newcastle, Ont., to
The Horticulturist recently, " takes first place,
everything considered, mainly on account of its
first-class carrying qualities and its good color.
For home consumption and the United States
and western markets, the Spy easily comes
first as a winter apple, due to its real and ac-
knowledged merit. In fiavor it is the best des-
sert winter apple we grow.

"The King realizes the best prices of any
apple shipped to the old country, but it is not a
very profitable apple on account of its poor
bearing qualities. The Mcintosh Red is not
much grown in my section, but it stands high
as a shipping apple. The Greening is grow-
ing in popularity, although at one time no per-
son wanted it. To-day it stands among the
first. It always does well on the Glasgow mar-
ket, being almost if not quite as good a seller
as the Baldwin. It is also the best cooking
winter apple we grow in Ontario.

" If I could grow the Snow apple free from
scab and well colored, I would want no other
variety. They bring good money and will con-
tinue to do so for a long time. The trouble is
that in my section it is practically impossible
to grow them free from scab."

I have aibout 1,000 apple trees, of which 700
are in bearing. No trees have proved so profit-
able with me as the Spys. I think the country
is selling too many Ben Davis. — (J. W. Jones,
Brighton, Ont.

ECHOES FROM SOCIETY MEETINGS.

321

Officers Were Elected

Preliminary arrangements for the big fruit,
flower and honey show, to be held in Toronto
next November, were made at a meeting of the
joint committee, appointed by the different or-
ganizations interested in the show, which took
place Wednesday evening, June 8. Those pres-
ent included Messrs. Edward Tyrrell, J. McP.
Ross, Chas. Chambers and W. G. Rook, of the
Toronto Horticultural Society ; J. H. Dunlop,
T. Manton and W. H. Foord, of the Gardeners'
and Florists' Association ; Bernard Saunders,
of the Electoral District Society ; P. W. Hod-
getts, representing the Fruit Growers' Associa-
tion, and H. B. Cowan, representing the On-
tario Department of Agriculture.

The first business included the election of
officers, which resulted in the appointment of
Mr. R. J. Score as president, J. McP. Ross as
vice-president; H. B. Cowan, secretary, and P.
W. Hodgetts, treasurer. On motion of Mr.
Rook, seconded by Mr. Saunders, Mr. George
Mills was appointed to act as the superintend-
ent of the floral exhibition at the time of the
show. It was decided it would be necessary
to have sub -committees. Messrs. Charles
Chambers, Franklind, Bunting and Dunlop were
appointed to act as a finance committee, and
Messrs. Rook, Manton, Hodgetts and Simmers
as an advertising and printing committee. - On
motion of Mr. Manton, seconded by Mr. Dun-
lop, it was decided that the chairmen of the

various sub-committees must be members of
the general committee, but that the sub-com-
mittees would have power to add to their num-
bers. A prize list for the floral show was sub-
mitted and adopted on motion of Mr. Manton,
seconded by Mr. Foord. This prize list is pub-
lished in this issue. A motion by Mr. Manton,
seconded by Mr. Rook, was carried, instructing
the secretary to engage the two Church street
rinks for the purpose of the exhibition on the
terms agreed upon between the representatives
of the rink and the representatives of the dif-
ferent associations.

Holding Garden Competitions

There has been a great increase in the num-
ber of entries this year in the garden and lawn
competitions held in the city of London.

There are eight classes, including one for the
best front lawn and surroundings, for which
$57 are offered. Class 2 is for the best back
garden, $57 in prizes being offered for this class
also. The third class is for the best new pre-
mises, showing the greatest improvement,
where the house was not occupied before Octo-
ber 1. Other classes include best window
boxes in business premises and best window
boxes in private houses. Prizes will also be
given to residents of a block which as a whole
presents the best appearance during the season.

In a school competition $120 in plants, bulbs
and seeds will be divided in twelve prizes.

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See Notice in Advertisine Colnnons.

68=

^ Our Monthly Weather Report ^

7^7t~ 75-7^7^ 7^ 7^7^ 7^7^7^7^7^7^7T?'7^

REPORT OF THE WEATHER TO JUNE 20.
The mean temperature of the first ten days of
June was below average, excepting in Algoma
and in districts lying near the Georgian Bay
and Lake Huron, where there was a mean posi-
tive departure of 1.5 to 2.5 degrees. The nega-
tive departures, which were the more wide-
spread, prevailed from the southwestern coun-
ties northward and eastward along Lakes Erie
and Ontario to the Ottawa and St. Lawrence
valleys, being most pronounced (two or three
degrees) between Ottawa and Montreal and
near Toronto. During the second ten days
Algoma alone showed a positive departure, all
the remainder of the province being- below
average by amounts ranging from about two
degrees near Lake Ontario to half a degree in
the Ottawa valley and near the Georgian Bay,
"While very few June reports have been re-
ceived to date, it is probably approximately true
that the rainfall of the 20 days has been exces-
sive in nearly all parts of the province, except-
ing the Ottawa valley, where it was just aver-
age, and in most counties of southwestern On-
tario and immediately to the east of Lake
Huron, where there has been a considerable de-
ficiency.— (R. F. Stupart, Director Dominion
Meteorological Service.

Pure Culture

MUSHROOM SPAWN

Has proven to be most productive. Made accord-
ing to methods recommended by the U. S. Dept. of
Agriculture. Send for instructive circular on
"Mushroom Spawns."

PURE CULTURE SPAWN CO.

— St. Louis, Mo., V. S.

A.

WIMBSOR SALT is
the best Salt for Table
and Dairy— No adult*
eration — Mever cakes.

Fortunes in this plant.
Easily grown. Roots
and seeds for sale. Room
in your garden. Plant
|Kt in Fall. Booklet and
Magazine 4c.

Ozark Ginseng Co.,
409 Main Street,
JOPLIN, MO.

A GIFT OF $10.00

Will be given the reader who buys goods to
the greatest valae on or before August 15th,
1904, from the advertisers in this month's
issue of The Horticuturist. . . • . ...

Readers must notify advertisers that they saw their adver-
tisements in this paper.

When applying for the $10 bonus they must inform
this office of the name or names of the advertisers they
dealt with and the value of the goods they purchased
f»-om each. Application for this bonus must be made to
this office on or before August 18th, 1904.

Address,

ADVERTISING MANAGER,

The Canadian Horticulturist, Toronto, Ont

$ICHE GAS,

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The light par excellence for camps, tents,
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Its rays have the same spectrum as daylight;
it is therefore superior to electricity.

Siche Gas saves work ; it does not destroy
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There is no danger of asphyxiation as with
coal gas, or explosion and fire, as with
coal gas, gasoline, coal oil and acetylene.

The Siche Gas System is extremely simple;
there is no machinery to get out of order.

The apparatus requires no skilled labor, and
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It is absolutely safe in unskilled hands as
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Write

SICHE,

81 YORK STREET,
TORONTO,

I FOR PRICES.

TEN l>OLL.ARS for the Reader who buys Goods to the Greatest Value from Advertisers in this Issue.

See Notice in Advertising Columns.

!T

riUTTElRCUP nodded and said "good-bye!"
^y Clover and daisy went off together,

But the fragrant water lilies lie

Yet moored in the golden August -weather.
The sw^allow^s chatter aboui their flight.

The cricKet chirps liKe a rare good fello-w.
The asters t-winKle in clusters bright.

While the corn grows ripe, and the apples mellovsr.

CELIA THAXTER.

S

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c
e<3

E ?■

uu

25.

C/5

'pfe (anadian tjorticolrorist

AUGUST, 1904

Volume XXVII

Number 8

THE WESTERN FRUIT MARKET

PROF. J. B. REYNOLDS, ONT. AGRI. COLLEGE, GUELPH.

IT is highly desirable to establish a mar-
ket for southern Ontario fruit in the
north artd west. From North Bay north-
ward and westward, through the newly-
opened and opening districts of northern
Ontario, through Manitoba, and on to the
western territories, is a great expanse of
country that is being rapidly settled, that in
a few years will be populated by millions
where now are thousands, and that in all
probability will never produce in sufficient
quantities the standard fruits of southern
Ontario. There the market is, and, so far
as it is supplied at present, it is principally
supplied by western fruit from British Co-
lumbia, Oregon and Washington Territory.
To the opening of that market for On-
tario fruit there are two main obstacles ; the
character of our fruit, and transportation.
The summer fruits produced on the west-
ern coast differ materially in their shipping
qualities from the fruits of Ontario. The
extreme dryness of the summer climate on
the Pacific coast produces fruit much less
juicy than are the fruits of Ontario. Then,
western fruits can always be picked in dry
\\"eather and packed and shipped dry. On-
tario fruits, on the contrary, being on ac-
count of the great humidity of our climate
more juicy internally and more liable to be
moist externally, are much more subject to
injury in shipment and to various diseases.
This is, of course, more especially true of

the earlier and softer fruits. The writer
saw a carload of California fruit unloaded
and sold at Ottawa on July 6. There were
peaches, plums, cherries and tomatoes. The
fruit had come by freight in an Armour re-
frigerator car, and from the time o'f pick-
ing to that of unloading ii days had
elapsed. All the fruit that could be seen,
and presumably the whole carload, was per-
fect in condition, without bruise or decay of
any kind being visible.

This highly gratifying result is due in
large part to the dryness of the fruit exter-
nally and internally. But intelligent and
skilful picking and packing had done their
share. It was evident that the fruit had
been picked at exactly the right stage of
ripeness, for upon arrival it was neither
green nor soft nor over ripe ; each box of
fruit was of uniform ripeness, and therefore
must have been selected ; all the fruit was
carefully packed in the famous California
box packages, and the peaches were indi-
vidually wrapped in paper.

The experience of California fruit grow-
ers and shippers has demonstrated the
necessity for all this care in selecting and
packing such fruits. With our juicier
fruits we can reasonably do no less if we
are to capture our share of the northwest
market.

As to transportation ; express rates, while
not prohibitive, are exorbitantly high and

327

328

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

injuriously reduce the grower's profits. In
carload lots, with a minimum of 20,000
pounds, the express charges per car from
southern Ontario to Winnipeg are $2.10
per hundred, with a minimum charge of
$420. A crate of berries goes at 30
pounds, making the express charges on a
crate 63 cents, in carload lots. The freight
rate over the same route is J}^ cents a hun-
dred. While this is very much lower, the
time for transportation by freight almost
prohibits the undertaking for soft fruits.
The usual time is 6 days for a distance of
1,300 miles. The Rock Island railroad
has established a freight service for west-
ern fruit to Chicago of 500 miles in 24
hours.

To assist the Ontario fruit growers in
overcoming these handicaps, the writer is
attempting, under approval of the Ontario
Department of Agriculture, to secure a
shipment of fruit over this route by freight.
Whether it will be done or not, and if done
whether it will be a success or not, will de-
pend largely upon the growers. The fruit

Transplanting Norway Spruce

W. T. MACOUN, HORTICULTURIST C. E. F.,
OTTAWA.

Will you kindly let me know the best way of
transplanting Norway spruce ? — (W. H. Taylor,
Owen Sound, Ont.

The best method of transplanting Nor-
way spruce which are from 4 to 12 feet in
height is by digging around the trees late
in the autumn and, after the soil is frozen
solid, lifting out the tree with the block of
soil and planting it in a hole which has also
been prepared for it in the autumn. As
soon as the ground thaws in the spring the
soil should be carefully packed about the
tree.

u. rees which are only 4 feet in height may
be transplanted without much difficulty
early in the spring by taking them up care-
fully with as many roots as possible, but

must be supplied, picked and packed by the
growers. It is not amiss to say that for
this selecting fruit of even size, uniform
ripeness, proper degree of ripeness, and
first-class quality ; equally great care in
packing the fruit; and a choice of packages
that will carry the fruit with least damage
— all these are elements necessary to suc-
cess in a trial shipment. These matters we
know already and need not experiment on
them.

The point to be determined now is,
whether or not under the best conditions
certain fruits can be carried successfully as
to quality and profit from southern Ontario
to the Northwest by freight. It is highly
important at this juncture to place Ontario
fruit at its best on the western markets. A
shipment of our best fruit will sell itself
readily at good prices, and not only so, but
it will establish a regutation that will sell
other fruit that may follow. The market
must be captured and held, not by small
quantities, but by large shipments of choice
fruit.

trees 12 feet in height or slightly under siic-
ceed best when treated as already described.
Apple trees should be cut back from a half
to two-thirds of their growth when they are
moved. On the whole, this will give the
best satisfaction, although sometimes fair
results are obtained without much cutting
back.

Mounding up about the base of the trunks
of the peach trees is verv judicious at this
season. It is during the months of June,
July and August that the peach tree borer
(Mgeria exitiosa) does its mischievous
work, the female laying its eggs on the ten-
der bark just at the surface of the ground.
So if there is a heap of fine earth raised
about the collar of the tree, the moth misses
the mark, or if she oviposits, it is in the hard
bark, too far from the root to find easy sus-
tenance.

THE SAN JOSE SCALE IS SPREADING

IN the June issue of The Horticulturist
it was announced, in an interesting in-
terview with Mr. J. Fred. Smith, of Glan-
ford, San Jose scale inspector for the pro-
vince, that the area afifected by the scale had
increased during the past year. While
many growers are awake to the importance
of grappling with the situation and are
spraying as they have never done before,
there are others who have given up the fight
against the scale.

That this is the case is borne out by re-
ports received during tne past few weeks by
The Horticulturist from a number of the
township San Jose scale inspectors, who are
working in different parts of the affected
districts. These reports show that the
scale has spread considerably in some sec-
tions. In other districts the growers seem
to have practically gained control of the
situation.

There are a number of sections in the pro-
vince where the law is not being properly
enforced and where the fruit industry will
soon be practically ruined unless preventive
measures are taken immediately. A drive
taken recently by an editorial representative
of The Horticulturist^ in a portion of the
Niagara peninsula, showed thousands of
trees that had been destroyed by the scale,
still standing, a menace to the fruit inter-
ests of the whole district. These plague
spots should be removed, and quickly.
HAS spre;ad badly.

" I find the scale has spreaa badly during
the past season," writes Mr. M. G. Bruner,
of Olinda. " I cannot tell where I will find
infected trees. In two peach orchards near
where I live, I found an infected tree in
each this spring; there were only a few
scales on each tree, but enough to cause
great damage another year, were they not
treated in time. On account of the cold
winter the scale received a severe check
here, as a large proportion of the peach and
plum trees were winter killed. Unless care

An Unsprayed Apple Tree Affected by Scale*

This Illustration, together with the one on page 330, affords
splendid evidence of the benefits derived by thoroughly spraying
trees affected by the San Jose Scale, and of the danger of not spray-
ing. This tree, which is located in an orchard near Olinda, Essex
county, was first found to be infested with the scale in 1898, but was
never sprayed.

is taken the scale is likely to spread in apple
and pear orchards.

There are some townships here that are
not taking any steps to keep the scale in
check. Our township is the only one that
is really doing anything in this direction. A
number of trees have died from the effects
of the scale. The first spraying was done
about a year ago. Trees that were badly
infested then are almost free from the pest
now. Some growers have tried the caustic
soda remedy with apparently good results.
A number are spraying this season who did
not spray last year."

" In February and March of 1903," writes
Mr. Walter Biggar, of Winona, " I in-

3:9

330

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST

spected the orchards in my section which
were known to be infested with scale, and
also all orchards which were exposed to in-
fection. Wherever the scale was found
the owners were notified and advised to
spray with the lime and sulphur wash, or
any of the authorized remedies. I exam-
ined these orchards again this year, and al-
though I found the infested area increasing,
it was gratifying to find that the lime and
sulphur wash has done its work effectually
in cleaning tne trees from scale.

" All fruit growers
are alive to the fact
that it is for their in-
terest to fight the
scale. Those who
have scale in their or-
chards are spraying
them and doing every-
thing in their power
to get rid of this most
s'erious of pests. Or-
chards that were quite
badly infested two
years ago are now
free from scale after
having been treated
for two seasons with
the lime and sulphur
or crude oil washes."

A recent examina-
tion of scale infested
trees showed that 50
per cent, of the scale

were dead, probably killed by the continued
severe freezing last winter. We are testing
the caustic soda treatment, and lately found
that 95 per cent, of the scale was dead on
trees that had been treated with it.

There are only two orchards in the
Beamsville section, according to Mr. S. M.
Gulp, affected with scale. One of these
was sprayed with kerosene emulsion this
spring. The owner of the other orchard;
has taken out a few trees, but it has done no

good, as tiie scale is spreading over the rest
of the orchard. He says that he intends to
spray with the McBain mixture.

In writing from Jordan Station, Mr. C.
High, inspector for the township of Louth,
states that there has been a notable increase
in the spread of the scale since last year.
He believes that unless growers are more
particular about spraying and the law en-
forced with more vigor the scale may be-
come a serious matter in his section.

In the Grimsby district, Wellington Wal-

A Tree Saved from the Scale by Spraying.

Like the fee shown in the illustration on page 329 this tree was first discovered to be infested
with San Jose Scale in the summer,of i8g8. In May, 1903, it was found the scale was spreading, so
this tree was sprayed with the lime, sulphur and salt wash, under the direction of the township San
Jose Scale inspector, Mr. M. G. Bruner, of Olinda. At that time there was no perceptible difference
between the degree of infection of the two trees. The condition of the two trees on July 9 of this
year, when they were photographed for The Horticulturist, is shown.

ker, the inspector for Grimsby township, re-
ports that some growers there are doing
nothing to prevent the spread of the scale,
and in consequence it has spread quite a
little. Growers are complaining that the
council does not appoint an inspector to en-
force the act. while others claim there is no
use in the council appointing an inspector
as long as the growers refuse to apply the
remedies after they have been notified that
their trees are affected with the scale.

FRUIT PACKING

WM. WILSON, LONDON, ONT.

' I ' HE article in the July edition of The
JL Horticulturist on fancy packing, from
the pen of Mr. Linus Woolverton, shows
considerable research as far as it goes, and
opens a question on which a great deal
more mig.it be said. As I have had some
experience in fruit packages it affords me
pleasure to lay before your readers my solu-
tion of the package problem.

A fruit package should provide every ele-
ment necessary for the handling and trans-
portation of all kinds of fruit in convenient
form from the orchard to the consumer in
perfect condition, irrespective of distance,
and such a package should be procurable at
a price which would enable every fruit
grower to use it. The first requisite of a
fruit package is to be easily adaptable for

quick packing and handling, and to be
strong enough to amply protect even the
best fruit from the rapid rough and tumble
treatment it often receives during transit,
both by rail and steamship, to its destina-
tion.

The next consideration is the size and ap-
pearance of the package. It should be
handy with smooth surface for printing or
advertising, and be of good pleasing sym-
metry as a box. The size, however, is a
most important feature if the package is to
be universal and equally applicable to all the
various kinds of fruit. It must necessarily
conform perfectly with the present standard
units of fruit measurement (as used be-
tween buyer and seller) without the slight-

est confusion or inconvenience, and in view
of these considerations the imperial bushel
of 2i^ quarts has been selected as the best
possible size for a universal fruit package.
The imperial bushel is in harmony with the
size of apple box recommended at the last
annual meeting of the Ontario Fruit Grow-
ers' Association, but is much more compre-
hensive as a fruit package.

To be symmetrical as weil as economical,
the outside length of the package should be
exactly double the width, so that four boxes
may be piled either lengthwise or crosswise
in a perfect square without any jutting or
loss of space. This is a very necessary
quaHfication also for piling large quantities
of boxes with sufficient firmness, either by

rail or steamship transit or on the wharf,
and at the same time boxes should be so con-
structed that fresh air will always circulate
freely between each box, no matter how
large the pile of boxes may be. Further,
the outside measurements of fruit boxes
should be in given proportion to the cubic
ton, thus when 25 fruit cases measure just
40 cubic feet (one cubic ton) it is very easy
to calculate or check ocean freight.

With regard to economy in shipping car-
loads of empty boxes to growers the form
and size of a fruit package should be so ar-
ranged that they will nest one inside the
other, although all the same size. Such an
arrangement reduces the freight on empty
cases to a minimum.

•3'

3.32

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST,

Having touched on the salient points of
a serviceable fruit package, I would like to
draw attention to the accompanying illus-
trations and descriptions of such a box as I
refer to :

Diagram No. i represents a box of win-
ter apples packed in the usual way, which
holds an imperial bushel of 32 quarts, equal

to 40 pounds of Baldwin apples. This box
is just one-third size of a Q6-quart barrel
(same as used in Nova Scotia), but it re-
requires 33^ boxes of this size to equal the
Ontario barrel of 112 quarts, or 7 boxes to
2 barrels.

Diagram No. 2 shows the same box with
cardboard trays and fillers added for
peaches, pears, plums, or fine summer ap-
ples. These trays are made with wooden
ends which give ample strength for resting
one tray on top of another without injury
to fruit. The trays have flaps on each side
that they may be lifted in and out from the
top instead of sliding them from the end of
box, which bruised the fruit when the trays
were tightly packed ; or empty trays may be
first placed in the box and then filled with
fruit. This overcomes all difficulty of
handling trays which are tightly packed,
'irays may be made in, various depths to
suit size of fruit. Thus 3 trays 31-3 inches
deep will fill the case, while 4 trays 2^
inches deep just occupy the same space, and
5 trays 2 inches deep will also fill the case,
-nese trays are thoroughly ventilated for
fast breathing fruits, then fillers are made
in all sizes of depths and square divisions

to suit the fruit, securing perfect isolation
as well as firmness and protection for all
the finer grades. When 23/2 inch peaches
are packed in these trays each tray holds 32
peaches, equal to half of a 12-quart basket,
and there being 4 trays of this 2^'2-inch size
to each case, therefore one box holds just
two baskets.

Diagram No. 3 is the same box with
smaller cardboard trays and fillers, arranged
in the same way as Diagram No. 2, but
either with or without handles. These'
smaller trays have the same depths and the
same variety in size of fillers as the Jarger
trays, but are exactly one-third of the size
in No. 2 Diagram, and being smaller and
made of the same thickness of material are
much stronger and suit the retailing of the
finest fruits to greater advantage.

Diagram No. 4 shows the same box hold-
ing 24 common wooden boxes of strawber-
ries. These basket berry boxes are equal
to four-fifths of a quart, but their bevelled
sides take up the extra space. This adap-
tation provides for all other small fruits as
well.

Diagram No. 5 represents the same box
holding 12 cardboard grape packages, with

wooden ends, of 2 2-5 quarts each. These
have handles and covers, and will carry
grapes pertectly to the Northwest Terri-
tories and British Columbia.

This box can be made open or closed or
with whatever ventilation is required, and
can also be made as a returnable or single-
trip case as desired. An excellent half-
bushel pear case (called a half case) may

IN THE ORCHARD.

333

also be made by equally dividing this bushel
box lengthwise and packing it the same as

Diagram No. i. Having explained my
system as fully as possible within prescribed
limits, I claim that it has all the merits I
have indicated, as well as being an accept-
able fruit case in all foreign markets, and
when fruit men recognize these facts they
will not only have no hesitation in adopting
the imperial bushel box as the best solution
of the package problem, but they will also
admit that it is the only solution entitled to
be called The Universal Fruit Package of
Canada.

THE HELDERLEIGH NURSERIES

1

"^HE combined nurseries and fruit farm
of E. D. Smith, M.P., Winona, af-
fords striking evidence of the importance
of the fruit industry to Ontario. This nur-
sery is one of the largest in Canada. It
contains 600 acres in all, of which 200
are in nursery stock and 200 in fruiting or-
chards and vineyards. The balance of the
land is used to grow feed for the farm stock.
The plantations are so extensive and varied
as to amuse the casual visitor and cause
one to wonder how it is possible for
one man to conduct a business of such
magnitude.

This huge nursery or the different farms
of which it is composed, is located in one of
the most desirable sections of the province.
It is close to Lake Ontario, near Winona,
and not far from Hamilton. The shelter
afforded by the mountain, and the moderat-
ing influence of the breezes from Lake On-
tario both aid in making the situation all
that could be desired.

The home farm of about 120 acres is
chiefly devoted to ornamental stock of many
hundred varieties, including evergreens,
shrubs, etc., as well as plum and pear trees
and small fruit bus'hes, also vineyards, peach
and plum orchards. About one mile
east of this is another section, known as the
Carpenter farm, consisting of about 60

acres, which is planted in grapes, dwarf
pears, apples and cherries of different ages.

The Green farm, a third of Mr. Smith's
places, is located about one mile east of
Stoney Creek. This farm comprises about
80 acres, and includes a general assortment
of nursery stock, principally apples and
cherries. To the east is the Beamsville
farm, about a mile and a half from Beams-
ville, on which is a block of 30 acres in
young apple trees set out last spring. Still
further east and about a mile north of Vine-
land, is the Honsberger place, with some 28
acres of two-year-old apple trees and about
ten acres one-year-old. West of Vineland
is the Moyer farm, on which is a solid block
of 12 acres in young plum trees.

An editorial representative of The Horti-
culturist, who recently had the privilege of
visiting the various farms in company with
Mr. A. E. Kimmins, Mr. Smith's capable
business manager, was as much impressed
with the excellent order and splendid sys-
tem apparent in connection with each of
these farms as with the extent of the opera-
tions carried on. Were it not for the ex-
cellent managemiCnt of both the field and
business departments it would be impossi-
ble for Mr. Smith to give the prompt atten-
tion necessary to the thousands of orders
received vearlv for all kinds of fancv and

33+

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIS'i.

ornamental shrubs and bushes as well as for
fruit trees, to say nothing of the growing
and selling of the large quantities of fruit
that are handled annually.

WHY the; farms are separated.

The farms have been located in different
s'ections for special reasons. It is possible
to give almost everything that is grown the
variety of soil required for the best results.
Tests can also be conducted to ascertain the
conditions of soil and location best adapted
for different varieties of fruits and shrubs.
As young trees do bet-
ter on new soil, or on
soil on which nursery
stock has not been
grown before,- by rent-
ing or buying new
farms every few years
the change in soil re-
quired is thus secured.
Entire reliance, how-
ever, is not placed in
this change of soils.
Each year finds an
expenditure of over
$2,000 for composl
fertilizers used in ad-
dition to the ordinary
farm manure.

As already stated,
Mr. Smith also carries

lings growing in the field to the natural
fruit as well as the manufactured product
as it is sold over the grocery counter, will be
found on this modern fruit establishment.

A great advantage gained by conducting
the nursery and fruit farm combined in this
manner lies in the fact that almost all varie-
ties of the different fruits can be thoroughly
tested before being sold. This makes it
possible for the firm to give reliable infor-*
mation to those customers who, as many do,
leave the selection of varieties to the nur-

on an extensive trade
in domestic fruits of

Gathering the Cherry Crop at the Helderleigh Fruit Farm.

Pickers are here shown securing the eherry crop, from some trees of the Napoleon variety, on
the home farm of Mr. E. D. Smith at Win na, described in this issue. The orchard contains about
all kinds. In COnneC- 15° trees, some of which this year yielded ten baskets of cherries, although others of the trees pro-
duced very little fruit. The trees averaged about four baskets.

tion With this a large

fruit warehouse and an extensive and very
complete cold storage plant have been
erected. To avoid loss in the handling of
portions of the crops a jam factory is now
in course of construction. There are so
many large buildings on the farm a friend
of Mr. Smith's once remarked that if Mr.
Smith continues to build he will soon have
his whole farm under cover. When the
jam factory is completed all stages of the
fruit industry, from the plants and seed-

seryman. The rapid increase in business
during the last few years is the best evi-
dence of the honesty of this firm in this and
other respects.

An endeavor is always made to supply
varieties true to name. If none of the varie-
ties wanted are left in stock when' an order is
received supplies are secured from some
other reliable nursery. " Mistakes," said
Mr. Kimmins, " are never made wilfully,
but if, by any chance, they should occur, and

IN THE ORCHARD.

335

A Partial View of the Tree Cellars at the Helderleigh Nurseries.

To avoid delay in tfce shipping of nursery stock the Helderleigh Nurseries at Winona have erected a tree cellar capable of stor-
ing 250,000 trees. The building is here shown as photographed during July by an editorial representative of The Horticulturist. The
nursery stock, consisting of a general assortment, is stored in the stone buildings at each end, and is packed in the centre division, one
of the doors of which, through which the teams drive, is open.

Stock is sent out untrue to name, it is re-
placed free of charge or the money is re-
funded."

When it is remembered that there are 200
acres in nursery stock, and that the small
trees are placed very close together in rows
three or four feet apart, some idea of the
extent of these nurseries can be formed.
Again, remembering that in all this planta-
tion there is scarcely a weed to be found, the
cost of cultivation alone, it will be seen,
amounts to no low figure. The aim is to
get strong, thrifty stock, and that can be
^secured only by intense cultivation. A
large force of cultivators 'is kept going all
through the summer to conserve soil mois-
ture and keep down the weeds,, so that the
young trees may obtain all the plant food
possible.

Owing to the rapidly increasing number
of orders and to Mr. Smith's anxiety to sup-
ply only the best stock to his customers and
in first-class condition, two large frost-proof
cellars have been built for winter storage.
Each of these is 100 x I08 feet, and between
them is a covered shed for packing the
stock and preparing it for shipment. A
good idea of the rapid growth in sales can
be gained from the fact that in 1898 a win-
ter storage building 40 x 80 feet was all that
was used. Some two years ago a second
large cellar had to be constructed.

The young trees are placed in these store-
houses in the fall and the roots well packed

in mellow soil. The numerous varieties of
the different kinds of trees are carefully
placed in alphabetical order, and roped so
as to guard against mistakes. As soon as
spring opens and frosts are over packing
commences. In this large covered shed
packing can go on under any weather con-
ditions, which is a great advantage in a sea-
son such as the spring of 1904. This build-
ing also ensures proper packing, a very es-
sential point. To guard against the spread
of the San Jose and other scale insects all
stock purchased is fumigated for 45 minutes
before being packed. . This is done under
the supervision of the government inspec-
tor.

A commendable feature of Mr. Smith's
management is the fact that he employs the
same men at the same work year after year
once they have proved themselves capable.
Some workmen have been in his employ
since the inception of the nursery in 1882,
and many have now built houses and made
comfortable homes for themselves and their
families in the neighborhood.

With a nursery such as this, employing
125 men in the busy season and over 80 dur-
ing the summer months, Mr. Smith is doing
a mighty share to build up the fruit indus-
try of Canada and encourage home produc-
tion. Visitors are always welcome at the
Helderleigh Nurseries, of which only a
slight conception can be gained from this
description.

APPLE BARRELS WILL PROBABLY BE PLENTIFUL

^1 "^HERE is not likely to be a shortage of
X apple barrels this fall. Coopers
have apparently been able to make better ar-
rangements than they did last year and to
lay in larger supplies. In a number of sec-
tions the apple crop will not be as heavy as
it was last year, which will also have an
effect on the supply of barrels.

While it is not likely the exorbitant prices
will be asked this season that were in many
instances late last fall, the general price will
probably be fully as high if not a little
higher. This is indicated by reports that
have been received by The Horticulturist
from many sections of the province.

The Sutherland, Innes Co., of Chatham,
the largest dealers in cooperage stock in the
province, believe that, the coopers will be
able to supply the demand for apple barrels
this fall in good shape, as they have secured
their stock early, and in most cases bought
a very high grade.

" It seems to be the general opinion of
the apple shippers," writes Mr. Fleming,
the secretary-treasurer of the company,
" that a really first-class barrel is required,
consequently the coopers are buying mill
run and number one staves almost entirely,
instead of number twos, as in former years,
the latter having been used almost exclu-
sively up to the last year or two. We do
not expect that the price of apple barrels
will be as high as last year, in fact, we know
of contracts which have already been taken
at 45 and 50 cents for apple barrels, which
is very reasonable, considering the class of
barrel which is being put up.. We believe
that the average price for apple barrels this
year will be about 50 cents in Canada and
about the same in the United States."
AVERAGE PRICE 45 CENTS.

A large dealer in the vicinity of Trenton,
Mr. W. H. Matthews, reports as follows:
" I do not think the shortage of barrels will
be as great this year as last. I cut my own
stock, and will have twice as much as last

season, so will be prepared to furnish all the
barrels that may be required in this section.
The price will be 45 to 50 cents each, but 45
cents will probably be the ruling figure."

WHAT THE GROWERS SAY.

Many growers have already ordered their
supplies. Among the growers heard from
are the following:

I have ordered 800 barrels for my stock
this year, paying about 45 cents each for
them. I have never used boxes, but believe
they would be more satisfactory and
cheaper. — (W .H. Walter, Brighton, Ont.

I will pack all my apples in 30-inch bar-
rels and have secured my supply for the
coming season. The cost for barrels will
likely run over 40 cents each, as cooperage
stock is going to be scarce, judging by the
price the larger mills are quoting. The
cost will be 2>7 cents per barrel, not count-
ing the cost of making. — (Wm. Keideman,
Shakespeare, Ont.

I prefer barrels, as heretofore they have
been less expensive than boxes, easier to
handle in gathering the fruit, and much
easier to pack. I fear packing material is -
going to be very expensive. — (R. L. Scott, 1
Port Hope, Ont.

ARE COSTING MORE.

Barrels are costing 10 cents each more
this year than they were at this time last .
year. I cannot say whether the demand
for barrels is likely to exceed the supply or
not. There is plenty of stock to be had,
but I understand the manufacturers have
not been able to get their stock out fast
on account of so much wet weather. — (W.
M, Ellis, Whitby, Ont.

I have placed an order for about 6,000
barrels at 40 cents each, delivered in the or-
chard. Last season the price per barrel
ranged from 35 cents to 70 cents. I do not
anticipate the same difficulty securing bar-
rels this season as last. — (W^. J. Bragg,
Bowmanville, Ont.

i36

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST LEADS THEM ALL

1^ HERE is more live reading matter in
each issue of The Canadian Horti-
culturist than in any of the following three
leading national fruit papers published in
the United States. The papers included are
The Fruit Grower, published in Missouri ;
The National Fruit Grower, published in
Michigan, and American Fruits, published
in New York. No comparison has been
made with Green's Fruit Grower, published
in New York, owing to the fact that this
magazine treats a number of other subjects
besides fruit. As far as purely fruit sub-
jects are concerned more space is given
them in The Horticulturist than in Green's
Fruit Grower.

These magazines, like The Horticulturist,
are all monthlies. Their pages are larger
than those of The Horticulturist but, with
the exception of The National Fruit
Grower, they have not half as many pages.
All these papers carry more advertisements
than The Horticulturist, some of them
much more. Up to May of this year The
Horticulturist made no particular effort to
secure advertisements.

Among the other improvements that have
been made lately in The Horticulturist,
more attention is being given the advertis-
ing department. An energetic advertising

manager has been engaged, who during the
past couple of months has visited and in-
troduced The Horticulturist to leading
advertisers in various parts of the provinces
of Ontario and Quebec. Before long our
readers, we hope, will find our advertising
pages compare as favorably with those of
the United States fruit publications as our
reading pages do now. As regards the
standing of our contributors and the up-to-
dateness of our news, we challenge com-
parison. Look over the names of the con-
tributors in this issue.

In the past we people in Canada have
done too little in the line of talking about
our resources. This information is given
to show that The Horticulturist is striking
out to become not only the best Horticul-
tural paper in Canada, which it is now, but
one of, if not the best on the continent. If
our Canadian fruit and flower growers and
advertisers will help we can do it.

The following table shows how The
Horticulturist stands as regards the number
of its pages and the inches of space devoted
to reading matter and illustrations as com-
pared with the United States fruit papers
mentioned. Below the table are given a
few of many flattering remarks made, dur-
ing the past few months, concerning the
improvements in The Horticulturist.

A COMPARISON OF THE JUNF, 1904, ISSUES

NAME OF PAPER.

NUMBER OF
PAGES.

INCHES OF
READING MATTER.

INCHES OF
ILLUSTRATIONS.

The Canadian Horticulturist. .

The Fruit Grower

National Fruit Grower

American Fruits

52
20
30
20

612
603
460

335

40
00

79
19

There is an improvement in The Horti-
culturist in both the make-up and the atten-
tion paid to floriculture. — (W. J. Diamond,
Belleville, Ont.

The Horticulturist has improved greatly
during the past few months. I hear many
favorable remarks concerning it. — (Edward
Tyrrell, President Toronto Hort'l Society.

337

338

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

The Canadian Horticulturist improves
continually, the last number being the best.
— (O. F. Wilkins, Bridgeburg, Ont.

The Canadian Horticulturist has greatly
improved lately. — (A. W. Walker, Clarks-
burg, Oht.

I took The Horticulturist for 15 or 20
years, but have not taken it lately. Shall
renew again soon as the paper com-
mences to talk about fruit as well as flow-
ers.— (Stanley Spillett, Simcoe Co., Ont.

The June number of The Canadian
Horticulturist was head and shoulders above
any of its predecessors, it being pracfical in
every respect, and I wish the magazine con-

tinued success along this line.— (J. D.
Fraser, Leamington, Ont.

I consider the May issue of The Horti-
culturist a decided improvement on the
earlier issues, as it deals more fully with
horticultural and floral matters. The ear-
lier volumes were principally devoted to
fruit growing. — (R. W. Lloyd, Sec'y
Deseronto Hort'l Society.

We have been constant readers of The
Horticulturist for several years, and are
much pleased with its recent development,
as it is in keeping with the growth of the
horticultural interests of the country of
which it is a fitting representative. — (Biggs
& Son, Burlington, Ont.

OUR FRUIT EXHIBITS AT ST. LOUIS

T. H. RACE, OF THE CANADIAN COMMISSIONER'S STAEF.

CANADA continues to attract her full
share of attention at the World's
Fair, and the compliments she is receiving
from the discriminating fair visitors are
oftentimes as amusing as they are gratify-
ing.

We would be ungrateful creatures indeed
if we did not appreciate the great favor of
being able to grow a few fruits in our great
northern snow-bound country. For this
reason the average American does not think
it anything but natural that we should feel
a little pride in our fruit, and he is generous
enough to admit that we really have some-
thing to feel proud of. But it hurts him,
just a little bit, to have to admit that Can-
ada comes next to the great state of Cali-
fornia in the extent and quality of her fruit
display.

Oranges are lovely things to look at and
luscious things to eat, but when it comes to
real value as a household commodity there
is nothing that will stand comparison with
the Canadian apple. And Canada still
ranks first in the great palace of horticulture
at the World's fair of 1.904 in the quality

and variety of her apples. We have yet to
meet the Canadian down here who is not
proud of his country in comparison, even
with CaHfornia. We have yet to meet the
American who is not either mildly or ex-
travagantly surprised at it.

Since my last letter to The Horticulturist,^
we have had a banquet in the palace of
horticulture, to which many press repre-
sentatives and various notables, more
or less distinguished, were invited.
Representing Canada, I contributed
my share to the necessary expendi-
ture, and naturally expected that the in-
vited guests and other visitors would be
taken round by the committee in charge to
see the exhibits. But nothing of the kind.
The occasion turned out a pure contest of
oratory, and what the English would call
state brag — each state against all the rest.
When Canada was called upon I indulged
in no blowing. I felt strong in my posi-
tion that the occasion required none. I
merely pointed over to the foreign quarter,
close by, and assured the assemblage that
there was a collection of fruit over there

A CREDIT TO OUR COUNTRY.

339

representing the capabilities of my sunny
land that would talk for itself. But they
did not go over either to see it or hear it
talk. Maybe they were satisfied with what
they heard from me, as I must have shown
that I felt satisfied with the strength of my
position.

Our apple supply is keeping up well, and
is coming out of cold storage in pretty good
condition. The Northern Spy, Mcintosh
Red and Fameuse and Golden Russet con-
tinue to attract attention. The Baxter and
Red Cheek Pippin are also much admired.
In fresh fruits we have scarcely kept pace
with other exhibitors, whose sources of sup-
ply were nearer at hand. What fresh fruit
we have been able to put out has been quite
equal in quality to any shown. The first
case of strawberries that reached us from
the experimental station at Ottawa was not
in good condition on arrival here. The
Buback was quite unfit to put out, Grenville
fairly good condition, Maximum a little
better, New York and Wm. Belt fair, and
Buster best of all. The day following a
case of Wm. Belt arrived from Lachine,
grown by C. P. Newman, which reached us
in fine condition and proved, as long as they
lasted, the largest berries in the pavilion.
About the same tim'e shipments began to

reach us from St. Catharines. The first lot
of strawberries were in poor condition, and
only a few were fit to show. The cotton
in which they were packed had worked into
them, and was difficult to separate from
even the best preserved. Those that came
later, picked a trifle greener with a thin
sheet of paper between the fruit and the
cotton, were in much better condition. This
packing feature was as true with regard to
cherries as to strawberries, the sheet of
paper proving an advantage in both cases.
All the cherries from St. Catharines, with
one exception, came to hand in fair condi-
tion, the only exception being one of the
early lots in which the cotton had adhered
to the fruit, and the cases were quite warm
when received. The gooseberries that
came to hand from St. Catharines were in
fine condition, the Whitesmith proving the
largest sample of that variety in the build-
ing.

Will you permit me to say that this is the
last communication that I will be able to
address to Horticulturist readers from
the World's Fair, illness at home having
necessitated my sudden leaving. The
horticultural exhibit will for the balance of
the season be in charge of Mr. Henry
Knowlton, of the province of Quebec.

PREPARING FRUIT FOR FOREIGN EXHIBITIONS

ROBT. HAMILTON, CHIEF"^ FOREIGN EXHIBITS OF FRUIT.

IN preparing fruit to be sent to St. Louis,
or for any of the Dominion Govern-
ment's foreign exhibits, it is imperative that
it be of really fine quality in every respect.
For such fruit this department will furnish
all necessary boxes and packing material,
with free carriage to the several exhibitions.
Printed directions will be given for the in-
tending exhibitor's guidance. Each ex-
hibit must bear the name and full address
of the grower, so that he may receive full

credit for the production of his orchard or
garden.

The case used is that known as the Wil-
son Patent. Small fruits and plums will
be shipped in a case containing 12 trays,
which hold six or eight specimens each.
Each individual fruit must be double wrap-
ped in tissue paper and carefully placed in
its compartment, having been previously
cooled by being placed in an airy position
Or cool room for a few hours. For peaches

340

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

and plums, as well as for all soft fruits, the
cases must be ventilated.

Each case must bear the name of the
grower, with the names of the varieties of
fruit in it — a case may have more than one
variety if necessary.

For the English exhibitions, which open
September I, five samples of all our earliest
apples and pears are required. Early
apples and pears are also desired for St.
Louis, and for bottling for the great Bel-
gian exhibition which will be held next year.

The selection of specimens of fruit for
exhibition purposes cannot be done too care-
fully. Only perfect specimens, typical of
the variety, should be selected — not neces-
sarily very large. The greatest care is re-
quired to see that no fruit is packed for ex-
hibit bearing any defects due to disease or
the presence of insects. Apple scab,
blotches, unevenness, indentations, or marks
made by branches rubbing the apples, worm
holes, etc., even the absence of the stalk con-
stitutes a blemish to be avoided.

The proper handling of fruits for exhibi-
tion is important, especially as the sfightest
bruise interferes with their preservation in
cold storage. Apples ripen rapidly after
being gathered. Only the shortest possi-
ble time, therefore, should elapse be'tween
the picking and the placing in cold storage.
For the best results, the fruit should be ripe
but not what is termed " dead ripe." Tests
made in cold storage show that fruit that
has not been fully grown is easily damaged
by scald and some kinds are liable to shrivel.

The influence of paper wrappers on the
keeping qualities of apples has been fully
proven. Double wrap every specimen in
tissue and manilla paper. Each package
should be plainly marked on the outside
with the name and address of the grower,
and the name of the fruit it contains. This
is very important to enable those in charge
of fhe exhibit to determine what the pack-
age contains without opening it. The
apples should be packed firmly in the pack-
age with a light layer of excelsior at the bot-

The New Chief of the Fruit Division.

The promotion of Mr. Alex. McNeill, senior fruit inspector and
vice-pre ident of the Ontario F'ruit Growers' Association, to the
position of chief of the fruit division of the Dominion Department of
Agriculture, to fill the vacancy caused by the appointment to
another office of the former chief, Mr. A. W. MacKinnon, appears
to have given general satisfaction. Widely known throughout
C nada as an institute speaker, and being generally popular, Mr.
McNeill, who has a thorough grasp of the fruit situation in Can-
ada, should fill this important office with credit to hio'.self and the
industry he represents. The retiring chief, Mr. MacKinnon, has
been a most energetic and capable official and the loss of his ser- -
vices to the fruit inte-ests of Canada will be a no inconsiderable one.
The new chief, Mr. Alex. McNeill, was born on a fruit farm in
Middlesex county and spent several years of his life there. He
spent one year on one of the largest and best fruit farms in Central
lintario, on which he first developed a fondness for the fruit busi-
ness. When a young man he held the position of science master in
the Windsor Collegiate for 12 years, but finally bought a fruit farm
of 50 acres and planted it all in fruit. After leaving the col'egiate-
he moved onto this farm, and was on it until three years ago, when
he was appointed on the staff of the Fruit Division at its organiz.i-
tion in 1901.

tom and top to prevent bruises.

It is expected that fruit growers in the
several provinces will aid the Department
of Agriculture to make the fruit exhibit
from Canada a complete success in every
particular. It is needless to say that suc-
cess will depend on the hearty cooperation
of every one who grows any kind of fruit.
Concerted and strenuous eflfort will be
necessary on our part if Canada is to main-
tain the position she claims of producing
the finest apples, etc., in the world. Boxes,
wrapping paper and cardboard divisions
will be supplied to contributors free of
charge on application.

POINTERS ON THE PACKING OF FRUIT

ALEX. C. BRIGGS, BURLINGTON, ONT,

NOW the season is approaching for
the packing of apples for the ex-
port trade, a sketch of the plan I have
adopted and which seems to have been suc-
cessful both here and in the European mar-
kets may be of interest.

The idea of a uniform packing case is a
good one. The case should be lo x ii x
20 inches, inside measure, and it would be
well if all growers could adopt it, but in
some cases our markets prefer the 40 pound
case, so we are obliged to give them what
they want. The present ordinary case, as
now made, is anything but an ideal box, as
it has many serious objections. I handled
many thousands of these cases last season,
and it was a constant source of loss and an-
noyance, as unless the ends were reinforced
there were many breakages even before the
boxes were sent on their long journey. A
stronger box is needed in order that our
fruit may arrive at its destination in good
condition. There are other serious objec-
tions to this case, including the fact that
there is no protection for the bulging por-
tion. It has, however, its good points, and
we must make the most of them' until we get
something better.

THE PACKING.

All exporters of apples in cases well know
there is a decided objection to the use of
much packing material of any kind, and
more especially excelsior, unless it is kept
entirely clear of the apples. With the ob-
ject in view, therefore, of filling the box
with apples, I have discarded the packing
material on the face of the box, and have
substituted a piece of pulp board, about the
size of the inside of the box. On this pulp
board our name and residence is given.
This affords a grand opportunity for origi-
nal advertising, which could be made good
use of by any person so inclined. Fancy
shelving paper is placed on the pulp board.

Some who read this will perhaps think it
expensive and foolish to go to the trouble
of putting all tins fancy work on such com-
mon fruit as apples, and they may claim the
apples will not taste any better, all of which
may be perfectly true. At the same time,
it is a well known fact that apples are not so
common in Europe as some people suppose,
and that fruit (no matter how good it may
be) put up in a careless way, will not com-
pete in the market along with the fruit put
up in a neat, attractive and clean manner.
The man who is alert to his own interest,
and also to the interest of this " Lady of the
Sun," as well as " Lady of the Snows,"
will not be so penny wise as to refrain from
making his fruit packages as clean, neat and
tasty as possible.

THE NEXT STEP.

After the fancy shelving paper is placed
in the stems are clipped off and the apples
are faced in two sizes as near 23^ and 2^
inches as possible. They are placed in
separate boxes, which are marked with a
stamp, " Minn size," 23^ inches or 2^
inches as the size may be. The case is then
filled as closely as possible. If the apples
are of a tender variety and first class, care
is taken to see every apple is wrapped, ex-
cepting those on the face, as it pays well to
do so. The apples arrive in better condi-
tion and sell for many times more than it
costs to wrap them.

Many growers claim it is utterly impos-
sible to do this work at such a busy season.
With many no doubt it is. Here is where
we see the necessity for a storage and a
packing house with expert packers and new
methods that will do the work and give the
buyers and consumers that uniformity and
right packing which they are willing to pay
for, and to the grower and packer the right
returns which they are entitled to. If
growers under present conditions cannot

341

342

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIS2.

afford the time to wrap tender varieties
perhaps they can store them until the bulk
of the fall work is over or even until winter,
which is the most suitable time from a work
point of view. Growers should not fail to

place a piece of paper the same size as the
inside of the box, between the apples and
excelsior, as by that means the apples will
be kept clean and look much better when
placed on the market.

APPLE GROWING IN NOVA SCOTIA

A, M NEIL, CHIEF, FRUIT DIVISION.

f'Y^ HE conditions under which apples are
X grown in Nova Scotia are somewhat
different to those which prevail in the apple
districts of Ontario. On the whole it must
be confessed that the growers in Nova
Scotia receive higher prices than the On-
tario growers, and this is encouraging very
large plantings in favorable localities.

The bulk of the fruit is grown in the
Cornwallis and Annapolis Valleys, with
some excellent smaller sections in the val-
ley of the Gaspereaux and in Lunenburg
county. The most marked characteristic
is the growing of apples to' the exclusion of
almost all other crops, and hence the resort
to artificial fertilizers. The extent to which
these are used would seem most extrava-
gant to Ontario farmers. At some of the
small railway stations in the Annapolis Val-
ley individual agents report sales to the ex-
tent of $10,000, $12,000 and $15,000. I can-
not help thinking it a source of danger that
the live stock industry is so largely neglected.
Clean culture in the orchards prevails, and
spraying is more common than in Ontario.

I noted recently, while in Nova Scotia,
that in the new plantings winter varieties
prevailed almost exclusively. The Bald-
win is not a favorite; the Golden Russet,
Nonpareil, King, Spy and Blenheim are
largely planted. • The Stark and Ben Davis
have many friends. Among the difficul-
ties must be mentioned the collar rot and
canker, diseases more prevalent in the An-
napolis valley than in any other section in
Canada that I have visited. The ordinarv

black knot, apparently, is allowed to develop
without let or hindrance, to the great detri-
ment of the plum and cherry industry.

THE TREES ARE VIGOROUS.

The Ontario apple grower might well
envy the vigor of the Nova Scotian trees,
due in part to the moist climate, but more
to the excellent care the trees receive with
regard to culture and pruning. High-
headed trees are universal ; and the Nova
Scotian knows no special orchard tool. A
number of the orchardists work close to the
trees with oxen, but the fact that they re-
quire a driver and are very slow bars them
out from work for which they are otherwise
well suited. Close planting is frequently
practiced. Mr. Ralph Eaton, a most pro-
gressive and successful fruit grower, has
as many as 320 trees to the acre. Though
Mr. Eaton has made a success of this
method I feel sure he would have done still
better with the same number of trees on a
larger acreage.

It is the custom of apple growers in Nova
Scotia to pack their own fruit, and it works
much more satisfactorily than the Ontario
system of having the apples packed by the
buyer. At nearly every station some en-
terprising English firm has erected a store-
house, so that the orchardist always ha3 a
convenient place to store his fruit, but of
course he is limited to the market offered
by this firm. The subject of cooperation is
receiving considerable attention in the val-
ley, but as yet there are no active societies
in operation.

SMALL FRUIT GROWING ON A LARGE SCALE

ONE of, if not the largest small fruit
growers in the province is Mr. A.
Railton, of Fonthill, whose place was visited
recently by an editorial representative of
The Horticulturist. On Mr. Railton"s
farm there are 30 acres of raspberries alone,
and he grows most of the other varieties of
berries on about an equal scale. The soil
which has given him the best results is of a
sandy, gravelly nature. The value of
thorough fertilization is fully realized by
Mr. Railton, who uses from 15 to 20 tons
of barnyard manure every third year on his
berry patches.

" I would," said Mr. Railton, " apply
fertilizer more frequently were I able to ob-
tain it. As it is, I keep about 80 head of
beef cattle through the winter simply that I
may obtain their manure. Seldom do I
make any profit from these cattle. Some
years I am able to realize a little money in
the spring from the cattle, but often I am
not. On the whole I only come out about even
through handling this stock, and would
run behinu were it not for the manure I get
from them.

"Altogether I have 125 acres of • fruits.
This year I lost 27 to 28 acres of strawber-
ries owing to the severe winter just passed,
or I would have had a total of 70 acres in
terries alone. Had the strawberry crop

proved all right I would have had to employ
about 200 pickers this season, but as it is 1
have only about 80 engaged.

" My pickers are mostly women, boys and
girls, a number of whom live 20 miles away
from my place. For their convenience I
have a house 100 feet long in which some
20 to 40 pickers live from the middle of
June to the middle of August. They start
with the strawberries and end with the pick-
ing of blackberries.

" Pickers are allowed one cent for each
box of strawberries and blackberries, and
one and a half cents for raspberries. Most
of them make 50 cents to $2 a day, although
some girls make as high as $3 a day picking
blackberries. It is nothing uncommon to
have pickers make $2 a day for picking
strawberries and raspberries.

" My raspberry bushes are set three feet
apart, with eight feet between the rows.
The rows of blackberries are nine feet apart,
with three feet between the bushes. I pre-
fer these distances, for they are convenient
when we are cultivating the land. It is
possible to use a disc harrow between the
rows. I prune three times during the year.
The old wood is taken ofif in the fall after
the f '■uiting is over ; the young canes are
clipp back in the sum.m.er and are short-
ened in the spring."

Picking Raspberries on a Fruit Farm in the Niagara District.

Raspberry pickers at work on the fruit farm of Mr. A. Railton, of Fonthill, are here shown. As stated in the article on this page,
Mr. Railton, who sells the bulk of his berries to the canning factory, finds it necessary to keep a large gang of pickers at work the
greater part of the summer. They are paid according to the amount of berries they pick.

344

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

Good Varieties of Berries

AN editorial representative of The Hor-
ticulturist who, during July, visited
the fruit garden of Mr. D. M. Lee, of Paris,
had an interesting talk with him concerning
his methods of growing small fruits. " I
raise only one variety of raspberries; the
Cuthbert," said Mr. Lee. " I have tried the
Marlboro, Shaffer's Colossal, and Brandy-
wine, and discarded all. The Marlboro
needs too nriuch petting and manuring, and
even then the results are often poor.

" My berry bushes are planted in con-
tinuous rows almost eight feet apart. The
best varieties of black raspberries with me
are Craig and Mammoth Cluster. I plant
them in the same way as the red and sup-
port the canes by two strands of wire about
two feet or more from the ground on either
side of the row.

VARIETIES OP STRAWBERRIES.

" The best paying varieties of strawber-
ries are Climax, Clyde and Williams. The
Climax has been exceptionally good this
year, and is a good seller. However, it 's
slightly soft for shipping. The Clvde is a
good all-round berry and solid enough for
shipping. The Crescent was the best
berry with us for years, but seems to be
running out."

" If the weeds get a start I plow up the
patch at the end of the first season, but if
the patch can be kept moderately clean I
take two crops. On a two-year-old patch
the berries ripen earlier, but the fruit is
smaller and poorer in quality.

" Raspberries on my two-year-old bushes
are as good as I ever saw them, but in a
four-year-old patch the bushes were badly
winter-killed and the result is a very light
crop. It seems that the severe winter was
much harder on old than on young planta-
tions."

You should receive The Horticulturist
promptly on or about the first of every month.
Do you ? If you don't, let us know.

The Raspberry Cane Borer

PROF. W. LOCHHEAD, ONT. AGRI. COLLEGE,
GUELPH.

What is the trouble with my red raspberries?
The young shoots are withering and drooping.
Have the two rows of punctures on the stem
anything to do with the wilting? For three
years I have lost many of the plants, and this
ye^r the loss will be greater than usual. — (S.
W. F.

The cause of the wilting of the canes is a
long-horned slender beetle about half an
inch in length, of a black color, except a
yellow ring behind the head, fhe eggs are
deposited in June in little holes between the
two rows of punctures you observed. It is
supposed that the beetle makes these two
rows of punctures to prevent the crushing
of the t^^. The grub, on hatching from
the t^g, bores downward in the pith of the
cane, reaching the crown of the root by fall.

To control this borer prompt action is
necessary. As soon as the canes are seen
to wilt, the wilted portion should be cut ofif
below the rows of punctures. In doing
this the grub is killed before he has done
much harm. If the whole cane shows ~
signs of dying it would be well to cut out
the infested canes and burn them. Do not
postpone the cutting and burning too long,
for by fall the grubs will be in the root and
beyond reacli.

I Have 60 Varieties of Grapes, and the

leading commercial sorts are Worden and
concord in the blacks ; Delaware and Lind-
ley in the reds; and Niagara and Moore's
Diamond in the whites. The Worden is
my best money maker, and is the hardiest.
It should thrive as far north as any grape
grown. It is large and productive, with
a handsome bunch of dark purple fruit.
Some growers complain that it is too thin
skinned to ship well, but I find it reaches
our Canadian markets in good shape. The
Concord, of course, is a good standard
grap^ — (A. W. Peart, Burlington, Ont.

HOW THE BRIGHTON GRAPE WAS SECURED

FRANCIS WAYLAND GLEN, BROOKLYN, N. Y.

''r>HE article in the June issue of The

1 Horticulturist by Mr. W. T. Ma-
coun. entitled " The Individuality of Fruits."'
opens a most important and interesting line
of experimenting and careful observation.

An interesting experiment regarding the
individuality of the grape was once brought
to my notice. It was conducted at Oshawa.
Ont., by Mr. Isaac Moore, the originator
of the Brighton grape, who selected the
nnest cluster of grapes on a vine of the Rose
Chassellas. before the blossoms began to
open.

The grapes were covered with, a very fine
thin muslin so that no bees or insects with
pollen on their legs could get to the blos-
some when they opened, and to also protect
them from any pollen which might be float-
ing in the air. The best cluster on a strong
plant of Concords was also treated in the
same manner out of doors. When the pol-
len was ripe the cluster from the Concord
was cut off and carried to the vinery. The
muslin from both clusters was opened and
the pollen from the Concord shook over the
Rose Chassellas and at once covered again
with the muslin. This remained covered
until the berries were formed.

The experimenter was then sure that he
had a cross of the Concord and Rose Chas-
sellas and no other mixture. From the seed
of that cluster he obtained the Brighton.
The mother or female was the Rose Chas-
sellas ; the Concord contributed only the
pollen. The Rose Chassellas produced the
seed in the fruit. From the father (the

Concord) the Brighton inherited its strong,
hardy, vigorous leaves and branches, free
irom mildew when grown out of doors.
From the mother, or female, its rose color
and delicious flavor were taken. The his-
tory of the origin of the Brighton grape
shows what can be done by crossing differ-
ent varieties of fruits and how to do it in a
way that will aid others "who have the time,
patience and inclination to cooperate with
Nature in the improvement of fruits and
flowers.

The average fruit grower does not appre-
ciate the full meaning of the fact that plants,
like animals, are male and female, and also
that plants have many of the traits and
characteristics of animals. Plants are lazy
like some men. They will send out roots a
long way for food if they must. Three
years ago a tall plant in my garden was
blown over by the wind. The roots were
all on one side. I examined the earth about
it and found that three feet from it on one
side was a quantity of manure from the
stable and all of its roots were going for
that manure. Those on the opposite side
had curved round and were making for that
pool, because it was near at hand.

Have plants the sense of smell? I will
give some facts that have come under mv
personal observation that bear on this prob-
lem in a future issue. I cannot close with-
out commending the paper of Mr. Macoun.
He has opened up a field for a verv interest-
ing discussion which cannot fail to lead to
beneficial results.

Between the great amount of rain and the
consequent wetness of the soil, and the
scarcity and exceedingly high price of labor,
fruit growers this season will necessarily
have to give less cultivation to fruit planta-
tions and vineyards. — ^(A. W. Peart, Bur-
lington, Ont.

The grounds around school houses sli -bid
be made to speak out in a language intelli-
gible to all. We should associate a? many
attractive things around them as can be
brought together. Flowers and j. hnts are
most pleasing additions to the house as well
as to the grounds. — (P. G. Keyes, Otcawa.

'45

CANNING FRUITS^

MISS MAY SMELLIE, BI.UEVAI.E,, ONT.

FRUITS for canning or preserving
should be carefully selected and all
that are imperfect or tainfed removed. They
are in the best condition when not too ripe,
and should be canned immediately after
picking, especially the small fruits. The
strawberry is an exception, which is much
improved both in color and firmness if al-
lowed to remain in a dry cool cellar for 12
hours after picking,
leaving the berries on
the stem.

Fruits canned in
glass jars should be
kept in a darkened
room or cupboard, as
the chemical action of
the light will efifect
the quality and color
even though perfectly
sealed. The glass
sealers should be care-
fully examined before
using to see that the
lips or lids are not
chipped or cracked.
The rubber rings
should be renewed
each season, as neg-
lect of one or of all
of these thmgs has
been accountable for

many a jar of spoiled fruit. Use only the
best quality of sugar for canning or pre-
serving. Much time will be saved during
the canning season if the dry sugar is
placed in the oven and thoroughly heated
before using.

TWO GOOD METHODS.

Here are two preparations of syrups
which have given excellent results in the
canning of small fruits, such as strawber-
ries, raspberries, red and white currants and
cherries. Take one cup of sugar to everv

two cups of water ; boil gently for three
minutes and skim. If a stronger syrup be
desired, take one and a half cups of sugar
to every two cups of water, and prepare in
the above manner.

Fill the sealers (which have been pre-
viously heated) with the raw fruit, put on
the glass top, and place in tne oven, letting
them remain there until the juice starts.

Picking Gooseberries at the Helderleigli Nurseries.

The gooseberry crop on the fruit farm at Winona of Mr. E. D. Smith, M.P., which is described in
this issue, would be considered a large one on many farms, but is an unimportant one with Mr. Smith.
This photograph was taken by one of the editors of The Horticulturist during July.

Then remove them and pour on the boiling
syrup and seal. Raspberries may be put in
the hot sealer and the boiling syrup poured
on and sealed without putting in the oven.
Cherries, raspberries or other fruits in-
tended for the winter pie making, retain
more of the natural flavor if canned with-
out sugar. Put the fruit in a stew kettle
and let it come to a boil, then bottle and seal.
These truits are also prepared in another
way. Fill the sealers with the raw fruit,
screwing on the glass tops without the rub-

' From a paper read at a women's institute meeting.

346

CANNING FRUITS,

347

ber rings and place in a wash boiler. Fill
the boiler with cold water up to the necks
of the sealers, and when the water comes ro
the boiling point remove the fruit and pour
on the boiling syrup and seal.

Red or white currant marmalade is made
by crushing the raw fruit, which should be
dead ripe, to a pummace. Put equal parts
of the crushed fruit and sugar into a wide
mouthed crock, stir thoroughly every day
for a week. At the end of that time the
juice will be found to be a thick jelly. Bot-
tle and keep in a dry cool place.

To make red or white currant jelly, put
the fruit into a preserving kettle and scald,
then cool and strain. Boil down the juice
to half its quantity, and to every pint of
juice add one pound of sugar. Boil briskly
for 20 minutes and put into glass jelly
moulds.

BLACK CURRANT JAM.

Wash the fruit thoroughly, as it prevents
it from becoming tough or leathery when

cooking. Boil for eight or ten minutes and
then add one pound of sugar for every
pound of fruit, boil 10 minutes longer, bot-
tle and seal. The addition of raspberry
juice improves the flavor of the jam very
much.

For gooseberry jam the fruit must not be
altogether ripe. Pick and put into a wide
mouthed jar or preserving kettle. Cover
the fruit with boiling water, and let it stand
until cool. Drain off the water, which will
be found to contain a great deal of the
strong acid which makes this fruit so un-
palatable to many people. Add one pound
of sugar to every pound of fruit. Boil 20
to 30 minutes, then bottle and seal.

To make spiced gooseberries use one-half
pound of brown sugar for every pound of
fruit, and nearly cover with water. Add
vinegar to make it quite tart and put in
cloves and cinnamon to suit the taste. Let
it come to a boil and then simmer on the
back of the stove for ten minutes.

ROSES SUITABLE FOR CANADIAN GARDENS

'W. G. BLACK, OTTAWA, ONT.

IT is some years since I first imported
and planted roses. They grew and
bloomed, friends came to admire. Then I
planted more, and hunger and appetite
came with eating, and the more roses the
more beauty and bloom, until I was not
satisfied with the admiration of friends ; the
public must gaze. I took down the wooden
fence surrounding my garden and erected a
low wire one instead, so visitors w^ho love
roses might see the flowers.

I think those of you who have seen the
garden will concede that I have been fairly
successful in growing the choicest of this
"Queen of Flowers" as easily as almost any
other plant can be grown. I am often asked
what is my favorite rose? And the reply

is, I don't know. The reality is this — it is
impossible to love one rose, and not love
them all, and I think all true gardeners will
see something to admire in every flower
that grows. The general impression has
been that it is very difficult, if not impossi-
ble, to grow garden roses in this country.
As a Scotchman poetically soliloquised,
looking at some plants sent him from his
"Ain Countrie,"

" And wull ye bloom us sae fair,

Ye roses plucked from Eastern bowers;

Can ye withstand the Northern air,

Those bleak, long, wintry frosts of ours?"

Well, I submit this enquiry can now be

answered in the affirmative, but don't

imagine you can cultivate a pretty garden

of roses, or for that matter a pretty garden

* Extract from an address delivered before the Ottawa Horticultural Society,

348

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST

of anything else, without giving it much
careful attention.

MANY DIFF'ERENT VARIETIES.

The varieties of roses are innumerable,
and are remarkable for the extent to which
they differ in habit, foliage and flowers.
Present day garden roses are so unlike what
may fairly be assumed to be Nature's roses,
that it is difficult, if not impossible, to tell
from what variety they have descended.
Out of the 50 odd varieties, the group of
hybrid perpetuals for some years past has
supplanted all others, as most of them are
hardy and give beautiful bloom. I suppose
80 to 90 per cent, of all the roses shown at
exhibitions belong to this class, including
Paul Neyron, Her Majesty, Earl of Duf-
ferin, Mrs. John Laing, General Jack,
Etienne Levet, Charles Lefebvre, etc.

Within the last three or four years a new
class has been making rapid claims for
popularity, and it is the Hybrid Tea, the
great merit of which is that it blooms pro-
fusely nearly all the summer months. It is
only necessary to keep them growing, to
keep them blooming, for every eye or leaf
bud that pushes into a branch produces a
flower or flowers. In speaking of this, Mr.
Dickson, of Belfast, Ireland, says " The Hy-
brid Tea is a class rapidly coming to the
front, and in fact bids fair in a few years
to outrival all others. This group is a
creation of recent years, and has been de-
rived by crossing the Hybrids with the Tea
scented, the result being a class of very free
flowering, with fine glossy foliage, and long
pointed buds."

I have found them fairly hardy, having
grown them in my garden for the past four
years, 'ihis class comprises Lafrance,

Caroline Testout, Mrs. W. J. Grant, Kil-
larney, ■ White Lady, and many others.
There is at least one rose of the polyantha
class that every person in Ottawa who
grows roses ought to have, which is the
Crimson Rambler. It was estimated last
year that one of my bushes carried between
12,000 and 15,000 roses when in full bloom.

To my mind about the best dozen hybrid
perpetual roses for our Canadian gardens
are the following: Captain Hayward,
Countess of Roseberry, Clio, A. K. Wil-
liams, Duke of Edinburgh, Baroness Roths-
child, Etinne Levet, General Jacqueminot,
Madame Gabriel Luizet, Earl of Dufferin,
Mrs. John Laing, Mrs. R. G. Sharman
Crawford. For a perfect silver pink rose
Mrs. Laing stands head of the list, just the
same as Lafrance stands head and shoulders
over all others in the Hybrid Tea class.

Just here let me give other amateurs who
may not have had quite as much experience
a little advice. Be careful about discard-
ing old favorites to make place for the sen-
sational, new high priced swaggering novel-
ties which have their glories trumpeted in
all the floral catalogues. Very fashionable
people are always chasing after something
fresh, they must have the very latest, and
the nurserymen get rid of their new novel-
ties at $1 to $3 each, and many of them will
be very disappointing.

Therefore, hang on to the old rose bush
with good constitution, whose blooms have,
say, four essential qualities, color, form, a
good bloomer in autumn, and last but not
least, fragrance. Form may take first
place in points of merit, but all roses should
be sweet ; we cannot disassociate fragrance
and the rose. /

The exhibit of plants and flowers at the
Dominion exhibition at Winnipeg will be
judged by Wm. Hunt, of the Ontario Agri-
cultural College, Guelph, who left on July 22
to be present.

If farmers would keep half the number of
cows they do, and put the extra time saved
in the cultivation of fruit, I am satisfied they
would be acting wisely and that they would
gain financially. — (Chas. Hav, Ontario.

HARDY CLIMBING PLANTS FOR ORNAMENT AND USE

J. McP. ROSS, TORONTO, ONT.

HARDY climbing plants may be pro-
perly Qivided into two classes, the
hara wooded or shrubby climbers, and the
hardy herbaceous climbers. The whole
family of climbing plants are a delightful
class to admire, and seemingly possess,
apart from other plants, a sort of thinking
sensitiveness. As you watch their tendrils
swaying in the breeze seeking for some-
thing to cling to, and after observing the
proper thing which they have seized to twine
about, it would almost seem as if the plant
were endowed with positive conscience. I
am almost tempted to put the rose first in
the list of hardy climbing plants, but must
award the position to the grape.

In the grape vine Nature produces one of
the most useful plants in creation, and had

she but adorned it with flowers of the cle-
matis type we would have had, I think,
everything desired in a climbing plant. In
it we have graceful habit, beautiful foliage
and luxurious fruit, and when asked by any
one what climbing plant to get, I advise
first if it is a suitable place, to put in a
grape vine. For southern exposure noth-
ing could be more useful, all that is neces-
sary being a little more trouble in tying up.
I have frequently seen in American cities, ar-
bors and porches leading up to the front
door of the house covered with grape vines,
forming pictures of beauty not easily for-
gotten. For covering old outbuildings and
fences it is unexcelled, and trained upon
trellises makes most valuable screens. Next
to the grape comes the rose, which it is al-

One of the Many Attractive Garden Effects in Ingersoll.

The porch of the home-like residence of Mr A. B. Ord, Manager of the Traders Bank, Ingersoll, is here shown. It is covered
with clematis, which was photographed when literally a mass of bloom. A number of the enthusiastic horticulturists in Ingersoll are
planning the organiyation of a Horticultural society and none are taking greater interest in the movement than Mr. Ord.

349

35°

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

most needless to describe. Its beauties
have been sung for ages, and a climbing
rose in full bloom makes its possessor an en-
vied person.

VARIETIES OF ROSE.

The varieties of the rose are too numer-
ous to mention, but some new novelties are
highly praised and greatly advertised. I
refer to the Crimson and Yellow Ramblers.
They thrive in good, rich drained soil of a
clayey nature, and better in not too warm
situations. As the rose is subject to nu-
merous insect pests it requires more care
than the grape vine. Frequent sprayings
of fir tree oil soap and kerosene emulsion ■
and plenty of soft water sprayings will keep
the rose vine in healthy order.

The clematis is an ideal climbing plant
of rather a fragile character in the nature of
its growth, which is amply compensated for
by the beauty of form, size and color of its
blossoms. Grown in a bed on the lawn and
trained up a center stake topped with an
umbrella form of wire, its graceful foliage
and flowers growing over in reckless pro-
fusion make it a delightful ornament for
small places. The Ampeiopsis family form
most beautiful climbers ; the Boston variety
might be termed more properly a creeper.
They all possess the most varied foliage and
are exceedingly beautiful in the fall, when
the foliage turns purple and crimson. There
are quite a number of varieties of the Vir-
ginia creeper, but we will just notice the
Ampeiopsis Quinquefolia, or American Ivy.
This, like the Bignonia and ivy, throws out
tendrils by which it fastens itself to any-
thing it touches, grows rapidly, and soon
affording shade and covering.

Ampeiopsis Veitchii ha^ much smaller
leaves than the American, overlapping each
other with the utmost regularity, making a
perfect matting of green. It is a little ten-
der when young, and only three-year-old
plants should be procured for planting out.
Of the most rapid growth, it clings tena-

ciously to anything it touches, like ivy, and
is invaluable for planting around old stumps
of trees, rockeries, or stone or brick build- ;|n
ings. Its bright green foliage gives a '"
pleasing contrast of color, and particularly
lovely are its autumn tints.

The Aristolochia Sypho, or Dutchman's
pipe, is a hardy native climber of rapid
growth, with large light green heart-shaped
foliage and curious pipe-shaped yellowish-
brown flowers.

Celastrus Scandens, or Staff tree, is an-
other native climbing plant. Very familiar
in our woods, intertwining amongst and
over other trees, it presents a pleasing sight
with large leaves and bright orange cap-
suled fruit. The Honeysuckle family is an
old favorite class of climbers, the most pro-
minent being the scarlet trumpet, yellow
trumpet, monthly fragrant and Hall's
honeysuckle. The last has white flowers,
changing to yellow.

The Periploca Gracea, or silk vine, is an
excellent and pretty climber, with glossy
foliage and purple flowers. The Bignonia
Radicans, or trumpet flowers, is one of the
finest climbers, with palmated foliage and
scarlet orange tubular flowers, and is a de-
sirable climber. . ,

The Wistaria, another of the finesti of
climbers, requires a warm situation, its. Ipng
purple fragrant plumes of flowers being
very handsome.

One old favorite of mine is called Cle-
matis Graveoleus. This is a yellow clematis
of the hardiest nature. After the flowers
have fallen they are followed by lovely,
silken tasseled heads of seeds, which are
even more beautiful than the bloom.

HARDY HERBACEOUS CLIMBERS.

The cinnamon, vine is hardy and has edi-
ble roots and neat glossy corded foliage. In
midsummer it bears small white fragrant
flowers, with an odor like cinnamon. It is
a pretty vine to train over a trellis or a win-
dow.

AMONG THE FLOWERS.

35'

The Hop is a well known indispensable vine
which form one of the finest of climbers, but
they are rather subject some seasons to in-
sect? For the early part of the summer they
are exceedingly handsome in their rampant
g-rowth. Though the bulbs of the Maderia
vine have to be taken up and kept in the cel-
lar, yet we could not pass it over without
mention. It is an exceedingly useful climb-
ing plant, with its deliciously fragrant

white flowers, which it bears abundantly.
Our summers are so short that some plant
and flower beds are hardly more than com-
ing in to their best when the season's growth
is terminated by a frost. Where there is a
good collection of climbing plants, perma-
nently established, covering our verandas^
arbors and outbuildings, they possess that
appearance of abundant vegetation so de-
sirable and ornamental about our homes.

AUGUST WORK IN THE FLOWER GARDEN

WM. HUNT, ONT. AGRI. COLLEGE, GUELPH.

THIS is a good time- to strike cuttings
of coleus, heliotrope and geraniums
if young plants are wanted to keep over
winter. By striking them now they become
nice strong plants to take into the win-
dow in the autumn.

A shallow box about two and a half or
three inches in depth of the size required,
filled with sharp fine building sand is best
to strike almost any kind of plant cuttings
in. Place the box of cuttings where it will
be partially shaded from the sun during the
hottest part of the day. Keep the sand
almost moist but not sodfiened with water.
There should be holes bored in the bottom
of the box to allow of free drainage. If
only a few cuttings are wanted, flower pots
can be used instead of the box.
FREESIAS.

If early flowers are wanted of these deli-
ciously perfumed and easily grown window
plants, a few bulbs should be planted about
the middle of August or early in Septem-
ber. Put about five or six ot the bulbs in
some good potting soil in four or five-inch
pots. Stand the pots outside on some coal
ashes or gravel under a fence or building,
or in some position where the sun does not
strike too hot. Water them well once when
first potted, and then water them only
enough to keep the soil moist but not sod-

The Single Hollyhock.

The above photograph was taken last fall from a self-sown
plant two years old in the garden of Mr. A. Alexander of Hamilton.
In the single hollyhocks th* flower lover has material for an un-
limited display of color for the months of August, September and
October at little or no trouble or expense. Near where this plant
stands there are hundreds of seedlings, which no doubt will Le as
various in color and habit as in number, for near it stood other
hollyhocks with some of the most fashionable colors, and the bees
have undoubtedly done their duty in the hybridization of this plant.
One reason for the cultivation of single hollyhocks is their compara-
tive freedom from the hollyhock rust.

dened. The pots can stay outside until

352

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

about the middle of September, when they
can be removed to the window.

To secure pansies that will produce flow-
ers very early the following spring the seed
should be sown about the third week in
August. Pansy seed sown at the time
mentioned will produce plants that will win-
ter over well in a cold frame and produce
early flowers. The protection of a few
boards may be necessary over the frame
during very severe weather in winter, but
not if the plants are well covered with snow.
The most critical time for autumn sown
pansies is when the snow is melting away
from them at any time during winter or
early spring, hence the use of boards to pre-
vent the snow melting on bright days in
winter, or to shield them from the sun for
a few days when first exposed to the sun in
early spring days after the snow has gone.

Gladiolus should be staked up if they are
liable to be broken down by wind storms or
rain. This should be attended to early
enough, as the stems often break oflf close
to the corm or bulb, thus destroying the
bulb for the present or successive seasons.

If any of the hardy lilies in the garden
must be removed or transplanted, about the
end of August is the best time to do it, but
it should always be borne in mind that the
less the bulbs of lilies are disturbed the
more likely they are to continue flourishing
and flowering. None of the garden lilies
like to be disturbed very frequently, so that
unless it is absolutely necessary, it is best
to leave them undisturbed. Lily of the val-
ley can also be transplanted late in August
or early in September if required.

A mulchmg of rich soil or of thoroughly
rotted stable manure about half an inch in
depth placed over clumps or beds of lilies or
lily of the valley will often reinvigorate
them and produce much better results for a
few years than transplanting them. If lily
of the valley is transplanted the pips or
bulbs should be planted so that the tips of
the bulbs are not more than an inch under
the surface of the soil. The surface of the
soil should be patted down firmly after they
are planted. A light mulch of manure
placed over them late in autumn will also
benefit them.

A PLEA FOR THE HERBACEOUS BORDER

CHARLES II. KINcffeLEY-BAILLIE, W^INONA, ONT.

EVERY year quite a number of new
herbaceous and perennial border
plants are introduced to the flower-loving
public, but there are few which surpass
those that we know so well in the old-fash-
ioned gardens. There are, however, many
of the older herbaceous plants which seem
to be neglected.

When one is making a new home, and a
new garden, the borders are planted with
shrubs, and the place is given a certain look
of permanency, but what a constant succes-
sion of color may be obtained from the in-
troduction of a few herbaceous plants.
They have a grandeur peculiarly their own,

and their place cannot be easily filled by any
other class of plants in the garden. WitTi
such a wealth of form and color as may be
found in the masses of larger plants, and
many of the conspicuous smaller alpine
plants, their importance in the garden is
very apparent.

My memory takes me back to a very old
border in a very old garden, which though
neglected perhaps, was beautiful in its wild-
ness, and there was always a succession of
beautiful bloom. What can be grander in
the border than the blazing bloom of the
Oriental poppies, or the long spurs or del-
phiniums. These and some of the stronger

AMONG THE FLOWERS.

353

growing herbaceous plants, such as the
centaureas, the echinops with its funny
globular heads, the tritomas and the
peonies may be planted against the taller
shrubs and will adapt themselves very soon
to their situation.

There are so many of the irises, the Ger-
man, Japanese and Spanish, with their rich-
ness of bloom and color, and which need
little if any attention at all except perhaps
sometimes in the German to check their un-
ruly growth. These, too, may take a place
planted amongst the taller shrubs. Of the
smaller plants which are adapted to border
planting, there are legion, but there may be
mentioned the anemones, aquilegias
(columbines), with their variety of blossom,
the coreopsis, the doronicum, which is in
one perpetual state of bloom, the gaillar-

dias, the Iceland poppies, veronicas, toten-
tilla, the statice and quite a host of other
plants, some just as stately, and forming a
striking feature, others charmingly compact
and proper, filling each place alloted to them
with an. individuality quite their own. Of
the smaller plants which may be used for
the edges of the border there is a wide field
to choose ircm. But ''^ne need not go fur-
ther than the varied saxifrages, the primu-
las, campanulas, or the old-fashioned dian-
thus, the silenes, alyssum, aubretia and
many others equally charming but too nu-
merous to mention. iVmongst this exten-
sive variety of border plants there is much
that is highly decorative, and many an un-
sightly spot or ugly wall may be made effec-
tive by the judicious planting of herbaceous
and alpine plants.

FLOWER AND PLANT LORE*

EDWARD TYRRELL, TORONTO.

IT is impossible to arrive at any idea of
the varieties of roses grown in eastern
countries, but Pinkerton, in his book. Tra-
vels in Persia, says " I saw beautiful roses,
both white, yellow and red, and some white
on one side and yellow on the other." The
rose fields in the neighborhood of Ghaze-
poor, India, occupy many nundreds of acres,
and at the proper season are very beautiful,
the flowers are all used for distillation and
making attar. To produce one rupee's
weight of attar 20,000 well grown roses are
required.

Herodotus records the existence of large
double roses in Asia, and also tells us that
in a part of Macedonia were the so-called
gardens of Midas, in which grew native
roses each one' having 60 petals, and of a
scent surpassing all others. Greek authors
say the rose was the Queen of Flowers ;

they also refer to it as the aelight of the
gods, the favorite plant of the Muses, and
useful in diseases. One of these old poets,
writing its praises, says " the gods, in jeal-
ousy, to nasten the period of its flowering,
watered it with nectar, and soon this immor-
tal flower raised itself majestically upon its
thorny stem." Theophrastus tells us it
was customary in Greece to set fire to the
rose trees, without which precaution they
would bear no flowers. Pliny says that the
art of forcing consisted in watering the
plants with warm water on the appearance
of the buds.

Another writer says Egypt cultivated
roses largely and sent quantities to Rome
annually, before those of the latter country
were in bloom. This must have been be-
fore Rome became famous for her garden-
ing, as Martial in his epigram, " To Caesar

* The History of the Rose, continued from the July Horticulturist.

354

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

on the winter roses," serves to show that the
culture of roses in Rome was carried to such
perfection as to make the attempt of foreign
competitors subject to ridicule, for he
writes, " And thou, O Nile, must now yield
to the fogs of Rome, send us thy harvests,
and we will send thee roses." The Romans
obtained roses and lilies in December by in-
troducing to their plant houses tubes filled
with hot water. The Romans whose pro-
fuse use of flowers subjected themselves to
the reproof of their philosophers, considered
the rose as an emblem of festivity. At a
feast given by Cleopatra to Mark Antony
she caused the rooms to be strewed with
rose leaves to a considerable depth and spent
a talent in procuring the requisite number.
It was also customary for the wealthy to
take their meals resting on rose leaves. It
is related that Nero spent £20,000 on roses
at one feast.

The rose was considered the emblem of
prudence. When a rose was placed over
the door of a room in which a Romah feast
was held, whoever passed beneath it there-
by incurred a solemn obligation not to re-
veal what was seen or heard, hence the
term, " Sub Rosa," a term in use at the
present time. Shakespeare, in his play,
Henry 6th, ist part 2-4, brings the rose into
historical prominence by making a poetic
reference to the commencement of the 30
years war in England, 1455- 1485, known as
the war of the Roses, between the houses of
York and Lancaster.

Mr. Wm. Paul, in one of his books, re-
cords that in Hungary it is customary with
ladies of rank to take bunches of rose buds
of choice varieties and go into the fields
and woods and bud the wild kinds which
they encounter in their rambles, and it is
said to be no unconimon thing to meet with
the finest varieties blooming in most unfre-
quented places. Although I have con-
densed and omitted much I would like to

The Clematis.

The clematis here shown was photographed about the middU
of June from a plant two years planted. The name has been lost,
but as can be seen it is very early, and though the flowers are not so
large as those of Clematis Henryii, i is as purely white, and late in
July was making new growth and forming new flowerbuds, and a
second crop of flowers was in sight that were only second to those
shown ni the photograph. There is no more desirable climber for
the front of verandahs than the clematis. This vine is in the lovely
garden of Mr. A. Alexander of Hamilton.

have written, I must quote a short poem by
Margaret H. Burnett on the rose :

It is not stately, grand, and strong

Like oak, which braves the winter's blast;

It yields no fruit to husbandman

When time of blossoming is past.

'Tis only beautiful ; but so.

It fills its God's appointed place

And speaks His watchful love and care

To e'en the humblest of our race.

Some fill their lives with actions grand,
Some fight life's battles brave and true,
Some only quiet beauty show.
And only trifling duties do.
But like the Rose, they fill the place
Appointed by the Almighty one,
And faithful though, but in the least,
Thev at the end will hear " Well done."

THE VEGETABLE GARDEN DURING AUGUST

WM. HUNT, ONT. AGRI. COLLE^.e;, GUELPH.

THE remarks made in regard to weeds,
surface stirring the soil, etc., in the
July number of The Horticulturist, can be
repeated with even more emphasis for the
n.onth of August. Not only will many of
the annual summer weeds still keep making
their appearance, but these as well as many
of tne perennial or permanent weeds, such
as thistles, burdocks, and other similar ones,
will also seed and thus spread themselves
over the entire garden.

Weeds are too often neglected when
crops are nearing maturity or perhaps
gathered in. By following them up closely,
especially at this ripening season, the next
season's crop of weeds can be largely re-
duced. Weeds allowed to ripen their seeds
now, at the natural time of ripening, wil^
form splendid material to ensure a good
early crop next season. Root out the
weeds, clear them oflf and burn them on the
rubbish pile and destroy the seeds.

Late crops of peas, beans, and even cauli-
flower and cabbage plants, will be much
benefited during hot dry weather if a light
mulch an inch or two in depth of half-rotted
stable manure is spread between the rows.
The mulcti should not be placed quite close
to the plants ; an inch or two of space should
be left around the stems. This mulch not
only conserves the moisture in the soil, but
is also beneficial as a fertiliaer.

ONIONS.

Onions are often spoiled for want of
tim.ely and proper harvesting. They are
very often left much too long before har-
vesting is commenced. As soon as the bulb
has reached maturity the roots should be
separated from the soil — especially if show-
ery weather prevails — to prevent the bulbs
starting growth again. It is difficult for
an inexperienced gardener to know just
when to pull onions. As soon as the tops
are withered, or only partially withered
perhaps, and present a grayish appearance.

the roots of the bulb can be removed from
the soil.

Another method of finding out when they
are fit to harvest is to endeavor to pull the
onion from the soil. If it removes readily
without much resistance, the bulbs should
be pulled. It is necessary, sometimes, dur-
ing very wet seasons or on very rich land
to go over the onion bed and press or bend
tne tops of tne onions over, as they are not
inclined sometimes to do this naturally.
Tliis bending over should be done a week
or two before the bulbs have reached their
full size. Ine process of bending the tops
throws the strength of the growth into the
bulb and hastens its development and ma-
turity. Light rollers are sometimes used
by commercial growers — where onions are
grown extensively — for bending the
growth, but a stick or long rod answers just
as well and is less likely to damage the
bulbs. If the weather is not too showery
the onions can remain on the ground to drv
for a week or two. They should be turned
over or moved once or twice during this
time to prevent the roots striking again into
the ground. If a good open shed is avail-
able remove them to it as soon as they are
pulled.

A cool, dry, airy shed or barn is the best
place to harvest onions in. Spread
out thinly on shelves or boards and give
them a turn over about once a week ; they
will keep splendidly in a shed until sharp
frost sets in. A dry, cool, airy cellar kept
at a, temperature as near the freezing point
as possible is a good place to winter onions.
If the onions are quite dry a few de-
grees of frost will not hurt them, especially
if spread out thinly on shelves.

SPINACH.

A sowing of this useful and wholesome
vegetable should be made about the end of
August or early in September. Sown about
the end of August it will often come in use-

356

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST

ful to pick during late fall or early winter,
when almost all other green vegetables ex-
cept cabbage are gone. A sowing made
about the second week in September will
often winter over and produce a supply long
before the spring-sown spinach is available
for use. This latter point is quite a con-
sideration, as spinach that has wintered over
is ready for the table even before that deli-
cious spring vegetable asparagus is avail-
able for use.

Spinach can be sown where peas, beans
or corn has been taken off. The ground
should be well dug and manured before the
seed is sown. The common round leaf
spinach, or the Viroflay will winter over
usually quite as well as the prickly seeded
spinach that is generally recommended for
autumn sowing.

ASPARAGUS.

Too little of this useful and healthful
vegetable is grown by amateur vegetable
growers. Coming in as it does in early
spring and summer, before most all other
vegetables are obtainable, its value cannot
be over estimated, to say nothing of its well
known medicinal and health-giving proper-
ties. If you have only a very limited
amount of garden ground, by all means
have some asparagus in it. Prepare the
ground for it this fall by plowing or digging
deeply a piece of the richest part of the gar-
den. Plenty of well rotted stable manure
should be worked into the ground. Let

Try Mulching Plants with lawn clip-
pings, weeds or manure. It will save water-
ing and keep soil from drying out. This
has been my plan for years, although I had
my garden laid with water pipes and hy-
drants. It takes too much time to use a
hose or a watering can. If you have no
mulch, try stirring soil frequently with hoe.
Loosen earth and nature will send up mois-
ture from below. — (N. S. Dunlop, Mont-
real. Oue.

the soil lie in rough ridges all winter. In
the spring the ground should be forked or
dug over, and the seed sown or plants
planted as early as the ground can be
worked.

A strip of ground about six feet in width
and 50 feet in length will allow of two rows
being put in, which will in a year or two
give a plentiful supply oi this succulent
vegetable sufficient for a large family. As-
paragus grown from seed usually takes
three years from sowing before it is fit for
table. By planting two-year-old plants
good asparagus can be had the first year
after planting. Connover's Colossal and
Palmetto asparagus are about the two best
varieties to plant.

One point in selecting the ground for an
asparagus bed must not be lost sight of, and
that is to select a piece of soil where the
water wul drain off readily during winter
and early spring, as otherwise the plants
may suffer, or at Dest the asparagus will be
much later in the spring than if a piece of
well drained soil is selected. When once
secured an asparagus bed will last for years
if cared for properly.

In sowing seeds of any kind select them
from the best specimens possible. The se-
lection and saving of tne best types of varie-
ties is equally as important to secure the
best results, as is the after culture and care
of the plants. IVJice and dampness are the two
greatest enemies to avoid when saving seed.

Should Use Caution. — Ginseng is one
of the crops about which I would advise
growers to exercise caution. They should
not rush into the culture of it extensively.
There are several who have been attempt-
ing it 'n Ontario, but I am doubtful if it will
ever prove as profitable as it has been repre-
sented to be, particularly by those growers
who have seed and roots to sell to intending
planters.— (Prof. H. L. Hutt, Ont. Agri.
College, Guelph.

WITH THE VEGETABLE GROWERS.

357

Tomato Growing in South Essex

J. D. FRASER, LEAMINGTON, ONT.

WHILE growers in many parts of
Ontario complain of the incon-
venience caused by the heavy snowfall, we,
in South Essex, sufifer from the lack of suf-
ficient snow to protect the roots of our
peach trees. Tomato growing has, in con-
sequence, been gone into somewhat exten-
sively, as our soil and climate and freedom
from spring frosts along the shore of Lake
Erie seem to make up conditions which are
perhaps not equaled in Ontario for securing
early pickings.

Seed is sown in forcing houses about the
last of February or the first of March, and
is transplanted a sufficient number of times
to secure stalky plants. In. preparing the
plants for the field they are usually put in
six inch spaces. There are diflFerent meth-
ods used for transferring them to the field.
I have found a house constructed so that the
glass and cotton can be removed when it be-
comes necessary to harden off the plants be-
fore going to the fields, to be a great saving
of labor from the method of changing the
pl"nts to other locations. For this purpose
folding sash has proved very satisfactorv.

being easily handled and giving perfect ven-
tilation. Driveways between the plant
houses, sufficiently wide to admit a team and
wagon are desirable.

With reference to the future outlook of
this industry we experience the same
difficulty as is found in most lines of
fruit growing: namely, insufficient markets.
The Florida and Texas growers are pushing
their early products into our markets more
vigorously each year, and owing to the bet-
ter shipping facilities and cheaper freight
rates enjoyed by them they are able to place
their tomatoes on the Winnipeg market at
an advantage, as the import duty is not suffi-
cient to offset the extra transport charges.
However, with the aid of our railroad com-
missioners, we hope to do business in the
west. There were some very fine fields of
the Earliana variety grown here last season.
Mr. Harrington had an especially fine piece.

At one time I thought cultivation was in-
dispensable in the orchard, but experience
has led me to change this opinion. There
are orchards in which cultivation is not de-
sirable.— (Wm. Rickard. M. L. A., New-
castle, Ont.

Nature Study Lessons for the School Teachers.

In connection with the summer school for nature study at the Macdonald Institute, Guelph, every teacher is expected to make and
keep a small garden. This photograph was taken recently and shows the teachers at work. The idea in holding these classes is ex-
plained by Piof. W. Lochhead in an article en the next page in this issue.

358

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

School Gardens for Teachers.

PROF. W. LOCHHEAD^ ONT. AGRI. COIvLEGe;,
GUE;IwPH.

^'^HAT school 'gardens will play a very
A important part in the new education
movement which is being inaugurated in
Ontario is the opinion of our foremost edu-
cators. Ontario is away behind many of
the States and most of the northern coun-
tries of Europe in the adoption of school
gardens as a part and parcel of her school
system. France has more than 28,000
school gardens, and in many of the other
European countries state funds are not
granted unless a garden is connected with
the school. In an article, by me, published
in The Canadian Horticulturist for July last
year, the value of school gardens is fully set
forth.

Believing that the school garden is of
great value in school work, the dire,ctors of
the summer school for nature study at the
Macdonald Institute, Guelph, decided to
have every teacher in attendance make and
keep a small garden. Although the usual
season for planting gardens was over, yet
it was still possible to get many of the seeds
to germinate and grow. With the assist-
ance of Mr. W. Hunt, the college florist, the
garden plots were marked out by the teach-
ers themselves, the land prepared and the
seeds planted. Talks were given at the
plots on the preparation of the soil and the
use of manures and fertilizers, on the pro-
per planting of the different seeds, on the
use of the garden line, on the best way of
caring for the plot after the seeds were
planted so as to conserve the moisture, and
on the care of garden tools.

Each plot was 12 x 12 feet, with paths
18 inches wide between the plots, and each
teacher prepared a sketch plan for himself
of the plot, which was discussed and criti-
cized, and much valuable information ob-
tained as to the best arrangement of the

rows in the plot. It was pointed out that
probably a better sized plot would be 10 x
15, or 10 X 20, in that it could be more
readily worked.

Soon after planting heavy rains came.
The soil being a heavy clay loam, caked on
drying, and there was found the necessity
for raking the surface to conserve the mois-
ture and to prevent excessive evaporation.
In fact, practical problems came up for so-
lution at every turn. At present writing
the seedlings are up nicely and the plots are
in good shape and condition. The next
problem will be the weeds and the thinning.

Spraying Mixtures Under Test.

A CAREFUL examination was made
July 19, 20 and 21 in the Niagara
district to ascertain the results of the
various experiments made last spring with
spraying mixtures for the San Jose scale.
The object of the tests was to determine the
relative merits of the lime-sulphate wash,
the McBain mixture, the sal soda and other
combinations. The examination was made by
Professors Eochhead and Harcourt, of the
Ontario Agricultural College; Inspectors
Smith and Hodgetts, of the Provincial De-
partment of Agriculture, and a special com-
mittee of the Niagara District Fruit Grow-
ers' Association.

The scale began to run a week or more
before the date of the examinations, so that
the first brood only were showing. All of
the remedies were found to have done good
work. On unsprayed trees the fruit was
in, many instances already spotted with the
young scale and would soon be rendered
unsaleable. Scale-infested trees suffered
severely from the winter, and many or-
chards between St. Catharines and Niagara,
that were once considered models, are now
completely destroyed. They furnish a ter-
rible example of the destructive work of
this scale and of what neglect in its treat-
ment will bring about.

MORE ABOUT ST. LOUIS.

359

A far more pleasing picture was pre-
sented at the farm of Mr. Burgess, near
Oueenston. This gentleman had sprayed
with the lime-sulphur mixture, boiling with
steam, and using a gas sprayer. The trees
were in splendid condition, under clean
cultivation, entirely free from curl-leaf, and
bearing a magnificent crop of peaches.

After a careful examination of the
various orchards the committee decided
that at that date practically no difference

could be observed between the trees treated
with lime-sulphur and the McBain winter
mixture as far as the general condition of
the trees was concerned. No decided opin-
ion could be given as to the condition of the
scale, as another month must elapse before
the natural increase on the sprayed trees
will be sufficient to be at all noticeable.
Another inspection will be held within a
month, W'hen something more definite will
be announced.

OUR FRUIT ADVERTISES CANADA

ROBT. HAMII.TON, CHIEF FOREIGN FRUIT EXHIBITS^ DOM. DEPT. AGRI.

IT is to the credit of Canada that the fruit
exhibit at St. Louis excites a great deal
of comment there, even from well informed
people. Less well-informed people, when
they examine our fruit exhibits and find
peaches and quinces and grapes of fine size
and beauty are frequently heard to say,
" Why, I thought Canada had nothing but
the common fruits." One of the stray
questions put one day was, " What part of
Ontario is Canada in ?" showing what a de-
gree of ignorance of their neighbors is oc-
casionally met with. -

The Canadian fruit is so fine and in such
large variety as to astonish the most ex-
perienced fruit men. Some of the states of
the American union have immense fruits on
their tables — fruits of very large size and
fine color in few varieties — but Canada had
in her opening installation 94 varieties of
well preserved apples, many of the kinds
such as it was not believed could be kept in
good condition for so long a period. In
addition to Baldwin, Ben Davis, Canada
Red, Northern Spy, Cooper's Market, etc.,
that astonished no one at that date, were the
Fameuse, from Montreal and Eastern On-
tario, the Mcintosh Red, Wealthy, Scarlet
Pippin, St. Lawrence, Baxter, Blenheim
Pippin that are generally regarded as fall or
early winter apples. When these were

seen and sampled visitors were more than
astonished.

A REPRESENTATIVE EXHIBIT.

Fruits were displayed from all the pro-
vinces, including little Prince Edward Is-
land on the Atlantic to British Columbia on
the Pacific ocean. Nova Scotia sent her
Bishop Pippins, Nonpareils, Cornish Aro-
n:atic. Cox's Orange. Ribstons, Blenheims,
and many others ; New Brunswick sent Ben
Davis, Wealthy, Yellow Bellfleurs, Fa-
meuse, Scott's Red, and several other kinds ;
Quebec, her Fameuse, St. Lawrence, Weal-
thy, Canada Red, Mcintosh Reds. On-
tario was represented by her numberless
varieties too large to enumerate. British
Columbia sent her brilliant apples, in many
fine varieties, that for smoothness and
brightness, besides high flavor, were almost
unapproachable.

Already there have been a large number
of contributors to the Canadian fruit ex-
hibit. A very nice display was gathered •
by Rev. Mr. Burke, of Alberton, P. E. I.,
for his province, while a fine collection of
typical Nova Scotia apples was sent by Mr.
C. R. H. Starr, of Wolfville, N. S.

The collection from the province of Que-
bec was sent by Mr. Knowltori, of Knowl-
ton, who had many fine kinds from leading
(Cfmtinued on pa;4e 361.)

360

EDITORIAL.

jqe Qnadian f|ortic{iIt<irist

The Leading Horticultural Magazine in tlie
Dominion.

growers as to what they would like to see done
are invited.

1. The Canadian Horticulturist is published the first of
each month.

8« Sabscription I'rice $1.00 per year, strictly in advance
entitling the subscriber to membership in the Fruit Growers'
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report and a share in its annual distribution of plants and trees.
For all countries except Canada, United States and Great Britain
add 50C for postage.

3. Remittances should be made by Postoffice or Money
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4. Discontinuances — Responsible subscribers will continue
to receive The Horticulturist until the publishersare notified by letter
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send in their revised lists in January : otherwise it will be taken for
granted all will continue members.

5. Cliane;e of Address — When a change ofaddress is ordered,
both the old and the new addresses must be given.

6. Advertising Ba es quoted on app'ication. Circulation
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7. Articles and Illustrations for publication will be thank-
fully received by the editor.

8. All Communications should be addressed :

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST,

TORONTO, CANADA

Congratulations, Mr. MacKinnon ! Con-

gratulations, Mr. McNeil ! A good chief of
the fruit division has left us and a good one has
been gained.

THE SAN JOSE SCALE.

The reports published in this issue from a
number of the township San oose scale inspec-
tors in the province show that the situation is
still a critical one and that muoh careful con-
sideration of the position of affairs is called for.
The most disappointing feature is the fact that
in spite of all that has been done the area af-
fected by the scale is increasing. The most en-
couraging point lies in the demonstrated fact
that spraying, if promptly attended to and pro-
perly done, will not only serve to check the
ravages of the scale but that in many instances
it will effect a cure. The fact that many grow-
ers now realize this and that more spraying was
done this year than ever before is also cheering.

A serious aspect is presented when it is con-
sidered that there are a number of districts
where thousands of trees destroyed by the scale
are still standing, a danger to all the healthy
orchards in the neighborhood. So discouraged
are the growers they have refused to
continue the fight to save their orchards, and
the township councils decline to even appoint
local scale inspectors. Has not the heavy loss
already sustained been sufficient to show the
folly of allowing the scale .^ spread unchecked?
Right here is the danger point. The views of

LET US HEAR FROM YOU.

Many readers of The Horticulturist could add
greatly to the value of this magazine by very
little effort on their part. Every month edi-
torial representatives of The Horticulturist visit
the homes of practical fruit growers in different
parts of the province. 'Seldom is there a man
met with who has not got some valuable ex-
perience to relate or who cannot hunt up one
or more good photographs of his house, orchard
or garden. Let us have these photographs.
With them send a few lines that will describe
their interesting features and add to the value
of their publication. If our readers will only
do this they will not only take more interest in
The Horticulturist themselves but their friends
and neighbors likewise.

Every month, also, meetings are held by
various of the numerous horticultural societies
in the province at which instructive papers are
read by members or talks given. Many of
these papers deserve presentation to a much
wider audience than those present to hear them.
Send them in that they may be published in
The Horticulturist for the benefit of our several
thousan^i readers. Would it not be a good idea
for societies at their meetings to appoint some
member to secure anu send a full report to The
Horticulturist. We ask lor and count on re-
ceiving the help of all our readers.

START THE BALL ROLLING.

A remark made by Mr. John Pullen, general
freight agent of the Grand Trunk Railway,
when giving evidence during June before the
Railway Commission, is deserving of attention
by fruit growers. The statement was made
that the Grand Trunk at one time appointed a
representative to see what could be done to im-
prove the facilities for handling the fruit car-
ried by the company over its lines. It was de-
cided that if the fruit growers would cooperate
and builu central storehouses and shipping sta-
tions it would be possible for them to keep
their fruit in better condition while waiting for
cars and for the company to give such organi-
zations better service than could be rendered
individual shippers. Attempts made to organ-
ize the growers in certain sections had, how-
ever, to be abandoned because it was found the
growers could not agree among themselves.
The truth of this statement was admitted by
the -growers present.

How long are these conditions to continue?
It is true growers in a few districts in the pro-
vince have organized and that they are reaping
the benefits which follow prudent cooperative
effort. It is equally true that there are scores
of sections in the province where the value of
the fruit interests could be greatly enhanced
were the growers to set to work to place the
handling of their fruit on a better business
basis. The tendency on the part of so many

EDITORIAL.

361

farmers, to sit down and wait for the other fel-
low to act is at the bottom of the whole diffi-
culty. There is nothing to prevent the grow-
ers in any section, who are anxious to act, froin
doing so. Full particulars as to the constitu-
tion and by-laws of companies already formed
can be readily obtained on request from half a
dozen different sources. The Horticulturist
will gladly furnish such information to any
grower who asks for same. Why should not
some of these companies be formed this fall ?
Don't wait; start the ball rolling now.

There can be no doubt that Canada's fruit
exhibits at St. Louis are proving the best ad-
vertisement the Dominion is receiving at the
big exposition. It has been generally known in
the States for a number of years that Canada
is an excellent agricultural country, but in spite
of this there is a widespread impression that
our, to us, unpopular title, " The Lady of the
Snows," has been well deserved. The revela-
tion, therefore, that Canada can grow finer fruit
than most of the States of the Union comes as
a great surprise, to our southern cousins, par-
ticularly those who are unaware of the fact that
a large section of Ontario is farther south than
almost all the northern border states, and much
farther south than such states as Maine and
Vermont. Our fruit exhibits are proving, as
none of our other exhibits can, the really mode-
rate nature of the climate in many of the pro-
vinces, and in this way are undoubtedly accom-
plishing much good.

A great many fine papers are read, from time
to time, at the women's institute meetings held
throughout the province. Through the kind-
ness of Supt. G. A. Patnam, The Horticulturist
has secured copies of a number of these ad-
dresses which bear directly on the- growing of
flowers and fruit, fruit receipts, etc., which will
be published from time to time in this maga-
zine, and should be of great interest to our
readers. The first of these articles appears in
this issue.

Owing to its importance at this season, the
subject of fruit packing is given considerable
prominence in this issue of The Horticulturist.
We trust those of our readers not directly in-
terested in this matter will understand the cir-
cumstances and realize that a monthly maga-
zine, if it is to be up-to-date, must give par-
ticular attention in each issue to the topics of
greatest interest during that month.

Send us a card ^if you are not receiving The
Horticulturist regularly. We will attend to it.

Do you like the changes we are making in
The Horticulturist? If you do, tell your friends
about them.

tisement in the back of this magazine. The
ships advertised as having cold storage were,
fitted up at the request of the government and
are of the most modern description, with thor-
oughly insulated chambers in which a tempera-
ture of 25 degrees can be maintained, if de-
sired. These chambers, of which there are
four, can be kept at different temperatures to
suit the cargo. The steamers advertised with
cool air were also fitted out at government re-
quest.

Cool air storage is simply a refrigerator in
a modified form, and is specially adapted for
carrying cheese and early apples. The cham-
bers are insulated and outside ventilation com-
pletely cut off, while fresh dry air from the
cooler is forced, by use of ducts, to the cooler,
where the process of cooling and purifying is
again gone through and the air serit again into
the chambers. The advantage of this system
is that the air is first of all purified, all foreign
gases are removed and deterioration prevented.
Growers will do well to look into the ventila-
tion and refrigeration of the steamers by which
they consign their shipments of fruit.

Well Equipped Steamers.

The attention of fruit growers is called to
the Donaldson and Thomson line of steamships,
whose dates of sailing are given in the adver-

Our Fruit Advertises Canada.

(Coutinued from page 359.)

fruit growers in the Eastern Townships.
Montreal, etc. A small collection from
Eastern Quebec was sent by Mr. Dupuir, of
Village des Aulnaies. The Ontario collec-
tion was representative of the whole pro-
vince, while Thos. G. Earle, of Lytton, B.
C, made the selection from his province a
very fine one.

Manitoba and the Northwest provinces
are represented by bottled fruits, which
con- prise all the leading small fruits, be-
sides many kinds of vegetables, which are
capable of being shown in' bottles. These
were put up at the experimental farms at
Brandon and Indian nead.

Canadians may well be proud of the ex-
hibits made by Canada at St. Louis in all
the departments. Her forestry, fish and
game ex'hibits are easily first ; the same mav
be said of her agricultural display, while her
mineralogical exhibit is second to none,
where the whole is beyond praise. The
fruit exhibit, however, tells more of Canada's
fine and varied climates than all the rest put
together.

EDINBURGH BUYER WANTS UNIFORM PACKAGES

JAMES LINDSAY & SOX, LIMITED, KDINBURfiH, SCOTLAND.

Canadian fruit growers should use a uniform
barrel for the shipment of their apples, and we
would suggest that it should weigh 168 pounas.
Last season barrels of many different sizes
and weights were used, a considerable number
varying in weight from 140 to 146 pounds. This
is a long way below what the standard is ex-
pected to be, and when selling it is not easy for
us to detect such differences in weight. We
notice the barrels are light, but do not at the
time realize there is such a uisparity in the
weight, as there often is. This leads after-
wards to no end of trouble, as allowances have
to be made our customers.

The packing has greatly improved on ac-
count of the interest the Dominion Government
has taken in regard to it, but there is still room
for improvenjent with many, shippers, as some~^
of them do not seem to realize what is required

of them. Last season in several instances we
had XX quality branded XXX, and X branded
XX. Such branding was carefully noted on
this side by the Canadian inspector when his
attention was drawn to it.

Cases should also be a uniform weight and
should contain 50 pounds net. The govern-
ment should not allow any other package to be
made, as if they do there will be no end of
trouble. If attention is given to the weights
of packages, such as we suggest, it will cer-
tainly tend to stimulate trade.

Certain varieties of pears can be disposed of
in our market to good account, but they require
careful nandling. Growers, when packing
them, should use more of the wood shavings to
soften any pressure that comes against the
fruit. The case should be made of wood,
heavy enough to protect the fruit.

A Warning to Fruit Growers.

A warning to fruit growers was given to The
Horticulturist recently by Mr. W. H. Dempsey,
of Trenton, in regard to the shipping of apples
to Great Britain before they are properly ma-
tured. " Last August and during the first
week in September," said Mr. Dempsey, " I saw
buyers shipping Baldwins, Greenings, Ben
Davis and Wagner apples. In fact, this has
been done for several years. Most of these
apples were bought in July, the buyers reserv-
ing the right to pick them when they wanted.

"Early in the season, when it looked as if
there was going to be a glut of apples on the
British markets, the buyers became alarmed and
started to pick apples long before they were
properly matured, so they could place them in
Great Britain before the heavy rush of apples
began. Mcintosh Reds, one of the choicest
dessert apples, were even sent with the Duch-
ess and Astrachans.

These apples were sure to shrivel up and be
perfectly worthless by the time they reached
the consumer. Picked at an early date, they
woulu not even cook well, as they had not ma-
tured. The fruit inspector warned the ship-
pers that they were grading their apples too
high. In my opinion the inspectors should
have stopped these shipments altogether. If
much of this fruit is sent from Ontario it will
give our apples a baa reputation."

Canadian Fruit Exhibits.

The department of agriculture is about to
send to the London exhibition, which takes
place in September, displays of Canadian fruits
and food products generally, to which growers
and manufacturers are invited to contribute.
Mr. Wm. H. Hay, of the department of agricul-
ture, is taking charge of the agricultural and
food products display, and Mr. Robt. Hamilton,
exhibition branch, department of agriculture,
Ottawa, is making the fruit display. Any in-

formation required may be obtained by writing
either of these gentlmen.

Besides what is being done for the St. Louis
exhibition and the exhibits in London, the great
Industrial exhibition at Liege, Belgium, which
opens in May, 1905, is also being provided for.
Growers of fine fruit will do well to keep these
exhibitions in mind.

A Poor Method of Selling.

" One of the evils of the present system of
handling fruit," said P. J. Carey, Dominion
Fruit Inspector, to The Horticulturist recently,
" is the method of buying practised by many
dealers. In the early spring these buyers go
around and make contracts with the farmers
for their fruit. They give the farmers to
understand that the contract has been closed.
The statements they sign seem to ibe all right
on their face, but when they have been tested
later it almost invariably turns out that, as far
as any protection to the interests of the grower
is concerned, they are absolutely worthless.

As the season advances, if the buyer finds the
crop is likely to turn out a large one, he very
carefully picks only the best fruit on the farm
and refuses the rest. The poor fruit is left on
the farm on various pretexes from week to week
until the season becomes so advanced the fruit
is entirely worthless. At this time if the
farmer tries to take advantage of the contract
signeu early in the spring he finds it is all in
favor of the buyer.

The best remedy for this » condition is for
farmers to organize and establish a central
packing house. If enough of these houses could
be started they would do much to redeem the
trade, ap the fruit woul<3i then be packed in sea-
son and handled by competent packers engaged
by the growers. There will be no person to
come in and aosorb a large part of their profit
before the fruit reaches the consumer."

362

A BIG GATHERING OF HORTICULTURISTS ASSURED

The convention of representatives of th'e
horticultural societies of the province, which
will be held in Toronto next November at the
time of the Provincial Fruit, Flower and Honey
Show, promises to be one of the most success-
ful features of that biff event. The officers of
the Toronto Horticultural Society have already
evinced great interest in the gathering and are
anxious to show their friends from all over the
province how nicely tl^ey can take the part of
hosts. A most interesting program is being
planned. Leading officers of the various horti-
cultural societies of the province will be pres-
ent, as well as prominent officials from the
Dominion Experimental Farm and Provincial
Agricultural College. Two or three well known

speakers from the United States and the Mari-
time provinces, who will be in attendance at
the annual convention of the Ontario Fruit
Growers' Association, will be able to address
the meetings of the horticultural society dele-
gates as well. Members of societies are in^
vited to send The Horticulturist suggestions
as to subjects they would like to have discussed
at the convention.

Already a large portion of the horticultural
societies of the province have approved of the
proposed convention and agreed to send dele-
gates. This ensures a good attendance. In
addition to the reports from horticultural socie-
ties previously printed in The Horticulturist,
the following societies have been heard from.

There will be plenty of opportunity at the
proposed convention to further the interests of
local horticultural societies, and the only way
to do so is to form a provincial association.
Such an association is needed badly in order to
have real live up-to-date societies. It will be
necessary to call meetings of the local societies
for full discussion of desired improvements.
The delegates sent will then have to endeavor
to bring before the association the views of
their members. One good effect of such a pro-
vincial association will be its ability to buy
premium plants in such large quantities as to
make it possible to obtain them at a minimum
expense. This would be much better than for
each society to purchase individually. — (J. W.
Brennan, Grimsby, Ont.

SHOULD MEET WITH APPROVAL.

The advisability of forming a provincial
horticultural association is sure to meet with
approval. The fruit industry and floriculture
are attaining large proportions in many parts
of Ontario, and an association where repre-
sentative men from different parts of the pro-
vince could meet and exchange views on these
and similar subjects would be of much ad-
vantage. I will bring the matter before the
notice of our society at its next meeting. — (J.
E. Johnson, Sec'y Leamington Hort'l Soc.
WANT AN INDEPENDENT ASSOCIATION.

The members of the Woodstock Horticul-
tural Society all approve of the proposed con-
vention at the time of the Provincial Fruit,
Flower and Honey Show. — (Jas. S. ScarfE, Sec'y.

The directors of the Cobourg Horticultural
Society heartily approve of the proposal to form
a provincial horticultural association, with the
reservation, however, that it shall not be used
as a donkey engine to the Ontario Fruit Grow-

ers' Association. At the time of its organiza-
tion our society was induced to affiliate with
the O. F. G. A., but two years ago, in common
with nearly every other horticultural society
in the district, at a meeting to which all our
members were specially summoned, it was
unanimously resolved to abandon all connec-
tion with the O. F. G. A. This emphatic action
was taken owing to the treatment received at
the hands of those who had succeeded in ex-
cluding from the board nearly every horticul-
tural society representative. — (W. J. Snelgrove.

I cannot emphasize too strongly my hearty
indorsement of the proposed formation of a
Provincial Horticultural Association, which I
think might be organized pretty much on the
lines of those two good models, the FrilM
Growers' Association and the Ontario Poultry
Association. — (J. H. Brondson, former Sec'y
•Guelph Hort'l Soc.

I have been in consultation with our presi-
dent, Mr. D. McClew, of the Deseronto Horti-
cultural Society, regarding suggestions to form
a provincial horticultural association. We be-
lieve that our society would favor the forma-
tion of an association on purely horticultural
lines, as distinct from the fairs, the fruit grow-
ers and bee-keepers associations, provided that
the membership fee to be paid by each society
. to the central association is a nominal one, so
as not to be a drain on the funds of the socie-
ties. We feel assured that this society will
favor the sending of a delegate to the meeting.
The bringing of horticultural societies into
closer touch with each other and the adoption
of uniform methods of operation sheuld be the
means of producing more effective work and re-
sult in lasting benefit to the province. — (R. W.
Lloyd, iSec'y.

The Use of Bands. — Does it ever occur to the
advocates of spraying for the protection of fruit
trees that there is a limit to the amount of pre-
ventiveness accomplished by this means — that
trees cannot be properly sprayed, even by ex-
perts, only at certain periods of the year; that
a large proportion of the insects, both flying
and climbing, wing and wingless, are continu-
ally coming to the ground for moisture, etc.;
that if an effective band were placed around

the trunk of trees, that same would prevent the

pest, once down, from again climbing the tree;

that such a band properly applied would not
only stop them but would form such a means of

protection for them that their cocoons would
be laid underneath the band, where they

could be readily found and easily destroyed,
thus making it a comparatively simple opera-
tion to destroy thousands of the eggs of all

kinds of insects. — (F. V. Parsons, Toronto, Ont.

363

WHAT THE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES ARE DOING

Had an Enjoyable Outing.

The regular monthly meeting of the Toronto
Horticultural Society was held on July 5 in St.
George's J:-..all, being more especially the annual
show of hardy roses. A beautiful display was
made, Exhibition Park taking first honors,
Alexander McHardy and — jrticultural Gardens
contesting for 2nd place, James Barwell and H.
Simmers for third place. x^oses were not the
only flowers displayea, and for which prizes by
point's, were offered, as Manton Bros, showed a
grand lot of native orchids, delphiniums, etc.;
H. Simmers, delphiniums, penstemons, iris and
gaillardia; James Barwell, tuberous begonias ;
R. Barker, white peonies and gaillardia. Sing-
ing and music were kindly rendered by Mr.
Ernest Tyrrell and Mrs. (Dr.) Shiell. The ex-
hibitors very kindly distributed all the cut
flowers to the laaies present.

The energetic and
:apab e chairman of
the committee in
harge of the flor;-!
arrange menls for the
proposed frnit, flower
and honey show, to
be held in November,
namely .Mr. Edward
Tyrrell, or Toronto,
is here introduced to
the readers of The
Hort.cullurist. Mr.
I yrrell, who is an en-
thusiastic gardener,
is probably familiar
to many owing to the
series of interesting
articles he has con-
tributed to The Hor-
ticultu ist on floral
and plant lore. This
s the third consecu-
tive year that Mr.
Tyrrell has been the
president of the Hoi -
ticultural society and
he has held the presi-
dency tWiCe previ-
ously In regard to
the flower show Mi.
Ty rell says, "We
are going to make it the most complete flower show ever held in the
province. The gardeners are vieing with each other in their efforts
to make it a great success."

Mr. Edward Tyrrell.

Xext day, Wednesday, July 6, the members
and friends paid a visit to the Ontario Agricul-
tural College, Guelph. Rain commenced fall-
ing before 7 o'clock in the morning, but that
did not deter some 170, of which a large number
were ladies, attending. Dinner was served, in
the form of a basket picnic, in the large gym-
nasium. In the absence of President Creel-
man the party was shown around the farm by
Prof. Hutt, Prof. Zavitz and Mr. Wm. Hunt,
and were delighted with what was seen. The
weather was fine in the afternoon. The party
was under the care of Edward Tyrrell, presi-
dent; H. R. x'rankland, vice-president; George
Musson, director, and were back in Toronto by
eight o'clock after spending a most delightful
day.

Tilsonburg's Good Work Continues.

In the distribution referred to in the May
Horticulturist 30 plots of ground were laid out
on Grand avenue, and 30 boys, selected from
the higher divisions of the public school, were
each given five packages of vegetable and
flower seeds, also some gladioli (Groff's mix-
ture). All these plots are now being culti-
vated by the boys. All the seeds and gladioli
are well up and looking fine; the plots are
clean and in good state of cultivation, most of
the boys being enthusiastic and doing their
work well under the direction of an experienced
instructor. These plots when at their best will
be judged, and prizes given in each division or
class, as well as a special prize for the best
kept plot showing the best results.

As for the 300 or more packages of seeds,
these were distributed amongst the girl pupils
of the public school, and are grown in their
home gardens. A special committee visits
each of the home garden plots and reports to a
meeting of the Tillsonburg Horticultural so-
ciety, the result of their inspection, marking
each plot according to its degree of excellence
or otherwise. When the proper time comes a
school children's exhibition of the garden stuff
and flowers will be held at the town hall and
prizes awarded. The premiums are all money
prizes offered by the horticultural society, but
these may be supplemented by the li'berality of
friends. The secretary will visit each home
garden as well as help supervise the Grand
avenue plots. If possible a flower show will
be held at the same time as the school chil-
dren's exhibition. It is hoped that our endea-
vor to inculcate in the young a love of flowers
and the instruction given them this season will
bear fruit in due time. — (W. W. Livingstone,
Sec'y Hort'l Soc.

Carry the Exhibits Free.

Our society has been doing very good work
this season. Our annual flower show will be
held about the last of August. Anything in
the form of flowers are eligible for competi-
tion, and outsiders as well as members may
show. Rigs are hired to convey the plants to
and from the building in safety, oUt no prizes
are given and no admission charged. I think
it is more advisable to get people to show be-
cause they love the work than to have them
compete for prizes. — (J. H. Winkler, Sec'y
Waterloo Hort'l Soc.

The Town Parks Cared For.

Besides other work, already described in The
Horticulturist, the Peterboro Horticultural So-
ciety looks after the town parks. We get a
grant from the town and one from the county,
which are used for the purchase of flowers for
the teds, and paying for a caretaker. One
park, which was nothing but a weed bed when
leased to us three years ago, is now one of the
prettiest spots in the town. We are now con-
sidering some plan for increasing our member-

364

ECHOES FROM SOCIETY MEETINGS.

365

ship. There are so many people whom we
think ought to give us their support and which
we are unable to see personally, that we are
going to try sending them a circular letttr. — (K.
L. Beal, Sec.

Will Help the Agricultural Society.

The directors of the Elmira Horticultural so-
ciety have decided to again cooperate with the
agricultural society and malce a particular ef-
fort to get a good display of flowers at the fall
show of the agricultural society. A grant of
$10 has been made towards the flower prize list
of that society, and the list revised and im-
proved. It has also been decided to purchase
the usual amount of winter flowering bulbs to
be distributed among the members of the horti-
cultural society in the fall. — (C. W. Schierholtz,
Sec.

The Garden City Earns Its Name.

The St. Catharines Horticultural Society
held the first June flower and fruit show in its
history on June 28. To the people of St.
Catharines and the neighboring towns it proved
our right to the title of " Garden City," and will
assuredly give a great impetus in giving the
general public a wider and more personal in-
terest in floriculture.

Mr. R. Cameron, the genial and widely known
florist of Niagara Falls Park, contributed much
to the success of the show by bringing from
his home a magnificent collection of over 200
varieties of rare and beautiful flowering plants
and shrubs. Many of them can be found no-
where else on the continent. There was, be-
sides, a splendid array of the smaller fruits,
showing the high state to which the fruit grow-
ers of this district have brought their products.
— (S. Richardson, Jr., SeCy.

The Florists Will M jet.

The Canadian Horticultural Association will
hold its 7th annual convention at Ottawa,
August 9-10, in Goldsmith's Hall, Sparks street.
There will be afternoon and evening sessions
both days, and a morning session on the second
day. The afternoon meeting on the second
day will take the form of an excursion to the
Experimental Farm. Reports of the secre-
tary, treasurer, and all committees will be' read
at the opening session August 9. At the even-
ing session, of the first day. Prof. W. T. Ma-
coun, of the Experimental Farm, will give a
lecture on Hardy Perennials, suitable for flor-
ists, illustrated by a large display; the choice
of place for next meeting will be considered,
and a discussion be held on, What is the best
fuel for heating greenhouses ?

The florists trade, from a retail standpoint,
will be discussed by Mr. A. C. Wilshire, of
Montreal, at the rporning session of the second
day, and Holiday Plants, will be the subject of
a paper by Mr. Wm. Gammage, of London. A
question box will be opened, and the question,
What advantage has iron construction of green-
houses over the old wooden construction ? will
be discussed.

The last meeting of the series will be the
evening of August 10, when all unfinished busi-
ness will be completed, officers elected and final
committee reports read. On the following day,
August 11, will be an all-day session with the
Ottawa fiorists, when interesting places in and
around the city will be visited.

Fine Display of Roses. — The Grimsby Horti-
cultural Society were pleasantly entertained at
the home of the president, June 29, when a large
and splendid exhibition of roses was made a
prominent feature of the program. The names
of the varieties of the roses were marked on
most of the specimens, which added greatly to
the interest taken in the display. A musical
program was rendered by the Grimsby musical
club. Another meeting is planned for August.
— (J. W. Brennan, Sec.

Bulbs From Holland. — At a meeting of the
directors of the Picton Horticultural Society,
held during July, an order was sent to Holland
for the bulbs for the fall distribution. The
premiums will be six hyacinth bulbs and 19 nar-
cissus bulbs of selected varieties, for each
member.

Received Plants. — During May each member
of the Port Hope Horticultural society received
three boxes of annuals and two boxes of peren-
nials. We have also placed in our high school
grounds four boxes each of the following: Ver-
benas, asters, petunias, phlox drummondii, and
three dozen geraniums. — (J. G. Jackson, Sec.
Port Hope Hort'l Soc.

At a meeting of the Kingston Horticultural
Society, held early in July, it was unanimously
deciu-.- to hold a show in September at a date
to be later determined upon. A number of local
fiorists, who were present, promised hearty ca-
operation, agreeing to make special exhibits to
encourage amateurs. Such exhibits will not
be judged for prizes.

The July meeting of the Perth Horticultural
Society was one of the most successful ever held
by that society. The experiment of holding
summer meetings in the gardens and lawns of
the different members of the society has proven
such a success that it may be looked on as a
permanent feature.

The Ottawa Horticultural Society deserves
credit for its exhibition of fruit, flowers anl
vegetables held July 19. The display of horti-
cultural products was a most pleasing and
creditable one. The paper read by Mr. James
Thorne. on The Experiences of a Beginner in
Horticulture, was a fine one, and was presented
in a humorous an. pleasing manner. discus-
sions followed on different points of interest to
all present.

The Fergus Horticultural Society held its
regular exhibition July 22, resulting in the best
of its kind ever attempted by this society.
There are 62 members in the society. — (J. C.
Templin, Sec.

THE FRUIT PRIZE LIST FOR THE BIG SHOW.

The following prize list has been prepared
for the fruit sections of the Provincial Fruit,
Flower and Honey Show which will be held in
Toronto next November. A number of special
prizes have yet to be added, including one for
the best exhibit of fruit made by any agricul-
tural society in the province. This will give
societies a chance to show what they can do.
The express charges, one way, on exhibits of
fruit will be paid by the Fruit Growers' Asso-
ciation :

APPLES.
A COMMIERCIAL, DIVISION.

Class 1. Export or foreign market varieties.

Section 1. Barrels ready for shipment. Bald-
wins, 1st $8, 2nd $6, 3rd $4. Ben Davis, 1st $8;
2nd $6, 3rd $4. Greening, 1st $8, 2nd $6, 3rd $4.
King, 1st $8, 2nd $6, 3rd $4. Russet, 1st $8, 2nd
$6, 3rd $4. Spy, 1st ^nd $6, 3rd $4.

Section 2. Boxes ready for shipment (fruit
unwrapped). Baldwin, 1st $4, 2nd $3, 3rd $2.
Greening, 1st $4, 2nd $3, 3rd $2. King, 1st $4,
2n $3, 3rd $2. Russett, 1st $4, 2nd $3, 3rd $2.
Spy, 1st $4, 2nd $3, 3rd $2.

iSection 3. Boxes ready for shipment (fruit
wrapped). Fameuse, 1st $4, 2nd $3, 3rd $2.
King, 1st $4, 2nd $3, 3rd $2. Mcintosh, 1st $4,
2nd $3, 3rd $2. Spy, 1st $4, 2nd $3. 3rd $2.
Wealthy, 1st $4, 2nd $3, 3rd $2.
Class 2. Domestic or home market varieties not
included in Class 1.

Section 1. Barrels ready for shipment. Alex-
ander, 1st $5, 2nd $3, 3rd $2. Blenheim, 1st $5,
2nd $3, 3rd $2. Gravenstein, 1st $5, 2nd $3, 3rd
$2. Hubbardston, 1st $5, 2nd $3, 3rd $2. Yel-
low Bellefleur, 1st $5, 2nd $3, 3rd $2. Any
other variety, correctly named, 1st $5, 2nd $3,
3rd $2.

Section 2. Boxes ready for shipment. Alex-
ander, 1st $3, 2nd $2, 3rd $1. Blenheim, 1st $3,
2nd $2, 3rd $1. Gravenstein, 1st $3, 2nd $2, 3rd
$1. Yellow Bellefleur, 1st $3, 2nd $2, 3rd $1.
Any other variety, correctly named, $lst 3, 2nd
$2, 3rd $1.

All boxes must be v^anadian standard size,
10 X 11 X 20, inside measurement.

AMATEUR DIVISION.

Class 1. Dessert varieties. Any 3 varieties,
plates of five each, properly named, 1st $3, 2nd
$2.50, 3rd $2, 4th $1.50, 5th $1. Any new va-
riety, plate of five, named, 1st $2, 2nd $1. Any
seedling, plate of five, 1st $2, 2nd $1.

Class 2. Cooking varieties. Any 3 varieties,
plates of five each, properly name9, 1st $3, 2nd
$2.50, 3rd $2, 4th $1.50, 5th $1. Any new va-
riety, plate of five, named, Ist $2, 2nd $1. Any
seedling, plate of five, 1st $2, 2nd $1.

Olaiss 3. (Special decorative exhibits. Fruit
decoration for dining table.

Class 4. Varieties for identification.

PEARS.

Class 1. Export varieties.

Section 1. Half cases ready for shipment

(fruit wrapped). Anjou, 1st $3, 2nd $2, 3rd $1.
Bosc, 1st $3, 2nd $2, 3rd $1. Clairgeau, 1st $3,
2nd $2, 3rd $1. Duchess, 1st $3, 2nd $2, 3rd $1.
Howell, 1st $3, 2nd $2, 3rd $1. Keiffer, 1st $3,
2nd $2, 3rd $1. Lawrence, 1st $3, 2nd $2, 3rd
$1. Louise Bonne, 1st $3, 2nd $2, 3rd $1.

Class 2. Domestic varieties.

Section 1. 11-quart baskets, ready for ship-
ment. Flemish Beauty, 1st $2, 2nd $1.50, 3rd
$1. Seckel, 1st $2, 2nd $1.50, 3rd $1. Sheldon,
1st $2, 2nd $1.50, 3rd $1. Winter Nelis. 1st $2,
2nd $1.50, 3rd $1. Any other variety, correctly
named, 1st $2, 2nd $1.50, 3rd $1.

GRAPES.

Agawam, best six bunches, correctly named,
1st $2, 2nd $1. Campbell's Early, best six
bunches, correctly named, 1st $2, 2nd $1. Con-
i-rrd, best six bunches, correctly named, 1st $2.

Few florists are
better known in Can-
a la than Mr. John
H. Dunlop, of Tor-
onto. His first start
as a florist was made
in i88o with a modest
greenhouse, 6x12 feet,
erected in his back
y ird,. To this aodi-
cions have been made
from time to time, un-
til now his green-
house p'ant on Lans-
downe avenue, m-ar
Bloor street, covers
four acres of ground,
inc'uding 36 houses,
two violet houses and
live asparagus plu-
mosus and smi .ix
houses. Mr. Dunlop
is on the general and
fl ) al committees con-'
nected with the big
fruit, flower and
honey show, to be
held in Toronto next
November. He has
been a member of the
executive committee
of the Society Amer-
ican Florists, first
secretary and also the
president of the To-
ronto Gardners and Florists' Association, it being largely through
his efforts this very useful association was organized, past president
and treasurer of the Canadian Horticultural Association, a member
of the American Carnation Society. American Rose Society, Tor-
onto horticultural Society and Industrial Exhibitim Association.
*s a florist his specialty is roses, although carnations, violets and
chrysanthemums are largely grown.

2nd $1. Lindley, best six bunches, correctly
named, 1st $2, 2nd $1. Niagara, best six
bunches, correctly named, 1st $2, 2nd $1. Ver-
gennes, best six bunches, correctly named, 1st
$2, 2nd $1. Wilder, best six bunches, correctly
named, 1st $2, 2nd $1. Black grapes, best bas-
ket, Ist $2, 2nd $1. Red grapes, best basket,
1st $2, 2nd $1. White grapes, best basket, 1st
$2, 2nd $1. Black grapes, best crate of small
packages for long shipment, 1st $2.50, 2nd $1.50.
Red grapes, best crate of small packages for
long shipment, 1st $2.50, 2nd $1.50. White
grapes, best crate of small packages for long
shipment, 1st $2.50, 2nd $1.50.

John H. Dunlop.

366

ONTARIO'S FRUIT CROP BELOW THE AVERAGE

Reports received by The Horticulturist as late
as the 25th of July from correspondents in all
parts of the province indicate that fruit crops
generally this year in most sections will be con-
siderably below last year's yield, and that the
total production of fruit will be on the light side.

Apples do not promise as well as earlier in
the season. This crop, including early and late
varieties, will not be more than a moderate one.
Pears and plums will yield very lightly, as the
crop is reported to be a complete failure in
many sections, plum orchards particularly hav-
ing suffered great damage from the severe
weather last winter.

As predicted earlier in the season, the peach
crop will also be light. As far as Ontario fruit
is concerned prices this fall should range high.
Reports received by The Horticulturist from
outside places indicate that the apple crop in
the United States, west of the Alleghany, is not
as promising as earlier in the season. The
British apple crop will probably be a good one
as regards quantity but deficient in quality.
Next month The Horticulturist will give an ex-
haustive report of fruit conditions all over the
continent.

A Limited Peuch Crop AnticipateJ.

Prospects for the peach crop are much the
same as predicted in the July Hortipulturist,
when it was announced that the peach crop
would probably be a light one. As was the case
early in the season, growers continue to vary in
their predictions, some placing the crop as a
total failure in their sections, while others, in a
few cases, expect a full crop. On the whole a
light to in some cases a medium yield is antici-
pated in the principal producing sections, in-
cluding the Niagara district and along Lake
Erie to Essex and Kent counties.

In Wentworth county light to medium returns
are looked for, while in Lincoln a medium crop
seems to be generally anticipated. One grower
reporting from the St. Catharines district states
that growers who have peaches should be able
to market them all, as the quality and size
promise well. Reporting from Welland county,
a grower states that his trees are commencing
to die owing to the severity of the winter.

In Norfolk the yield is expected to be light,
while in Brant correspondents estimate the crop
will either be a failure or a very light one. Fur-
ther west, in Kent, a light to medium return is
looked for, as is also the case in Essex. On
the whole the crop is going to be a light one.

Karly Apples Will Be Ligl-t C op

It becomes evident as the season advances
that the crop of early apples will be rather light,
taking the province as a whole. As announced
in the July issue of The Horticulturist, the
early varieties do not appear to be doing as well
as the winter apples. In some sections of the
province very favorable reports are received,
while in others replies indicate that the crop
will be rather a light one. Reports received

by The Horticulturist in regard to

this crop have been very conflicting, making it
difficult to give anything like exact estimates,
but it seems safe to say that the crop will not be
more than a moderate one at the outside.

In the southern section of the province, in-
cluding the Niagara district and counties bor-
dering on Lake Erie, the crop on the whole will
be a medium one. In Lincoln and Welland
counties orchards appear to be in fair condition,
and growers expect a medium to full crop. Con-
ditions in Brant county ao not appear quite as
favorable. One grower states that Astracans
are a failure, while others believe the yield of
early Asitracans and Transparents will be light.
According to one statement received, the apple
crop is just medium, but what there is is of
good quality. Essex orchards proT"i<=e lifrht
returns, while in Kent the production will range
from a light to a full crop. In Raleigh town-
ship one grower writes apples are not more than
two-thirds as good as last year, but are free
from fungous diseases of any kind. In Har-
wich township early apples are reported a full
crop.

Bordering Lake Huron and Georgian Bay, con-
ditions generally are possibly a little more
favorable. In Lambton a medium yield is gen-
erally anticipated, while in Huron conditions
point to light to moderate returns. Growers in
Bruce county vary in their estimates of crop
prospects, one placing the Astracans as a very
light yield, while others claim there will be a
medium to full crop this year of this variety.
On the whole, a medium crop seems probable.
Conditions in Grey and Simcae counties are the
brightest of any reported, as a full crop is gen-
erally looked for.

Along the northern shore of Lake Ontario a
moderate crop is promised. In Wentworth,
York, Ontario, Durham and Hastings counties
prospects are favorable for a satisfactory yield.
In other counties trees promise a light to full
crop. As stated at the outset, the prospects
in the province as a whole do not indicate more
than a moderate yield of early apples.

The Fall and Winter Apple Crop.

The reports received during the latter part of
July by The Horticulturist indicate that fall and
winter apples will not be as heavy a crop this
year as last. In the principal producing sec-
tions of Ontario the crop, while heavy in some
section.s, is not likely to be more than a medium
one on the whole. There are a number of sec-
tions where orchards will yield very lightly,
which will tend to reduce the total production.

Growers reporting from the counties border-
ing on the northern shore of Lake Ontario indi-
cate there will will not be more than a medium
yield of the winter or early fall varieties. A
large number of reports from Wentworth and
York counties show that this condition prevails
in these two counties, as only a light to medium
crop is looked for. In a number of counties the
Spy and Ben Davis varieties are said to promise

367

368

OUR SPECIAL CROP REPORTS.

a very light yield. The same applies to the
Baldwin in a number of districts.

In northern and western sections of the pro-
vince correspondents report prospects are for a
medium to full crop in Simcoe and Grey coun-
ties and a light to medium yield in Bruce and
Huron counties. Winter apples in Lamtoton
county do not promise a large crop. The Bald-
win, Spy and Ben Davis trees indicate a small
yield is likely. In the southern portions of the
province conditions on the whole are much the
same. Reports from correspondents vary great-
ly, depending on local conditions. Only in rare
sections is anything more than a medium crop
expected, the majority of replies giving the im-
pression that the total yield will run from very
light to medium. Taking the replies received
from all over the province, the crop evidently
will not be a heavy one.

Plums a Failure in Many Sections.

The predictions made in the June and July
issues of The Horticulturist that the yield of
plums throughout the province this year would
be light, were evidently well founded, judging
from the reports received from growers as late
as July 25.

Conditions in the southern portions of the
province are the most favorable, as in the terri-
tory stretching from the Niagara district to
Kent county, along the northern shore of Lake
Erie, at least a light yield is expected in most
of the counties, while some look for a moderate
crop. In Brant county plums are a failure in
many sections, as is also the case in Kent
county. Running north from Kent county to
Georgian Bay and in the Lake Ontario districts
orchards have been badly injured, report after
report reaching The Horticulturist indicating
the crop will be a complete failure. So univer-
sal are these reports of dajnage it is evident the
total production throughout the province will be
quite light.

Pear Orchards Promise Light Yields.

Prospects for the pear crop at this date do
not appear as bright as a month ago. The cor-
respondents in the northern part of the province
and along Lake Ontario report the crop in their
sections will be a very light one. In only a
very few counties is a full crop anticipated,
while in many the yield promises to be a total
failure, i

In Wentworth and York counties early and
late pears will be a light to medium crop. The
Anjou variety in a number of counties is said to
be a total failure. Ontario county growers do
not anticipate anything more than a light
yield. The same remark applies also to most
of the other counties bordering Lake Ontario.
In the northern sections, including Simcoe and
Grey counties, correspondents seem unanimous
in the view that the yield will range from com-
plete failure to a light one, while in Bruce,
Huron and Lambton counties the anticipations
are for more than a light crop. Replies re-
ceived from the counties in the southern sec-

tions of the province go to show nothing more
than a moderate crop is expected. The total
replies received indicate that the crop this year
throughout the province will be a very light one.

^ Our Monthly Weather Report ||

The mean temperature for the month of June
was average, except in the more northern parts
of Ontario, where it was very slightly above
average. Temperature was fairly equable
throughout the month ; there were no periods
of extreme heat, but the cool periods were
tolerably pronounced. Rainfall was in excess
of the average mean amount for June in the cen-
tral and more northern counties of Ontario and
markedly deficient near Lake Erie.

The first half of July was characterized by an
excessive rainfall, almost the usual average
monthly amount occurring during that period.
This was probably more the case in the south-
ern and central counties than in the more north-
ern. The temperature up to the 15th was 1.4
degrees below the average mean at Toronto, and
the discrepancy was no doubt general in the pro-
vince. Sunshine for the same period was also
generally deficient. Prom July 15th until the
20th fine hot weather prevailed, generally ab-
normally high temperature being recorded in all
localities.

Central Canada fair

Ji jn OTTAWA J* Jt

SEPTEMBER 16th to 24th

A Splendid Exhibition for the Horti-
culturist and Agriculturist.

GENEROUS PRIZES OFFERED

Best of Accommodation.

Send for Prize List.

E. McMAHON, SecV,

26 sparks Street, Ottawa

liSi:

:PTiAiEK

I^OW hatK tKe s-ummer reached her golden close.

And, lost amid her cornfields, bright of soul.
Scarcely perceives from her divine repose
How near, ho-w swift the inevitable repose ;
Still, still the smiles, though from her careless feet.
The beauty and the fruitful strength are gone.
And through the soft long -wandering days goes on.
The silent sere decadence sad and swreet.

ARCHIBALD LAMPMAN.

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-3.5

'pfe (anadian "Horticoltorist

SEPTEMBER, 1904

Volume XXVII

Number 9

THE IRRESPONSIBLE BUYER

ONE of the greatest evils from which
the Canadian fruit industry suffers
is the irresponsiMe buyer. Every year
Canadian fruit growers are defrauded out
of tens of thousands of dollars by sharpers
who deliberately and carefully lay their
plans to fleece such fruit growers as will
trust them with the disposal of their crops.
As the season is now approaching when
these buyers will begin their operations, a
description of their methods may serve as a
warning to trusting growers.

The buyers referred to are usually well
supplied with money by old country firms
through a well known and apparently re-
liable commission dealer on this side, who
often is at the back pi the whole scheme.
In most cases this dealer never places more
than on^e buyer in each district the same
season. The first "year one of these buyers
operates in a locality he proceeds to make
himsdf " hail fellow well met " with as
many growers as possible. A pretense is
made by him of buying a large quantity of
apples. For those he buys he generally
pays cash, thus establishing his reputation
with the growers as a man of means and
integrity. Were his operations to be in-
vestigated, however, it would generally be
found that his total purchases did not ex-
ceed 4,000 or 5,000 barrels. In some
counties these tactics are continued a second
year, but this seldom occurs.

As a general rule a buyer of this kind the

second year quietly sets to work and con-
tracts for as many barrels of apples as he
can secure, 20,000 to 30,000 , often being
purchased. Operations are conducted so
quietly few of the growers have any inkling
of'the extent of his purchases. If some of
the growers are sharp and shrewd the
buyer, when necessary, keeps them quiet by
paying them 50 to 70 per cent, of the value
of their crops and thus avoids suspicion.'
■Whenever possible, however, the growers
are put off with one excuse or another, until
after their crops have been shipped.

A favorite excuse of the buyer for the
delay in the making of payments is that he
has just made a heavy payment for a large
shipment, or that he is waiting for a remit-
tance from the head office. Once he has
secured the fruit and shipped it out of the
neighborhood his purpose is accomplished.
Later he goes back to the growers with tales
of losses, claiming the fruit was injured in
transit, that the market was glutted when the
fruit arrived, etc. Finally he offers to set-
tle at 20 to 50 cents on the dollar.

Not until then do the growers reaUze how
they have been duped, and unfortunately
for them they have no redress. For the
first time they awaken to the fact that the
buyer, in spite of his great pretenses, has
no property or stake in the section by means
of which they can obtain any recompense
for the value of their crops. What makes it
easier for these buvers t® conduct their

371

372

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

game, is the fact that growers often do not
like to have it known that they were de-
frauded. Rather than make a fuss and
have it noised about that they reaHzed but
little for their crops, they accept the buyer's
'offer of settlement and but little is heard of
the matter. The next year these buyers
move off into a new district and begin the
same game over again. This game is car-
ried on to sych an extent that there are few
important fruit sections in Canada where
there are not some growers who have been
defrauded more or less extensively in this
way. Within the past few weeks a buyer
has been settling with growers in the Nia-
gara district in the manner described. A
tase which wiH probably be remembered by
many is that of the Ontario buyer who two
years ago defrauded fruit growers in the
Annapolis valley. Nova Scotia, out of
$30,000 to $40,000 worth of fruit. These
growers took their ,case to law but were un-
able to obtain any satisfaction.
THE REMEDIES.
There are several ways in which the
operations of these buyers can be prevented.

If growers would cooperate in the packing
and marketing of their fruit, danger of loss
in this way could be avoided. A /coopera-
tive growers' association generally has large
quantities of fruit to dispose of, which en-
ables it to deal direct with responsible firms
instead of through local buyers. A co-
operative association is able to demand cash
for every sale made.

Where there are no cooperative associa-
tions, growers should only sell to well known
local buyers who reside and are well known
in the section. One of the great troubles
ihere, however, is the fact that local grow-
ers are often unable to offer as high a price
as the sharpers, as they know they will have
to pay full value for every barrel of apples
they purchase. It is due to the fact that
the irresponsible buyer generally offers con-
siderably the best price that so many grow-
ers are led to deal with him and are finally
victimized. It is generally far better for
'growers to accept a lower price from a man
whom they know thoroughly, than to deal
•with a person of whom they know little or
■nothing.

Good Results from Caustic Soda

M. G. BRUNER, OUNDA, ONT., LOCAL SAN
JOSE SCALE INSPECTOR.

WHILE at Kings ville not long ago I
examined an apple orchard af-
fected by the scale, one half of which had
been sprayed with caustic soda and the
other portion with the lime and sulphur
wash. I did not find a live scale on any of
the limbs or twigs, although on one tree
five or six apples were found on the end of
a limb that had a few scale ori them.

A number of growers in this section who
have used the caustic soda wash speak very
highly of it, and believe that it is almost a
certain cure for the scale, as it cleans the
trees of everything. The trees in the or-
chard referred to had only been given one

treatment, as they were not badly affected.^
Growers who have tried both the caustic
soda and the lime and sulphur wash con-
sider the caustic soda to be the cheapest and
that it gives equally as good results.

Kruit growers who have followed the cus-
tom of keeping their orchards in sod, and
who decide to cultivate them in future,
should be careful not to break up the sod in
the autumn, especially in those parts of the
country where. the winters are severe. The
roots which have not been disturbed, it may
be for years, will be near the surface, and
are likely to be injured, and perhaps de-
stroyed altogether by hard frost. It is bet-
ter to plow in the spring. — (W. T». Macoun,
Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa.

FRUIT GROWERS WHO HAVE CO-OPERATED

Fr^RUlT growers living in the vicinity of
Forest, in Lambton county, have or-
ganized and formed the Forest Fruit Grow-
ers' and Forwarding Association. The offi-
cers are: D. Johnson, president; D. Sim-
mons, vice-president; A. Lawrie, secretary-
treasurer; H. J. Pettypiece, M. P. P.; D.
Campbell, H. Hodgson, R. Macken, D. Dun-
ham and R. E. Scott, directors.

It is the in-
tention of the
association "to
build up a
business in

Northern On-
tario, Mani-
toba and the
Northwest
T e r r i t ories.
With this ob-
ject it has
been decided
to send the
secretary, Mr.
A. L a w r i e,
who is an
e X p e r ienced
business man,
as well as a
fruit grower,
to visit the
leading cities
in these dis-
tricts to solicit
orders.

The curling
rink in For-
est has been

rented and will be used as a central packing
house for the purpose of grading and pack-
ing the fruit of the members. Early in
July the association sent out a circular to
prospective buyers announcing that it would
fill all orders promptly and with high class
fruit.

Meetings are held every two weeks dur-

ing the fruit season, and the members are
determined to build up a reputation as hon-
est growers and shippers. All fall apples
and pears will be shipped in iced refrigera-
tor cars to the Northwest, ancl while it is
expected that the greater part of the winter
apples will also be disposed of there the as-
sociation has prepared to receive orders
from Ontario dealers.

Gathering the Crop in a Western Ontario Orchard.

Apple pickers and packers at work in the orchard of Mr. James Johnson, of Forest, Ont., are here shown.
This orchard is on the shore of Lake Huron and produced last year 1800 barrels of apples and 5000 baskets of plums.
There are 30 acres under apples and 15 under plums. For 10 years Mr. Johnson has been a firm believer in spray-
ing and the cultivation of orchards. Owing to an over-production of fruit last season, Mr. Johnson put up large
quantities of peaches, plums and pears in glass, handsomely labelled, and also considerable quantities of fruit
palp, which during the slack winter season were made into jam and jellies. This season a cooper shop has been
built in the orchard, which has enabled Mr. Johnson to manufacture his own barrels at a little more than 30 cents
c St, each. In the illustration Mr. Johnson may be seen standing at the extreme left of the picture, while his son,
.Vir. D. Johnson, president of the Forest Fruit Growers' and Forwarding Association, is on the extreme right.

An interesting description of how the as-
sociation came to be formed has been fur-
nished The Horticulturist by the president,
Mr. D. Johnson. The section where our
members live, writes Mr. Johnson, is one of
the best and largest fruit growing districts
in Ontario. It is situated along the lake
shore of the northern part of the county of

373

374

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

Lambton. Thousands of barrels of the
choicest apples, as well as many thousand
baskets of plums and pears are shipped
away every year.

Our fruit growers, however, have for
some time felt the need of organization in
buying their supplies and handling the out-
put of their orchards. The apple barrel
question forced itself upon us last season by
the fact that we were forced to pay 50 cents,
and in some cases 55 cents, for a poor and
very unsatisfactory barrel.

After this experience a number of the
leading fruit growers determined to solve
the apple barrel question, and had almost
perfected arrangements for the establish-
ment of a stave, hoop and heading mill in
Forest, to make their supplies out of tim-
ber reserved on some of their own farms,
when the head of a wealthy syndicate ar-
rived in Forest and completely bought the
fruit growers' miller over. The company
gave as its reason for this action the excuse
that if the undertaking was a success small
mills would spring up all over the province
and greatly interfere with its business.

Rather than fight a wealthy firm, which
was apparently determined not only to op-
pose them but corner the market, the fruit
growers went out in search of barrel ma-
terial, which they were able to buy early in
January at prices that will give them a high
class barrel at a little less than 30 cents each

MR. A. LAWRIE.

The secretary-treasurer of the Forest Fruit Growers' and For-
warding Association, Mr. A. Lawrie is here shown. As announced
in this issue, Mr. Lawrie will this fall represent the association be-
fore the trade in the Northwest, where he expects to secure orders
for the fruit packed and shipped by the association. He is a prac-
tical fruit grower and has had consideralile business experience, so
is well qualified for the work he has undertaken

in their orchards, bhortly after this Mr. A.
E. Sherrington, of Walkerton, delivered two
very instructive lectures on the cooperative^^
packing and shipping of fruit, which re-
sulted in the formation of our association.
As a result of the success already met with,
prospects' for the future success of our en-
terprise seem bright.

THE SAN JOSE SCALE ACT

DURING August, The Horticulturist
wrote to a number of leading fruit
growers asking their views in regard to the
prevalence of the San Jose Scale in Ontario
and enquiring if they would like to see any
further action taken to prevent its spread.
A number of interesting replies have been
received and will be published from time to
time in The Horticulturist. The following
communication was sent in by Mr. J. Fred.

Smith, of Glanford, provincial San Jose
Scale inspector :

It is difficult to see in what way the pro-
visions we now have for controlling the San
Jose scale couild be improved. The re^
sponsibility is now where it should be, with
the people. If the sentiment of a locality
is not strong enough to force the council to
appoint an inspector, or if they appoint an
inspector and that sentiment is not strong

IN THE ORCHARD.

375

enough to back him up in enforcing the act,
then no other power need undertake to carry
out the act. You nnust have the people with
you or you can never make a law a success.

I do not think the scale has spread very
much in the last two years. The period
during which it spread the most was during
19CX) and 1901, when nothing was being
done to hold it in check. In 1899 the de-
struction of the trees was discontinued and
everything was then for a year or two in an
experimental stage. The people were not
then alive to the danger and did very little
spraying. Many were skeptical about the
scale ever killing a tree. This is not to be
wondered at, for during the years that the
trees were destroyed everything on which a
scale could be found was destroyed and
there was no evidence of what the scale
would do if left to itself.

The next two years soon convinced those
who had scale in their neighborhood of its
destructiveness, and then there came a
clamor for some remedy, and I do not be-
lieve to-day, that in any section where the
scale has not practically got everything,
that the people are not doing everything in
their power to hold it in check. In my
neighborhood there are, of course, some
careless growers who will not do their work
well and do just as little as possible, but
still the law is clear and strong, and any
person can put the act in force, so that I do
not see how the act can be improved.

, It has been said that the scale is slowly
but surely spreading. This is no doubt
true to a certain extent, but it must be re-
membered that during three years of inac-
tion the scale was spr^ding fast, and it
always spreads farther than any one would
expect or look for. It is only when it has
had time to develop that growers become
aware of its presence, and they then speak
of it as if it had only recently arrived, when
such is not the case. I have known in-
stances of scale being in an orchard for two
or three years, and for some reason or other
it did not increase at all, but all at once it
became epidemic and spread and multiplied
with great rapidity.

The amendment made in 1902 to the San
^ose Scale Act was, I think, a great im-
provement. I have never heard any fault
found with the act since the amendment.
The only portion of the act which does not
seem clear to some municipal councils is
sub-section 3 of the amendment, section 4
of the act. Some councils have taken the
ground that the department undertakes in
that sub-section to pay half of the black
knot and yellows inspector's time, but this
is not the intention of the clauses. The
meaning is that the same person may act in
both capacities, that is, could be black knot,
yellows and San Jose scale inspector. It
might be made clear that it was not in-
tended to pay half the cost of his time for
hunting the black knot and yellows.

THE CO-OPERATIVE PACKING OF FRUIT

^"1

HE more I look into this- matter of
cooperation in the packiag of fruit
by growers," said Alex. McNeill, chief of
the fruit division, a few days ago to The*
Horticulturist, " the more I realize how
many benefits the system has. A large num-
ber of varieties of apples depend for their
keeping qualities on the time at which they
are picked. For this reason there is no one

or two periods during the growing season
at which it is possible to pick an orchard.

" The professional packer cannot afford
to send a gang to an orchard more than
twice, and often only once during a season.
The result is he is often forced to gather a
considerable quantity of fruit that is either
over or under ripe. This means that every
seasoM a considerable quantity of fruit is

21^

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURlSi

shipped out oi Ontario in an improper condi-
tion and more or less damage results to the
reputation of our Canadian apples.

" The remedy is for the grower to do his
own picking and packing. In this way it
is .possible for him to gather the fruit when
it is ready for picking, and if it is stored or
shipped immediately much better prices can
be realized. The Colvert is an excellent
example of an apple that is practically
valueless when picked at the wrong time.
It is too soft to stand any carelessness in
handling or packing, and unless picked in
the proper condition and shipped at once, it
cannot be sold to advantage. For this rea-
son many individual growers are unable to
realize satisfactory prices for their Colverts
and other varieties of the same nature.

" This is where the value of cooperation
comes in. One of the great sources of
profit of the Walkerton Cooperative Asso-
ciation has been the selling of small lots of
apples that in former years were allowed to
go to waste. By cooperation the Walker-
ton growers have been able to secure suffi-
cient quantities of these perishable varieties

of fruit at one time to enable them to make
frequent shipments during the ripening sea-
son. In this way they have been able to ob-
tain as high prices for this tender fruit as
for their best winter stock.

" Where growers are unable to dispose of
their fruit in this way an effort should be
made to see the apples are stored iii, a cool
place as quickly as possible after picking.
They should not be left in the orchard ex-
posed to the inclemency of the weather. At
Walkerton, when the secretary of the co-
operative association receives an order for
fruit, the rrerrbers of the association arc<
notified that a shipment will be made at a
certain date and are asked to deliver their
fruit which is ready for shipment at the
shipping point at a certain time. This en-
ables the association to ship the tender
varieties of fruit at the proper time, and
many of the members now find these varie-
ties among their best paying apples. By
cooperating in this way growers will find
the Colvert apples a profitable variety be-
cause it is hardy and a fairly regular bearer,
while the fruit is of good quality."

BOXES OR BARRELS FOR APPLES

REGARDING the packing of apples, in
boxes or barrels, I have always used
barrels and intend using them this year if
they are to be had. Boxes that were used
in this section last year by shippers were not
made strong enough, the boards being too
thin. When pressure was applied the box
would bulge out and the fruit would still be
slack. In this way the fruit would no
doubt Jand in England in a crushed condi-
tion, even if each apple were wrapped in
paper.— (W. M. ElHs, Whitby, Ont.

Last year I shipped my fruit in boxes,
made of beech timber, having the lengths
sawed and planed to suit. I nailed one end
solid, and had square bands to fit the outside
of the other end, and they were ready to fill.

This year I will plane and saw my own, in
my own barn, as I have water power. With
this kind of a box and large apples, it was
easy to get the right fullness at the end of
box. The box was placed on end, pressed
down with my knees and nailed. When
the Fruit Marks Act came into force such
packing had to be. marked XX. I can sell
all I can pack and get more than I can
through the packing house. I pack in the
orchard. — (J. I. Graham, Grey Co., Ont.

I am going to pack my apples in barrels
this season, as I think them the best pack-
ages for exporting, unless in sectional boxes,
and they are too expensive. Only the very
choicest fruit should be packed in boxes.
As barrels are getting expensive, and fruit

A BIG NURSERY COMPANY.

377

plentiful, I think only first-class apples
should be exported, as poor fruit only tends
to glut the market. I think the barrel situa-
tion this year will be as serious as last sea-
son. I have my barrels all contracted for.
A lot of boxes I saw packed and shipped last
season gave very unsatisfactory results. —
(A. B. Loomis, Orland, Ont.

I purpose exporting a few thousand bar-
rels of apples again this season. Packers
will require to exercise more care this year
in the selection and packing of their fruit

than usual. First, because the quality of
the fruit, according to present prospects, will
be inferior to that of last year, as there is
a greater development of fungus growth,
spots already showing distinctly on the
apples. Second, owing to the large crop of
English and continental apples, it will
naturally follow that fruit of the best quality
only will meet with ready sale on the British
markets. I purpose using the barrel pack-
age, having never used the box. — (Sub-
scriber, Ont.

ONE OF CANADA'S LEADING NURSERIES

T

HERE are some half dozen nurseries
in Canada, which are noted owing
to the immense volume of their business.
One of these is the nurseries of Brown
Brothers Company, in Welland county,
whose local postoffice is named after the

firm, being called Brown's Nurseries. The
amount of mail handled through this post-
ofifice may well be taken as some indication
of the extensive business done by this firm.
It is the largest rural postoffice in Canada,
and stands fourth in the Lincoln and Nia-

The Business Corner of the Brown Bros.' Company Nurseries.

The correspondence and office woik of this firm, described on this page, is so great it was recently ound necessary to erect these
handsome offices. The president of the company, Mr. Edward C. Morris, may be seen in the illustration leaning against the side of the
steps, holding his hat jn his left hand. (From a photograph taken specially for The Horticulturist.)

378

THH CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

gara districts for the amount of mail matter
handled annually. This gives some idea of
the business done by correspondence.

An editorial representative of The Horti-
culturist, who visited these nurseries re-
cently, was much impressed by what he saw.
The handsome residences of Mr. Edward
C. Morris, president of the company, and
Mr. David Z. Morris, secretary-treasurer,
are both located on the home nursery, so
that the Messrs. Morris are in touch with
all the details of their immense business and
look after it exclusively. The extensive
and well equipped offices are also situated
on the nurseries. This building is 60 x 30
feet, two stories high, the interior being
finished in hard wood. It is well lighted
from all sides. As the company has not
yet reached its limit, everything in the
offices is laid out for the future develop-
ment, which its marked success in recent
years leads it to expect. " We packed three
times as much stock in 1904 as we did in
1900," said Mr. E. C. Morris. " Some 14
y»ars ago," continued Mr. Morris, " we
started in the nursery business here on a
comparatively small scale, and to-day there
is no firm in Cana^da shipping more nursery
stock in a year."

One advantage of having the main office
at the central nurseries lies in the fact that
all mail orders can be given prompt and
careful attention, and the true condition of
the stock available for sale can readily be
ascertained. Orders by long distance tele-
phone are also frequently received. So
many hands are employed it has been found
necessary to erect two boarding houses on
the home nursery, one for those engaged in
the offices and the other for nursery hands.
Both are large, commodious, and fitted with
all modern conveniences. Surrounding the
offices is an acre and a half of fine lawn, on
which shrubs and ornamental trees have
been planted. This lawn is to be increased
to four acres in the near future, and made

a beautiful park. When finished it will
certainly present an imposing appearance.

HOW THE STOCK IS WINTERED.

^Of several large buildings, the finest of
all is the new storage cellar. In the early
years of the company's existence a small
storage cellar, la x 30 feet, sufficed to win-
ter over the stock. In a few years a larger
one, 40 x 112 feet, was erected. By 1903
this also fell short of the company's re-
quirements, and a large brick, frost-proof
storage cellar, 100 x 160 feet, was built, ia
which to handle the different kinds of larger
nursery stock. After being shown through
this fine building, and noting the great pre-
cautions that are taken to insure the pre-
servation of the stock in the very best con-
dition, the representative of The Horticul-
turist was not surprised to hear Mr. Morris
remark, " After giving it a thorough trial,,
we believe we have the best storage build-
ing on this continent."

The structure seems to be perfect in every
detail. It is absolutely frost proof, and the
ventilation is such that the air can be kept
clean and pure at all times. A driveway
runs through the building, and the entrances^
are provided with double doors, which may
be bolted and made air-tight if necessary.
The temperature can be held at any point
desired, and its control, as well as that of
the atmospheric condition within the walls,,
is such that trees can be kept there in a most
healthy and thrifty state for many months
when necessary. This was shown conclu-
sively last year by an

INTERESTING EXPERIMENT
with some nursery stock which was left
over. Trees were kept until July, and
when examined were found to be in excel-
lent condition for planting out. As a fur-
ther safeguard against loss of stock, the
building is supplied with an efficient water
system. If oh examination the stock shows
any signs of becoming dry, it is an easy
matter to water it thoroughly and quickly.

A BIG NURSERY COMPANY,

379

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The Greenhouses at the Brown Bros. Company Nurseries.

The old office and old storage cellar of the Brown Bros. Company, Nurserymen Limited, may be seen in the rear of this illustra-
tion which has been secured from a photograph taken specially for The Horticulturist. The new, modern greenhouses, described on
this page are also shown.

■" Direct sunlight," remarked Mr. Morris,
" has an ill effect on nursery stock. This,
however, is amply' guarded against in this
building. All the skylights face the north,
and are covered with two thicknesses of
glass, the outer one- being extra heavy rib-
bed green skylight glass to soften the light."
The small nursery stock, and all imported
Hnes such as seedlings, evergreens, shrubs,
etc., are stored in the old building, which is
also ifrost proof. This building holds about
1,000,000 small stocks, while the new one
will hold some 500,000 large trees, in addi-
tion to which there is room in each building
for packing. All packing is done under
cover, so that the young trees are not ex-
posed to sun and wind. This modern
method has superseded the old one of heel-
ing in outside, and digging as needed, leav-
ing the trees for hours exposed to the sun
and wind before the packers get them into
the boxes. With the present conveniences
and accommodations packing can be com-
menced in late winter, and shipments made
as soon as spring opens, thus giving the

purchaser the advantage of an early de-
livery.

ORNAMENTAL STOCK A SPECIALTY.

Special attention is given to ornamental
stock, trees, shrubs, roses, climbing vines,
etc., and the laying out of ornamental
grounds is a special feature of the business
of the Brown Brothers Company. The
home farm is almost entirely devoted to
ornamental lines, and to aid in securing the
best roses, clematis, rubber plants, palms,
hardy shrubs, etc., eight greenhouses have
been constructed and expert propagators
put in charge. The advantage of growing
roses in this way is that when grown on
their own roots they will not sucker or send
up a shoot producing natural, uncomely
flowers, and the purchaser is sure of the de-
sired variety. Last year tke output was
20,000 clematis and 75,000 roses, besides
many thousands of shrubs and vines.
" Our undivided attention," said Mr. Mor-
ris, " is given to growing and selling nur-
sery stock, and our aim is to handle only
the best that can be grown. We have a

38o

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

force of canvassers soliciting orders which
will vary from 1,200 to 1,500 men, working
in Canada only."

A row of Montmorency cherry trees,
about 350 in all, on either side of a drive-
way half a mile long, running through the
middle of the home farm makes a beautiful
sight. This roadway is further beautified
by a pyramidal arbor vitse hedge inside the
row of trees.

e;xte;nsive; pIvAntings oif fruit trees.

The Horticulturist representative was
driven by Mr. Morris to their various plant-
ings of nursery stock, and was surprised to
see how extensive they are. On one road
the plantings extend along both sides for a
very long distance, and on asking Mr. Mor-
ris as to what quantities were set out in
these fields, he replied that over 1,200,000
young fruit trees were planted there, and
added that on the next road west, and the
one still beyond that, were fields containing
hundreds of thousands of other young trees
ready for the market.

With a total area of over 500 acres de-
voted exclusively to the growing of nursery
stock, every line of nursery product, from
the currant bush to the finest of ornamentals
is grown. This acreage comprises the
home farm of 100 acres, and some eight

other farms of dififercnt sizes, which are
rented for a term of years, thus giving new
land for each successive planting.

It requires at least four years to clear a
block of nursery stock. The first year is
spent in preparing the soil and adding the
necessary fertilizers. " We spend hundreds
— yes thousands — of dollars annually," said
Mr. Morris, " on ordinary stable manure.
One remarkably good feature about the soil
of this district is that it produces a great
abundance , of fibrous roots. These, of
course, are very essential, as they provide
the true life-giving power to the tree. Be-
sides, there is great variety in the soil of
this section within a very small radius, so
that various kinds of stock can be planted
in the soil best suited for their production."

Like other successful tillers of the soil,
Mr. Morris believes in thorough cultivation.
The cultivators' are started in the spring ?s
soon as the land is dry enough, and an effort
is made to get over the plantings regularly
once a week until August. In that month
cultivation is stopped, so that too late
growth may not be encouraged, as the new
soft growth is easily injured by frost.
About $20,000 worth of seed potatoes are
also handled each year. Although scale
pests have never been detected in this dis-

A Storage House for the Wintering of Nursery Stock.

This illustration gives a good idea of the jiacking yards and the second storage building erected by the Brown Bros. Company,
Nurserymen, Limited, whose place is fully described in this issue. (From a photo£;raph taken specially for The Horticulturist).

THE PACKING OF FRUIT.

381

trict, all nursery stock is thoroughly fumi-
gated according to law, before leaving the
place.

SHIPPING FACILITIES.

For shipping purposes a private siding
runs from the T., H. & B. railway, and
gives direct connection with the Michigan
Central at Welland, and the C. P. R. and
G. T. R. at Hamilton. The facilities for
shipping will be even better in the near

future, as now there are two electric lines
projected through the neighborhood.

Visitors in the Niagara district will be
repaid for any effort made to visit these
nurseries, as they are well worth seeing.
Our representative, after viewing all the
plant and inspecting the numerous build-,
ings, could not help but express great sur-
prise at their extent and completeness.
This firm has certainly built up a very large
business in a comparatively short time.

THE PACKING OF FRUIT

FIRST in importance of our Ontario
fruits is the apple. TJiis statement
might have met flat contradiction a few
years ago, when the available markets were
glutted and prices low, and many apple or-
chards were rooted out. Especially were
the early apples unsaleable, and in all our
horticultural journals the advice was, "Plant
no summer or fall apples for export."

All this is changing, for new markets are
opening, better facilities for carrying the
fruit are being provided,' and for our early
apples cold storage on cars and steamships
is yearly becoming more easily available.
During August and the early part of Sep-
tember we have Yellow Transparent, Red
Astrachan, Duchess, Alexander and other

summer varieties coming in, and the
two former at least promise to yield
an abundant harvest. These should
not be gathered all at one time, as we
do with winter apples, because they ripen
more unevenly. In our own Astrachan or-
chard we make at least three pickings of the
main crop, in addition to a previous picking
of prematures. These latter sell well in the
market, put up in 12-quart baskets, because
they are the first offered. We have had
well colored premature Astrachans sold in
Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal at 75 cents
a basket, which pays well for the trouble of
climbing over the trees for the scattered
samples showing red cheeks.

With Astrachans selection of fancv stock

A Building Wiiich Holds 500,000 Trees.

The storage cellar erected last year by the Brown Bros. Company, Nurserymen Limited, which is probably the finest of the kind
in Canada, is here shown. This building is fully described in this issue. (From a photograph taken specially for The Horticulturist).

38a

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

often pays well. We have had 40 and 50
cents a 12-quart basket through a good part
of the Astrachan season, which lasts with us
about three weeks, by carefully selecting
stock of uniforim size and high color, and so
securing a high class custom.

When, however, the crop is large, as it
is this season, no fancy packing can
prevent our home markets from being over-
stocked and prices going very low for early
apples. Here' is just where iced cars and
cold storage on steamers meet our case. For
some years we have boxed the main crop of
our Astrachans and exported them to Great
Britain. We do not say we have done well
with every shipment, but on the average our
net returns have been quite above the prices
obtainable in Ontario ; indeed, we might say
they were always better providing the stor-
age was perfect from start to finish.

A new market is now opening for early
apples, which may be much better than
Great Britain, namely our great Northwest.
With first class refrigerator cars, such as
those built by Mi. Hanrahan for the On-
tario Department of Agriculture, we hope
to put our whole crop of perhaps 2,000
bushels down in Winnipeg in perfect con-
dition this month. Of course there are few
fruit growers who can make up car lots from
their private orchards as the writer can,
who has over 100 trees in full bearing

Thinning Peach Trees

J. O. DUKE, RUTHVEN, ONT.

IT is best to thin young peach trees which
are over loaded, by hand, leaving the
fruit ten inches to one foot apart on the
branches.

On old trees it is sometimes well to " de-
horn," that is, to cut back heavily into the
old wood. I have grown the finest kind of
Albridges, Wagners and Alexandrias on old
trees, by doing this, and those trees that once
were too high have well shaped heads, so
low that the fruit can be picked from the
ground without a ladder.

now about 25 years planted ; but in
almost every section an association of grow-
ers can, by cooperation, make up car lots of
early apples, and so get the full benefit of
the opportunities now opening. The Alex-
ander is a fine showy apple, closely follow-
ing Duchess, and we have found it very de-
sirable as a fancy apple for export in cold
storage. These and all tender apples should
be packed in the bushel box if intended
either for Great Britain or for the North-
west.

The Astrachan has been mentioned in par-
ticular because of our large experience with
that variety, but of the two summer apples
the Duchess certainly has the advantage
both in appearance and in shipping quali-
ties. It must be gathered promptly, as it
colors, however, else the whole crop will be
on the ground and so bruised as to be un-
saleable.

The Transparent would not deserve men-
tion to Southern Ontario growers along
with the two varieties named above, only
that it can be put on the market sooner and
thus prolong the season. The old Early
Harvest is a far better flavored apple, and
once was a most profitable early apple, com-
ing in rather in advance of the Astrachan,
but we have discarded it on account of its
being so very subject to the fungus spot.
— W.

" I expect to use a few boxes this year for
.some of my fancy stock. Barrels are so
much higher in price than the boxes, I will
probably give the boxes a good trial. Three
boxes hold about the same as one barrel, and
only cost 35 cents, compared with 45 cents
for the barrel. There is also a slight differ-
ence in freight charges in favor of the
boxes." — (W. H. Dempsey, Trenton.

Where the ground is infested with wire-
worms there is nothing better than a good
coat of ordinary soot from soft coal. — (H.
Neal, Ingersoll, Ont.

Handsome Effect of a Porch Where Vines Grow Wild.

One of the most attractive trolley rides in the province is the one that can be taken from Hamilton to Vineland, through
Winona, Grimsby, etc., through one of the most noted fruit sections in the province. A pleasant feature of this ride is afforded by
the many handsome houses which may be seen, almost all of them being owned by fruit growers. The porch of one of these homas
is here shown, the residence being that of Mr. Murray Peftit, of Winona, who has about 70 acres of fruit, over 30 being under
grapes. The first 1000 vines were planted in the spring of 1872, at which time some of Mr. Pettit's neighbors, who are now large
fruit growers themselves, asked him if he thought he would ever be able to market all the grapes. The vines about the porch shown
are a combination of jasmine, clematis and Boston ivy, growing wild. During the summer season they present a most attractive
appearance.

METHODS OF PACKING PEACHES

IN such fancy fruits as these, which are
rather to be classed as a luxury than
among the staple articles of diet, more de-
pends on the style of packing than with
either the apple or the pear. For ordinary
grades of peaches the ii-quart basket is the
cheapest and best package, for they must be
sold with as little expense as possible ; but
for peaches 2^^ inches and over in diameter,
with a colored cheek, the 7-quart basket, or
more exactly the 6 2-3 quart basket, is much
to be preferred.

Some object to this package because it
has the appearance of a half of the ii-quart
basket, but sales accounts scarcely justify
this objection, for we often find the 7-quart
baskets of fancy fruits bringing as much
money as the large basket of common stock.

Mr. John Brennan, my neighbor, is a great
champion of the Alexander peach. He
thins it so closely that all his samples are
large and fancy; then he packs in a Cali-
fornia peach box, with a special label. The
package takes two fruits deep, and all are
wrapped in tissue paper.

We use a similar box, but it is a little dif-
ferent in size, being half the Ontario apple
box. The object of this size was to secure
uniformity in size and for packing car lots.
Prof. Reynolds, of the O. A. C, is making
a carload of mixed fruits for Winnipeg, and
he intends using the California peach crate,
or else the Georgia six-basket carrier.
Either of these will be more satisfactory for
distant shipments than the basket, which
lacks firmness, and is not popular.^W.

383

CANADA'S FRUIT STILL TO THE FRONT

T. H. RACE, OF THE CANADIAN COMMISSIONER'S STAFF,

CANADA is still keeping up the stand-
ard of her fruit display at St, Louis
quite equal to that maintained by any other
country showing. This I found recently
on returning unexpectedly to the exposition.

The Canadian stock of apples in cold
storage is still holding out and turning out
well. I was pleased with the natural ap-
pearance of the apples still on the plates,
some of which had been exposed for a week
or more. Among those keeping their
quaUty and appearance are the Spys, Rus-
sets, Kings, Canada Reds, and the Salome.
The last named, in fact, has done particu-
larly 'well all through the season and has
attracted a good deal of notice. Some took
it for a small sized but nicely colored Spy,
and they were not unwarranted in doing so.
It has kept both its color and its quality
well, and if it had a little larger size it would
rank among the best of our long keeping
winter varieties.

Samples of the Yellow Transparent are
somewhat on the small side, but quite up to
those shown by^ other exhibitors. The
Duchess is showing up fairly well, and a few
samples also of the RedAstrachan and Sweet
Bough, but not being as well developed as
those shown by states much farther south
they are somewhat outclassed. It is note-
worthy, however, that all early apples are
under size this year, even those that came in
fully matured from the south.

In pears, those that have arrived and still
continue coming from the Grimsby and St.
Catharines districts, including the Lawson,
Buerre Gififord and Marguerite, are credi-
ble, both as regards quality and appearance,
compared with other exhibits in the
pavilion. Clapp's Favorite is not suffi-
ciently matured so far north as Ontario,
Michigan and New York to make a good
showing with districts much farther south.

In plums Canada is well to the front in
comparison. The varieties now in display

include Abundance, Ogon, Shero and Red
June. There are larger samples of all these
varieties showing, but none better in quality.
I might state that Abundance is attracting
considerable notice from expert judges for
its unusually high quality, and all the other
varieties shown by Canada have attracted
attention for quality.

In peaches Canada is showing three varie-
ties, Early Canada, Early Riders, and Alex-
ander. This display only goes to show
here, as yet, that Canada can grow peaches
and gives us an opportunity to promise what
we can and will do later. Some of the state
exhibits are now chiefly peaches, and many
of them are exceedingly fine. In £he
Elberta variety Oklahoma surpasses any-
thing that I have ever seen in that magnifi-
cent peach, and I question if Southern
Michigan will be able to rival it

Canada seems to be too far away to make
a display equal to her capabilities in produc-
tion either in blackberries or blueberries.
Strange to say, the state taking the lead in
both of these fruits is Wisconsin, and there
is no reason why Canada should not have
far outstripped that state in either one, but
especially in blueberries. Of course I am
not making any high claims for the blue-
berry as far as quality goes, but it seems to
attract attention. /►■

I cannot close this letter without a refer-
ence to the magnificent display of Groff's
hybrid gladioli, now being made by Mr.
Cowel, of Berlin, N. Y. Some of these new
strains are so exceedingly beautiful that
they are provoking very general admiration.
The fact of GrofFs name and Canada being
associated with them is something to be
proud of. One would think that the ques-
tion, " Can any good thing come from
Canada?" had been so fully answered by
everything with the name of Canada at-
tached to it down here that it would never
more be asked.

384

IN THE ORCHARD.

385

Extension Ladders for Apple Picking

A. H. B., GREY COUNTY.

THE grading of apples properly in pack-
- ing, so as to insure uniformity and
to guard the interests of the ultimate cus-
tomer, the consumer, and the reputation of
the grower or packer, is very important, as
is the proper packing and conveyance of the
fruit to its final destination. There is, how-
ever, an earlier question, that of getting the
fruit safely, quickly and cheaply from where
Nature placed it to the ground level where
it is to be graded.

Great difficulty was formerly found in
this, particularly with tall old trees. The
best fruit is found at the top of the trees
(unhappily it is sometimes so with the bar-
rels too), and can only be reached by long
ladders, 28, 30 or even 35 feet long. Single
piece ladders of such length are incon-
venient to take from orchard to orchard,
heavy to carry from tree to tree, hard to'
erect, requiring two to four men, and im-
possible to place in the middle of the tree
where the best apples grow. The result is
that these best apples are reached with such
trouble they either cost their value, are left
:on the tree, or shaken down and perhaps
ruined. With good extension ladders all
these troubles are avoided. The writer has
one, and many of his neighbors have been
using the Waggoner extension ladders for
some time and with great satisfaction.
They are made in two sections, which, for
carrying, telescope together ; a 28-foot lad-
der, for exarrple, shortening down to 14,
feet. This enables it to be conveniently
carried on a wagon or from tree to tree.
When so shortened down it is very easily
erected either on the outside of the tree or
in the middle. By means of an endless
rope it is extended in a few seconds to any
desired height. Thus we have a ladder of
almost any length. In taking down, the
ladder is reduced in two seconds to half its

length, when it is easily taken down and
moved. These ladders have a steel wire
set into a groove on the back edge of each
side rail and drawn very tight. This en-
ables half the weight of timber to be enough
and thus the ladders are wonderfully light
and easy to handle, a boy of 14 setting up a
24-foot ladder with ease. With my laldders
I am. confident that I save ten per cent*
morfe of the very best fruit and can pick 30
per cent, more fruit per day than with the
old fashioned ladders.

The Size of the Apple Barrel

IN the July Horticulturist several apple
growers championed the 30-inch bar-
rel, which is the flour and not the apple bar-
rel. Not one of these gentlemen, probably,
have made any trial of the legal Canadian
apple barrel, which is made with the 28-inch
staves and holds just 96 imperial quarts, or
three bushels, grain measure.

Most of the owners of extensive apple or-
chards about Grimsby, have, for two years
past, entirely discarded the flour barrel, and
have used the regular apple barrel for all
shipments, including thousands of barrels
for Great Britain and Germany. The price
received for these packages, so far as can
be ascertained, was as good as for the flour
barrel size, and no complaints were received
from the consignee, so that we have con-
cluded that the price of the apples in these
wholesale markets is made on the apple bar-
rel size, and that those shipping the flour
barrel size are simply giving away the addi-
tional measure.

As for our coopers, we do not find them
making the least complaint. Their busi-
ness in the apple section is making apple
barrels, and not flour barrels, and they find
it just as easy to order 28-inch staves as
30-inch. Altogether our experience is en-
tirely in favor of the lighter barrel, and we
are using no other for 1904. — ^W.

386

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

The Growing of Gooseberries

R. B, WHYTe:, OTTAWA, ONT.

GOOSEBERRIES are best planted in
the fall and should be put out about
five feet apart. If you g^t your plants in
the fall, you can either heel them in then
and plant in the spring, or you can pTantjj
them then.

In propagating they are very easy to
layer ; but to get the best plants they are bet-
ter grown from cuttings. I have never suc-
ceeded in growing cuttings out of doors,
but I can in the greenhouse where there is
bottom heat. Last year I had some given
me that had come out from Ireland, and
they 'looked as dry as sticks. I sent them
to the greenhouse, and six or seven weeks
later each was making a nice plant. I put
them in the garden and they have made
splendid plants ; so that it is apparently easy
to grow them in the greenhouse.

As to the length of time gooseberries will
grow, I believe the record in the old country
is 40 years' continuous fruiting. I don't
know if that is to be the record in this coun-
try or not, but I have had some plants bear-
ing twelve years, which is a pretty good
record. As to soil, tkere is no use trying
to grow foreign gooseberries in gravelly or
sandy soil. You must have a rich, heavy
clay loam, and it must be well drained and
not be a stiff clay. The surface must al-
ways be kept open and not allowed to get
baked or hard.

The chief difficulty with sandy or light
soil is that the roots of the plant get over-
heated and are practically burned. You
cannot grow gooseberries down south at all.
As to moisture, gooseberries must have a lot
of it. If water is scarce, a good substitute
is a cut straw mulch. Spread it on the
ground two or three inches thick, and it
keeps the ground cool and moist.

The question of pruning is simple
enough. With your finger and thumb

pinch out any shoot which is getting a lit-
tle stronger than the rest. If you make
your bushes too open you let in too much
sun, and if you don't make them open
enough the berries are difficult to pick and
you are more apt to have mildew. It is
necessary, now and then, to cut out one of
the old branches and let its place be taken
by new wood. It is the two-year-old and
three-year-old wood that bear the largest
and finest berries.

The best time for pruning is early in Sep-
tember. It is a great waste to allow your
plants to set fruit buds along all your wood,
three-fourths of which you don't want at all.
By cutting off all the wood you don't want
to bear fruit, you are making the fruit buds
strong and vigorous and ready to bear fruit
next year. As a proof that this theory is
right, I may say we never have any off
years.

Preserving Currants

MISS M. U. WATSON, LADY PRINCIPAL MAC-
DONALD INSTITUTE, GUELPH, ONT.

^"^HE common red currant may be pre-
A served in the ordinary household in
three ways, viz., by canning, by preserving,
and by making into jelly. In the first, the
fruit is sterilized by boiHng, put into steril-
ized jars, and the jars made air tight, while
the contents are still sterile. Sugar is
cooked with the fruit or not according to
preference. The essential thing is to steril-
ize everything and thus prevent any access
of air.

In preserving, the fruit is boiled with an
equal weight of sugar, long enough to
thicken the mixture somewhat, and is
usually put away in air tight jars. This,
however, is not essential, as the sugar is
sufficient to prevent moulding. In jelly
making the fruit juice is expressed, com-
bined with its own weight of sugar, and
boiled three or twenty minutes.

SMALL FRUITS.

387

The secret of jelly making seems to con-
sist in boiling it exactly the right length of
time, which can only be determined by ex-
perience. Any reliable cook book furnishes
satisfactory recipes for all the above. The
fruit may also be preserved without sugar
by the addition of some preservative, such
as salicylic acid, but the result is unwhole-
some.

Small Fruits in the Orchard

u AN easily grown small fruit crop is
t\ the blackberry," said W. H. Gib-
son, of Newcastle, recently to The Horticul-
turist. " I have an acre of the Snider
variety which last year yielded 7,000 quarts.
The year before the yield was nearly as
large. These bushes have been bearing for
four or five years and were planted about
eight years ago. The berries realized five
to six cents per quart.

" T obtain women to pick the berries, pay-

ing them 134 cents per box. A good picker
picks 100 boxes in a day. These bushes
are growing in a young apple orchard.
Owing to the size of some of the bushes I
was unable to spray the apple trees last year,
and on that account many of tne apples were
wormy. In that portion of the orchard
where I was able to spray not one out of
every 100 apples was injured by the worms.
This led me to remove one row of bushes
this year between every two rows of apple
trees to permit of spraying. Blackberries
are more profitable to grow in a young or-
chard than almost any other crop I know.

A Remedy for Aphis

What is an effective spray for aphis in field
nurseries? The insect is on the under side of
leaves on new growth. Dipping the branches
in emulsion is too slow. — (W. C. Archibald &
Sons, Wolfville, N.' S.

Replying to this question Mr. W. T. Ma-
coun, of the Experimental Farm at Ottawa,

Melons Grown at the Central Experimental Farm.

Although Ottawa is not in a melon growing di .trict. it has been necessary for the Central Experimental Farm to test allthe varieties
of melons on the market in order to find out which will succeed best in districts where the climatic conditions are the same as in Ottawa.
About 100 varieties of musk melons have been tested. From a large number a few early ripening varieties ot good quality have been found
to be worthy of general cultivation. A group of these melons are here shown, including Burpee's Netted Gem, Hackensack, Emerald Gem
and Montreal Market. The latter is a fine variety, but a little late unless fcrced. The farm report concerning these different melons is an
interesting one.

388

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST,

writes as follows : " A very effective spray
for aphis in field nurseries and on large trees
is kerosene emulsion. Once, however, the
leaf curls, there is great difficulty in getting
any spray to do very satisfactory work.
After the leaf curls dipping is as satisfac-
tory a method as any. If the leaves have
not curled, a rod and nozzle might be ar-
ranged by means of which the spray could
be thrown upward from below."

" If kerosene emulsion is properly made
and sprayed on the underside of the leaves,"
writes Mr. H. S. Peart, of the college at
Guelph, " it will kill all the aphis. - Use a
good pump and make the spray a" fine as
possible. Spraying is very much quicker
than dipping."

* Methods of Preserving Fruit

MRS. AMOS SMITH, TROWBRIDGE, ONT.

FRUIT of all, or almost all classes is
best in its season. By that, I mean
that it is better and more nutritious when
it is taken from the trees or bushes in a
ripened condition than it is after it has
undergone the ordinary process of preserva-
tion and been put away for many months.

There can be no doubt but that in some
way it develops an acid in the canned con-
dition, so that when used, if it has been can-
ned long, it gives evidences of a change.
Rather than carry out the old plan to " eat
what we can." we had better " can what we
can't eat." Use what we can in its season,
and if there is any left, can it.

Fruits like cherries, berries and apples
should not be canned until they are thor-
oughly ripe. Unripened fruit is decidedly
injurious to the human system, and the
mere process of boiling, sweetening and
sealing does not make it more healthful.
Canning does not change its nature or im-
prove its qualitv.

There are various methods of canning,
some of which are comparatively recent. A

method which gives good results is to fill
the sealer with alternate layers of fruit and
granulated sugar. This should be done
without boiling the fruit either before or
alter it is in the can. Press the fruit quite
firmly in the can or sealer, and seal.

Another process which has given splen-
did satisfaction is to fill the sealer with raw
fruit, berries preferred, and then pour hot
syrup upon it, made from granulated sugar.
Put on enough syrup to cover the fruit, and
when the jar is full it may be sealed. Do
not press the fruit in the jar. When opened
in winter it has an agreeable naturalness
both as regards plumpness and taste. The
great object is to preserve the natural taste
and fulness of the fruit without a loss of
the color. The method of preservation that
will keep it nearest what it was when ripe
is what is wanted. A friend of mine has
tried both these methods with good results.

' Paper prepared for a Woman's Institute meeting.

Artificial Fertilizers

fc 4 T USE artificial fertilizers on my small
1 fruits," said Mr. A. W. Peart, of
Burlington, to The Horticulturist recently,.,
" because it is difficult to get into the plan-
tations with a wagon without destroying the
bushes. Before this year I used muriate of
potash on my vineyards at the rate of 200
pounds per acre. This year I am trying
an experiment. Sulphate of potash has
been used instead, to see if the sulphur in it
will not tend to counteract the mildew
which is found in some varieties. I scat-
tered it broadcast after plowing and before
harrowing.

" On my berries and currants I use nit-
rate of soda at the rate of 100 pounds per
acre, or wood ashes 25 bushels per acre.
There is nothing better than good wood
ashes.

" My aim is to supply the bushes with
what they need most, and to produce a
moderate growth. This means firmer and
more healthy wood, and the bushes are less
subject to fungous diseases."

CANADIAN FLORISTS IN ANNUAL SESSION

THE seventh annual convention of the
Canadian Horticultural Association,
held in Ottawa, August 9, 10 and 11,
brought together a jolly and intelligent body
of Canada's leading florists, who managed
to spend a most enjoyable and profitable
three days. Florists were present from all
parts of Ontario and various points in Que-
bec, while one or two of the more distant
provinces were also represented. The con-
vention, in almost every way, was the most
successful in the history of the association,
as the attendance was representative, the
exhibits the most numerous on record, the
discussions full of valuable information, and
the interest manifest. The great growth
in the membership of the association during
the last four years was a matter of general
congratulation.

THE NEW OFFICERS ELECTED.

The election of officers resulted as fol-
lows : President, George A. Robinson,
Outremont, Que. ; first vice-president, W.
Suckling, Truro, N. S. ; second vice-presi-
dent, O. J. Johnson, Kingston, Ont. ; trea-
surer, H. Simmers, Toronto, re-elected ;
secretary, A. H. Ewing, of Woodstock,
Ont., re-elected ; executive committee, A.
Pinateau, Montreal ; J. Walsh, Montreal,
and A. Annandale, Toronto.

One of the most important features of the
gathering was a discussion on the advisa-
bility of petitioning the Dominion Govern-
ment for a removal of the duty on azaleas
and other plants. The matter was referred
to in the president's address, and later a
committee was appointed to consider the
subject. On the presentation of the report
of this committee a lengthy discussion on
the subject was held, which resulted in the
adoption of the following motion :
" Whereas, at the last meeting of the Cana-
dian Horticultural Association, a resolution
was passed asking the government to make
certain changes in the existing fiscal tariflf ;
and whereas, the Minister of Finance has

stated that there will probably be a general
revision of the tariff next year, and has in-
vited an expression of opinion from parties
interested, it would therefore appear ad-
visable that this association should give
some general expression of opinion upon the
subject, and it is therefore resolved that it
would be in the interests of the trade and in
harmony with the general policy of the
country that all articles that can be profit-
ably grown in Canada should be protected
by a tariff of not less than 25 per cent., with
a reduction of one-third upon importations
from Great Britain ; that among such arti-
cles as can be profitably grown in Canada
are palms, ferns, rubber plants, gladiolus,
cannas, dahlias and peonies. We also re-
commend that azalea plants or cuttings of
new varieties of plants imported for propa-
gating purposes be admitted free." Carried.

SUBJECTS DISCUSSED.

All the speakers who appeared on the pro-
gram were present, and their addresses and
papers were all of unusual interest. Those
who took part were : Mr. W. T. Macoun,
horticulturis-t at the Central Experimental
Farm, Ottawa, who gave a most interesting
and valuable paper on Hardy Perennials
Desirable for Florists. This lecture was
illustrated by a large display of flowers, a
portion of which' are shown in the cut used
in this issue of The Horticulturist. The
Florists Trade, from a retail standpoint, was
handled quite ably by Mr. A. C. Wilshire,
of jNIontreal, and Holiday Plants by Mr.
William Gammage, of London. Wednes-
day evening Mr. William Findlay, of
Brampton, spoke on The Best Way to Grow
Violets. One of the best discussions of the
convention took place over the question, The
Most Satisfactory Fuel for Heating Green-
houses, it being introduced by Mr. C. Scrim,
of Ottawa. The question box proved of
general interest. Among the subjects dealt
with were. What advantage has iron con-
struction of greenhouses over the orainary

389

390

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST^

wooden construction? This question was
answered by Mr. O. G. Johnson, of King-
ston. A portion of some of these papers
has been given in this issue, and the re-
mainder will be published in The Horitcul-
turist from time to time.

The meetings were all presided over by
President E. Mepsted, of Ottawa. At the
opening session an address of welcome was
given by Mayor J. A. Ellis, of Ottawa, who
referred to the pleasure it gave him to wel-
come those present to the city. This plea-
sure, he said, was intensified by the fact that
he considered himself an amateur horticul-
turist, having always, taken much delight in
the cultivation of flowers. Referring to the
exhibit of Groff's seedling gladiolus, made
at the convention by Campbell Bros., of
Simcoe, Mayor Ellis claimed Mr. Groff is
probably the most successful grower of this
variety of flowers in the world, and he hoped
that his marked success will encourage other
Canadian florists to strive to do equally as
well. A suitable response was made by Mr.
James McKenna, of Montreal, who referred
to the enjoyable nature of the convention
held in Ottawa four years before. The ob-
ject of the Canadian Horticultural Associa-
tion, he claimed, is to encourage a greater
interest in flowers and to raise and improve
the present standards.

In his annual address President Mepsted
referred with pleasure to the marked differ-

ence in the membership and influence of the
association to-day as compared with what it
was when the association met in Ottawa
four years ago. While the fight has been
a slow and up-hill one, the members have
persevered, until now the association is on a
sound basis. A strong effort, he thought,
should be made to get more gardeners to
join. Now that the association has held
its annual convention in most of the princi-
pal cities, President Mepsted suggested that
smaller cities might be visited so that a
greater interest in floral matters might be
aroused. Referring to the matter of duty
on azaleas and carnations, Mr. Mepsted
said : " The minister seems to think the
matter too small a one to deal with. The
time is now ripe for our association to take
the matter up energetically. The plant
trade has made rapid strides, the only draw-
back being the want of uniform standards.
There is no reason why this cannot be ob-
tained, as there are not so many florists in
the leading cities as to make this impossible.
There has been no over-production of plants
during the last two or three years, as the
supply has hardly been equal to the demand.
The relations between employer and em-
ploye are of a satisfactory nature, but there
seems to be a scarcity of plantsmen, which
is a decided disadvantage. The employer
is somewhat to blame for this, as in all other
lines of business; employers develop their

Exhibit of Perennials and Gladiolus at the Florists' Convention.

The flowers here shown were grouped in front of the platform at the Florists' Convention and made a fine display. They include 150
distinct varieties of perennials, including 55 varieties of perennial phlox, shown by Mr. Macoun, of the Central Experimental Farm. The
exhibit bore evidence of the wonderful improvement that that has been made in the.se flowers in recent years.

WHA T THE FLORISTS DID.

39'

skilled help from boys. This policy should
be adopted by the florists. Boys or quite
young men when taken into a business can,
by sensible and tactful supervision and
teaching by the florist or foreman, soon be-
come as useful in many ways as men, and
in a few years will develop into very capa-
ble florists. I do not know of any business
to-day that furnishes as good a field for em-
ployment for good all round men." Presi-
dent Mepsted closed by urging those present
to take an active part in the discussions.

the; SECRETARy'S REPORT.

The report of the secretary, Mr. A. H.
Ewing, of Woodstock, drew attention to tHe
fact that when the association met in Otta-
wa in 1899 it only had 2,2 members, while
last year 69 attended the annual meeting.

That the association is in a good financial
condition was shown by the report of the
treasurer, Mr. H. Simmers, of Toronto.
The receipts of the association last year
amounted to $248.30, including $138 for
membership fees. The previous balance on
hand was $90.70, and as the expenses
through the year were only $63.50, the asso-
ciation has a balaruce on hand of $184.80.

SOME SPLENDID EXHIBITS.

One of the best features of the conven-
tion was the excellent display of floral ex-
hibits and florists' supplies. These included
a great display of hardy perennials made by
Mr. W. T. Macoun, of the Experimental
Farm at Ottawa, and of Groff's seedling
gladiolus by Campbell Brothers, of Simcoe.
The Experimental Farm exhibit included 1 50
distinct varieties of perennials, of which there
were 55 varieties of perennial phlox, show-
ing the great improvement that has been
made in this flower in recent years. The
object of the collection was to show as
many as possible of the best perennials
which bloom in late summer.

One large table was taken up with the ex-
cellent exhibit of J. Gammage & Sons, of
London, showing palms, araucarias, rub-

bers, asparagus plumosus, begonia D'Lor-
raine, and a number of small plants used in
the trade. The palms and asparagus were
particularly fine. This firm grows 20,000
palms and 40,000 asparagus plants, and the
exhibit showed these plants in all sizes from
I ^ -inch to 6-inch pots.

Other exhibits included a large display of
floral supplies by D. J. Sinclair, of Toronto ;
flower pots, jars, etc., by the Foster Pottery
Co., of Hamilton, "Ont. ; wire designs by
George J. Fisher, of Ottawa, Ont. ; florists'
holiday boxes by- J. C. Wilson & Co., of
Montreal ; saleable sized palms, assorted
ferns, small cyclamen, etc., by Messrs.
Grobba and Wandry, of Mimico, Ont. ; an
excellent assortment of palms, ferns, as-
paragus plumosus, etc., by J. Gammage &
Son, London, Ont. ; an especially well grown
lot of ferns, from seedlings to plants in six
inch pots, by C. Scrim, of Ottawa ; small
saleable ferns, seedling palms, etc., by
Messrs. Hall & Robinson, of Montreal ;
commercial ferns by Joseph Benouth, of
Montreal ; ferns in two to ten inch pots, by
Graham Brothers, of Ottawa, Ont. ; nephi-
slipis Scottic, by John Scott, of Brooklyn,
N. Y. ; sweet peas, by Frank Brown, of Bar-
rie, Ont., and musk melons by L J. Gorman,
of Montreal.

On Wednesday afternoon the members
drove to the Experimental Farm, where a
most pleasant afternoon was spent. On
Thursday the members devoted the day to
visiting the sights and places of interest in.
and around the city and were entertained at
dinner by Mr. C. Scrim, the well known
florist 01 Ottawa. The greenhouses of
Messrs. Graham Brothers, Wright and
Scrim were among those visited. The
three days' convention had a most pleasant
closing on Thursday evening, when a ban-
quet was held at the Windsor hotel. When
the Toronto contingent was boarding the
train for home their Montreal and Ottawa
brethren, who were- at the station to see

392

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

A Portion of the Gladiolus Exhibit at the Florists' Convention.

One of the best features of the recent convention of the Canadian Horticultural Association was the splendid exhibit of flowers and
the manner in which the hall was decorated. Probably the best exhibit of any was the one made by Campbell Brothers, of Simcoe, Ont., a
portion of which is here shown. It included several hundred of GroflTs new hybrid seedling gladiolus, principally of the lighter shades.
The great improvement that has taken place in these flowers was well illustrated by the exhibit. Gladiolus are now being classed as one of
the best flowers for table decorations from the middle of July to the middle of September. A large quantity of these bulbs are grown in the
vicinity of Simcoe from whence about 750,000 were exported last spring to all parts of the world. This exhibit attracted general attention
at the convention and was much admired.

them off, exhibited their muscle by bounc-
ing each one in turn and helping them back
into the car through the windows. The
banquet had nothing to do with this.

Those present at the convention included
Messrs. A. C. Wilshire, A. Gibb, R. H. Sea-
brook, W. C. Hall, W. H. Horobin, J. Har-
rigan, J. Bennett, T. C. Gorman, J. Hender-
son, J. McKenna, A. Pinoteau, A. Walker,
F. J. McKenna, George Milne, C.
Denyncke, A. Ferguson, G. A. Robinson,
J. Walsh, G. H. Opton, R. Burrows, P. J.
Darcy, of Montreal ; Messrs. E. F. Collins.
T. Manton, G. Manton, F. H. Miller, A.
Jennings, H. G. Dillenwith, E. Grice, D. J.
Sinclair, C. Nesbitt, W. Muston, W. J. Law-
rence, A. Annandale and R. W. King, To-

ronto; Messrs. J. A. Wallace, L. Williams,
J. Graham, E. Mepsted, C. J. Wright, R.
Wright, C. Scrim, W. Kehoe, of Ottawa.
Others present were Messrs. I. Wilson, R.
C. Winter, of Aylmer ; Mr. and Mrs. J. A.
Fraser, of Prescott ; R. Brooks, of Fergus ;
F. Cheesman, W, Gammage, of London ; J.
Campbell, of Simcoe ; W. McCann, of Bil-
lings Bridge ; W, Findlay and W. Downing,
of Brampton; Mr. and Mrs. O. G. Johnson,
of Kingston ; J. E. Killen, of Windsor ; W.
E. Smith, of Cumming's Bridge, and T.
Pewtress, of Pointe Claire, Quebec. It
was a splendid convention, and w^hen the
florists meet in Montreal next year the
Montreal people will have to work hard to
surpass it.

A Mistake Occurred. — There is a mis-
take in my letter in the August issue of The
Horticulturist, as Mr. Jacob Moore, who
originated the Brighton grape, lived in the
township of Brighton just east of Rochester.
The vinery in which the Rose Chassellas
was growing was owned by the late Joseph
Hall, of Rochester, after whom the Jose^j'i
Hall Works of Oshawa were named. My
partner in the nursery at Rochester, Henry

E. Hooker, purchased the original plant of
the Brighton for $500. — (Francis Wayland
Glen.

I invariably plant a few sweet cherries
through my orchard for the birds. They
need and like them, and show their appre-
ciation of my kindness by hunting and eat-
ing annoying pests. — (John D. Wigle,
Kingsville, Ont.

FOR LOVERS OF FLOWERS.

393

Commercial Bulb Growing

JOHN A. CAMPBELL, SIMCOE, ONT.

HARVESTING gladiolus bulbs begins
in September, the young stock be-
ing dug first. Different methods are em-
ployed, but generally two men with spades
dig a row one on each side, and a third man
pulls them up, securing as many of the
bulblets as possible. The stalks are cut off
close to the bulb and the bulbs placed in
pots, three or- four inches deep. After be-
ing allowed a day or more to dry, they are
carried to the cellar and placed on racks.

After the bulbs are dry the soil where
they grew is run through sieves to secure
the small cormels left in the ground after
digging. During winter the bulbs are
cleaned up. The saleable ones are prepared
for filling orders and the young stock sorted
for planting. The bulbs are ready for mar-
ket at two and three years old. A very
general mistake made by customers is in
judging of the value of a bulb by its size,
some even asking for samples to see how
large they are.

It might be pointed out, here, that a
gladiolus corm is quite different from the
bulbs of the hyacinth. In the latter case
the flower spike is already formed in the
bulb, and upon being placed in growing con-
ditions it soon appears supported very
largely by the nourishment stored in the
bulb. In the case of the gladiolus the flower
spike is not formed for two months after
the plant has started to grow, and success
depends upon cultural conditions rather
than on the size of the bulb.

Canadian Moonseed. — The specimen plant
submitted by Mr. D. McKechnie, of Walkerton,
is known as the Canadian Moonseed (Menisper-
mum Canadense). It is a graceful hardy
climber and can be used with good effect in the
home grounds. There are a number of Cana-
dian climbers like the Moonseed which would
become very popular if cultivated and known
better. — (W. T. Macoun, Central Experimental
Farm. Ottawa.

The Mealy Bug on Coleus

PROF. H. L. HUTT, OXT. AGRI. COLLEGE,

GUELPH.

I have a coleus which is covered with a small
insect that looks somewhat like aphis. The
insect seems to work at the joints, and also on
the leaves. The stem becomes colorless above
where they work. I washed the leaves in
water, then smoked it with tobacco, and
sprinkled on insect powder, all of which proved
useless. I am enclosing a leaf with a specimen
of the insect. Can you advise me how to de-
stroy the insect ? — (Agnes E. Smillie.

The insect on your coleus plant is what is
commonly known as the Mealy Bug, a dis-
tant relative of the Aphis. It takes its food
in the same way, by sucking the juices of
the plant. The best means of getting rid
of these insects is to remove them by means
of a small brush, usually an old tooth
brush can be used for this purpose, and it is
well to dip the brush in strong soap suds,
which helps to destroy the insects when it
comes in contact with their soft bodies.
Care should be taken, to dislodge them from
the axils of the leaves, where they hide
themselves beneath a cottony covering filled
with wax, which they exude from their
bodies.

Care of a Cedar Heds^e

W. T. MACOUN, HORTICULTURIST, CENTRAL

EXPERIMENTAL FARM, OTTAWA.

I have a cedar hedge, the bottom of which is
dying out. The growth is all going to the top.
Would it be best to put in young cedars to till
up the gaps or to take three feet off the hedge?
— (James Fleming, Port Hope, Ont.

I would suggest a severe heading back,
but not back as far as the dead wood. This
would induce growth on the lower branches.
It w^ould also be advisable to fill up the part
with cedars, as this is a quick way to make
a hedge look well.

The dying of the bottom of the hedge is
usually due to too much shading of the
hedge by large trees. If it is possible I
would advise giving the hedge more light,
providing that shading has been the cause
of the trouble.

AMONGST WESTERN FLOWERS

WM. HUNT ONT. AGRI. COLLEGE, GUELPH.

OUR western friends are evidently not
so engrossed in the development of
their grand country along agricultural and
commercial lines, as not to be able to devote
some portion of their time in beautifying
the surroundings of their homes with plants
and flowers. This fact was amply demon-
strated by the splendid exhibit made by both
professional and amateur plant and flower
growers at the recent Dominion exhibition
held in the city of Winnipeg.

Although the floral exhibit would not in
point of size . compare with similar exhibits
seen at a few of our large eastern fairs, still,
as regards quality and general excellence, it
was a most creditable display. In fact, in
a few of the classes represented I have never
had the pleasure of awarding prizes to plants
and flowers of such high class quality. One
pi the most noticeable exhibits was the
specimen fuchsia plants shown in connec-
tion with the amateurs' exhibit of window
plants. Some of these plants were simply
superb, several of them being of such ample
proportions that one plant would fill a win-
dow of even more than ordinary dimensions.
These specimens were in fine condition.

Another feature of the amateur exhibit
was the large and gorgeous display of sweet
pea blooms. The collection that gained the
premier prize in this class surpassed any-
thing I have ever seen exhibited, both in
quantity and quality, as well as in the wide
and varied range of shades and colors
shown, there being upwards of 40 named
varieties in this exhibit. Great care had
also been taken in the selection and arrange-
ment of the different shades and colors.
Several other collections of sweet peas, both
in the professional and amateur classes,
were also of special merit.

The display of cut flowers of other an-
nuals was also very good, the fine spikes of
Ten Week Stocks being particularly notice-

able. Pansies and Phlox Drummondii were
of good quality, the type of flower in bQth
of these comparing very favorably with the
best strains seen at floral exhibits in On-
tario.

The exhibit of cut flowers of perennial
border plants was not a very large one, but
some good specimen blooms of perennial
Larkspur, Gaillardia, Coreopsis, Lychnis
chalcedonica, Monarda, and many other
favorite old border plants were much in
evidence amongst the perennials. One
variety that was very prominent, not only
in the collections, but also in the bouquets,,
designs, etc., was the beautiful delicate
sprays of the Gypsophila paniculata. The
graceful panicles of the star-like flowers of
this pretty border perennial were used very
effectively in relieving the heavy appearance
that many border flowers present when ar-
ranged for decorative purposes, unless re-
lieved by flowers of a lighter and more deli-
cate texture of growth. The perennial
Gypsophila answers splendidly for this pur-
pose, the plant is quite hardy, and although
not a showy border plant, its light elegant
sprays of white starry blossoms make it in-
valuable for cut flower decorative pur-
poses. The double floAvering Achillea is
also very plentiful and succeeds well in the
west. Some fine specimens of the two last
mentioned perennials were in full bloom in
the flower borders surrounding the remains
of the now historic gateway of old Fort
Garry, on the banks of the Assiniboia river.
The small enclosure around this romantic
spot is now very nicely laid out with walks
and borders, the latter being very tastefully
planted with shrubs and perennial plants,
the specimens of the Gypsophila and Achil-
lea before mentioned being particularly
noticeable.

Two collections of wild flowers common
to Manitoba were shown. The exhibit that

394

THE WINNIPEG HORTICULTURAL EXHIBIT.

395

The Florists' New President.

At the recent meeting of the Canadian Horticultural Association
in Ottawa the members chose for their president for the coming yei.r
Mr. George A. Robinson, of Outremont, Que., who is here shown
and who is a member of the firm of Hall & Robinson, among the
best known florists in Montreal. His first experience in floral mat-
ters was received in England, where he secured a thorough practical
training in English gardeniffg, later moving to Montreal. For
several seasons Mr. Robinson acted as gardener for Mr. Joyce, at
Montreal, where he gained the reputation of being one of the most
skilful gardeners in Canada. Mr. Robinson has been president of
the Montreal Gardeners' and Florists' Club and has won many
prizes at Montreal shows for his floral exhibits. An interesting
feature of the recent convention was the fact that every past-presi-
pent of the Association since its organization was in attendance ;
these gentlemen being Messrs. VV. J. McKenna of Montreal, J. H.
Gammage of London J. H. Dunlop of Toronto, J. Bennett of Mon -
real, T. Manton of Toronto, and E. Mepsted of Ottawa, who held
the office in the order given.

secured the first prize was made up of about
I GO specimens of flowers of plants and
shrubs. Many of them were very beauti-
ful, and several species shown were quite
new to me, and are very rare in Southern
Ontario, if found at all. Nearly all of the
varieties of wild flowers shown were cor-
rectly named. This exhibit proved quite
an attraction to many of the visitors from
other provinces.

The plant display was very creditable, the
palms, ferns and flowering plants comparing

very favorably with eastern exhibits, all
classes of greenhouse plants being well re-
presented both in the amateur and profes-
sional classes. One display of tuberous
rooted begonias, shown by one of the flor-
ists of Winnipeg, deserves special mention.
This exhibit was not entered for competi-
tion.

A very large and comprehensive display
of cut flowers of exceptionally good quality,
shown by the superintendent of Elmwood
Cemetery, comprised a greater variety of
flowers than most of the competitive ex-
hibits, and gave the visitor a good idea of
what it is possible to do in the way of out
door flower culture in the far west. Alto-
gether the exhibit of plants and flowers was
very creditable, and it was gratifying to see
that floriculture is at least keeping pace with
the wonderfully rapid growth that this
Chicago of Canada is making in other direc-
tions.

FRUIT AND VEGErTABI,!; EXHIBITS.

Possibly a word or two on the fruit and
vegetable exhibit may be interesting to
readers of The Horticulturist. The fruit
exhibit was not a large one. Although the
exhibit was of small proportions and con-
sisted wholly of small fruits, principally
raspberries and currants, the fruit shown
was of very good quality. One plate of
Louden raspberries was extra good. The
black, red and white currants were also
good. There were no apples, pears, or
peaches, and but one plate of strawberries.
These latter, however, were of very good
quality. I did not have the pleasure of
judging the fruit display, but was told by
the gentleman who made the awards that
the fruit display was not representative of
what Manitoba could do in small fruits.

The show of domestic preserved fruits,
pickles and home made wines demonstrated
that the housewives of Manitoba are not a
whit behind their Ontario sisters in can-
ning and preserving tne comparatively

396

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST

limited list of fruits common to Manitoba.
The exhibit of domestic preserves, etc., was
quite a large one, the many different varie-
ties of pickles exhibited being excellent and
tastily put up.

The vegetable exhibit was splendid, more
especially in point of quality rather than'
quantity, and although I had only time for
a casual inspection of this exhibit, I saw
sufficient to convince me that vegetables of
first class quality can be grown around
Winnipeg. The exhibit contained some
fine specimens of almost every kind of vege-
table to be seen in Ontario at the same sea-
son of the year.

One other splendid exhibit, I cannot omit
to mention, and that is the one from the
Pacific province. This was in charge of
Mr. Palmer, the Commissioner of Fruits for
British Columbia, and his assistant, Mr.
Brandrith, both practical fruit growers of
the western province. This exhibit demon-
strated what our friends on the Pacific coast
can do in growing small fruits. There was

a really grand exhibit of cherries. It is no
exaggeration to say that they were in size
as ilarge as medium sized crab apples, of a
firm fleshy texture and good color, and
above all were in excellent condition after
their trip over the Rockies. I think I am
correct in saying that these cherries were
shipped in ordinary ventilated cars. If so,
they were in a really fine attractive condi-
tion for exhibition or sale, and I feel satis-
fied that if our Ontario fruit growers wish
to compete successfully with the fruit grow-
ers of the Pacific coast they will have to put
forth every effort to have our fruits from
Ontario placed on the western markets in
the very best condition so as to obtain a
share of the immense market opening up
from Winnipeg and west to the Rockies.
The display of fruit from British Columbia
was a source of great interest, and Mr. Pal-
mer and his equally genial and affable as-
sistant were kept busy answering questions
and giving information concerning their ex-
cellent exhibit.

SUNFLOWER :
has been named Helianthus from the
Greek, Helios, sun, and Anthos, flower, be-
cause its corolla bears a resemblance to the
great luminary of the day.

Uplift, proud Sunflower, to thy favorite orb.
That disk whereon his brightness loves to
dwell ;
And as thou seem'st his radiance to absorb,
Proclaim thyself the garden's sentinel.

— Barton.

Phillips, writing on the Sunflower, says
that on account of its resemblance to the
sun, it was used in the religious ceremonies
of the ancient Peruvians, who worshipped
the god of day. The virgins who offi-
ciated in the Temple of the Sun were
crowned with the Helianthus, made of pure
gold, and wearing them also o» their breasts

FLOWER AND PLANT LORE

EDWARD TYRRELL, TORONTO.

This Peruvian plant and carrying them in their hands, which

reflecting the rays of their deity by the bril-
liancy of the metals formed an effect of the
most imposing grandeur.

History reminds us of the enormities
which the treacherous Spaniards committed
on the plains where this plant grows
luxuriantly. These infatuated pillagers at-
tempted to enlighten the unfortunate na-
tives, who, in the simplicity of their hearts,
poured out their adoration to the sun as the
grandest object which their imagination
could conceive ; so their glaring and favorite
flower will ever remain a memento of the
folly of those who attempt to inspire the
ignorant with an idea of pure religion
through the assistance of craft and cruelty.

The sunflower is generally considered

FLOWER QUESTIONS ANSWERED.

397

unfit for a small garden. I, however, grow
three each year in my little garden, and
their handsome leaves and luxuriant growth
I continually admire. Gerard (about 1569)
describes this plant under the name of
" Flower of the Sun," marigold of Perii,
" that it grew in his garden in Holborn
(London, Eng.) 14 feet high, with flowers
16 inches across." These large flowers
have been known to contain more than 2,300
seeds. The seeds are excellent for fatten-
ing poultry, and the oil from the seeds
makes good salad oil.

SCABIOUS — SCABIOSA.

This flower is found in the Caucasus,
Phrygia and south of Europe, and is known
as the Pincushion Flower, Blue Bonnet,
Blue Buttons, Gypsies Rose, Devil's Bit,

Ground Ivy in Lawn

PROF H. L. HUTT, ONT. AGRI. COLIvEGE^

GUEIvPH.

The grass on a portion of my lawn is being
smothered by a noxious weed, a specimen of
which I enclose. It seems impossible to destroy
it. Kindly state best means to eradicate the
weed. — ^(J. Gardner, Bayfield, Ont.

The weed is the Ground Ivy (Nepeta
Glechoma) , one of the creeping species of
the mint family. This plant has been used
largely as a trailer- in the making up of
hanging baskets, but when it escapes from
such cultivation it becomes a very trouble-
some weed in the lawn. It has a creeping-
stem, which works through the grass and
strikes root at every joint.

In moist shady places it often crowds out
the grass entirely. It has, however, very
shallow roots, and the easiest way to get rid
of it is to remove a couple of inches of the
surface soil in which it is growing so as to
entirely remove the rooting portions of the
stem and replace with fresh sod or soil. If
soil is used instead of sod, a fine surface
should be made and lawn grass may be
sown at any time, preferably early in the
spring.

and the purple one as the Mournful Widow.
It derives its name from Scabies, because the
common sort is said to cure this and other
cutaneous complaints, and on this account
it is fabled that the devil having found the
plant in Paradise, and envying the good this
herb might do to the human race, bit away
a part of the root in order to destroy the
plant, but which still continues to flourish
with a stumped root, and hence one of the
species is called Devil's Bit. The Scabiosa
is an old favorite, and of late years has been
greatly improved. The plant is 12 to 24
inches high, the flowers are white, pink,
scarlet, crimson and maroon, borne on long
wiry stems, and excellent for bouquets. It
is an attractive flower in the garden.

Pests on Clematis Vines

W. T. MACOUN, CENTRAL EXPER. FARM.

I have two clematis, a Jackmanii and a
Henryi, which were attacked last year in a
rather peculiar manner. A stem would sud-
denly wither and ^le down to the ground, a lit-
tle while after another would do the same, until
the Jackmanii appeared to be completely dead.
The Henryi had only two or three stems killed.
Both are alive and growing again this year, but
a few days ago one stem of the Henrya
wilted down as last year. What is the cause ?
Have looked for insects at roots. Would the
trouble be caused by dogs ? Other flowers are
not affected in the least degree. — (E. Gurney,
Hespeler.

The large flowering clematis are fre-
quently affected with a disease caused by a
very small nematode worm which works on
the roots of plants, causing the whole top to
die or part of it at a time. This little worm
does most damage to young plants in the
greenhouse, and it is supposed that it is
brought from the greenhouse outside with
the plants.

The best remedy known is to allow the
soil in which the plants are growing to
freeze to a considerable depth, as it is be-*
lieved that this will destroy the nematodes.
The insects at the roots would not be
noticed as thev are verv small.

EARLY VEGETABLE MARKET GROWING IN IMPORTANCE

4 < '' I ■> HE growers in Essex county who

A this year forced vegetables for the
early markets obtained the best prices they
ever realized. This was the case in spite of
the fact that' many more raised vegetables
in this way this year than ever before. The
indications are that there will be a great de-
velopment in this line in the near future."

These remarks were made to The Horti-
culturist recently by Mr. W. W. Hillborn,
of Leamington, who while in Toronto a few
days ago called on Hon. John Dryden to
suggest that some experimental work of
value might be undertaken in coniiection
with the forcing of early vegetables. " Had
it not been for the returns they received
from their vegetables," said Mr. Hillborn,
" a number of the fruit growers in Essex
county, whose orchards were ruined by last
winter's severe weather, would have been
in a very critical position financially, if As it
is, a number of them have done so well with
their vegetables they are now on their feet
again.

" The demand for these vegetables, which
are started in the greenhouses along in
February or March, and set out under cot-
ton as soon as the weather moderates, has
been greater this year than ever before.
They have been shipped to points extending
irom Montreal to Winnipeg, and the de-
mand has not been nearly supplied. Ship-
ments started about the last of May with
cucumbers and early cabbage, which were
followed by tomatoes and will end with
musk melons. By the time the season is
over, fully two cars a day will have been
shipped from the vicinity of Leamington
for some two months.

" The satisfactory prices realized were
probably due to the scarcity of frufts. A
number of the growers have not succeeded
as w^ll as they might have had they owned
their own greenhouses. Some of them who
undertook this work did not fully under-
stand all the requirements and they had to

learn by experience. Those who did not
have greenhouses had to depend on others
for their plants, with the result that many
of them received poor plants, and conse-
quently were unable to obtain thoroughly
satisfactory results. The success of the
growers, on the whole, however, has been
sufficient to leave little doubt that • many
more will undertake the growing of vege-
tables in this way next year.

TRADE IS GROWING.

" The trade in Canada seems to have
reached the point when a large quantity of
early vegetables can be consumed. To fill
this demand in the past considerable quanti-
ties of vegetables have been imported from
the southern states. People are now find-
ing out that our Canadian stock is better
than the southern vegetables, and as soon as
it is ready for the market it crowds the im-
ported vegetables out. There is no reason
apparently why Canadian growers should
not supply the greater part of this demand.

" For two years I have shipped vegetables
from Leamington to Detroit, and generally
secured sufficiently good prices to enable me
to obtain a satisfactory profit even after
paying a duty of 25 per cent. A Detroit
commission merchant who handles my
vegetables informed me that our Canadian
vegetables were better than those he was se-
curing from the south, and that they real-
ized higher prices. A Montreal dealer has
also written me to the same effect. Grow-
ers when sending vegetables to the Detroit
market have to exercise considerable care to
ascertain whether or not the market is glut-
ted, for if so, prices drop materially, no mat-
ter how good the quality of the goods.

" Before this trade can attain its full
development it will be necessary for
the growers to obtain better rates
from the railways. This year I made
two shipments of tomatoes to Winni-
peg by express, there being 327 baskets all
told. The charges amounted to vi50,

WITH THE VEGETABLE GROWERS.

399

while my profits were only $112 on the lot.
This means, of course, that the railroad got
more out of the consignment than I did.

A HANDSOME PROFIT.

" An evidence of the profits that can be
made from growing vegetables in this way
when carefully managed, is afforded by the
returns obtained by one grower last year
from one and a quarter acres of land. A
little cheap greenhouse costing only $30 was
erected in which a sufficient number of
tomato plants for one and a quarter acres
of ground were started. ' From this piece
of land the tomatoes sold realized $660. The
grower estimated that his total expense, in-

Celery Gowing to Seed

W. T. MACOUN, CENTRAL EXPERIMENTAL FARM.

Will you kindly let me know the cause of
celery going- to seed? Some asparagus I planted
in May did not come up, and I would greatly
like to know the probable reason. — (James
Fleming, Port Hope, Ont.

It is probable that the cause of the celery
going to seed was that the plants were set
out too early and certain conditions of
weather, when the celery has a very long-
growing season, such as a check in their
growth due partly to dry weather, would
induce it to go to seed. Sometimes, also,
the cause is due to the seed itself.

It frequently happens that when seed,
such as asparagus, is put in as late as May
it will not germinate the same year. I
would advise that the seed be left until next
year if possible. Perhaps, however, the
seed may have lost its germinating power
before it was planted.

Ginseng Growing. — Let no person be
gulled by what is written from tim.e to time
in favor of ginseng growing. It cannot be
grown with profit ; the roots take too long
to mature, and the plants require a specially
prepared soil which would cost more than
the crop would be worth. — (R. Cameron,
Niagara Falls, Ont.

eluding the cost of the greenhouse, did not
exceed $160, leaving a net profit of $500.
Of course, it must not be supposed that
every person can make a profit like this.

" There is much to be learned in this work
which can only be gained by experience.
Unless care is taken, growers can easily lose
considerable sums of money in the growing
of vegetables instead of making any. As
this industry is likely to grow in value, X.
think it would be well for the Ontario De-
partment of Agriculture to carry on some
experiments to ascertain such points as the
best method of heating greenhouses, sys-
tems of ventilation, etc."

Asparagus Bed

U I T takes several years to get an aspara-
L gus bed established," said Mr. J.
Macnamara. a well known market gardener
of Bracondale. Ont., to a representative of
The Horticulturist a few days ago, '* I sow
the seed in a drill in late September or
October and let this grow for two seasons.
The following spring I transplant to rows
three feet apart and four inches apart in the
row. I allow this to stand four or five
years longer before I consider it sufficiently
established to allow me to take off a crop.

" If well cultivated and liberally manured
asparagus makes rank growth, and when
established lasts for 12 or 15 years, and
sometimes 20 years. Eacb fall I cut oflf the
old tops and clean off the bed. Then I
plow the soil on top of the old row to give
protection and carry off the water. In the
early spring I add a coat of manure.

" When cutting for market select only
good stout stems four or six inches in
length. They should be cut every second
day, or if the weather is warm, oftener.
Warm nights are conducive to quick
growth."

I have been a reader of The Horticulturist for
years and like it well. — (Prank Metcalfe, Blyth,
Ont.

400

THE CANADIAJM HORTICULTURIST

Poisoned Bran for Cut Worms

DR. JAMES FLETCHER, CENTRAL EXPERL FARM.

POISONED bran for cut worms in the
vegetable patch has given wonderful
results at the Experim-ental Farm this
spring. It should, of course, be applied
when the work of cut worms is first
noticed, although it is equally successful at
any time cut worms are present. We have
been using it here for the past few weeks,
and it has given every satisfaction.

This remedy has been found most effec-
tive against all species of cut worms which
attack any kind of plant. Peas, cabbages,
melons, cucumbers, etc., have all been kept
free from cut worms this season by the
poisoned bran.

The method of preparing the mixture is
simple; all that is necessary is to mois-
ten the bran with sweetened water so
t-.e paris green will adhere and not sink
to the bottom. The proportion to use is
one pound of paris green to 50 pounds of
bran. Even one-half pound of paris green
to 50 pounds of bran will be sufficient if the
mixture is well stirred, so the poison
will be evenly distributed. The mixture is
then ready for use ; for this it has simply to
be scattered in small heaps among the plants
to be protected.

Growing Celery

i i T HAVE grown celery for years," re-
1 marked Mr. J. R. Wood, of Wood
& Sons, Ossington avenue, Toronto, to a
representative of The Horticulturist, " and
find the best results from planting two rows
12 inches apart in a trench, with the
trenches 30 inches apart. The plants need
to be about nine inches apart in the row. I
set the plants out about the first of July, and
in about ten weeks they are full grown.

" To ensure good growth the plants must
be in good soil and continually hoed and
cultivated. I always apply a liberal supply

Successful Young Horticulturist.

Good evidence of the opportunities offered youn? men by the
fruit and market vegetable industry in Ontario is afforded by the
success that has been attained by Alfred McLachlan, of Leaming-
ton. Although only 23 years old, Mr. McLachlan is already a
partner in the firm of Hillborn & McLachlan, of Leamington ex-
tensive growers of fruit and early vegetables. Mr. McLachlan,
whose parents died when he was a child, started with Mr. Hillborn
when only 11 years old. He devotes most of his time to running
the vegetable branch of the work, looking after the three green-
houses, and over 2000 yards of cotton frame. Mr. McLachlan also
takes charge of the picking of the fruit and harvesting of the crops,
while Mr. Hillborn devotes his attention more particularly to the
selling end of the business. In an illustration of Mr. Hillbom's.
orchard, published in the June issue of The Horticulturist, Mr. Mc-
Lachlan, it was said, was seated on the cultivator. • This was an
error, as the illustration showed Mr. Hillbom's teamster, not Mr.
McLachlan.

of liquid manure. For bleaching I use a
24-inch board. Celery may be wintered
over successfully either in pits or in a root
house. The main thing in wintering is
plentv of ventilation and sufficient covering
to keep out the frost. The Paris Goldea
\ellow is about the only reliable variety I
know of to winter over."

For onions or cauliflowers I always put
on a liberal supply of salt to guard against
maggots. Salt is also a good fertilizer. —
(Jas. Conboy, North Dovercourt.

WITH THE VEGETABLE GROWERS.

401

r*««2ET35

Curing Sweet Corn

PRO?. H. L. HUTT, ONT. AGRI. COLLEGE,
GUELPH.

We are interested in the growing of sweet
corn, and have had great <-. ^..culty in getting
good seed for the past two seasons. We are
growing some now to raise our own seed, but
would like to get some information as to how
the corn should ,be treated (when ripe), so that
it will be perfectly cured. Will we have to
hang the ears up in a moderately warm place,
or can it be cured satisfactorily by any simpler
method? — (Kent Canning Company, Limited.

Considerable care is required in curing
sweet corn for seed. The seed should
never be allowed to freeze before it has been
thoroughly cured, or its germinating quali-
ties will be injured.

Where only a small quantity is required
there is no better way than hanging up the
ears in a dry, warm, well aired place.
Where large quantities are to be cured it
may be done by piling the ears in shallow
layers on slatted racks, which will allow a
free circulation of air, something like hops
are dried in hop kiJns.

Nitrate of Soda for Tomatoes

PROF. R. HARCOURT, ONT. AGRI. COLLEGE,
GUELPH.

Nitrate of soda has been recommended for
application to tomato plants soon after setting.
Will you kindly tell me what proportion to use
per plant ? — (Mrs. E.- R. Atkinson, Summer-
land, B. C.

As the tomato plant is somewhat inclined
to run to leaf and stem growth, I doubt very
much if nitrate of soda would be a very use-
ful fertilizer for it. If the ground is in
good condition it does not need much if
any special fertilizer, but if the ground is
poor there is no doubt that nitrate of soda
will tend to give the plants a start and se-
cure a good growth.

On ground in good heart I would recom-
mend the use of a small amount, say 100 to
150 pounds of superphosphate per acre, as
likely to give better results than nitrate of
soda. The superphosphate should be sown
broadcast over the ground.

Vegetable Plots for Poor People

JOHN KEANE, SEC. ASSOCIATED CHARITIES^
OTTAWA, ONT.

MUCH good work can be done in cities
by securing the use of vacant pieces
of land and allowing poor people to use
them for raising vegetables. It is of great
benefit to the poorer classes if gone into ex-
tensively enough so as to warrant engaging
a practical gardener to superintend the
operations. In Ottawa, during the four
years it has been in operation, I think we
can pronounce it a success. The chief rea-
son it was given up was because there was
no available ground within reasonable dis-
tance of the district where the cultivators
lived. Besides, it was liable to be sold at
any time, and we could run no risk in
spending money where we might have to
surrender it before obtaining returns.
About one-fourth of our cultivators did not
attend as they should to the crops when
growing, but on the whole, whilst it was
satisfactory in its results, it was found im-
possible to eliminate wholly the improvi-
dent, the shiftless and the lazy ones who
made a great start at the beginning but did
not keep it up. It is here that a special
overseer would probably reduce the per-
centage of the above class considerably.

We sometimes threatened to take away
the plots from those who did not properly
attend to them, but this drastic proposal
could hardly be carried into effect. If we
could have obtained suitable ground even
this year we would at once have entered on
the plan again.

Growing Melons. — Good melons can be
grown on gravely soil, sandy loam, or clay
loam with sandy subsoil Large quantities
are sold to large hotels in New York. As
soon as the melons are large and netted
some unprincipled growers give the stem
near the melon a twist to hasten ripening,
and by this means destroy the quality. — (R.
Brodie, Westmount, Que.

402

EDITORIAL.

jfje fan^dian plorticOltorist

The Leading Horticultural Magazine in the
Dominion.

1. The Canadian Horticulturist is published the first of
each month.

S. Subscription Price $1.00 per year, strictly in advance,
entitling the subscriber to membership in the Fruit Growers'
Association of Ontario and all its privileges, including a copy of its
report and a share of its annual distribution of plants and trees.
For all countries except Canada, United States and Great Britain
add 50C. for postage.

3. Remittances siiould be made by Post Office or Money
Express Order, or Registered Letter. Postage Stamps accepted for
amounts less than $1.00. Receipts will he acknowledged on the
address label, which shows the date to which subscription is paid.

4. Discontinuances — Responsible subscribers will continue
to receive The Horticulturist until the publishers aae Botified by
letter to discontinue, when all arrearages must be paid. Societies
should send in their revised lists in January: otheiwise it will be
taken for granted all will continue members.

5. Cliange of Address — When a change of address is or-
dered, both the old and the new addresses must be given.

6. Advertising Rates quoted on application. Circulation
5,500. Copy receiped up to the 24th. Responsible representatives
wanted in towns and cities.

7. Articles and Illustrations for publication will be
thankfully received by the editor.

8. All Communications should be addressed :

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST,

TORONTO, CANADA

THE EARLY VEGETABLE MARKET.

The announcement, in this issue, that the
growers in South Essex who forced vegetables
for the early markets have secured satisfac-
tory prices is an important one. It indicates-
that this line of garden work — fast leaving the
experimental stage if it has not already done so.

A few growers in the province, not only in
South Essex ibut in the Niagara district as
well, have been raising vegetables in this way
for a number of years with profit to themselves
and satisfaction to their customers. Why
should not more do so ? For years Canada has
imported quantities of vegetables, during the
early summer, from the southern states for
which, in many cases, high and even fancy
prices have been paid. It has now been demon-
strated that it is possible to mature these vege-
tables in Ontario in time to take advantage of
these favorable markets. Our Ontario grow-
ers, 'being so much nearer the consuming cen-
ters in Canada, should ultimately, by good man-
agement, capture the greater part of this trade.

There seems little fear that the demand for
these vegetables will be over supplied. The
portions of the province suited for this occupa-
tion are so restricted th» work can never be
conducted on a very large scale. The high
prices that have been paid in the past may de-
cline. On the other hand, the consumption is
certain to increase, which will tend to place the
business on a more permanent basis.

A word of warning, just here, may be in or-

der. The fact that a few have done well this
year, raising these early vegetables, is no
guarantee that any person can do so. Before
it will Ib'e possible for growers to make a profit
at this work they must secure suitable locations,
which in itself is a difficult matter, and have a
thorough kitowledge of the business. A slight
lack of experience or a little carelessness on the
part of a grower early in the season may result
in the loss of his entire crop. Any rush into
this line of work is certain to mean disaster to
many.

THE FRUIT MARKS ACT.

It Is announced that in future the Fruit
Marks Act is to be more rigidly enforced. If
a few packages in a shipment of fruit are found
to be improperly graded the whole shipment is
to be thoroughly inspected. The time is ripe
for the taking of such a step. The act has now
been long enough in force to leave no room for
any excuse on the part of shippers that they
are not acquainted with its provisions.

It seems there are a number of packers who
still resort to dishonest methods in the packing
of their fruit in the hope that at the most only
a small part of their shipments will be detained
by the inspectors. A few sharp lessons to
these parties should be a benefit to the whole
trade. The numerous testimonials from British
commission dealers that have been published in
The Horticulturist recently concerning the
benefits that have resulted from this act, indi-
cate that a still better enforcement of its pro-
visions, if not too rigid, will not be likely to
cause much damage to our fruit trade.

The season for buying bulbs is now near, and-
horticultural societies will as usual be writing
to different firms for quotations on the different
varieties. Why not patronize our Canadian
firms, and more especially those who use The
Canadian Horticulturist as an advertising
medium ? Too many secretaries place their
orders with the man who quotes the lowest
price, be he a Canadian or one of our cousins
from across the line. Canadian purchasers
often do not show enough loyalty to Canadian
sellers. If the best quality is wanted a fair
price must be paid, and Canadian seedsmen will
supply bulbs at a reasonable price. Place your
orders with those who advertise in this paper
and let them know you saw their advertisement
in our columns. They all sell goods that are
genuine.

iSome complaint is being made, and apparent-
ly with more or less reason, in regard to the
change made this year in the time of placing
the exhibits of cut flowers in the floral depart-
ment of the Industrial Exhibition. . In for-
mer years the time for placing these flowers
has been 11 a. m. Tuesday. This has been
changed to 11 a. m. Monday. The change
seems likely to make it difllcult for outside ex-
hibitors to compete. If growers living at a

EDITORIAL.

403

distance from Toronto are groing to exhibit it
will be necessary for most of tliem to get tlieir
material ready and be in Toronto on the Sab-
bath. The present arrangement gives Toronto
exhibitors an advantage. Can not the time set
for the placing of exhibits by outsiders be ex-
tended ?

The Southern Pacific Railway Company, of
California, is evidently a good friend of the
fruit growers of that state, judging by a little
booklet, entitled " Eat California Fruit," re-
cently placed in circulation by the company. It
is neatly gotten up and should prove a splendid
advertisement of the fruit of that state. After
devoting some pages to describing " Why Cali-
fornia Fruits Are Best," ' several interesting
chapters tell how the fruits can be prepared for
the table; and give numerous recipes for their
use. In view of the great name our Canadian
fruit is gaining at the St. Louis Exposition is
there not a good opening for missionary work
of this nature on the part of our Canadian rail-
ways ? However, if they will only reduce
their freight rates we won't press this point.

We hope the readers of The Horticulturist
are noticing the marked improvement that is
taking place in our advertising columns. The
advertisements in the August issue of Th(e
Horticulturist were the heaviest and most
valuable in the history of the magazinq^ and
this month the record is again broken. If the
advertisements continue to increase, as we ex-
pect they will, more pages will soon have to be
added, and our readers will receive their share
of the benefit. Help us to make further im-
provements by patronizing our advertisers aud
telling them you saw_ their advertisement in
The Horticulturist. They are all reliable men
and will treat you honoralaly.

One branch of the fruit, flower and honey
show which cannot be made too prominent is
the educational features. The show will fall
short of its objects if it does not lead to ja
greater uemand for all three of the principal
products it is being held to advertise, viz., fruit,
flowers and honey. This is particularly true
of the fruit exhibits. Printed matter naming
and describing each variety of fruit, with its
season and special qualities, will need to be dis-
tributed freely. Once consumers can learn what
varieties of fruit will best suit their purposes
a marked increase in the demand may be looked
for.

The suggestion that has been made that the
Ontario government should undertake a few
experiments in South Essex in the raising of
vegetables for the early markets seems a good
one. A more or less marked increase in the
extent of this business may be expected. Ex-
periments at this period, to ascertain the best
kind of greenhouses and cotton frames, the
most satisfactory systems of heating and
ventilation, etc., may be of great value to many
in the near future.

The members of the Canadian Horticultural
Association are to /be congratulated on the suc-
cess of their recent annual convention in
Ottawa. Such gatherings are a benefit not
only to those who attend but to the trade at
large. The excellent financial statement pre-
sented speaks well for the management in the
past. May the association grow and prosper.

Fruit Conditions in the United States

Plums in the United States are not half a
crop ; pears about two-thirds, both in fine
condition at present. Michigan has one-third
of a crop of peaches, Delaware half a crop,
Maryland and Tennessee one-half, and New
iork two-thirds of a full crop. Apples are
everywhere. The United States, taken as a
whole, will have one-fifth more than in 1903,
California a lighter crop, Missouri and Kansas,
while having double the yield of 1903, still will
not have one-quarter of a supposed full crop.
New England has more than last season, while
New York has. as many. Low prices must pre-
vail on apples. — (A. Warren Patch, Sec'y Na-
tional League of Commission Merchants, Bos-
ton, iMass.

Our apple prospects in the .States, taken as
a whole, are for a full average crop, with a
larger production than in 1903. Judged from
present indications tlie quality of the late fall
and winter fruit will be fine. Summer apples
are abundant, of an excellent grade, and prices
low. The pear crop is fair, with early varie-
ties plentiful and low prices. The southern
peach belt is finishing up iby far the largest
peach crop they have ever grown, while in
northern sections the crop will be less than an
average. Plums are in large supply, and low
prices prevail, with a prospect for improvement
on late varieties. — (C. H. Weaver, Pres. Inter-
national Apple Shippers' Ass'n.

Liberal Prizes at Ottawa Exhibition

The Central Canada Fair, at Ottawa, will be
held September 16 to 24 this year, immediately
after the London exhibition. This, as is pretty
generally known, is a high class exhibition and
is worthy of patronage. The agricultural and
horticultural departments are well looked after,
every facility being afforded exhibits. The
building for the displays in these lines is a
splendid one and the prizes are most liberal;
The premiums in the agricultural department
include a gold medal or $20 as a special prize,
and there are also competitions for special
prizes by the Massey-Harris Co.

In the horticultural department there are also
special prizes of gold medals. The directors
are re-arranging the horticultural building with
a view of making the display the best in the
exhibition's history. Exhibitors at the Ottawa
show have always been well pleased with their
treatment, so that those who have not been
there are assured of satisfaction if they attend.
The secretary, Mr. E. McMahon, will forward a
prize list and any other information desired
upon application.

404

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

Canadian Fruit in England

" While in England last winter," said Mr. M.
E. Kyle, of Oakville, Ont., to The Horticulturist
a few days ago, " I found the Fruit Marks Act
had done a great deal to improve the standing
of Canadian fruit on the British markets, al-
though even yet some of the fruit shipped from
Canada is not what it should be. Unless ship-
ments of inferior fruit can be stopped, our trade
will continue to receive more or less injury.

" While in Bath I entered a grocery store,
where I saw several barrels of very inferior
Baldwins. I asked the proprietor where he had
oibtained such ru/bbish, and he informed me,
much to my surprise, that they were Canadian
apples which he had purchased at auction in
Bristol. He ha^, he claimed, lost at least $50
through his purchase of that one lot of apples.
I was so struck by this information that I sent
to Bristol and had one of the Dominion inspec-
tors come to Bath to inspect the apples. Un-
fortunately the grocer had lost the heads of the
barrels and it was impossible to trace the ship-
ment.

" On being asked if he did not think that
United States growers might be taking advant-
age of the good reputation of Canadian apples
to send tiheir apples under a Canadian label, as
has been done with shipments of United States
cheese, Mr. Kyle replied that he could not say
definitely, although he rather doubted it.
" American barrels," he said, " are of a differ-
ent shape, being smaller and having a different
hoop from the Canadian barrels, although it is
quite possible some of their shippers may have
obtained barrels similar to those used in
Canada.

" A very large trade," Mr. Kyle continued,
" can be done by Ontario shippers who once be-
come known as relia'ble packers. One large
imiporter expressed his willingness to me to
handle 500 to 800 barrels of Canadian apples
weekly, if the quality of the shipments could be
guaranteed. I have seen Spys, Baldwins and
Russets retail for 8 to 12 cents per pound. Out-
side a special demand for fancy large apples in
the large cities from November to May, small
apples seem to be generally preferred. As
apples in England are generally retailed by the
pound, the buyers like to obtain three or more
for a pound instead of one or two large ones.
Apples which weigh three-quarters of a pound
are not liked for this reason."

" Ontario growers who have fine large apples
should be able to obtain handsome prices for
them if they would ship them in boxes and
wrap them with paper. While it costs more
to grade uniformly and wrap fruit in this way,
the increase in the prices obtained should much
more than pay for the trouble and additional ex-
pense incurred. Leading buyers told me that
if our growers would take the same trouble in
packing and grading their fruit as is taken by
the California growers, much better prices
could ibe realized. There Is hardly a city of
any size in Great Britain in which there are not
dealers who would be glad to handle fancy fruit

from our Ontario shippers, especially if shipped
direct, but if our men are going to open up this
trade they will have to make a search for these
dealers. Once an Ontario shipper has found
such men to handle his fruit it should be possi-
ble for him to work up a very fine trade."

Shipping Apples to the Old Country

" The great bulk of my apples," said William
Rickard, M. L. A., of Newcastle, to The Horti-
culturist recently, " go to the old country, be-
ing shipped to Oiasgow, Liverpool, London and
Manchester. Up to the present I have pre-
ferred the barrel package. The box has not
yet demonstrated its usefulness for the ship-
ment of the bulk of the crop. It has, so far,
been devoted to the fancy apple trade, but may
yet, however, grow into favor and become more
generally used. Even this year I think the
standard barrel will be used for the bulk of the
crop.

" The Montreal, Liverpool and Glasgow deal-
ers do not want boxes, although some Ontario
shippers who have forwarded all their apples
in boxes have done well. It is a question in
my mind whether it would be possible for
Liverpool dealers to handle 150,000 barrels of
apples a week, as they frequently do, were all
the apples to be shipped in boxes."

Two Shipments of Apples

Ontario apple growers who export to Great
Britain meet with queer experiences, some of
which are hard to account for. One of these
was drawn to the attention of The Horticul-
turist lately by Mr. W. H. Dempsey, of Tren-
ton.

" On March 25 last," said Mr. Dempsey, " I
loaded a car of apples; three days later I
loaded a second car. The apples in each of
these cars were equally good. They went to
Portland, ana were shipped to Liverpool on the
same steamer, but were consigned to different
buyers. The apples in both cars were branded
the same. One car realized about two-thirds
more than the other. The apples which
brought the lowest prices were reported by the
buyer to have sunk six inches in the barrel, and
that the juice was running out between the
staves. The other reported the apples in his
car in perfect condition."

HOW DID IT HAPPEN ?

"What I would like to know," continued Mr.
Demipsey, " is how one load of apples could
have been injured in this way, while the other
remained in such perfect condition ? I «.m'
satisfied both firms were honest and reported
the case as it was. When I was loading the
second car, which was the one bringing the low-
est prices, the engine in the yard was doing
considerable shunting and the cars were being
jarred rather severely. I have thought that
the apples may have been injured by the
shunting. On the other hand, the injury may
have been caused by heat in the hold of the
steamer, as one lot of apples might have been

TALKS WITH FRUIT GROWERS.

405

in a part of the hola where there was poor
ventilation.

"Had I not sent these apples to two different
buyers I would never have heard these par-
ticulars, as if only one man had received them
he would probably have reported the whole lot
to be inferior and I would never have known
which shipment was the worst or anything
about them. The varieties consisted of Spys,
Baldwins, Ben Davis and Golden Russets in the
car which turned out badly, while in the other
car were Spys, Baldwins, Ben Davis, Golden
Reds and a few Stark."

Only Qeod and Properly Packed Fruit
Wanted

J. W. DRAPER & SON, FRUIT IMPORTERS, LONDON, ENG.

The only articles Canadian fruit growers can
send to this market with a prospect of success
are apples, the choicest pears and cranberries.
There are no present inuications of an outlet
here for their other products. The packages
to be recommended are : The barrel, as at
present used, for apples generally, and a bushel
box for any very choice apples and pears.
Small or common pears are useless. A case
should contain about 35 pounds of cranberries.
All cases shoula have small battens nailed on
the top and on one end, to keep the cases apart,
otherwise heat forms in the centre of a pile
while they are on the voyage.

We cannot too strongly recommend care in
the selection and packing of the fruit. Only
really good fruit should be sent, and a barrel
or case should contain equal quality through-
out. If this system of packing is adopted we
feel certain that success will be attained by the
packers, but fraudulent packing or careless
selection is sure to bring disaster.

The London market receives very largely
from all points, and is generally over-supplie^
with inferior qualities of fruits, but it is only
in the very heaviest seasons that there is a glut
of fine-grown and well-packed fruit. A packer
who sends to this market should, therefore, try
to secure the best portion of the demand that
exists, and this can only be accomplished by
sending the best qualities.

Great Britain

Taking the growing counties as a whole in
the British Isles, the apple crop will be but a
full half crop. The bulk of these will doubt-
less be marketed before the Canadian winter
fruit is ready for shipment. At lower prices
than last year, there ought to be a fair opening
for your country's surplus. — (Craze & Goodwin,
commission dealers, London, Eng.

There are a large number of horticultural
papers published in the United States, but only
one m Canada, and that is The Canadian Horti-
culturist. Help us make it a credit to Canada
bv recommending it to your friends and patron-
izing our advertisers.

Talks With Fruit Growers.

I have 2,000 peach trees and practically all are
winter killed and damageu by water. Fruit of
all sorts will be light except apples. — (George
Chambers, Kent Co., Ont.

There will be no fruit for shipping from this
district. A good many apple trees are killed,
all the English cherry trees and a good many
pear and peach trees on sandy soil are dead. —
(H. Forbes, Kent Co., Ont.

Apples here are not more than two-thirds of
an average crop. They are free from fungus of
all kinds. Orchards that have been sprayed
show but few worms and less than 3 per cent,
of fungus. Japanese plums are a heavy crop ;
all other sorts practically dead. Peaches, with
exception of a few favored orchards, have been
badly hurt by the winter or mice. — (Milton
Backus, Kent Co., Ont.

Aphis and fungus are very bad where spray-
ing is not done. — (J. E. Hambley, Kent Co., Ont.

Mice were very destructive the past winter.
I have eight acres in orchards and never saw
trees so badly hurt with frost. — (H. Howard,
Wentworth Co., Ont.

There will be a nice crop of apples in our sec-
tion if conditions continue favorable. The crop
is light, but of good quality. — (A. H. Crosby,
York Co., Ont.

The curculio seem® to have gotten in his work
on the plums and peaches pretty well, as a lot
of the fruit is dropping. Apples and grapes
seem to be doing well, and fruit is making good
growth. — (Chas. Lowrey, Lincoln Co., Ont.

Fruit crop below the average in this locality.
I have been a subscriber to The Horticulturist
for over 30 years, without intermission. — (W.
M. Robson, Victoria Co., Ont.

The past winter was the most severe ever
known as far as fruit trees are concerned. I
had a seedling winter killed that was 14 years
old. Last year's fruit was in good condition at
the beginning of June, 1904. Very few pests of
any kind on trees this year, a most unusual oc-
currence. Even our English walnuts are free
from pests. The Duchess, Wealthy and Mann
apples show no injury from severity of past
winter. — (D. J. Hall, Grenville Co., Ont.

The crop of winter apples along the shores of
Lake Erie will be light. The blossoms were
damaged by rain and fruit is falling off con-
siderably.— (Jas. Symmington, Norfolk Co., Ont.

Apples are free from insects and fungus so
far, and of good size. — (W. 'M. Adam, Ontario
Co., Ont.

California growers have adopted a good
method of protecting their fruit cases. The
lids are nailed on. but are protected by cleats
nailed across each end of the cover. When
purchasers take the cover off to see the fruit,
these cleats prevent the slats from splitting and
the appearance of the box being injured.

I consider The Horticulturist a very valuable
paper and would not like to be without it. —
(Robert Scott, Meyersburg, Ont.

DIRECT SHIPMENTS OF FRUIT TO DUBLIN

It seems guite possible the value of Ireland
■as a market for Canadian fruits has been over-
looked in the past by Canadian growers. With
the object of learning something concerning the
possibilities of this market Mr. W. T. Macoun,
horticulturist at the Central Experimental
Farm, Ottawa, made a trial shipment of
Duchess apples in boxes on August -, to Bel-
fast. The shipment was made as the result
of a letter received from a Dublin buyer asking
for trial shipments. jf

Writing to The Horticulturist Mr. Macoun
says :

I am sending you a copy of a letter received
from J. H. Sheridan, Dublin, Ireland, in which
he holds out inducements to Canadian Fruit
growers to ship their fruit direct to Ireland.
We have already arranged to make several ex-
perimental shipments of apples to Ireland this
year in boxes. The first shipment of Duchess
apples was sent to Belfast, August 20, in cold
storage, via Diverpool. This plan may prove
too expensive, but as the rates between Diver-
pool and Belfast are very low, and the fruit can
be sent across in a few hours, we are sanguine
of the success of the shipment. Further ship-
ments will probably be sent direct. The ship-
ments are being made to Hugh Gordon, 41 Vic-
toria sitreet, Belfast, Ireland, who is a well
"known commission man.

Tours Truly, W. T. MACOUN.

THE DUBLIN MARKET.

The letter received by Mr. Macoun asking for
"these shipments read as follows :

Home Villa, Columbus Road,
Drumcondra, Dublin,
Dear Sir :

I would like to be put in communication with
fruit growers in your district that I may
-endeavor to arrange with them to send their
fruit direct to this market for sale, thereby
avoiding the expense, etc., they at presen?]
incur by dealing with agents and brokers in
■Canada and England. I believe that it would

be more advantageous for growers to pack and
consign their crops to a market direct where
good prices can be secured, than by depending
upon the prices offered by agents for the whole-
sale dealers.

All the fruit on these markets coming from
Canada is received through firms in England
and Scotland, and then sold in the fruit mar-
kets to the retailers. Owing, therefore, to the
number of people handling the fruit and the
heavy freight rates from Canada to Englan*d|
and thence to Dublin, fruit is sold here at very
stiff prices, but the growers have no benefit out
of it as they usually dispose of their crops at
fairly low prices.

We have a good market in Dublin for Cana-
dian fruits of all classes, as the home-grown
supply is very limited. It is, therefore, open
to Canadian growers to estaiblish a ^ood trade
with this country which would be to the ad-
vantage of both growers and consumers. There
would be no difficulty in sending consignments
direct to Dublin, as they could come by, say the
Head, Lord, or other lines touching this port, and
as to getting a profitable market I have no
hesitation In saying that I can dispose of all
fruit sent me to good advantage. What we
require here is steady consignments, and a
guarantee that the fruit will be of good uniform
packs throughout. I am in a position to dis- .
pose of 1,000 to 1,500 barrels of apples per week.

Were I sure that I would receive steady ship-
ments of good quality, I would easily increase
this amount, as of course, being here on the
spot, I am in a better position to dispose of
consignments than the firms in Liverpool, Lon-
don, or Glasgow, and to better advantage. I
wish, if possible, to make the necessary arrange-^
ments before the season is too far advanced.
As to my bona fides, my solicitors, Mr. Joseph
McDermott, 16 Fleet street; Mr. John Coyle, 7
Halston street, or T. J. O'Neill, wine merchant,
69 Dorset street, Dublin, will give any particu-
lars required. — Tours faithfully,

J. H. SHERIDAN.

A FRUIT TRADE EXHIBITION

SAMPSON MORGAN.

A remarkable exhibition of fruit packages
Tnay be seen in the foreign fruit market at
Covent Garden, England'. The display is ar-
Tanged under the auspices of the French gov-
ernment by Mr. Michael Garcia, the head of the
firm of Messrs. Garcia, Jacobs & Co., of Lon-
don. Canadian fruit growers may know that
this firm has a branch at Liverpool under the
-name of Messrs. Simons, Shuttleworth & Co.,
and at Glasgow under the name of Messrs.
'iSimons, Jacobs & Co., Michael Simons, Esq.,
J. P., the head of the firm, being a noted au-
thority on fruit trade matters.

The package which attracts the most atten-
tion is an iron frame crate, containing shelves
covered with strong wire netting. The fruits
In it are grapes, pears, greengages, peaches, etc.
The greengages are put up in dome boxes, and
the tomatoes in rush baskets. The large Iron

frame crate is a returnable package ; the small
boxes and baskets are sold with the fruit.

In these days fruit producers must market
evenly-graded, large, high colored fruits of
choice quality, neatly put up in small packages,
if they expect to get the highest prices. For
such the demand in the British markets is
limitless. The Paris agents send their finest
well grown greengages in little boxes holding
40 fruits in two layers. In each layer there
are five rows containing four greengages each.
They ship early-forced grapes to Covent Gar-
den in boxes of about the same size. The most
experienced French shippers recognize the im-
portant part that the small and attractively
filled package plays in respect to sale. Cana-
dian fruit exporters have in many inistances
still much to learn in this connection. Possibly
these notes on the fruit package exhibition may
set some thinking.

406

THE COMMERCIAL SIDE OF FRUIT GROWING.

407

Matters That Should Be Settled

G. H. HUTTON, EASPON's CORNERS, ONT.

The outlook for the export trade in. apples,
judging from past records, seems promising.
There are, however, some conditions that need
to be changed before it will be possible to
reckon on probalble returns.

Last yiear it was impossible, in many cases,
to secure barrels, and when boxes were used the
extra cost of packing and packages consumed
the profit. Under ordinary circumstances, the
northwest offers a good opening for much of our
fruit, but the freight charges are too high to
warrant much eifort to secure this trade. For
the smaller fruits I believe that the removal of
the duty on sugar, so that canning factories
might be estaoushed on a profitable basis, would
be a great inducement for a larger production/
of these fruits.

Judging from what I have seen of the Mcin-
tosh Red throughout the Ottawa valley, to-
gether with my own experience and that of such
large growers as Mr. Harold Jones, of Maitland,
I believe there is no better apple for this dis-
trict. It is true that the Mcintosh and its kin-
dred is liable to spot, but by careful application
of Bordeaux this ^isease may be prevented
from causing injury in excess of 5 per cent, dur-
ing the most unfavorable seasons. The yield
and the price realized for perfect apples will
amply repay for the oare and treatment.

One of the greatest mistakes that has been
ma^e in this section in regard to planting or-
chards ha® been in planting too closely. In
eight to ten years the branches of the trees in
many orchards will interlace. If the trees have
room to grow ana attain full size the fruit will
have a Tjetter exposure to the sun and thus have
a better flavor and color, and command the
highest market price.

Huron County as a Fruit Section

WM. WARNOCK, GODERICH, ONT.

For apples, i)ears, plums and cherries there
is no better district in the province than Huron
county, and my experience with grapes and
peaches has been very favoraJble. I have 4^'
varieties of the best hardy grapes under culti-
vation, and they have given very satisfactory
crops for the past 14 years. I have grown 32-
ounce bunches on my Wilder and Eaton varie-
ties, and 26-ounce bunches on my Campbell's
Early and Agawam. I have never seen better
grapes than can be grown here. The cause of
our fruit coming to such great perfection is in
our very suitable soil and splendid climate, as
grapewood and all new growth of fruit trees
have a longer time to ripen and mature at the
end of the growing season, from the effect of
Lake Huron's deep waters, which keep away
severe early frost in the fall for at least a dis-
tance of three miles inland.

Aside from the peculiar natural adaptability
of this section for fruit growing we in Goderich
expect to he favored, above all other parts of
the province, in supplying the great northwest
provinces with fruit. The largest grain boats

from Port Arthur come into Goderich harbor
and unload at our elevators, and they will
always make the most direct as well as the
cheapest' means of transportation as far as Port
Arthur. These large boats will be strong com-
petitors for freight up the lakes. This will give
the fruit growers of this vicinity a considerable
advantage over other parts of the province in
competing for the trade of the northwest, which
is certain to be of very great importance to the
fruit growers of Ontario in a few years.

The Best System of Cold Storage

G. W. HUNT, OTTAWA. ONT.

The best system of cold storage is a matter
to which I have given a good deal of considera-
tion and experiment during the last four years.
Until that time I was seriously opposed to the
transportation of our Ontario fruits under ice,
and did not change my views until I had it
demonstrated to my own satisfaction that our
fruits could be transported under ice and not
destroy the keeping quality to any tangible de-
gree.

Having made these tests I am firmly of the
opinion that the Hanrahan car is without an
equal. To my mind it is the only refrigerator
car running that is of any use to the growers
for transporting perishable fruit long distances.
I believe the universal use of the Hanrahan car
on Canadian roads would mean at least one to
two million dollars a year to the fruit growers
of Ontario.

The fact that the goods in this car are de-
livered dry and' in good conditions means a
great deal to the grower, not to take into con-
sideration the fact that with the universal use
of this car glutted markets would be unknown,
as one or two days does not make any material
difference in the quality of the fruit. In order
to have this or any other system a success the
fruit must necessarily be in good condition
when it goes in the car, and the car not loaded
to the roof. The minimum load can be put in
the Hanrahan car and kept in good condition
for two weeks.

Only The Best Wanted. — ^The Fruit Division
at Ottawa has received the following report
from Inspector John Brown, of Glasgow:

The first shipment of American apples ar-
rived at Glasgow August 10 in the steamship
" Anchoria." of the Anchor Line. There were
about 100 barrels in the parcel. These cpn-
sisted principally of Duchess, which averaged
12s. to 14s. Fruit was small and not of fancy
quality. The supplies of home and continental
fruit are large, and it will "be advisable for
Canada to send only her best to Great Britain
this season.

The FVuit Division, Ottawa, is warning apple
shippers that in order to grade as No. 1 or XXX,
apples must be fairly mature. Apples that have
not taken on their proper color and otherwise
show marks of inferiority as the result of being
pulled too green cannot be graded anything
higher than No. 2.

4o8

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST

Increased the Door Receipts

Our annual show is held in September, and
usually has about 200 entries. The prize
money paid amounts to about $150. Last year
we g-ave the children about $50 in seeds and
plants, which were to be exhibited at the fall
show. We afterwards found a great many of
the children had sold them. However, we had
thirty entries, ana some of the chil'dren ob-
tained as much as $5 in prizes.

This season we have g-iven away 150 plants,
three to each child, for which we have charged
them ten cents, to be refunded if the plants are
exhibited. The result has been that we have
procured a far better class of applicants than
we had last year. We find as a result of the
children exhibiting we have an increase in our
door receipts of more than double over last
year. This year we are considering the ad-
visability of holding a promenade concert in
connection with our show. — (H. L. Beal, Sec.
Peterboro Hort'l Soc.

Have Held Many Shows

The Gait Horticultural Society held its
13th annual exhibition an^. flower show at the
Hockey rink, August 31 and September 1 and
2. On the opening day ' the exhibition was
open only in the evening, and the two remain-
ing days from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The prize list was a long one, and consisted of
all cash prizes. Class A comprised plants in
pots, open to all; class B, plants in pots, open
to amateurs only; class D, cut flowers; class E,
cut flowers, open to all; class F, fruits, to be
shown unpolished, open to all, also including
grapes grown under glass and in the open air,
and class G, vegetables, open to all. There
were ten special prizes for different displays, in-
cluding single flowers, bouquets, baskets, deco-
rated table, plants, etc.

School Children's Sweet Pea Exhibition

The most interesting feature of the regular
monthly meeting of the Ottawa Horticultural
-Society during August was the exhibition of
sweet peas made by the school children of the
city, for which prizes were offered by Mr. R. B.
Whyte, of Ottawa. There were 110 entries,
many of the exhibits being remarkably fine.
The display was a handsome one..

A short address was given to the children
by. Mayor J. A. Ellis, who acted as a judge of
the exhibit. An illustration of this exhibit will
jbe published in The Horticulturist before long.
The regular meeting of the society was well
attended, and there were numerous exhibits.

During the summer the attention of our
society has been directed to the beautifying of
the old cemeteries in the town, and this work
has been entrusted to a committee of ladies
chosen from the members of the society. The
work has proven very successful and has been
the means of bringing our society more promi-
nently before the public. — (C. J. Foy, Sec. Perth
Hort'l Soc.

A Popular House Meeting

The members of the Grimsby Horticultural
Society .met at the house of Mr. Linus Wool-
verton August 16. Each member was requested
to bring at least one contribution to the flower
table, and so many of them responded that the
dining room extension table at full length
scarcely afforded room for the gorgeous dis-
play. The hours were from seven to 10 p. m.,
and the whole affair had the air of an evening
reception. An unusually interesting musical
program added greatly to the evening's plea-

One of the most enter-
prising and successful hor-
ticultural societies in the
province is located in the
little town of Perth, its
president being Mr. Charles
iVleighen, who^e likeness is
here shown. This soeiety
has done a great deal to
improve the public spots in
the town. In this connec-
tion Mr. Meighen was the
prime mover in having the
grounds of the Collegiate
Institute and public schools
l)eautified by planting flow-
ers, with the result that
they compare favorably
with similar grounds to be
found anywhere. Ever
since the society's organiza-
tion nme years ago, Mr.
Meighen has been on the
board of direcJors. Having
always taken a great inter-
est in horticulture and
having a very fine garden of his own, Mr. Meighan's experience
has made him an authority on the growing and cultivation of flowers.

MR. CHAS. MEIQHEN.

sure, and to this numbers were contributed by
the Grimsby orchestra, by Mr. Kimmins, of
Winona, a much appreciated soloist, by iMiss
Mortimer, of Washington, whose mandolin and
violin solos were beyond criticism, and others.
The president, Mr. A. Rutherford, took charge
of the program, and during the course of the
evening introduced Mr. J. R. Dickson, repre-
senting the Hamilton Horticultural Society,
who gave an au^ress, in which he complimented
the Grimsby society on conducting such an in-
teresting and profitable social meeting, and
contrasted it as being far more satisfactory
than the large public exhibition with heavy
prizes, which so often left the society hopelessly
in debt. — W.

This will be the first fall in some years in
which our society will hold a separate show,
it having hitherto united with the Agricultural
society. The show will be held in some large
building, centrally located, possibly the new
armouries. A band concert and promenade
will probably be held in connection with the
evening show. This society has had the record
in past years of giving the best prizes of any
horticultural society in the province. Last
year five or six special cash prizes were given
by zealous members. The paid membership
last year was 134. — (Leman O. Guild, Sec'y
Kingston Hort'l Soc.

THE FRUIT PROSPECTS FOR 1904.

Realizing that fruit growers at this season
are anxious to have some idea of the fruit pros-
pects, not only in Ontario, but throughout Can-
ada and the United States generally. The Horti-
culturist during August, wrote to some 900
correspondents and well known authorities all
over the continent to gain some idea of what
the total production of fruit is likely to be.
Owing to lack of space it has been found im-
possible to give this information nearly as full
as it was intended but fairly complete re-

ports will here bfe found.

The total apple crop this year is likely to be
somewhat less than last season. In Ontario
both fall and winter apples will be a medium
crop of fair quality. In Nova Scotia and Que-
bec the yield will be somewhat less than last

Fall Apples a Moderate Crop

The situation as regards the probable yield
of the various varieties of fall apples continues
practically the same as announced in the July
Horticulturist. Reports received from all over
Ontario show that the yield ef fall apples varies
considerably. Many growers report that they
will have light crops, while others anticipate a
full yield to a production excessive of last year's
by 25 to 30 per cent. On the whole, appear-
ances indicate that the crop will be a medium
one. Growers will do well to accept buyers'
statements of a heavy crop with caution.

In the counties bordering on the northern
shore of Lake Ontario the majority of reports
received all go to indicate that the crop will be
a medium to full one. As regards the quality
it will undoubtedly be quite up to the average.
Growers in the Lake Huron and Georgian Bay
districts anticipate a light to full crop, the ma-
jority of the correspondents placing the yield
as a medium one. The same applies to the
Niagara district. Many growers state the in-
sect pests have not been as ibad this year as
last season, and that there has been very little
fungus growth.

Less Winter Apples Than Last Year

Although The Horticulturist has hear(i from
numerous correspondents in all the princip3,l
apple growing sections of the province, it has
been found to be a difficult matter to make any
definite estimate of the extent of the probable
yield of winter apples. Reports vary wid»ly,
some growers estimating the yield in their sec-
tions to be one-third to one-half less than last
year, while other growers in the same districts
estimate an increased yield of 25 to 50 per cent.
Some varieties whick are bearing heavily in
certain portions of the province are bearing
lightly in others. On the whole the indications
are that the supply of winter apples will be
quite a little less than last season.

Running from the county of Halton to the
county of Frontenac, along the shore of Lake
Ontario, a light to medium and in some cases a
full yield is generally anticipated. The Bald-
win and Spy appear to exist in the counties
bordering on vjreorgian Bay and Lake Huron.

year, while the quality will hardly be as good.
In New Brunswick and British Columbia full
crops are anticipated. In the United States
the total production of apples will be somewhat
below last year, but as the quality generally is
better the prospects are fair for a soijiewhat
larger volume of barrelling apples. This esti-
mate conflicts somewhat with the statements
the commission dealers make, but may be taken
as approximately correct.

The plum crop throughout Canada generally
will be a very light one. In ,the United States
it will be a little larger but will not be heavy.
Pears throughout Canada will not be a full crop,
but a fair yield may be anticipated. The
quality generally is good.

The Niagara district seems likely to produce
a medium crop of winter apples. Many or-
chards will produce lightly, w^hile some will be
almost a full crop, so that the total yield is
likely to be a medium one. There is very little
complaint of spot or damage to the crop in any
way, so that the quality, generally speaking, is
likely to be fair.

Plum Crop Practically a Failure

The Horticulturist was evidently well in-
jformed last month -when it announced that the
plum crop throughout Ontario would be almost
a failure. Reports received as late as August
25 from all parts of the province, indicate that

The Horticulturist for 15 Months

During the past few months sample copies of j
The Horticulturist have been sent to a large I
number of fruit growers. We want all Cana- 1
dian fruit growers who are not taking the,
paper to subscribe. The following special offer
is therefore made. If any fruit grower not now]
taking The Horticulturist will send us one dollar,
it will pay his subscription from October, 1904,
to January, 1906, or 15 months for only $1. Is(
the paper not well worth it ? Send us yourj
dollar and we will send you The Horticulturist,
the only fruit paper published in ^anada. Ad- 1
dress all communications to.|KThe Canadian j
Horticulturist, Toronto, Ont. '^

in no county will there be more than a light
yield, while in the great majority of counties
the crop is practically a failure. A majority
of correspondents in the counties of Halton,
Durham, Ontario, Victoria, Peterboro and Prince
Edward estimate the plum crop as a failure,
while in Hastings county correspondents place
the production at from a failure to a very light
yield. In Eastern Ontario the crop is a failure.
Bordering Lake Huron and in the Georgian
Bay district reports are to the same effect.
Five out of six growers heard from in. Lambton,
four out of six in Bruce, eight out c^ ten in
Grey, and eight out of ten in Simcoe counties
place the production as a failure. In the Nia-

409

4IO

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

gara district conditions are much the same, be-
ing if anything a little more encouraging than
in the other sections. In this section quite a
■few correspondents estimate the yie'ld as a light
one. The total crop of the province is not
likely to range more than 15 per cent, of last
year's.

Moderate Yield of Pears

During the past month the promise for a
medium, yield of» pears has improved. Many
correspondents who a few weeks ago antiQi,-
pated a light yield are now apparently hopeful
of a medium to full crop. This is more par-
ticularly true in the Niagara district. In

Wentworth, Lincoln and Welland counties early
pears will average from a medium to a full
crop, while late varieties promise a light to full
yield.

Bordering the northern shore of Lake On-
tario growers generally expect light to medium
and even full returns. This is true of all
counties along the lake. In the western and
northern districts of the province indications
are that the yield of early pears, while a fail-
ure in a number of orchards, will be medium.
Late varieties apparently do not give quite as
good promise, although a light to medium crop
will be general. Taking the province as a
"whole, both early and late pears, while behind
last year, will be a fair crop.

Reports From Ontario Growers

Wentworth County

Winona. — ^There will not be more than half
the winter apples in this section there were last
year ; the sample will be better. Pears are a
very good crop and quite free from fungus
Peaches at 'Winona and Grimsby are more than
half a crop, the quality will be good, the foliage
is very healthy. Unsprayed plum orchards
are looking very badly. The leaves have drop-
ped, the plums are bare, and will be of little
value. Well sprayed orchards are healthy.
Grapes have not done well for the last few
weeks on account of cool wet weather and
black rot, and it is a question if the crop will
be much above the average. — (M. Pettit.

Welland County

Fonth.... — 'The apple crop will be very large,
line and clean. Peaches are a failure except a
few orchards bordering on Lake Ontario ;
through the central sections about one-half the
peach trees were killed by the severe winter.
Pears promise a large crop and a fine sample.
Plums are almost a total failure, a large num-
ber of the trees having been injured by the win-
ter. Grapes will b'e a large crop, although the
leaf blight has appeared on the thin leaved
varieties like Delaware. — (E. Morris.

The Lake Huron District

Walkerton. — The fruit crops in this district
in some respects are not as good as last season,
and in others they are better. The apple crop,
on the whole, is lighter, but the quality is first-
class. In some orchards the crop is much bet-
ter even in quantity than last year. Spys are
good; Russets, Greenings, Ben Davis, medium;
Baldwins a failure. Early apples medium to
good. Prospects for trade are bright. Pears
medium. Plums a total failure. The peach
trees were all killed by the winter frost. Grapes
are medium to good, but are not much grown
here. — ^(A. E. Sherrington.

Simcoe County

Craighurst. — 'There will be no plums. Early
apples are abundant. There will be a fair
yield of fall varieties, but winter varieties will

be below the average and far below last year.
The quality of early and fall apples promises
to be well up to the mark. Winter apples may
be a little under sized. — (G. C. Caston.

Lincoln County

St. Catharines. — The early peaches are fairly
favorable as to quality, which is not of the best.
Healthy trees have a full crop. The season for
yellow flesh peaches, including Triumph and
Yellow iSt. John, is about over, and the peaches
of the Crawford type are now ready for the
market. These will be a light crop. It is not
likely the total production of peaches in the
Niagara district will be over 25 per cent, of that
of last year. Apples of all kinds are fairly
heavy all through the district, except one or
two varieties, including the Northern Spy.
They will be a full crop. Pears are light, Bart-
letts being the best. The total yield will pro-
bably not exceed 50 per cent, of a full crop.
Plums, with the exception of the Japanese
varieties, are very light. If the growers secure
20 per cent, of a full crop it will be all that can
be expected. Black rot has caused consiaer-
aible trouble and is rapidly extending through
the vineyards. Had it not been for this trou-
ble the grape crop would have been unusually
heavy and of extremely good quality. It is
difficult to estimate the damage that will result
from the rot. The majority of the growers
have not prepared to deal with the trouble,
which requires thorough and • energetic treat-
ment. In spite of this trouble, a good crop of
grapes is probable. — (.W. H. Bunting, Pres. Ont.
Fruit Growers' Ass'n.

The Burlington District

Burlington.^-nApples are a short crop as com-
pared with '03, probably not more than 50 per
cent. Quality good, not much spot; some cod-
ling moth in trees thickly laden. Size of apples,
normal. Pears a fair crop, probaJbly equal to
that of last year. Plums are practically nil.
I doubt if there are 15 baskets on 1,000 trees' in
my orchard. The fruit buds must have been
destroyed by the severe winter. Peaches very
much the same as plums, few to be found.

OUR SPECIAL CROP REPORTS.

4ir

Most trees, however, are sound and looking
well. Grapes offer well. The crop is excep-
tionally heavy, standard hardy branches being
a^bove the average. Upon the whole, the grape
outlook is good. — (A. "W. Peart.

Essex County

Leamington. — This is certainly an off year
for fruit in ii;ssex county. The acreage of small
fruits grown is much less than it was a few
years ago, caused chiefly by difficulty in getting
the fruit picked. Plums are very light, not
enough to supply local demand; the same may
be said of grapes. Peach trees that survived
the severe winter were considerably injured and
dropped most of their fruit, so there are very

few more peaches than will be wanted for local
use. Pears are a light crop. Early apples-
good and of fine quality; winter apples a light
crop and poor quality. — J. L. Hillborn.

Grenville County

Maitland. — The apple crop will not be more-
than 50 per cent, of last year. The fruit is
fairly clean and growing fairly well, and gives
promise of a large percentage of No. 1 fruit..
Injury was sustained in some orchards by hail
in July, but -./ careful selection they will not
injure tne sample. The main crop is Fameuse-
in this county, only a small percentage of late
winter apples being grown. The yield will be
light. — (Harold Jones.

Fruit Prospects in the Different Provinces

Nova Scotia

The apple crop of Nova Scotia for export is
estimated at upwards of 500,000 barrels ,as
agafnst something over that amount exported
last season. The crop in general, however, is
considered inferior to that of last year. Gen-
erally speaking, the apple crop is an average
one, but there will net be as many No. 1 (for
shipment as last season. Baldwins, Kings,
Ribstone and Blenheim are quite generally re-
ported as a full crop. The plum crop will be

slightly over ^ of an average crop. Pears

rather small, 50 per cent, of an average yield.
— (W. S. Blair, Nappan, N. S.

Kentville. — ^The crop of apples in the King
and Annapolis valley will not be as large as
estimated in June, and our export will proba-
bly be between 4,000 and 5,000 barrels instead
of 6,000, as last year. It will be an excellent
Baldwin and Blenheim year. Spy and Non-
pareil will be a goocl crop; Nonpareil fairly
heavy and somewhat spotted. Gravenstein in
the heaviest fruiting districts of Kings county
are very spotted, except where thoroughly
sprayed. There is more unquestionable evi-
dence this year of the benefits from spraying
than. ever before, and those who made up their
minds last year to dispense with spray pumps
will bring them into use next season. The
plum crop will be about 40 per cent, of last
year; peach crop almost nothisg, trees suffer-
ing from severe winter; pear crop 40 to 50 per
cent of last year. — (Ralph S. Eaton.

Rossway. — !The apple crop is rather light
here. In looking over the orchards I find la
great many trees with very little fruit. A few
trees seem to be fairly well filled. There
seems to be a lighter crop than last year, and
apples seem to be rather small in size. As to
plums, there are very few trees in this vicinity,
and few plums on the few trees. There are
not more than half a dozen bearing pear trees
within a dozen miles. — (A. C. Sabean.

New Brunswick

Bellisle Cre«k. — There are no large orchards
in this province, but quite a large number of

small ones. The prospect for the apple crop
is good. The Duchess, Fameuse, Peach, New
Brunswick, Yellow j.ransparent and King are
very heavily loaded ; the Red Astrachan and
some others are not bearing any. The apple
crop will be a great deal larger than it was last
year ; plums also. Very few i>ear trees here.
— (Benj. Crawford.

Fredericton. — iThe apple crop is better than
last year. Many fall and winter varieties are
very promising. rfate winter apples not much
grown, but what there are look well. Plums
make no show here this season ; pears not
much grown. Our orchard promises fully dou-
ble the crop of last season. — (J. C. Gilman.

Anagance. — The Duchess and Yellow Trans-
parent apples are a full crop; the Alexander,
Ben Davis, Mcintosh Red, Tolman Sweet, Prin-
cess Louise and Suton's Beauty are a fair crop;
the Baldwin and Russets are a failure, and all
the other kinds are very light. Plums will not
be more than quarter ojf a crop ; no pears worth
mentioning in N. B. — (Lester Stocton.

Quebec

West Lambert. — The fruit crop in this pro-
vince will ibe much below the average, due, no
doubt, to the damage causeu by the extreme
cold weather last winter. Apple trees are
nearly all more or less damaged. Many plum
trees were killed outright. Small fruits seem
to be about an average crop. — (J. Byrne.

Henrysburg. — ^The apple crop is a very fine
one and free from fungus or spot. There is not
going to be such a large crop as people looked
for in the forepart of the season. Fameuse
crop is looking fine and going to be a medium
one. Winter apples are a light crop. Pears
not grown to any extent. Plums fine and a full
crop. Apple crop much heavier than last year.
There will be 12,000 or 15,000 barrels shipped!
from this part of the province this {fall. Apple
barrels are so dear there will be thousands of
barrels of apples not shipped to market. Bar-
rels are costing us $40 to $43 per hundred. —
(John Spencer.

412

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

Manitoba

Brandon. — ^^Standard apples are not grown to
any extent in this province. The more tender
varieties of abs were badly injured by last
winter's frost, and the hardy kinds are not bear-
ing- quite as well as usual. Native varieties
of plums under cultivation are well loaded with
fruit. These are the most suitaible for the
northwest, as they are about the only ones that
ripen sufficiently early. Small fruits of all
kinds are about an average crop ; wild fruit is
quite scarce. — (v.. A. Bedford, Supt. Experimen-
tal Farm for Manitoba.

British Columbia

Taken altogether the fruit crop cjf British
Columbia is very good and well above the
average. In some districts a few varieties are
scarce, but taking the exceptionally dry season
into consideration, on the whole, the outlook is
extremely promising. In the Okanagan Valley
and the district round the Lower Frazer, the
chief fruit growing section of British Columbia,
the crops of apples, pears and plums are very
good, whle prunes are a In. Lie scarce. In the
Boundary country the apple and peax crop is
very good, also plums and prunes. At the
i^oast the crop of apples, pears and plums are
all very good, with prunes about a quarter crop.
In the interior, w^here fruit is just past the ex-
perimental stage and the orchards are beginning
to give some return, the crops are again very

good, all round apples and pears being especial-
ly fine. The district around Nelson along the
shore of the Kootenay river is rapidly forging
ahead as a fruit growing district. Taking the
province all through the fruit crops in general
compare very favorably with last season, more
fruit being grown this year, as more trees are
coming into bearing. — (H. J. Marks, Nelson,
B. C.

Fruit Division Report for August

The fruit division of the Dominion depart-
ment of agriculture recently issued the follow-
ing report concerning fruit crop conditions :
Prospects have not changed materially since
the last report. In southern Ontario the fruit
will at least equal the crop of last year in
quantity and surpass it in quality. In the
Georgian Bay and Lake Ontario district every-
thing points to a medium crop, cleaner than
usual. Nova Scotia is developing considerable
fungus. Prince Edward Island reports no ap-
preciable change.

Pears of all sorts are a light crop. Plums
are a total failure in more than half the or-
chards and only a light crop anywhere. The
prospects for peaches have not improved.
Fifty per cent, of the correspondents report a
total failure. Black rot has injured the grape
crop materially in the larger vineyards, but the
crop will still be fair.

BULBS

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES

Who make a Fall Distribution
will do well to get our : : :

= SPECIAL OFFERS

QUALITY FIRST CONSIDERATION

Lists and Prices on Application.

J. GAMMAGE & SONS, LONDON, ONTARIO.

TEN DOLi LARS for the Reader who buys Goods to the Greatest Value from Advertisers in this Issue.

See Notice in Advertising Columns.

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ITie (anadian tjorticoltdrist

OCTOBER, 1904

Volume XXVII

mm

Number 10

SPRAYING TESTS AGAINST THE SCALE

PROP. R. HARCOURT, OXT. AGRI. COLLEGE, GUELPH.

LAST spring a ,coij,siderabile quantity
of the lime and sulphur mixture was
used in the Niagara district in combating
the San Jose scale. It is gratifying to
note that wherever it has been thoroughly
applied the results have been most satis-
factory.

About the middle of July and again one
month later, in company with Prof. Loch-
head, P. Hodgetts, Secretary Fruit Growers'
Association, J. Fred. Smith, Glanford,
Chief San Jose Scale Inspector, and Robt.
Thompson, St. Catherines, I visited a
number of peach, plum, and pear orchards
in the St. Catherines district which had been
more or less badly infested with the scale.
In every instance where trees were sprayed
with the lime and sulphur mixture the scale
was checked, just in proportion to the
thoroughness with which the spraying was
done.

From what was seen in the orchards and
from the statements of many of the fruit
growers, there seems to be no doubt that
this mixture will destroy the scale, but to
do so it must come in direct contact with
the scale, as any parts left uncovered in the
spraying, act as a seed bed for the reinfest-
ment of the whole tree. As it is practically
impossible to cover every crutch and crevice
on the tree, the use of the lime and sulphur

spray may not exterminate the scale, but it
has been clearly demonstrated that the pest
can be controlled, provided the spraying is
carefully done.

One very .pleasing feature in connection
with this matter is that, while the cost and
labor entailed in preparing and applying
the lime and sulphur mixture is consider-
able, it is not so great as was anticipated,
and is not regarded as an insurmountable
difficulty. Further, its application has ap-
parently greatly reduced the amount of leaf
curl.

In the June number of the Horticulturist
(page 240) it was announced that several
barrels of lime-sulphur and sal soda, and
lime-sulphur and caustic soda mixtures had
been prepared and applied. It will be
remembered that the advantage of these
mixtures over the ordinary lime and sul-
phur is that they do not require boiling
and thus this tedious part of the manufac-
turing process is saved. A thorough in-
spection of the trees sprayed with these
preparations shows that they have been
about as successful in destroying the scale
as that made by boiling. More experiment-
ing will have to be done before it can be
said definitely that it will always give as
good results, but enough has been done to
demonstrate that this method of preparation

4i6

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

can be followed with a reasonable assurance
of success by those who cannot get the mix-
ture from the steam boiling plants.

In the preparation of the mixtures, using
either sal soda or caustic soda and not boil-
ing, it is very essential that a quick slaking
lime be used. If the lime slakes slowly
there is not enough heat generated to cause
the required chemical changes to take place
and the substance is practically useless. The
indications from this year's experiments
are, that, if good, quick slaking lime is
slaked with warm water and the sulphur
and sal soda added so as to get the full
benefit of the heat developed, a good use-
ful spraying material is obtained. The
ease with which the lime-sulphur and sal
soda or lime-sulphur and caustic soda mix-
tures may be prepared will greatly recom-
mend them to the small fruit grower, who

has not sufficient trees to warrant the in-
stalling of a steam boiling plant.

A half barrel lot of caustic soda solution
( I pound in 5 gallons of water) was applied
on peach trees quite badly infested with the
scale without any appreciable good results
being secured.

A solution of sulphide of potassium (i
pound in 2 gallons of water) was also ap-
plied in two different peach orchards.
While the results noticed were not so satis-
factory as when the lime and sulphur pre-
paration was used, the scale was sufficiently
checked to warrant the continuation of ex-
,poriments. Moreover, if potassium sul-
phide will destroy the scale, it is reasonable
to expect that the allied substance sodium
sulphide, which has the advantage of being
much cheaper, will also do so. Here also
there is room for further experimentation.

Fruit Growers Who Have United

W. D. A. ROSS, SECRETARY.

^ I "* HE Chatham Fruit Growers' Associa-

1

tion has a membership of about 60,
although the bulk of the fruit is grown by
about 20 of the members. The largest or-
chard contains about 1,000 trees just com-
ing into bearing. This year the directors
decided to purchase a power spraying ma-
chine and sprayed a number of orchards.

Members are charged four cents per tree
for each spraying of average trees, or 16
cenls for the four sprayings. As the fruit
is handled by tne association the members
have the privilege of paying either when
the work is done or out of the proceeds of
fruit sales in the fall as they prefer. We
have two men to handle the two loads of
hose, one carrying six nozzles, the other
eight, and a driver in addition to the two
hands for spraying. We made a
special effort to induce the members to
prune their trees thoroughly so as to make

the experim.ent as complete a success as
possible.

Our association has been in existence for
about four years. Previous to that time,
however, the members had joined in ship-~
ping several carlots during two seasons. In
1900, our heavy fruit year, we shipped 21
car loads. In 1901 the crop was very light
and no shipping was done. In 1902 we
shipped 42 cars, and last season, another oti*
crop, seven car loads.

Best Paying Apples. — Mr. A. W. Peart,
of Burlington, believes the leading varieties
of summer apples in his district are Duch-
ess and Astrachan. The color of the Yel-
I0.7 Transparent prohibits it for export
trade. Of fall apples, Ribston Pippin and
Blenheim rank highest, while in late fall/
and winter varieties King, Baldwin, Green-
ing and Northern Spy head the list. These
varieties, he believes, pay the best in his dis-
trict.

THE VALUE OF POWER SPRAYING DEMONSTRATED

SUCH fruit growers as still remain skep-
tical or indifferent to the benefits that
result from proper spraying should have at-
tended the " perambulating orchard m.eet-
ings " held September 21 near Ingersoll.
Evidence of the value of spraying was fur-
nished in abundance. The gathering was
the result of the power spraying demonstra-
tions conducted during the summer in the
vicinity of Ingersoll, under the direction of
the Fruit Division of the Department of
Agriculture at Ottawa.

It is believed power spraying can be done
most effectively and cheaply by farmers,
who grow fruit on a small scale, if they will
cooperate and engage a competent man to
look after the work. This man can afford
to buy a power sprayer and can undertake
the work by contract just as threshing is

cons for firmers. Where a large number
of growers unite such a m.an can make good
wages, while the expense to each grower is
light, and he is saved the trouble of under-
taking the work himself.

To demonstrate the advantages of this
method the Fruit Division, early in the sea-
son, induced a number of farmers in the
vicinity of Ingersoll to cooperate and guar-
anteed that the cost would not be m.ore than
five cents for each spraying. The farmers
agreed to pay five cents per tree lor spray-
ing. The contracts were made for spray-
ing 3.300 trees four times. The work was
carried out under the supervision of a local
man, Mr. J. C. Harris, to the satisfaction of
every person interested.

The orch'^rd m.eeting September 21 was
to give the farmers of the neighborhood, and

Loading the Trial Car of Fruit at Grimsby for Winnipeg.

During September two trial shipments of fruit were made from Ontario to Winnipeg to further test the possibilities of shipping
fruit to that market. One car Wi<s loaded at St. Catharines and the other at Grimsby. The loading of the car at the latter point is
here shown. The consignment comprised pears, apples, grapes, peaches, etc. The shipments were made under the direct supervision
of Prof. J. B. Reynolds, of the Agricultural College, Guelph, who may be seen standing in the doorway to the right. Ihe Secretary
of the Ontario Fruit Growers' Association, Mr. P. W. Hodgetts, is standing on the load. The Horticulturist has received word from
Prof. Reynolds that both shipments reached Winnipeg in excellent condition, and that the fruit was considered to be the best lot that
had reached the city for some time. The first car was eight days in transit. The prices realized were satisfactory; apples. bringing
75 cents to $1 a bushel ; pears 75 cents to $1.10 a half bushel; plums $1 to $1.10 per crate of 20 pounds net ; grapes $1.40 to $1.65 per
crate of 30 pounds net ; and peaches $1.10 to $1.25 per box (California package). (Photograph taken specially for The Canadian
Horticulturist.)

4i8

THE CANADIAN HORT1CULTURIS2.

the public generally, an opportunity to see
the marked contrast between the sprayed
and unsprayed orchards. Seventy-five to
80 farmers assembled together, with some
half-dozen newspaper men, and drove from
orchard to orchafd that those present might
examine the quality of the fruit and make
comparisons at first hand. What they saw
was a revelation to those present. The fruit
in the orchards that had been sprayed was
in excellent condition, while in the unsprayed
orchards a large proportion of the fruit was
practically worthless for commercial pur-
poses. A prominent buyer, Mr. Seldon, of
Ingersoll, who was present, stated that the
only fruit in the section worth buying was
that in the sprayed orchards. The differ-
ence in quality was very apparent and con-
vincing as regards the value of spraying.

The meeting was led by Mr. McNeill,
Chief of the Fruit Division, and at suitable
points Prof. Hutt, of the Ontario Agricul-
tural College, explained different features of
orchard practice. He spoke particularly on
the question of orchard culture, and noted
that, while the fruit was most excellent in
the sprayed orchards, Providence had been
especially kind, as most of them were in sod
and not too well pruned. He recommended,
for the general practice, clean cultivation
during the growing season and cover crops
during the rest of the year.

Mr. Putnam, Superintendent of Farmers'
Institutes, spoke most encouragingly of the
opening for educational work in the insti-
tutes. He expressed the opinion that the

work is only beginning, and has in no sense
reached its fullest development.

At the close of the meeting Mr. McNeill
spoke upon the subject of how to sell the
apple crop. Owing to a combination of un-
fortunate circumstances, not easy to explain,
maay of the farmers who have the very
finest apples are not offered more than 25
cents per barrel, and in some cases can
not get buyers at any price. It was pointed
out that with the exception of the sprayed
orchards there was not an orchard in the
neighborhood that would grade more than
25 per cent, of number one fruit, and there-
fore there was no encouragement for out-
side buyers to come in. If owners of the
sprayed orchards would unite themselves
into a cooperative association so that their
manager could offer from 3,000 to 6,000
barrels of such fruit as was seen in the
sprayed orchards that day there would not
be the slightest difficulty in placing these
apples on the market at the top price for the
season.

As things are, Mr. McNeill said, he could
not undertake to ask any buyer from a dis-
tance to visit Ingersoll for the small quan-
tity of fruit the growers have to offer, as
owing to the poor quality of fruit in the
neighborhood, on all except sprayed or-
chards, there was absolutely nothing to sell.
Strong points were made in favor of co-
operation in all orchard work, as well as
selling, as well as a plea for better methods
in fruit growing. The weather was ideal
and the meeting was a great success.

There is no use trying to smother out
twitch grass. I put pea straw two feet
deep over a half acre, but found that it was
useless, as the grass grew up through the
straw. Covering with straw and burning
over is quite as ineffective owing to the
roots being so deep. The only way seems
to be to root it out. — (A. C. Lee, Paris.

Cost of Apple Barrels. — I have always
packed apples in barrels made in Napanee.
They cost 35 to 55 cents delivered last sea-
son. This year 40 cents is asked. Judging
from the amount of barrels required in this
section, which will be less than half of last
year's needs, there will be no advance on the
figure quoted. — (N. B. Hamm, Bath, Ont.

THE BELLEVILLE NURSERIES

SOME of Canada's leading nurseries
have recently been described in The
Horticulturist. Among these must be in-
cluded the Belleville Nurseries, at Belleville,
managed by Mr. W. C. Reid. While the
area of these nurseries seems small, when
compared with the mammoth nurseries in
the Niagara district the firm fills a field
peculiarly its own. Being situated in East-
ern Ontario, it is able to produce stock
specially adapted to the requiremen.ts of that
portion of the province. The number of
varieties handled being comparatively small
enables the management to make a specialty
of those produced.

"My object," said Mr. Reid, to an editorial
representative of The Horticulturist, who
recently visited these nurseries, " is to get
hardy stock which will suit the northern

climate, and then secure the very best
variety of this hardy stock. When I started
here some eight years ago, with about two
and a half acres, many people said that
nursery stock could not be grown success-
fully at Belleville. However, I have suc-
ceeded well enough to now have about 35
acres in nursery stock of different lines.

The home nursery consists of six acres, all
of which are inside the corporation. Practi-
cally all of these six acres are planted in
ornamental stock and comprise evergreens
and shrubs of different kinds. One fine
block of Norway spruce averaged three to
five feet in height when the representative
of The Horticulturist visited the place,
while another block averaged 18 to 24
inches, making a total in all of about 20,000
trees. Besides these Norway spruce, the

Norway Spruce at the Belleville Nurseries.

A block of Norway Spruce growing In the Belleville nurseries is here shown. This variety of spruce is a very popular evergren from
Europe which is being extensively planted in this conntry. It is valuable for wind breaks, screens and hedges, aud is well known as one of
the best evergreens for ornamental purposes. (From a photograph taken specially for The Horticulturist).

419

420

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST

stock of Austrian, Scotch and Swiss pine,
Colorado Blue spruce, Pyramidal and Am-
erican Arbor Vitae.

In other ornamental stock, Hydrangeas
are very noticeable, being large and healthy
and very productive of bloom of good qual-
ity. About 1,500 of these are in stock, and
look well after the extremely severe weather
last winter. Other varieties of ornamentals
withstood the long winter equally as well
with no protection, except what nature
afforded. They include three or four kinds
of Spireas, Syringa, Weigelias, Japonicas,
of different colors ; and climbing shrubs,
such as Clematis, Honeysuckle, and Dutch-
man's Pipe. The last-named is hardy and of
rare beauty. Another that is worthy of
mention is the Trumpet Flower (Bignonia
Radicans). This makes a fine show and is
very productive of bloom when full grown.
I am trying to get a line of perpetual bloom-
ers," said Mr. Reid, and judging from the
show of bloom following the severe winter
with no protection, success is crowning his
efforts.

WHERE THE LARGE STOCK IS GROWN.

A short distance east of the home nursery
is a block of nine acres in large stock, of
good average size and healthy appearance.
The experience of the past eight years has
shown that there are enough hardy varie-
ties to make a good collection for any nur-

Caustic Soda Not Recommended. — At

the request of Prof. R. Harcourt, I
tried the caustic soda wasn last spring
on a . few infected peach trees, as a
rem.edy for the San Jose scale. These trees
I have examined from time to time, and
find that the caustic soda has apparently
had little effect on the scale, as these treated
trees have all along shown about as many
living scale as untreated trees alongside. I
consider lime and sulphur the most effective
r^medv T h^ve us-d. — fW. C. McCalla, St.
C^thprines. Ont.

sery, and so only hardy varieties of apples,
pears, plums or cherries, are found in the
Belleville nursery. The rest of the stock is
produced on the 'Sydney place just out of
the town. It, too, consists chiefly of large
stock with some grapes $nd small stock.
"All miy stock is grown right on my own
place," said Mr. Reid, "and I use my own
buds and scions. The only importations
are seedlings, on which to bud the different
varieties. This I consider important, as it
leaves no chance whatever for the intro-
duction of the destructive San Jose scale,
or other scale insects. Besides the chances
for sending stock not true to name are re-
duced to a minimum, as the trees off which
the buds and scions are taken are known,
and a careful plan of labelling is followed
out until shipment is made. The results
obtained by the Belleville nurseries are
interesting, especially to people in northern
sections. They show the varieties of stock
that will endure winter hardships when in
the nursery stage, and if these thrive until
large enough to be sold, the older trees may
be depended upon to be hardy and give
good results. These nurseries have now
secured a firm foothold in eastern Ontario.
They may be expected to rapidly grow in
importance, as the fruit and floral interests
of the eastern portion of the province are
now makingf noted advance.

Spot 6n Fameuse Apples. — " By proper
spraying, ' said Mr. Jones, of Maitland, to
The Horticulturist recently, " I find no diffi-
culty in keeping the Fameuse apples at
least 80 per cent, free from spot, taking the
results of one year with another. Last year
95 per cent, of my crop was free from spot.
To accomplish this, however, I have found
it necessary to spray frequently. Some
seasons I have sprayed as many as six
times, while in otiicr years equally as good
results have been obtained from three
sprayings.

ORCHARD MATTERS.

421

Hardy Hydrangeas as Grown at the Belleville Nurseries.

Hydrangea Paniculata, a hardy variety, has been grown with great success at the Belleville nurseries. It is one of the best of flower-
ing shrubs. Bloom commences early in August and continues until late in the season. The flowirs are pure white changing to pink mak-
ing a fine effect. Both colors may be seen at the same time.

Plant Lice

PROF. H. L. HUTT, ONT. AGRI. COLLEGE,
GUELPH.

What is the matter with two of my trees ?
They were g^rafted last year to Baldwins and
trimmed this spring. In June the grafts were
covered with a green louse, which looked like
aphis, and lived on the bark of the young grafts.
They were as thick as could be. One side of
one tree is dead. The louse seemed to turn
into a small fly. The trees were sprayed
twice with ton^eaux and paris green. — (W. T.
Nutt, Zenda, Ont.

The insects on your trees are no doubt
aphides. They often appear in quantities
on the young wood, as well as on leaves,
when it is in a soft growing condition.
\v^in^ed forms of the insect appear through
the summer and spread from place to place.
It is in this way that they are distributed.

The best remedy is to spray with whale

oil soap or kerosene emulsion, which should
be applied as soon as possible before the
leaves upon which they are leeding curl
over and cover them. Bordeaux mixture
or paris green will have no effect upon
them, as they suck the juices of the plant
and do not eat the portions covered with
oaris green.

We hear a great deal of the Niagara
district as " the fruit growing district of
Canada," but I believie we have a section
here that will compare very favorably with
it for fruit production. When the fruit
growers here once realize this it will be the
means of stirring them to greater activity
both in the care of their orchards and the
planting of new ones. — (W. D. \. Ross,
Kent Co.. Ont.

WAYS TO PREVENT MICE INJURING ORCHARD TREES

W. T. MACOUN, CENTRAIv e;XPERIMENTAL FARM.

DEPREDATIONS by mice in winter
are usually greatest wheq the or-
chard is in sod and when there is rubbish
Jying abouit ; hence the latter should be
removed before the winter sets in. In. most
cases it is not necessary nor advisable to
have the orchard in sod, particularly when
there are young trees, although it is highly
important to have a cover crop which is
also sometimes a harbour for mice.

As mice may be expected every winter
in greater or less numbers, young trees
should be regularly protected against their
ravages. Mice usually begin working on
the ground under the snow and when they
come to a tree they will begin to gnaw it if
it is not protected. A small mound of soil
from 8 to 12 inches high packed around
the tree will often turn them, and even snow
tramped about the tree has been quite
effectual.

The cheapest and surest practise is to
wrap the trees with ordinary building paper,
the price of which need not be taken into
consideration as it is so little. Tar paper
is also effectual, but trees have been injured
by using it and it is well to guard against

danger. A little earth should be put about
the lower end to prevent the mice from
beginning to work there.

At -the Experimental Farm we are using
in addition to building paper, a wooden
veneer which has been found very satisfac-
tory both in protecting the trees from mice
and from sunscald. Prof. W. B. Atwood,
Horticulturist, Virginia Experimental Sta-
tion, recommends a mixture of pure linseed
oil and white lead to prevent the depredat-
ions of mice on apple trees, but does not
recommend it except with caution for peach
and cherry trees. He says that with 15
years' experience he has never had an apple
tree injured by this application.

It is important to buy the white lead and
pure linseed oil and mix them, as ready-
made paints may have an injurious mineral
oil in them. Prof. Atwood advises mixing
the white paint and linseed oil to a consis-
tency the same as for an outside coat on a
building, and to put a heavy coat on the
tree. He claims that once in two years is
sufficient to apply. It is also useful in pre-
venting borers. The mixture has been
known to injure cherry and peach trees.

DOES CULTIVATION CAUSE APPLE SCAB ?

R. J. MESSENGER, B.A., BRIDGETOWN, N. S.

I WANT to take issue with Mr. A. W.
Peart, in his statement in a recent
issue of The Horticulturist, that clean cul-
tivation in the orchard promotes scab. He
is quoted as saying " If anything green is
on the soil it has a neutralizing effect on
vapors arising from the soil, which tend to
promote scab. I think the finest lot of
apples sent to the Old Country last year
came from an orchard which had been in
oats, etc."

■ In the first place. Nature is so versatile
and variable, that the close observer

would consider it ridiculous to take one or
two of her results and found a theory or
law upon it. Some dozen other circum-
stances may have combined to make that
oated orchard yield fine fruit, and since the
oats were there, they were hit upon as the
cause, when they may have had no effect
on the result. This is just to show that too
many of us are prone to jump to conclu-
sions.

My knowledge of soil physics tell me that
dry earth, such as the mulch formed by
clean cultivation, absorbs noxious or other

422

IN THE ORCHARD.

423

vapours, while dry earth is used to prevent
the escape of gases in manure cellars and
closets.

It would, again, seem to me that no one
can deny that cultivation creates a vigorous
growth in any plant. The more we culti-
vate, the stronger, larger,- healthier speci-
mens we get, in apples, as 'well as vegetables
and other plants ; so that disease of any kind
could scarcely have so much effect upon the
cultivated ones as upon the uncultivated.

It is my opinion, based on observation
for a period of some years, that as a matter
of fact orchards with clean cultivation till
the middle of the summer give cleaner
fruit than those not cultivated.

The Horticulturist recently wrote Mr.

Peart, asking for some further information
on the subject. The following reply has
been received :

"I doubt very much if I could add any-
thing which would throw any light on the
question at present, and I do not care to
jump at conclusions. In order to see how
it appears to work I am not plowing or
cultivating two of my orchards this year.
What has grown on them I have mown and
left on the ground as a mulch. The third
orchard I have ploughed and cultivated. I
will try to note the difference if any, bet-
ween the same varieties under disimilar con-
ditions. I expect however, the cleaner:
fruit on non-plowed soil, but the larger on
the plowed.

PEARS AND APPLES FOR PROFIT

kfc/^ N the right kind of soil I think
\-J pears are even more profitable
than apples," said Mr. E. C. Beman, the
well known pear grower of Newcastle, to
an editorial representative of. The Horticul-
turist, who visited his fruit farm during
July. " A good clay loam with a deep clay
subsoil is the best soil in, this district for
pear growing. Pears will not bear profit-
ably on a cold sandy subsoil nor where the
hard-pan is too near the surface.

" One reason why I prefer pears to apples
is that an acre of pears on good land will
yield more fruit than an apple orchard of
the same size. If the soil is thoroughly
adapted for their growth I believe pears
will, in the course of a number of years,
yield at least 50 per cent, more barrels than
an apple orchard will.

" Near here, however, there are a few
pear trees which are not doing nearly as
well as mine, largely because the soil where
tney are growing is not suitable. In regard
to the returns secured I believe pears net the
best prices. My Bartletts last year
brought about $4 per barrel, and Will-

motts about $2.50 per barrel. My best
apples on the whole brought quite a little
less than this. The demand for pears is
very good, but not quite as strong as for
apples. No more care is required in. con-
nection with a pear than with an apple or-
chard.

some; common troubles.

" I have had considerable trouble with
pear psylla and the green fruit worm. For
the psylla I have sprayed the trees with a
heavy mixture of lime whitewash. The
mixture was as strong as the nozzle would
spray. This was applied when the buds
were commencing to open, and as a result I
find it has lessened the psylla considerably.
The trees were completely coated with the
wash. For the green worm I have sprayed
with the paris green and Bordeaux mixture
and have found this treatment a great suc-
cess. The spraying must be done early in
the season just when the fruit is forming.

" Bartlett, Buerre Bosc, Duchess, Pre-
coce and Clapp's Favorite are the varieties
of pears that have given me the best results.
Thev are all hardv.

424

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST

Expert Apple Pickers Gathering the Crop in a Bruce County Orchard.

A busy scene in the eight acre orchard of Mr. W. S. Hohnes, of Lucknow, in Bruce County, is here shown. The method u'ed by
Mr. Holmes is to barrel the fruit off the tree and put the apples under cover as soon as p. .eked For that purpose a horse and boat or
sleigh is kept for hau'ing the barrels under cover. In Mr. holmes' opinion too many farmers pick their apples and pile them in heaps, which
remain unpacked for days, sometimes weeks, in which condition the fruit is often seriously injured. Often after the apples are barreled
they are left in the orchard subject to the weather. Apples used in this way almost always, Mr. Holmes believes arrive at their destina-
tion in slack condition and sell at reduced prices. Two of the men shown in the illustration, MessJs. W. T. Holmes and P. Headley, are
expert apple pickery.

SETTING AND CARING FOR PLUM TREES

MIIvTON BACKUS, CHATHAM, ONT,

IN digging lioles for plum trees dig tliree
feet in depth and fully as wide. Dig-
ging should be done in the fall, so as to ob-
tain the benefit of the winter's freezing and
thawing.

In setting the trees, stretch a fine wire the
length of the row, having the distance apart
marked on the wire with either paint or
thread. In this way two men will set
ready for filling a great number in a day.
The distance they should be set apart de-
pends, somewhat, on the system of pruning

I advocate low heads the shape of an in-
verted umbrella, severe winter pruning of
from one-half to three-quarters of each sea-
son's grnwtl?. Inis prevents the trees at-

taining greater height than about 7 feet, so
that pruning, spraying, thinning and pack-
ing can all be done cheaply by standing on
the ground.

On receiving the trees from the nursery,
I cut oflf the entire top to a bare stub not
more than 2 feet long, and form therefrom
a head having 5 to 7 branches. With the
. above system of pruning a tree, they should
be planted not closer than 16 to 20 feet.

In regard to fertilizing, I have used only
wood ashes, the land being naturally strong.
Frequent and clean cultivation is best. I
keep my orchard free from all fungous dis-
eases, except the rot, by spraying as soon as
growth begins, with sulphate of copper, nd

jy 7 HE ORCHARD.

425

again with Borueaux mixture when the
fruit has grown to the size of peas.

I have found it simply impossible to con-
trol the rot either by spraying, thinning, or
pruning, especially in orchards where it has
once become established, particularly if
rains occur near ripening time. Good Am-
erican authorities are of the same opinion.
Regarding the curculio, I have had no trou-
ble, having to practice thinning whenever
there is not a failure of the crop ; there-
fore the remedy I favor is the planting of
quite an extensive orchard.

In the matter of varieties I should name

Cultivation and Sod in an Orchard

AN interesting method of treating an
orchard is being tried by Mr. W. H.
Gibson, of Newcastle, and was lately de-
scribed to a representative of The Horticul-
turist who visited his place.

" When my trees are young," said Mr.
Gibson, " I trim them so it is possible to
cultivate beneath the branches. When they
are older, cultivation under the branches
is stopped. This spring I planted clover
under the branches of my ii-year-old trees,
which had been cultivated up to this year.
The clover runs out as far as the limbs of
the trees extend on each side of the trees.
An open space between the rows of trees is
cultivated. My idea is that the feeding
roots of tne trees extend beyond the
^ranches and that fhey run out into this
open strip of land which I cultivate. In
this way tne trees will receive the benefit of
the cultivation, while the trouble of work-
ing under the branches will be avoided.

" About nine-tenths of the orchards in
my vicinity are put into sod after they begin
to bear. I intend to cultivate my orchard
in the way described for several years to
see hov; it succeeds. Where I have young
trees plrnted I cultivate a strip of land on
each side of the tree as wide as the tree is
high, as I find the trees make twice the

the Imperial Gage as the most delicious of
all plums, but a shy bearer. The Green
Gage is a splendid variety, but a poor bearer.
The i^ond Seedling, a grand plum, but poor
bearer. The Lombard, a rapid grower and
a great bearer of fair quality plums. The
Bradshav/ comes late into bearing, and is a
large coarse plum, while Coe's Golden Drop
I find a great bearer of magnificent plums,
and should consider it the most satisfactory
one to plant. The Burbank is a great
grower and an enormous bearer of hand-
some fruit, but like all Japanese plums, of
poor quality when canned.

growth they do when grain or clover is al-
lowed to grow close to them. I fertilize
heavily, using 200 loads of barnyard manure
in my orchards every year. The fertility
of the rest of the farm is maintained by
growing clover.

Shavings as Mulch in Orchard

PR3F. H. I,. HUTT, ONT. AGRI. COLLEGE,

GUELPH.

Are shavings taken from a basswood or poplar
tree good for mulch around -ipple trees in an orch-
ard ? Will they harbor mice or insects ?

F. J. Barber, (Georgetown, Ont.

1AM somewhat dubious about advising
the use of a mulch such as you sug-
gest, although I do not see why it should
not be better than allowing the trees to rem-
ain in sod with no cultivation whatever. I
think it would be advisable to try it first
upon part of the orchard and note results.
There is no doubt but that it will aflford
more or less of a harbour for insects, but
these, of course, can be kept in check by
the regular methods of spraying and band-
ing the trees. Care should also be
taken to guard against mice which no doubt
harbour in such a mulch. Otherwise, I do
not see that much injury can result, except
that the roots would in time form more or
less near the surface, which would not be
serious were a proper m:ulch maintained.

MAINTAINING THE FERTILITY OF ORCHARDS

G. IfRED. MARSH^ CI.ARKSBURG, ONT.

NO less an authority than Alex. Mc-
Neill, chief of the fruit division at
Ottawa, is in favor of oats as a cover crop.
He says they come on quickly in the fall in
spite of dry weather or trampling by apple
pickers, and the fact of their dying in the
fall is an advantage rather than otherwise,
as there is nothing to prevent the farmer
going on with the ^isc in spring.

From personal experience I can see the
advantage of the above. In spite of all we
may lecture, the fact remains that the aver-
age fruit grower only gets his orchards
about half plowed before seeding, when he
has to stop and bend all his energies to get-
ting the spring seeding done. By the time
the rush is over the land is hard, and if not,
so hard that it is impossible to plow, thjc\
land has lost a large amount of its valuable
moisture. If the orchard were seeded with
oats there is nothing to prevent giving the
orchard a couple of strokes with the disc
before seeding, and the straw will prevent
any damage being done by the tramping of
the horses.

The question : " How shall we main-
tain the fertility of our orchards?" will

be asked by all who heard Mr. Caston,
of the Ontario Fruit Growers' Association,
make the statement that a large number of
the orchards, especially in the older sections
of Ontario, are starving for lack of plant
food, and that in many cases the deteriora-
tion of certain varieties is principally due
to lack of food. A statement of this kind
coming from such an influential fruit grower
should cause us to pause and reflect on how
we can economically provide this plant food
for the trees.

Some say, use stable manure. That is all
right as far as it goes, but is not a complete
manure for orchards, having an insufficient
amount of potash, and under our present
system of growing leguminous cover crops,
much more nitrogen than is necessary.- But
the chief argument against its use for the
orchard is that no farmer has more stable
manure he can apply with profit to his
annual ordinary farm crops, and if he ap-
plies it to the orchard he must skimp some
other part of his farm, which system, if fol-
lowed for som'e time, will eventually run
down the farm. Before we in Ontario run
down our farms, we had better decide that

Portion of the Apple Exhibit at the Toronto Industrial Exhibition.

While disappointing in some respects, the display of appUs at the recent Toronto Industrial Exhibition contained some excellent
exhibits, some of which are here shown. The Bay of Quinte district advertised itself by capturing the first and second prizes offered
for the best collections of 40 varieties, the first premium going to Mr. H. Dempsey. The first prize for the best collection of 20 varie-
ties wus taken by Mr. H. Marshall, of Hamilton. A levision of the prize list so that commercial varieties may be given more promi-

,by
nence as desirable.

426

IN THE ORCHARD.

427

if fruit will not pay to buy fertilizer for, we
had better dig up our trees by the roots and
plant something else.

TRY LUCERNE CLOVER.

The next question would be, " What shall
we use ?" • Those who are situated near
towns can buy stable manure, but for the
majority of farmers this is impracticable.
Even in favorable cases it is doubtful if for
larg« fruit it will pay for the reasons given
above. In some cases, as with small fruits,
poor land, or wnere a proper system has not
been followed, it may be desirable for a time
to use stable manures, but the successful
farmer must get his nitrogen cheaper than
paying 12 to 16 cents a pound for it, and he
can obtain it for nothing by means of a
leguminous cover crop. Of all the differ-
ent crops advocated, I believe Lucerne
clover to be the best, as it will make a better
growth in the dry weather, which we usually
have in the fall, and also a better root
growth than the common red clover, which
is favorably known for this purpose. Lu-
cerne is subject to being winter-killed, but
this makes little difference w*here it is sown
to be plowed under in the spring. The
hairy vetch is also" highly recommended for
this purpose. Don't sow too early in the
season. Remember that it is a full apple
barrel rather than a luxuriant cover crop
which is wanted. I believe that in dry sea-
sons the fruit grower loses an enormous
amount by stopping the cultivator too soon,
and as a rule cover crops should be sown a
month later than usually advised. Never
sow a cover crop until you feel sure that the
apples are safe, even in case no rain comes
until picking time. This system might not
produce such a fine cover crop, but will pro-
duce more apples.

Leguminous cover crops will provide
all the nitrogen necessary, but something
else is required or we will ruin our fruit
crop through unbalanced feeding. I firmly
believe that the popularity of cover crops,

together with the use of stable manure, has
had much to do with the cry that Canadian
apples are not keeping as well as they did in
former years. We all know that an exces-
sive amount of stable manure will grow a
large, pale, soft apple, lacking in color,
flavor, long-keeping qualities, and that in-
describable element often called " snap," for
which Canadian apples are noted. I know
for a fact that dealers are Beginning to keep
records in order to find where the poor
keeping apples come from. Thus we see
we can provide ourselves with an abundant
supply of nitrogen and humus, but we can
not get in that way the potash and phos-
phoric acid which are also needed.

USE COMMON SENSE.

Experiment stations recommend a ferti-
lizer containing 2 per cent, of nitrogen, 9
per cent, of potash, and 2 per cent, of phos-
phoric acid, but if a proper system of cover
crops is followed I think we can leave out
the nitrogen and use potash and phosphoric
acid in above proportions. In order to ob-
tain these materials " common sense " would
teach us to use our own waste matters, that
is, bone meal and wood ashes, which at
present we ship across to the United States
to improve the quality of their fruit. In
bone meal the steamed will be found more
economical than the raw, being less in price
and having a higher percentage of phos-
phoric acid, though lower in nitrogen,
which is no detriment in a properly man-
aged orchard.

For the potash we should use the ashes
produced at the farm, and in addition there-
to the commercial potash salts, particularly
sulphate and muriate of potash, which are
very high grade, containing 50 per. cent, of
pure potash, while ashes contain only 5 per
cent, on an average. Weight for weight,
the potash salts mentioned are worth five
times the value of aShes, and as a commer-
cial article the former are usually a more
economical source of potash than the ashes.

4i8

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST

The Windbreak and the Orchard

iT has been a question, taking one year
with another, whether windbreaks do
the orchard more harm than good. If there
is not much wind during a season, a wind-
break may injure the orchard by preventing
circulation of air. There is nothing so
beneficial in an apple orchard as a full move-
ment of air and plenty of sunshine, Wind
breaks often shade the Adjoining row of
trees and in that way retard their growth,
and reduce their fruitfulness. These views
were expressed to The Horticulturist not
long since by Mr. William Rickard, M.L.A.
of NewQastle.

" A windbreak," continued Mr Rickard,
"on an exposed side, if properly constructed,
is decidedly a benefit. In every case, the
windbreak should be so constructed that it
will not shade the trees. In a windy year,
a good windbreak will undoubtedly be of
great benefit.

"The best place a Spy apple can be grown
is right out in the open, where it will get all
the air and sunshine possible. On the
whole, in the average apple orchard, I
believe the chances are that as good results
can be obtained without a windbreak as with
one."

The Best Sized Box

AT the last annual meeting of the On-
tario Fruit Growers' Association at
Leamington a resolution was passed favor-
ing the bushel box for packing apples.
Speaking on this subject to an editorial re-
presentative of The Horticulturist, who
visited his place, Mr. A. W. Peart, of Bur-
lington, recently said :

" The minority opposed the motion on the
ground of scarcity of labor. The most
suitable box for the old country trade is 9 x
12 X 18 inches, inside measurement.

" With these boxes women can sort, pack,
press, stencil and pile ready for shipment to
the station. If you increase the size you
increase the difficulty of women doing the
work. In fact, some women even object to
the weight of the small box. If we cannot
secure women, we must get men at double
the pay per aay, whereas women do the work
just as efficiently.

" Some of those favoring the resolution
claimed that larger boxes can be shipped as
cheaply as smaller ones, but this is not so,
inasmuch as on the cars the box goes by
weight, and on the ship by cubical contents.
I find that the smialler box is best for ship-
ping apples and pears to the old country."

The Exhibit of Pears at the Toronto Industrial Exhibition.

The exhibit of fruit at the Toronto Industrial Exhiliiiion this year w; s rather disappointing as it was not as large or, on the
whole, of as good quality as usual of late yeais. This w;is in part due to the injury to orchards caused by the severe weather last
winter and to the ccol backward summed whi h had prevented much of the fruit maturing. A portion of the pear exhibit is herr shown.
Among a few of the more successful exh'.birois were Messrs. F. S. Ferminger and VV. S. Bunting, of St. Catharines; G. W. Wild, of
Hamiltjn, and F. G. Stewart, of Horner. A new builditig is greatly needed.

QUESTIONS ASKED AND ANSWERED.

429

An Apple Tree That Has Died, and
Why

PROF'. W. LOCHe;aD, ONT. AGRI. COLI.EGE;,
GUELPH.

I have ail orchard of about 150 apple trees, and
one of them has not borne any fruit for three years
Some people say it has the San Jose scale, while
others say it is the death sweat. Not knowing for
certain what it is, I send you a portion of the tree
to see if you can tell me what the trouble is.

W. J. Skidmore, Cornwall, Ont.

THE white bodies which you send are
a very sure indication of the trouble
with your trees. These bodies are fleshy
fungi, very similar in structure to ordinary
mushrooms, but, of course, much smaller.
They are known scientifically as Schizo-
phyllum comune. They are very common
on the trunks of many varieties of trees. I
have found them frequently on shade trees.

Their presence on the trunk of a tree
shows that the tree is badly diseased, and is
now beyond recovery. , Ncwonder your tree
has borne no fruit for the last three years.
Many years ago the spores, or minute seeds
which this fungus produces, were blown to
this tree, and lightipg on some wound or
crack, afifected an entrance into the interior
of the tree. During all this time the fungus
threads have been growing, and have been
injuring the tree and killing the tissues.
After the harm has been done the fungus
threads make their way through the bark
to the outside and there produce the charac-
teristic white bodies which produce the
spores.

If you will examine with a microscope a
scraping from the small gills on the under
surface of one of these white bodies, you
will probably find many small round objects
— the spores. You have probably seen large
toadstools on the trunks or stumps of old
trees. The bodies which you send me are
of a similar nature to these large toadstools.
They have done all the harm they can be-
fore they show themselves on the surface,

and there is no use in attempting to cure
the disease. The best thing that can be done
would be to cut down the trees which show
these white bodies and have them burned.
Do not allow them to lie about on the
ground for they may spread their spores
and infect other trees.

Spraying to Prevent Injury By Mice

Is there any cheap and effective spray for field
nursery stock applied before or after the first snow,
to prevent mice girdling trees ?

W. C Archibald & Sons. Wolfville, N. S.

THE above question has been answered
as follows by W. T. Macoun, of the
Central Experimental Farm at Ottawa.
There is no cheap and effective spray for
nursery stock that I know of which can be
applied before or after snow, to prevent
mice girdling trees. The best preventive is
to have the nursery clean in the autumn and
from 25 to 30 feet round it. Mice are sel-
dom troublesome where there has been clean
cultivation, and no sod nor rubbish near the
nursery. If the nursery is not large, each
tree might be wrapped with building paper
which is very effective in preventing the
depredations of mice

Another reply to this question has been
furnished The Horticulturist by H. S.
Peart, of the Agricultural College at
Guelph, he writes, " There is no spray which
can be recommended as a certain preventive
against mice in the nursery. A wash may
be made of one peck of fresh lime slacked
in enough soft water to make it of the con-
sistency of whitewash, to which is added
while still hot, one half gallon of crude car-
bolic acid, half a gallon of gas tar and four
pounds of sulphur. Stir well. This spray-
ed on the trunks of the trees in autumn will
to a great extent, prevent mice from girdl-
ing. Clean cultivation, which keeps down
all grass and weeds, will prevent the mice
from harboring around trees, thus diminish-
ing the danger of attacks.

FORECASTING FROSTS

PROF. J. B. REYNOLDS, ONT. AGRI. COLLEGE, GUELPH.

A SIMPLE method by which fruit
growers can forecast frosts is by
means of the SUng psychrometer, the same
instrument as is used in determining the
humidity of cheese curing rooms. It is a
wet and dry thermometer mounted on a
fraiiie and attached to a cord for the pur-
pose of swinging it through the air and
obtaining the correct reading. Such an in-
strument, with a proper set of printed tables
giving the dew point in connection with the
readings of these thermometers, is a fairly
reliable method of forecasting frost. For
instance, if the reading of the thermometer
indicates by the printed tables the dew point
of 40 or below, about sundown, there is
danger of frost, especially if the sky be clear
and the atmosphere still.

USE THE WEATHER BUREAU.

I am inclined to think, however, that the
most satisfactory method of prediction is

Grape Growing in Eastern Ontario

it. f CONSIDER that I have fair success in
1 growing grapes even at this northern
latitude," said Dr. McCallum, of Smith's
Falls, to a representative of The Canadian
Horticulturist, who recently visited his
place. "Worden, Delaware, Agawam, Nia-
gara, Moore's Early, Lindley, and Salem,"
continued Dr. McCallum, " all thrive well
here and are productive. Of course they
have to be laid down in the winter, and
special protection given them. I cover the
vines with earth in the fall after the leaves
have fallen, before the first heavy frosts
come, and leave them there until spring
opens, and the weather seems settled.
Niagara and Salem are very late ripeners.
The Lindley, Salem and Agawam are good
keepers. I pack these in cork dust for win-
ter, and have grapes for table use as late as

the weather bureau. The weather bureau
of the United States, is doing very impor-
tant work in this connection by warning
the fruit growers in California and elsewhere
of the probability of frost. If our weather
bureau at Toronto could devise some
practicable means of communicating with
the fruit sections during the day when the
prediction is made, the same purpose could
tje served. I have no doubt that this
arrangement will be made in the near future
but I think that the movement must origi-
nate with the fruit grower. If he expresses
a desire to have the forecasts announced to
him and an intention to act upon forecasts,
and take measures to prevent injury by
frost, I have no doubt that the weather bur-
eau would respond willingly and readily to
the request. The fruit interests of southern
Ontario would be well served by a proper
discussion on this subject.

April. With a little special attention," con-
cluded the doctor, "grapes can be grown
here as well as in the Niagara district."

Care of Raspberry Bushes

D. BETTSCHEM, VIOLET HILL, ONT.

1 PREFER the Cuthbert variety of rasp-
berries to any other. It is hardy,
stands the winter well, is very productive,
of good rich flavor, and sells well. My
bushes are planted m rows about five feet
apart, and three feet apart in the rows.

All old canes are taken out after first sea-
son is over, and all canes are pruned down to
four or five feet high. Strawy manure is
used with straw for a mulch, using straw
last to keep the fruit clean. A small quan-
tity of wood ashes is also used as fertilizer,
which I think is very valuable for this pur-
pose.

430

FALL FRUITING STRAWBERRIES

ARE there any varieties of strawberries
that can be relied on in Ontario to
produce crops in the fall ? Apparently not.
Leading growers in the province who have
"been consulted by The Horticulturist, all
state they have never been able to obtain
regular crops of strawberries in the fall
although occasionally they have succeeded
in securing a few berries. In the United
States some growers claim to be able to
secure berries regularly every autumn.

Writing to The Horticulturist on this
point, Mr. W. T. Macoun, Horticulturist at
the Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa,
says :

" The year 1903 was particularly favor-
able for an autumn crop of strawberries,
and the question of autumn fruiting varieties
received quite an impetus, but in our 16
year's experience at the Experimental Farm
we have not found that any variety of straw-
berry produced enough fruit in the fall to
make it worth growing for that purpose."

According to Charles H. Snow, Straw-

Profitable Patch of Blackberries

U/'~\ NE and a quarter acres of blackber-
\-J berries have for ten years past
yielded us an average of $200 per acre,"
said Mr. A. E. Kimmins, manager for Mr.
E. D. Smith, the well known fruit grower
of Winona, to an editorial representative of
The Horticulturist recently, who was visit-
ing his place. " The berries are all of the
same variety, namely, the Kittatinnies. The
land has been given no particular cultiva-
tion, simply receiving the ordinary cultiva-
tion, consisting of plowing and the use of
the horse cultivator. The bushes are set
six feet apart so they may be cultivated
readily.

" In the fall the old wood is removed and
the bushes are trimmed back in the spring,
generally in j\Iay. This variety of berry is
about the most profitable in our section, but

berry Specialist, Cummings Bridge, Ont.,
the fall fruiting of strawberries is not at-
tached to any one variety. " Clyde, Haver-
land, Beder Wood, Sin, Dunlop, and En-
hance," writes Mr. Snow, "possess this freak
at times, and to my knowledge only when
the plants have suffered some injury at the
proper time for fruiting. During the year
1903 for instance, the month of May and
June were excessively dry around Ottawa.
The plants blossomed but never made any
fruit to amount to anything. The fruiting
propensities of the plants had been strongly
restricted, and when the rains came about
July, the plants shot up, a fresh beautiful
green foliage appeared and many strong
fruit crowns. The result was that during
the latter part of September and previous
to fall frosts, we picked quarts of fine lus-
cious berries off numerous varieties. En-
hance has had this reputation for fall
fruitage, but after growing it for 15 years,
only once in that time have I noticed it
fruiting in the fall."

outside the peach belt will probably be
found to be rather tender. Twelve years
ago the land on which these berries are now
growing was an old pond bed, filled by a
spring. Mr. Smith decided to drain it,
which was done at moderate expense. The
investment has certainly been a profitable
one."

■' I do not plow my vineyard in the fall,
because it exposes the roots too much to the
winter frosts. I plow in the spring, and
h-'rrow and cultivate until the middle of
A.ugust. Nature is then left to attend to it
until the following spring." — (A. W. Peart,
Burlington, Ont.

We 'trust The Canadian Horticulturist will
continue to improve, as we consider it an au-
thority on horticultural matters. — (J. A. Sim-
mers, seed merchant, Toronto, Ont.

431

SELECTING GROUND FOR A STRAWBERRY BED

MRS. JOHN Gir.PlI.I,AN, KIRKTON, ONT. *

IN locating a spot for a strawberry patch,-
bear in mind that the strawberry is a
surface feeder and consequently easily in-
jured or killed by a surfeit of water, or
during a severe drought. The land should be
well drained and which has been previously
planted to hoed crops, so that weeds will
give as little trouble as possible. Plow the
ground in the fall and again in the spring,
while in the meantime a liberal coat of barn-
yard manure should be given. The plot
should be thoroughly cultivated after hav-
ing been plowed. It is then ready for
marking out, which may be done in various

The Best Sized Greenhouse

64\ 7[ 7 HAT is the best sized greenhouse
V V for the ordinary florist to
build ?" was one of the interesting questions
found in the question box at the recent meet-
ing of the Canadian Horticultural Associa-
tion convention held in Ottawa. Mr. O. G.
Johnson, of Kingston, in replying to the
question said, " The size of the greenhouse
to be built must depend altogther on how
much money the builder has to spend.

" I would suggest that the width of the
house be at least 17 feet, and should extend
north and south, with a three and a hajf
foot raised bench each side of the house two
and a half feet from the floor. A middle
bench or solid bed should be six feet wide.
Two paths two feet wide each should extend
down the center of the house. The ridge
should be eleven feet high, with ventilators
2x3 feet each placed 6 feet apart, eight in
number, on each side of the hoiise, opening
at the ridge. The walls should be four feet
high.

" This is not a modern house by any
means, but one that is suitable for almost
everything that an ordinary florist would
need in any small town, with the exception,
of roses and violets. The best house to

ways, with whatever the planter has con-
venient for the purpose.

Cover strawberry plants in winter, after
the ground is sufficiently frozen. A cover-
ing of straw or some such material is
desirable to keep the ground from freezing
and thawing with every change of weather.
This covering should be removed from the
plants as soon as all danger of severe frosts
is over, and placed between the rows. It
will conserve moisture so necessary at the
growing season, keep the berries from being
sanded and also smother out the weeds that
would otherwise make their appearance.

build is constructed on these principles, with
the exception of different minor arrange-
ments and the number of ventilators.

" In such a house as described, I success-
fully raised ferns, begonias, fuschias,
hydrangeas, and a great many other plants
which like a little shade. On the middle
bench I grew a mixed variety of geraniums,
lilies, carnations, smilax, etc. The east
bench was an ideal one for geraniums,
pelargoniums, etc. It does not matter so
much which way the house is built for the
general stock of an ordinary florist, as it
does on the man who is in the house. If
the builder of the up-to-date modern green-
house could only build an up-to-date modern
florist and throw him in with the greenhouse
what a boon it would be."

Do you not think it would be a wise and
profitable move on the part of public school
boards if a part of every school yard were
to be set apart and planted with at least a
single specimen of every tree that could be
grown in the locality? What an object les-
son it would be for the children, and what
an improvement it would eflfect in the ap-
pearance of the school grounds. — (F. G.
Keyes, Ottawa, Ont.

Extract from a paper read at a Woman's Institute meeting.

432

OCTOBER PLANT NOTES

WM. HUNT, ONT. AGRI. COLl^EGE, GUELPH.

OCTOBER usually gives us ideal ripen-
ing weather for plant life. Too
often this matter of plant ripening is lost
sight of by plant lovers, in their anxiety to
protect their favorites from the first sharp
frosts of Autumn ; and place them in sec-
urity for the winter months.

Plants such as pot hydrangeas, olean-
ders, fuchsias, tender roses in pots,
dahlia and canna roots, etc., are frequently
hurried off on the first sign of frost into
the unsuitable and unnatural conditions
they often have to endure during the winter,
without being properly ripened or hardened
off before being stowed away. This ripen-
ing, or hardening, is very necessary for the
successful wintering over of plants that
have to be kept in a dormant or semi-dor-
mant condition during the long winter
months.

The half-hardy hydrangeas grown in
pots and tubs, that make such con-
spicuous and showy decorative plants dur-
ing the summer, are often killed out or
severely injured by being hurried into
their winter quarters — oftentimes in the
cellar or basement — without the growth be-
ing first properly hardened off or ripened.
It is quite possible, if the season is at all
favorable, to keep hydrangeas underneath
a veranda, or in a shed or out building,
until November, if temporary protection be
given them on extra cold nights. Five or
six degrees of frost at this season of the
year, after the plants have done flowering,
will not hurt, but rather benefit them, as
they are of a decidely semi-hardy nature.
Less water should also be given at this
season than during the summer. By with-
holding gradually the am.ount of water,

Two Popular Varieties of Plants as Grown in a London, Ont., Greenhouse.

Beds of Begonia Glorie D'Lorraine on the left hand side and Cyclamen on the right hand side, are here shown as photo-
graphed in the greenhouse of Messrs. J. Gammage & Sons, of London, Ont. These plants are among the most satisfactory
that can be grown in the house during the winter. They begin flowering early in November and continue to bloom until late
in the spring. No more attention need be given them than any other house plant. Care should be taken to see that they are
not allowed to become too dry as otherwise the flowering season is retarded and the flowers become small and of poor texture,
both in color and substance. Attention is also required to see that they are not over watered, as such treatment tends to sour
the soil, causing the Cyclamen to take a fungous disease which usually affects the plants in the form of the bulb decaying and
becoming soft at the top. The leaves and flower's finally drop off. In the case of the Gloire D'Lorraine, the foliage turns
yellow and the leaves drop off. The Cyclamen comes in many colors, principally red, pink and white. The Begonia has
only two colors, a deep red and a light pink.

433

434

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

this ripening or hardening off process may
be materially facilitated. Do not go to the
extreme however in this respect, as the soil
should never be allowed to get thoroughly]
dried out before water is given again.
Extreme conditions of any kind are usually
very dangerous to plant life. In this
matter of giving less frequent waterings to
plants, it is quite as necessary to avoid ex-
treme dryness of the soil, as it would be to
avoid over-watering, while endeavouring
to induce a period of semi-dormancy or
partial rest.

The variety of hydrangea mostly grown
in pots or tubs is the large pink flowering
" Otaksa." Another good variety of these
half-hardy hydrangeas is the white flower-
ing variety " Thomas Hogg." A good
specimen of this is seldom seen even at floral
exhibits, probably from the fact that it is
less robust than " Otaksa," and harder to
winter over successfully. It is a very pretty
variety, and makes a pleasing contrast to
the pink flowering one.

OLEANDERS, POT ROSES, FUCHSIAS.

ALL of these plants will bear a little
wholesome neglect at this time of the
year. That is, they may be left to take care
of themselves more than when in full
growth during the summer. They will not,
however, bear quite as severe treatment in
the matter of being frozen, or in the partial
witholding of water from the roots, as will
hydrangeas. As these plants, however,
have, in most instances, to be kept in a
semi-dormant or resting condition during
the winter, they will be benefitted very much
by being treated as recommended for the
hydrangeas, before being consigned finally
to their winter quarters.

Canna roots should be dug up as soon as
the tops have been blackened by frost. Un-
less the autumn season is exceptionally fine
and warm and free from frost, canna roots
will be better dug up before the surface of
the ground has been touched by frost. If
it is impossible to dig them before sharp
frosts occur, cut the tops off to within about
four inches of the ground, and strew the
tops over the ground. A few inches in
depth of straw or long manure, or any
material to keep the frost from touching the
tubers, should also be thrown over them as
a temporary covering. After digging,
store the roots for a week or two in a shed
or out-building safe from rain and frost,
until the soil adhering to them has partially
dried out. Remove them to a warm room
or cellar where the temperature ranges
from about 40 to 50 degrees. A contin-
uously low temperature near the freezing
point will injure canna roots permanently,
even when dormant.

Dahlia roots should be dug up before the
tubers are touched by frost, and treated as
recommended for cdnna roots, before being
stowed in the cellar. Dahlia roots will keep
better in a more moist cellar or room
than will canna roots. A temperature from
35 to 45 degrees will suit them better than
a higher temperature. Wherever potatoes
will keep in really good condition through
the winter, dahlia roots can be preserved.
A dark, cool cellar if not too dry, suits them
splendidly. If the cellar is very dry, as
many cellars are from having a furnace in
them, the roots of both dahlias and cannas
would be better preserved if some dry soil
or sand were to be placed around and about
the tubers. Enough of these materials to
barely cover the tubers would be sufficient.

October is the great bulb-planting month, people are
As soon as your flowers are frozen prepare Try them :
the beds for bulbs. In some cold districts will grow.—

afraid to plant them outside.

they will grow where weeds

-(N. S. Dunlop, Montreal, Que.

BULB CULTURE FOR THE AMATEUR

T

HE culture of bulbs indoors is one of
the most delightful pastimes in winter
and there is nothing in floriculture which so
well repays the lover of flowers for the mon-
ey invested, arid for the time and care spent
upon them. By having the right varieties,
and by forcing them properly, flowers may
be obtained from the latter part of Nov-
ember until spring.

The mistake has often been mad-e by those
who have written on bulb culture for the
amateur, that too much stress has been laid
on the kind of soil in which the bulbs are to
be grown, and definite proportions of sod,
manure, leaves, and soil have been recom-
mended without giving any alternative to
the intending planter. The difficulty in
cities of obtaining these ingredients has no
doubt deterred many people from growing
bulbs who would have done so if it had
been made plain to them that they could
have good success without preparing the
soil in the exact way laid down. The bulb
has within it the future flower, which was
formed during the previous spring; it has
-Iso f6od and energy stored up in it ready
to be used when 'the right conditions are
brought about, which are : first, moisture
to produce roots,- and then sunshine and
heat to develop the leaves and flowers.
While the bulb does, no doubt, take up plant
food from the soil when forced, roots and
moisture are of far greater importance.
A soil should first of all be porous, so that
air is admitted freely to the roots ; a soil
which becames compact and hard is the
poorest kind. It should also retain water
fairly well, and for this reason it is well to
have some humus, which is supplied by
rotted leaves, rotted manure, or rotted sod.
Good loamy garden soil is quite satisfactory
without the addition of any fertilizer, but
if it is soil that becomes compact, it is ad-

visable to add a little coarse sand to make
it more porous. Where soil is difficult to get
excellent results have been obtained by
using pure building sand for this purpose,
which, being coarse, is porous, and does not
become compact. This must not, however,
become confounded with the ordinary fine
sand, which is not satisfactory.
PLANTING.

The bulbs should be planted as soon as
received, or not later than the middle of
October. As a good root system is very
essential, the earlier the bulbs are planted •
the better, as most bulbs take from six
weeks to two months or more to fill the pots
with roots. Successive plantings are not
recommended, as the bulbs lose vitality the
longer they are out of the ground.

Hyacinths succeed best in five-inch pots,
or if pans are used, several bulbs- may be

"it'^d in one pan. Three tulips in a five
or six inch pot are very satisfactory. Most
of the narcissus also succeed well with
three bulbs in a six-inch pot, but some of the
larger bulbs are more satisfactory with one
bulb in a five inch pot. Seven or eight
freesia bulbs may be planted in a six-inch
pot with good success, and other small bulbs
in the same way.

To plant the bulbs, put a piece, or several
pieces, of broken pot or charcoal, or even
coal clinkers, in the bottom of the pot or
pan with soil, and shake it down by striking
the bottom of the pot against something,
but avoid pressing down the soil in the pot
before planting the bulb, as if the soil in the
lower part of the pot is firm, the bulb will
be forced out of the pot when it begins to
root. Now, place the bulb or bulbs on the
surface of the soil, making certain to have
the right side up, and press down until the
upper side of the bulb is on a level with the
surface of the soil, then firm the soil about

* Extract from the special bulletin on Bulb Culture recently issued by the Ottawa Horticultural Society, and mentioned elsewhere in
this issue.

435

436

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

each bulb with the fingers, and level the sur-
face. When the bulbs are planted, the soil
should only come to about half an inch of
the top of the pot, so when watering there
will be room for a good supply.

ROOTING.

The proper rooting of the bulbs is, per-
haps, the most important feature in the
successful culture of them. The recom-
mendation is frequently made to give the
bulbs a thorough watering at the time they
are planted, keep them in the cellar or some
cool place for six or eight weeks, and then
begin to force them. This advice, without
more explicit directions, has been the means
of spoiling thousands of fine blooms. There
are hundreds of people who have no place to
put their pots, while the bulbs are root-
ing, except the coolest part of their cellar,
in which is a furnace, which keeps the ;iir
as dry almost as upstairs ; and even a cool
closet is sometimes the best place that can
be found. The result is that the amateur
who has had no previous experience,
or who has not learned the cause of previous
failures, gives his bulbs a thorough water-
ing, as recommended, thinks all will be
well, and he is led to believe this by seeing
the shoots pushmg up. When he tries to
force his bulbs, he finds that something has
gone wrong, but he does not know what it
is. What has really happened? The air
of the cellar being dry, the soil in the pots
has gradually dried up, so that by the end
of a couple of weeks, or perhaps more, it is
apparently quite dry and not suitable for the
developement of roots, and they do not de-
velop, and perhaps some roots which had
started have dried up again. One water-
ing is sufficient where pots can be kept in a
cool, moist place, but they should be water-
ed once a week, and if necessary, oftener,
if they are kept in a dry cellar. The soil
should not be kept soaked at first, as bulbs,
when in the dormant condition, are likely to
rot if kept too wet. The soil should be

kept moist, not wet. If through careless
planting the bulbs push up when thev begin
to root, the best plan is to repot them,
rather than attempt to push back the bulb
into its place. When rooting, the bulbs
should be kept in a dark place, between 35
and 40 degrees F., if possible, and if they
cannot be kept as cool as that, the lower
they are kept above this the better. If kept
in a high temperature, growth begins
above before there is a good root develop-
ment, and this is something that should be
avoided, if at all possible. Furthermore,
unless kept very cool, the bulbs will make
too much growth, it will not be possible
to keep them back, and the bloom will be
over before the end of the winter.

VARIETIES RECOMMENDED.

The following varieties are recommended :
Early spring tulips, for the house,

Chrysolora, height 11 inches, golden
yellow ; Keizerskroon, 14 inches, crimson-
scarlet, with broad yellow margin; Joost
Van Vondel, 10 inches, crimson, flaked with
white, large flowers ; Joost Van Vondel,
(White) 10 inches, pure white, large flow-
ers ; Proserpine, 12 inches, rich rosy car-
mine ; Vermillion Brilliant, 10 inches,
bright Vermillion ; La Reine, white, be-
coming delicate pink ; Cottage Maid, 9
inches, white, bordered with rosy pink ;
Duchesse de Parma, 13 inches, orange-red,
with broad yellow edge ; Thomas Moore,
14 inches, orange, sweet scented ; Van der
Neer, 10 inches, violet ; Standard Silver,
10 inches, white, feathered with crimson.

Early Doubles.— Couronne d'Or, orange-
yellow ; Murillo, blush-pink ; Imperator
Rubrorum, crimson-scarlet.

Hyacinths, Single Pink.— Charles Dick-
ens, rosy-pink ; Baron Von Thuyll, fine
pink ; Gigantea, blush-pink, large spikes.

Single Red.— General Pelissier, deep
crimson, early ; Lord Macauley, rose, with
carmine stripes.

FOR LOVERS OF FLOWERS.

437

Single Blue. — Blondin, . porcelain-blue,
large bells ; Queen of the Blues, light sil-
very-blue ; Grand Lilas, fine porcelain-blue,
large spike, the best blue ; King of the
Blues, deep glossy blue.

Single White — Baroness Van Thuyll,
fine white, compact spike, early ; Albertine,
pure white, early ; LaGrandesse, pure
white, the best white.

A Glimpse Into One of Perth's Lovely Gardens.

The above illustration shows a lovely walk in the garden of one of The Horticulturist's readers
located in Perth. There are four of these walks in this garden, the one shown being about 115 feet in length.
This garden has been laid out since the first settlement of the town and is not unlike many old Scotch and English
gardens. It is in the very middle of the town with a narrow frontage on the street enclosed by a stone wall and
runs irregularly in the centre of the block in squares of fruit trees and vegetables. The borders of this walk as
well as the other three, are filled with roses and lilies, pcenies, ires, phlox, dahlias and many other flowers. In mid-
summer sweet peas fill in many gaps and a veritable bower of beauty is the result. Meetings of the Perth Horti-
cultural Society are sometimes held in the garden during the summer and always prove interesting.

NARCISSUS FOR THE HOUSE — IN ORDER OP
FORCING.

Single.— Chinese Sacred Lily, white, with
yellow cup ; Paper White, pure white ;
Trumpet Major, yellow perianth and trum-
pet ; Golden Spur, yellow perianth and
trumpet ; Emperor, large trumpet, yellow ;
Trumpet Princeps, sulphur-yellow perianth,
yellow trumpet ; Horsfieldi, white perianth

and yellow
trumpet ; Sir
Watkin, sul-
phur-yellow pe-
tals, large cup,
yellow tinged
with orange,
sweet scented ;
Parri Conspic-
uus, pale yel-
low petals, cup
orange - scarlet,
"weet scented ;
Bicolor Gran-
dis, white peri-
anth and yel-
low trumpet.

Double.~Van
S i o n. Double
yellow daflfo-
dil : S u 1 p h ur
Phoenix, beau-
tiful creamy-
white, sweet
scented.

Plantain and Lilac Bushes

PROF. H. L. HUTT, ONT, AGRI. COLLEGE,
GUELPH.

Is there any way to rid a lawn of plantain
other than by digging up each plant separately?
If so, what should be done ? How can lilac
sprouts, which sipring up around and some dis-
tance from lilac busihes, be eradicated? — (Miss
F. G. Phelps, Mohawk, Ont.

There is no practicable way of getting rid
of plantain in a lawn except by spudding
out each plant separately. This ir.ay re-
quire considerable patience and persever-
ance, but if persistently followed they

can in a short time be eradicated.
Suckering lilacs can only be kept in
bound by digging up the suckers as they
spread. Some varieties spread in this way
much worse than others, and where the
bushes are not specially desirable varieties,
it may be well to dig them out entirely and
plant others not so likely to spread by suck-
ering. It is difficult to give information as
to which varieties are most subject to suck-
ering, as various kinds are used for stocks
upon which the choi^ce varieties are budded.

438

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

The Best Way to Grow Violets *

WM. FINDLAY, BRAMPTON, ONT,

AFTER growing violets for ten years I
find I am learning their habits better
every year. Sand rooted cuttings are the
best, as the grower gets a young sappy
growth to start plants from. I root my
violets very slowly, taking runners from
only the best plants of both the single and
double varieties, especially the latter. Stock
should n.€ver be taken from a poor plant,
and only the strongest runners should be
selected. After the cuttings are well rooted
prick them oflf on a bench, but not so close
together that they will be crowded when
planting out time comes. My method is to
plant singles in the field in May and doubles
in the bed where they are going to stay for
the next season's crop. I have found to my
sorrow that the double violet is a very slow
root actor. This is not the case with the
singles, as it is hard to kill them.

Violets require good drainage. More
violets are spoiled by over watering than
through lack of water. Never let the plants
go to bed damp. Water only on bright
days. Keep the house at from 38 to 40 de-
grees if good color and plenty of fragrance
are desired.

A good violet should have a stem 12 to 14
inches long, with a bloom not smaller than
a half dollar. The stem should hold the
bloom upright. If a grower desires quan-
tity, not quality, the greenhouse should be
kept at 48 to 50 degrees. This will result
in plenty of nice foliage and pale blooms
with weak stems. I plant doubles 9 to 10
inches apart and singles 10 to 12 inches, ac-
cording to the size of the plants. I have
often been asked what a good cut for my
house is from February i to February 29.
This year I cut 64,775 violets, and next sea-
son I expect to have four times as many.

♦Paper read at the annual convention of the
Canadian Horticultural Association held in
Ottawa during August.

Something About 'Mums

I'^O obtain the best results with chrysan-
themums they should, according to
Mr. E. Dale, foreman of the extensive
greenhouses on the Dale Estate, of Bramp-
ton, be benched in the latter part of June.
After that they must be watered freely and
never allowed to become thoroughly dry.
Tt is also very important that the t)ing up
should be attended to, never allowing them
to lop over.

" I plant my chrysanthemums," said Mr.
Dale, to The Horticulturist recently, " six
inches apart each way, and find that at this
space two good blooms can be grown to the
plant. When the plants are in good free
growth I pinch back and afterwards leave
the two best breaks that are made. As soon
as the buds are formed I use a liberal sup-
ply of manure-water once a week. After
this I watch carefully to see that the bud-
dmg is done properly and that only one
bloom is left to each stem.

" When handled in this way, chrysanthe-
mums bloom from September 15 to Decem-
ber. The black aphis is a very troublesome
pest here and can only be kept in check by
spraying frequently with nicotine solution.
My leading varieties for commercial pur-
poses are: Glory of Pacific, Polly Rose,
and Fitzwygram for the early ; Ivory, Ivory
Rose, Henderson and Lager for the mixed
season; Vivian Morel, Nivens, Timothy
Eaton and Whilliden for the late ; and
Merry Christmas, Autumn Glory, W. H.
Charwick and Polar Queen for the very late
varieties."

Flower culture is worthy of a place in the
tnoughts of those who have the welfare of
any community at heart. A few flowers,
carefully attended, in the window, or patch
of garden, show love of the beautiful and
sweet, and are a helpful factor in the fulfill-
ment of social duties.

WINTERING OVER OLD GERANIUM PLANTS

WM. HUNTj. ONT. AGRI. COLLEGE, GUELPH.

There are several methods by which
geranium plants can be carried through the
winter successfully ; but like other matters
connected with the care of plants, much
depends on local conditions, etc., where the
plants are to be kept, and the care they
receive. The best method for those who
are without the aid of a greenhouse and
wish to preserve their old geranium plants
is to dig them up from the border before
being frozen, and then prune them back se-
verely. The plants should then be planted in
sand, in boxes about three inches deep, with
a few one-quarter inch holes bored in the
bottom for drainage. Fine sharp building
sand, or sharp rinse sand from the side of
a road, will do very well. The plants
should be planted a little deeper in the sand
than they were when in the borders, and
can be planted rather thickly in the box.
If only one or two plants are to be kept
over, they can be put singly into small pots
just large enough to crowd the roots into,
usually a three or four inch pot is large
enough when the roots are trimmed back.
Give sufficient water- to moisten well all the
sand in the boxes or pots. The boxes or
pots should then be- stood in the window
and the sand kept only moderately moist.

Avoid keeping the sand really wet all the
time. Leave the plants in the sand until
the young growth or shoots have made
three or four small leaves at the joints of
the old stems. Examine the roots then and
see if young roots have well started ; if so,
each plant should be potted singly into a
mixture of half sand and half potting soil,
in small 2^ inch or 3 inch pots
The plants will usually stand in the sand

very well until January or February, if not
given too much water before they require
potting. The plants can remain in the
small pots for a month or two, when they
can be potted into good potting soil and
placed in pots two sizes larger. I have
known large collections of geraniums kept
over successfully in the above manner.
Plants treated in this way often make bet-
ter plants than when struck from cuttings.

Another method is to put the boxes or
pots with the plants treated as before des-
cribed, in the cellar or basement at once,
instead of growing them on. The sand
must be kept much drier if this method is
adopted, as the plants must not be allowed
to start into growth until February or
March, when they can be brought up and
potted in sandy soil as before described, and
be kept in the window and grown on.

I have known old geraniums to be cut
back in the autumn and merely heeled in
sand or sandy soil in the cellar. If the
cellar is kept at a temperature of 45 or 50
degrees or even warmer, the plants treated
by the last two methods described will us-
ually succeed fairly well. The one great
point to be gained is to keep the roots and
stems alive without inducing a too rapid
growth. When once new roots are well
formed and growth commences, no matter
whether the plants are in the cellar or the
window, they must be potted on and kept
growing.

Geranium plants can often be preserved
by the above methods, even after the tops
of the growth have been badly frozen. The
plants must not be handled however, when
the frost is still in them.

If pansies are wanted for early spring, handle, plant out in a light, rich well drained

seed should be sown not later than early, soil in a shaded frame, facing the south. A

September, in a shallow box. in fairly light sash should be placed over them in very

soil; When plants are large enough to severe weather. — (Wm. Hunt, Guelph, Ont.

439

440

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

Planting Bulbs

WM. HUNT, ONT. AGRIC. COLLEGE, GUELPH.

About the second or third week in
October is usually the best time for plant-
ing bulbs out of doors, more especially
Dutch hyacinths and narcissi. Roman
hyacinths do not as a rule give good re-
sults planted out except in the warmest
sections of southern Ontario, so that I do
not advise planting Roman hyacinths out-
side. Tulips, Crocus, Scilla siberica, and
Chionodoxas are amongst the hardiest of
the bedding out bulbs, and are often planted
out with good success just as winter is set-
ting in, but usually all of the out-door
planted bulbs are better planted in October.

Dig the soil deeply where they are to be
planted, and rake it fairly fine. Hyacinths,
narcissi, and tulips should be planted so
that the top or apex of the bulb is about two
inches below the surface when the soil is
covered over them. Crocus, scilla, chion-
odoxa and snowdrops should be planted
so that they are covered with about an inch
of soil. The surface of the soil should be
patted down fairly firm with a spade after
the bulbs are planted, more especially if the
soil is of a light sandy nature.

Horse Lawn Mower

PROF. H. L. HUTT, ONT. AGRI. COLLEGE,

GUELPH.

I have been led to believe the Guelph college
has a one-horse lawn mower. If it is such as
you can recommend, please say where one
similar to yours can be purchased, and the cost.
— (J. Li. B., Kingston.

We use on the college lawn the Excelsior

horse lawn mower, made by the Chadborn

& Caldwell Manufacturing Co., Newbury,

N. Y. They make these mowers in three

sizes, namely 30, 35 and 40 inches wide,

prices $60, $67 and $75, to which, of

course, must be added freight and a duty of

35 per cent. I know of no cylinder horse

mower of the kind made in Canada, although

the Massey-Harris Co. make an excellent

An October and November Flower.

The plant growing in this novel manner as shown in the cut
above, is Cattlya Labiata, one of the species of Cattlya first intro-
duced. The flowers are very large, often six inches in diameter
and three or four flowers on a spike. Broad rose colored sepals
and petals with a rich majenta lip. make an unusually attractive
flower. It usually blooms during October and November and when
grown in the manner shown above, has a very pleasing effect.

small one-horse mower, with cutter bar, like-
the ordinary field mower. This can be o^b-
tained for less than half the price of the
American mower, and would probably an-
swer your purpose very well, although it
will not cut as close as the cylinder mower.

I have been years working on pansies to
prove that our Canadian-grown seed is
more suitable for our climatic conditions
than any imported seeds are or ever will be.
I wish you could see the difference in
quality between our home grown cabbage
seed and the imported seed. The plants
from our native seed are much the better. —
(William Spendlow, Billings Bridge, Ont.

Plant climbers where you wish them to
grow. You will find them desirable for
covering closets, old buildings, wood piles,
fences, posts and even stumps.

FLOWER AND PLANT LORE

BY the time this issue of The Horticul-
turist is in the hands of the reader,
the " Season of Brown leaves " will be close
to us ; many of our garden beauties will
have put off their summer dress, and be pre-
paring themselves for their winter sleep,
but in some favorite places may be seen the
hydrangea, rudbeckia and dahlia.

HYDRANGEA, OR CHINESE GILDER ROSE.

This flower was brought from China by
Sir Joseph Banks, and presented by him to
the Royal Gardens at Kew, 1790. The color
is green when young, but turns to a beauti-
ful rose color when in perfection. Soon
after its introduction it was observed that
some of the plants produced flowers of a
fine blue color, and it was some time before
this could be accounted for ; but Mr.
Phillips says he remembers seeing a fine
plant of this description, with beautiful blue
flowers, in a cottage on a common in Hamp-
shire where no one would have expected to
see it. The owner of the plant refused 10
guineas for it, as it was the only one that
had been seen, and the circumstances of a
poor cottager having refused so large a sum
for a plant, excited great curiosity, and

EDWARD TYRRELIv, TORONTO.

brought numbers to see it. The poor
woman, although she • did not like to
part with the plant that had been raised
by a child she had lost, sold cuttings
to those who would buy them ; but when
the cuttings blossomed they produced flow-
ers of the original rose color. After in-
vestigation it was learned that the poor
woman's plant had been reared from the
ordinary rose colored variety, but owing to
its being planted in the heathy soil of the
common mixed with a portion of turf ashes,
produced a blue flower, whilst those who ob-
tained cuttings planted them in garden soil,
which only gave the original color. Anoth-
er plant was tried with the same result when
planted in a pot of earth taken from Wim-
bledon Common. This plant was exhibited
at the London Horticultural Show.

Rudbeckia, Golden glow. — Native of this
continent, named by Linnaeus after Bishop
Rudbeck of Sweden, who was mainly in-
strumental in compiling the . Swedish Bible
of Gustavus Adolphus, 161 8 ; also in recog-
nition of his efforts in estabUshing a
Botanical Garden and introducing and
acclimatizing many northern specimens.

GERMAN ASPARAGUS CULTURE

U. S. CONSUL H. W. HARRIS, MANNHEIM, GERMANY.

THE raising of asparagus for export, as
well as for domestic use, is an industry
of considerable importance in parts of Ger-
many. It is confined chiefly to certain
localities of North Germany and parts of
Baden. In Baden much attention is given
to the industry, and the asparagus is said
to be superior in quality to that grown in
Other parts of the Empire.

The soil in which asparagus is raised in
Baden is the sandy loam common in the
upper Rhine Valley. For asparagus rais-

ing the land is first very thoroughly man-
ured and the roots are planted at intervals
of 4 to 5 feet in rows about the same dis-
tance apart. For the first three or four
years no crop is harvested ; the land is kept
clear of weeds and well cultivated, and is
fertilized with stable manure in preference
to commercial fertilizers, although these are
used to some extent. During these three
or four years the ground is kept hilled up
around the plants with a hoe, and the shoots
are cut back until a considerable bunch of

* Extract from a recent consular report.

441

442

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

strong roots forms at each hill with fibers
running in every direction, meeting those
from adjoining hills.

A fair crop can generally be harvested the
fourth year. As soon as the ground is in
condition to work in the spring the process
of hilling up the earth around each bunch
of plants begins. This is done with hoes,
and each row shows a succession of small
mounds lo to 14 inches high, with a base
a yard or more in diameter and with the
top flattened to a surface of perhaps half
this diameter.

In the first warm days in April the new
shoots begin to appear, just breaking
through the top or sides of these mounds.
A long knife is run into the soft, mellow
earth of the mounds and these shoots are
cut ofT 5 to 8 inches below the surface. The
shoots are entirely white except at the tops,
where they show a slight trace of color.
They are tender for the most part through-

Prcscrving Tomatoes Whole

44'T^HE very best variety of tomatoes is
J. the Magnus. It possesses practi-
cally all the desirable points which may be
looked for in that fruit, and produces an
abundant crop of early and smooth fruit,
with solid meat and few seeds." These views
were expressed by W. H. Armstrong, of
Cornwall, Ont., to an editorial representa-
tive of The Horticulturist, who visited him
recently. " I always preserve tomatoes,"
continued Mr. Armstrong, "in the same way
I do cucumbers. Instead of the salt brine I
use one quart of good vinegar, such as
white wine, to five quarts of water. If the
solution is made stronger than this the
tomatoes do not keep as long. With the
strength one to five they remain fresh and
solid for slicing or using in any way until
April, and are fairly good as late as June.
Great care must be taken in preparing the
tomatoes for the barrel. Alwavs break ofi*

out their lengths and are finely flavoured.
These shoots are somewhat larger than
those commonly seen in America, being
generally one-half to three-eighths of an
inch in diameter.

The shoots are generally sold in the local
market in pound bunches. For the first
few days the crop retails at 15 to 20 cents
a pound, but drops to 10 to 12 cents as the
season advances. The quantity of cuttings
taken from each hill or mound during a
season is reckoned at two to three or four
pounds.

An asparagus field is supposed to be at
its best from eight to 12 years after plant-
ing. From that time on the shoots ?re apt
to be less tender, though they may not de-
crease in size or quantity. Replanting of
the field is thought to be advisable after the
twelfth year, though many tracts in this
locality are said to have remained without
replanting from 20 to 25 or even 30 years.

at the first joint from the fruit, and never
put in one with the stem and calyx detached
or which is broken. This method has pro--
ved very satisfactory with me."

Smith and Reid's article on mulching in
the June Horticulturist was to the point, but
should we have the mulch as thick as they
say from year to year? Would not such a
thickness encourage the roots to come to the
surface to breathe, as they must have air at
their roots as well as their tops ? It is pos-
sible that they might be encouraged rather
too near the surface, and jack frost might
nip their toes. — (R. Cameron, Niagara Falls
South, Ont.

Our township produces very little fruit,
which I think is a pity, for the soil and cli-
mate is well adapted for apples, plums,
pears, strawberries, raspberries and any
hardy fruit. — (R. C. Fowler, Lennox and
Addington Co., Ont.

A CERERY GROWER'S METHODS

WM. MORRIS, RODNEY, ONT.

I BEGAN growing celery with some
3,500 plants. Of these plants 3,000
were ordered from Kalamazoo, Mich., with
the remainder from a local home grower.
The latter w^ere set out first, and although
they were extra well rooted, the Kalamazoo
plants are fast catching up to them. The
first plants were set out six inches apart,
but spread over the ground. The United
States plants were only put about two
inches apart. These latter plants grew
much straighter than the local plants. A
good plan, after the plants are in place, is
to tramp the ground down hard on each side
■of the plant and leave them for three weeks
or more, until they get well rooted. For
cultivation purposes I use a Planet Jr. five
fly plow and a garden rake. Keep a fine
silt on top to draw the moisture. Draw the
fine dry earth up to the plant, but do not
cover the heart, or the centre will grow
•down instead of up. I did not trench the

celery after the plants got nicely started. I
experimented on a portion on top of the
ground next to the plant, putting some lime
on part of a row, some wood ashes on part,
and left some ground wdth nothing on. I
cannot see much difference in the results as
yet. The plants are kept well soaked with
Bordeaux mixture for rust. Twelve inch
boards were placed against the celery on
top of what dirt I have pulled up to blanch
the plants. I use no water only to dibble
in plants. The colder the ground, the
better. The plants do not want too much
hot sun ; the shadier they are the better.
The soil best adapted for celery growing,
I find to be a sandy loam. Any ground that
will raise good potatoes will grow good
celery. Manure the ground in fall, plow in,'
and put on a top dressing of wood ashes.
Let this leach down during the winter and
spring and then plow in. This I intend do-
ing in the fall, after taking up my crop."

An Exhibit of Sweet Peas Made By Ottawa School Children.

Gr^t interest has been taken in Ottawa during the past couple of years in a school children's Sweet Pea competition which
has been conducted as the result of the generosity and through the active efforts of Mr. R. B. Whyte. Several hundred children
started in the competition this year, there being considerably over too entries in the exhibition which was held a few weeks ago.
Great good is being accomplished by this line of work which will be continued next year.

443

444

EDITORIAL.

jqe (anddian plorticOiItdrist

The Leading Horticultural Magazine in the
Dominion.

1. The Canadian Horticulturist is published the first of
each month.

2. Subscriptfon Price Si.oo per year, strictly in advance,
entitling the subscriber to membership in the Fruit Growers'
Association of Ontario and all its privileges, including a copy of its
report and a share of its annual distribution of plants and tree-i.
For all countries except Canada, United States and Great Britain
add 50C for postage.

3. Remittances should be made by Post Office or Money
Express Order, or Registered Letter. Postage Stamps accepted for
amounts less than $1.00. Receipts will be acknowledged on the
address label, which shows the date to which subscription is paid.

4. Discontinuances — Responsible subscribers will continue
to receive The Horticulturist until the publishers are notified by
letter to discontinue, when all arrearages must be paid. Societies
should send in their revised lists in January: otherwise it will be
taken for granted all will continue members.

5. Cliange o£ Address — When a change of address is or-
dered, both the old and the new addresses must be given.

6. Advertising Rates quoted on application. Circulatien
5,500. Copy receiped up to the 24th. Responsible representatives
wanted in towns and cities.

7. Articles and Illustrations for publication will be
thankfully received by the editor.

8« All Communications should be addressed :

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST,

TORONTO, CANADA

AN ENCOURAGING VICTORY.

The action of the railway companies in volun-
tarily making material reductions in their
charges for handling fruit is a victory for the
fruit growers. The fact that the compaijiies
have not waited for the decision of the railway
commission but have lowered the rates of their
own volition shows a willingness to make con-
cessions on their part and demonstrates the
strength of the case presented by the fruit
growers.

The principal witnesses for the fruit interests,
Messrs. W. H. Bunting, E. D. Smith, M. P., W.
H. Dawson and ex-Mayor Graham, are to be
cipal witnesses for the fruit interests, are to be
congratulated on the success of their efforts.
The reductions that have been made in rates
will infuse new life into the growers and pave
the way towards securing the further improve-
ments still required. The benefits of organ-
ized effort on the part of the growers and of
having a railway commission are now apparent.

ENFORCING THE SAN JOSE SCALE ACT.

'Several cases of great interest to fruit grow-
ers were tried during September before Police
Magistrate Comfort, of St. Catharines. The
cases were brought by San Jose scale Inspector
Beatty, who charged several parties with ne-
glecting to destroy or properly treat fruit trees
on their premises infected with the scale.

After hearing considerable evidence the
magistrate decided not to punish the defend-
ants in view of the fact that these were among
the first cases which had come before him, and
he was pretty well convinced that the delin-
quents had acted as they did through ignorance.
The announcement was made, however, and it
was a welcome and important one, that as the
scale is widespread and there seems no way of
stopping its progress a more severe view will
be taken of such cases in future and fines will
be imposed where there are convictions. The
minimum fine is twenty dollars.

Infested orchards that are not cut down or
properly sprayed are an injury to the whole
neighborhood. The imposition of a, few fines
may convince some growers of the benefits of
spraying who have not yet learned this lesson
through injury to their trees.

A CHANCE FOR THE SOCIETIES.

The various horticultural societies of the pro-
vince should not fail to appoint as many^ele-
gates as possible to attend the horticultural
meetings which will be held at the time of the
Provincial Fruit, Flower and Honey Show in
November. Two matters of great importance
to all horticultural societies will have to be con-
sidered. One is the advisability of forming a
provincial horticultural association, and the
other the need for a change in the act granting
aid to horticultural societies.

There is no doubt that there is room for a
good, live horticultural association. The fruit
growers, bee keepers, dairymen and poultry fan-
ciers all have provincial associations ; why
should not members of horticultural societies
be equally well organized ? Were such an
association to do nothing more than succeed in
evolving some method by which copies of the
best papers presented at society meetings can
be circulated to the advantage of other societies
it will have shown good cause for its existence.
Greater enthusiasm in horticultural matters is
needed. This enthusiasm can be materially
promoted by means of a central organization.

In the Agricultural and Arts Act horticultural
societies are classed with agricultural societies.
Every horticultural society that is established
means a reduction in the government grant to
the agricultural society or societies of the dis-
trict. This often works to the disadvantage
of both. It seems as if the time has come when
horticultural societies are of sufficient import-
ance to warrant their separation in the act from
agricultural societies and their being placed on
a footing of their own. It will be well for the
delegates who attend the convention in Novem-
ber to consider this matter carefully. The ap-
pointment of a committee to lay the matter be-
fore the Minister of Agriculture may be in or-
der. Members of societies should think this
whole question over very carefully and be pre-
pared to act, through their delegates, at the
meeting in November. See that your society,
if it has not already done so, aI)polnts delegates.

EDITORIAL.

445

The announcement that Mr. H. H. Groff, of
Simcoe, is to give an address at the convention
of horticultural delegates at the Provincial
Fruit, Flower and Honey Show in November,
will be a most welcome one to all who expect
to attend. In addition to being the president
of the Simcoe Horticultural Society, Mr. Groff
is undoubtedly the most noted originator of
gladioli on the continent. His remarkable suc-
cess in this line of work should be a matter of
pride to all true Canadians, and his presence
at the convention will undoubtedly add greatly
to its success. As will be seen by the program,
published in this issue, there will be a number
of other well known speakers at the convention.
The gatherings should prove interesting, in-
structive and successful.

Fruit growers and florists all through the
province unite in extending their heartfelt sym-
pathy to Mr. T. H. Race, of Mitchell, in the re-
cent death of his wife. As a director of the
Fruit Growers' Association and a speaker at
horticultural society meetings Mr. Race has be-
come widely known throughout Ontario. The
interesting letters from Mr. Race, while at the
St. Louis Exposition, which have appeared re-
cently in The Horticulturist, have been greatly
enjoyed by many, who will hear with deep re-
gret of his heavy bereavement.

-Several hundred notices have been sent out
during the past two weeks to readers of The
Horticulturist, and more will be mailed shortly,
informing them that their subscriptions have ex-
pired. Owing to several changes made in the
business management of the magazine since the
first of the year mistakes may have crept into
the mailing lists. We trust such subscribers
as may be wrongly billed will be lenient in re-
gard to the error and drop a few lines to the
office to set things- right. The subscription
lists p.re now being placed on a basis that will
practically prevent such mistakes in the future.

It has been pretty generally understood for
some time that the lime-sulphur wash is an
effective remedy for the San Jose scale. The
definite announcement by Prof. R. Harcourt, in
this issue, that the lime-sulphur wash, when
properly applied, will control the scale, is never-
theless most important, as it is authoritive and
should remove any remaining doubts on that
score. The results of the experimental work
yet to be completed will be watched with keen
interest by fruit growers.

It is practically impossible to publish a suc-
cessful magazine without advertisements. To
encourage readers of The Horticulturist to pat-
ronize our advertisers a handsome calendar for
1905 will be given to all readers who purchase
goods to the value of one dollar or more from
advertisers. This includes growers who make
consignments to buyers advertising in The
Horticulturist. The Only condition attached to
this offer is tiiat readers must inform adver-
tisers that they saw their advertisement in The
Horticulturist.

The very best peaches and grapes the busi-
ness staff of The Canadian Horticulturist has
tested this year were received from Mr. Robert
Thompson, of St. Catharines. They were Moun-
tain Rose and St. John peaches and Champion
grapes, and were most luscious as well as the
only ones (of all those we presume have been
sent), which have yet reached the office.

Great damage was caused in many orchards
last winter by mice owing to neglect in the fall,
to properly protect the trees. The serious loss
sustained by many growers should be a warning
to others to see this work is properly attended
to this season. Some good articles on the sub-
ject appear in this issue.

The annual reports for 1903 of the Ontario
Fruit Growers' Association and of the Fruit Ex-
periment Stations are being distributed. Fruit
growers who do not receive copies in the near
future should write to the Ontario Department
of Agriculture as the reports are valuable and
should not be missed.

Rules for the Fruit Exhibit.

The following arrangements have been made
for exhibits of fruit at the Provincial Fruit,
Flower and Honey Show in November :

Special prizes of $25 and $15 will be awarded
to the agricultural or horticultural society or
fruit growers' association exhibiting the best
general collection of fruit, the same to be placed
on the tables by a member or members of the
exhibiting association. When desired exhibits
will be placed by an official of the show. Entry
fees in all classes are as follows: Single en-
tries up to four, 25 cents each; five entries, $1;
all additional entries, 10 cents each. Entries
close November 5.

Transportation charges to Toronto on all ex-
hibits will be paid by the Ontario Fruit Grow-
ers' Association. _ It is provided, however, that
all prize winning packages shall become the
property of the association. All packages for-
warded prior to the time of the exhibition shall
be addressed to Toronto Cold Storage Co., care
of P. W. Hodgetts. Such packages will be
held in cold storage free of charge till required.

Bulb Culture Described. — The Ottawa Horti-
cultural Society during September issued an ex-
tremely handsomelv gotten up and valuable
bulletin entitled " Bulb Culture for the Ama-
teur." The bulletin, which was compiled joint-
ly by Mr. W. T. Macoun, horticulturist of the
Central Experimental Farm, and Mr. R. B.
Whyte. of Ottawa, was distributed to all the
members of the society. It gives complete yet
simple directions in regard to the fall planting
of bulbs both for garden and indoor cultiva-
tion, with lists pnd descriptions of the best
varieties. Societies may secure copies at low
cost by writing the secretary, Mr. J. F. Watson.
ott-?^^-^. The Ottawa society deserves credit
for its enterprise.

RAILWAYS HAVE LOWERED THEIR RATES

Some material reductions have recently been
voluntarily made by the railway companies in
their transportation rates on fruit. The new
* rates will be of decided value to fruit growers,
although it is generally felt other important
changes are needed. The changes have been
made as a direct result of the evidence given
recently before the Railway Commission by re-
presentatives of the fruit interests.

The following statement has been given The
Horticulturist by Mr. W. H. Bunting, president
of the Ontario Fruit Growers' Association. "After
some correspondence with the railway commis-
sioners and with the railway companies, the lat-
ter have voluntarily ceded a material reduction
in the rate on mixed car loads of fruit from the
principal shipping districts to the larger cen-
tres of distribution, such as Toronto,- Ottawa,
Montreal, Quebec and Winnipeg. They have
also made a special rate on half car lots, or
10,000 pounds or over. These concessions are
equal to about $10 per car to Ottawa and Mont-
real on full car lots, and about $36 per car lot
to the northwest. In addition the flat rate for
icing cars destined for Manitoba has been abol-
ished, and hereafter shippers will be charged
for only the actual amount of ice supplied.
Apples, whether in boxes or barrels, will be car-
ried at the same rate, and it is expected that
pears in boxes or barrels will be in the same
class as apples in future. These concessions,
while by no means all that the committee repre-
senting the fruit industry aslced for and con-
sidered reasonable, are, however, a measure of
relief to a very serious situation, and will no
doubt be received as an earnest of the desire of

the railroad companies to meet the wishes of
the fruit men as far as seems to them practi-
cable.

With the view of ascertaining what other
leading fruit men think of the new rates The
Horticulturist has secured the opinions on the
subject of Messrs. E. D. Smith, M. P., and H.
W. Dawson, both of whom gave strong evidence
before the Railway Commission.

REDUCTION TOO LIMITED.

Writing to The Horticulturist, Mr. E. D.
Smith, M. P., of Winona, gives his views as fol-
lows : ^

" I don't think anything of what has been ac-
complished. The reduction on fruit rates to
four principal cities only is more in the inter-
ests of the commission houses in those four
places than the fruit growers and shippers who
are shipping very largely to all the towns and
cities in Ontario, Quebec and the Northwest.
The reduction is too limited to be of general
benefit to the majority of fruit shippers."
BETTER SERVICE WANTED.

The Dawson Commission Co., of Toronto,
has written The Horticulturist as follows :

" The railways have done no more than they
should do in regard to the reduction on rates
and shipping charges, but we are satisfied that
after a little time the Railway Commission will
be able to adjust rates and charges so as to be
advantageous. What we should irnpress upon
the railway compenies and the Railway Com-
mission is the need for better service than they
are giving us. While there is some little im-
provement this year, it is a long way from be-
ing what it ought to be.

RESULTS OF THE TRIAL SHIPMENTS TO IRELAND

The following letters have been received by
Mr. W. T. Macoun, horticulturist of the Central
Experimental Farm, Ottawa, in regard to the
two trial shipments of apples he recently made
to Belfast, Ireland.

THE FIRST SHIPMENT.
I have received the 100 boxes of Duchess
apples this week, and the quality of the apples
is rather disappointing, as it is not good
enough for eating, and for cooking buyers pre-
fer our own Irish apples, which are an excep-
tionally good crop this year and very cheap.
Had they been a nice good keeping eating apple
and a good color I could have sold them, T
think,- very well. They are certainly very well
put up, and the packing is very good; in fact,
one of the largest buyers told me he would take
the whole of the apples if they had been suit-
able, but he would not take a box when he saw
them. He said he was quite prepared to pay
me 4d. for as many of the empty boxes as I
could get him, but the apples to him were use-
less, as they would not suit his customers at all.
What he wants is a nice dessert apple; we have
plenty of the cooking grades here. There was
only one buyer that would make me an offer at
all, and the best he would make me was 2s. per
box, ex quay. (Signed) HUGH GORDON.

THE SECOND SHIPMENT.

The second consignment of apples have ar-
rived, and as requested I have examined the
boxes and notice the way you have them packed.
They are certainly very well put up, but some
of the largest fruit merchants here state that
they are the wrong kind of apples you are ship-
ping, as they will keep no time, and would have
to be disposed of immediately they arrive, and
as there is considerable risk to the buyer he
will not be willing to give a very big price for
them. The Pointed Pipka apples are very well
put up indeed, and they have arrived here in
splendid condition, but I will not be able to get
a very big price for them as the Irish apples
are so plentiful and are being sold at very low
prices. One of the largest fruit merchants in
Belfast informed me that if you could get him
any barrels of Alexander apples he would have
a ready sale for them, in fact, he said that the
demand was entirely on barreled apples, as the
boxes were difficult to place, as there is so very
little bulk, and of course the prices must be
higher in consequence of the expense of packing.
(Signed) HUGH GORDON.

P. S. — ^Have only been able to get 3s. 6d. for
Pipkas and 2s. for Duchess, ex quay, Belfast.

446

PRICES BEING PAID FOR APPLES

Careful inquiries have been made by The
Horticulturist during the past few weeks to
ascertain the size and condition of this year's
apple crop and the prices growers, more par-
ticularly those in Ontario, should realize for
their apples. The total crop this year is some-
what smaller than last season, both in this
country and in the United States. In Great
Britain there is a fairly large crop, which will
not materially affect the demand for high-class
Canadian fruit. There is no reason apparent
why prices of apples this year should not reach
the average figufe of 75 cents to $1 per barrel on
the trees.

In the United States orchardists generally
are more sanguine regarding market prospects
than dealers. Buyers are reporting large
crops, but as growers do not .seem inclined to
accept these estimates, comparatively few pur-
chases have been made to date for delivery of
winter apples. In New England buyers and
sellers are wide apart. I>ealers have been of-
fering an average of $1 per barrel, while farm-
ers are holding for $1.50 to $2. Throughout
New York buyers are talking $1 and $1.50, while
growers refuse to listen to anything less than
$1.50 to $2. The same condition generally
exists throughout Pennsylvania and Ohio.

In Ontario there appears to be almost a com-
bination between brokers and buyers to depress
the price in the interest of the dealers. As the
quality of the crop is fairly good, in spite of
much poor fruit in some sections, there is no
strong reason why the average price should not
reach 75 cents to $1 per barrel on the trees for
No. 1 and good No. 2 apples.

The fruit division at Ottawa reports to The
Horticulturist that as a result of inquiries it
finds 75 cents is being offered in the best apple
districts for winter stock. In some sections of
Ontario where the fruit generally has not been
sprayed, and only "a small proportion of which
grades No. 1, growers are finding it difficult to
make sales as buyers refuse to take their crops
at any price.

Special reports received by The Horticultur-

ist from various sections of the province are
here given :

In Ontario county Elmer Lick reports all
kinds of prices are being paid, ranging from 50
cents to $1 per barrel picked off the trees.
Sales have been made at these prices. The
average by the barrel will probably be between
50 and 75 cents for the fruit on the trees. The
quality of the fruit was never better. In this
same county Mr. George Toole, of Brock Road,
reports 50 cents has been paid for fall apples
and Greenings on the tree, while winter varie-
ties are bringing 75 cents on the tree, the
grower to board the pickers and pay the team-
ing to the railway stations. Some few sales
have been made at this figure.

In the northern part of Huron county, accord-
ing to Mr. A. E. iSherrington, of Walkerville,
there have been but few buyers up to date. For
fall apples 60 cents per barrel has been offered,
with no quotations as yet for winter apples.

Buyers in the vicinity of Warnoch are offer-
ing 75 cents per barrel for fall and winter ap-
ples. In this district Mr. George Fothergill
reports he does not believe that there will be
more than one-half as many winter apples as
last year. Offers of -50 cents to 75 cents per
barrel for winter apples are being made in Perth
county. One grower, Mr. Joseph Chantler,
states that winter apples are scarce, he having
been offered as high as $1.50 per barrel for good
Spys by a neighbor. Few buyers have put in
an appearance in this vicinity.

Near Barrie, in Simcoe county, one buyer
generally takes most of the crops at about $1
per barrel. A second buyer in this district,
who purchases crops in sugar barrels with
open heads, recently offered Mr. George Otta-
way $1 per barrel for large sugar barrels, and
sales are being made at that price. The crop
of winter apples will be less than 70 per cent,
of last year's crop, and growers seem to think
that they should realize better prices than are
being offered. A report from Mr. Herbert
Stratton, of Durham county, shows buyers are
offering 75 cents per barrel.

EUROPEAN APPLE CROP AND PRICES

The following special reports have been re-
ceived by The Horticulturist from leading Brit-
ish apple importers and commission dealers:

The -autumn and winter crop is a heavy one
in most of the English apple growing districts,
the crop of Blenheim Orange Pippin being the
heaviest for many years. Not being gathered
in, we cannot say how the winds may affect
them. At present they are growing fast and
are showing fine quality. — (George R. Smith &
Co., Manchester, England.

There is an extra heavy crop of English and
continental fruit. English growers are offering
finest large samples of fruit, selected at $5 to
$6 per ton, and are quite prepared to con-
tract forward of this price for the next three
months. We therefore do not expect that your
early Greenings, and such like varieties, will
command high prices. — (Clark & Sinclair, Dun-
dee, Scotland.

The apple crop in this country, as well as on
the continent, is an exceptionally good one, both
as to quantity and quality, and, while it must
to some extent prejudice early importations
from your side of the Atlantic, it can hardly in-
fluence much the later arrivals or winter varie-
ties reaching us by the end of October. Indi-
cations from some Canadian shippers point to
anticipations of prices equal to those of last sea-
son, and although it is quite possible that for
best varieties we may realize as high prices as
were obtained last season, it will be better,
nevertheless, to reckon upon general averages
of from 10s. to 14s. per barrel, and for choice
varieties 12s. to 16s. or 18s. for arrivals to end
of December. It must be borne in mind, how-
ever, that these prices can only be taken as ap-
plying to best fruit packed by men well up to
the requirements of tight packing, grading and
selecting. Common or badly packed sorts will

You will receive The Horticulturist 15 months for a Dollar by subscribing now. It is worth it.

448

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

lose money, since fruit of that class will not be
wanted. It cannot be too strongly impressed
upon intending shippers that fruit packed by
bad or inexperienced packers is at all times un-
satisfactory, but more especially so in seasons
when apples are not actually in short supply,
as will be the case this season. — (J. B. Thomas,
Covent Garden Market, London, Eng.

Prices will rule much lower than they have

done for the last two or three years, but Cana-
dian apples have obtained a firm footing in all
our English markets. Previously to 1895 very
few Canadian or American apples were sold in
London, but dealers are now alive to the fact
that Canadians honestly meet their require-
ments better than English. — (Garcia, Jacobs &
Co., London, Eng.

ONTARIO'S APPLE CROP

A pretty good idea of this year's apple crop,
both fall and winter, may be gained by the fol-
lowing reports received by The Horticulturist
• from growers in the counties mentioned. It
will be seen that the statements made by buy-
ers, that the apple crop this year is a very large
one, are hardly borne out :

YORK COUNTY.

Fall apples are about equal to last year's crop
except in size, not being as large. Late varie-
ties will improve. Winter apples are of good
quality, but only about half a crop. — (Joe Arm-
strong.

Apples have not colored up yet, being about
two weeks' late. Snows and Colverts are on
the small side. — (A. H. Crosby.

There will be a full crop of early apples.
Alexanders will be light, Fameuse and St. Law-
rence a medium crop, with Colverts a full
yield. Winter apples are a good crop, except-
ing Spy, Ben Davis and Pewaukee. — (J. D.
Evans.

ONTARIO COUNTY.

Apples are generally of a fair quality, there
not being much fungus. The crop is 60 to 75
per- cent, of last year. — (George Toole.

The amount of apples for export will be about
90 per cent, of last year. Fruit, although
smaller in size, is very clean and will average
up well. Baldwins and Fameuse are particu-
larly heavy. — (R. L. Huggard.

The early apple crop was heavy.. Late apples
are not so heavy as last year, although the
quality perhaps is better. — (P. Christie.

Apples only about three-quarters of last year,
except fall and early varieties, but of excellent
quality. — (Thomas Conant.

Our section will yield about one-half last
year's crop. — (E. Lick.

VICTORIA COUNTY.

Fall apples are plentiful, but winter apples
are a light crop. — (Geo. Smith.

Summer and autumn varieties generally are
of rather better quality than usual and a full
crop. Many of the staple winter apples, such
as .Spy, Ontario, Russet, etc., are almost a total
failure. Other varieties promise well. — (Thos.
Beall.

Apples about 40 per cent, of a crop. Quality
equal or better on the whole than last year. —
(William Robson.

DURHAM COUNTY.

Apple crop is about 80 per cent, of last year's;
quality better. — (Henry Edson.

Fall at)ple crop a full one. Winter apples
only half of last year's crop. — (Herbert Strat-
ton.

Early apples a full crop. Apples on the
whole not likely to be more than quarter of last
year's crop. Quality fair, size smaller than
usual. — (E. Mitchell.

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.

About half the crop of last year. Apples gen-
erally clean. — (J. Weatherson.

Crop about 75 per cent, of last year. Quality
as good or better. — (H. J. Scripture.

Crop not two-thirds of last year. Quality not
of the best. — (Hugh Ross.

HASTINGS COUNTY.

Apples will be rather poor in quality and not
a large crop. — (P. D. Aitkens.

Very light crop of winter apples all along the
front of the Bay of Quinte, there not being over
a third of a crop. Farther inland crop is about
up to the average. — (F. S. Walbridge.

The average of all varieties of winter apples
will be about 50 per cent, of a full crop.
Quality good. Fairly good crop of most varie-
ties of fall apples. — (W. C. Reid.
SIMCOE COUNTY.

Winter apples light in all orchards. — (J.
Chantler.

Apples a light crop, hardly 50 per cent, of
last year. — (Geo. Ottaway.

Early apples an average crop; later varieties
not as large a crop as last year. — (S. Robinson.
GREY COUNTY.

We will have a full crop, but over half will be
fall apples. Wind storms are reducing the
quantity of winter apples. — (J. W. Graham.
BRUCE COUNTY.

Apples about three-quarters of a crop, but
better in quality than last year. — (Alex. Shaw.
WENTWORTH COUNTY.

Apples about 85 per cent, of a full crop, and
of better quality than last year. — (J. Fred.
Smith.

Apple crop about one-half of last year, the
fruit being small but of good quality. — (L. Back.
LINCOLN COUNTY.

Apples not 50 per cent, of last year, but
quality better.— (W. D. Culp.

Winter apples a good crop, free from scab and
few worms. — (E. G. Stewart.

We have the largest crop of apples, fall and
winter, we have grown for a number of years,
of good size and almost perfectly clean. — (S. E.
Secord.

LAMBTON COUNTY.

Winter apples will be about two-thirds less
than last year, but quality much better. — (E. S.
Richter.

Apples not such a large crop as last year, but
quality better.— (F. Chalk.

CANADA'S GREATEST FRUIT AND FLOWER SHOW

The Provincial Fruit, Flower and Honey
Show, which will be held in the Church street
rinks, Toronto, November 15-19, will undoubt-
edly b« by far the largest of the kind that has
ever been held in Canada. This was indicated
by reports presented at a meeting of the general
committee in charge of the show held Septem-
ber 22. Flower growers reported that there are
thousands of chrysanthemums as well as other
flowers being grown, in the vicinity of Toronto
alone, for exhibition at the show, in addition to
which entries have already been made from
outside points, including such centers as Chi-
cago. As the date of the show will be most
favorable for the fruit men (all previous exhi-
bitions having been held at too early a date in
the season), the fruit exhibits will be the largest
that have ever been made in Canada.

Those present at the meeting included the
president, Mr. R. J. Score, Messrs. J. McP. Ross,
"W. G. Rook and Edward Tyrrell, of the Toronto
Horticultural Society; A. McNeill, of Ottawa,
Chief of the Fruit Division ; G. A. Putnam,
Supt. of Farmers' Institutes, Toronto; P. W.
Hodgetts, Toronto, secretary Ontario Fruit
Growers' Association ; T. Manton, "W. H. Foord
and E. F. Collins, of the Toronto Gardeners' and
Florists' Association; H. R. Franklind and Ber-
nard iSaunders, of the Toronto Electoral District
Society, and Sec. H. B. Cowan, representing the
Department of Agriculture.

A brief statement was given by Mr. Cowan,
outlining the arrangements that have been made
for the exhibition. It was announced that the
prize lists for the fruit, flower and honey sec-
tions have been in circulation for several weeks
and that from replies already received indica-
tions are that the number of exhibits will be
very large. The experiment stations through-
out the province are arranging to make large
exhibits of both Natural and preserved fruit.
As these stations are scattered throughout On-
tario, the exhibits made by them will be very
representative of the fruit capabilities of the
different portions of the province. The Do-
minion fruit division at Ottawa purposes mak-
ing an exhibit of fruit from the different provin-
ces and will also demonstrate the grading and
packing of fruit for local and foreign shipments.
It is expected these demonstrations will be one
of the best features of the show. Under the
direction of Mr. G. A. Putnam, superintendent
of Farmers' Institutes, several ladies of the
farmers' institute staff will give demonstrations
in the cooking and preparation of fruit.

Prizes have been offered agricultural and
horticultural societies for the best collective ex-
hibits of fruit made at fall exhibitions and
brought to the big show. Already a number of
societies have signified their intention of for-
warding large exhibits. These exhibits will be
kept in cold storage in Toronto until the time
of the show in November, at no expense to the
exhibitors. One of the best features of the
show will be the exhibits of spraying machines,
cultivators, apple boxes and other appliances
utilized by fruit grower?. American firms will
te allowed to make exhibits under bond.

Representatives of the Bee Keepers' associa-
tions have visited the rink and selected their
space and purpose making a very large exhibit.
Mention was made of the meetings which will
be held at the time of the show, including the
annual meetings of the Ontario Fruit Growers'
Association and the Ontario Bee Keepers' As-
sociations, representatives of horticultural so-
cieties, a gathering of farmers' institute work-
ers, etc. A mass meeting will be held Tues-
day evening in the Y. M. C. A. hall.

Readers of The
H. rticul.urist have fre-
quently heard of Mr.
T. Manton, of Eglin-
ton and ToronJo, whose
reputation as a florist is
well-known throughout
Canada. His first ex-
perience in gardening in
Canada was gained 's
gardener for Hon. R. R.
U.bell at Quebec 28
years ago, with whom he
was connected for one
year, later acting in the
same capacity for two
years for Hen Geo.
Brown at Bow Park,
Brantford, and for four
years for the Hon. John
MacDonald in Toronto.
About 1898 Mr. Manton,
in parinership with his
brother, Geo. D. Manton, started in business for himself in Toronto,
his first location being near Reservoir Park. Fiv- years later the
business was removed to Eglinton at which point it has since been
conducted. With his brother, Mr. Manton looks after .some 12,000
feet of glass, ;<s well as a considerable collection ofhardy Perennia's,
shrubs, climbers etc. At the time of the Chicago World's Fa r,
Mr. Manton acted as the superintendent of the floral exhibits for
two months. Among the offices he has held are the Presidency of
the Toronto Gardeners' and Florists' A.ssoc ation, the Canadian
Horticultural A.^isociation and Toronto Horticultural Society, which
societies he has represented for many years at the Industrial Exhi-
bition Associati n. At present, Mr. Manton is the Vice-President
of the Torcnto Electoral District Society and a valued member of
the general ^md printing committee of the fruit, flower and honey
show to be held in Toronto in November.

It was decided at the meeting that members
of horticultural societies,' the Fruit Growers'
Association, etc., will be sold members' tickets
at 50 cents each, which will entitle them to ad-
mission at all times during the week.

Wednesday will be made " apple day," when
all attending the show will be given an apple
free. Friday will be " carnation day," when
all at the show will be given a carnation free.

T. Manton.

Located at Manchester. — In the September
Horticulturist a statement from Craze & Good-
win was published concerning fruit prospects
in the British Isles. The firm's offlce was
given as London; it should have been Man-
chester.

Nova Scotia Apple Crop. — Allow me to cor-
rect an error that has gone abroad concerning
the quality of the apple crop in Nova Scotia.
\^^e are credited this year with a great deal of
scab. While in some parts of King's county
considerable fungus is present, it is chiefly con-
fined to the early varieties, such as Graven-
steins, but the whole western end of the An-
napolis valley is producing fruit of exception-
ally fine quality. — (R. J. Messenger, Bridge-
town, N. S.

44')

WHAT THE HORTICULTURISTS WILL'^DISCUSS

The following extremely interesting program
has been prepared for the meetings of the dele-
gates of the horticultural societies that will be
held at the time of the Provincial Fruit, Flower
and Honey Show, in Toronto, in November.
Owing to there not being suitable accommoda-
tion in the Granite rinks. Church street, where
the show will be held, the meetings will take
place in the members' committee rooms at the
Parliament buildings, which are within a few
minutes' walk from the rink :

Tuesday afternoon, November 15, 2.30. — Chair-
man, Edward Tyrrell, president Toronto Horti-
cultural iSociety.

The planting of the home and school grounds.
Prof. H. L. Hutt, O. a! C, Guelph, Ont.

How can we best interest our young people in
floral and horticultural matters ? Mr. A. K.
Croodwin, Cayuga, Ont.

Horticultural societies ; what they are doing.
Addresses on this subject will be given by re-
presentatives of the different horticultural so-
•cieties present at the meeting.

Wednesday, November 16, 10.30 a. m.

The Agricultural and Arts Act; how it affects
horticultural societies. Supt. H. B. Cowan,
Toronto.

Discussion — ^Shall we form a Provincial Hor-
ticultural Association ? General business.

Best annuals and perennials for cut flowers.
R. Cameron, Niagara Falls South, Ont.

"Wednesday afternoon, November 16, 2.30 p.m.
Chairman, Hon. John Dryden.

Hardy vines for the house and garden. W. T.
Macoun, Horticulturist C. E. F., Ottawa.

Plant improvement by Hybridization. H. H.
Groff, iSimcoe, Ont.

The care of window plants. Wm. Hunt, O. A.
C, Guelph, Ont.

The relation of birds to horticulture. C. W.
Nash, Toronto, Ont.

Wednesday evening, November 16, 8 p. m.

What may be grown in a small garden during
one season. R. B. Whyte, Ottawa, Ont.

Border flowers. J. C. MoCulloch, Hamilton,
Ont. ; illustrated by stereoptican views.

Kingston's Fine Exhibition

For the first time in several years the King-
■ston Horticultural Society, in September, held
a show separate from that of the agricultural
•society. The weather was very unfavorable
both days, but the exhibit outclassed anything
of the kind ever held in Kingston.

The Secretary-Treas-
urer of the Kingston
Horticuhural Society , Mr.
Leman A. Guild, is a
graduate of the Brock-
ville Collegiate Instituite,
Athens Model School and
the Brockvil e Business
College. After teaching
school for a time he went
to work on the daily
British Whig. His ex-
perience as reporter, city
editor, and advertising
solicitor, preceded his ap-
pointment last April as
business and advertising
manager. H e is 26 years
of age Last March Mr.
Gui d became Sec.-Treas.
of the Kingston Horticul-
tural Society and has
brought the membership
up considerably over i6o
within five months. He finds plenty of hard work attached to the
•office of secretary-treasurer during a show, especially one like the
-one described in this issue, where the entries in three departments,
ilowers, fruit and vegetables, were all equally large. The unbound-
ed success of the late show was ample compensation to Mr. Guild
lor the hard work put forth.

The society offered prizes amounting to
•$427.50, distributed as follows: Plants and
flowers, $107.50; fruit, $140; vegetables, $120 ;
amateur flowers, $50. Special prizes of $5 each
■were given by citizens for the best collection of
apples, fruit and grapes, respectively. The
president of the society, Lieut.-Col. Kent, do-
nated a special prize of $3 for best collection of
potted plants, and another of $2 for best collec-
tion of cut flowers.

Leman A. Guild.

There is every prospect for a splendid show
next year. This year's exhibition may be re-
garded as very much of an experimental one.
Great interest and enthusiasm has been aroused,
and the amateurs especially are planning for
larger and better things next season.

Did St. Catharines Beat Ottawa?

One of the most attractive organizations in
St. Catharines is the horticultural society of
that place. This was strongly evidenced by~
the late flower show and exhibition given by
that society, with results that far surpassed the
ideals of any of those interested in its success.
A high compliment was given by Mr. W. T. Ma-
coun, of Ottawa, who said the show was the
finest he had ever attended.

The school children's exhibits were a most
important feature of "the show. Aster seeds
had been previously distributed to the children
of ten different schools. There were awarded
to the best four collections of 24 blooms each,
three colors in a collection, shown by the indi-
vidual schools, prizes of 15, 12, 9 and 6 canna
bulbs for planting in the grounds of the suc-
cessful schools. Prizes were also awarded for
the best individual bunch of four blooms by any
scholar from the seed distributed in school by
the society. The exhibits from the children
were all very fine. The principals of the schools
were given the task of arranging and placing
the exhibits on the tables, which was most
pleasingly done.

The great beauty and effectiveness of the dis-
plays were added to by Mr. Roderick Cameron,
who brought some beautiful blooms for center
pieces, which were purely decorative, not enter-
ing for competition. One of the objects of much
interest was a black hollyhock displayed by Miss
Douglas. — (S. Richardson, Jr., Secretaiy.

One Dollar will pay for a New Subscription for The Horticulturist until January, 1905.

Why not subscribe?

ECHOES FROM SOCIETY MEETINGS.

451

Good Exhibit at Preston

The occasion of the 17th annual exhibit of the
Preston Horticultural Society, in early Septem-
ber, was a great success. .The display of
plants, cut flowers, fruit and vegetables was a
very fine one. At the end of the building was
stationed the Preston band, which rendered
choice musical selections both evenings.

One or two exhibits might, perhaps, be
picked out for special notice, including a collec-
tion of about 75 coleus plants grown by the
school children of Preston. Very creditable
plants were in this exhibit. Another excellent
exhibit included 100 different varieties of out-
door cut flowers, shown by T. Hobden, gardener
to G. Pattison, Esq., president of the society.
This was really a superb collection, the out-
door grown roses in the collection being very
fine for the late season of the year. The awards
were made by Mr. W. Hunt, of the O. A. Col-
lege, on the plants and flowers, and by Mr.
Lane, of Gait, on the fruit and vegetable display.

A successful exhibition and flower show was
held by the Elora Horticultural Society early in
September, being an annual affair. In August
it was voted to hire rigs to convey plants and
flowers to and from the building in safety free
of charge to the exhibitors. This was a most
welcome innovation to those sending specimens
to the show. The society has been doing very
good work all season, and interest in the work
is increasing. — (J. W. Love, Sec'y Elora Hort'l
Society.

London Florists Outdid Themselves

The flower show held by the London Horticul-
tural Society the last of August (too late to be
reported in the September Horticulturist), was
the most successful ever held by that society.
Over 50 exhibitors showed 1,000 jars and bot-
tles of cut flowers, exclusive of the specimens
shown by J. Gammage & Sons and Messrs.
Darch and Hunter. The president of the so-
ciety, Mr. C. J. Fox, had a fine exhibit, consist-
ing of over 200 blooms, with some 29 varieties.
The display perhaps attracting the most notice
was that of W. H. Groff, of Simcoe, and his
wonderful gladiolii, with Mr. John A. Campbell
a close second. Some change was made this
year in the arrangement of the flowers, they be-
ing placed according to their varieties,
thus sweet peas, verbenas, dahlias, stocks, etc.,
were all in a class by themselves. This arrange-
ment seemed to be more pleasing in every way
and resulted in the exhibits being more taste-
fully and pleasantly arranged.

Exhibits Were a Surprise

Hespeler horticultural society held a very
successful flower show September 15. Last
May 200 geraniums and coleus were distributed
among the school children, and these plants
were among the recent exhibits. Some very
fine plants were shown, and great surprise was
expressed by visitors around the children's
table. Magnificent specimens of house plants

Allan Line, Royal Mail Steamers

MONTREAL TO LIVERPOOL

FAST TWIN SCREW 8TEAMERS-10.000 TONS.

TUNISIAN, 23rd Sept. TUNISIAN, 21st Oct.

IONIAN, - 30th Sept. IONIAN, - 28th Oct.

• BAVARIAN, 7th Oct. BAVARIAN, 4th Nov.

PARISIAN, Uth Oct. VICTORIAN, new, Uth Nov.

Average time of passage from port to port, eight days.

Each steamer is fitted with refrigerators for cargo requiring cold storage, and in
addition a thorough system of ventilation in compartments where fruit is stowed.

MONTREAL to GLASGOW Every Thursday

and

MONTREAL to LONDON, Direct every alternate Thursday.

The greatest care taken in handling apples.
Rates and further particulars on application to

J. D. HUNTER, WESTERN freight agent,

77 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ont.
— - or H. A. ALLAN, Montreal.

452

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

were on exhibition. The hall proved far too
small, as a number of people were not able to
obtain admittance. A larger hall will be se-
cured next year, and if possible the prize list
materially increased. — (E. Gurney, sec'y.

Splendid Floral Exhibitions

The Grand Trunk Employes Horticultural
Society, organized in 1902 in Stratford, gave its
annual floral exhibition during September, when
the united efforts of all members resulted in a
fine display of plants, flowers, fruits and vege-
tables. Some choice ferns and palms were
shown, as well as gladioli, pinks, pansies, phlox,
etc. A large assortment of begonias was also
noticeable. Many prizes were awarded by
Judges Messrs. Robert McLagan and "W. San-
derson, secretary of the society.

A similar society, located at Port Huron, held
a similar show at that place the past month, at
which the society from Stratford made a fine
display, consisting of over 42 varieties of flow-
ers. The erecting department of the railway
had three special exhibits, a locomotive, a bell,
and a pumpkin. The first was over five feet
long, and one of the finest floral pieces ever
seen in Port Huron ; the bell was made of pan-
sies and smilax. Several exhibits from the
other branches of the work were a trip ham-
Tner, from the blacksmith shop; from the pipe
shop, a perfect miniature of the institute
iDuilding.

Deseronto Horticulturists Feat Their kecord

The eighth annual exhibition and flower show
of the Deseronto Horticultural Society was held
August 31, and was by far the finest and largest
attended show in the history of the society.
The number of entries was larger than ever be-
fore, and the quality of the exhibits far better.
Two large collections of greenhouse plants from
the houses of Mrs. E. W. Rathbun and F. B.
Gaylord, attracted much attention, as also did
the vegetables presented by the same exhibi-
tors.

A new departure this year was a " best kept
grounds " competition, in which keen interest
was taken. The first prize was awarded to F.
B. Gaylord, and second to Mrs. E. W. Rathbun,
of the professional classes; in the amateur, with
assistance, first prize fell to Mrs. E. W. Rath-
bun; without assistance, to D. R. Jones. — (D.
W. Clew, Pres. Deseronto Hort'l Society.

Believes in Distributions. — Our last meeting
was for the purpose of selecting premiums for
our annual fall distribution of bulbs, plants,
seeds, etc. The order was given to Col. Bog,
who imports these direct from Holland. The
order consists of about 1,400 narcissus bulbs and
over 400 hyacinth bulbs. Distributions of this
kind for the fall usually prove very satisfac-
tory. The bulbs are of the best quality, and
arrive in good condition. The members take
pride in producing the finest flowers for winter
blooming.— (Walter T. Ross, Sec'y Picton Hort'l
Society.

Pon^i^ioTji Ijir^e

MONTREAL TO LIVERPOOL

S. S. Canada (cold storage and cool air). .Oct. 8
S. S. Southwark " " " " .. " 15
S. S. Kensington" " " " .. " 22

S. S. Dominion (cold storage) " 29

S.S.Vancouver " '' Nov. 5

MONTREAL TO AVONMOUTH (Bristol)

S. S. Manxman (cold storoge) Oct. 1 2

S. S. Englishman " " " 29

S.S.Turcoman " " Nov. 5

LKYbAND blNE

Montreal to London and Antwerp

S. S. Tampican Oct. 4

S. S. Kingstonian (cold storage) " 9

S. S. Oxonian " " " 25

The ab >ve steamers are specially adapted and
fitted up with the most modem improvements for
the carriage of a) pks, butter, chtese. provisions
and eycgs. Tnroui<n B./L. grauted to and from
any point in Canada.

■GEO. W. Torrance,) Wesiem Freight Agents 28 We:-
J. W. WiLKINSO.N, ) lington Street East, Toro.ito.

Dominion Line, '' ^^MomrerSu^*'""'*'

DONALDSON LINE

TO GLASGOW.

S. S. Lakonia, Cold Storage and Fan Ventilation -. Oct. 6

S. S. Athenia, " '' "13

S. S. Salacia, Fan Ventilation " io

S. S. Marina, Cold Storage and Fan Ventilation " 27

S. S. Parthenia. " " Nov. 3

THOMSON LINE TO LONDON.

S. S. Kildona, Cold Storage, Cool Air and Steam Fans Oct. i

S. S. Hurona, " " " .... " 8

S. S. Cervona, " " " .... " 15

S. S. lona, " " " " 22

S. S. Fremona, Steam Fan Ventilation. . ., " 29

S. S. Devona, Cold Storage, Cool Air and Steam Fans Nov. 5

THOMSON LINE TO LEITH.

S. S. Bellona <''ct. 6

S. S. Jacona Nov. 15

THOMSON LINE TO ABERDEEN.

S. S. Escalona Oct. 24

Traffic may be booked with all Railroad
Accents or direct with The ROBERT REFORD
CO., Limited, Montreal, also with D. 0. WOOD,
Western Agent, Room 311, Board of Trade,
Toronto, Ont.

HIGH CLASS EXHIBITS BY ADVERTISERS.

453

Canadian National Exhibition

In these days of dear labor every labor sav-
ing device is of value to fruit growers and gar-
deners. In this connection some excellent ex-
hibits were made at the Toronto Exhibition in
September. A representative of The Cana-
dian Horticulturist was interested in displays
made by several of our advertisers.
PARIS PLOW COMPANY.

This progressive company of Paris, Ont., had
a grand display of different lines of farm im-
plements, including the famous "Success Ma-
nure Spreader." This machine is noted for
light draft and simplicity in construction. It
is fitted with direct beater chain drive instead
of a complication of gears. When thrown into
gear the beater is shifted from the load about
two inches, thus giving free action to start.
Another important feature is the apron return-
ing device, by means of which the apron is re-
turned to place 'Simply by moving a small lever.
Gardeners and fruit men should write for free
catalogue and particulars about this labor sav-
ing machine.

SICHE GAS COMPANY.

All styles of 'Siche gas machines, from the
200 pound special "K" to the 5 pound stereo
generator were on exhibition, and Mr. Sims, the
manager, informed The Horticulturist repre-
sentative that the whole exhibit was sold. "In
fact," said Mr. Sims, "Siche seems destined to
become the light of the future in Canada." The
general opinion of visitors was that Siche
Building and C. P. R. were the best lighted

buildings on the grounds. Greenhouse men
should write this ocmpany and get quotations,
as Siche is an excellent light for greenhouses.
Coolcing stoves, instantaneous hot water heat-
ers, radiators, etc., run with Siche gas, formed
the minor lines of this exhibit.

GRIMM MANUFACTURING CO.

This company had a fine exhibit of the fa-
mous Champion Fruit and Syrup Evaporators,
and Mr. Grimm said that business was brisk and
the factory kept busy. Readers of The Horti-
culturist should get particulars about these fruit
evaporators.

WAGGONER LADDER CO.

In this age of conveniences and handy con-
trivances fruit growers should be specially in-
terested in a light, strong, handy ladder for
picking and pruning. The Waggoner Ladder
can be telescoped to half its length and again
shot up among the branches quite easily. The
company makes all kinds and all lengths, and
have a handy extension step ladder, which drew
much attention during the fair.

ARiNDT TREE PROTECTOR.

The Arudt Tree Protector shared the tent of
Mr. E. D. Smith, nurseryman, Winona. The
agents distributed pamphlets and business cards
and had samples on trees in the vicinity of the
tent, which were examined by thousands of fruit
growers, many of whom had never before seen
the band, but who readily saw the practicability
of this simple device to stop the ravages of
creeping and climting insects. Many large or-
(!ers were received.

DO YOU SPRAY, IF NOT, WHY NOT?

THE-

LITTLE GIANT SPRAYER

has demonstrated its simplicity, durability and economy.

Save your Maternal, Time and Labor, by purchasing a Little

Giant Sprayer.

This sprayer is mounted on two wheels with a tank of loo gallons capacity. It can,
however, be mounted on four wheels if required. The large sprocket wheel is 30 inches in
diameter, and the small one 12 inches. On the other end of the shaft is a 6-inch wheel
that runs the pitman attached to the double cylinder pump which is mounted on the tank
with places for six lines of hose which can be used all at one time, or any number required.
Two lines is enough, put together with stays, for spraying apple, peach, pear, plum, cherry
or quince, but for grapes two lines on each side of the machine will spray two sides at
once. Any boy can operate it.

For potatoes, six lines of hose brought around to the rear, clamped close to row, will
spray six rows at once. For spraying to kill mustard, place two lines on each side of the
outfit and two at the rear and spray 20 feet on each side, being 40 feet each way^ — ^ALL
YOU HAVE TO DO IS SIT AND DRIVR. This is the most powerful spray pump ever
made, and the cheapest to operate. It does the most work in the least time.

Write for Catalogue and Price List.

Perkins & Paine Mfg. Co., -

Port Dover, Ont.

454

777^ CANADIAN HORTICULTURIS7

CANADIAN PORTABLE FENCE. CO., Ltd.
No other fence at the Canadian National was
such a centre of attraction as the one built by
the Canadian Portable Fence Co., Limited, of
Toronto. Although only a new company, the
sales have been large during the past season,
and will no doubt increase arter the fine exhibit
of different lines and designs shown at the exhi-
bition.

LITTLE GIANT SPRAYER.
An exhibit which interested many farmers and
fruit growers was a handy and complete spray-
ing outfit manufactured by Perkins & Paine, of
Port Dover, Ont. The machine on exhibition
had a capacity of two and a half barrels, and

all power is derived from the horse. When the
horse is stopped two air chambers supply power
sufficient to spray a large tree. It is fitted
with a double action pump and a practically
perfect agitator. From one to six lines of hose
may be used, and everything is so handy and
so simple that a boy can operate it quite easily.
THE SPRAMOTOR CO.
The iSpramotor Co., of London, Ont., had a
most complete assortment of spraying applian-
ces, from the small hand power implement to
the latest development in power machines.
Their large automatic sprayer ha« a capacity
of 24 nozzles, and they claim that 240 trees can
be sprayed in one hour.

—•^'l^^^--"'',:-

FLOWERING BULBS

FOR FALL PLANTING. FOR THE HOUSE AND GARDEN.

Crocus — Choice, Mixed, All Colors loc. doz., 50c. per 100

Hyacinths " " " 60c. " $4.00

Tulips " " " 25c. " $1.25 "

Prices Postpaid. Write for our 1 904 Bulb Catalogue— FREE.

Special Prices to Horticultural Societies on application.

JOHN A. BRUCE & CO., Mer'cnt„ts

HAMILTON, CANADA.

Ornamental Shrubs

and H&.rdy Perennials

We have an especially large and select assortment for
fall planting, grown in our extensive nurseries

SEND FOR OUR CATALOGUE.

The Webster Floral Company, Limited.

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL FLORISTS,

HAMILTON,

CANADA.

A Handsome Calendar will be Given Free to all ReaderSsWho buy eoods from Advertisers.

N-Nf-'

m-

nTnP

"tPHE mild October days are gone.

Sweet nutting' time, and Kite time.
With frost and storm comes slowly on,
TKe year's long wintry nig'ht time.

But while the mellow light departs.
The household draws together.
And ever vsrarmer grow our hearts.
As colder gro-ws the vvreather.

J. T. TROWBRIDGE

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'pi'e (anadian f|ortic(ilr(irist

NOVEMBER, 1904

Volume XXVII

Number 11

THE BLACK ROT OF GRAPES IN OHIO

PROF. W. LOCH HEAD, ONT. AGRI. COLLEGE, GUELPH.

AT the request of the Minister of Agri-
culture, I recently visited the grape
districts of northern Ohio to ascertain the
best methods of dealing with the black rot
of grapes. In Ontario, in the Essex dis-
trict, black rot has been more or less preva-
lent for some years, but no sustained effort
was made to check the progress of the dis-
ease. The result was that fruit growers
of that district found it necessary to pull
out the vines and plant to other uses. Many
of the old vineyards which were objects of
])ride five or six years ago along the Detroit
river have now disappeared. In the Nia-
gara region, where the grape industry is de-
veloping on a commercial basis, the black
rot is beginning to be felt, and grape grow-
ers fear they will suffer the same fate as the
Essex growers if they do not try to combat
the attacks of the fungus.

Through the kindness of Prof. Selby, of
the Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station
at Wooster, I was directed through the vine-
yards along Lake Erie from Unionville on
the east to Sandusky on the west. Besides,
he gave me letters of reference to many of
the prominent owners of vineyards in the
Cleveland district, with whom I consulted
regarding their methods of treatment. The
results of the experiments these growers
have conducted have been very gratifying.
They were conducted on the cooperative

plan, that is, the owners and the Experiment
Station worked together to control the
disease.

Six sprayings* are recommended by Prof.
Selby for the Delawares, seven for Cataw-
bas, and eight for the Concords. He states
that the Catawbas and Niagaras are the
most susceptible to rot ; the Delawares quite
resistant; and the Concords not so suscepti-
ble as the Niagaras, but less resistant than
the Delawares. He does not believe that
early sprayings are of much use, and he
bases his belief on the results of spra>'ings
carried on for three years.

WHEN SPRAYINGS SHOULD BE DONE.

The first spraying is given when the 4iew
shoots are from one to two feet in length,
which in the Ohio district is about June i ;
the second spraying is applied about July i
in an ordinary season. These two spray-
ings are considered the two most important,
inasmuch as they come immediately before
and after blossoming. Many of the grape
growers told me that if they failed to spray
on or about July 4 they almost invariably
lost their grapes. The subsequent spray-
ings are given at intervals of a week or ten
days, and the last for the Delawares is usual-
ly applied about August i. The first four
applications are made with Bordeaux mix-
ture, and the remainder with either am-
monia-carbonate solution or soda-bordeaux.

4 7

458

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

This question has been studied very thor-
oughly by Prof. Selby for the last three or
four years, and he is of the opinion that,
grape rot will always be more difficult to
control on sandy, open soil than on the
heavy clay soil in the Cleveland region. In
Ohio the fruit growers use their sandy, open
soils for other purposes than grape culture,
and there the rot is less severe on the heavy
clay soils.

There are so many evidences of the good
results of careful spraying, according to the
recommendations given by Prof. Selby, that
no further experimentation along the line of
prevention of grape rot will be undertaken
at present. He is satisfied that the methods
in use at present will control the black rot
every time. I may add .that vineyards
which were left untreated, or not carefully
treated, show either total losses or a very
large percentage of rotten grapes. Even
the most careless of grape growers in the
Cleveland region have come to the conclu-
sion that they must get out of the business,
or spray according to the formula given
them by the Experiment Station, and which
I have outlined. By the way. Prof. Selby
does not think much of the dust sprayers,
and he is a strong believer in the use of the

liquid Bordeaux as a fungicide, which he
considers a fungicide par excellence.

There is no doubt that the black rot can
be kept in check in Ohio, but it remains for
us to prove that it can be held in check in
Ontario. It appears that one of the best
means of preventing this disease is to burn
all the " mummy " grapes which would
naturally remain on the vines all winter.
These are probably the source of the con-
tagion for the coming season, and too much
care cannot be taken to have all such dis-
eased grapes destroyed.

An . important point that must be taken
into consideration by grape growers is that
the black rot is a very difficult disease to
control, and that two or three sprayings are
not sufficient. It takes six or eight spray-
ings to keep the disease completely in check
and to get perfect grapes. As we know that
Bordeaux will discolor the grape when it
reaches a certain size, it is well to spray
with the soda-Bordeaux or the ammonia-
copper-carbonate solution for the last two
or three sprayings. It remains for the On-
tario growers to show that the black rot
can be controlled in their own country un-
der slightly different conditions from those
obtaining in Ohio.

ORCHARD FERTILIZERS

W. H. DEMPSEY,

I FIND it increasingly difficult to obtain
good wood ashes with which to ferti-
lize my orchard. Until two years ago I
was able to secure 50 to 100 pounds of ashes
a week from the lake steamers stopping at
Trenton, but since wood has become so
dear the steamers have been burning coal,
and that source of supply has been cut off.
I am now thinking of buying some com-

You should receive The Horticulturist
promptly on or about the first of every month.
Do you ? If you don't, let us know.

TRENTON, ONT.

mercial fertilizer which I have seen adver-
tised in The Horticulturist.

I use all the stable manure I can secure.
The ashes are sown broadcast whenever I
can obtain any ; the manure is carted on dur-
ing the late winter and early spring and
spread thoroughly. Orchards, the same
as all other land on which farm crops are
raised, require heavy fertilizing to keep
them in good condition.

I enclose $1 for The Horticulturist, which Is

much improved of late. — (John Mather, Otta-
wa, Ont.

THE TRIAL SHIPMENTS OF FRUIT TO WINNIPEG

PROF. J. B. REYNOLDS, ONTARIO

''I'^HE object of these experimental ship-
X ments of fruit to Winnipeg was to
find out whether or not tender fruits from
Ontario could be placed in good condition
on the Winnipeg market by freight carriage.
Incidentally it was the intention to inquire
into the whole matter of transportation,
prices, and selection and packing of fruit, as
well as the best construction of car for re-
frigeration.

In each car were carried apples, Bartlett
pears, grapes, plums, peaches and tomatoes.
The idea seemed to prevail among most of
the fruit growers that in order to carry these
fruits to Winnipeg safely they must be
picked green and hard. The result does
not justify this belief. A considerable pro-
portion of the peaches were packed hard,
green and undersized. A fair quantity of
them, however, were, when packed, well

An 80 Year Old Apple Packer at Work.

A frait grower of many years standing, is Mr. R. D. Veale, of Mount Brydges, Middlesex County, who may
be seen in this illustration standing with two baskets in hh hands. Although over 80 years of age, Mr. Veale still
attends to the packing and shipping of not less than t,oo^ and 1,500 ban els of apples each year. The apples from
Mr. Veale's orchard are shipped to London, England, by the Thompson of steamers. The Baldwin apples have
given Mr. Veale the best satisfaction with the Golden Russet next. There are 40 barrels of Baldwins grown in
this section of Ontario to any other variety.

459

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, GUELPH.

sized, well colored, and firm, in such a con-
dition as No. I Crawford peaches are packed
for use within a few days. These last
were by far the most desirable when opened
up at Winnipeg. In fact, after seven days
had elapsed between loading and unloading,
after a journey of 1,500 miles, and various
shuntings at Allandale, North Bay, Fort
William and Winnipeg, Crawford peaches
were placed on the market from our ship-
ment in better condition than any I have
seen displaved in the shops in Guelph.

This is true not only of a chance few of
the peaches shipped, but of all that had not
been picked too green. A box of the prim-
est of these peaches found its way into the
hands of an acquaintance of mine, and on
Monday, three days after the sale and 11
days after picking, I inquired as to the con-
dition of the fruit. The reply was that a

few only of the
peaches were
then mellow
enough for
i m m e d i a te
use, and that
the greater
part of the
box could be
kept until the
end of that
week, that is,
until 15 or 16
days after
picking.
Grapes ship-
p e d well,
some of the
Moore's Ear-
ly only being
off the stem.
The varieties
of plums
were Reine
Claude, Yel-
low Egg, Co-
lumbia, and

460

TflE CAN API AN HORTIf^ULTURJST

Grand Duke. These were beginning to
soften, but were in good condition when
sold. Of Bartlett pears the same may be
said as of Crawford peaches, most of them
were shipped too green, and those that were
allowed to reach good size, and yet were
picked firm, arrived in prime market condi-
tion.

Various causes contributed to these grati-
fying results, and the only' accidental one
was the weather, which was favorably cool.
All other contributing causes were antici-
pated in our plans for the shipment. These
were : A selection of good fruit, careful
wrapping of peaches and pears, and packing
in suitable carriers, boxes for everything,
and for grapes and plums a bushel crate con-
taining 12 trays, each tray holding about
two and a half pounds ; careful loading in
the car, so that none of the boxes could
move out of its place, and spacing the boxes
so that air could circulate on all sides of
each box.

As to cold storage facilities : Two cars
were selected of quite diflferent interior con-
struction, the one having devices for main-
taining air circulation, the other having none
of these. It is probable that with warmer
weather a defective system of refrigeration
would have been detected, but the uniformly
cool weather during the sihipment made
both cars equally effective. Upon this mat-
ter, therefore, the experiment is inconclu-
sive. It must be borne in mind that the
office of a refrigerator car is to counteract
the effect of warm weather upon perishable
goods. In a good refrigerator fruit will
keep as well in warm weather as in cold.
Provided our cars were good, the success of
our shipment did not depend upon the
weather.

THE PRICES REALIZED.

As to prices : Both cars were sold by

auction, one on September 22, the other on

September 23. The prices on the first day

were: Crawford peaches, $i.lo to $1.25

per box of 12 quarts ; plums, $1.50 per crate
of 20 quarts ; grapes, $1.50 to $1.80^ per
crate of 30 pounds net; pears, $1 to $1.25
per box, half bushel ; apples, 85 cents to
$1.25 per bushel ; tomatoes, 55 cents to 85
cents per 12 quart box. On the second day
there was rather an overload of pears,
which went low accordingly. Prices were:
Peaches, $1.10 to $1.25; plums, $1.05 per
crate of 13 quarts; pears, 70 cents to $1.05
for XXX Bartlett. Flemish Beauty and
XX Bartlett sold much lower. Apples, 85
Cents to $1.20 per bushel ; tomatoes, 55 cents
to 60 cents per 12 quart box.

Average net prices, including cost of
package, but after deducting freight and
commission charges, were : Peaches, 93
cents per box; plums, 75 cents per 13
quarts; grapes, $1.14 per crate of 30 pounds
net ; pears, 75 cents per box ; tomatoes, 44
cents per 12 quart box ; apples 55 cents per
bushel. In replies received from the grow-
ers who supplied the fruit, most of them ex-
press satisfaction with these prices. In the
instance of plums and peaches prices are
ruling 'high in Ontario this year, and the
Winnipeg prices are not relatively high. It
is saitisfactory to know, however, that the
peaches, sold on their appearance simply,
without any reputation to help them, real-
ized fully as much as the best California
peaches on the same day. T'he auction
method is liable to be panicky, but is on the
whole, perhaps, as good a method as any for
disposing of perishable fruits.

SHOULD WATCH THESE POINTS.

While our experiment was highly suc-
cessful, I do not advise shippers to repeat
it until they are fully apprised of the im-
portance of attending to details, selecting
the fruit at the right degree of maturity,
packing and loading properly/keeping the
car iced while loading, and filling bunkers
before it starts, and marking way bill so as
to insure re-icing in transit. With one ex-
ception I found that the various icing sta-

IN THE ORCHARD.

461

tions attended well to the icing. With in-
crease of business, so that the icing of cars
becomes a regular instead of an occasional
duty, there is reason to expect that it will be
better attended to in future. The same is
true of despatch. A large volume of freight
business in perishable fruits is therefore
likely to correct present deficiencies in the

transport system. But with the fruit
growers and shippers nothing less than co-
operation in packing and shipping will re-
move the defects iri that part of the under-
taking. There must be uniformity in pack-
ages, in grading, in quality of fruit, and
these cannot be secured by independent ac-
tion but only by cooperation.

NOVA SCOTIA FRUIT GROWERS IN A BIG COMBINE

DURING the past month items have ap-
peared in a number of leading pa-
pers announcing that the Annapolis Valley
Fruit Estates, Limited, has been formed in
Halifax to engage in fruit culture on a large
scale in the Cornwallis and Annapolis Val-
leys. In addition to apples, srnall fruits will
be cultivated as well as pKDtatoes and otner
vegetables. The company will also erect a
canning and vinegar plant, and a barrel and
box factory for the manufacture of fruit
packages.

Desiring to gain as much information as
possible about this enterprise for its readers,
The Horticulturist wrote to a number of
leading Nova Scotia fruit growers asking
for particulars^ and to Hon. D. Mackeen, of
Halifax, who was reported to be financially
interested. Some interesting replies have
been received. A letter from Hon. Mr.
Mackeen reads as follows :

" I am not interested to 'any particular ex-
tent, personally, in the coinpan}' to which
you refer. As far as I understand, how-
ever, this company owns some 3,000 acres
of more or less highly cultivated land in one
of the most fruitful apple growing districts
in the Annapolis Valley. I am told that the
capital required for fully developing this
property into a fruit growing concern has
already been raised.

" At present, I understand, the company
has over 20,000 apple trees, and it is pro-
posed to put out 30,000 new trees on the
property. It is estimated that the present

yield from the property will be about 20,000
barrels, and this is only a very small propor-
tion of the company's expected product from
the estates."

FRUIT GROWERS NOT SANGUINE).

Two well known Nova Scotia fruit grow-
ers heard from do not appear to be very
sanguine in regard to the success of the en-
terprise. The first one heard from, Mr. S.
C. Parker, secretary of the Nova Scotia Fruit
Growers' Association, wrote as follows :

" I would scarcely call this a cooperative
scheme, rather a speculation enterprise han-
dled by a professional promoter. The mat-
ter stands thus : A. H. Fair, an insurance
agent, has secured options holding for 12
months on a block of country about two
miles square, containing some 30 farms (op-
tions were secured on all save four or five,
who held out) . The purchase money is some-
thing like $250,000; the other $100,000 of
capital is for plant and improvement. I
presume the promoter proposes to make a
stock company, and bond the concern to
raise the required capital. This is one of
the best farming sections in the valley, situ-
ated two miles from Berwick, directly under
the North mountain, running two miles east
and west, bounded hs roads on three sides.
Taking last year's crop as a basis a very
glittering prospectus could be made. The
promoter says they shipped 16,000 barrels
of apples last year, which would.net $2 per
barrel. The block probably grows 1,000
tons of hay annually, perhaps 20,000 bushels

462

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

of root crops, 10,000 bushels grain, probably
400 to 500 head of cattle and 100 horses.
The promoter proposes to increase the or-
chard to an enormous extent, establish ware-
houses, and factory for handling the waste
apples, grow nursery stock, establish a
creamery, keep hogs innumerable, with all
the equipment necessary to run such a plan-
tation or ranch. The thing is all right in
theory and dooks well on paper, but an or-
chard requires ' the master's ' hand to make
it succeed, and I would expect if the thing
is floated to see it sold out in ten years' time
to pay the bonds."

A second well known fruit grower writes
as follows :

" From what I can learn affairs are net
in a condition where I think it would be wise
for The Horticulturist to take much notice
of this matter. I believe some options have
been taken on certain farms, and the pro-
moter is trying to sell stock, but I think it
questionable if it really amounts to much.
If the project assumes a businesslike ap-
pearance and seems likely to succeed, I will
write you more fully later. The Nova
Scotia Fruit Growers' Association has noth-
ing whatever to do with it."

KING EDWARD'S PORTRAIT ON APPLES

SAMPSON MORGAN, 8 RICHBOROUGH

A CONSIGNMENT of apples from
France was received recently by
Messrs. Garcia, Jacobs & Co., of Covent
Garden, whereon was depicted His Majesty
King Edward VII. These novelties were
sold by Charles M. Simons, Esq., one of the
cleverest auctioneers in the market, and a
member of the above named firm, who
seemed to enjoy the extraordinary sensation
created by the apples among the immense
crowd of buyers in the spacious foreign fruit
market, who were attracted to the sale.

Bidding was so fast and furious that no
one could see what was paid for the parcel.
When the auction was over the " King's
fruit," as it was called, changed hands again
and again until some one boasted that he
had given lood. for six of the apples. By
the courtesy of Michael Garcia, Esq., the
head of the firm, I am enabled to furnish
Canadian growers with the method utilized
to convey the portrait to the fruit.

The apples were of Peasgood Nonsuch
variety. ' A photographic film was fixed on
them just before they colored, and the foli-

VILI.AS, BROADSTAIRS, ENGLAND.

age was fastened away from them to ensure
full exposure to the sun. The portrait of
His Majesty was chosen for these first fruits
because the French peasants consider the
entente cordiale greatly due to the tact and
large heartedness of King Edward the
Peacemaker. Doubtless in future years
many will emulate the example of the in-
genious French cultivator and produce port-
rait fruits. As advertisements and for ex-
hibitions they would be very valuable.

Possibilities in this connection seem limit-
less, and next season we shall witness some
interesting developments. Large orders
for portrait fruits are sure to be placed this
year, and faces as desired, whether of
friends or notables, can be pictured upon
apples to order. Tht fruit growers of
Canada ought to take up the idea. The
portrait of the raiser, with the emblems of
the country whence the "fruit came, appear-
ing upon the central apple in the top layer of
every package, would form an effective
trade mark, and be a guarantee of the place
of origin to the buyer and consumer.

"We let our sheep run In the orchard last fall. Do you like the changes we are making' in

It proved a success in keeping the mice away. — The Horticulturist? If you do, tell your friends
(B. Moore, Grey Co., Ont. about them.

NURSERIES WHICH ARE A CREDIT TO CANADA

NOT only fruit growers and florists, but
Canadians the country over, may
well be proud of the nurseries of Morris &
Wellington, of Fonthilh Our great finan-
ciers and railway magnates are lauded ^s
men of out-standing ability. Equally as
great ability, if in another line, must be re-
quired to conduct an enterprise of the mag-
nitude of these nurseries.

While the headquarters of the Morris &
Wellington nurseries are at Fonthill, some
i2 miles from St. Catharines, in the Niagara
district, its operations extend from the At-
lantic to the Pacific, and invade Europe as
well. The business conducted by this firm
amounts to the hundreds of thousands, while
its agents are to be found in all the leading
towns and cities of the Dominion. Everv

The Finest Hydrangea Bush on the Continent.

A portion of the lawn on the Morris & WeUington nurseries, at Fonthill, inclnding one of the
offices, may here be seen. The Hydrangea Paniculata Grandiflora bush in the center of the picture has
for 12 years been recognized to be the finest on the continent. It is i8 feet in diameter and lo feet
high. The firm sells thousands of these bushes every year. They are sometimes planted as flower
l>eds and cut yearly, although many prefer them growing as bushes, which is their natural growth. A
birch cut leaf tree may be seen in the background.

year large orders are sent to Europe, more
particularly for ornamental shrubs and
plants. So extensive are the operations, it
has been found necessary to establish a
special office in Toronto, through which the
greater portion of the business is conducted
under the name of Stone & Welline-ton.

A few facts about these nurseries may as-
sist in giving some idea of the scope of its
operations. Entire charge of the manage-

463

ment of the nurseries is vested in Mr. E.
Morris, the senior partner, the business end
being conducted by Mr. Wellington. At
the time of a visit paid the nurseries during
the summer by an editorial representative
of The Horticulturist, Mr. Morris was
found to be a very busy man. This will
hardly be wondered at when it is stated Mr.
Morris is responsible for the successful
growing of the thousands of different varie-
ties of nursery stock, ornamental shrubs and
trees and flowers handled by the firm, on its
nine farms. These farms are all located
within a few miles of Fonthill and contain
over 800 acres, of which 600 acres are
owned by Messrs. Morris and Wellington,
and the remainder rented for a term of years.
The annual plantings are enormous. They
include some 400,000
young apple trees,
50,000 to 100,000
plum seedlings, 75,000
rose plants, 15,000
elm trees, and other
varieties in propor-
tion. At the time the
representative of The
Horticulturist visited
the nurseries some
1,500,000 young apple
trees, one to four
years old, were be-
ing grown on the
various farms, to say
nothing of peach,
pear, plum, cher-
ry and other seed-
lings. When^t is realized that, in addi-
tion to this nursery stock, thousands of trees
and shrubs and flowers, of hundreds of
varieties, are grown, some idea of the extent
of the business may be gained. Long ago
Mr. Morris realized that it would be impos-
sible for him to personally look after the
details of the growing of all this stock.
Capable foremen were, therefore, selected
and placed in charge of various branches of

464

.THB.C4N.AmAN HORTLGUUmRISX., ..

the work. A number of these foremen, as
well as their assistants, have been with
Messrs. Morris & Wellington for years and
have bought homes of their Own in the
vicinity of the different nurseries. During
the summer, which is the slack season, some
75 men are constantly employed, which
number is increased in the fall and spring to
200. Twice this number could be utilized
at these seasons, were they available. Of
course these men do not include the office
staff or the hundreds of agents scattered
throughout the Dominion.

To facilitate the proper management of
the various farms, Mr. Morris, a number of
years ago, connected them all by a private
telephone system of his own. This was
operated so successfully it was not long be-
fore other fruit growers and farmers in the
locality desired to join the circuit. The
outcome was that the Bell Telephpne Com-
pany, which at first had rather opposed the
move, stepped in and assumed control, with
the result that upwards of 100 residents of
the section are now enjoying the benefits of
farm telephones. The yearly charge for
these telephones is $15. Thus, we see, the
farm telephone system has already made a
welcome invasion, of Canada. By means

of the telephone Mr. Morris finds it possible
to keep in close touch with his foremen and
the woi-k on the different farms.

The growing of the different lines of stock
is greatly complicated by the special care
which' has to be given each. Soil adapted
for One line of nursery trees or flowers may
be entirely unsuited for others. For this
reason the nine farms operated by Messrs.
Morris & Wellington have each been chosen
for their particular characteristics. On
some, which are open and exposed, the hardy
varieties are grown, while the tender species
are produced in the nurseries that are more
protected. Most of the farms contain sev-
eral different soils. Each of these soils are
in turn used for the production of the varie-
ties of fruits and flowers for which they are
best adapted. Long, and in some cases
costly experience, has made clear to Mr.
Morris the possibilities of these soils, and
customers of the firm reap the benefit by re-
ceiving goods that have made a rapid and
natural growth.

" We have found it necessary," said Mr.
Morris, while speaking to The Horticultur-
ist, in this connection, " to give the land, on
which our stock is grown, frequent rest?.
Every year the crops raised are changed

A Beauty Spot at the Morris & Wellington Nurseries.

The illustration gives a small view of a block of two year hydrangea paniculata grandiflora growing in the nurseries of Mor-
ris & Wellington at Fonthill. This' is one of the most useful plants r.rown, as it can be raised either as a plant or bush. The
flowers are splendid for decorative purposes. When grown as plants the blossoms are larger and finer than when the hydrangea is
allowed to grow as a bush.

A BIG NURSERY FIRM.

465

from one portion of the nurseries to an-
other, and ever)- fifth year the farms are
changed. In this way frequent changes of
soil are secured. As a rapid healthy growth
is necessary, the land must be kept rich,
which means a heavy expense for fertilizers.
From Toronto alone we purchase $5,000 to
$7,000 Avorth of fertilizers yearly. As we
■do not calculate to grow culls 40 to 50 tons
of fertilizers are used per acre. This re-
sults in a rapid growth and thrifty stock.

"The demand for new and rare plants is
increasing rapidly. Most of it has sprung
up within the last ten years, more particu-
larly the last few years, until now it has be-
come one of the most important branches of
our business. I remember when we only
planted 500 elms. This increased to 1,000,
a few years later to 3,000, and last year I
planted 15,000. It is no uncommon occur-
rence for us to receive an order for $500 of
ornamental stock from one man.

" This year we found it necessary, in or-
der to fill the demand for rare shrubs, to
make a special importation from Holland.
Most of our seedlings are purchased from
France, which in this line supplies the
world. Th^ stock is brought over in win-

ter and arrives in good condition, via New
York, being transported in frost-proof cars.
Our last importation included 100 dififerent
varieties of evergreens alone.

" When we purchase or lease a farm, for
growing nursery stock, it is generally neces-
sary to underdrain it extensively. Several
hundred acres of our farms have been un-
derdrained. Even when we only lease a
farm for a few years we find it pays to tile
it. On one occasion we leased a farm of
100 acres and did not think it "necessary to
underdrain it. We lost enough through
not doing so to have more than paid the ex-
pense of putting in the tiles, and I never in-
tend to take the same chances again. In
this connection it is rather astonishing to me
to see how little the value of under draining
is appreciated by some men. One farm
leased by me was thoroughly under drained
and when the lease expired the owner was
given the benefit of these under drains. He
did not think enough of it to even keep the
drains open."

The description of how these immense
nurseries came to be established, as given
by Mr. Morris, is a most interesting one.
"Over 30 years ago," said Mr. Morris, "I

Cultivating Young Peach Trees at tlie Nurseries.

The careful cultivation that is given the nurseries of Messrs Morris and Wellington, at Fonthill, is one of the secrets of the
success of this firm The illustration shows a block of one year old peaches, being cultivated, no less than eleven men with culti-
vators being shown at work in this small block. Great pride is taken by Mr. Morris in his pure bred horses, as he has four pure
^red Shire stallions and over sixty horses altogether. Some of these fine pnimals can be seen in the illustration.

466

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURISi

made my first start in this vicinity in the
nursery business with 13 acres of ground.
Previous to this I had been in business, but
my health being poor I decided to start
farming in this locality, where my wife had
some relatives. The first year I planted an
acre each of strawberries and raspberries.
Some of my neighbors, who came around at
that time, decided I must be nearly crazy, as
they were satisfied that I would never be
able to sell even a small portion of the crop.
They even expressed pity for my ignorance.

"The following year, before I had received
any returns from my first year's crop, to
their amazement I increased my plantings to
seven, or eight acres. My sales from my
first picking amounted to $1,300, most of
the fruit being sold rignt on the place. For
most of it I received 15 cents per quart for
all the small fruit. This price caused quite
a sensation, and people immediately wanted
to buy plants. It was in this way that I
started in the nursery business.

" In the course of a year or two the busi-
ness increased and I took in Squire Hills,
and the firm became known as E. Morris &

Co., and continued in this way for several
years. In later years Messrs, Stone & Wel-
lington joined in with me. Finally the
plantings were increased to 100 acres, in-
cluding 50 of nursery stock. The firm has
been known under the name of Morris,
Stone & Wellington, during the past 25
years, but during the past two years, since
the death of Mr. Stone, his name has beea
dropped from the firm."

The home farm at Fonthill is devoted
principally to ornamental trees, shrubs and
small fruits. Some of the fancy trees and
shrubs grown are the Eagle Maple from
Europe, choice varieties of Weeping Beech,
Purple Beech, Fern Leaf Beech, Schewldi
Maple, Rittenbachi Maple, Variegated Ma-
ple, Russian Maple, Weeping Norway Cy-
press, Maiden Hair tree and many others.

During the past few years Canada has
rapidly forged to the front as a producer f
many varieties of fruits and flowers. Mucli
of the success of Canada's growers has been
due to the active cooperation and assistance
of such well known and reliable nursery
firms as that of Messrs. Morris & Welling-

Shipping Nursery Stock at the Morris & Wellington Nurseries.

One of the busiest periods at the Morris & Wellington Nurseries, at Fonthill, is when the nursery stock is being boxed, pre-
paratory to shipment. This work is drne on a large space of land near the office of the main nursery at Fonthill. Surrounding
this is a large grove of pine trees, which affords close protection to the men while at work. Some idea of the large number of men
employed by this firm will b; gained by the illustratioti.

ORCHARD MATTERS.

467

ton, whose aim has been and is to please and
satisfy their customers. The firm's large
business has been built up as the result of
hard work and careful management. More
than once thousands of dollars' worth of
tender stock has been destroyed by hail
storms, extremes of heat, and cold weather,
etc. In spite of this the management has-

kept right on. Such reverses have in. the

end only increased the firm's usefulness by
the valuable lessons they have taught. With
its immense business, established reputation
and years of experience the firm of Messrs.
Morris & Wellington will undoubtedly play
an important part in the further develop-
ment of Canada's horticultural interests.

DUNDAS COUNTY AS A FRUIT DISTRICT

' W. T. MACOUN, CENTRAL EXPERIMENTAL

I'* HAT part of Dundas county within
four or five miles of the St. Law-
rence river, and in the neighborhood of Iro-
quois, Irena and Dundela, is a fruit district
which has not been brought into public no-
tice as much as it deserves. A recent visit
at the orchard of Mr. A. D. Harkness, of
Irena, the energetic director of the Ontario
Fruit Growers' Association for that dis-
trict, and that of Dr. Harkness, his father,
as well as others in that district, proved
most interesting.

The principal object of my trip was to see
the orchards of Mcintosh Red apples, and 1
was not disappointed. Between them Mr.
Harkness and his father expected to have
about 100 barrels of this delicious apple.
The trees at that time were well loaded, and
one tree' was pointed out to me which would
probably yield seven to eight barrels of
fruit, all the apples being perfectly clean and
of good size. The crop of Fameuse was
also large and the fruit clean and large.

The method adopted by Dr. Harkness in
the care of his orchard is to keep it in sod
and top mukh with manure. The trees
certainly looiced well. Washing soda is
used instead of lime in making the Bor-
deaux mixture for spraying, as it stains the
fruit much less than the ordinary Bordeaux
mixture, is easier to make, and appears to
give quite as satisfactory results.

The orchard of Mr. A. D. Harkness is a
young one of 15 acres, part of which is com-
ing into bearing, most of the trees being Mc-

J'ARM, OTTAWA.

Intosh Red and Fameuse. They are look-
ing very well. Both Dr. Harkness and his
son make their own barrels, as they find this
plan more economical, and they are always
sure of having a supply of barrels when
needed. A fine fruit storage and packing
house is being erected by Dr. Harkness.
His method is to get his fruit under cover
as soon as possible after it is ready to pick,
and then pack afterwards. Both Dr. Hark-
ness and his sons are strong believers in the
value of bees in the orchard, and there is a
large apiary managed by one of the sons.

In striking contrast to the Harkness or-
chards was one visited within an hour after-
wards. Here was seen the original Mcin-
tosh Red apple tree now many years of age,
which a few years ago was almost destroyed
by fire. One branch is still alive with a lit-
tle fruit on it, but the tree has not long to
live. Close to the old tree is an orchard of
Mcintosh Red apple trees, the trees of
which were loaded with fruit, and the whole
orchard containing probably over 200 bar-
rels of this variety. While the fruit was of
fair size, practically every specimen was
spotted, and by picking time would proba-
bly be worthless. These trees had not been
sprayed.

Other orchards were seen during the
drive, most of the trees being Mcintosh Red
and Fameuse. Unfortunately, spraying is
not very general in this district, and in most
orchards the fruit promised to be more or
less spotted.

FIGHTING THE SAN JOSE SCALE WITH LADY BEETLES

(^ REAT interest was manifested when
-J it was announced, over a year ago,
that the United States Department of Agri-
cuhure had made an importation of Chinese
lady beetles, the natural enemy of the San
Jose scale, to ascertain if the beetles could
be utilized as a remedy for the scale. Since
then little has been heard in regard to the
importation.

Hearing that Prof. C. F. Hodge, of Wor-
cester, Mass., had been conducting some
tests with the beetle The Horticulturist
recently wrote him asking for information.
The following interesting reply has been re-
ceived :

" My experience with the Chinese lady
beetles has been so limited that I fear I can
not be of much assistance to you. In May,
the Department of Agriculture sent me 25
of the beetles to colonize here, but all but
nine were dead on arrival. We released
them on an infested tree in the middle of

Three Methods of Protection

FRANCIS WAYLAND GLEN, BROOKLYN, N. Y^

THROUGH the columns of The Horti-
culturist I observed last spring that
the fruit growers of Ontario suffered heav-
ily from the depredations of field mice.
From 1846 to 1861 I was engaged in the
nursery business at Rochester, N. Y. In
that climate the snow often covered the
ground before the surface was frozen. The
mice then burrowed under the snow and
attacked the trees.

We had three ways of dealing with the
field mice problem. First, we tramped the
snow very hard about the trees ; 2nd, we
wrapped waxed paper about the base of the
trees with poison in the wax ; 3rd, we sawed
some pine timber, i}i square and six inches
long, and bored holes in them i^ inches in
diameter, 5 inches deep, and filled the holes
with dry Indian meal mixed with arsenic.
We packed tne meal very hard and laid one
of these blocks bv each orchard tree and in

an orchard of several acres, and I have
always been able to find, some of the beetles
on the tree on my weekly visits. I have
seen no evidence, however, of breeding, and
fear the season has been too cold and wet
for them to do well. Possibly all the fe-
males were lost. However, the trees are
large and old and the beetles hard to find,
but I still have hopes that a colony may
show up later.

" August 4 I received six more from Dr.
Marlatt, all in good condition. I have seen
these mate, and so can tell the males and fe-
males apart, I think. I already have a num-
ber of eggs from these last, and hope to rear
a colony in confinement. The beetles cer-
tainly eat the scales like "a devouring fire.
We have been tracking them on the tree by
the paths of scales scraped off. If we can
only get them acclimatized here I think they
will prove of great value."

the corners of the fences. In this way we
saved our trees from destruction bv mice.

Transplanting Evergreens

PROF. II. L. HUTT, ONT. AGRI. COLLEGE;,
GUELPH, ONT,

EVERGREEN trees may be planted
later in the spring and earlier in the
fall than deciduous trees, but our experience
with both classes of trees is, that they are
best planted early in the spring before
growth starts. The ground is then usually
in a moist condition and most suitable for
the reception of roots. Trees properly
planted at this time seldom fail. The later
transplanting is done the more care is re-
quired to avoid injury from drought and ex-
posure to hot sun and drying winds.

The circulation of the sap in e-^rgreens
is practically the same as that in deciduous
trees. Roots take in soil moisture from the
ground which is transferred from cell to
cell, through the sap wood, to the branches

468

IN THE ORCHARD.

469

*^l%i

'^iS'ii*

>■■■ >T.-r. -v ■ ■, ,'

■':..M\

'i^M'^

m.

Fameuse Apple Tree in Full Bearing.

AFameuse apple tree in the orchaid of Mr. Harold Jones, of Maitland, who may
be seen in the illustration, is here shown. Last fall this tree, which was planted in i88i
and commenced to bear in 1888, yielded 13 barrels of fine apples. It i> one tree out of
many in an orchard of four acres which has been bearing continually sin. e 1888. The
average yearly returns for the four acres since 1884 have been $800. By spraying, Mr.
Jones has been able each year to secure 90% of high grade fruit free from .scab.

and leaves, where it is acted on by the sun.
The excessive moisture is given off through
the leaves, and the prepared plant food re-
turns just beneath the inner bark, forming
the cambium layer, the maturing of which
adds a new layer to the wood on the outsidt
of the wood and a new layer of bark on the
inside of the bark.

A Most Effective Protection against
mice in the orchard is furnished by wrap-
ping building paper about the trunk of the
tree for one or two feet, tying it in place
with stout cord. A few correspondents
have used a light veneer, such as is used for
making baskets, cut in pieces about 6 x i8
inches, and held in place by a stout cord.
These cost about $4 per i.ooo, and will last
manv vears.

Keeping Snow Apples

We have a good crop of snow
apples this year, but always
have difficulty in keeping them
until Christmas. Would like to
know when to pick and what to
do after that. I have had good
snow apples in February bought
from the stores here, and think
we should be able to keep ours
longer than we do. — (A Sub-
scriber, Hamilton.

A low temperature tells the
secret of keeping apples a long
time crisp and good. Our
cellars are usually too warm.
Snow apples should be gath-
ered in October, before they
become too ripe, and stored
immediately at a temperature
of 33 deg. F. — (W.

Gave Good Results — In

view of the general interest
that is being displayed
in the relative merits of the
various power sprayer outfits
being used in Ontario this
season, it is interesting
to hear that Mr. W. H. Dempsey,
of Trenton, who has been giving the
Wallace Power Sprayer a thorough
test, says it has given him perfect satisfac-
tion. When carefully looked after, Mr.
Dempsey says, this sprayer is no trouble to
handle. On light land^ with a small team,
he has been able to keep up a pressure
75 pounds. Labor being hard to get, he
took the sprayer out alone and found he
could cover more ground with it than three
men could do with an old hand pump, which
he used up to the present season. Mr.
Dempsey is satisfied that power sprayers
are required by growers who have large or-
chards.

We need a new electric railroad in our sec-
tion: express charges are far too high. — (R. J.
Lighittle, Lincoln Co., Ont.

CANADIAN FRUIT WINS HONORS AT ST. LOUIS

T. H. RACE^ CANADIAN COMMISSIONER'S STAFE^ ST. LOUIS^ MO.

RECENT shipments of new fruit from
Canada have greatly brightened up
the exhibit at St. Louis. The apple display
comprised a considerable number of varie-
ties from the crop of 1903, still in excellent
condition.

One thing, the Canada fruit exhibit at St.
Louis has demonstrated is the superiority of
the Canadian apple in point of keeping
qualities. The Spys, Russets, Ben Davis,
Canada Red, Scarlet Pippin, Cranberry Pip-
pin, Lawver and Red Cheek Pippin, all to
be seen in the Canadian exhibit at this time,
are as bright and crisp as when they were
put in cold storage. There are still, ac-
cording to Mr. Knowlton, about 250 cases
in cold storage after giving away nearly 100
cases on " Apple Day," October 4. Can-
ada, in fact, was the only exhibitor who was
able to contribute wholly from her stock of
1903 to that general give-away. And, it
was not discovered by the thousands of peo-
ple, who were sent off rejoicing in the pos-
session of a good apple, that they were
munching a Canadian fruit a year old.

The finer fruits, so-called, such as peaches,
pears and grapes, have arrived throughout
the season in pretty good shape. There
are some very fine peaches and grapes on
display frorn Mr. L. Woolverton, of Grims-
by, and some excellent pears from Mr. W.
Warnock, of Goderich. The last named
contributor also sent with his consign-
xnent a mammoth squash weighing 403
pounds. We had a good sized squash be-
fore, from Mr. W. Rennie, weighing 305
pounds, which was attracting a good deal of
attention. The one from Mr. Warnock
is proving an eye-opener to the Americans
down here, and they are beginning to believe
now that Canada is really a country of big

things. A squash is not a fruit, and it was the
fruit exhibit that I started to write about.
During October, Mr. Knowlton has been re-
moving much of the fruit preserved in jars,
from the tables and replacing it with the
fresh stock arriving. He found that it had
discolored so much as to be unattractive,
and thought it better to put it out of sight
and replace it with something more sightly.

The state of Wisconsin is making a very
showy display with the Northwest Green-
ing, the McMahon White, Wolf River and
Alexander, all good show varieties without
much quality. This Greening and the Mc-
Mahon seem to do particularly well in Wis-
consin, as the Ben Davis does in Arkansas.
My observation is that the Ben Davis grown
in Arkansas is superior in quality to that
grown anywhere else in America, and al-
most equal in size to that grown at the Pa-
cific Coast.

The awards for the exhibits in the palace
of horticulture have not been announced yet,
but I understand that the committee on
awards has recommended a grand prize for
the general make-up, arrangement and com-
prehensive collection of the Canadian dis-
play, and a gold medal for general quality
of apples.

We are frequently asked the question what
Canada is making such a " great spread "
down here for, and our answer is, to draw
attention to the wonderful resources, capa-
bilities and productiveness of our country
generally, and to attract settlers to our
Northwest provinces especially. In the fur-
therance of that great and patriotic purpose
the Canadian fruit exhibit and those who
have had charge of it have contributed no
small share.

Apple buyers do about as they please. Very
few growers ship their own fruit, therefore the
majority realize small profits, which are dis-
couraging, and lack of interest and little atten-
tion to cultivation result. — (C. L. Olmsted,
Wentworth Co., Ont. i^

The Horticulturist is one of the best monthly
publications I know of. Its reports on the
fruit markets of the Dominion and also the Eng-
lish market are worth more than ten times its
subscription price to any fruit grower. — (John
Spencer, Henrysburg, Que.

470

UTILIZING OUR SURPLUS APPLES

Zimmerman Fruit Evaporator.

MCCARTHY, of the North CaroHna
Experimental Station, pubHshes a
bulletin on the above subject which contains
some good hints. Among other things he
describes an evaporator suitable for farm
use. He says :

The possibilities for expansion in apple
growing are almost unlimited. When a fair
profit is assured, as it must be by the general
introduction of improved evaporators, and
modern methods for utilizing the lower
grades of fruit, we may look for a great in-
crease in orcharding, and as a result, greater
prosperity for the mountain region, where
our best apples are grown.

The experience of practical apple-grow-
ers seems to show that on a commercial
scale no evaporator will pay which turns out,
in a day's run of ten hours, less than 300
pounds of dried fruit. In practice it is cus-
tomary to keep the evaporator going night
and day during the season.

One of the best evaporators for farm
use is the Zimmerman, made by the Blymer
Iron Works Co., Cincinnati, Ohio. This
machine is built entirely of metal, and is
therefore fire-proof. There are several

styles on the market, differing mainly in
size, but no one who evaporates for the mar-
ket should buy a smaller machine than the
No. 3, which consumes about twenty bush-
els of fresh fruit in ten hours. This ma-
chine costs about $100. The No. 4 will
work up 30 to 40 bushels in ten hours, and
costs about $170.

In large factories it is customary to bleach
the fruit after peeling, by submitting it to
fumes of burning sulphur. But such fruit
is not as wholesome nor palatable as that
unsulphured. If the fruit is dropped into
a tub of weak salt brine as soon as sliced it
will not discolor, and while retaining all the
natural flavor of the apple, will appear in
the dried state nearly as white as the sul-
phur-bleached fruit. The brine is made by
boiling for ten minutes one pound of clean
table salt in 16 gallons of water. Carefully
skim off the scum which rises, and allow the
water to cool before using. The fruit is
simply dropped into the salt bath and al-
lowed to soak about five minutes. It is then
removed, drained for a few minutes and
placed in the evaporating trays. The salt
does not taste upon the finished product. A
fresh bath should be provided every four
hours.

The trays upon which the fruit is placed
are bottomed with galvanized iron wire.
The fruit is placed upon these in a thin
layer. Wood is always used as fuel in the
portable evaporators. The length of time re-
quired to dry the fruit differs with the dif-
ferent varieties of fruit, and with the tem-
perature and other factors, which can be de-
termined only by practical experience.
The fruit is properly dried when it does not
show moisture when broken. It must not,
however, become so dry that it will snap or
crackle when broken between the fingers.
After removing from the evaporator the
fruit is piled on a clean floor three or four
feet deep, and allowed to sweat for several

471

472

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

Zimmerman Evaporator, Sectional View.

days. It is then ready to be boxed. The
best grade is always sent to the market in
new boxes, lined with white paper. Cheaper
grades are marketed in new barrels. The
cores and parings may be dried and packed
in barrels. There is a large demand for this
grade for manufacturing into jelly. But
as a rule the North Carolina farmer can
make more by fermenting the cores
and parings and making vinegar out of
them.

Apples which are too small to evaporate
can be profitably worked into other mer-
chantable products.

apple; butter and marmai^ade;.

There is a good local demand for these
products. In making apple-butter and mar-
malade the fruit, without paring, is sliced or
chopped, and boiled until soft in an old fash-
ioned heavy, iron kettle. Place the chopped

fruit in the cooker, and cover with juice of
same fruit. Plain water will do, but this
entails more work in evaporating the water. .
Boil until the fruit becomes soft enough to
be easily run through a colander or sieve.
Pass through colander to remove seeds,
skins and cores. Add sugar to taste. The
amount of sugar required depends upon the
variety, natural sweetness, and ripeness of
the fruit used, and also upon the judgment
of the operator, and the demands of the
trade. Usually in making apple marma-
lade, to every loo pounds of apple paste
from the colander, 30 pounds of sugar is
added. Cook again until the marmalade is
reduced to the desired constituency. Usual-
ly 100 pounds of fruit and 8 gallons fruit
juice, to which is added 30 pounds granu-
lated sugar make no pounds finished mar-
malade.

Fruit butter differs from marmalade only
in being spiced, and using only 20 pounds
sugar to 100 pounds fruit. Both these pro-
ducts keep well in ordinary covered wooden
pails, if kept in a cool, dark place. The best
marmalade is made from crabs.

JEIvI^Y.

Pure fruit jellies have become scarce and
high priced on the market. The prepara-
tion of jellies can be profitably carried on in
connection with canning fruits. Fruit too
ripe for canning can be utilized for jelly
making. The fruits best suited for jelly
making are apple, pear, peach and plum.
The currant also makes fine jelly.

To make jelly, only sound, fully ripe fruit
may be used. Apples and pears are first
grated, and then crushed in a press, prefer-
ably of the hydraulic type. The juice as it
runs from the press is filtered through a
horse-hair sieve, or a layer of finely chopped
and well washed oat or rye straw. Sugar
enough — ordinary granulated sugar is best
— is added to bring the density of the juice
up to twenty degrees on the saccharometer.

IN THE ORCHARD.

47:

The sweetened juice is then at once run into
the boiHng pan. A better grade of syrup
and jelly can be made in a pan or boiler
which excludes the air and prevents the for-
mation of caramel. The ordinary pan as
used in boiling sorghum or maple sap for
syrup is equally suited for jelly making.
The best form of pan is a long covered and
ventilated wooden trough, having heavy
copper steam pipes running lengthwise of
the box. The steam in the pipes must be
under a pressure of not less than eighty
pounds. The South Allen Evaporator,
made at Mt. Gilead, O., is of this type, and
gives good satisfaction. Whichever pan is

Cause of Apple Spot

A. W. PEART, BURLINGTON, ONT.

IN the October issue of The Horticultur-
ist Mr. R. J. Messenger takes issue
with the opinion I advanced to The Horti-
culturist in relation to the apple spot, viz.,
that " clean cultivation tends to promote the
scab." Mr. Messenger erroneously as-
sumes that this opinion is based on one or
two isolated cases pointing in that direction.
On the contrary it is a growing conviction
founded on the experience and observation
of many years.

In my opinion there are several other con-
ditions which tend also to promote the spot,
such as the variety of apple under considera-
tion, crowding of trees, lack of free circu-
lation of the air, unsuitable soils, etc. The
Snow and Holland Pippin appear to have n
strong predisposition to the scab, while the
Golden Russet and Blenheim Pippin are
comparatively immune.

Last year the cold wet season was charged
with the prevalence of the spot. This year,
which has probably been colder and wetter,
the apples are very much cleaner in this dis-
trict. And so it goes. It does not seem
that the bottom of the question has yet been
reached. Fruit growing is still in its ex-

used, the heating surface must be hot
enough to keep the juice boiling vigorously
from start to finish. The scum thrown up
by the boiling juice must be carefully skim-
med off. Not more than eight minutes'
boiling should be required. Longer boiling
darkens the product, and also reduces its
sweetness. The degree of condensation re-
quired to jelify differs with different fruits.
Usually, in making apple jelly, five parts of
juice make one of jelly. To one hundred
pounds of clear juice is added about twenty
pounds of sugar. The product is forty
pounds of sweetened jelly. This can be
sold at a handsome profit.

perimental stages, and opinions given on
very many of its problems must necessarily
be tentative rather than positive.

The Apple Package

FOR soft early apples the barrel is quite
• out of the question. It holds too
many, and they crush each other as they
ripen by their own weight. Besides, no one
wants a barrel at a time of such perishable
stock. At one time we thought the half-
bushel package best for Astrachans, and put
up our crop for export in §uch boxes, but
the buyers advise the bushel box as best for
all apples. Fortunately our association at
its last meeting agreed on a box lo x ii x
20 inches, inside measure, for the use of
Ontario fruit growers, and this will no doubt
suit the Northwest trade for early apples.
British Columbia apple shippers, who are
competing with us for the Northwest trade,
will probably agree to a bushel box of the
same size, as indeed it differs very little from
the box already in use in that province.
This box is offered us at about $12 a hun-
dred, a price not exceeding the cost of the
barrel package for the same quantity of
fruit.— W.

DISEASES OF THE GRAPE

1

PROP. W. LOCH HEAD, ONT.

^ HERE are several diseases which are
more or less commonly known in our
Ontario vineyards. The most common
disease this year has been the downy mil-
dew, or, locally known as brown rot. This
disease produces a thick white felt on the
under surface of the leaves, stems, and
fruit. The treatment outlined in this issue
for black rot will prevent the action of
downy mildew, but fewer sprayings may
be required.

The bird's-eye rot or Anthracnose was
occasionally observed this season, but is not
doing much injury. It yields readily to
treatment by spraying, and should not be
feared when spraying is regularly practised.
It is important that the diseased wood should
be removed.

Occasionally the powdery mildew does
some damage to our grape crop. It forms
a cobweb-like growth on the upper surfaces
of the leaves, and occasionally does con-
siderable harm to fruit. Spraying with the
Bordeaux will prevent injury from this dis-
ease. In spite of the presence of these pests
it is cl'ear that none of them can compare in
damage with the black rot, which is ex-
tremely difficult to control.

the; mildews of grape.

Regarding the mildews of grape, the
downy mildew, or the brown rot as it is
called in some districts, is by far the more
difficult to treat, inasmuch as the threads of
the fungus live within the tissues of the
plant, and only come to the surfaces to fruit.
Besides, a thick-walled winter spore is pro-
duced within the tissues of the leaf, and this
is very difficult to destroy unless measures

I GROW A PEW STRAWBERRIES and find that
the Williams is the most productive, but that
Bubach is better in quality and more suit-
able for table use. I always put on a heavy
mulch of straw in the fall to protect the
plants in the winter. — (Dr. McCallum,
Smith's Falls, Ont.

AGRI. COLLEGE, GUELPH.

are taken to plow the leaves under deeply
or to burn them carefully. The powdery
mildew which forms the cobweb-like
growth on the upper surfaces of the leaves
and fruit was this summer the cause of con-
siderable destruction in the Grimsby dis-
trict. At one time it was supposed that
the cause of the rotting of the grapes in this
district was the downey mildew, but after
examination I found that the most abundant
fungus present on the leaves and fruit was
the powdery mildew. This is a surface-
feeding fungus and can readily be controlled
by frequent sprayings.

The white rot, which Prof. Selby, of
Ohio, alludes to in one of his early bulletins,
is in all probability a phase of the black rot,
and he thinks he made a mistake when he
called it the white rot, for he has not been
able to find it in late years.

Many of our fruit growers have come to
the conclusion that dust spraying would be
a very effective; method of dealing with the
fungous diseases of the orchard. They feel
that this method of applying a fungicide
could be used in weather which precludes
the liquid application. This view is not
held by Prof. Selby, who has had a great
deal of experience with spraying operations
and is one of our best informed authorities
on the diseases of grapes, as he be-
lieves dust spraying will never be as suc-
cessful as the liquid spray. The fine mist
produced, he believes, is far more penetrat-
ing than the fine dust of the dust sprayer.
Our orchard men should not run hastily
into the dust spraying before more is known
about its merits.

In growing carnations I generally use p
top dressing of wood ashes and bone meal
mixed with soil. I put some salt and quite
a lot of lime in this. The salt serves as a
food for the carnations and also, prevents
rust. The lime acts as a combatant to in-
sect pests. — (H, Neal, Ingersoil, Ont.

474

THE SMALL FRUIT GARDEN.

475

Advice for a Beginner in Grape
Growing

A party who has purchased 60 acres of land in the
Niagara district with the intention of raising fruit
on an extensive scale, including 10 acres of grapes,
wrote recently to Prof. H. L. Hutt, of the Agricul-
tural College, Guelph, asking for information in
regard to the growing of grapes. The questions
asked included the cost of posts and wires, number
of vines per acre, the years required before the vines
bear, the price of good vines, average price of grapes
jjer ton, etc. The following answers were given by
Prof. Hutt :

There are a number of your questions
which could be answered far more satisfac-
torily if you would consult some of the lead-
ing fruit growers in your section.

Grape vines are usually planted in rows
ten feet apart and the vines ten to twelve
feet apart in the row. From this you
can easily figure out the number of vines re-
quired per acre, according to the distance
decided on.

Whether two or three wires are used
for the trellis will depend upon what method
or training you intend to adopt. The
Kniffen System requires but two wires,
while the Fuller or renewal system usually
has three wires. I believe most of the
growers in your neighborhood are growing
on the latter system, although the former is
an excellent one, and one which I rather
prefer. These two systems you will find
fully described in some of the recent num-
bers of The Canadian* Horticulturist. This
is a journal you should take if you are not
already doing so.

Vines often begin bearing the first or sec-
ond season after planting, and if well man-
aged should be able to bear a fair crop the
third and probably a full crop by the fourth
year. The average yield per acre varies
considerably, not only with the varieties, but
with the attention given them. Three or
four tons per acre is not an unusual yield
for Niagara and Concord, and it often goes
far more than this.

I cannot speak definitely with reference
to price of vines. Usually we can get first-
class vines in quality for $4.00 per

hundred. The price which can be realized
per ton varies so much, not only with the
season, but with the variety and the grower,
that it is not safe to give figures. I think
you would learn far more along this line
from growers in your neighborhood than
from any other source.

The cost of maintaining trellis is not
usually a heavy one. If trellis is properly
put up at first but little labor and expense
should be required to keep it in repair from
year to year. The market for grapes is
wide, as they can be shipped long distances
if properly packed. I have no doubt that
the Northwest will soon afford an excellent
market for all of the grapes that we can sup-
ply, but the most serious drawback so far
has been the excessive cost of transporta-
tion. This has been considerably lowered
recently, which will materially add to the
profits of the fruit grower. Prices for
grapes have been low for some years past on
account of the heavy crops, but this year
they are likely to be much higher than usual
on account of the lateness of the season,
slow ripening of the fruit, and also the loss
of a large portion of the crop from grape rot.

Ever-bearing Strawberries

PROF. H. L. HUTT, ONT. AGRI. COLLEGE,
GUELPH.

DURING the past ten years nearly 400
varieties of strawberries have been
tested at the Ontario Agricultural College,
among which were a number that have
more or less of the ever-bearing habit.
None, however, have ever been found which
were considered worthy of recommending
on account of this peculiarity.

In favorable seasons many of the varie-
ties in general cultivation will bear a second
crop, but there is seldom enough of these
berries to be of value. As the fruit comes
in at a time when strawberries are out of
season, and the market full of other fruits,
it is not usually a profitable crop.

GAS PROOF PLANTS

WM. HUNT, ONT. AGRI. COLIvEGE, GUELPH.

''' j "^ HE question is often asked " Are there

X any plants that are proof against the
harmful effects of coal 'gas?" To this ques-
tion only one answer can be given, viz :
" That no plant life can long resist the per-
ishing effect that an excessive amount of
coal gas has on plant life in general."

There are, however, some plants that will
endure this evil for a longer period than
others. Generally speaking, plants that are
natives of countries where a dry, arid tem-
perature prevails for a great part of the year
are among the best gas resisting plants that
we have. The class of plants known as suc-
culents, or plants that have the power of re-
taining moisture in their growth and leaves
for a great length of time without being
given a supply of water at the roots, are al-
most invariably the best plants to resist he
fumes of coal gas. Unfortunately, these
succulent plants are not usually of a very
graceful or decorative character, although
some of them are very pretty and effective
as window or house plants.

Among the best and most ornamental of
these plants that will grow in an atmosphere
where the fumes of coal gas are prevalent,
the the Sansevieras or Bowstring Hemp
plants,- natives of tropical Africa and he
East Indies. The variety most commonly
known to plant growers, and in fact the
only one usually offered by commercial flor-
ists is the Sanseviera Zeylanica, a native of
the East Indies. This variety is one of the
best gas resisting decorative plants that we
have. It will resist the fumes of gas for a
very long time, and. given proper treatment
will grow and flourish much better in the
dry, arid atmosphere of a dwelling house,
than it will when treated as an ordinary win-
dow plant, or grown in a greenhouse and
given ordinary greenhouse treatment.

As a proof of this, I was under the neces-
sity some 1 8 years ago of supplying plants
to place on the top of some ornamental

pedestals standing in a large dining room,
where eight to 20 gas jets were burning al-
most every evening during the year. An
imitation log fire place in the room was also
frequently lighted with gas, so that there
was no question about the fumes of gas be-
ing prevalent. Two plants of Sanseviera
Zeylanica about 18 inches in height in five-
inch pots were placed on the top of these
pedestals in 1886, and were kept in the same
position until very recently. The plants
were only removed about every two or three
weeks to a sink to have a thorough watering
and to sponge the leaves. The growth of
the plants when finally removed was over
three feet in height, and instead of two or
three leaves as when placed there, four or
five additional leaves had been added to each
plant.

Keeping the soil in which the Sanseviera
is growing in an almost dry condition, and
giving the plant a rather light sandy soil to
grow in, with plenty of drainage at the
roots, are the main essentials necessary to
be successful with these gas-resisting house
plants. A wet sodden condition of the soil
will be sure to have a bad effect and soon
kill the plants. Too much water usually
accounts for the indifferent success many
plant growers have with these and almost all
succulent plants in windows or greenhouses.
It is only when the plants are kept in a high
tropical temperature that most of the succu-
lent plants grown in greenhouses will live
and thrive in a moist atmosphere. ,

The tallest plants in the centre of the ac-
companying cut of a small collection of suc-
culent plants shows a small specimen of the
Sanseviera Zeylanica. The leaves of these
plants are very prettily marked, which has
sometimes led to their being called the Zebra
plant. The Sansevieras, like most succu-
lent plants, are very slow growing. This
peculiarity, and the fleshy moisture retain-
ing nature of their growth and leaves ac-

476

FOR LOVERS OF FLOWERS.

477

count chiefly to their dislike to an over sup-
ply of moisture at the roots.

Amongst other succulent plants that have
a very nice appearance in a window are
varieties of the Agave. A small plant of
the variegated type of Agave Americanus is
shown in the cut. The two silvery marked,
rosette shaped plants are variegated varie-

Gas Proof Plants.

ties of the Echeveria or Cotyledon secunda
glauca, whilst the larger and darker colored
rosette shaped plant is the Echeveria metal-
lica. Another plant seen in the collection
is the Gasteria maculata or Hound's Tongue
plant, with its long spotted leaves branching
out from either side of the centre of the
plant. Another odd looking plant showing
a long flower spike is the Africa imbricata ;
this is also a very enduring window plant if
not given too much water. .

Many varieties of Aloes, Haworthias, as
well as some varieties of Cacti make splen-
did plants for resisting the fumes of gas,
but like most of the plants before mentioned
are not of a very highly decorative or grace-
ful habit. At the same time they are very
useful to form the basis of a collection of
window or house plants and are a very in-
teresting class of plants, as well as very en-
during, when given proper treatment.
When relieved here and there with a pot of
bulbs in flower or a plant or two having
more graceful foliage, they have a unique

and attractive appearance in a window. The
chief reason so few plant growers succeed
in the culture of many of these succulent
plants is from giving the plants too frequent
and too copious waterings.

Among the more popular and better
known decorative house plants that will en-
dure for a time the baneful effects of coal
gas are some varieties of palms, aspidistra,
begonia or ferns.

Varieties of the Phoenix or Date pafms
will withstand gas for a longer period of
time than most kinds of palms. Phoenix
rupicola, P. spinosa, P. sylvestris, and the
true date palm Phoenix dactylifera, being
about the best varieties to withstand the dry
arid atmosphere of the house. The Kentia
and Latania palms, owing to the thinner tex-
ture of their leaves, succumb quicker to the
effects of gas fumes than do the Phoenix
palms, although the latter are not as grace-
ful in appearance as are the Kentia and La-
tania palms.

Aspidistra lurida is one of the best house
plants we have amongst foliage plants. Its
hard glossy green leaves, if kept sponged
frequently with clear tepid water, will resist
for a long time the efifect of gas fumes.
The rubber plant, Ficus elastica, is another
good enduring plant for the house. Fre-
quent sponging of the leaves of these two
last named plants, as well as those- of the
palms is necessary, if the most enduring and
pleasing results are to be attained in ' eir
culture.

Amongst begonias the most enduring is
Begonia manicata aurea, B. manicata and
P. sanguinea. None of these begonias,
however, will flower successfully where
there is the slightest indication of coal gas
fumes.' Their foliage, however, is very
attractive and enduring.

The Boston Fern is one of the hardiest
and most enduring ferns for the house.
Pteris cretica or the Cretan fern, Pteris
Wimsetti, Pteris Hastata. Aspidium Tensi-

478

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

niensse and Aspidium coriaceuin or Leather
fern, •will also keep in good condition much
longer than many other varieties of ferns in
the house.

There are some other plants that might
be mentioned as being particularly adapted
to endure for a length of time the baneful
effects of coal or illuminating coal gas.
Those I have mentioned, however, are

among the most enduring of our window
and greenhouse plants.

In conclusion I would strongly advise
those who live in dwelling houses where the
fumes of gas is quickly fatal to plant life, to
at once remedy the evil ; for where plant life
cannot exist in a fairly good condition for a
reasonable length of time human life is cer-
tainly more or less endangered.

SOME CANADIAN WAYSIDE FLOWERS

CHARLES H. K. BAILLIE, WINONA, ONT.

WITH the advent of a new by-law in
this part of Ontario, urging the
destruction of wayside weeds, one is tempted
to suggest that there are many so-called
wild flowers which are worthy of cultiva-
tion. There are many indeed classed as
weeds which would never have had such an
appellation had they at some time kept
within bounds and not escaped for a wilder
and freer life. There is no doubt that many
are emigrants, the seeds of which have been
carried away from their native habicat,
either in consignments of hay or fodder, or
perhaps intentionally to grace some garden
or to be planted for their usefulness. This
year, with the approach of spring, I was
tempted to visit the mountain side west of
Grimsby, and the wealth of the earlier flora
was somewhat surprising to one fresh then
from the English woods.

There I found the beautiful Dog's Tooth
violet, the Yellow Erythronum, a change
from the much cultivated mauve variety.
There were the Hepaticas, and a variety of
violets in three or four different colors,
which covered the ground in all directions.
All these, and many others of the spring
flowers, have their own peculiar and some-
times very unsuited names amongst the chil-
dren, but even if classed as " superior
weeds," they are stirely worthy of a corner
in the " Garden " at a time when color is so
welcome after the one continual glare of

winter's shroud of white. With the
summer, and its crowd of garden bloom,
we are apt perhaps not to notice so
closely these wayside flowers, but I have
met many which have graced the old Eng-
lish flower borders, and I felt pleased to
make their acquaintance again so far away
from the garden where I first knew them.
I have found growing wild, Lilium Tigri-
num (the Tiger lily) drooping its handsome
head as if ashamed of being recognized in
all its wildness.

I have met too the little Hyperi-
cum (St. John's Wort), with its thickly
covered heads of golden bloom, and by its
side the Evening Primrose (Oenothera),
small perhaps, and no doubt the wildest of
its specie, but I predicted for it almost as
striking a bearing as some of the more con-
cpicuous cultivated varieties, were it tended
and put under cultivation. Of the com-
moner " weeds " there is an endless field,
quite as interesting perhaps, but too well
known as " weeds " to be elevated to the
flower border. I am thinking now of the
Chrysanthemums (Wild Daisies — Oxeyes
and Marguerites), which in some parts are
most progressive little pests, and seem to
have an insatiate longing for travel. There
is the wild Achillea Antirrhinum (toad
flax), the beautiful blue flowered chicory,
and so many others, whioh seldom find favor
in any save the children's eves.

FOR LOVERS OF FLOWERS.

479

The Care of House Plants

E. MEPSTED, OTTAWA,

HOUSE plants are almost a necessity.
They are decorative ; they are
pretty and they are cheering in the long
winter months. What equals the pleasure
of the whole family when father brings up
a pretty plant, however inexpensive it may
be? However, to have them thrive in the
rooms in winter they need lots of attention.

There are quite a few drawbacks to con-
. tend with. Among the worst is coal gas
from the stove or the smallest escape
from illuminating gas. This is very fatal
to plant life. Then to many plants the dry
air in the room is very hard ; not only does
the plant lose the moisture natural to it, but
its greatest enemy, the red spider, flourishes
on it. Electric hght and furnaces have,
however, done away with coal gas to a great
extent, and we must do our best to help in
the matter of moisture. So we must sponge
many of our plants at least once a week.

The palms, especially Auracarias and Bos-
ton ferns, can hardly be sponged, but they
can have a good rinse. This cleans the leaf,
wards off insects, and gives them a little
taste of that moisture they love.

Begonias and some others do not like
water on their leaf, neither does the red
spider, so early attack them. The most
particular thing in house culture is the
watering. So many people think they are do-
ing their duty if they give their plants a lit-
tle water every day. This is altogether wrong.

When you find your plants dry they
need water. This can be easily learned
by tapping the pot wnth the knuckles
and getting a ringing sound for dry-
ness and a dead sound when it is wet
enough, or by rubbing the soil on the top of
the pot with the finger ; if it feels moist and
sticks to the finger it is wet enough, but if

*Extract from a paper read recently before the
Ottawa Horticultural Society. Societies are invited
to send The Horticulturist copies of the papers read
at their meetings.

it feels dry and slightly dirty, it wants water.
Water it well, and be sure the water has
gone through the pot. By half watering,
that is not giving enough water to go to
the bottom, the roots are drawn to the top
for a drink instead of going down, where
they will get both food and drink. Never
let plants stand in water either in saucers or
jardinieres, as it will in most instances be
fatal to your plants.

Potting Plants for Winter

IF possible procure new pots. Plants
will do much better in them. Soak
the pots in water a short time before' putting
the plants in them, as considerable moisture
is absorbed by new pots. If sufficient water
is not given the plants immediately after
potting they often suffer at that period for
lack of moisture.

When o4d pots are used, wash them thor-
oughly inside and out before potting the
plants. See a small hole is made in the bot-
tom of each pot before putting the plant in.
A layer of small stones, bits of broken china,
etc., in the bottom of the pot will ensure
good drainage, which is most essential. A
small bit of charcoal in the bottom of the pot
is also an excellent thing.

In repotting, many plants you will find to
have but few roots ; these require a portion
of the ball removed — place them in smaller
pots, encourage them to make new roots,
and in a short time you will have fine healthy
tops. After they have been given proper
drainage, put in a little soil (care being
taken to have the plant a little below the sur-
face of the pot, sufficient to allow for water-
ing) ; place the plant in the centre of the pot
with one hand and with the other heap up
the soil loosely in the pot ; give the pot a
sharp rap, pressing the soil with the thumb
firmly around the plant. In potting large
plants, a flat stick must be used to firm the
soil around the plant, otherwise it will not
be packed as firmly around the edges as is
essential for sfood results.

480

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

Have the soil in proper condition, neither
too wet nor too dry. If too wet, it will bake
and roots will not penetrate it. If dry, like
dust, you cannot pot with that firmness re-
quired.

Suitable compost for nearly all plants is
composed of three-fourths turfy loam,
equal parts of cow manure and leaf mould
with a little bone meal and sand added ; mix
well together, and it is ready for use, and
suited for roses, geraniums, fuchsias, helio-
tropes, verbenas, pansies, and all free-grow-
ing plants. Turfy loam is the top sod from
all pastures well rotted. Leaf mold is de-
cayed leaves, which you can get from the
woods.

Carnations

C'^ ARNATIONS can be grown success-
_/ fully in the garden by starting the
seed in cold frames in July or August and
leaving the plants there over winter. In the
spring set them out in beds that are well
raised so that water will not lie on the
ground.

If the soil is rich about 75 per cent, of the
plants make good growth, but will not
bloom. During the succeeding winter they
should be well protected by a covering
which admits some air but protects them
from the frost. A covering of dead leaves
is as good as any. About June 15 or July i
of the following season they produce an
abundant and fragrant bloom which lasts
for three or four weeks.

The difficulty in this country is, that if
they do not bloom the first season they be-
come winter-killed and there is practically
no bloom. The best varieties are Red
Grenadin and Early Dwarf Vienna (white
and variegated). Only about 60 per cent,
come double and some others semi-double.
The remainder are single and should be up-
rooted. The variety Marguerite will bloom
the first year, but it does not give nearly the
amount of bloom the others do.

The English Ivy

C. B. M.

OF all vines for continued house growth
the English Ivy stands at the head
as a universal favorite, and yet is seldom
seen brought to a state of luxurious growth
and vigor. It is most easy to grow, and
when once well established makes rapid pro-
gress. It branches freely and gracefully,
will stand dust, hot and dry air, sudden
changes of temperature, and show no ill ef-
fects therefrom. One of its qualifications
as a house plant is its ability to grow in the
shade even better than in the sunsnme.
Frequent washings of the foliage make it as
" good as new," rendering the dark glossy
rich leaves even more attractive than ever.

Good drainage is an especial necessity for
the ivy, and only enough water should be
given to keep the soil moist. None other
than ordinary soil is required for good suc-
cess with English ivy, applying liquid ferti-
lizer once a week or thereabouts. The
foliage must be kept clean, otherwise the
plant is subject to scale, requiring much

FOR LOVERS OF FLOWERS.

481

washing and scrubbing, if once attacked, to
rid it of the pest.

The English ivy is about the only plant
that lends itself to training round a room,
and as mentioned before, it grows equally
as well without sunlight as with. The
color of the leaves in fact take on a deeper
and richer tone if in complete shade. Aim
always to keep the plant in a perfectly
healthy condition. If disease attacks it,
leaves will fall oflF before recovery sets in,
anid the long naked branches are anything
but a " thing of beauty."

Another Blue Hydrangea

GEORGE VAIR, NORMAL SCHOOL, TORONTO.

1 NOTICE by the October issue of The
Horticulturist that Mr. E. Tyrrell,
president of the Toronto Horticultural So-
ciety, writes about a blue hydrangea, belong-
ing to a lady somewhere in England, which
produced blue blossoms, and that the owner
in question was offered the sum of 10 pounds
but did not make a sale even at that sum.
The plant referred to is not the only one that
produced blue flowers.

I remember in my father's time (who by
the way was a gardener) hearing of a simi-
lar freak which occurred in Scotland.

Of course it was a wonder, and very
many ideas were put forth as to the cause.
Finally the whole matter was exploded,
The hydrangea was planted against a wall
and through the wall there was a lead pipe.
The roots of the plant wound around the
pipe of lead and thus became what might be
termed oxydized. The plant produced blue
flowers. The lady spoken of must have
possibly in some way placed some lead fil-
ings amongst the soil, hence the result. Let
some one try the experiment.

Preparing Roses for Winter, No. 1.

Many amateur rose growers in Canada fail to attain success
through not knowing how to properly protect their plants in winter.
One of the most successful rose growers in Canada is Mr. W. G.
Black, of Ottawa, who in an address on roses, delivered recently
before the Ottawa Horticultural Society, gave some valuable in-
formation on this subject. The process by which he prei^erves his
rose trees through the severest winter, is simple, inexpensive and
easily applied. In the spring, his roses come out lo feet and some-
times 20 feet long, as perfect as the day they were turned down.
This cut shows a row of roses 14 feet long, in November with the
leaves all off, ready for winter protection.

Growing Sweet Peas. — Seed of sweet
peas should be planted at the earliest op-
portunity, after all fear of frost has gone.
Seed planted late in fall, if in well drained
soils, will give much earlier flowers than will
be secured from the earliest spring plant-
ings. Do not plant sweet peas in the same
soil two years in succession, or where you
have planted garden peas the previous year.
The vines should be located so as to receive
the sunshine at all times. If too shaded a
location is selected for the sweet peas the
vines will grow to an extreme length and
have but few leaves and fewer flowers. —
(C. B. M.

Syringe your plants often with pure water.
It will add health and vigor to the plants be-
ing grown in the windows, or in a hot dry
atmosphere. Sprinkling and washing the
foliage in hot, dry weather is good for all
plants. Pick off all dead and sickly leaves
as soon as they appear. They only drain
the strength of the plant and do no good.

Never allow plants to droop for want of
water. Do not let water stand in bottom
of jardinieres, as it rots the roots and the
plants soon die.

In winter and cooler months give plants
all the sunshine possible. Fresh air in mild
weather is exceedingly beneficial for all
plants kept indoors.

482

I HE CANADIAN HGRTICULTUR1S2

Something About Geraniums

WM. HUNT, ONT. AGRI. COLLEGE, GUELPH,
ONT.

What have you in double flowering- silver
leaved geraniums? Give name and color of
flower. Do you consider them worth growing
by the retail grower ? What do you consider
to be the best scarlet bedalng geranium ? — (A.
W. F., Hensall, Ont.

The varieties of double flowering silver
leaved geraniums we grow are : Wm. Lan-
guth, a very desirable variety for a pot or
window plant. This variety has flowers of
a dull scarlet color. We also have the sil-
ver leaved type of the well known bedding
geranium, S. A. Nutt. The leaves of this
variety are slightly margined with silver,
otherwise it is very similar to the original
type. It is a recent introduction, and we
have not had time to thoroughly test it^ but
it seems inclined to deteriorate or go back-
to the plain leaved or original type ; evi-
dently it is only a sport from the original.

The pink flowering variety is in all proba-
bility " Mrs. Parker," a good variety for
growing as a pot plant, and quite as easy to
grow as an ordinary variety. Would not
recommend carrying a very large stock of
these geraniums, as the demand for them 'S
limited. At the same time they are very
effective as window plants. I considrr S.
A. Nutt the best crimson scarlet bedding
gerauium, and J. J. Harrison for a lighter
scarlet.

The Peony

WILLIAM I'OLEY, LINDSAY, ONT.

^ i ^ HE peony is cultivated in a great many
X gardens, and is considered very
hardy. It has a great variety of colors and
is sometimes highly scented. The season
of flowering runs far into the summer.

Nothing looks more beautiful than a
hedge or row of peonies of various colors,
or a large round or oval bed. Peonies when
once planted should not be disturbed for
years, and only then to reduce the clumps.
They respond to kindly treatment, and even
when neglected, which is too often the case,
die hard. There is a great variety of both
double and single flowers. I would cor-
dially recommend every one who is interest-
ed in a flower garden to make room for a
few plants of the much-neglected peony.

Before lifting plants from a box or bed to
transplant, soak soil with water and lift as
much earth as possible with each plant ; very
few will wilt. You can transplant sweet
peas and poppies in this way, although some
people will tell you that they cannot. — (N. S.
Dunlop, Floral Agent, C. P. R.

Preparing Roses for Winter, No. 2.

In this cut, the materials required for the protection of the bushes
during the winter are shown. They include three pine boards 15
feet long, about 14 inches wide with two end pieces, four small
braces and a sack of dry leaves.

See plants are properly potted, not over-
potted. Give them a little fertilizer occa-
sionally, either in liquid form or dry powder
on top of the earth around the plant. Se-
cure free drainage by putting bits of crock-
ery, stones, etc., in the bottom of the pot be-
fore filling- with earth.

I find pansies will give two good crops of
flowers, after which it is better to replace
them with young plants. — (William Spend-
low, Billings Bridge, Ont.

Turn plants in windows occasionally, say
every two weeks, and they will grow straight
and symmetrical. Pinch back all strag-
gling shoots to form bushy and good shaped
plants.

WITH THE VEGETABLE GROWERS.

483

A Floral Exhibit That Has Brought Honor to Canada.

The magnificent floral display shown in the illustration was made at the World's Fair at St. Louis by Mr. H. H. Groff", of Sim-
coe, Ont., and brought gieat honor to Canada by winning the highest award. In the growing of gladioli Mr. Groff is recognized as
the leading specialist in America, and has won many valuable and notable pri/es for his exhibits. Among these are the Gold Medal
at the Pan American, the Pan American Silver Vase, besides thirteen first awards at Buffalo the same year. It was with the intention
of securing certain strains that he desired that Mr. Groff^ took up the question of scientific hybridization. His creations have to-day
been sold on every continent. From one-half to three-quarters of a million bulbs are sold every year.

A ROT OF STORED CELERY

C^ ELERY may be dug in the fall and
^ stored in a cellar to be used dur-
ing winter and spring. It is usual to pack
it closely, with the roots in soil which is kept
moist. With right conditions of moisture
and temperature the celery keeps well until
spring, but, if the soil is wet, and the tem-
perature varies, and, especially, if the celery
freezes and thaws, it will decay.

Decay follows close upon death. The
bacteria and moulds are its active agents.
They are always present in the soil in which
the celery grows, and in the soil in which
the roots are packed, and there are no prac-
ticable means by which they can be kept
away from the plant ; neither can they be
killed without killing the plant. It remains
then to keep the celery alive and in health so
that it can resist the invasion of the bacteria.
A constant temperature, a little above freez-
ing, keeps the celery alive without growing,
and keeps the bacteria in check, for they also
become dormant at low temperatures, and
increase slowly, or not at all. If the celerv
freezes it becomes so much dead matter
without resistance, fit food for bacteria, and,
as soon as the temperature rises, the celery
rots.

*A bulletin by B. Barlow, recently issued by the
Ontario Agricultural College.

This was observed in some celery stored
in the cellar of the horticultural department
of the Ontario Agricultural College during
the winter of 1903-4. The celery tops
showed signs of having been frozen, but, as
the temperature continued low, it remained
sound within, the outer leaves and stalks
only showing signs of decay. On staining
the decayed tissue, bacteria were found in
large numbers, and, on making plates from
the inner parts of the decayed stems, many
colonies developed. The plates were usually
pure cultures, or almost pure cultures, of
Ps. fluorescens, and two varieties of it were
recognized.

Some fresh plants of celery were obtained
and the outer leaves were cut away. The
inner leaves were washed under the tap and
covered with mercuric chloride solution, one
part to 1.000 of water, then rinsed in sterile
water and each stem put into a larger sterile
test tube containing a little sterile water in
the bottom. In three weeks, four out of 14
stems so prepared showed signs of rotting,
but some remained sound after a month and
were then inoculated with pure' cultures
originally isolated from the celery. Some
of these stems in test tubes had been stand-
ing in the sunshine and had regained their

484

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST,

green color. To inoculate them a sterile
platinum needle was dipped into the pure
culture and thrust into the stem. After one
day at room temperature the rot was some-
times evident, and, in about four days, juice
from the rotting stem had accumulated in
the bottom of the test tube, and the stem was
softened throughout so that it could be
shaken down into a soft pulp in the bottom
of the test tube. Plates from such inocu-
lated and rotted stems developed colonies of
Ps. fluorescens in pure cultures.

While the weather continued cold the
celery in the cellar remained sound, although
it developed a sweet taste ; but, when warm
weather came in early spring, what had not
been consumed, rotted.

By such study we learn that bacteria cause
decay, and that decay takes place under con-
ditions in some measures known to us and
under our control. To keep celery well, it
sihould be packed with the roots in clean soil.
For this purpose it is best to use the humus,
or muck soil, in which the celery is common-
ly grown. The soil in which the roots are
packed should be kept moist, but not wet,
with good water. The cellar or storage
room should be kept at a uniform low tem-
perature, a little above freezing. Free ven-
tilation should be provided, both as a means
of regulating the temperature and for the
health of the plants. It should be remem-
bered, also, that celery kept in a close, foul
atmosphere becomes tainted.

GROWING LETTUCE FOR THE WINTER MARKET

THE growing of several lines of vegeta-
bles under glass is a profitable occu-
pation for market gardeners in many lead-
ing cities. Quite a little of this work is car-
ried on in Toronto. One of the most suc-
cessful growers is Mr. J. W. Johnson, of
Queen street east, who makes a specialty of
raising lettuce, he having two greenhouses,
one 10 X 18, and the other 10 x 70 feet.

" My method," said Mr. Johnson recently
to The Horticulturist, " is to start my lettuce
as soon as the cucumbers are out of the way.
It is started in the greenhouse, as I prefer
using the greenhouse to growing the lettuce
outside under frames. They usually keep
freer from the green flies than when started
outside. It is difficult to destroy these in-
sects when they once get into the green-
house, and if the plants are brought into the
greenhouse the place is often stocked up with
the flies for the winter. When the plants
are grown in the greenhouse it is possible
to fumigate and keep the insects under con-
trol.

" I sow Grand Rapids and some varieties
of Boston Market. The first is a bunch let-
tuce and the second a head lettuce, which I
find is coming into greater demand, it being
a more tender variety, and with a nice crisp
white head. For a fertilizer I find barn-
yard manure gives better results than any
thing else I have ever used. Planting is
started about September and continued until
March or April, when cucumbers and toma-
toes are started again. These latter vege-
tables are started about a month or s'x
weeks before the last crop of lettuce is ready
to be cut. I start cutting the Grand Rapids
variety of lettuce about a month after plant-
ing, or October i, while the head lettuce is
not ready until about December i.

" The wholesale dealers of Toronto ake
all the lettuce I can produce. These deal-
ers say they have to import large quantities
from the United States because they cannot
get sufficient quantities here to supply the
demand. The imported article is not nearly
as crisp or nice as the home grown."

Do you like the changes we are making in
The Horticulturist? If you do, tell your friends
about them.

I am well pleased with The Horticulturist.
Find it a great Tjeneflt and entertainment. — (G.
E. Russell, Stamford, Ont.

GROWING ONIONS FROM SETS

R. BRODIE, WESTMOUNT, QUE.

IT is only in small family gardens that
onions are grown from Dutch sets.
Hundreds of acres near Montreal are grown
from seed, some farmers having 12 acres
each. They are generally grown on land that
has been very heavily manured and planted
the previous year to cabbage or cauliflower.
Sow about five pounds of seed to the acre,
in rows one foot apart. Cultivate often and
keep the weeds down or they will soon down
the onions.

With good soil, good seed and clean culti-
vation, 600 bushels to the acre should be the
yield. This, however, is only in case there
is no onion maggot, for which as yet no
practical preventive has been found. The
best remedy, perhaps, is paris green and
plaster of paris (gypsum), two pounds of
paris green to a barrel of plaster. Sown

on a row of onions where the plants are
afflicted it prevents the maggot from spread-
ing over the field.

The most profitable varieties to grow are :
for the red onion, the Early and Large Red
Wethersfield ; the Red Globe Danvers is
much liked on some soils, especially the black
sandy loam. For yellow onions, the Globe
Danvers and Flat Danvers are the best ; the
Giant Prizetaker is good for amateur grow-
ers. Start the seed in the hot beds, trans-
planting in May. For commercial pur-
poses it comes into competition with the im-
ported Spanish onion., and we can never ob
tain the bright straw color of the imported
varieties. In white varieties the White
Southport and Prize Winner can be grown,
starting them in hotbeds. Avoid wet soil
or the onions will grow to thick necks.

A Promising Industry

PROF. H. L. HUTT, ONT. AGRI. CQLLEGE,
GUELPH.

1"> HE growing of vegetables for the early
markets, I believe, is one of the
branches of market gardening which will
certainly increase very much within the next
few vears. From the fact that manv of the

Preparing Roses for Winter, No. 3.

This illustration shows the box with the cover nailed securely on,
and the bushes ready for their winter's sleep. Amateur rose growers
will do well to adopt this method.

peach growers in Essex district have been
forced to turn to something else since thev
have lost their peach orchards, this forcing
of early vegetables has received a great deal
of attention in the Leamington district.
Some of the growers there this year have
told me thev have found their earlv

crops of tomatoes, cabbage and cucumbers
even more profitable than peaches. There
is a growing demand for these early crops ;
in fact, some of the growers stated that they
could not begin to meet the demand this
year.

In the past we have been importing a
large quantity of early vegetables from the
southern states, and there is no reason
whatever why we should not produce a large
quantity, if not the greater part of these, in
our own country. Some of the southern
sections of the province, like the Niagara
and Essex districts, are particularly adapted
to growing such crops, as they have a suit-
able soil and their winters are not so severe
that the expense of heating is excessive.

We are apt to judge strangers whom we
meet on the street by their personal appear-
ance. Their outward garments, if you
please, convey to us almost insensibly their
qualities of mind and heart. — (P. G. Keyes,
Ottawa, Ont.

48s

486

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

Express Charges on Vegetables

S. WARD KENNEDY, LEAMINGTON, ONT.

IN his remarks on tomato growing in
Essex county, which appeared in the
September issue of The Canadian Horti-
culturist, Mr. W. W. Hilborn does not, to
my mind show clearly why we must have
better rates to the Northwest. My ship-
ment of vegetables was not large, but serves
to show the point. The following is a copy
of statement I received in regard to my
consignment.
Aug.2. By 24 Baskets Tomatoes 19.20

To Express 1 1 .00

„ Commission 1.92

„ Money Order .... 6.28

19.20 19.20

The tomatoes sold for 80 cents a basket.

This I am sure is a good price, and yet the

Express company received nearly double

what I did. Surely this is not right.

Growing Celery in Beds

U \ "1 7 E get good results with celery by
V V putting the plants in the old chry-
santhemum beds," said Mr. John Whitta-
ker, of Whittaker Bros., Cornwall, Ont., to a
Horticulturist representative, who visited
his place, "We sow the seed about the mid-
dle of March, and when the plants are about
one inch high transplant them into flats.
They are left there until about two or three
inches high, then the flats are set out-
side to harden the plants. If frost is antici-
pated the flats are placed inside or covered
with burlap. As soon as danger of frost is
past, the plants are set outside in beds 12
feet wide. For the early market, plants are
set nine inches apart each way, but for the
later crop the space is increased to 12 or
14 inches. When planted in this way a
wheel hoe can be used. By running the
hOe both ways very little hand weeding is
necessary. When large enough for use,
board in all round with a 12-inch board.

The centre, of course, bleaches itself, how-
ever if it does not bleach quickly enough,
cover the bed with burlap. The advan-
tage of growing celery in this way lies in
the fact that the bleaching is more easily
done than when celery is grown in trenches,
besides which, three or four times as much
can be grown on the same amount of
ground. The ground of course, must necs-
sarily be well manured and watered fre-
quently to ensure good growth. White
Plume and Paris Golden Yellow are the
only varieties I grow, and of these I prefer
the latter."

The Culture of Potatoes

NO vegetable is raised as extensively
as the potato. To the house-
holder, who cultivates a few hills in his own
garden, and the large grower, who raises
many acres, the crop is an important and
profitable one.

A bulletin, devoted exclusively to the cul-
ture of potatoes, has recently been issued
by Prof. F. Wm. Rane and H. F. Hall, of

Preparing Roses for Winter, No. 4'.

The rose bushes bent down and fastened with braces are heie
fhcwn. The box is then filled with the dry leaves after which the
bushes are ready for the winter.

the Northwest Agricultural Experiment Sta-
tion. According to the bulletin the ideal
potato soil is deep, friable, retentive of mois-
ture, and well drained. Heavy clay and
very light sandy soils should be avoided.
Stony land renders planting and cultivating
difficult and expensive.

The presence of decaying organic matter
in the soil not only furnishes valuable plant
food but also increases its water-holding
capacity. Everything else being equal, a
northern slope would be preferred to a
southern one, except when grown for early

WITH THE VEGETABLE GROWERS.

487

use, as the crop is sometimes badly injured
by the intense heat increased by a southern
exposure during a hot, dry season.

GUARD AGAINST DISEASES.

Fresh stable manure, especially when har-
rowed in, tends to produce such diseases as
scab, blight, and rot, and should therefore
be applied, if possible, ta the crop preced-
ing, and enough used to provide for the
needs of both crops. The potato thrives
best in a cool, moist soil, and, unlike the corn
crop, roots quite deeply. It is therefore
recommended that stable manure be plowed
in for the above-mentioned reasons, and also
to prevent the germination of the weed
seeds contained in it, thus greatly reducing
the cost of hand- cultivation.

Cultivation is a very important operation,
and must be attended to at the proper time
if the crop is to be kept clean and thrifty at
a minimum cost. The neglect of a few
days in one cultivation may mean the differ-
ence between profit and loss. Cultivation
should begin by stirring the soil with a
weeder or smoothing harrow within ne
week from time of planting, and the opera-
tion repeated every week or ten days as long
as the size of plants will admit, the objects
sought being to prevent crusting of the sur-
face soil and the extermination of weeds Vit-
fore they have gained foothold in the soil.

An Instructive Bulletin. — Some Bac-
terial Diseases of Plants, is the name
of the bulletin, No. 136, recently issued
by Prof. H. C. Harrison and B. Barlow,
bacteriologists, of the Agricultural College
at Guelph. The subjects treated include
Fire blight or twig blight, Soft rot of cauli-
flowers, fall turnip, etc., by Prof. Harrison,
and Bacteriosis of beans, and A rot of celery,
bv Mr. Barlow. The bulletin is well illus-
trated, describes the various diseases, and
the causes and remedies, as far as they have
been discovered to date.

Storing Celery

WM. HUNT, ONT. AGRI. COLLEGE, GUELPH.

A GOOD method of storing a few dozen
•heads of celery is to place it in
boxes. The boxes should be about 15 to
J 8 inches in depth, and of a size convenient
to be moved around with comparative ease.
The box should be deep enough so that the
tops of the celery are at most only an inch
or two above the top edge of the box.

When filling the box with celery first take
out one side of the box. Then place the box
on a bench or on the ground with the other
side of the box, that has not been removed,
downward. Start packing the celery with
the roots toward the bottom of the box. If
there is very little earth attached to the roots
place some- earth over each layer of roots,
and if the soil is very dry give the soil, not
the tops, a slight sprinkle of water. Fill
up the box with successive layers of celery
until the box is quite full. Then place the
side of the box that had been removed on
agaiti and nail it down before the box is
moved from its position. The box can then
be raised to an upright position. Some soil
may be required around the box if the plants
are not packed fairly firm. Celery packed
in this way can be placed in any part of the
cellar. Packed in boxes in this way there
is less danger of over-heating than if packed
early in the season in a warm cellar. N<J
lid is required for the box.

Another advantage in this method for the
amateur gardener is that the celery can be
kept safely out of doors until real winter
weather sets in, if only a few leaves or some
straw be placed over it on frosty nights. A
few boards should also be placed over the
boxes to keep out snow or rain. By pack-
ing celery in this v^ay, it can often be keot
out of doors under temporary protection
until severe weather sets in, avoiding the
necessity of taking it into the cellar too
er rlv.

488

EDITORIAL.

Tqe (an^dian plortic^Itdrist

The Leading Horticultural Magazine in the
Dominion.

1. The Canad an Horticulturist is published the first of
each month.

%. Subscript on Price $i.oo per year, strictly in advance,
entitling the subscriber to membership in the Fruit Growers'
Association of Ontario and all its privileges, including a copy of its
report and a share of its annual distribution of plants and tree-.
For all countries except Canada, United States and Great Britain
add 50c. for postage.

3. Remittance should be made by Post Office or Money
Express Order, or Registered Letter. Postage Stamps accepted for
amounts less than $1.00. Receipts will be acknowledged on the
address label, which shows the date to which subscription is paid.

4. Discontinuances — Responsible subscribers will continue
to receive The Horticulturist until the publishers are notified by
letter to discontinue, when all arrearages must be paid. Societies
should send in their revised lists in January: otheiwise it will be
taken for granted all will continue members.

5. Change of Address — When a change of address is or-
dered, both the old and the new addresses must be given.

6. Advertising Bates quoted on application. Circulatien
5,500. Copy receiped up to the 24th. Responsible representatives
wanted in towns and cities.

7« Articles and Illustrations for publication will be
thankfully received by the editor.
8. All Communications should be addressed :

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST,

TORONTO, CANADA

IMPORTANT IT SHALL BE A SUCCESS.

Fruit growers, florists and apiarists may,
with good reason, unite in a sincere wish that
the first provincial fruit, flower and honey show,
to be held in Toronto this month, proves a great
success. Its success will mean much to all
conoerned. If the issue of their flrst exhibi-
tion proves happy it will be the greatest adver-
tisement the fruit, floral and honey interests of
the province have ever received, and should re-
sult in a marked increase in the consumption of
all three products.

These three allied industries have long been
considered, by the general public, as of but
relatively small importance, and an annual,
large, provincial exhibition of this kind is all
that is required to demonstrate the contrary.
Let the flrst exhibition prove a success and the
holding of annual exhibitions on an even more
extensive scale is assured. The energetic and
enthusiastic manner in which the preparations
for the exhibition have been undertaken by the
members of the various organizations interested
reflects credit on the members and makes a
crowning success of their efforts seem probable.
All that now remains is for all who are inter-
ested in either fruit, flowers or honey to attend
and make success certain.

tions surrounding the handling of fruit both in
Canada and the United States. At the ses-
sions of the commission in Toronto, when the
evidence of the fruit growers and companies
was taken, considerable was said on both sides
concerning the methods adopted in the United
States in regard to the handling of fruit. Defi-
nite and necessary information was lacking.
The appointment of this committee should re-
sult in this information being secured.

Another matter for gratification is the
character of the committee. It is to be pre-
sumed the railway companies are satisfied with
their representatives; certainly, fruit growers
have no reason to regret the selection of Mr. "W.
H. Bunting to watch their interests. The ardu-
ous work already performed by Mr. Bunting
and his thorough mastery of the situation make
him especially well fitted for a position on the
committee. If any direct pleasure or benefit
can be derived by Mr.- Bunting, as a result of
this trip, it is to be hoped he will be able to en-
joy them to the full.

An encouraging point connected with the ap-
pointment of the committee is the inference
that is to be drawn that the material conces-
sions already made by the railway companies
are only precursors to more important ones still
to follow. So far fruit growers have nothing
to regret in regard to the work of the railway
commission, and much for which to be thankful.

A WISE MOVE.

The railway commission has given additional
proof of its value and of its determination to
see justice done all parties by the appointment
of the special committee to investigate condi-

IT IS TIME TO COOPERATE.

The thousands of barrels of apples that are
this falj going to waste and the low prices pre-
vailing should be an object lesson to our Cana-
dian fruit growers. There can be little doubt
but that there will be a marked improvement,
in the course of a few weeks, in the prices paid
for winter apples. Were our Canadian growers
able to store their best fruit until such time as
the markets improve it would mean thousands
of dollars to them. The trouble is, few of our
growers are in a position to do so.

Cooperation by fruit growers is not a " cure
all " for the various troubles our fruit industry
suffers frofn. It will not materially advance
prices in a dull season or improve the quality
of the fruit in the growers' hands. Coopera-
tion will, however, accomplish much, very
much. By means of a central packing and
storage house it makes it possible for small
growers to have their fruit properly graded
without the expense and annoyance of boarding
the packers' gangs. Small growers would also
be able to hold their best fruit until such times
as the market was ready for its consumption
instead of being forced to see it rot beneath the
trees.

Cooperation would enable growers to deal di-
rect with the large firms handling fruit and thus
save the expense now incurred through dealing
with small local buyers. Thousands of west-
ern grain growers, who have been all through
this mill, have already conquered the situation
by erecting their own elevators. It is time for
our fruit growers to make a move.

EDITORIAL.

?nA'i ^

489

BOTH ADVERTISER AND BUYER PLEASED.

For several months The Horticulturist has
offered to give ten dollars to the reader buying
goods to the greatest value from advertisers in
each issue provided it was stated the advertise-
ment was seen in The Horticulturist. The
prize for .September has been won by Charles
Mackey, of Thornbury, who purchased goods to
the value of one hundred and seventy-five dol-
lars and eighty-four cents from the Waggoner
Ladder Co. While other readers may have
bought goods of greater value from advertisers
in the same issue, Mr. Mackey wins the ten dol-
lars, as no other reader, whose purchases ex-
ceed his, has applied for the prize. One other
reader purchased goods to the value of eighty-
seven dollars from the Canadian Portable Fence
Co. as a result of that firm's advertisement in
The Horticulturist. And so it goes.

The result of Mr. Mackey's having informed
the Waggoner Ladder Co. that he saw their ad-
vertisement in The Horticulturist is that he re-
ceived the prize of ten dollars and is pleased;
the Waggoner Ladder Co. have found that it
pays to advertise in The Horticulturist and is
pleased, while The Horticulturist is pleased be-
caus.e The Waggoi?er Ladder Co., has renewed
its advertisement in this issue for the back, out-
side cover page, and intends shortly to sign for
a time contract. It will thus be seen that
there is no " fly in the honey," because we are
all pleased. Remember, any reader purchasing
goods from our advertisers is entitled to a
handsome calendar whether they win the
special ten dollar prize or not.

When the Agricultural and Arts Act is
changed and horticultural societies are placed
on a footing of their own, as distinct from agri-
cultural societies, several matters of vital im-
portance will call for careful consideration.
One of, if not the most important, will be the
basis on which horticultural societies shall re-
ceive their grants. Shall the grants be made
on a membership plan; according to the amounts
societies give for horticultural purposes, or a
combination of these principles ? Should so-
cieties be required to ihold a certain number of
meetings yearly, distribute seeds, etc ? These
are subjects that will have to be considered at
the horticultural convention this month in con-
nection with the fruit, flower and honey show.
Delegates should prepare themselves to discuss
these matters intelligently and be in a position
to make suggestions.

Field mice are reported to be unusually nu-
merous in different parts of Ontario this season.
They are already very noticeable in cover crops
and along grassy fences. Orchardists should
be on their guard and use every precaution to
prevent the destruction of fruit and shade trees
by this pest, which did so muoh damage last
winter. There are various methods of protec-
tion, such as banding the tree trunks, using
specially prepared paints, etc., which should
be given due consideration by readers of The
Horticulturist.

Canadians who are proud of Canada's horti-
cultural resources should read the description
in this issue of the nurseries of Messrs. Morris
& Wellington, of Fonthill. There are few firms
of any kind in the Dominion which do a larger
business; none that demand a greater mastery
of infinite detail. The steady and marked
growth of this immense business has not been
of the hothouse variety. This speaks well for
its operations in the past and its prospects for
further development. Such an established busi-
ness adds to the stability of the horticultural
interests of the country.

What can be done with such a man as the
one mentioned in this issue, by Mr. E. Morris,
of Fonthill, who, when his farm was under-
drained at no expense to him, thought so little
of the improvement as to not even take the
trouble to keep the outlets clear ? Such a man
is probably anxious for an opportunity to talk
your head off about hard times.

How Export Fruit Should Be Packed

JAMES LINDSAY & SON, Ei'INBUROH. SCOTIAND.

Our opinion is that if Canadian shippers con-
tinue to pack -in a straightforward manner there
will be an increased demand for the article they
put up. With regard to improvements, it
ought to be seriously impressed on them that
they must use strong packages. Some Cana-
dian shippers hold the opinion that any sort of
package will do, but such is not the case. Bar-
rels ought to have eight hoops, and the staves
ought to be of thoroughly dried wood and the
liners better driven home than they usually are.

We find that at one of the ends the liners are
fixed by the coopers, and that fixing is very in-
adequate for what is required. Many times
they are nailed to the covers, not to the staves
at all, and of course the consequences are, on
arrival here, the heads or bottoms are out.
Shippers should not send inferior grades of fruit,
as the packages of such grading incur the same
expense as fine quality to handle, and it is dis-
couraging to the business all over.

The Department of Agriculture's inspector in
Glasgow writes to W. W. Moore, head of the ex-
tension of markets division, condemning the
shipments of Canadian apples to Glasgow via
New York as less satisfactory than from Mont-
real. The distance from the fruit centres to
New York is much greater than to Montreal,
and the steamships sailing from the former port
are not well ventilated.

The freight from New York to Glasgow is 12
cents cheaper than from Montreal . to Glasgow,
which sum shippers by New York think they
save. Actually, however, there is a net loss
of 36 cents on every barrel going by the New
York route. Owing to the state in which the
fruit arrives from New York, some British im-
porters have cabled Canadian shippers not to
ship that way, but to send by the Donaldson- or
Allan lines from Montreal. (Note — Advertise-
ments giving sailings by these lines are pub-
lished in this issue.)

CARS SUITABLE FOR CARRYING FRUIT

The Railway Commission at Ottawa has re-
cently arranged to send James Hardwell, its
chief traffic officer; W. H. Bunting, president of
the Ontario Fruit Growers' Association; J. M.
Riddell, freight agent of the Grand Trunk Rail-
way, Montreal; and a representative of the
Canadian Pacific Railway, not yet selected, to
examine what are considered the best cars now
used for the transportation of fruit In Canada
and the United States. These gentlemen have
beea instructed to make a thorough inspection
of such cars, gather all the facts available, and
report at an early date what they believe to be
the best oar, considering three points; first,
suitability for carrying fruit in warm or hot
weather; second, adaptability for the carriage
of other kinds of freight, w-hen not required for
the transportation of fruit; and, third, what is
likely to be the cost of the special kind of car
which they may recommend.

As chief traffic officer of the Board, Mr. Hard-
well has special and varied qualifications for
work of this kind; Mr. Bunting thoroughly un-
derstands what is required by the fruit growers
of the .country, and Mr. Riddell has had long
experience as a local agent of the Grand Trunk

Railway in Montreal, and has therefore had an
opportunity of noticing the merits and demerits
of the different kinds of cars used for the car-
riage of fruit and vegetables.

WHAT THE COMMITTEE WILL DO.

It is proposed not only to inspect the best cars
now in use in the Dominion, but to go to New
York and Jersey City, as it is thought that In thes e
places the committee will have an opportunity
of seeing a variety of the best cars used for
fruit transportation throughout the republic.

The special object is to find a car that may
be used as a ventilated car during the short
fruit season, and at other times as an ordinary
freight car adapted for the carriage of other
commodities, and thereby relieve the railways
of the expense of providing and maintaining
special ventilated cars, which, owing to their
non-adaptability for other purposes, remain
idle during the greater part of the year.

It is sincerely hoped that the result of the in-
vestigation may be the selection of a car that
will remove the many difficulties incident to the
transportation of fruit under the conditions
which at present exist.

THE CONCESSIONS MADE BY THE RAILWAY COMPANIES

As a result of the evidence given last summer
by representatives of the fruit growers before
the Railway Commission, when it met in To-
ronto, the following concessions to shipperts
have already been approved by the commis-
sioners. These concessions have been volun-
tarily proposed by the railway companies. It
is expected further concessions will be made
later.

The changes are :

(a) That under the heading of " Fruits," the
Canadian freight classification be amended by
reducing pears (green), in boxes or barrels,
from first-class to third-class in less than car-
loads, and from third to fifth class in carloads;
also that apples (green), in boxes, which are at
present second-class in less than carloads nd
fifth-class in carloads, be made third-class in
less than carloads and fifth-class in carloads,
thus making the classification of apples and
pears in boxes or barrels uniform.

(b) That fruit described in the current Cana-
dian freight classification as " fruit, fresh," be
carried in baskets, boxes or crates, viz : Be-
tween all stations in Ontario, east of Sault Ste.
Marie and Fort William, and between all sta-

tions in Quebec, and interprovincially between
Ontario and Quebec, also from stations in On-
tario and Quebec to stations in New Brunswick
and Nova Scotia, at fourth-class rates in car-
loads of not less than 20,000 pounds, instead of
third-class, as at present, and at second-class
rates in less than carloads of 10,000 pounds or
over, instead of first-class, as at present. Also
from stations in Ontario and Quebec to Winni-
peg, Portage la Prairie and Brandon, at fourth-
class rates, in carloads of not less than 20,000
pounds, instead of at third-class, as at present.

It is understood in all cases that the total
charges on a smaller lot shall not be greater
than the total charges on a larger lot at the next
lower rate, as indicated above.

(c) With respect to the charge made by the
railways for refrigerating shipments in transit,
it is ordered that the average actual cost of the
ice and the placing thereof in the cars shall not
be exceeded, and that, pending a decision by the
board as to a reasonable charge for such ser-
vice,the charge for refrigeration shall not be
more than $2.50 per ton of 2,000 pounds on the
actual weight of the ice supplied.

Shipping Fruit. — In shipping our fruit we
must have a commission market for our sur-
plus. When shipping on order, wie can never
tell just how fast the fruit is going to ripen.
One day a large amount may be ready for mar-
ket, while the next day there will be a shortage.
If we ship more goods than the order calls for
the buyer sometimes cuts the price. If buyers
would order less frequently and give larger or-
ders it would be possible for shippers to obtain
lower transportation rates and make quicker
s'hipments. — (Robert Thompson, St. Catharines,
Ont.

No Opening for Ontario Fruit. — I do not think
Ontario fruit can be sold in British Columbia at
all. Transportation is against it, and besides
there is a large quantity of fruit raised here.
Some fruit is imported from the states of Wash-
ington, Oregon and California, while Australia
sends some too. — (H. Atkinson, Summerland,
B. C.

Lack of knowledge how to care for orchards,
scarcity of labor, no organized system of pack-
ing and selling, and distance from station are
all against us in attaining success in fruit grow-
ing.— (S. J. Hughson, Durham Co., Ont.

490

FRUIT INTERESTS NOT YET SATISFIED

Two of the leading witnesses, Messrs. H. W.
Etewson, of Toronto, and R. J. Graham, of
Belleville, who gave evidence on behalf of the
Ontario Fruit Growers' Aissociation at the ses-
sions of the Railway Commission in Toronto,
last summer, are not entirely satisfied with the
concessions made by the railroads, as published
in this issue. Their views, as expressed to
The Horticulturist, are as follows :

Mr. Graham says : " The concessions are of
no great importance except to shippers of small
fruits. The apple trade will be helped in no
way by the arrangement, except in less than
car lots, which amount to nothing. For in-
stance, I have orders to fill for 10,300 barrels of
apples, all in car lots, not an order for anything
else. Better cars, despatch cars when ordered,
and proper receipt are worth ten times the con-
cessions granted."

The views of Mr. Dawson ar« as follows :
'' Regarding the concessions on fruit shipments,

they no doubt will result in good to fruit ship-
pers, but they are not sufficient in consideration
of the service fruit generally gets. True, the
railroads are improving, but their service Is not
what it should be yet. We notice sometimes
that railroads will try and give special service
from one point to another, and keep it up for a
while, but they seem to tire of it in a short time.
While they are giving the special service not
much fault can be found, but the trouble is they
do not consider the handling of fruit of suffi-
cient importance to give it the good despatch it
really deserves. We can get fruit from the

United States with much better despatch than
we can from our own country. In getting
fruits from California, the despatch is much
better than from Chicago, St. Louis, or the
southern states. I am of the opinion that if
any special grievances we may have be kept be-
fore the attention of the commission, it will do
much to .remedy the evils."

A SUCCESSFUL EXHIBITION EXPECTED

Final arrangements for the Provincial Fruit,
Flower and Honey Show have been completed,
and everything indicates the exhibition will be
a great success. The exhibits of fruit, flowers
and honey promise to be very large. Never
before have as many flowers been raised in To-
ronto and vicinity for an exhibition as this year.
Most of these will be shown, in addition to which
numerous entries have been received from out-
side points, including centers as far west as
Chicago.

In the fruit building demonstrations will be
given in fruit packing by experts from the Do-
minion Fruit Division, in addition to which
there will be working demonstrations by mem-
bers of the Ontario Women's Institute staff, un-
der the direction of Supt. G. A. Putnam. A
most interesting feature will be the special ex-
hibits of fruit that will be made by the provin-
cial fruit experiment" stations. These will be
arranged by the secretary of the stations, Mr.
Linus Woolverton. There will also be a special
exhibit of fruit from the various provinces of
Canada. One of the most valuable features
will be numerous exhibits of orchard implements,
spraying machinery, etc. Most of this machin-
ery will be operated for the beneflt of sight-
seers. All the exhibits of fruit will contain
cards describing their qualities fully. The
honey exhibit will be made in this building and
will be a large one.

W^ILL BE FORMALLY OPENED.

The formal opening will take place Tuesday
afternoon, November 15, when His Honor Lieut. -
Governor and Mrs. Mortimer Clark will visit
and open the exhibition. The same afternoon
the horticultural convention will open in the
members' reception room at the Parliament
Buildings. The bee keepers will commence
their convention in one of the large rooms at the
rink.

A mass meeting, open to the general public,
has been arranged for Tuesday evening in the
Y. M. C. A. hall, at which Hon. John Dryden,
Minister of Agriculture, will preside and speak.

Other speakers will be Messrs. G. H. Powell,
Washington, V. S. A.; C. C. James, Deputy Min-
ister of Agriculture, and Dr. James Fletcher, of
the Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa. On
Wednesday fruit will be given away free to all
who attend the exhibition. The horticultural
convention (the program for which was pub-
lished in the October issue of The Horticultur-
ist) will be continued all day, and also the bee
keepers' convention. In the evening the direc-
tors of the Ontario Fruit Growers' Association
will hold a business meeting.

Thursday, thanksgiving day, the fruit grow-
ers will open their convention at the Parlia-
ment buildings, when the president will pre-
sent his annual address, committees will report^
etc. In the afternoon the speakers and sub-
jects will be : Cold Storage, G. H. Powell,
Washington, U. S. A.: Fruit Shipments to Win-
nipeg, Prof. Reynolds, of Guelph; Conditions
Surrounding the Canned Fruit Industry, by R.
J. Graham, of Belleville, Ont., T\^ P. Gamble, of
Guelph, and others.

The program for Friday includes a free dis-
tribution of flowers by the florists. At the fruit
growers' convention in the morning the nomi-
nating committees will report. Prof. Lochhead..
of Guelph, and W. T. Macoun, of Ottawa, will
speak on Fungous Diseases of the Grape; Prof;
R. Harcourt, of Guelph, and Provincial San Jose-
Scale Inspector J. Fred. Smith, of Glanford, will
describe the Latest Results of Spraying for San
Jose Scale, and Mr. Alex. McNeill, Chief of the-
Fruit Division, will speak on Dominion Power
Spraying Demonstrations. At their Friday af-
ternoon session, which will close their meeting.,
the fruit growers will discuss methods of co-
operation, when speeches will be made by
Messrs. A. E. Sherrington, of Walkerton; Elmer
Lick, of Oshawa; Robert Thompson, of St..
Catharines, and others.

NOTES.

The exhibition will be held in the Granite
Rinks on Church street, from November 15 to-
19, and will be open from 9.30 a. m. until 10 p_

491

492

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURISI

m. ChuTch street cars pass the doors.

General admission 25 cents, children 10 cents.
Members of the org-anizations interested in the
exhibition will receive membership tickets for
50 cents, g'ood for entrance at any time. Six
coupon tickets may be bought for one dollar up
to November 14.

The rinks will be beautifully decorated and
an orchestra will be in attendance three after-
noons and every evening.

The conventions will be open to the public.

Active Horticultural Work in Guelpii

The Guelph Horticultural society is doing
good work. We had excellent meetings in
March, April and May this year, and had good
programs for our meetings in September and
October. At our September meeting Mr. R. B.
Whyte, of Ottawa, gave us an address on " Au-
tumn Planted Bulbs for Spring Flowering,"
which was of interest to the members, who re-
ceive from the society a cojlectjqil (pf bulbs for
fall planting.

In the spring a collection of Semple's Branch-
ing Aster seeds was distributed to about 500 of
the city school children, and accompanying it
was given an excellent little bulletin giving full
directions for the cultivation of the plants, and
stating rules governing the flower competition,
which was held in the Central school recently.
The children made a grand display of flowers
of their own growing, which were carefully
judged and prizes awarded for those who were
most successful. The city teachers have taken
a great deal of interest in this work, and have
ably backed up the efforts of the horticultural
society. In this way we hope to encourage a
love for flowers among the children, and trust
it will spread to the older people and have its
effect in beautifying the gardens and grounds
■of the city generally.

Seafortli Has A Large Membersliip

The membership of the Seaforth Horticultu-
ral society is 111, which is considered pretty
good for our town. A number of the members
live in the surrounding country.

Not many meetings have been held this year,
but in the spring a very interesting lecture was
given by Mr. T. H. Race, of Mitchell, on the
" Purposes of Horticultural Societies." Dur-
ing the summer there were two other lectures,
one by our president, William Hartry, on the
" Cultivation of Tuberous Begonias"; the other
took the form of an open air meeting on the
president's lawn. Numerous boquets of the
flowers in season were brought by members,
who had the privilege of viewing Mr. Hartry's
garden; also a very fine collection of tuberous
begonias. A small vase of seedling dahlias,
grown by Mr. Langstrath, was shown, and an
address on the treatment of dahlias was given
"by Mr. Robert iScott. These feelings were all
well attended.

Our surplus funds have been used to give pre-
miums to the members. The premiums given
l)y the Fruit Growers' Association, viz: gladioli

Everything possible will be done to make the
various features of as great educational value
as possible.

People attending from points outside the city,
when buying their railway tickets, should ask
for certificates which, on being presented to the
secretary at the show, will entitle them to free
passage home.

Let every fruit grower and florist attend and
a successful exhibition will be assured. ,

bulbs and Dorothy Perkins roses, were very
much appreciated and gave very general satis-
faction.— (Wm. Elliott, Sec'y.

His
the

Ever since its organiza-
tion in 1896, Mr. Walter
T. Ross, collector of cus-
toms at Picton, Ont., has
been secretary-treasurer
of the Picton Horticul-
tural Society. The mem-
bership of this society is
usually between 75 and
100 Distributions are
made each spring and fall
to the members of plants,
bulbs and seeds The
annual lecture given be-
fore the society each
spring, through the gen-
erosity of the government,
is always looked forward
to with interest. Most of
Mr. Ross' attention has
been given to the growing
of tropical plants and
fruits. He has had re-
markable success, as al-
though he has no green-
hnise, he has produced

oranges, lemons, figs, etc., as well as gardenia, jessamines, etc.

trees are now maturing oranges, lemons, figs and guavas ; and
more practical articles, such as ter and coffee are doing nicely.

WALTER T. ROSS.

More Enthusiasm Desired

With the exception of a lecture by Prof. H.
L. Hutt last spring there have been no public
discussions during the past few months by the
Thornbury Horticultural society. The de-
crease of interest in horticulture is doubtless,
partly due to the fact that fruit growing is not
nearly as profitable as formerly. Premiums,
consisting of apple trees, grape vines and flow-
ering bulbs have been distributed as usual to
subscribers. This is a feature of the work
highly appreciated. Most subscribers prefer
bulbs. — (A. W. Walker, Sec'y.

Two Challenge Cups. — The Toronto Gardeners'
and Florists' Association, through its secretary,
Mr. E. F. Collins, has sent notice to Mr. H. B.
Cowan, the secretary of the combined fruit,
flower and honey show, to be held in Toronto
this month, that it offers for competition
two challenge cups in the same classes which
they were won in before by the present holders,
namely class 1, section 9, and class 2, section 26,
of the prize list, which was published in The
Horticulturist recently. These cups must be
won three times, not necessarily in succession,
before becoming the property of the winner.
The cups are valued at about $35 each.

ECHOES FROM SOCIETY MEETINGS.

493

The Meetings are Interesting

Mem'bers of the Grimsby Horictultural So-
ciety have had some rare treats in the way of
flower and fruit exhibits in connection with
their literary and musical entertainments given
during the past year. The last meeting was
held at the residence of Dr. Clark, who is an
enthusiast in floriculture. The display of
gladiolus and dahlias was a most gorgeous one.
A most interesting and pleasing musical pro-
gram was presented at this meetiiig.

The next meeting will be held at the home of
the president of the society, Mr. Adam Ruther-
ford. On this occasion Dr. Montague will be
present and deliver an address. It is expected
a fine flower show will also be a feature of this
meeting. — (J. "W. Brennan, Sec'y.

Good Work Done

The Deseronto Horticultural society has ap-
pointed its president as a delegate to the meet-
ing of the horticultural societies of the province,
to be held 'this month in Toronto. Other dele-
gates from this society will also undoubtedly
be present.

If other towns have improved their grounds
and lawns as much as those in Deseronto, since
the organization of the horticultural society, it
has been money well expended, and their ap-
propriation should be increased. The fall dis-
tribution of bulbs has taken place, each of our
members receiving four Dutch hyacinths, three
Roman hyacinths, and three Von Sion hyacinths.
— (R. W. Lloyd, Sec'y.

A Successful Fall Exhibition

The annual exhibition of the Orillia Horticul-
tural society was held late in 'September in con-
junction with the fall show of the East Simcoe
Agricultural society. A large space was de-
voted to flowers. The display of cut flowers
was perhaps the flnest in our experience of 17
years. The large fruit table, although well
filled, was lacking in the usual quantity of win-
ter apples, but of summer and fall apples there
was a very fine exhibit, the fruit being sound
and well colored. Pears and plums were prac-
tically none, most of these trees having been
either entirely killed or badly damaged by the
severity of last winter. There were some hand-
some bunches of grapes shown, and a great crop
of all garden vegetables. The display of these
attracted much attention.

A Large Pottery Firm. — The attention of our
readers is called to the advertisement of J.
Davis & Sons' Potteries, which appears in this
issue for the first time. Besides being the old-
est pottery firm in the Dominion, having started
business in 1842, they are also the largest
manufacturers of rose jars, flower pots and
fancy pottery. The proprietor, Mr. J. S. Davis,
reports having recently shipped large quantities
of rose jars, etc., to the United States. They
also make all kinds of dairy ware. The rose
jars and flower pots to be used in the Provin-
cial Fruit Flower and Han=y Show i.re of thl?
firm's manufacture.

R. W. RENNIE.

held in London, Mr
their inception.

The London Horticul-
tural Soociety has been
fortunate in having for its
secretary and treasurer,
since its incorporali-on ,
Mr. R. W. Rennie, of
London. Horticultural
matters have interested
Mr. Rennie for about 20
years. As an amateur
he has for several years
made a specialty of glad-
ioli and sweet peas. Of
late years he has been
endeavoring 10 advance
the interests of the hardy
garden. Besides his con-
nection with the horti-
cultural society, Mr.
Rennie is also a director
of the Entomological So-
ciety of Ontario, as well
as of the London Civic
Improvement Society.
As a judge in the lawn
and garden competiiions
Rennie has served well and efficiently since

More Delegates Appointed. — The Oakville

Horticultural society has appointed Messrs.
James Waldbrook, John Cavers and E. A. Mor-
den, of Oakville, as delegates to the horticultu-
ral convention, to be held in Toronto this month.
The delegates from the Hespeler society will be
Mr. L. Rife and the secretary, Mr. E. Gurney.
From the Belleville society the delegates will
probably be Messrs. W. C. Reid, S. J. Wedden,
and the secretary, W. JefEers Diamond. A
large proportion of the societies have appointed
delegates.

An Example for Some Other Societies

During the past year 235 packages of flower
seeds, consisting of asters, nasturtiufs, phlox,
zinnias, etc., have been distributed to the mem-
bers of the Stirling Horticultural society. Bach
member also received three pounds of sweet pea
seed, eight pounds of vegetable seeds, and there
were 880 bulbs distributed throughout tlie so-
ciety.

The society has planted 50 elm and maple
trees in Victoria park, fully two-thirds of which
are living and growing nicely. The fall dis-
tribution of bulbs has taken place, and it is ex-
pected next spring to further improve the park,
which the officers have materially beautified by
their efforts. The grounds of both public and
high school have been decorated with many
shrubs, all of which are doing well. — (G. G.
Thrasher, Sec'y.

Bulbs Sought After. — The members of the
Picton Horticultural society have received their
fall distribution of bulbs, which have recently
arrived from Holland. They consisted of 23
narcissus and 7 hyacinth bulbs for each mem-
ber. Members of this society are doing good
work in horticultural lines, and the bulbs were
eagerly appropriated upon their arrival. — (W.
T. Ross, Sec'y.

I hope the Ontario Fruit Growers' Association
may continue to grow^ larger and the circulation
of The Canadian Horticulturist to increase ten-
fold, as it has had and is doing a grand, noble
work. — (Benj. Crawford, Bellside Creek, N. B.

494

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

A Dangerous Practice

ADOL.PHUS PETTIT, GRIMSBY.

From statements I have heard made, I under-
stand that many of our great Ontario growers
have been in the habit of shipping their inferior
fruit to the Winnipeg market. This is most
unfortunate, for as long as it continues, our
fruit will never be able to supplant American
fruit at that point.

Would it not be well for our fruit inspectors
to watch this trade very carefully ? A few con-
victions against growers who carry on this
practice would result in much good and improve
the western buyers' opinion of our Ontario fruit.

Shippiug Immature Fruit Condemned

A Montreal fruit inspector says : In exam-
ining the fruit being shipped to the Old Country
from Montreal, I notice a large number of bar-
rels of Stark and Ben Davis apples and other
late winter varieties. I do not think there is
as much excuse for shipping Stark or Ben Davis
in October as there is for shipping Northern
Spy in August; and the practice should be
recognized as distinctly detrimental to the fruit
trade.

These apples will not be fit for consumption
for three months, and yet if shipped now they
go direct to the consumers, who will find them
scarcely more palatable than a Swede turnip.
When the question of shipping immature fruit
is being discussed, it should not be forgotten
that to ship late winter varieties as early as this
is quite as reprehensible as shipping fall varieties
in August or September.

A Useful Machine for Grading Apples

While visiting at the home, of Mr. A. H. Pettit,
of Grimsby, recently, a representative of The
Horticulturist was shown a machine for grad-
ing apples. Grading is a matter to which Mr.
Pettit has given considerable attention for a
number of years. In this connection, he has
invented several machines, including the one
he is now using, which he considers Is about
perfect.

The apples are poured onto a rubber sheet.
In the sheet there are holes, the smaller ones
being 2% inches in diameter, for the small stuff.
These are followed by holes 2% inches in
diameter. Larger apples roll off the end of the
sheet. The apples as they are forced over the
sheet drop through the holes according to their
size and thus are graded very evenly. Holes
of as many different sizes as are desired may
be added.

Underneath the sheet are rollers, which, by
means of a crank, are operated in such a way
as to keep the apples rolling easily down the
sheet. The whole implement has been made
in such a way that the apples are not bruised
in any way. Its simplicity is its best feature.
By means of its use it Is easily possible to grade
a barrel of apples every four minutes. This
machine has been in use by Mr. Pettit for three
years, until he has come to consider it a neces-
sity.

MR. Wn. WILSON.

In its August issue The
Horticulturist published an
interesting article by Mr.
William Wilson, of London,
whose likeness is here
shown, describing a very
adaptable package for fruit,
which is his own invention.
This package is now recog-
nized as one of the very
liest on the market and has
been used by the Canadian
government for its exhibits
of fruits at foreign exhibi-
tions. Bern in Ayrshire,
Scjtland, in 1849, Mr. Wil-
son lived in .Scotland and
Ireland until 1877, when he
came to Canada and finally
settled in London in 1879.
It was while on a visit tp
Britain in 1894 that he first
conceived the idea of inventing a complete egg and fruit case. The
thought originated in the great market in Covent Garden, London,
while watchmg a man trying to auction some really first-class fruit
to a very stiff audience. In 1897 he developed an egg and fruit
package, which has since been improved in many ways, until it is
now one of the best known in the world.

Scotch Buyer Expects Prices Will Improve

The following interesting letter, dealing with
market prospects, was received recently by The
Horticulturist from Messrs. Clark and Sinclair,
fruit merchants, of 9 and 11 West Dock street,
Dundee, Scotland, whose advertisement ap-
pears in this issue of The Horticulturist for the
first time:

" Fall apples have been doing very badly over
here, but this was expected in face of the heavy
crop both in England and on the continent. We
have had about 1,000 barrels and results have
been anything but satisfactory. We, however,
expect a firming up of prices very soon. Harder
varieties arriving show an upward tendency.
We shall be very pleased if you can put us in
touch with some reliable growers and shippers.

" Last year we handled about 6,000 barrels,
and imported the bulk of them direct, but some-
times the dealers acted very unfairly with us.
We could handle 500 to 1,000 XXX Baldwins and
some of Spys, if reliable, finest fruit.

" The market reports contained in the Sep-
tember Horticulturist were very useful."

What Fruit Growers are Saying:

A great drawback to planting apple orchards
is the inability to get good stock to plant. Nur-
serymen supply you with anything but the kind
you order, mostly fall varieties, which come
into bearing at the wrong time and are worth-
less on the market. — (Thos. O'Brien, Durham
Co., Ont.

The slipshod methods of buyers who buy the
farmer's fruit and then send a lot of boys to
pack it disgust many growers. There is little
encouragement for farmers to grow fruit.
When there is a good crop the price is so low it
does not even pay for the labor. — (Amos Cutler,
Middlesex Co., Ont.

Farmers think it will not pay to spray simply
because they have ^been taken in so many times
by men who go about spraying and who do the
work improperly. The man who is spray-
ing looks out for his own pocket. — (Anson
Crosby, York Co., Ont.

A FRUIT BUYER QUIETLY GOES FOR THE HORTICULTURIST

The following letter has been received by The
Horticulturist and speaks for itself:

Warksworth, Oct. 10, 1904.

I am a grower as well as shipper, and agree
with your report in The Horticulturist that
growers should receive more than offered for
their fruit. They also should have better re-
turns for their cheese. Would you, Mr. Editor,
undertake to go on the cheese boards and pay
more than the buyers are offering? No, for the
simple reason that the consumptive markets for
the above products are not in a prosperous con-
dition.

I am paying 50 cents for fall apples and 75
cents for winters. I have returns for one car of
Colverts which sold in Montreal for $1.15 per
barrel. They cost me: barrels 43c., packing
25c., freight 45c., fruit 50c., selling 15c., or a
total of $1.78 a barrel. Do you see any profit,
or can you point out unnecessary expense in the
cost. Twenty-five cents looks high for packing,
but you must remember we can only get 10 to
15 barrels in each orchard, with perhaps three
trees of the above fruit located all over the or-
chard.

Our winters will cost nearly as much to pack,
as the weather has been very bad thus far for
packing. I see very little encouragement for
profits on winter stock. Farmers should receive
more, but financial conditions will not warrant
more. Just look at the cost: barrels 45c., pack-
ing for export 25c., export freight $1.25, buying
and expense of shipping, nails 10c. , cost of
freight 75c., total $2.80.

Come now, Mr. Horticulturist, kindly give us
a market, through your paper, that will give us
cost. Your article has done immense injury, be-
cause it was misunderstood.
Yours truly,

W. J. BAKER.

In answer to the above letter The Horticul-
turist would like to draw attention to a num-
ber of the points made by Mr. Baker. The
price he has paid for fall apples, viz., 50 cents
per barrel, is reasonable in view of the excess
this year of fall fruit, which is perishable and
needs to be shipped immediately. The price
paid for winter apples, viz., 75 cents per bar-
rel for XXX stock, while better than is being
paid in some sections, is not as high as grow-
ers have a right to expect. Good winter stock

that will keep sound for shipment in January
or February will meet a market practically as
bare of fruit as last year, there being no sur-
plus of winter stock reported this season. It
is therefore fair to conclude that the demand
will be about what it was last year, and prices
the same. The usual price last year was $1
per barrel for XXX stock, and it would seem
as if the same should be paid this fall.

The prices realized by Mr. Baker for soft fall
stock like the Colvert on a local Canadian mar-
ket, such as Montreal, should not be. used when
making a reference to the prices of winter
stock. The estimate of cost to the dealer, given
by Mr. Baker, is not excessive, but such cost
should not be based on anything but the best
winter stock. It is quite possible that $1 per
barrel for winter stock would be a better bar-
gain for the buyer than fall stock at 25 cents
per barrel. The statement that 25 cents is al-
lowed for packing, owing to the small number
of barrels that can be secured in the average
orchard, is undoubtedly well founded, and em-
phasizes what has often been stated in The
Horticulturist that small growers should unite in
cooperative associations to save this expense
by delivering their apples in central packing
houses.

Most of. the items of expense given in con-
nection with the shipment of fruit to Great
Britain are somewhat higher than many care-
ful buyers have been paying this year. Thou-
sands of barrels have been bought for 40 cents.
Packing for export at 25 cents per barrel is the
outside figure, as the larger proportion of the
packing is done for 5 to 10 cents per barrel less.
Concerning this estimate, careful buyers are
doing the work for 25 cents per barrel less on
the total, so that for apples bringing 12 to 15
shillings for XXX stock, and an occasional lot
of choice apples selling at 20 shillings, it does
not seem out of the way to claim that the dealer
should have a fair and even liberal return, were
he to pay the outside price of $1 per barrel to
the grower, for his best stock, which is all most
of the buyers take.

"^e have no markets to encourage fruit grow-
ers to take an interest in fruit growing. Or-
chards are neglected. — (Jas. Brethour, Ontario
Co., Ont.

FLOWERING BULBS

FOR FALL PLANTING .K|FOR THE HOUSE AND GARDEN.

Crocus — Choice, Mixed, All Colors loc. doz., 50c. per 100

Hyacinths " " " 60c. " $4.00 "

Tulips " " " 25c. " $1.25 "

Prices Postpaid. Write for our 1 904 Bulb Catalogue— FREE.

Special Prices to Horticultural Societies on application*

JOHN A. BRUCE & CO., Me^c^tnts

HAMILTON, CANADA.

A Handsome Calendar will be Given Free to all Readers who buy goods from Advertisers.

APPLE PRICES ARE NOT SATISFACTORY

So far this season growers are dissatisfied,
and with reason, at the prices generally being
paid for apples. For the best winter stock in
the large producing sections 75 cents to $1 per
barrel is being paid quite generally, and in
some oases even higher. At this figure sales
are being made freely. In most sections, how-
ever, prices range from 50 to 60 and 75 cents,
and are causing great dissatisfaction. Where
growers have facilities for holding their crops,
many are doing so in the confident belief that
prices will advance considerably as soon as the
first rush of stock and the English apples are
over. Where growers are unable to store
their apples large quantities are going to
waste. In a number of districts buyers seem
to have reached an understanding that they will
not invade each other's territory and thus they
are able to keep down prices.

In the United States, according to the ex-
haustive crop enquiries made by American
Agriculturist, up to the third week in October
the deadlock between growers and buyers re-
mained practically unbroken. Big operators
in New York and the east generally are inclined
to set their faces as flint at anything above $1
a barrel, package included. Barrels are high
in price, and have been difficult to get, and to
this must be added cost of picking. We have
been unable to learn of any general trading at
better than $1.25 for such standard varieties as
Greening, Baldwin, etc., in the central states.

The following special crop reports, secured

by The Horticulturist, will give a pretty good
idea of conditions generally throughout On-
tario :

ONTARIO COUNTY.

Two- thirds of the apple crop has been bought
for 50 to 75 cents per barrel. The latter figure
is where the grower picks the fruit, which
means 60 cents on the tree, as 15 cents is what
is paid for picking. I agree with The Horti-
culturist that buyers could well afford to pay
$1 for all good winter apples. I have just re-
ceived a very complete report of sales in Europe,
and deducting all costs, insurance, etc., I fail to
see why dealers are not more liberal in their
prices. Some fine growers are packing their
own fruit and storing, but the majority are
anxious to get rid of their fruit for almost any
price, as they have no facilities for storing.
Cooperation on the part of fruit growers would
greatly assist them. — (R. L. Huggard.

The price opened at 50 cents per barrel on the
trees, the farmer boarding the men and draw-
ing the apples to the station. Red apples are
now selling at 75 cents, and one man got 90
cents per barrel on the tree. These prices are
for both No. 1 and No. 2. The apples, with
very few exceptions, are sold. — (John Rice.

An estimated crop of 700 barrels sold for $525
cash, the buyer to do all barrelling, the seller
to deliver to the depot. This was equal to 71
cents per barrel. In another instance a buyer
bought an orchard at 75 cents per barrel, but
in packing took only XXX of any sort, and only

FLOWERING BILBS

For Planting this Fall to Flower During the Winter and Spring Months.

Hyacinths, Tulips, Narcissus, Lilies, Etc.

A very choice assortment of specially grown Bulbs, at reasonable
prices. Cultural directions free.

Roses, 5hrubs, Palms, Azaleas,
Boston Ivy, Etc.

A full assortment of well grown stock at low prices. Catalogues
free. Send for one now.

THE STEELE BRI6GS SEED CO., Limited

^ Toronto, Ont. and Winnipeg, jHan, ,,.;;,

T£N DOLiI<A.R8 for the Reader who buys Goods to the Greatest Valne from Advertisers in this Issue.

See Notice in Advertising: Coldmns.

APPLE CROP PRICES.

497

winter varieties. Buyers behave very shame-
fully and deliberately waste the apples. One
buyer bought an orchard at 90 cents, the seller
to board the pickers. For another orchard of
400 barrels of Spys, and nothing else, a buyer
paid $1.50 per barrel on the tree and did all ex-
cept delivery. The average paid would be about
90 cents per barrel on the tree for winter apples.
Buyers go around reporting apples are not sell-
ing in England at all and buy very low. Many
apples are being stored. I have" 1,000 to 1,200
barrels, and am selling Kings and Spys at prices
like last year, while the R. I. Greenings, Bald-
wins, Russets and Bellefieurs are being held un-
til the small lots are cleared out. Commission
men from London and Liverpool are trying to
get growers to ship to them. One buyer has
500 barrels on hand, which he is packing in
boxes. — (Thos. Conant.

YORK COUNTY.

There are very few apple buyers here this
year. Some local buyers have bought a few
orchards in bulk. Both of these brought an
average of 60 cents per barrel. In one case the
buyer picked the apples, and in the other the
grower had to pick and team them to the sta-
tion. Four-fifths of all the apples are still in
growers' hands. — (J. D. Evans.

OXFORD COUNTY.

All but two or three growers who sprayed
have disposed of their apples at 75 cents per
barrel. Grower does the picking and hauling.
Growers who did not join in the cooperative

spraying, as described in The Horticulturist
for October, are only able to dispose of the
varieties which are not likely to spot, and their
best kinds, as Kings. I have heard of no buyer
taking an entire crop of any apples which were
not sprayed. Unsprayed Greenings and Spys
are worthless. — (J. C. Harris.

Apples are not being gathered in most or-
chards. A few carloads are being exported at
45 to 60 cents per barrel, the grower picking the
fruit, buyers doing the packing. The cider and
vinegar works are taking an average of 2,000^
bushels per day and paying 10 cents per 100
pounds, delivered at the factory. There are
very few orchards well cared for, which results
in few good first-class apples. — (H. T. Stevens.
TVELLINGTON COUNTY.

No one is purchasing apples, and fruit grow-
ers have to depend on the local markets for
sales. A large proportion of the apples will not
be picked. — (Wm. Scott.

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.

Buyers are paying 50 cents for fall and 75
cents for winter apples per barrel. They pick
and pack the apples and find the barrels, while
the growers deliver them. If growers pick the
apples buyers pay 10 cents per barrel more.
Farmers have no accommodation for storing the
apples, and must sell outright. — (A. J. Lacey.
GREY COUNTY.

The prices being paid are 50 and 75 cents per
barrel. I have made a sale of my apples to
Carrow, Assa., N. W. T. I furnished the bar-

Don^ii^ioi^ biqe

MONTREAL TO LIVERPOOL

S. S. Mexican (cold storoge) Nov. 5

S. S. Canada (cool air and cold storage). .Nov. 12

MONTREAL TO AVONMOUTH (Bristol)

S. S. Turcoman (cold storage) Nov. 9

S. S. Manxman (cold storage) Nov. 16

LEYbAND blNE

Montreal to London and Antwerp

S. S. Oxonian (cold storage) Nov. 5

S. S. Virginian (cold storage) Nov, 10

The abDve steamers are specially adapted and
fitted up with the most modern improvements for
the carriage of apples, butter, cheese, provisions
and eggs. Through B./L. granted to and from
any point in Canada.

Western Freight Agents, 28 Wel-
lington Street East, Toronto.

GEO. W. Torrance,
J. W. Wilkinson,

}

Dominion Line, " »*„*"'i"S''Sul.'""'

Reford Agencies

FOR OCEAN LINES.

DONALDSON LINE TO GLASGOW.

S. S. Parthenia. Cold Storage and Steam Fans Nov. 3

S. S. Lakonia, " " " '" lo

S. S. Athenia, " " " "17

S. S. Salacia, Steam Fan Ventilation " " 24

THOMSON LINE TO LONDON.

S. S. Devona, Cold Storage, Cool Air and Steam Fans Nov. 5

S. S. Kildona, " " " " -... " 12

S. S. Hurona, " " " " " 19

S. S. Cervona, " " " " " 26

THOMSON LINE TO LEITH.

S. S. Jacona Nov. 15

Traffic maj; be booked with all Railroad
Agents or direct with The ROBERT REFORD
CO., Limited, Montreal, also with D. 0. WOOD,
Western Agent, Room 311, Board of Trade,
Toronto, Ont.

A Handsome Calendar will be Given Free to aU Readers who buy goods from Adver tsers.

498

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIS2.

rels and put them up on the car at $1.75 per bar-
rel for all kinds. I had about 75 barrels of Tal-
Tnan Sweets and a good many Bellfleurs, and
some other varieties that the buyers would give
me only 50 cents for. — (H. Hurd.

Ther are very few buyers, and they are only
picking from the largest and best orchards.
Thousands of barrels of good winter apples are
being shaken down and fed to stock and taken
to the evaporators. This points strongly to the
need for a cooperative association for the hand-
ling of all fruit. Barrels are costing 45 cents
^ach by the 100, and 50 cents for less quantities.
—(A. W. Walker.

WENTWORTH COUNTY.

Buyers are paying 60 cents a barrel for winter
apples, the buyer doing his own picking and the
growers the teaming. Growers feel that con-
sidering the size of this year's crop and the con-
dition of the market, that they should receive
at least $1 per barrel. As soon as the local
crop is off the British market Canadian apples
should bring better prices. — (Adolphus Pettit.
NORFOLK COUNTY.

The average price being paid for winter
apples is 50 cents per barrel, the buyer doing
the picking and packing, and the grower board-
ing the men. Only a few growers have sold at
this price. • One grower sold his orchard for
about $80 and the buyer has taken out about
300 barrels of fruit, taking almost all on the
trees. As the grower had to board the men
and teams, he does not consider he received over
$50 for his crop. We should have a definite

statement as to what a No. 2 apple is. Where
fruit can be stored I am satisfied growers will
do well to hold their apples, as better prices
will undoubtedly be paid later. — (Oliver Austin.
PEL.ee island, ESSEX COUNTY.

My son and our next neighbor are holding
their prices at $1.50 per barrel for picked fruit,
those fallen a little less. Where the buyer has
a team he comes for them, otherwise they are
delivered. None are shipped off the island, as
not enough are grown for the home demand. I
hear some are selling the crop in the orchard,
rough and smooth, the buyer to pick and fur-
nish his own barrels, for 75 cents. This is on
the main land, and is about the same price as
Pelee growers sell for. Ours are all spoken
for, and as few have good cellars to keep fruit
in they will sell before Christmas. — (James
Sugley.

SIMCOE COUNTY.

The prices commonly paid for apples is for
fall 50 cents per barrel, and for winter 75 cents.
The buyer picks and packs the apples, the
grower delivers the barrels in the orchard and
takes them to the storehouse when packed, and
also boards the hands while picking, etc. I
think there will be many orchards unsold in the
G-eorgian Bay district owing to considerable im-
perfect fruit, and because many growers prefer
to feed the apples than undergo the expense
consequent on getting them to market. I think
the estimate of p-rices given in The Horticultur-
ist last month was not too high. — (W. S. Pat-
tullo.

CRAZE & GOODWIN
Fruit Brokers

HANCHESTER

Shippers of Apples to Eng-land are invited

to correspond with us.
Central Market for nearly Seven nillion

people. Consignments accepted for all

English ports.
Highest References.
Cablegrams, " Campania, Manchester."

Ar r LLOe^j^jj^gQ'P

WOODALL & CO., Liverpool, the Pioneers

and reliable firm to Glasgow, London

and all other points. Write.

EBEN JAHES, Board of Trade,
Toronto, Ont.

THE

Fruit and
Vegetable Supply Co.

15 GUN STREET

SPITALFIELDS, LONDON
ENGLAND.

Correspondence invited.
Consignments requested.

Reports on the English Fruit &
Vegetable Trade forwarded on
application.

Fruit Expert :

Mr. Clifford Clark

TEN DOLLARS for the person who buys Goods to the Greatest Value from Advertisers in this Issue.

See Notice in Advertising Columns.

APPLE CROP PRICES.

499

WELLAND COUNTY.

Owing to its being impossible to get help, the
bulk of the apples have been sold on trees by
the orchard, so I cannot say what price per bar-
rel prevails. Some crops have been sold for
50 cents per barrel, grower to pick, haul to car
and board packers, buyer to pack and furnish
barrels. I think if the growers had been able
to handle their crop themselves and store until
the middle of November they would have no
difficulty in netting 75 cents to $1 per barrel.

— (G. E. Russell.

LAMBTON COUNTY.

The price paid for apples was 75 cents per
barrel, but is now 65 cents. The grower is ex-
pected to pick the apples, and the buyer packs
them, and the grower gives him his board while
packing, and the grower has to deliver them at
the station. Not more than 25 per cent, of the
growers have disposed of their fruit. Some
apples have been sold to the evaporator. — (Wm.
Wight.

VICTORIA COUNTY.

Apples are selling as follows: Spys, Bell-
fleurs and Greening, $1.25 per barrel; Tallman
Sweet, Ben Davis and others of that class for
70 to 30 cents per barrel. The grower packs
and delivers at those prices, subject to be cut
if the packing is not good. One merchant told
me he could buy all he wished at this price.
Winter apples are about 50 per cent, of a full
crop. The great bulk will be marketed this fall.

— (Thomas Connolly.

cshiJE-^r o:

01O.OO

Will be given the reader who buys goods to
the greatest value on or befors Dec. 15th,
1904, from the advertisers in this month's
issue of the Horticulturist.

Keaders mast notify advertisers that they saw their
advertisement in this paper.

When applying for the $10 bonus they must inform this office of the name
or names of the advertisers they dealt with and the value of the goods they
I iirchased from each. Application for this bonus must be made to this office
on or before December 18th, 1904.

Address,

ADVERTISING MANAGER,

The Canadian Horticulturist, - Toronto, Ont.

FRUIT GROWERS and FARMERS

The Southern Fruit Grower is the I e.st. most
practical fruit paper to read. 24 to 40 pages every
month oOc a year. Send 10c and 10 names of fruit
growers and get the paper 6 mos. on trial. Sample
free. Southern Fruit Grower, Boi lO.CIiattanooga Tenn.

CLARK & SINCLAIR

Frui4r Brolj^rs

DUNDEE. SCOTLAND

Shipments of apples via Glasgow will have
every attention.

Dundee is the distributing centre for the
whole north of Scotland.

Correspondence invited. Highest reference.

Allan Line, Royal Mail Steamers

MONTREAL TO LIVERPOOL

FAST TWIN SCREW STEAMERS-10 000 TONS.

BAVARIAN, ' 4th November.
VICTORIAN, new, 11th November.

Average time of passage from port to port, eight days.

Each steamer is fitted with refrigerators for cargo requiring cold storage, and in
addition a thorough system of ventilation in compartments where fruit is stowed.

MONTREAL to GLASGOW Every Thursday

and

MONTREAL to LONDON, Direct, every alternate Thursday.

The greatest care taken in handling apples.

Rates and further particulars on application to

J. D. HUNTER, WESTERN FREIGHT AGENT,

77 Vonge Street, Toronto, Ont.
—————or H. A. ALL4N, Montreal.

A Handsome Calendar will be Given Free to all Readers who buy goods from Advertisers*

FLOWER POTS

ROSE JARS and
FANCY WARE

MAY BE HAD FROM

DAVISVILLE POTTERIES

JOHN DAVIS & SONS

DAVISVILLE P.O., ONT.

Our Rose Jars and Pots will be used at
the Provincial Fruit, Flower and Honey
Show ; examine them.

Furncss, Withy & Co.,

LiniTED.
STEAMSHIP AGENTS
AND BROKERS, MONTREAL.

Proposed Sailings :
MONTREAL TO MANCHESTER.

"Man. City" from Montreal. Oct. 30

" Man. Commerce " " " .Nov. 8

"Man. Importer" " *' .Nov. 15

" Man. Trader " " " .Nov. 22

All the above Steamers excepting the ' ' Man.
Importer " have cold storage.

FRUIT GROWERS and FARMERS

The Southern Fruit Grower is the best, most
practical fruit paper to read. 24 to 40 pages every
month. 50c a year. Send 10c and 10 names of fruit
growers and get the paper ti raos. on trial. Sample
free. Southern Fruit Grower, Box io, Chattanooga, Tenn

Beaver Post Hole Digger

The Greatest Labor Sav-
ing Device of its kind
in the World.

No wood to Check,
Rot or Break.

Willdo its work under
the most adverse cir-
cumstances, and with
the least Labor.

Send for Descriptive Printed
Matter.

Canada foundry Company,

Eimltcd.

HEAD OFFICE and WORKS : TORONTO, ONT.

DISTRICT OFFICES :

Montreal, Halifax, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Vancouver,

Roosland, Calgary.

^l^ampioi}

pmit ^uaporators

Saue
Your
pruit

And dry it with
. . the . .

<$l?ampio9

Fruit
^v/aporator

Dries all kinds of fruit and vegetables, producing
a superior quality of clean, white fruit. It is made
of galvanized iron, is lined throughout with asbestos,
is fire proof and portable. Made in five sizes.

Catalogue for the asking.

Manufacturers of the celebrated Champion ilaple
Syrup Evaporator.

THE GRIMM MFG.

8 4 Wellington Street,

CO.,

MOXTREAI>

TEN DOLLiABS for the person who buys Goods to the Greatest Value from Advertisers in this Issue.

See Notice in Advertising Colums.

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DECEMBER, 1904

Volume XXVII

Number 12

THE PROVINCIAL FRUIT, FLOWER AND HONEY SHOW

1^ HE horticultural interests of Ontario
have been obviously advanced by
The Provincial Fruit, Flower and Honev
Show held in Toronto November 15-19.
The exhibits, in all sections, were ahead of
expectations and were a revelation of the
importance of the horticultural interests of
the province. The thousands of people
who attended have been thoroughly awak-
ened to the fact that fruit, flowers and honey
are three important products of Ontario;
that there is a possibility for great develop-
ment in this direction and that everything
possible should be done to forward the in-
terests of these three allied industries.

This impression having been created it is
generally felt that the exhibition was a de-
cided success, that it should be repeated
next year and that there is every reason to
believe that this first show will develop into
an annual afifair of great importance. The
exhibits of fruit, of flowers and of honey
were the largest that have ever been made
in Canada and the quality of the exhibits
was of the best.

Toronto has held some splendid flower
shows in the past but this year's display set
a new mark of excellence. The exhibit of
fruit was also a record breaker. Owing to
the lateness of the season the apples shown
were well colored which added greatly to the
pleasing effect of the display. ^More honey
was shown than at the Toronto Industrial
Exposition and the exhibits were arranged

to the best possible advantage. This made
the apiary section one of the features of the
exhibition.

The show was held in the two Granite
rinks, on Church street, the flowers being on
view in the smaller of the rinks and the fruit
and honey in the larger. Both rinks were
tastefully decorated, the former by ever-
greens, wild smilax and palms and th€ latter
by bunting and flags. The combined ef-
fect of the decorations and exhibits was
most pleasing.

EDUCATIONAL FEATURES WERE VAI,UABI.E.

Probably the most striking feature of the
exhibition was its value from an educational
standpoint. In the floral rink the exhibits
of many different varieties of chrysanthe-
mums, carnations and roses bore printed
cards giving the names of the varieties.

Even greater attention was given to the
educational features connected with the ex-
hibit of fruit. All the principal varieties
bore printed cards giving their names, the
months of the year during which they can
be bought, a brief description of their suita-
bility for dessert or cooking purposes and
of their value for home or foreign markets.

A most excellent exhibit was made by the
Women's Institute Branch of the Ontario
Department of Agriculture under the direct
supervision of Supt. G. A. Putnam. A large
space, at one end of the fruit rink, was oc-
cupied by this exhibit. Numerous- methods
of cooking and preserving fruits were

:.'^3

504

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST

shown and were described by three members
of the Women's Institute stafif who were in
constant attendance. Preserved and jelHed
fruits, apple pies, baked apples and numer-
ous other toothsome dishes were shown and
drew attention to the value and possibilities
of fruit as a food. Neatly printed circulars
were distributed. These named the varie-
ties of fruit best adapted for certain pur-
poses and contained a number of simple
recipes. The value of this exhibit was
quickly recognized by all who saw it and
numerous were the questions asked by lady
visitors.

The fruit experiment stations, under the
direction of the experimenters and of Supt.
Linus Woolverton, of Grimsby, made a
splendid exhibit of apples, grapes, pears and
bottled fruit illustrative of the possibilities
of the different portions of the province for
the growing of fruit.

Other valuable educational features were
the demonstrations in fruit packing given
by representatives of the Dominion Fruit
Division ; representative exhibits of apples
from different provinces, also arranged by

the Fruit Division, and the display of in-
jurious insects, branches and leaves of trees
attacked by them, etc., furnished by the On-
tario Agricultural College. Further men-
tion of these exhibits will be found elsewhere
in this issue.

THE FORMAL OPENING.

A pleasing feature was the formal open-
ing by His Excellency Lieut. -Governor and
Mrs. Mortimer Clark, which took place the
afternoon of the first day. Those present
included the Hon. John Dryden, Minister of
Agriculture, the president of the exhibition
Mr. R. J. Score, the secretary Mr. H. B.
Cowan, Mr. W. H. Bunting, president of
the Ontario Fruit Growers' Association,
Messrs. J. McP. Ross, vice-president ; H. R.
Frankland, Edward Tyrrell, Bernard Saun-
ders and others of the directors of the exhi-
bition and well known public men. Gover-
nor and Mrs. Clark were both greatly
pleased with the beauty and completeness of
the exhibition and expressed hearty sympa-
thy with the objects and aims of the show
and a hope that it would prove a great suc-
cess.

FRUIT AND FLOWER MATTERS UNDER DEBATE

THE annual convention of the Ontario
Fruit Growers' Association and the
convention of delegates from the provincial
horticultural societies, held in connection
with the Provincial Frmt, Flower and
Honey Show, were well attended and inter-
esting and proved a valuable feature of the
exhibition.

These meetings were held in the mem-
bers' assembly room at the Parliament Build-
ings, about half a mile from the Granite
rinks where the exhibition took place. The
fact that the meetings and the exhibition
could not be held in the same building
caused considerable inconvenience but H
had been found impossible to make better
arranofements. In the event of the exhibi-

tion being made an annual affair a deter-
mined effort will have to be made to secure
accommodation that will provide for the
holding of the exhibition and of these meet-
ings in the same building.

The opening session of the horticultural
convention was held Tuesday afternoon,
November 15th, and was well attended. The
chairman, Mr, Edward Tyrrell, on behalf
of the Toronto Horticultural Society, ex-
tended a cordial welcome to the delegates.

The opening paper was presented by Prof.
H. L. Hutt, of Guelph, on " The Planting
of the Home and School Grounds." This
was followed by an interesting address by
Mr. A. K. Goodman, of Cayuga, who spoke
on the subject " How Can we Best Interest

THE PROVINCIAL FRUIT AND FLOWER SHOW.

505

our Young People in Floral and Horticul-
tural Matters." This address is published
elsewhere in this issue. Following this he
delegates joined in a discussion of the lines
of work that can be carried on by horticul-
tural societies and described the methods
their organizations have adopted.

A public mass meeting was held Tuesday
evening in which the members of all the dif-
ferent organizations connected with the ex-
hibition joined. The gathering, which
passed off very successfully, was held in the
Y. M. C. A. Hall. The Hon. John Dryden
presided and as usual made a most capable
chairman.

An address of welcome was given by
Mayor Thos. Urquhart, of Toronto, who "n
the course of his remarks expressed the hope
that the exhibition will become an annual
affair and that in the near future Toronto
will be able to provide a suitable building
for such a gathering.

In his address the Hon. John Dryden re-
ferred to the importance of the horticultural
interests of the province and urged the citi-
zens of Toronto to attend the exhibition. He
announced that the department realized the
need for better instruction in horticultural
matters and that it had felt that an exhibi-
tion, such as the one being held, would prove
valuable educationally. The importance of
seeing that Canadian fruit is properly
packed was mentioned and in this connection
Mr. Dryden stated he was willing to select
and send some Canadians to the United
States to learn the best methods in vogue
there, or to import some of the most suc-
cessful packers from the United States, to
show our Canadian packers how fruit
should be packed. This announcement met
with general approval.

An interesting address was delivered
by Dr. James Fletcher, of the Central
Experimental Farm, Ottawa, who spoke on
" What the Busy Bee is Doing," and suc-
ceeded in thoroughly interesting every per-

son present. A scholarly address was
given by Mr. C. C. James, Deputy Minis-
ter of Agriculture, who spoke on " Horti-
culture in Ontario." The immense im-
portance of the floral interests of the United
States were mentioned, as well as the need
for a greater interest in horticultural
matters. The gathering was a success .nd
next year will undoubtedly be more largely
attended.

At the Wednesday morning session of the
Horticultural convention Mr. H. B. Cowan,
Supt of Horticultural Societies, spoke on
the relation of the Agricultural and Arts
Act to horticultural societies. This was
followed by a most interesting discussion,
an account of which appears in this issue. A
paper on " Best annuals for Cut Flowers,"
presented by Mr. Roderick Cameron, of
Niagara Falls, Ont., is also published in this
issue.

Three addresses, all of great interest, were
delivered at the afternoon meeting of the
convention. The meeting was presided
over by Hon. Jchn Dryden, Minister of
Agriculture. As usual, when he is chair-
man, Mr. Dryden kept everything moving
smoothly and the gathering passed off very
successfully. I'he subjects discussed were
" Hardy Vines for the House and Garden,"
by Mr. W . T. Macoun, Ottawa ; " What
May be Grown in a Small Garden During
One Season," by Mr. R. B. Whyte, Ottawa,
and the " Care of Window Plants," by Wm.
Hunt, of the O. A. C, Guelph. Extracts
from several of these addresses are published
in this issue of The Horticulturist.

The closing session of the horticultural
convention was held Wednesday eveninof.
The principal address of the evening was
delivered by Mr. H. H. Groff, of Simcoe, the
noted originator of Gladioli, who spoke on
the subject, " Improvement of Plants by-
Hybridization." A number of those pres-
ent attended the meeting solely to hear Mr.
Groff. An interesting address on " The

5o6

THE CANADIAN H0RTICULTURIS7

Relation of Birds to Horticulture " was de-
livered by Mr. C. W. Nash, of Toronto.
The closing address was one of the best of
the entire convention and was delivered by
Mr. J. O. McCulloch, the president of the
Hamilton Horticultural Society, who spoke

on " Border Flowers " and illustrated his re-
marks by means of stereoptican views. As
a result of years of work Mr. McCulloch
has gathered a valuable collection of views
of floral subjects and this feature of his ad-
dress was greatly enjoyed.

WHAT THE FRUIT GROWERS DISCUSSED

The various sessions of the Fruit Grow-
ers' convention were well attended and con-
siderable interest was manifested in the ad-
dresses presented and the resultant discus-
sions. The reports by the officers were all
of a most interesting nature and showed
that effective and valuable work had been
accomplished during the year for the fruit
growers of the province.

Much of the credit for this work, it was
felt, was due to the energetic efforts of Mr.
W. H. Bunting, who received a very flatter-
ing evidence of the appreciation of tho<^e
present when they created the office of hon-
orable president for the special purpose of
retaining Mr. Bunting in connection with
the association.

The election of officers resulted as fol-
lows:

Hon. President, W. H. Bunting, St.
Catharines.

President, Alex. McNeill, Ottawa.

Vice-President, Jas. S. Scarff, Woodstock.

Sec.-Treas., P. W. Hodgetts, Toronto.

Directors : A. D. Harkness, Irena ; R. B.
Whyte, Ottawa ; Harold Jones, Maitland ;
W. H. Dempsey, Trenfon; Wm. Rickard,
Newcastle ; Elmer Lick, Oshawa ; Murray
Pettit, Winona ; C. W. Vanduzer, Grimsby ;
H. H. Groff, Simcoe; A. E. Sherrington,
Walkerton ; T. H. Race, Mitchell ; J. L. Hil-
born, Leamington ; G. C. Caston, Craig-
hurst.

At the evening session a very complete re-
port of the year's work was presented by
Mr. P. W. Hodgetts, the secretary-trea-
surer, which showed that the financial stand-

ing of the association, after defraying all
expenses connected with The Horticulturist,
the holding of the special meetings, the esti-
mated expense connected with the fruit ex-
hibition, etc., was in a very satisfactory con-
dition.

One of the most important subjects dealt
with at the convention was the consideration
of the report presented by the directors jf
the association recommending that The
Canadian Horticulturist should be placed in
the hands of a joint stock company com-
posed entirely of fruit growers and florists.
In this connection the business manager and
editor of The Horticulturist, Mr. H. B.
Cowan, announced that the magazine had
reached the stage where it needs to be great-
ly developed and it should, therefore, be
placed on a business basis. It was an-
nounced that in the event of a joint stock
company being formed the association would
be given $i,ooo worth of stock in the com-
pany for its good will and that it would also
be given an opportunity to purchase $i,ooo
in stock entitling the president of the asso-
ciation to a seat on the board of directors of
the company. The report of the directors
was unanimously endorsed by tlie conven-
tion and a committee was appointed to see
that before the paper is finally handed over,
to the company the interests of the associa-
tion are properly safeguarded.

conside;re;d the; show a success.

The idea of continuing the Provincial
Fruit, Flower and Honey Show was en-
dorsed and a resolution was carried unani-
mously instructing the directors of the asso-

THE PROVINCIAL FRUIT AND FLOWER SHOW,

507

Here They Are; the Fruit Growers We Read About.

At the close of one of the sessions of the Ontario Fruit Growers' Convention, held in Toronto, November 16-18, the photographer
for The Canadian Horticulturist managed to round up some of the growers and to take this snap shot when they were all trying to look
their best. Starting with the bashful gentleman on the extreme left, Mr. W. T. Macoun, of Ottawa, the other gentUmen in the front
row are Messrs. Thos. Beall, of Lindsay; J. L. Hilborn, of Leamington; A. E. Sherrington, of Walkerion ; W. H. Bunting, of St.
Catharines; Harold Powell, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washington ; E. Moms, Fonthill ; J. S. Scarff, of Woodstock; Harold
Jones, of Maitland; and Prof. H. L. Hutt, of Guelph. A number of other well known horticulturists are in thi group, but their
positions cannot be described definitely.

ciation to take such steps as may seem ad-
visable to continue the identification of the
association with the united show.

The opening meeting of the convention
Thursday morning was largely devoted to
business. This included the consideration
of the president's address, the appointment
of committees and the hearing of reports.

In the afternoon Mr. G. H. Powell, of
Washington, D. C, gave a valuable address
on " Cold Storage," a liberal extract from
which is published in this issue. " Fruit
Shipments to Winnipeg " was the subject
of an address by Prof. Reynolds, of Guelph.
The results of this shipment have already
been made known through The Horticultur-
ist. The important subject " The Condi-
tions Surrounding the Canned Fruit Indus-
try," was handled by Mr. W. P. Gamble, -)f
the O. A. C, Guelph. This address is pub-
lished in full in this number of I'he Horti-
culturist.

The fruit experimenters had the Wednes-
day evening meeting all to themselves. The
chairman was Mr. G. C. Creelman, of
Guelph, the chairman of the Board of Fruit

Experiment Stations. Reports were re-
ceived from the various experiment sta-
tions and were of a most interesting ature.
Outlines of these reports will be duly pub-
lished in The Horticulturist.

The two sessions of the Fruit Growers'
Association on Friday were both extremely
interesting. In the morning the subjects
dis cussed and the speakers were " Fungous
Diseases of the Grape," by Prof. Lochhcad,
of Guelph, and Mr. W. T. Macoun, of Ot-
tawa ; and " Latest Results of Spraying 'or
the San Jose Scale," by Prof. R. Harcourt,
of Guelph, and Inspector J. F. Smith of
Glanford. Several of these addresses p-
pear in this issue of The Horti :ulturist.

The closing session of the Fruit Growers'
Association was devoted to the consideration
of cooperative work in 1904 and proved a
most interesting gathering. The speakers
were Messrs. /v. E. Sherrington, of Walker-
ton ; D. Johnson, of Forest ; Elmer Lick, of
Oshawa; Robert Thompson, of St. Catha-
rines, and A. W. Peart, of Burlington. A
report of this discussion appears in this
issue of The Horticulturist.

A BEAUTIFUL DISPLAY OF FLOWERS

MANY were the expressions of delight
heard in the floral rink at the
Fruit, Flower and Honey Show in regard to
the exceptionally fine exhibit of flowers.
Not only was the show the largest but it was
the best ever held in Toronto. The various
exhibits were grouped in such a manner
that they showed to the best advantage and
the general effect of the exhibits and decora-
tions was most pleasing.

The first few days a change was made
in the exhibits. Tuesday was chrysanthe-
mum day and Wednesday carnation day.
On Thursday roses, violets and made-up
work were shown for the first time. An
idea of the extent of the floral display may
be gained from the fact that there were over
i,ooo chrysanthemums, 3,000 carnations and
2,000 roses shown.

The classes were so well filled the judges
had a hard task when called on to award the
prizes, as the quality of the exhibits and the
quantity made it exceedingly difficult co
select the winners. The most attractive
vase of chrysanthemums was 30 blooms of
Dr. Oronhyatekha, shown by Mr. W. J.
Lawrence, of Eglinton, which won the cup
presented for this class. Messrs. Breet-
meyer & Sons, of Detroit, exhibited their
new seedling Majestic, and it proved a
splendid keeper, as it arrived in Toronto by
mistake on the Wednesday previous to the
show, and when the flowers were sold on
Saturday they were still in excellent condi-
tion. The Steele, Briggs Co. displayed a
vase of Strathcona, a new variety shown for
the first time, and captured first for the be^t
six white. This variety is certainly the best
white introduced and will doubtless be
grown more extensively next year.

That grand new pink chrysanthemum.
Dr. Enguehard, was greatly admired. It
is a full, round bloom of a beautiful shade
and much superior to anything yet shown.
Perhaps the growers have not yet learned
how to handle W. Duckham to the best ad-

vantage, as the bloom shown were slightly
disappointing after all that has been heard
of this variety. Sunburst, which was intro-
duced by Nathan Smith this year, is a very
good yellow and should be largely grown
next season. While Dr. Oronhyatekha -s
the largest yellow grown, yet that grand
variety Golden Wedding still holds its own,
as was proven by its taking first over Oron-
hyatekha in the best yellow. The largest
chrysanthemum shown was one of Oron-
hyatciviia, grown by J. H. Dunlop, which
measured 24 inches in circumference.

A large display of chrysanthemums was
made by Wm. Gammage & Sons, of Lon-
don, including six new varieties, introduc-
tions of 1904, which won first prize. This
firm also won first for the best 12 chrysan-
themums in the show. Their exhibits were
of superior quality, indicating the excellent
methods of culture practised by this firm.
All the jars used in the show for cut flow-
ers were of the J. Davis & Sons' manufac-
ture, and being nicely colored added much
to the attractiveness of the display.

A pine; exhibit of bush plants.

The bush plants were exceedingly fine.
Those grown by the Steele, Briggs Company
and the Allan Gardens were especially
worthy of mention. The groups of palms,
ferns and chrysanthemums were so well ar-
ranged that it took the judges some time to
reach a decision. The group from the
Allan Gardens, as arranged by Mr. E. F.
Collins, won the award and the Hallam cup.
The group of foliage plants shown by Mr.
Chambers, of Exhibition Park, took first
prize in this class, as did also his group of
orchids, Manton Bros, being second. Splen-
did taste was displayed in the artistic ar-
rangement of these groups and they were
perhaps the finest ever seen in Canada.

The competition was very keen in the car-
nation section, Chanes Turp scoring 6 first
prizes and two second prizes out of the 8
entries. Great credit is due this grower a*^

508

AMONG. THE FLOWERS.

5^9

R. J. bCORE, OF TORONTO

The presence of a number of shrewd businirss men on the gen-
eral commiitee, in charge of the Provincial Fruit, Flower and
Honey Show, had a great deal to do with the succes of the recent
exhibition. Among these must be mentioned the chairman o the
committee, Mr. R. J. Score whose assistance proved of great value.
For many yeais Mr. Score has been closely identified with the To-
ronto Industrial Exhibition, the Toronto Electoral District Society
and o her public organizations. In Mr. Score's opinion the Fruit,
Flower and Honey Show is going to become an annual affair of
great importance.

he has only three houses of 150 feet long
and had not the quantity of bloom most of
his competitors had from which to choose.

The rose sections were well filled". The
Dale Estate, of Brampton, and J. H. Dun-
lop carried away most of the prizes. The

vases of Mrs. Pierpont Morgan were su-
perior to anything of this variety ever seen
in Toronto, as were also the Canadian
Queen exhibited by the same firms. Mr.
J. H. Dunlop displayed a vase of five fine
Perle Des Jardines which secured first prize.
The American Beauty roses were a great at-
traction for the ladies. Those exhibited by
the T. Eaton Floral Department were es-
pecially fine. A very fine display of violets
was made by Wm. Findlay. As a compari-
son Mr. Findlay showed two bunches of
violets as grown ten years ago, beside which
his first prize bunches were as pansies.

The funeral designs were a revelation in
the art of floral designing, the judges stat-
ing they were better than anything they had
ever seen. ihose arranged by J. Simmons
and his chief designer were exceptionally
fine.

The new fern, Tarrytown, exhibited by
Pierson & Co. was a splendid specimen and
was awarded a certificate of merit. At the
close of the show Saturday night the auction
sale of cut flowers and plants, conducted by
Auctioneer Thos. Manton, proved a great
success as every bloom in the hall was sold
at a reasonable price. The general opinion
of the florists is that the show was a decided
success and that the foundation has been laid
for a show greater than ever.

CO-OPERATION AMONG FRUIT GROWERS IN ONTARIO

^ p^ HAT the question of cooperation on the
JL part of fruit growers is a live one
was shown at the annual convention of the
Fruit Growers' Association in November,
by the great interest taken in the session,
which was devoted to the consideration of
that subject. It was much the most inter-
esting session of the convention and proved
that the fruit growers' cooperative associa-
tions in Ontario are doing splendid work.

The discussion was opened by Mr. A. E.
Sherrington, of Walkerton. " Our associa-

tion," said Mr. Sherrington, " was organ-
ized two years ago last spring. This sea-
son it has been conducted on the central
packing house system, which has proved
perfectly satisfactory. A year ago each
member was allowed to pack his own fruit
and was required to place his name on the
package in which way he became responsi-
ble for his own packing. This system did
.not work satisfactorily, and I believe it is
not a good one. Until we have central
packing stations we will never have uniform

5IO

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

packing. In this connection I might state
we need some means by which instruction
can be given in packing. I heard what the
Hon. John Dryden, Minister of Agriculture,
said in regard to securing a man to give in-
structions in packing, and I heartily ap-
prove of the idea. if classes could be held
at the Agricultural College uniform methods
of packing could there be taught which
would be of great benefit. Every man has
his own idea of what No, i fruit is, and 'f
every person packs his own fruit there can
be no uniformity.

" In addition to uniform methods of pack-
ing we need cooperation with the consumer.
It has been said that commission men may
object to our entering their field and filling
the orders of customers direct. What do
we owe commission men that we should
heed their objections? The fact is they
owe us far more than we owe them. We
should have some method by which we will
know how much fruit is received in the
principal consuming centres, what it has cost
to handle this fruit and what the fruit real-
ized. This is also true of shipments to
Great Britain. Why should we send our
fruit to strangers and allow them to do prac-
tically what they like with it?

" In these cooperative associations which
are being formed we nnist not look for large
returns at first. In some cases it may oe
one or two years before these associations
can be placed on a satisfactory basis. If
we continue, however, we will perfect our
methods and finalh' becon;e established on a
firm footing. The greatest weakness '-f
the various associations I have established
has lain in the fact that there is no means
by which these various associations can be
united. They are separate and lack co-
hesion. If we can arrange any method by
which these associations can become identi-
fied with the Ontario Fruit Growers' Asso- -
ciation it would soon greatly increase the
membership of the association and be a
benefit to all concerned.

" In the Walkerville association we were
able this year to pack apples for lo to 15
cents per barrel. In other years it has cost
us 25 to 30 cents. This year we have also
obtained better prices and, in addition,
have been able to sell thousands of barrels
of apples that would have been wasted in
other years through the buyers refusing to
buy them when they were ready for market.

" Growers should remember that coopera-
tion will not advance the prices of poor fruit.
Even an association is unable to obtain
good prices for anything except No. i fruit.
Cooperation really begins in the orchard in
the growing of the fruit."

Question : " How do you form these as-
sociations ?"

HOW ASSOCIATIONS ARE FORMED.

Mr. Sherrington: " When I enter a dis-
trict I first speak on the nature of coopera-
tion, tell what it has accomplished and out-
line methods by which growers can co-
operate. Those present are invited to take
the matter up. If they feel inclined to do
so the} are asked to pay a membership fee
of 25 cents each, arrange to hold meetings
for discussions, elect officers, etc. The
trouble in many cases is that there seems to
be no one person ready to take hold and di-
rect such an effort. In each case where I
organized an association the growers had to
be left to their own resources. Where as-
sociations were formed the growers were
instructed to prepare their own rules, ap-
point a manager and make all arrangements
in regard to the grading and shipping of
their fruit."

Question : " How are these managers
paid ?"

Mr. Sherrington : " The manager should
be paid what he is worth. Some associa-
tions pay their managers five cents per bar-
rel. Last year the Walkerville Association
paid me 3 per cent. The year before my
expenses amounted to 2 cents per barrel.
On this allowance I attended to all corre-
spondence, paid for telegrams and telephone

CO-OPERATION AMONG FRUIT GROWERS.

W. H. BUNTING, 5T. CATHARINES

For two ye irs the Ontario Fruit Growers Association has been
favored by having a mjst energetic and capable chairman in the
person of Mr. W. H. Bunting, of St. Catharines. Under Mr. Bunt-
ing's management the association has advocated a number of
measures of great importance to the fruit growers of the province,
and has brought about a number of reforms notably decided im-
provements in the transportation of fruit by ihe railway companies.
So thoroughly had Mr. Bunting prepared his case for the fruit
growers, and so clearly did he give his evidence before the Railway
Commission last summer, he was highly complimented by Hon. A.
G. Blair, the chairman of the commission, who said he had never
heard a case better presented. As Mr. Bunting had refused re-elec-
tion to the presidency or as director, the Ontario Fruit Growers, at
their recent annual convention, created the office of honorary presi-
dent for the especial purpose of h noring Mr. Bunting and retain-
ing him on the board of the association.

messages, looked after the packing, and 'n
fact did all the work."

Question : " When you were through did
}OU not think you had had the worst of the
bargain ?"

Mr. Sherrington : " No. I thought, if
anything, that I had been overpaid."

Question : " Have you tried handling
tender fruits?"

Mr. Sherrington : " No, but cooperation
in handling such fruits will work to splen-
did advantage."

Question : " How would you handle
peaches ?"

Mr. Sherrington : " Easily. Some of the
best cooperative associations in the world
are located in Ohio, such as the one Mr.
Owens described at the last convention of
the Fruit Growers' Association. There are
also some splendid cooperative associations
in California.

" This year the Walkerton fruit growers
formed a joint stock company and bought a
luilding near the station. A rule was
passed which compelled all members to take
their fruit to the central packing house to be
graded. Early in the season we bought our
boxes and barrels wholesale, thereby mak-
ing a great saving. Where farmers did not
have spring wagons we had them put hay m
the bottom of their wagons which prevented
their fruit being bruised. As soon as the
apples were received girls and boys were set
to work to cull them, while one man looked
after the expert packing. The results of
tlie grading of each man's fruit were cred-
ited to him in a book kept for that purpose.
If a man had io>4 barrels of No. i fruit he
received credit for that amount."

Mr. W. T. Macoun, Ottawa : " What do
you do with growers who bring in barrels
of fruit that is soft?"

Mr. Sherrington : " If not up to the
standard we refuse to handle the apples.
Our building is 30 x 100 feet and has a cel-
lar, in which the hardy winter stock is kept
until wc are ready to handle it. Most of
our wir.ter apples are still in the cellar. In
this way it is not necessary for us to leave
our fruit in the orchards, in all kinds of
weather, where most of it would be ruined.
Most of the fruit which is now in the cellar
of our building would have been lost had
we not had this place in which to store "t.
As it is, the apples of our section are now
safely stored ready to be marketed when the
time comes.

" This year we marketed large quantities

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

of such varieties as the Duchess and Astra-
chan, which in other years were wasted/'

Mr. Haines, St. Catharines : " Do I un-
derstand that each fruit grower loses his
identity when he turns his fruit over to your
company, or do you allow the growers
names to appear on their boxes while stat-
ing that the apples have been graded by your
company? There is considerable diflference
in the quality of No. i fruit. This differ-
ence is so great as to make it possible to
have various grades of No. i fruit. Grow-
ers who produce the best grades of this fruit
should, in my opinion, receive proper credit
for it."

Mr. Sherrington : " We only have three
grades and growers are not allowed to place
their names on their boxes."

Robert Thompson, St. Catharines : " I
would not want to join a company of that
kmd. There is a difference of at least 25
cents in the value of different grades of
No. I fruit, and even more in No. 2 fruit.
It seems unjust that the man, who carefully
cultivates his orchard and prunes his trees,
that he may produce the very best fruit,
should not obtain due credit for it."

Alex. McNeill, Ottawa : " One of the
greatest weaknesses among fruit growers is
their lack of sentiment and the manner in
which they refuse to sink their own identity
for the benefit of their fellow growers. We
will never succeed with these cooperative
associations until each grower is willing to
sink his own interests for the benefit of the
common cause. In a general way I think
we are very much improved in this respect. '

Mr, Sherrington : " In my case I did not
need to join a cooperative association. I
was growing enough apples to enable me to
ship for myself, but my neighbors were not
in such a position. By cooperating we have
practically shut the buyers out of the dis-
trict. Before we cooperated buyers used
to visit our section and purchase a few crops
at low prices. By threatening not to buy
the crops of other growers they were able
to secure them at ridiculously low figures,-
and in this way the average price was kept
down to the disadvantage of all the growers.
Since the association has been formed the
buyers have not been able to do this, and we
have all shared the benefit. Growers must
work together if they are to succeed.

(Continued on page 537 )

HANDLING THE FRUIT CROP FOR COLD STORAGE *

G. HAROLD powe;i;Iv, u. s. department op agriculture.

•^f^ HE Department of Agriculture of the

X United States has been conducting
investigations in regard to the cold storage
of fruit. These liave concerned the influ-
ence of geographic and climatic conditions,
cultural practices in the orchard, commer-
cial methods of picking, handling and ship-
ing,. conditions in cold storage warehouses,
and the keeping quality and ultimate value
of the fruit.

We used to think (and this feeling is ap-
parently still s'hared by a considerable num-
ber of apple men) that the temperature of

* Extract from an address delivered at tlie annual convention
i6-i8, in connection with The Provinc ial Kruit, Flower and Honey

the warehouse was the one factor tliat df-
termined the behavior of the fruit in its com-
partments. If the temperature of the rooms
was only cold enough it was expected that
the fruit ought to keep under all conditions.
When the barrels came out of the warehouse
in the spring, slack packed, or the apples
were decayed and mussy, or more scab had
developed on the fruit than it showed at the
picking time, these difficulties and many
others were invariably attributed to the
faulty management of the warehouse. The
records are replete with claims of the apple

of the Ontario Fruit Growers' Association held in Toronto, Noveinher
Show.

COLD STORAGE OF FRUIT.

513

men against the warehousemen for cold
storage charges and other damages, especi-
ally when the selling price of the frnit has
been lower than anticipated.

Happily, for all interests concerned, the
hanaling and the storing of fruit, like the
care of the orchard, are bemg reduced to a
scientific basis. We are coming to appre-
ciate, more and more, that the warehouse 's
the last link in the chain of successful fruit
growing, depending for its strength on the
character of the management of the orchard,
the care in picking, packing, transporting
and other handling of the fruit before it
reaches the storage chambers.

The cold temperature of the warehouse
exerts no mysterious influence on fruits ; It
simply retards the ripening processes and
checks, or may prevent, the development of
its diseases. A fruit is a living body ; 't
ripens slowly in a low temperature and
quickly when the temperature is high. The
diseases spread rapidly in high tempera-
tures, and some diseases, like the apple scab
and bitter rot, are checked by the tempera-
ture best adapted to the storage of fruit.
Other diseases, like the molds, which pro-
duce the soft brown rot in apples and pears
and in some other fruits, and which cau=e
most of the repacking of apples in the
spring, grow slowly in the lowest tempera-
ture in which the fruit may be stored with-
out freezing.

The cold storage treatment does not
obliterate the differences that exist in the
apples when they enter the warehouse ; i t
rather retards, while not preventing, their
normal development. If two lots of apples
diflfer in ripeness or in the amount of disease
with which they are affected, in the amount
of bruising, or if the conditions in which
they were grown cause them to vary, cold
storage can only check the development if
these differences.

Cultural conditions produce an important
influence on the keeping of fruit, though

this feature is scarcely recognized in practi-
cal warehousing. Apples, for instance, that
are grow^n rapidly and to abnormal size, like
those from young trees or from orchards
unduly stimulated by tillage and cover crops ;
fruit produced on quick-acting sandy soils,
or that from trees bearing a light crop, con-

UNUS WOOLVERTON B. A.

The recently appointed Superintendent of the Ontario Fruit Ex-
periment Stations, Mr. Linus Woolverton, B.A., of Grimsby, has
long been well known to readers of The Canadian Horticulturist as
the editor of this magazine and through the numeious public offices
he has held. During November Mr. Woolverton tendered hisjresig-
nation as editor of The Horticulturist to the directors of the Ontario
Fruit Growers Association that he may be free to devote his energies
to the new duties he has assumed. Few fruit growers in the world
are better posted, in regard to different varieties of fruit, than Mr.
Woolverton, who has made a special study of this subject for years.
His wide knowledge of varieties will, undoubtedly, be of gieat value
him in his new line of work.

tinue to ripen relatively fast in the storage
house and reaches the end of its life earlier
in the season than the same variety when
grown more slowly. Such sorts as York-
Imperial, Hubbardston, Pound Sweet and
Northern Spy. from young trees, deterio-
rate one to four months earlier thaii the same
varieties from older trees.

514

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

The warehouse cannot be expected to
obUterate these inherent differences in the
fruit. The grower and the handler should,
on the other hand, endeavor to acquaint him-
self with the influence of cultural conditions
on the behavior of the different varieties and
their disposition from the warehouse should
be governed accordingly.

We used to think (and this opinion is
still commonly held by apple growers and
dealers alike), that fruit should be picked
somewhat green to insure the best keeping
quality. Investigations 'have shown this
opinion to be erroneous. It has been our
experience that the best keeping apples or
peaches are those that have attained the
highest color and fullest size, but which are
still hard and firm when picked. The pear
has kept best when it attains full size and is
picked before yellowisih tints have appeared.

In our fruit storage investigations we
have observed that after green fruit is
picked it ripens more quickly than more
mature fruit of the same variety, and the
chemical changes have been shown to pro-
gress more rapidly. Green picked fruit,
therefore, reaches the end of its life in the
warehouse as quickly, or even more so than
the latter. Poorly colored fruit brings the
lowest price ; it does not attract the cus-
tomer; it never acquires that exquisite bou-
quet, or aroma, or that fine quaHty that are
characteristic of a highly colored, well ma-
tured specimen.

CAUS13S SCALD.

The premature picking of the apple makes
it especially susceptible to scald. Apple
scald is the most serious warehouse trouble
in certain varieties like Rhode Island Green-
ing, Grimes' Golden, York Imperial nd
Wagener. It appears to be the result of a
ferment or enzyme working beneath the
skin. It attacks the apple late in the stor-
age season on the immature or light colored
side, and a crop picked prematurely is par-
ticularly susceptible to it on account of Its

green condition. Highly colored apples
are less seriously affected, and a crop picked
when the fruit has attained full size and
deep color may escape the difficulty until
very late in the season, provided the fruit is
stored quickly after picking, in a low tem-
perature. Were the average grower to al-
low his crop of apples to hang on the trees
longer than is customary it would, therefore,
result in an improvement in the keeping
qualities of the fruit, better flavor and
quality, greater commercial value and com-
parative freedom from storage scald.

If I may be pardoned for digressing from
the discussion of the storage* problem and
entering the field of orchard management,
I would suggest that you consider the ad-
visability of picking over the trees of varie-
ties of fine quality two or three times, tak-
ing the fruit in each pickmg that has at-
tained the highest color. I know of no sys-
tem of apple culture or of harvesting by
which the entire crop of a tree can be picked
with a uniform degree of maturity at one
time. The apple, like the peach tree, bears
fruit that varies several days, or even weeks,
in degree of maturity. The fruit on the
upper and outside branches ripens first, and
the interior shaded fruit later, but, by pick-
ing such varieties as the Northern Spy,
Wagener, Esopus Spitzenburg and other
varieties of fine quality two or three times,
at intervals of ten days to three weeks, the
general average in size and color of the fruit
of the entire tree may be improved consider-
ably. I would suggest, also, that much of
the poor color in apples, especially in old
trees under high culture, is the result of the
increased leaf surface induced by this treat-
ment. It is probable that this fault may be
corrected to a large extent by judicious
pruning to let the light and air in to the in-
terior branches.

The opinion used to be quite general
among apple men that it was necessary for
fruit to " sweat " after picking to give it

OF INTEREST TO FRUIT GROWERS.

513

good keeping quality. It was, therefore,
placed in piles in the orchard or in buildings
before packing and storing. The investiga-
tions of our department have shown that this
opinion is bad in theory and worse in prac-
tice. The fruit that keeps the best is that
which is stored the quickest after picking ;
and the fruit that rots the most in the ware-
house is that which is delayed in the or-
chard or under other conditions in transit
to the warehouse.

More than three-fourths of the practical
difficulties with fruit in storage houses is
the result of rough handling, coupled with
delaying the storage of the fruit after it is
picked. As soon as fruit is severed from
the tree its chemical and physiological ac-
tivities are accelerated. It ripens with un-
usual rapidity and most rapidly when the
weather is warm. As the fruit is usuallv

moist in the barrels, or in piles, the condi-
tions are favorable for the rapid spread of
diseases. During a delay of ten days in
warm weather the fruit may have consumed
a large part of its remaining life and tne
disease may have become firmly established
before it enters the warehouse. Slack
pacKcd barrels, rotten fruit and financial loss
are the inevitable results of this practice.

Immediate storage after picking is one of
the essentials in successful fruit storage. If
fruit, which has been stored quickly after
packing, decays, there is a fair presumption
that the conditions in which it was grown
produced an inherent weakness in it and
that the owner showed poor judgment in
holding it beyond the normal storage season
of the variety. This, of course, is provided
the warehouse has not been grossly mis-
managed.

INTERESTING FRUIT EXHIBITS

THE educational features at the Provin-
cial Fruit, Flower and Honey Show
were so well arranged the average fruit
grower might have spent a couple of days
very profitably examining the exhibits and
questioning the exhibitors. In many cases
the exhibits bore printed cards or slips of
paper explaining their educational features.
The exhibits made by the fruit experiment
stations, which are located in diflferent sec-
tions of the province, were very instructive.
The main portion of this exhibit appeared
on an elevated stand in the center of the hall
and attracted general attention. The ex-
perimenters who exhibited were the super-
intendent, Mr. Ivinus Woolverton, of
Grimsby, and Messrs. Harold Jones, of
Maitland, for Eastern Ontario; W. H.
Dempsey, of Trenton, for the Bay of Quinte
district ; Chas. Young, of Richard's Land-
ing, for St. Joseph's Island and Algoma ;
G. E. Caston, of Craighurst, for Simcoe dis
trict; M. Pettit, of Winona, for the Wcnt-

worth district, and J. L. Hilborn, of Leam-
ington, for the Essex district.

" An important part of our exhibit, as com-
pared with former years," said Supt. Linus
Woolverton, who was in attendance at the
show throughout the week, while speaking to
a representative of The Horticulturist, " "s
the separation of the desirable from the un-
desirable varieties of fruit. For example Mr.
AI. Pettit, of the Went worth station, who s
showing about 127 varieties of grapes, when
asked to set aside those which he considered
profitable to grow from a commercial stand-
point, selected only 13 kinds, or about
one-tenth of the total number. These varie-
ties were, of the black grapes, Campbell,
Morden, Concord and Wilder; of the red,
Lindley, Delaware, Agawam, Catawba and
Vergennes, and of the white, Niagara and
Moore's Diamond.

" A similar result occurred with Mr.
Dempsey 's collection of apples; for he set
aside nearlv 100 varieties which he had

5i6

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

One Year's Product of an Apple Tree in Eastern Ontario.

Oyer 12 barrels of apples taken this fall from a Mcintosh tree growing in the orchard of Dr. J. Harkness & Srns, ot
Trena, in Dundas county, as shown by this illustration, sh uld have an influence in removing the impression that apples can-
not be grown to advantage in Eastern Ontario. The tree from which these apples were gathered is 30 years old. By thorough
spraying Ur. Harkness finds little difficulty securing a large proportion 01 JSo. i fruit. Can any Canadian fruit grower send
The Horticulturist a photograph ihat can beat this one?

tested and proved unprofitable. His com-
plete list for profit was as follows, named 'n
order of ripening: Duchess, Gravenstem,
Alexander, Trenton, Wealthy, Fameuse,
Mcintosh, Blenheim, Greening, King, On-
tario, Hubbardston, Spy, Ben Davis and
Stark, of which he could not show the first
four, as they were past season. Some of
these were useful for both dessert and cook-
ing, but for dessert he would add Garden
Gem, Cox's Orange, Banana, Boiken and
Swazie.

" The St. Lawrence station, conducted by
Mr. Harold Jones, showed three hardy
varieties as the most profitable in that dis-
trict, viz.. Snow, Scarlet Pippin and Mcin-
tosh. Three pyramids of these varieties
formed an attractive feature of the exhibit.
Four other varieties not on exhibition have
proved profitable also, viz., Duchess, Alex-
ander, St. Lawrence and Wealthy, but the
latter is not equal to the same variety grown
along the Ottawa valley.

" The Algoma exhibit," continued Mr.
Woolverton, " was a surprise to many,

Continued

showing fair samples of Alexander, Weal-
thy, Wolf River and Longfield, varieties
which will do well in that climate, with the
Duchess to precede them. The Japan
•plums, Mr. Young reports, have done well
in St. Joseph's Island, especially Burbank
and Ogon. In Simcoe county and the Lake
Huron district nearly all the varieties do
well which succeed in the Bay of Quinte dis-
trict, and splendid samples are exhibited by
Mr. Sherrington, of Walkerton, and Mr.
Laston, of Craighurst."

FRUIT PACKING DEMONSTRATIONS.

A large space at one end of the rink was
occupied by representatives of the Dominion
Fruit Division, of Ottawa, who gave demon-
strations in packing fruit for export and ex-
hibited boxes and barrels suitable for he
trade. The exhibit included packing house
utensils, a packing table, presses, etc. Talks
were given at frequent intervals explaining

- the special features of the work and import-
ant points relating to fruit packing. About
50 barrels of fruit were handled in the de-

' monstrations and valuable information was

on page 534.)

PREVENTION OF THE APPLE SCAB

k 4 ^ I ^ HERE is no question of more vital
X interest to the general fruit grower
than that of the apple scab. The prime
question is, Under vhat conditions of care
and management of orchards can it be re-
duced 'o a minimum? The bottom of this
question has not yet been reached, conclu-
sions up to this time being empirical, rather
than based on sufficiently wide facts."

These remarks, made to The Horticul-
turist recently by Mr. A. W. Peart, of Bur-
lington, led to an attempt being made to ob-
tain the views, on this subject, of a number
of well known authorities, including both
practical growers as well as experimenters.
The majority of those heard from, it will be
seen, advocate thorough spraying and judi-
cious thinning as the best means of prevent-
ing the scab.

" I have," writes Joseph Tweddle, of
Fruitland, " obtained the desired results in
regard to preventing apple scab by thin-
ning the bearing parts of the tree to let in
plenty of light and air, and by spraying
all parts of the tree. Spray thoroughly
with Bordeaux once before bloom and at
least twice after. Give the second applica-
tion just after the bloom falls, the third two
weeks later, and follow with a fourth, should
long continued rains of two days or more
take place. The mixture should be applied
quickly after rain, from each side of the tree
as the wind changes. It is necessary that
the work should be done thoroughly."

iVluch the same views were given by Mr.
W. H. Dempsey, of Trenton, who states
that he has had good results from the Bor-
deaux mixture in keeping the apple scab in
check whenever it was applied carefully
and at the proper time. Mr. Dempsey has
noticed that Fameuse apples sprayed care-
fully just before the bloom opened gave
better results than those sprayed only after
the bloom had fallen. It is not safe to neg-
lect spraying, which should be done three
times, once before bloom and twice after.

The practice of Mr. .-\. E. Sherrington,
of Walkerton, is to give clean and thorough
cultivation to impart a vigorous and thrifty
growth. With this, judicious pruning is
done annually so as to let the light and air
circulate freely through the trees. Last,
but by no means least, Mr. Sherrington
sprays thoroughly and systematically. He
does not believe in drenching the trees, but
in applying tlie spray in as fine a mist as
possible. Were more growers to do this,
^Ir. Sherrington believes, the apple scab
would be reduced to a minimum.

WHAT THE EXPERIMENTERS SAY.

The views of several well known experi-
menters secured, include those of Prof. L.
R. Taft, of the Michigan Agricultural Col-
lege, Lansing, Mich. ; Prof. John Craig, of
the Cornell College of Agriculture, Ithaca.
N. Y., and Prof. H. L. Hutt, of the Agri-
cultural College, Guelph, Ont. Their
opinions are here given :

Prof. L. R. Taft : The extent of the in-
jury to apple trees by scab is determined, to
a large degree, by the climatic conditions,
alt-.ough the age and condition of the trees
have much to do with it. Our growers,
who have practiced thorough spraying of
their apple orchards with Bordeaux mix-
ture, have had comparatively little trouble
from it. Orchards on rolling land and
with trees pruned so as to give fairly open
heads are much less injured than those on
low land or in hollows. When the trees
are sprayed it is advisable to make at least
one application before the blossoms open,
preferably at the time the petals begin to
show. A second spraying should be given
as soon as the petals begin to fall, and a
third at the end of about two weeks. Ordi-
narily this will suffice until the latter part
of July, when a spraying of Bordeau mix-
ture and an arsenite is advisable to prevent
injury by the apple scab as well as the at-
tack of the second brood of codling moths.

Some of our growers are making use of

51'

;i8

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

J. McP. ROSS.

The vice-president
of the Fruit, Flower
and Honey Show,
Mr. J. McPherson
Ross, of Toronto,
has had a wide hor-
ticultural experi-
ence. For several
years Mr. Ross was
actively engaged in
the nursery busi-
ness. He is an en-
tertaining speaker
and has contributed
some interesting ar-
ticles to The Horti-
culturist. As a mem-
ber of the Toronto
Horticultural Socie-
ty Mr. Ross has held
numerous offices, in-
cluding that of pres-
ident.

dust sprays, but, although fairly good re-
sults are secured against leaf eating insects
and the codling moth, it does not appear to
be nearly as effectual against apple scab as
the liquid Bordeaux mixture. When the
trees are growing under proper conditions
and receive from three to five applications
of Bordeaux mixture, according to the
variety and climatic conditions, the injury
from apple sc^b is reduced to a minimum.

SETTLING DOWN TO SPRAYING.

Prof. John Craig: INlew York fruit
growers are using no specially new methods
for controlling apple scab. They are real-
izing more keenly every year, however, that
thoroughness of method is more important
than small differences of formula or small
variations in time of application, and that it
is impra'^tlcable to make exact rules cover-
ing time of application and formula used.
The character of the season will or should
vary the treatment year by year. Our sea-
son this year may be considered to present
the normal type — perhaps a little more
rainv than usual.

The best growers are settling down to the
habit of spraying thoroughly with Bordeaux
mixture and an arsenite just before the blos-
soms open, again after the blossoms fall,
and a third time when it appears desirable.
Sometimes they are satisfied with two spray-
ings. As a rule, however, three applica-
tions are made. Last year the best results
were secured by those w^ho sprayed rather
late in the season, and so it was the previous
season. It is safe to say, finally, that noth-
ing specially new in the methods of prevent-
ing apple scab have developed during the
past year or two, but that fruit growers are
becoming each year more impressed with
the necessity of doing the work thoroughly.
This mea-- proper equipment in the way of
stock materials and power pumps.
le;t the; hogs in the; orchard.

Prof. H. L. Hutt: It has long been es-
tabHshed, by repeated experiments, that
apple scab can be controlled by thorough
spraying with Bordeaux mixture. The
mixture should be applied before the buds
open in the spring, then again after the blos-
soms have fallen, and should be repeated
two or three times at intervals of ten days
or two weeks, depending somewhat on the
season. If rains are frequent the mixture
should be applied oftener. Usually four
or five sprayings are sufficient to keep the
disease in check.

It is a good plan to allow hogs in the or-
chard to gather up all the fallen and dis-
eased apples, as these contain spores which
carry over the disease from one season to
another. Spraying should not be neglected
on trees when not carrying a crop, nor even
on young trees not yet in bearing, for the
disease lives on the foliage as well as the
fruit, and it is only by thorough and system-
atic spraying from year to year that it can
be reduced to a minimum.

I have taken The Canadian Horticulturist for
years and could not get along without it very-
well. I find it very helpful and interesting. —
(Prank Metcalfe, Huron Co., Ont.

IN THE ORCHARD.

519

More Fruit Being Grown

THE advantages offered by the counties
bordering the north shore of Lake
Ontario for fruit growing, more particu-
larly apples and pears, are rapidly becoming
better recognized. This is shown by the
large increase that has taken place of late
years in the acreage under fruit. An edi-
torial representative of The Horticulturist
who, recently, visited some of the lead-
ing fruit farms in Durham county, located
between Newcastle and Bowmanville, was
impressed with this fact.

" This is a splendid apple growing
section," was the view expressed by
W. H. Gibson, of Newcastle. "Apples
in our locality grow to a very large
size, and have splendid keeping quali-
ties. A good crop can be grown here
nine years out of then. Our local deal-
ers, who store quantities of apples from all
parts of the province, including many from
the Georgian Bay and Lake Huron districts,
say our apples have considerably the best
keeping qualities.

" Within a mile of my place there are 200
acres in young orchards, most of which are
just coming into bearing. Among the well
known farmers who have young orchards
are Messrs. Jonas Samis, of Newcastle, 30
acres; Richard Foster, of Bowmanville, 15
acres; Henry Bowen, of Orono, 20 acres;
David Gibson, of Newcastle, 20 acres ;
Richard Osborne, of Bowmanville, 15 acres,
and a number of others. Many Stark,
Baldwin and Greening apples are being
raised, as well as some Russet and Ben
Davis.

WELL ADAPTED FOR PEAR GROWING.

" This district also seems well adapted
for pear growing, where the soil is suitable.
One hundred bearing pear trees in my or-
chard yield me fully as good returns per
tree as the trees in my apple orchard. My
pears are shipped to Montreal by boat,
which I find is the cheapest way, the cost of

shipment being about 30 cents per barrel,
including wharfage.

" My apples are sold to a dealer in New-
castle. They are mostly late keeping varie-
ties and should be stored, but as I have
no storehouse I am compelled to dispose
of them to the dealers early in the season.
Last year the Ben Davis variety paid me the
best, largely because it bore heavily. The
dealer who handled the apples informed me
that the Ben Davis also paid him the best.

" This spring I made an experiment with
the Ben Davis trees in one of the rows in
my orchard. A graft from a Spy tree was
grafted on each tree. If the market for Ben
Davis apples fails I will remove the Ben
Davis limbs and encourage the grafts.
Next spring I will probably graft 100 more
trees in the same way."

Black Smut on Apple Trees

PROP. H. L. HUTT_, ONT. AGRI. COLLEGE,

GUELPH.

I have some young apple trees, planted last year,
that during the summer were covered with a black
smut. Is this a disease, and if so, what is the
remedy?— (H. S. P., Courtice, Out.

The smutty appearance of your apple
trees was no doubt due to a fungus which is
in itself harmless to the trees, but which
shows the presence of aphides or plant lice.
These little green insects live on the leaves
and young shoots, sucking the juice of the
plant. While engaged in this they secrete
a sweet liquid, sometimes known as honey-
dew, and it is in this honey-dew that the
fungus you describe as black smut finds a
medium for its growth.

Another indication of the presence of
these little insects during the season they are
active, is the presence of numerous ants run-
ning up and down the trunks of the trees.
The ants are not injurious to the tree, nor
even to the plant lice, for they use the latter
as cows and live upon the honey liquid
which they excrete.

520

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

The plant lice are very injurious to the
tree, and should be dealt with as soon as
their presence is noted. They are difficult
to destroy, as they feed on the under side of
the leaf, which in time curls over and pro-
tects them from applications sprayed on the
trees. The best method of destroying them
is to spray the trees with tobacco water or
kerosene emulsion as soon as the aphis make
their appearance in the spring.

Packing Pears

It is most unfortunate that fruit growers
cannot sell XXX stock f.o.b. We ought to
combine, after the scheme suggested by Mr.
Murray Pettit, of Winona, and each section
of the fruit district of Ontario send a repre-
sentative to a general board meeting weekly,
who should set the prices for the sale of our
fruit for the week in advance. We had bet-
ter let a part of our fruit waste in the or-
chards than give it away, as we often do«
and pay for the privilege. For near mar-
kets no package equals the ii-quart basket
for pears. It is convenient, economical and
attractive. All ripe pears must go in them

be held in storage for home trade, it is still
the best package.

The box recommended by the Fruit
Growers' Association for pears is just half
the bushel apple box, and measures 5 x 1 1 x
20, inside measurement. Pack from the
narrow side, placing butts out and stems in ;
in this way the fruit fits firmly and neat-
ly. If necessary a little excelsior should be
used to cushion the lid when pressing it in
place and nailing it fast.

It will require 900 of these boxes,
more or less, for a carload, and the lot must
be quickly made up as soon as the work is
once undertaken. For this reason a co-
operative shipping company should at once
operative shipping company should be
formed in each fruit growing centre. — W.

When the fruit growers uf Ontario have
learned to produce only fruit of the best
quality, and never allow inferior samples
upon a tree to reach maturity, they will have
learned a great secret of success in fruit
growing. Then we can ship with confi-
dence to any market and expect reasonable
results. — (L. W.

The Women's Department at the Fruit Show.

Probably not five per cent of the women in the cities know the best variety of fruit to use for cooking for dessert purposes, nor
the month of the year when these varieties are at their best. Could their knowledge on these poi ts be extended a great increase would
soon take place in the demand for fruit. A splendid effor to furnish this information was made at the Fruit, Flower and Honey Show
by members of the Women's Institute staff, who gave demonstrations in the preparation of fruit for the table, and described the best
varieties to use. Illustration shows the institute department at the show, which at all times presented a most attractive appearance.
(From a photo taken expressly for The Canadian Horticulturist.)

IN THE ORCHARD.

The Cranberry Pipin

Can you give me some information about the
bearing habits, color of fruit, etc., of the Cran-
berry Pippin ? I set two trees of this variety
in the spring of '01, and they are now among
the most promising in my orchard. The Bald-
win, Stark and Gano varieties are about dead
from winter killing. The Spy, Ontario and
Golden Russet are also damaged. If the Cran-
berry Pippin is hardy and up to the mark in
other respects it will be a great addition. — (J.
C. Gilman, Fredericton, N. B.

As the Cranberry Pippin is an apple that

has been attracting considerable attention,

The Horticulturist, on receipt of the above

request for information, wrote to a number

of the experiment stations to ascertain how

the experimental trees are succeeding. The

following replies have been received :

AT THE TRENTON STATION.

The Cranberry Pippin has been perfectly
hardy in my orchard, as well as in others
I know. With me it has fruited very spar-
ingly, although the trees have been planted
24 years. Some that I have top worked,
where scions were taken from productive
trees, have been very slow in bearing. In
other orchards it has been very productive,
almost as good as the Ben Davis. It has
a good bright red color, with broken stripes
and splashes of darker red and large gray
dots. The quality is poor to medium. It
has always sold at good prices in England.
It requires to be picked early, as it will fall to
the ground much earlier than the other
varieties mentioned. — (W. H. Dempsey,
Fruit Exp't Station, Trenton, Ont.

HARDY IN THE GEORGIAN BAY SECTION.

The Cranberry Pippin began to bear with
me when eight years old, and so far has
proved hardy. Its origin was accidental
on a farm near Hudson river, N. Y. The
tree is vigorous, healthy, spreading, and
fairly productive, and the 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. The flesh is white, firm.

crisp, moderately juicy arid sub-acid, but
the quality Is only fair. The season is from
November to February. — (A. £v. Sherring-
ton, Bruce County Exp't Station.

IT IS A PRODUCTIVE VARIETY.
The Cranberry Pippin is an apple of Am-
erican origin, being a chance seedling which
grew on a farm along the Hudson river in
New York State. Mr. Linus Woolver-
ton, of Grimsby, has grown it and speaks
of it highly as a commercial variety for
that section. It has not been considered
hardy enough for general cultivation
throughout Ontario, being recommended
for southern sections of the province or
counties bordering along the lakes. The
account of its hardiness in New Brunswick
is interesting. The tree is a vigorous,
healthy grower, of spreading habit, and
quite productive; the fruit is medium to
large, roundis.i in shape, tending to be
conic; the skin is usually smooth, although
sometimes showing warty knots, which dis-
tinguish it from most other varieties; the
ground coior is a lemon-yellow, shaded and
striped with light and dark shades of red ;
the stem is much longer and more slender
than in most varieties, the cavity being deep
and calyx closed; the flesh is white, firm,
crisp, moderately juicy, and sub-acid; the
quality being only fair. It is in season
from December, to March, and in storage
will keep even later. — (Prof. H. L. Hutt,
Ont. Agri. College, Guelph.

At the Central Experimental Farm, Otta-
wa, Mr. W. T. Macoun, the horticulturist,
has found the Cranberry Pippin as hardy
as the Stark, Spy, Gano and Golden Russet,
which leads him to beHeve it is possible that
Mr. Gilman may not have the true Cran-
berry Pippin. The tree has proved a very
strong, spreading grower at Ottawa, and
productive.

The Canadian Horticulturist is a source of
delight to us.— (J. J. Ireland, Dufferln Co., Ont.

522

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST

Native Plums

PROIf. H. L. HUTT^ 0. A. C, GUELPH.

There are a large number of wild plum trees
growing- in waste places in this vicinity which
are heavily lauen with fruit almost every year.
Pew of them, unfortunately, bring their fruit to
perfection. The plums appear to be all right
until about the last of July or early in August,
when a blight strikes them. The skin of the
plum shows spotted, and the plum dries up and
becomes useless. As it is very difficult to make
a success of growing nursery plum trees, you
will confer a great 'benefit if you can give a
cause ana a remedy for this blight on the wild
plum, as they seem to be much hardier than the
cultivated varieties. — (F. A. Kerfoot, Minesing.
Ont.

It is impossible to say definitely what is
the trouble with the wild plums in your sec-
tion without seeing specimens of the disease.
I am inclined to believe that it is the fungus
Cladosporium carpophilum, comm nly
known as scab, which is peculiar to the wild
plums. This disease may no doubt be held
in check by thorough spraying with the
Bordeaux mixture, but it is doubtful if this
would be profitable on the wild varieties.

The difficulty of growing nursery grown
trees is probably due to the fact that you
have not secured from the nursery the hardy
varieties suitable for your section. Most of
the European plums cannot be relied n
for any length of time in your section. If
you would consult with Mr. G. C. Castoa,
of Craighurst, only a few miles from your
place, he could no doubt give you some
valuable information regarding the kinds he
has tried at his experiment station. I be-
lieve his experience has been that even the
best of the European varieties cannot be re-
lied on for any length of time, as they
gradually succumb to winter killing.

There are many improved varieties of the
native or wild plums which have been im-
proved by cultivation, and are well worth a
trial. They are exceedingly hardy, and
although not as large as the European varie-
ties, they are in some respects superior to
them in quality. Mr. W. T. Macoun, of the
Central Experimental Farm, at Ottawa,
gives the following list as a dozen of the

best among seventy-six varieties which he
has fruited at Ottawa: Aitkin, City, Chee-
ney, Silas Wilson, Bixby, Hawkeye, Gay-
lord, Wyant, New Ulm, American Eagle,
Wolf and Hammer.

These are given in order of ripening and
cover the season from the last of August to
the end of September. Some of these ar«
not grown by Canadian nurserymen al-
though they may be obtained from some of
the American nurseries. J. W. Kerr, of
Denton, Maryland, has probably given more
attention to the propagation of the Ameri-
can varieties of plums than any other nur-
seryman, and his list contains nearly all
the best varieties of this class grown on the
continent.

Undesirable Novelties

Are the Iceburg blackberry and the Logan berry
profitable, marketable and good shipping berries ? —
J. B. Bruce, Kanagan Landing, B. C.

These plants are presumably the stock in
trade of an agent who wants to sell, at a
high price, some novelties about which no
one knows anything. The Iceberg black-
berry is interesting as a curiosity, and the
Logan berry, because it is a cross between
the blackberry and the raspberry ; it is about
the size of the former, and unites the flavor
of both.— W.

Robbins Are of Great Value in an or-
chard, even if they do eat some fruit. I am
something of a taxidermist, and it is my
belief that it would be high folly to destroy
any species of the small birds, except the
English sparrow. In one robin that I
opened were several small moths, three or
four small black beetles, a few worms and
two curculios, thus showing the robin's
value as an insect destroyer. They eat
considerable fruit, but the good they do
overbalances that bad habit. The best
remedy is to plant a few more cherry trees
so the birds may have a share without cur-
tailing the supply of the fruit grower. —
(Wm. Idle, Clarksburg, Ont.

A Section of One of the Benches at the Big Flower Show.

A slight conception of the excellence of the floral exhibits at the big Fruit, Flower and Honey Show may be gained by this illu-
stration. One of the best features of the exhibit of flowers was the large number of new blooms that were shown for the first time. As
will be seen the various exhibits all bore cards giving their names, which added. greatly to the interest taken in the show by the general
public. (From a photograph taken specially for The Canadian Horticulturist.)

BEST ANNUALS AND PERENNIALS FOR CUT FLOWERS*

RODERICK CAMERON, NIAGARA FALLS SOUTH, ONT.

WHEN we ask what is a good cut
flower for table decoration, etc.,
there are two main points to be considered :
First, stem ; second, substance or durability.
For vases it is imperative that flowers have
a good stem. There are many excellent
flowers, but owing to the shortness of their
stems they are unfit for table decoration, ex-
cept perhaps to the commercial florist.

Some of the most beautiful flowers in the
garden are ephemeral, and would be a total
disappointment as cut flowers ; others again
as the heliotrope, lack stamina, and would
not keep in water but for a very short time.
The hollyhock is an excellent example of
substance, but the whole plant has to be cut.
The salpiglossis has a good stem, but lacks
durability.

Bearing the points of adaptabiUty in
mind, there are other secondary considera-
tions, including the one of color. As there
are no two persons whose tastes are exactly
alike, this is a most touchy subject; one per-

son just revelling in a certain color, while
another thinks " it's just horrid." There is
a good deal of error and misconception re-
garding colors and the harmonizing of the
same, which ought to be dealt with from a
scientific as well as from the aesthetic point
of view. Then again there are plenty of
flowers with good stems, good substance and
good colors, such as the zinnia, that are so
stiflf and lacking grace they cannot be called
good cut flowers. Such flowers, except in
the hands of an artist, would only tend to-
wards the stiflf, formal and mathematically
exact bouquets of years ago, which look-^d
as if they were formed in a mould. We will
not err if we follow nature closely, whether
in the growing of our floral pets, the group-
ing together of our collections, or the mak-
ing up of a bouquet of nature's choicest
gems.

It cannot be too widely made known tha*-
there is a wealth of decorative floral beauty
to be secured by utilizing a judicious selec-

* Extract from a paper presented at the horticultural convention held in Toronto, November is and i6, in connection with The Pro-
vincial Fruit, Flower and Honey Show. The rest of this paper will be published in The Horticulturist at an early date.

524

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

tion of hardy perennials. The growing
popularity and increased usefulness of hardy
perennials is sufficient evidence of the'r
value, if any is needed. Very little care is
required with perennials after they are
planted, other than keeping them free from
weeds and the dividing of the roots when
they become too large. The offsets may be
planted in other desirable spots or given to
friends.

SOME GOOD ANNUAIvS.

The choice of the professional florist in
annuals is limited. The Aster is probably
entitled to first place, because they are pro-
duced in any desired color, on long stems,
and they can be used with their own foliage.
If seeds are sown from time to time during
the summer the blooms can be had up to the
time of hard frost. They are used for all
purposes on account of their various colors
and lasting qualities. The aster carries as
many desirable points for cutting purposes
as any other flower in the garden.

The next choice would probably be Mig-
nonette, principally on account of the odor
of the flowers, and their adaptability for all
purposes. The Sweet Peas would likely
come next, and for the same reasons as l:he
Mignonette. Centaureas, or Sweet Sultans,
are beautiful, large, and sweet scented flow-
ers that should be more grown. They are
produced freely on long stems, are verv
easily grown, and their lasting qualiUes
make them ideal for cutting. Their height
is two to three feet.

The Ten-week Stocks are probably more
grown than any other annual. No plant of
its size will produce more bloom or is better
suited for cutting for the border. They
are extensively grown by the commercial
men for cutting during the winter. Sweet
Scabious, or Morning Bride, of late years,
have been very much improved in size and
in the colour of their blooms. The stems
are ideal entitling these plants to rank
among the first on our list as cut flowers.

They are produced in all colours, and grow
to about three feet, in height. The hardiness
and very free blooming qualities of the
candytuft, even when sown in the open bor-
der, claim for it a first place among annuals.
The flowers are produced in several colors,
the plants being nine inches to a foot high,
good to cut, and suitable for the front row
in the border.

Celosia Plumossus, Plumed Cockscomb,
has ibeen much improved lately, and those
wishing color can obtain it in these beauti-
ful plants. They are choice objects when
planted in a small round bed in mixed
colors or used as a line in a ribbon border.
They are grand to cut for autumn coloring
effects when used with the colored leaves of
other plants. They can also be used as
dried flowers and can be had in almost any
shade of color. The plants are one to two
feet high. Rudbeckia Tricolor Superba is
an annual that has taken a prominent place
of late as a cut flower. Its growth is very
simple and the plants are worthy of a place
in any garden.

The annual Gaillardias are among the
most charming flowers to cut and for the
border on account of the long duration of
their blooming, which lasts from early sum-
mer until they are cut down by hard frost.
They stand wind and rain better than any
other flower we are acquainted with. Their
quick growth and hardy nature commend
them to all lovers of flowers.

There is no annual flower more popular
than Nasturtiums. They are a magnificent
class which presents all the richest and
most varied shades found in flowers. The
blooms are much used for table decorations.
The taller varieties cannot be surpassed as a
trellis covering, and the dwarf varieties are
to be found in every window box and hang-
ing basket. If long lengths are cut from
the taller ones in the fall and placed in a
glass celery dish full of water they will root
in the parlor window and be a thing of

AMONG THE FLOWERS.

3^5

The Fruit Growers' New President.

The new president of the Ontario Fruit Growers' Association'
Mr. Alex. McNeill, cf Ottawa, who is also the chief of the fruit
•division of the Dominion Department of Agriculture, is too well
known to need any introduction to readers of The Horticulturist.
As a director and vice-president of the association Mr. McNeill has
won the right to hold the position he now occupies. Already he
has assumed his new duties with all his customary enthusiasm, and
a year of haid work for the association may be looked forward to.

beauty during the winter. Even the roots,
as seen through the glass, are very pretty.

The varieties mentioned are the annuals
I consider the best for cut bloom. They
are standard favorites which novelties have
not been able to drive from the field.

Like many of the good things we have in
Ottawa, my roses are of Irish extraction.
They are sent here about the last of
October. They can be planted w^here
they are going to grow, or better
I think, they may be heeled in for the win-
ter and planted out in the spring. My
experience is against bringing out roses in
spring. Spring growth over there, starts
as early as the month of March. — (W. G.
Black, Ottawa.

The Care of Carnations

CARNATIONS that have been planted
in the open, according to Mr. E.
Dale, of Brampton, should nave a good
start before July and should have been
pinched back at least once. The hoeing
should be well attended to and the soil not
disturbed to a depth of over an inch.

" This work," said Mr. Dale recently to
an editorial representative of The Horticul-
turist, " should always be done as soon as
possible after a rain. The planting ''n
should begin not later than the first week
in August, giving the houses light shade for
the first week or ten days. As soon as the
plants have become well established see that
all shading is removed, giving as much light
and air as possible.

" Supports should be put into the beds
immediately after the planting is done.
Blooming commences about the middle of
August and continues until the following
summer. Good standard varieties with me
are: Enchantress (light pink); Glacier
and White Cloud (white) ; Adonis, G. H.
Crane and Flamingo (scarlet) ; Governor
Roosvelt (crimson) ; Lawson (cerise), and
Golden Beauty (yellow)."

Send us a card if you are not receiving- The
Horticulturist regularly. We will attend to it.

Have Had a Good Efi^ect. — There is no
doubt that the city garden contests inaugu-
rated in Ottawa by Her Excellency Lady
Minto have been of very great value in pro-
moting private gardening as a means of
beautifying the city. Any person who pays
any attention to this subject will notice the
great improvement which has taken place
both in the gardens owned by the people
directly interested in the contest and in those
owned by people w^ho, while not competing,
recognize the value of beautiful surround-
ings to the home and who have found how
easily good results in this direction are at-
tained with very little expense and time
given to that fascinating art, the cultivation
of flowers. — (J. E. Northwood, Ottawa.

INTERESTING YOUNG PEOPLE IN HORTICULTURE^

A. K. GOODMAN^ CAYUGA^ ONT.

HOW can we best interest our young
people in the garden ^nd in the or-
chard ? There is one way, and that is the
best way. Become interested yourselves.
Become enthusiastically interested. It is
a case of come along boys and girls, not go
on boys and girls. To do any good, you
must be unselfish, and in the accomplish-
ment of any object there must be prepara-
tion.

Children's characters are more likely to
be strengthened and developed along their
proper lines in the brightest and happiest
surroundings. Lovely flowers and green
trees should, where possible, mark the abode
of Canadians.

Children are imitators, and will in time,
be largely what we have made them by our
example. Always welcome the children
into the garden and teach them as much is
they are willing to learn, but never detain
them when they want to play. It will not
be long before they will coax you into the
garden.

A busy man cannot garden all day except
for profit, but the average Canadian in the
small towns and villages, has enough time
on his hands to make a creditable showing.
I have found that it is desirable to avoid the
midsummer flowers.

My garden opens with tulips. These are
massed and arranged in various ways and
planted in the open to receive full sunlight.
Good drainage is provided, care being taken
to avoid the roots of trees. They are
planted four inches deep and top-dressed
with well rotted manure. It is more satis-
factory, though not necessary, to take up.
tulips every year. Then follow the general
bedding out, after danger of frost is over,
from the hot-bed, of caladiums, geraniums,
stocks, asters, ageratum, salvia, etc., v/hile
the flowering shrubs and early perennials
for a time hold the place of vantage.

With June the grandest flower of all
reigns supreme, until the end of July. I
love to grow a rose, because it takes such i
determined effort to reach the best possible.
Roses love the open and need a clay soil,
enriched with cow manure, lime and wood
ashes, as well as freedom to expand, good
drainage and deep root feeding. Plant in
the fall, prune in the spring, and spray every
morning with tobacco water and lime, or
soapsuds. Simply conquer the insect
enemy completely. Do not tolerate any
half-way measures and your reward will ]ye
a great source of pleasure to yourself and
friends.

From the June roses you can go to the
Ramblers (they will give you bloom for a
month if you shorten the canes, cutting the
old ones out every three years), to other
climbers, and to the tea roses, froni which
you will receive monthly crops of roses
until the frost. After the roses I satisfy
myself with the formal beds, and in Septem-
ber enjoy a gorgeous display of asters and
gladioH.

THE EFl^ECT ON CHILDREN.

The object of interesting our young peo-
ple in horticultural work is to strengthen
their morality, train their character and
make them useful citizens. State education
in the schools is fast changing from the old
law of " Rod, Rule and Remembrance," in
what was once a goal to the natural interest
idea. Interest is said to be the master key
of all possible education, and it conquers a^l.
The schools of the province are doing noble
work and horticulture and floriculture take
a large part of the credit for the advance.

In Canada we are fast entering on our
growing time. The horticultural societies
must plead and work for play grounds, tree
planting, gardens and parks. Hundreds of
our village schools are practically without
play grounds. A provincial horticultural

♦Extract from a paper read at the provincial horticultural convention held in Toronto, November 15 and 16, in connection with
The Provincial Fruit, Flower and Honey Show.

526

THE FLORAL SECTION.

527

society would strengthen the hands of local
enthusiasts.

The joy of possession is a rule that works
admirably in the garden. If a child plant's
and attends to an asparagus or strawberry
bed, cuts or picks the product, carries it in
sympathy to the sick, or, if its favorite color
is planted, cared for, developed into perfec-
tion and it is then allowed to gather and
give — it will soon learn to act with know-

ledge and discretion. To plant a grap*?
vine, prune it, watch it attain maturity, and
then to gather and enjoy it thoughtfully, is
the highway to wisdom.

But, first and always, cultivate and develop
the inherent natural love of flowers. Work
that the children may plant ; care for, that
the children may gather, until in time the'r
natures will respond to the noblest ambitions
of man.

FLOWER AND PLANT LORE— THE MISTLETOE

EDWARD TYRREIvL, TORONTO.

''I "^ HE season of Christmas (Yule tide)
J. will soon be round, which brings th*^
Holly inside our churches and the Mistletoe
inside our parlors. A hint has been re-
ceived that some of our young readers might
be pleased to have a short account of the
mistletoe and its associations, interwoven as
they are so closely with Cnristmas and New
Year, but as Lord Dundreary was wont to
remark, " no fellow can find out," and I am
not certain that I will make it clear why
Roger claims the privilege to kiss Margery
under the mistletoe at Christmas, as it ap-
pears to have baffled our antiquaries.

I have clear recollections, when a boy, go ■
ing with others, a day or so before Christ-
mas, to cut holly and mistletoe for our
homes ; our hands and clothes had a very
different appearance on our return than
when we set out. The holly in Norfolk,
England, has grand sharp spines, but they
can not be compared to the thorns of the
white thorn (May tree), from which the
mistletoe is gathered. Although the mistle-
toe grows freely on the apple and lime trees
we sought it on the trees that were the
hardest to climb.

The mistletoe (Viscum album) is a true

One of the Mass Effects at the Big Flower Show.

In addition to the large display of cut flowers in the floral rink, at The Provincial Fruit, Flower and Honey Show, there were
some exceptionally handsome mass effects which attracted general attention. Several of these were arranged with great care and were
much admired. One, prepared by l^anton Bros. , of Eglinton, was a splendid reproduction of a hill side in a wood and as such was a real
work of art. (From a photograph taken specially for The Canadian Horticulturist.)

428

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURlSi

parasite, and when its seed has once found
a congenial home in the bark of a tree it
drives its roots deep into the wood, from
whence it draws its nourishment. The mys-
terious origin of the mistletoe was perhaps
one cause for the religious veneration in
which it was held by the ancients who seem
to have regarded it as a sort of Melchisedick
among plants. Another reason why it has
received such a marked degree of honor 's
its parasitical manner of growth, which was
in primitive times ascribed to the interven-
tion of the gods, for its seed was said to be
deposited on certain trees by birds, the mes-
sengers of the gods, if not by the gods them-
selves in disguise. When found growing
on the oak its presence was attributed
specially to the gods, and as such was
treated with the deepest reverence.

The ancient Druids regarded the mistle-
toe, when growing on an oak tree, as sacred,
and the gathering of it was a most import-
ant ceremony with them. Five days after
the new moon they went in stately proces-
sion to the forest and raised an altar of grass
beneath the finest mistletoe bearing oak they
could find. The Arch Druid, clad in a white
robe, ascended the tree, and with a golden
sickle cuts the mistletoe, which was caught
in a white cloth held by four priests, for it"?
efficacy, it was held, would be injured if it
touched the earth. Two white bulls that
never had a yoke on them, were sacrificed
amid many religious ceremonies and feasts.
When the Druidical religion was overthrown
the church tried in vain to set aside the mis-
tletoe as a gross heathen superstition, but
the edicts of emperors and the canons of
councils were unable to put it down.

The Scandinavians dedicated the mistle-
toe to Freya, their goddess of love and
beauty, but it is curious to note that by the
Romans it was held sacred to Proserpina,
her doves it was that guided ^neas to the
tree wherein grew the golden bough differ-
ent from the tree itself. Although the mis-

tletoe in these legends is associated wit^
both love and death, and later stories do so
also as we find in the old song, " The Mis-
tletoe Bough," still it is as being sacred to
Freya, the goddess of love, that the mistle-
toe will be most remembered, especially
among lovers to whom its sentimental asso-
ciations will far outweigh any amount of
antiquarion lore.

Freya from whom flows every bliss,
The winning smile, the melting kiss.

Hence arose the custom (proper or im-
proper to Christmas) of suspending the
mistletoe in halls and kitchens with the privi-
lege that custom confers. The mistletoe
had been used in the decoration of churches,
but the associations connected with it were
not in keeping with a sacred edifice, so in
the course of time they were left out. What,
however, may not be quite proper for a

Winter Protection of Vines.

In our northern latitudes protection for bushes and vines is a
necessity and amply repays for what trouble may be taken to insure
bushes going through the cold winter successfully. This may be
done with straw, leaves, hay, pine or cedar boughs, corn stalks -or
any thing of such description. Do not cover the bushes or beds
until winter has fairly set in. If covered too early, they will be in
danger of sweating and injury. Always see the material used for
covering is perfectly dry and so placed as to admit of free air.

church may be proper in another place.
Even to the present day the idea of a kiss
under the mistletoe bough has not quite lost
its ancient mystic meaning, and we see no
reason why 1900 years after the extinction
of Druidism we should not set aside and for-
get the heathen origin of the custom, and

SOMETHING ABOUT FLOWERS.

529

salute our cousins and other fair friends
this Christmastide according to ancient
usage and old fashioned custom, " Under
the Mistletoe Bough."

The custom has been honored in the ob-
servance by a no less virtuous person than
Mr. Pickwick himself. I have only hintel
at some of the many legends of the mistle-
toe or golden bough, but will finish with n
selection from Eliza Cook :

Under the Mistletoe, pearly and green,

Meet the kind lips of the young and the old ;
Under the Mistletoe hearts may be seen,

Glowing as though they had never been cold ;
Under the Mistletoe peace and good will

Mingle the spirits that long have been twain ;
Leaves of the olive branch twine with it still,

While breathings of Hope fill the loud carol strain.
Yet why should this holy and festival mirth

In the reign of old Christmas-tide only be found /
Hang up Love's Mistletoe over the earth.

And let us kiss under it all the year round :
Hail it with joy in our yule-lighted mirth.

But let it not fade with the festival oound ;
Hang up Love's Mistletoe over the earth

And let us kiss under it all the year round.

A Popular Florist.

One of the most popular florists in Toronto is Mr. E. F. Collins,
the secretary' of the Toronto Gardeners' and Florists' Association,
who a;ted as secretary of the floral committee which had charge of
the floral exhibits connected with the recent Provincial Fruit, Flower
and Honey Show. The success of this feature of the exhibition is
due, in a large measure, to the efforts of Mr. Collins.

THE CARE OF WINDOW PLANTS

WM. HUNT, ONT. AGRI. COLLEGE, GUELPH.

I'^ O be successful with window plants one
must really love them and not be-
grudge the time and attention they take. It
is not usually those who exclaim the loudest,
on seeing a display of plants and flowers,
"Oh! how I love flowers!" who are the
most successful in their culture.

The most successful window gardeners
are those who take a quiet, observant plea-
sure in watching the gradual growth and
development of the beautifully varied phases
and features of plant life. Many persons
only love flowers as decorative objects :
oftentimes from a sense of vanity or frivol-
ity. As a rule these people are not tho^c
who succeed best in the culture of plan*^s
and flowers. The true student of nature
takes as great a pleasure in his plants when
in a dormant or semi-dormant stage of com-

paratively uninteresting growth as when
watching the flower buds develop into beau-
tiful, richly colored flowers.

THE WINDOW.

For window plants in winter a window
facing the south or southeast is preferable,
especially for flowering plants, as this as-
pect gives a maximum of sunshine and
avoids the cold west and northwest winds.
Ferns, palms, and many foliage plants will
succeed as well in a window facing the north
or northeast as in a south window, but flow -
ering plants will do. better in a sunny posi-
tion.

Avoid draughts of cold air on plants, ..s
they are injurious, checking the growth, ind
often inducing attacks of mildew. If out-
side air is given plants in winter, and some-
times this is beneficial, give them ventilation

"Extract from an address delivered at the provincial, horticultural convention held in Toronto, November 15 and 16, in connection
with The Provincial Fruit, Flower and Honey Show.

530

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST

on sunny, calm, and not excessively cold
days. Draw the 'top sash of the window
down an inch or two, or, if possible, induce
ventilation from an adjoining room. Plants
like fresh air but object strongly to being 'n
a cold draught. A thick paper window
blind, or sheets of newspaper between he
window and plants, will protect them on
extra cold nights.

POTTING SOIL.

Every one who attempts to grow windov/
plants should have a small pile of prepared
potting soil made from well rotted sod and
thoroughly rotted stable or cow manure.
The too common practice of using earth
from the garden, or black soil from the bush,
is oftentimes the cause of failure and disap-
pointment in plant growing. The earth
from the garden is too often lacking in fer-
tility and, what is of still more importance,
is too often deficient in the fibry matter
found in partially rotted sod. Good potting
soil may be obtained from some tough sod
from an old, well fed down, pasture field
where the soil is of a loamy nature. This
sod, before being used, should be stacked 'n
the open, mixed with well rotted stable
manure or cow manure and the pile be le^'t
to rot. Where this trouble is too great to
be undertaken prepared potting soil may be
obtained from a florist.

POTS AND POTTING.

Use unglazed plain flower pots for grow-
ing plants. For potting rooted cuttings or
slips use small pots, a two and a half ^r
three-inch pot being usually quite larg^
enough for potting rooted slips. When the
plants are fairly well rooted repot into a pot
two sizes, or two inches larger. A change
into a pot two sizes larger is usually suffi-
cient. Over-potting, or repotting the plan"
into a pot four or five times larger, is a too
common mistake with amateur flower grow-
ers, often resulting fatally to the plant.

Use a mixture of one part of fine sharp
■sand, and three parts of the potting soil for

W. Q. ROOK.

Much of the success of the Provincial Fruit, Flower and Honey
Show was due to the excellent work of the printing and advertising
committee, of which Mr. W. G. Rook, of Toronto, was the chair-
man. As a vice-president of the Toronto Horticultural Society
and a florist, Mr. Rook is in close touch with horticultural maiters.

rooted cuttings. For re-potting larger
plants one part of sand to six or seven parts
of potting soil is about the proper propor-
tion of most window plants. Even if com-
mon garden soil is used for potting soil, the
sand will be beneficial. In potting or re-
potting plants be sure that the hole in the
bottom of the pot is open to allow of free
drainage. About half an inch of coarse
gravel, or coal cinders, etc., should be placed
in the bottom of four or five inch pots to se-
cure good drainage. In six or seven-inch
pots, an inch in depth of this drainage would
not be too much. Very small pots seldom
require drainage.

WATERING, SPRAYING, FERTILIZERS.

All freshly potted plants should be
watered once as soon as potted. Give suffi-
cient water to moisten all the soil in the po*".
Do not give more water until the soil shows
signs of dryness. If the plant wilts a little,
do not saturate the soil with water, but re-
move the plant to a shaded position for a
few days. Too much water often kills

VEGETABLES.

53 »

newdy potted plants, as there is no root ac-
tion to absorb the excess of moisture.

Water growing plants when they require
it. To find out when growing plants need
water, watch the surface of the soil closely.
When the rough uneven portions of the sur-
face of the soil begin to have a light, grey-
ish color, or when the top of the soil will
crumble between the thumb and finger, the
plant requires water. Give sufficient water
to moisten the soil to the bottom. Plants
should only be watered when the soil re-
quires the moisture, which condition can
only be learned by experience and observa-

tion. The dairy or calendar is of no use as
a guide in the watering of plants. One rule
should always be borne in mind, viz : That
sufficient water should always be given
growing plants to moisten, not saturate, all
the soil in the pot. Light sprinklings of
water that only penetrate through an inch
or so of the soil are useless.

In winter use tepid or rain water at a
temperature of about 65 degrees. In spite
of assertions to the contrary I am satisfied
that water of a temperature at or near freez-
ing point is injurious to plant life in green-
houses, to say nothing of window plants.

GROWING RHUBARB IN THE CELLAR IN WINTER

PROF. H. L. HUTT, ONT AGRI. COLLEGE, GUELPH.

MOST farmers who have a garden
usually have a good supply of the
old fashioned pie plant or rhubarb. This
vigorous growing plant provides a whole-
some substitute for fruit early in the spring
before strawberries come in. It is not gen-
erally known, however, that it can be made
to produce its crop in an ordinary cellar dur-
ing the winter, when it would probably be
more appreciated than when grown in the
usual way in the garden in the spring.

The rhubarb plant makes its most vigor-
ous growth under natural conditions early
in the spring, when its large leaves store up
in the thick fleshy roots a large amount of
nutriment for the protection of seed during
the summer and growth early next season.
To get the best roots for winter forcing it i^
well to allow the plants to make their fu-1
growth with little or no cropping of tho
leaves the previous season, and above all not
to allow them to exhaust themselves by
throwing up seed stalks. The more liberally
the plants are manured and the better they
are cultivated, the stronger the roots become
and the better the crop they will give when
forced in the cellar.

In preparing the roots for the cellar, th'^y

should be dug up late in the fall, just before
the ground freezes hard. They should
then be left where they will be exposed tD
severe freezing for three or four weeks. If
placed under cover in an open shed, o*-
where they will not be buried in snow, <"
will be all the easier to get at them when it
is time to take them to the cellar. About
Christmas time they may be put in the cellar
and should be banked with earth to keep the
roots moist. Care should be taken that the
plants are set right side up, as at that season
it is sometimes difficult to tell which side of
the ball of earth the crowns are on. In the
course of a few days the roots will thaw out,
and usually enough moisture is thus accu-
mulated to keep them fresh for some time.
They should be watched, however, as they
may need watering once or twice during tb.^
winter to keep the soil moist.

The warmer the cellar, the more quickly
growth will start, but for the best results a
rather low temperature, about the same a*:
that in which potatoes are kept, is best. In
a partially lighted cellar the leaf blades will
expand very little, and all the strength of
the roots will go to the development of the
stalks. If the cellar is light, it is well to

3o'

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

darken the part where the plants are kept
If the r(X)ts are strong and vigorous, stalks
one and a half to two feet in length and two
inches in diameter will be produced with
little or no expansion of the leaf blade at
the top.

When grown thus in the dark, none of
the green coloring matter of the leaf de-
velops, and the stalks are bleached to a
pinky white. When cooked and made into

. sauce and pies, they turn a beautiful pink
color and are much finer in appearance and
flavor than stalks which are grown in the
ordinary way in the garden. Cropping may
begin as soon as the stalks are well de-
veloped, and may be continued for several
weeks, until the roots have exhausted them-
selves, after which they should be thrown
out, as they are of little use for growing
again.

Growing Onions from Seed or Sets

PROIf. H. I.. HUTT, ONT. AGRI. COIvIvEGe;,
GUELPH.

GONSIDERABLE attention has been
given at the college to the growing
of onions. The results obtained indicate
that it is more profitable to grow
onions from seed. The ground in which
they are grown should be thoroughly cleared
of weeds by a hoed crop grown on the
ground the previous year. It should be
worked as fine as possible in the spring and
rolled firm to make a solid seed bed, leaving
a half inch or so of the surface soil as fine
as possible.

Seed should 'be sown with the drill, care-
fully regulated to give a good distribution
of seed without sowing too much. If ju-^t
the right quantity of seed is used the bulbs
will be thick enough to form a good size
without thinning.

Onion bulbs naturally form on top of the
ground and will stand considerable crowd-
ing without much injury; in fact, unless
extra large bulbs are required, 'which are not
always the most desirable, they are better
to grow so thickly that they will form in
large bunches. The cultivation during the
season should be shallow, and the cultivator
teeth should be set so as not to throw any
earth over the bulbs.

As soon as the tops begin to die down m
the fall, showing that the bulbs are well ma-

tured, the bulbs should be pulled and left
lying on the ground until they are thorough
ly dried. When well dried, the tops should
be twisted off and the bulbs prepared for
market or storage. The best way to store
them is in shallow layers on slatted racks in
a dry, cool room.

Two Varieties of Gooseberries

STANI.EY SPILLET, NANTYR, ONT.

THE Red Jacket gooseberry, though not
as large as the Whitesmith, is, when
ripe or nearly ripe, the most beautiful goose-
berry in my collection. In my opinion, this
gooseberry has no peer. After ten years'
experience with this variety, I am digging
out everything else, except for experimental
purposes, and putting in Red Jacket.

Pearl and Red Jacket gooseberries in my
opinion are superior to any of the foreign
varieties or their seedlings for the following
reasons : They are more vigorous and
grow lots of wood for renewing and to stand
winters, they are not affected by mildew
fungous, they are great croppers, they are
thin skinned and can, therefore, be allowed
to get ripe, and the skin is not disagreeable
when cooked. They are, also, larg-
enough for all practical purposes and of th'^
very best quality. The Pearl will be liked
by those who prefer a sweet fruit. The
Red Jacket is quite tart when ripe, an'l
larger, and looks better in the baskets than
the green berry.

OF GENERAL INTEREST.

533

Picking Pears

SOME interesting information regard-
ing his method of picking pears was
given The Horticulturist recently by Mr. E.
C. Beman, of Newcastle, who has an or-
chard of 2,000 pear trees. " I generally
start picking Clapp's Favorite," said Mr.
Beman, " from the 15th to the 20th of
August, and the Bartlett about the end of
the month.

" My practice is to obtain as good pickers
as possible, and not too many of them.
Picking is started early that they may get
through in good time. Fruit keeps better
when picked before it is too ripe. Clapp's
Favorite must be picked as soon as it is full
grown or even a little before, as otherwise
they start to rot at the core. Bartlett
pears also require to be picked as soon, or
a little before, they are full grown, as the
quality of the pears is better than if they
were allowed to mature on the trees.

■' Care is taken to see that the early varie-
ties of pears are out of the road before the
late varieties are ready to pick. It
pays to obtam good pickers, as they use
greater care in handling the pears, which,
owing to tneir tender nature, require care-
ful treatment. I find that I can make a lit-
tle more on all kinds of fruit by shipping
direct to commission men than by selling
my fruit from the trees. Small growers,
of course, can hardly do this. Many grow-
ers apparently do not understand how to
pack, as they do not use sufficient care."

Top Graf ting. ^We have a number of
King Baldwins and other trees that have
been top-grafted from 15 to 30 years, and
we have them on the original stock in the
same orchard. I am sure there is double
the amount on the top-grafted. I have
counted six or seven Kings on a branch no
thicker than a pipe stem. They have
to be propped up. I think the government
should do work of this kind. I consider
top-grafting the greatest need in this sec-
tion.— (J. I. Graham, Vandeleur, Ont.

Questions About Apples

Are Wismer's dessert apple, the Rivers Early
and Graham's Royal Jubilee as good as recom-
mended in the nursery catalogues? Are they
good keepers and shippers? Are they market-
able? Are they good dessert apples? Are the
trees hardy, and where can I obtain one or two
year old trees from nurseries who do not employ
agents? — (J. B. Bruce, Kanagan Landing, B. C.

It is surprising how fond we all are of
trying things new and untried, even al-
though we know full well that nine-tenths
of all new things put out before a gullible
public prove worthless and pass out of sight
after a few years. Were it not for this fail-
ing in us many a business would come to
griet.

These fruits have not yet been introduced
long enough for us to know their faults, or
to answer your questions. We have eaten
the Wismer apple and found it a very agree-
able dessert apple, and of fair size. So far
these apples have not been tested ; they are
comparatively new, and may or may not
bear out the laudations of their introducers.

Self Sterility in Cherries. — I do noi

know that any systematic investigation has
oeen made regarding the sterility of cherry
blossoms. Here is room for important in-
vestigation which we would like to have fol-
lowed up this year had it not been that in
most of the varieties the fruit buds were
more or less destroyed by winter kill-
ing. I have seen it stated somewhere that
Belle de Choisy and Reine Hortense are
self-sterile varieties, but I cannot say for
certain if this is always the case, as varieties
self-sterile in some sections often prove self-
fertile in others. On general principles,
however, it is well to avoid planting large
plots of any one variety, as better results
are obtained even with self-fertile varieties
of cross fertilization. — (R. Cameron, Nia-
gfara Falls South.

I only use barnyard manure in my or-
chard. I grow no crops in the orchard, but
cultivate and keep down weeds. — (A. Shaw,
Walkerton, Ont.

INTERESTING FRUIT EXHIBITS

(Cuntinued from page 516 )

g-iven in regard to the Fruit Marks Act.
This work was in charge of Mr. P. J, Carey,
Ox Toronto, and Mr. A. Gifford, of Meaford,
Dominion fruit inspectors, assisted by two
expert packers, Messrs. R. Wilson and G.
H, Boone, of Thornbury. The Fruit Divi-
sion also made an exhibit of fruit from the
different provinces, including 19 plates from
Nova Scotia, 14 from Prince Edward Is-
land, 27 from Quebec and 7 plates and 2
pyramids from British Columbia. The
Quebec exhibit showed the class of apples
that can be grown in the colder sections of
Ontario, Quebec and the Northwest Terri-
tories. These included some 'Russian varie-
ties and seedlings that have been tested.

The Nova Scotia fruit closely resembled
that of Ontario and included such varieties
as the Stark, Greening, Baldwin and Gra-
venstein. The fruit from Prince Edward
Island was not as large as that from the
other provinces, but was fairly well colored
and included some Wealthy, Baxter, On-
tario, Fall Water and Baldwin apples, all of
which showed good keeping, qualities. Some
of the finest commercial Spys in the rink
were included in the British Columbia ex-
hibit. They were of fair size and very even
in quality and color. The other varieties,
such as Ontario, Stark, Canada Red and
Spitzenberg, were hardly up to the standard
of the Ontario fruit.

AN EXCELLENT EXHIBIT.

A small exhibit, but one of excellent
quality, was made by Mr. Richard Veale, of
Mount Brydges, who showed five plates of
Kings, Russets, Baldwins, Greenings and
Spys, These apples were all of large size
and excellent quality, the Spys and Russets
being particularly fine.

A large table was occupied with an exhibit
of fruit from the orchards of Morris & Wel-
lington, of the Fonthill Nurseries. This
exhibit included some excellent fruit.

One of the best exhibits at the show was

that made by the Chatham Fruit Growers'
Association. This exhibit attracted general
attention and proved a splendid advertise-
ment for that association, as the fruit was
all of excellent quality, it was neatly packed
and showed to excellent advantage. Tlie
exhibit included fruit in boxes and barrels
as well as on plates.

THE FRUIT growers' ENEMIES.

A most valuable section, from an educa-
tional standpoint, was that occupied by a dis-
play from the Ontario Agricultural College.
A large number of the most common insects
which plague fruit and vegetable growers
were shown in bottles. These included the
peach borer, the celery caterpiller, spruce
gall louse, round headed borer, cabbage
borer, canker worm, squash bug, and many
others. Branches of trees and leaves, show-
ing how these various insects attack the
trees and the damage they do, were shown.
These included leaves attacked by shot hole
fungus, currant leaf spot, asparagus rust
and others, as well as exhibits showing the
apple scab, bitter rot, plum rot, sun scald,
San Jose scale, etc.

Printed slips of paper describing the vari-
ous pests and how they can best be pre-
vented and remedied were attached to the
various exhibits. There was also an er-
. hibit of a section of a tree showing how trees
can be protected from mice, as well as
branches of trees showing how grafting is
done. One of the best features of the col-
lege display was two cases of waxed fruits
which were wonderfully natural. The col-
lege received a great deal of praise for mak-
ing such an excellent and instructive ex-
hibit.

COMMERCIAL EXHIBITS.

A number of well known firms made ex-
hibits of fruit boxes, orchard machinery,
etc. These exhibits were among the most
instructive of the exhibition although the
number was not as large as had been hoped

;.i4

OF INTEREST TO FRUIT GROWERS.

335

for. Next year it is probable this class of
exhibits will be much larger. Two ex-
tremely interesting exhibits were made by
the Robert Simpson Co. and the Adams
Furniture Co., of Toronto. These took the
form of model dining rooms and showed
tables set ready for a meal and loaded with,
fruit. The rooms were richly furnished
and proved most entertaining.

The Biggs Fruit & Produce Co., Limited,
of Burlington, although a new concern,
made a very creditable display in the fruit
department, capturing 13 prizes in all. The
manager, Mr. A. C. Biggs, was extremely
well pleased with the exhibition, which he
said gave him an excellent opportunity to
meet the users of fruit packages and to give
practical demonstrations of his firm's spec-
ialties. These are a fruit box for the ex-
port and western trade, a crate for storage
purposes, and a box press which practical
fruit growers who examined it at the show
unanimously agreed to be the best they had
seen. The special advantages of the Biggs
box for the trade include its simple construc-
tion, the strength and protection it afifords,
and the economy it makes possible in the
packing and material. Some of its other
strong points are the ease with which it can
be handled without injury to the fruit, its
adaptability to dififerent sizes of fruit, which
always ensures a tight package, and its cost.

The fruit press shown by Mr. Biggs had
an excellent feature in that it was adjustable
to any ordinary sized fruit box, while it was
easily operated and strong. These good
qualities were appreciated by the fruit grow-
ers who examined it. The ventilated pack-
age for storage, shown by the Biggs com-
pany also seemed to be all that could be de-
sired for the profitable keeping of fruit.

THE UTTLE GIANT SPRAYER.
Only two spraying outfits were shown in-
cluding that of the Spramotor Company, of
London, and the Little Giant Sprayer shown
by the Perkins & Payne Manufacturing

Company, of Port Dover. This latter ma-
chine is cheap and is simply and easily
operated. The machine at the show at-
tracted a great deal of attention. It was
constructed with a tank of 100 gallons ca-
pacity, although a larger or smaller sized
tank can be used when desired. The tank-
was mounted on two wheels, although four
wheels can be used if necessary. The sprav
was generated from the wheel, the sprayer
having a large sprocket wheel 30 inches in
diameter and a smaller one 12 inches in
diameter. Two lines of hose were said to
be enough to spray the largest tree, with one
man on the ground spraying the lower
branches and a man on the tank spraying
the upper parts. The operation of this ma-
shine at the show demonstrated that it ^'s
possible to spray the largest apple tree after
the machine stops which proved that the
power is well maintained. The general im-
pression seemed to be that owing to its
cheapness and eflfectiveness this sprayer will
become very popular in the near future.
GREENHOUSE CONSTRUCTION.

The only exhibit of a commercial nature
made in the floral section was that of the
King Construction Company, of Toronto,
which showed the framework of a green-
house, with improved ventilating shutter
and shutter opening devices, showing also
their skeleton purlin or rafter central sup-
port m position. They also exhibited some
improvements in their iron gutters, and
means for securing the sash bars thereto.

Though this exhibit was placed in the
floral building it was of interest to fruit
growers. Some growers are already suc-
cessfully raising not only vegetables of vari-
ous kinds but also fruit such as strawber-
ries under glass in mid-winter and are in-
creasing their business by the erection' of
improved structures, giving as much care
and consideration to sunlight and perma-
nency as the florists themselves.

In reference to the prospects of this class

536

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

An Exhibition of Commercial Fruit Patkages.

Fiuit growers who attended the Provincial Fruit, Flowei and Honey Sh w evinced great interest in the coinmercial exhibits, more
particularly fruit packages and spraying machinery. This feature of the exhibition will be largely developed next year. The illustration
shows the exhibit of fruit packages, etc., made by the Meyer-Thomas Co., of Montreal and Granby, Quebec, mentioned in this issue.

of horticulture g-rowers at the sljow stated
it is being discovered that the same people
who can afford to spend their money freely
in floral decorations can afford also to place
on their table fruit or vegetables out of sea-
son, provided they can be procured, rather
than be satisfied with the canned article.
This exhibit had some interesting features
for the fruit growers from Essex county
who are raising vegetables for the early
markets.

THE AVERILL KNOCK DOWN AND
FOLDING PACKAGES.

One of the most interesting exhibits of
fruit packages was that of The Meyer-
Thomas Co.. of Montreal and Granbv, Oue.,

which made a large exhibit as shown b}' the
illustration. This firm has recently ac-
quired the Canadian manufacturing rights
for the Averill patents and, while they re
only manufacturing these packages in Que-
bec, will soon establish a large plant for thc'r
manufacture in Ontario.

The Averill Patents cover a large line of
both knock down and folding fruit pack-
ages, berry crates. Qgg cases and shipping
crates and boxes for various manufactured
commodities.

The Averill packages are manufactured
in half-barrel, bushel and half-bushel sizes,
ventilated for early fruit shipments and
tight for late shipments, cold storage and

CO-OPERATION AMONG FRUIT GROWERS.

537

export, and in either the ooiong or cube
form. The half-barrel and the one bushel
sizes are specially recommended for the
apple trade. They are strong, light, easily
set up, packed, sealed and handled ; opened
again and resealed in a moment with as sim-
ple a tool as a hatchet, and when sealed may
be placed any side up and opened top or bot-
tom and refilled until worn out. Demon-
strations on these points were given.

A simple fruit evaporator, with many
commendable features, was shown by Mr.
Geo. McKay, of Kilsythe. This evapora-

tor was hung over one of the furnaces in
the fruit rink. These evaporators can be
used over kitchen stoves without interfer-
ing with any of the regular cooking opera-
tions. According to Mr. McKay he is able
to handle one-half bushel of apples per day
by means of his evaporator. Some evapo-
rated apples Mr. McKay had with him were
of excellent quality and indicated that the
evaporator was a good one. One of *ts
best features is that the heat can be regulated
by raising or lowering the evaporator while
the cost of the evaporator is trifling.

CO-OPERATION AMONG ONTARIO FRUIT GROWERS

(Continued from page 512.)

At this point ^Ir. D. Johnson, of Forest,
president of the Forest Fruit Growers and
Forwarding Association, was called to the
front and asked to explain the methods that
have been followed by his association.

■' Our association," said Mr. Johnson,
" was only formed last spring. Its organi-
zation was the result of two interesting
meetings held in our section by Mr. Sher-
rington. My father and I had been ship-
ping apples to Great Britain for years and
had won a name for our fruit. We thought,
at first, that cooperation might be desirable
for small growers, but that if was not neces-
sary for large growers like ourselves. At
my request Mr. Sherrington visited our
neighborhood and held two very successful
meetings. After hearing him 12 of us final-
ly agreed to ship together and we sent a
salesman to the Northwest to introduce our
fruit. We thought there were a number
of other growers in the section who would
like to join us and "we invited them to do so
but insisted that they must submit to our
rules, as we had too much at stake to care
to risk loss through any selfish action on the
part of a few growers.

" When it was first decided to cooperate
each man was allowed to pack his own
apples and to send his fruit to a central

packing house but we soon found that this
would not do. The grow-ers all had their
own ideas as to how their fruit should be
packed, so it was finally decided to establish
two central packing places, one on my own
farm and one at Forest, which was done.
Many growers were afraid their fruit would
be bruised by being handled in this way and
refused to send their apples to these packing
houses. A fiumber, however, sent their
^ fruit, and it was not long before more fruit
was received than we could well attend to.
We followed Mr. Sherrington's plan of
placing hay in the bottom of the wagons and
found it worked very satisfactorily."

Question: "What did you realize for
your fruit?"

Mr, Johnson : " At first we were offered
$2.75 per barrel for No. i F. O. B. These
prices, however, were soon forced down
through competition. The average price
realized during the season was $1.90 F. O.
B. for No. I fruit and $1.55 for No. 2. As
high as $2.25 was paid for some. We have
shipped large quantities and have not e-
ceived a single complaint from the buyers
in regard to the quality of our fruit."

Question : " What did other growers In
your district, who uid not belong to your as-
sociation, obtain for their fruit?"

(To be continued in the January issue.)

538

EDITORIAL.

|qe (an^dian flortic^Itdrist

TKe Only Hortic\alt\iral Magazine in
tKe Dominion.

H. Bronson Cowan, Editor and Business Manager.

1. The Canadian Horticulturist is published the first of
each month.

S. Subscription Price $i.oo per year, strictly in advance,
entitling the subscriber to membership in the Fruit Growers'
Association of Ontario and all its privileges, including a copy of its
report. For all countries except Canada, United States and Great
Britain add 50c for postage. ,

3. Remittances should be made by Post Office or Money
Express Order, or Registered Letter. Postage Stamps accepted for
amounts less than $1.00. Receipts will be acknowledged on the
address label, which shows the date to which subscription is paid.

4. Discontinuances — Responsible subscribers will continue
to receive The Horticulturist until the publishers are notified by
letter to discontinue, when all arrearages must be paid. Societies
should send in their revised lists in January: otheiwise it will be
taken for granted all will continue members.

5. Change of Address — When a change of address is or-
dered, both the old and the new addresses must be given.

6. Advertising Rates quoted on application. Circulatien
5,500. Copy receiped up to the 24th. Responsible representatives
wanted in towns and cities.

7. Articles and Illustrations for publication will be
thankfully received by the editor.

8. All Communications should be addressed :

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST, ,

TORONTO, CANADA

SEVENTEEN YEARS' FAITHFUL SERVICE.

At the recent annual convention of the On-
tario Fruit Growers' Association Mr. Linus
Woolverton, B.A., of Grimsby, took advantage of
the occasion to tender the directors his formal
resignation as editor of The Canadian Horti-
culturist. For years Mr. Woolverton has been
undertaking work beyond the powers of the or-
dinary man. Although the owner of one of the
finest fruit farms in Canada he has not only
found or rather made time, during the past
seventeen years, to act as editor of The Horti-
culturist but has, for a considerable portion of
this time, acted as secretary of the Ontario
Fruit Growers' Association, secretary of the
Board of Fruit Experiment Stations and worked
on a valuable description he is preparing of the
fruits of Ontario.

Realizing that this work was too great for
one man Mr. Woolverton, a few years ago, asked
to be released of his duties as secretary of the
Fruit Growers' Association and last month asked
for a further lightening of his responsibilities.
In accepting Mr. Woolvertdn's resignation the
directors of the association, one and all, paid
tribute to the great value of the services he has
rendered. It was pointed out that when Mr.
Woolverton accepted the secretaryship of the
Fruit Growers' Association and the editorship of
The Horticulturist both the Association and
The Horticulturist were in a critical con-
dition. Through his active efforts the associa-
tion and The Horticulturist have since be-

come known throughout the Dominion. An
expression of the value in which his services
have always been held was unanimously ten-
dered Mr. Woolverton. Special attention will
be devoted by Mr. Woolverton in the future to
his duties as superintendent of the fruit experi-
ment stations and to completing his description
of the Fruits of Ontario. The editorship of
The Horticulturist has been assumed by the
associate editor, Mr. H. B. Cowan.

IT WAS A SUCCESS.

The First Provincial Fruit, Flower and Honey
Show was a decided success. The gain to the
horticultural interests of Ontario will be im-
mense. There is an impression in the minds
of the general public that anything pertaining
to horticulture is of but slight importance. The
magnificent display of fruit, flowers and honey,
at the recent show, did much to dispel this il-
lusion.

The success of the first venture warrants a
determined effort being put forth to make the
show an annual affair and to extend its useful-
ness and scope. Too much credit cannot be
given the ofl!icers of the show and the various
organizations interested. The Ontario Depart-
ment or Agriculture, the Ontario Fruit Growers
and Bee Keepers' Associations, the Toronto
Horticultural and Electoral District Societies
and the Toronto Gardeners' and Florists' Asso-
ciation are all deserving of the warmest praise
for their active assistance and cooperation.
The fact that the representatives of all these
bouies were able to work together harmoniously
shows them to be broad minded men. It is no
wonder the exhibition was a success.

A NARROW MINDED POLICY.

The Canadian manufacturers 6f orchard and
garden implements are deserving of the severest
censure for the stand they took in regard to the
recent provincial horticultural exhibition. Al-
though earnestly urged, and in spite of the fact
that liberal inducements were offered, they abso-
lutely refused to make exhibits at the show.

It was felt by the management that an ex-
hibit of implements and tools for orchard and
garden culture, showing the latest improve-
ments that have been made, would be of great
educational value to the fruit growers and gar-
deners who attended the exhibition. Although
this object was pointed out the Canadian manu-
facturers refused to give their assistance. If
the manufacturers dream they have entrenched
themselves in a position where they are inde-
pendent of the fruit growers and florists it is
time they should be rudely awakened. This
point should be borne in mind when prepara-
tions are being made for the next exhibition.

The delegates to the provincial horticultural
convention acted wisely last month when they
appointed a committee to suggest changes in the
Agricultural and Arts Act and to consider the
advisability of forming a provincial horticul-

EDITORIAL.

539

tural association. There is a big work for this
committee to do and the results of its delibera-
tions will be awaited with interest. The mem-
bers of the committee, fortunately, have had
wide experience in horticultural work.

This month The Horticulturist makes its
blushing appearance in a new cover. Many
improvements are planned for the near
future and will be put into effect as soon
as fruit growers and florists subscribe for
the magazine in greater numbers. Tell your
friends about The Horticulturist and induce
them to become regular readers. A larger and
better paper will result.

The Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island
Fruit Growers' Associations will this month hold
their annual conventions. That they will both
be most successful is the earnest wish of their
brother fruit growers in the other provinces of
the Dominion.

Horticultural societies when deciding this
month what papers they will subscribe for dur-
ing the coming year should bear in mind that
The Canadian Horticulturist is the only paper
that is " Made in Canada." By subscribing for
The Horticulturist they will as^sist a paper that
is endeavoring to assist them.

An evidence of the excellent service rendered
by the railway companies was furnished in con-
nection with the recent horticultural exhibition.
Exhibits shipped to the show the week before
it opened arrived the week after it was over.

A Pointer for Ontario Growers

W. J. BKANDRITH, SEC. -TREAS. BRITISH COH'MBIA
FRUIT growers' ASSOCIATION.

British Columibia fruit growers felt gratified
last winter when the Ontario Fruit Growers'
Association saw fit to endorse the same sized
box we had aaopted in 1900. It is one in which
any sized apple can be packed, but growers need
to be taught to do the work.

We had three expert packers in as many
years, go all over British Columbia and give
practical demonstrations in packing fruit. It
costs the British Columbia Association about
$800 each year for only two months' work, but
we consider the money well spent. Ontario
fruit growers will have to do something of that
kind if they wish to succeed.

We have adopted a stanaaiu size for a pear
box, as well as for apples, viz., 8% x 11% x
I814 inside measurements. This is the result
of very extensive experiments with different
sized boxes.

Will Hold Anotlier Sliow

A meeting of the general committee of the
Provincial Fruit, Flower and Honey Show was
held November 28 to wind up the business con-
nected with the recent exhibition. Those in
attendance were the chairman, Mr. R. J. Score,
and Messrs. Edward Tyrrell, H. G. Rook, H. R.
Frankland, P. W. Hodgetts, Bernard Saunders,
J. H. Dunlop, Herman Simmers, Thomas Man-
ton, E. F. Collins, and the secretary H. B.
Cowan.

The financial statements presented showed
that the estimate of expenses connected with
the show had not been exceeded. All expenses
of management had been paid in full, including
the prize lists for the fruit growers and bee
keepers and that there was $800 on hand with
which to pay the floral prize list amounting to
$1,150. It was announced that a special dona-
tion may be received which will make it possi-
ble to pay prize list in full. The represen-
tatives of the various organizations that assisted
with the show were unanimously in favor of
holding another joint exhibition next year. The
opinion was freely expressed that for a first at-
tempt the recent exhibition had been a remark-
able success and that it will be possible to add
many new features next year.

I have read The Horticulturist for the last
25 or 30 years and consider it a first-class jour-
nal. Would not want to be without it. — (Geo.
Smith. Manilla, Ont.

Fruit Growers Who Won Prizes

The following is a list of the prize winning
exhibitors of fruit at the recent Provincial Fruit,
Flower and Honey Show :

Apples, commercial division, export varieties.
Barrels ready for shipment. Baldwin, 1, Chat-
ham Fruit Growers' Association; 2, Harry
Dempsey, Rednerville; 3, Biggs Fruit Co., Bur-
lington.

Ben Davis, 1, Chatham F. G. A.; 2, Harry
Dempsey; 3, Frank Dempsey, Albany.

Greening, 1, Chatham F. G. A.

King, 1, Biggs Fruit Co.; 2, Elmer Lick,
Oshawa: 3, H. J. Scripture, Brighton.

Russet, 1, Harry Dempsey; 2, Frank Demp-
sey; 3, Chatham F. G. A.

Spy, 1, A. E. Sherrington, Walkerton; 2, Biggs
Fruit Co.; 3. D. T. Elderkin, Toronto.

BOXES READY FOR SHIPMENT.

Baldwin, 1, Elmer L,ick; 2, Robert Thompson,
St. Catharines; 3, W. H. Bunting, St. Catharines.
Greening, 1, Chatham F. G. A.; 2, W. H. Bunt-
ing; 3, Ernest Woolverton, Grimsby.

King, 1, Chatham F. G. A.; 2, Biggs Fruit Co.:
3, Elmer Lick.

Russet, 1, Harry Dempsey; 2, Elmer Lick; 3.
Chatham F. G. A.

Spy, 1, C. W. Challand, Marburg; 2, Biggs
Fruit Co.; 3, Robert Thompson.

BOXES (FRUIT WRAPPED).

Snow, 1, Chatham F. G. A.; 2, A. D. Harkness,
Irena; 3, Harold J^nes, Maitland.

King, 1, Chatham F. G. A.; 2, Elmer Lick ; 3,
Biggs Fruit Co.

Mcintosh, 1, A. D. Harkness; 2, Elmer Lick.

Spy, 1, Biggs Fruit Co.; 2, A. E. Sherrington;
3. Elmer Lick.

(Continued on page 544.)

CONDITIONS SURROUNDING CANADIAN CANNED GOODS

W. p. GAMBLE, ONT. AGRI. COLLEGE, GUELPH.

At the suggestion of the Hon. John Dryden
and President Creelman, of the Agricultural
College, I visited the Old Country last summer
and made a study of the standing of Canadian
canned goods on the English market. My au-
tention was directed chiefly to comparisons be-
tween the different Canadian canned pears,
peaches, apricots, raspberries, corn, tomatoes,
and similar food stuffs of United States manu-
facture.

A number of the British wholesale houses did
not handle any Canadian canned goods. In
other houses, where our canned goods are to be
found, the general complaint was that our
peaches, pears and apricots are pulpy in appear-
ance. When our cans were opened and com-
pared with those sent from the United States,
the difference was very marked. The fruit
from the other side of the line retained its per-
fect form and was certainly more attractive
than ours, half of which was in pulp and had
more of the appearance of boiled turnips than
of fruit.

The general impression among the merchants
was that our manufacturers purchased the fruit
after it had become too ripe, or else that a very
inferior variety of fruit, such as windfalls, etc.,
was used. Notwithstanding this fact, the
flavor of our canned peaches was excellent, in
fact much superior to that of the California
fruit. The general opinion, however, was that
•Canaaian manufacturers must look more closely
after the raw material if we are to have a lead-
ing place in this very important industry.

One very fine display of canned raspberries,
drawn to my attention, was put up in glass
sealers, which were neatly labelled. This par-
ticular kind of fruit presented a very attractive
appearance, and sold readily at good prices. In
speaking of this fruit, Mr. Rooinson, of the firm
of Hanson, Son & Barter, said: "We cannot
get enough of your canned raspberries to supply
the demand. We have had to cancel a large
number of orders for this brand this season.
•Our customers say the fruit is excellent. If
more of your fruit could be put up in glass, the
prices paid would certainly be much higher than
they are."

There is a steadily gro'^ing demand in Eng-
land for tomatoes and corn. Some few years
ago there was a decided prejudice against can-
ned goods of any kind, the reason being that a
few cases of poisoning supposedly resulted from
•eating such foods. This prejudice is gradually
dying out. There is, however, a complaint that
o\iv manufacturers are not sustaining their
record in the matter of quality.

One defect pointed out was a blackening of
the corn at the top of the can. This was proba-
bly caused by the soldering iron scorching the
corn during the process of sealing the cans. In
contrast with the black surface exposed, when
a can of Canadian corn was opened, several
merchants showed me how the United States
manufacturers over come this difl^culty. They

place .a clean piece of parchment paper over the
corn and in this way are able to obviate any
blackening of the canned goods.

One dealer told me that he did not so much
ofject to a little of the corn being blackened,
but it gave the customers a bad impression of
the goods. The customers often mistake this
blackening of corn for foreign matter and object
to it strongly. A little care in sealing the cans,
and a small piece of parchment paper placed
underneath the lid prevents any such false im-
pression.

There is a limited demand for Canadian can-
ned peas on the English market. This is mainly
for the reason that most of our peas are white.
Most of the peas sold in England come from
France, and are colored by the use of a dilute
solution of copper sulphate. The canned pea
trade in Great Britain is in an unsatisfactory
state because of a law prohibiting the use of
copper sulphate in any process of manufacture.

The merchants say that it is absolutely im-
possible for them to sell canned peas unless they,
are colored and it is practically impossible for
them to obtain sufficient peas to supply the de-
mand of their customers unless they are per-
mitted to sell peas which have been colored by
copper sulphate solution. Several merchants
have been fined for selling such goods and a
number of cases are now before the courts pend-
ing the decision as to whether or not a small
percentage of copper sulphate may be used in
the process of manufacture of this particular
article of food.. There is an excellent market
for canned goods in England, and it is possible
for Canadian manufacturers to develop a very
profitable business along this line. In oruer
to achieve the highest degree of success we
must, however, pay special attention to the fol-
lowing points : Our goods must be put up in
the most attractive style ; the cans must be
neatly made and the labels must be placed pro-
perly on the cans (appearance counts for a great
deal in England) ; the goods exported must be
of the very best quality if we are to compete
successfully with our American neighbor3, and
the goods should be packed so as to prevent in-
jury to the cans. A final point, which of course
is demanded in all lines of business, is that all
orders should be promptly filled.

Just a word to the manufacturers regarding
the sale of their merchandise: I have already
stated that there is a great future in Englan-i
for Canadian canned goods. Let me repeat th°
assertion, but let me add that regularity in
quality is, however, essential to the establish
ment of a mark or brand of canned goods. It
is self evident that a buyer of a lot of goods can-
not open every parcel and, therefore, if a brand
is to be established in Great Britain it is essen-
tial the buyer's confidence should be obtained,
which necessarily takes time. The most
economical method of procedure in order to ob-
tain such confidence is for the packer to send
along a few sample cases, containing a dozen

* A paper read at the c nventio'i of the Ontario Fruit Growers' Asaociation held in Toronto, November 17-18, in connection with
ithe Provincial Fruit, Flower and Honey Sbow.

HORTICULTURAL SOCLETIES AND THE ACT.

54^

tins or so of each variety and ^ade and have
these reported on by some reliable English
house as to suitability and value. In this way
it is possible to obtain bulk orders for tins. It
must be remembered, however, that all canned

goods sent to Great Britain are subject to ex-
amination on arrival for blown, burst or pierced
goods, and, therefore, the manufacturer should
be extremely careful regarding the quality of
the goods exported.

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES WANT THE ACT CHANGED

The representatives of the horticultural socie-
ties of Ontario are not satisfied with the Agri-
cultural and Arts Act. They would like to see
the act so changed that horticultural societies
will be placed on a footing of their own, sepa-
rate and distinct from agricultural societies.

• This was shown at the convention of delegates
from the provincial horticultural societies held
in Toronto November 15-16 in connection with
the Provincial Fruit, Flower and Honey Show
when a deputation was appointed to wait on the
Hon. John Dryden, Minister of Agriculture, to
draw attention to the necessity for a change in
the act.

H. R. FRANKLAND.

The first vice president of the Toronto Horticultural Society,
Mr. H. R. Frankland, presided at the session of the recent horti-
cultural convention held in Toronto^ at which the advisability of
having the agricultural and arts act changed was discussed. The
convention appointed Mr. Frankland on the committee whi< h
waited on the Minister of Agriculture, and which is to meet tp con-
sider what changes should be made in the act. As a director of the
Fruit, Flower and Honey Show, Mr. Frankland was a faithful, effi-
cient worker, to whom much of the credit for the success of the
exhibition is due.

The matter was brought up for consideration
by the address of Mr. H. B. Cowan, of Toronto,
the provincial superintendent of agricultural
and horticultural societies, who spoke on " The
Agricultural and Arts Act, How it Affects Horti-
cultural Societies." In his remarks Supt.
Cowan showed that under the act grants are
made to the agricultural and horticultural
societies of the province according to hard and
fast regulations which do not take into account

the work the societies are doing. The grants
made by the Department of Agriculture to
societies amount each year to about $80,000.
Supt. Cowan stated that if the agricultural so-
cieties were spending their funds to as good ad-
vantage as the horticultural societies are theirs
there would be little need for a change in the
act. The yearly grants to horticultural socie-
ties amount to about $6,000.

Three serious defects in the act were pointed
out. One is that district societies, by the act,
receive much larger grants than township socie-
ties, although there are a considerable number
of township societies which hold better agricul-
tural exhibitions than many district societies.
A second defect is that some societies, which re-
ceive large grants, do not expend nearly as
much for the cause of agriculture as other so-
cieties receiving much smaller grants. Many
societies are doing almost more harm than good
as they conduct horse races, which are strictly
against the law; allow gambling devices to be
operated on the fair grounds (which is also
against the law) and in some cases even permit
liquor to be sold.

A third defect lies in the fact that where a
horticultural society is established its grant is
deducted from the grants of the agricultural
societies in that district. The result is that
agrlculural societies oppose the organization of
horticultural societies in their districts. There
are a number of sections in the province where
horticultural societies are needed but where it
has been found imposf^ible to organize them on
account of the opposition of the agricultural
societies.

The suggestion was made, by Supt. Cowan,
that the horticultural societies should form a
provincial horticultural association similar to
the Ontario Association of Fairs and Exhibitions
which represents the agricultural societies.
Such an association could hold an annual meet-
ing for the discussion of horticultural matters,
issue an annual report, arrange for the sending
of speakers to the meetings of local societies
and in other ways increase the enthusiasm of
horticultural workers and add to the value of
horticultural societies.

VIEWS OP THE DELEGATES.

An animated discussion took place on the con-
clusion of Supt. Cowan's remarks. The views
expressed were in part as follows:

Mr. Gilchrist, Toronto Junction: "I think
that Mr. Cowan's suggestion to form, a provin-
cial association is in the right direction. There
is ample scope for such an organization. Many
of our horticultural societies are not working
on any definite plan and might do much better
work. In many of the smaller towns and vil-
lages no horticultural societies exist. It is in
such places that they are most needed. The

542

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

requirement of the act that the membership
shall be at least 50 precludes their formation.
Some change should be made in the act in this
respect and horticultural societies should be
made distinct from agricultural societies as re-
gards their grant."

Alex. McNeill, Chief Fruit Division, Ottawa :
" There is no doubt we are all agreed that the
funds for agricultural society purposes are in
many cases scandalously wasted, and something
must be done if we are to avoid a great scan-
dal in the administration of the agricultural af-
fairs of this province. Instead of being schools
of virtue, many of our fairs are schools of vice.

" I agree with Mr. Cowan that we need to
make a very strong move in favor of better
horticultural instruction. As to how that is
to be brought about, we may perhaps differ. It
seems to me that simply to form another society
does not solve the problem. Horticulture is just
as much the object of the Fruit Growers' Asso-
ciation as the growing of fruit. The trouble
is that the horticulturists have not forced them-
selves on the attention of the public to the ex-
tent necessary to get their due share of interest
and attention. I believe that the best way to
secure the ends we have in view is to retain the
present organization rather than to form an-
other society, involving a new set of officers.
Let us have a fruit section, a horticultural sec-
tion, a forestry section, with the same set of
officers, office expenses, etc. There is no rea-
son why the one society should not cover all
this work."

F^V^ORED AN ASSOCIATION.

Major H. J. Snelgrove, Cobourg: " I desire to
express the satisfaction of our society at the
very excellent service which our superintendent
Is rendering us in his oversight of our work. We
have received new inspiration from him since
he occupied the office. I am glad that a move
is being made to establish a Provincial Horti-
cultural Society which will form an alliance
with the local horticultural societies. The act
under which we work has been on the Statute
book for 30 years and it is high time that it
should be made to represent the present day re-
quirements of horticultural societies. We are
performing a work which is entirely distinct
from the professional side of horticulture. The
fruit growers look at the commercial side, and
while they are indirectly serving the community,
they are first and foremost serving themselves
and filling their own pockets. We are work-
ing for the good of the public, for municipal
betterment and for the beautifying of our homes
and surroundings.

" There is one strong reason why the Act
should be amended: The clause providing for
the organization of horticultural societies stipu-
lates that the money a society receives as a
government grant shall be expended only on lec-
tures, exhibitions and the distribution of plants,
etc. This is altogether too narrow a limitation.
It prevents a society from doing anything for
municipal betterment — towards the improve-
ment of the parks and public playgrounds of the
towns.

J. W. BRENNAN.

" I should like to take issue with Mr. McNeill,
who claims that we should retain the present
organization. I had the honor to be a director
of the Fruit Growers' Association and know
something of its workings. While fully 80 per
cent, of its members are members of horticul-
tural societieis, the fact remains that only on'^'
or two of its directors are interested in horti-
culture out of some 15 or 16 officers and direc-
tors. I am prepared to move that we proceed
to organize a Provincial Horticultural Associa-
tion."

The secretary of the
Grimsby Horticultural So-
ciety was born in Went-
worth county, and after a
collegiate and business col-
lege education, embarked
in the general store busi
ness with his father. Eight
years ago they purchased a
fine orchard and residence
near the village of Grimsby.
Last summer the secretary
made a tour of the decidu-
ous sections of California
and devoted a great deal of
time to sJudying the meth-
ods of growing and packing
fruit practiced in that great
fruit state and derived grat-
ifying results from his trip,
the Grimsby Horticultural
Society is one of the most
energetic in the province.
Interesting meetings are
held every year, often in
the homes of the members,
when excellent exhibits of fruit are frequently made and instructive
discussions held. Last month the society appointed Mr. Brennan
to act as delegate at the horticultural convention held in Toronto.

Mr. R. B. Whyte, Ottawa: "I agree with Mr.
McNeill as to tho undesirability of multiplying
organizations. I have always thought that the
horticultural element was fairly well represented
on the directorate of the Fruit Growers' Asso-
ciation. They have always had four to six di-
rectors. I agree that horticultural societies
should be entirely divorced from agricultural
societies. They have very little in common,
and I think it tends to prevent their formation
in some districts, as Mr. Cowan pointed out.
Our grants should be made independent of the
agricultural societies and should be divided
partly according to membership, but more in
proportion to the work done.

" For the last three years the Fruit Growers'
association has held separate meetings in the
interest of horticulture. I think there might
be a special committee appointed by the horti-
cultural societies to look after that department
and send delegates to the annual convention. I
think that the department should pay the ex-
pense of one delegate from each hundred mem-
bers. In that way you would get all the ad-
vantage of a separate organization."

Mr. Rutherford, Hamilton: "It appears to
me that all that is necessary is for us to remain
as we are and have the Act amended. If it is
any object, let the horticultural societies have
a meeting like this every year and exchange
views. If there is any idea of forming such an
association as has been suggested, I think that
the better way to go about it would be to ap-

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES AND THE ACT.

543

k WORD TO HORTICILTIRAL SOCIETIES

Many improvements have been made in The Canadian Horticulturist during the past eight
months. An earnest effort has been made to make the magazine of greater interest and value
to members of horticultural societies. The space devoted to floral matters has been in-
creased and a special department has been created for reports of the work being done by horti-
cultural societies. During 1905 still further improvements will be made. About half the
horticultural societies in Ontario subscribe for The Horticulturist. These societies report
that they find The Horticulturist is of great value to them in their work.

There are a number of societies which do not subscribe for The Horticulturist but which
take United States publications instead. The Horticulturist is the only horticultural paper
published in Canada. Although the competition of the United States papers is keen an effort
is being made to publish a horticultural paper that will be a credit to Canada. An earnest at-
tempt is also being made to advance the interests of our horticultural societies. Will not the
horticultural societies of Ontario, when planning their work for 1905, kindly bear The Horti-
culturist in mind and arrange to subscribe for the magazine for all their members. If there
are any improvements you would like to see made write and let us know what they are. Do
you not think The Horticulturist is a sufficiently good publication to be deserving of your sup-
port quite aside from the fact that it is purely Canadian.

A LOW SUBSCRIPTION RATE WILL BE GIVEN SOCIETIES.

point a committee of representative men to out-
line the duties and objects and to state in what
way it would be superior to our present organi-
ation."

Mr. McClew : "I have pleasure in second-
ing Mr. SnelgTove's motion that we form a hor-
ticultural association. While we have no ill-
feeling towards agricultural societies or towards
the Fruit Growers' Association, yet our objects
are entirely different from either of them. We
have no commercial interests. Our object is
purely the advancement of the knowleage of
plants for beautifying the homes. By forming
a provincial association we should be in a much
better position to help both the agriculturists
and the fruit growers. There always seems
to be a feeling of jealousy between them, that
the one society is taking from the other, which
should not be. I do not think that a provincial
association would cost the province a great deal.
I am pleased to see that The Canadian Horti-
culturist is improving as regards horticultural
matters, and no doubt still more space will be
devoted to them in the future."

W. L,. Stevens, Orillia: " As to the formation
of a provincial as.sociation, there is a good deal
to be said on both sides. There is a great deal
of opposition among horticulturists in different
parts of the country to the FYuit Growers' As-
sociation."

J. G. Jackson, Port Hope: "I called a meet-
ing of our directors recently and obtained their
views on this matter. In the first place there
seems to be some dissatisfaction existing in our
membership in regard to the affiliation of the
Horticultural Societies with the Fruit Growers'
Association. They have thought for some time
past that the fruit growers were getting the
best end of the horn in The Horticulturist. I

assume it was established for their special bene-
fit. However, I frankly admit that it has im-
proved very much recently in this respect."
A COMMITTEE APPOINTED.

After considerable discussion Major Snelgrove
withdrew his motion and moved, instead, that a
committee composed of Messrs. H. R. Frankland,
R. B. Whyte, H. B. Cowan, J. G. Jackson, Alex.
McNeill, D. McClew and the mover be appointed
to consider the advisability of forming a pro-
vincial horticultural association and also the
proposal to amend the Agricultural and Arts
Act as it relates to horticultural societies, the
committee to report as soon as possible.

An amendment was moved by Mr. McNeill
that the Agricultural and Arts Act be so amend-
ed as to make horticultural societies inaepend-
ent of agricultural societies, that grants to so-
cieties be distributed in proportion to the work
done and that a distinct horticultural committee
be appointed to direct the executive of the Fruit
Growers' Association in connection with horti-
cultural matters. The amendment was put to
the meeting and was lost after which the main
motion was carried.

AN IMPORTANT RESOLUTION.

At the afternoon session of the convention
Major Snelgrove, as chairman of the special
committee, presented the following report which
was carried unanimously :

" That your committee is of- the opinion that
the Agricultural and Arts act should be amended
because it permits of an unjust distribution of
the government grant and that it in many dis-
tricts works to the disadvantage of horticultu-
ral societies. We would, therefor, recommend
that this committee be deputed to wait on the
Hon. John Dryden, Minister of Agriculture, to
urge that the Agricultural and Arts Act be com-

544

THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST.

pletely revised and that the horticultural socie-
ties be placed on a footing of their own, sepa-
rate and distinct in every way from township
and district agricultural societies. "We feel that
such a step will greatly increase the usefulness
of our horticultural societies, more especially
along the line of civic improvement.

" In this connection we would further recom-
mend that the superintendent of agricultural
societies be instructed to arrange for a special
meeting of this committee to consider a basis on
which future grants to horticultural societies
should be made, and that this committee have
power to add to its numbers.

" We are further of the opinion that the for-
mation of a Provincial Horticultural Associa-
tion is desirable in the best interests of our hor-
ticultural societies, but as any change in the
Agricultural and Arts Act may affect a move of

this kind we would recommend that this mat-
ter be left over for further consideration by the
special committee already named and that the
committee be instructed to report definitely at
the next annual meeting of the Ontario Fruit
Growers' Association."

WAITED ON THE MINISTER.
On the following day all the members of the
committee waited on the Hon. John Dryden,
Minister of Agriculture, and, on behalf of the
horticultural societies, laid the matter fully be-
fore him. The committee received a favorable
reception, sympathy being expressed with the
objects of the deputation. The minister ap-
proved of the proposal that the committee
should meet to consider amendments to the act
and announced that he would be pleased to con-
sider any further suggestions the committee
might decide to make. •

Fruit Growers Who Won Prizes

(Continued from page 53g)

DOMESTIC VARIETIES— BARRELS READY
FOR SHIPMENT.

Wealthy, 1, Biggs Fruit Co.; 2, Harry Demp •
sey; 3, Frank Dempsey.

Blenheim, 1, A. E. Sherrington.

Gravenstein, 1, Elmer Lick.

Hubbardston, 1, Harry Dempsey.

Bellefleur, 1, Frank Dempsey.

Any other variety, 1, Harry Dempsey (On-
tario); 2, A. M. Smith (Princess Louise).
BOXES READY FOR SHIPMENT.

Blenheim, 1, Biggs Fruit Co.; 2, A. E. Sher-
rington.

Gravenstein, 1, Elmer Lick.

Bellefleur, 1, W. H. Bunting; 2, G. B. McCalla,
St. Catharines.

Any other variety, 1, Elmer Lick (Wagener) ;
2, Harry Dempsey (Hubbardston) ; 3, Frank
Dempsey (Ontario).

AMATEUR DIVISION — DESSERT VARIE-
TIES.

Any three varieties, 1, C. W. Challand; 2, A.
D. Harkness; 3, Biggs Fruit Co.; 4, Harry
Dempsey; 5, A. M. Smith.

Any seedling, 1, J. T. Graham, Vandeleur; 2,
Robt. Thompson.

COOKING VARIETIES.

Any three varieties, 1, Biggs Fruit Co.; 2, W.
H. Bunting; 3, J. L. Hilborn, Leamington; 4,
Geo. Ott, Arkona; 5, G. W. Hocjgetts, iSt. Catha-
rines.

Any new varieties, 1, A. E. Sherrington (Bis-
marck); 2, A. M. Smith (Sutton Beauty).

Any seedling, 1, G. B. McCalla; 2, Robert
Thompson.

SPECIAL.

Collection 6 winter varieties, 1, C. W. Chal-
land.

Collection 3 varieties pears, 1, W. H. Bunting;
2, A. M. Smith; 3, Biggs Fruit Co.

PEARS— EXPORT VARIETIES.
Half cases Ready for Shipment (Fruit Wrapped).

Anjou, 1, W. H. Bunting; 2, A. M. Smith.

Bosc, 1, G. B. McCalla; 2, Robt. Thompson.

Clalrgeau, 1, G. B. McCalla; 2, Robt. Thogip-
son; 3, W. H. Bunting.

Duchess, 1, W. H. Bunting; 2, A. M. Smith.

Keiffer, 1, Biggs Fruit Co.; 2, W. H. Bunting;
3, A. M. Smith.

Lawrence, 1, Robt. Thompson; 2, G. B. Mc-
Calla; 3, A. M. Smith.

Louise, 1, W. H. Bunting.

DOMESTIC VARIETIES— 11-QUART
BASKETS.
Flemish, 1, Thos. Beall, Lindsay.
Seckel, 1, G. B. McCalla; 2, W. H. Bunting.
Sheldon, 1, G. B. McCalla; 2, W. H. Bunting.
Any other variety, 1, W. M. Robson, Lindsay;

2, A. M. Smith; 3, W. H. Bunting.

GRAPES.

Agawam, 1, W. H. Bunting; 2, Robt. Thomp-
son.

Concord, 1, Robt. Thompson; 2, F. G. Stew-
art, Homer; 3, W. H. Bunting.

Lindley, 1, F. G. Stewart; 2, Robt. Thompson;

3, W. H. Bunting.

Niagara, 1, W. H. Bunting; 2, Robt. Thomp-
son; 3, F. G. Stewart.

Vergennes, 1, F. G. Stewart; 2, W. H. Bunt-
ing; 3, Robt. Thompson.

Wilder, 1, F. G. Stewart; 2, Robt. Thompson.

Black grapes, 9-pound basket, 1, F. G. Stew-
art; 2, Robt. Thompson; 3, W. H. Bunting.

Red grapes, 9-pound basket, 1, W. H. Bunt-
ing; 2, F. G. Stewart; 3, Robt. Thompson.

White, 1, W. H. Bunting; 2, Robt. Thompson;
3, F. G. Stewart.

Black grapes, best crate, 1, W. H. Bunting;
2, Robt. Thompson; 3, G. B. McCalla.

Red grapes, best crate, 1, Robt. Thompson; 2,
W. H. Bunting; 3, G. B. McCalla.

White grapes, best crate, 1, W. H. Btmting.

Hothouse grapes, collection, 1, John Cham-
bers, Toronto.

Hothouse grapes, 2 bunches, black, 1, John
Chambers, Toronto.

Hothouse grapes, 2 bunches, white, 1, John
Chambers, Toronto.

General collection by Association, 1, Chatham
F. G. A.; 2, Leamington Horticultural Society.

COMMERCIAL FRUIT GROWING.

545

PRESERVED FRUIT.

'CTierries, 1, Mrs. P. W. Hodgetts, Toronto; 2,
A. M. Smith.

Peaches, 1, Mrs. P. W. Hodgetts; 2, A. M.
Smith.

Pears, 1, Mrs. P. W. Hodgetts ; 2, A. M.
Smith.

Plums, 1, Mrs. P. W. Hodgetts ; 2, A. M.
Smith.

Raspberries, 1, Mrs. P. W. Hodgetts; 2, A. M.
Smith.

THE PROSPECTS FOR EARLY VEGETABLES

Commission dealers in leading Canadian
cities do not all agree in regard to the advisa-
bility of increasing the production of vegetables
for the early summer markets. Desiring to gain
some information on this point, The Horticul-
turist, during September, wrote to a number of
leading commission dealers and asked them if
they considered our Canadian markets could ab-
sorb larger quantities of early vegetables
grown as they are in south Essex. The replies
received are here published.

It will be seen a decided majority of the deal-
ers heard from believe there is room for a con-
siderable increase in the production of these
vegetables. Our markets, they consider, can
handle at remunerative prices all the early
vegetables likely to be offered for some time.
The Winnipeg market does not seem promising.
OUR VEGETABLES THE BEST.

Prospects for sale of early vegetables in Can-
ada are excellent. Gardeners can sell at good
prices all they can raise. In competition with
the vegetables from the United States the home
grown have the preference every time. — (Dixon
Bros., Hamilton, Ont.

Growers are perfectly justified in producing
a larger quantity of early vegetables for the
simple reason that they will arrive at destina-
tion, if properly handled, in better conditon
than those imported from the States, and retail
dealers in Toronto will be willing to pay a bet-
ter price. If larger and regular quantities
were produced, there would not be much fear
of competition from foreign goods. Canadian
markets can stand a very material increase in
the amount of vegetables raised for early mar-
"ket, and more especially if we can secure bet-

ter transportation and arrange for better dis-
tribution.— (The Dawson Commission Co., Lim-
ited, Toronto, Ont., H. W. Dawson, manager.

So little of the early vegetables from Essex
county are marketed in Toronto it is difficult to
give an answer concerning them. I have no
doubt a greater quantity could be handled to
advantage. — (McW^illiam & Everist, Toronto,
Ont.
EARLY VEGETABLES IN GREAT DEMAND.

There is a very great demand in Montreal for
early vegetables. Canadian gardeners could
largely Increase their income if they would de'
vote more time to this crop. Thousands of dol'
lars' worth are imported regularly from New
York and Boston, and if our government would
only take up the matter in a business-like way
it would be greatly to the advantage of the
Canadian growers. — (John T. McBride, Mont-
real, Que.

There is a great demand for early vegetable?
in our market, as we have to import these goods
from New York and other United States mar-
kets, until our own stock is on the market. It
can be reaaily seen by the government books
the great quantity of these goods brought to
Canada from United States points before oui
local vegetables are ready to market. — (Hart &
Tuckwell, Montreal, Que.

If by early vegetables is meant those that can
be put on our markets say in March, April, May
and perhaps the first part of June, I would say
there would be a good market here for such, biit
by the end of June our own market gardeners
supply splendid vegetables of all kinds. —
(Walter Paul, Montreal, Que.

CANADIAN FRUIT AND THE IRISH MARKET

In the September issue of The Canadian Hor-
ticulturist attention was drawn to the advisa-
bility of shipping fruit to Ireland. Trial ship-
ments were made during August at the request
of Mr. J. H. Sheridan, of Columbus Road,
Drumcondra, Dublin, Ireland.

In a letter to The Horticulturist Mr. Sheri-
dan gives some interesting information con-
cerning conditions on the Irish markets. He
writes "While I do not wish to in any way in-
jure the trade of the English fruit merchants,
it may be of interest to Canadian growers to
know that there are in Dublin wholesale fruit
buyers, ostensibly trading on their own account,
who are in reality the paid representatives of
English firms handling Canadian and American
consignments. If the Liverpool price for say,
Spys, is 10 shillings a barrel, and the Dublin

price 16 shillings, it is open to question if the
shippers have the benefit of the higher figure
at which the consignment would be sold by such
firms in Dublin. I could, of course, give the
names of such firms, but no good purpose would
be served by so doing.

" I note that you are making small experimen-
tal shipments to Belfast via Liverpool. There
is no cold storage coming direct to Ireland, for
although Canadian and American boats so fitted
up stop at various Irish ports they do not dis-
charge cargo, but with fair cargoes of fruit com-
ing here arrangements could be made with the
different companies to discharge at Dublin, Bel-
fast and Cork. The Canadian Pacific Com-
pany, subsidized by the Canadian Government,
ought to do this, and should I succeed in mak-
ing arrangements with the growers I shall do

my best to arrange for such accommodation at
this side. Following- up your shipment to Bel-
fast, might I ask if you would be disposed to
try the Dublin market with some trial consign-
ments ? If you could see your way to do this I
will undertake to do my utmost to get you a
good return, and convince you that Dublin of-
fers a good and profitable market.

" The first consignment of the season of Am-
erican apples arrived this week in Dublin. Thev
were sold as Baldwins and realized 21 shillings a
barrel; and Liverpool price being 14 to 15 shil-
lings. I examined several of the barrels, and
although sold as Baldwins, found they were
made up of different varieties, all of a very poor
quality and badly bruised. The fact of these
barrels being made up of different varieties still
further bears out the statements which I have
repeatedly made to Canadian growers, viz., that
a proportion of good quality Canadian apples
on arrival in England is mixed with a lot of in-
ferior American stuff and the whole parcel sent
over here and sold as first grade. This form
of tampering would be impossible were growers
to send consignments to this market, and Cana-
dian fruit would be thought more of than at
present."

" There is nothing to prevent an English or
continental firm receiving consignments from
Canada having a branch house in Ireland, under
an assumed name, and working this market to
their own advantage. I merely mention the
matter to show one of the disadvantages which
growers have to contend with under the pres-
ent system. If for no other reason, I think
this ought to be sufficient to induce growers to
pack their own fruit and ship it to an agent here
to sell for them. I am anxious to get ship-
ments from growers for this market, and as it
is likely that some readers of my letter in The
Horticulturist may ask if you can give them
any information concerning me I might say I
am prepared to furnish any references that may
be desired. I am also prepared to give them
any guarantee they may wish that their inter-
ests will be mine, and the more I get for them
the better it will be for myself."

Advertisements in The Canadian Horticul-
turist give good results. — (Dawson Commission
Co., Limited, Toronto, Ont.

A GIFT OF $10.00

Will be given the reader who buys goods
to the greatest value on or before Jan.
15th, 1905, from the advertisers in this
month's issue of the Horticulturist.

Readers must notify ad vertisera that they saw their
advertisement in this paper.

When applying for the f lo bonus,, they must
inform this office of the name or names of the
advertisers they dealt with, and the value of the
goods they purchased from each.

Application for this bonus must be made to this
office on or before Jan. 18th, 1905.

Address,

ADVERTISING MANAGER,

The Canadian Horticulturist, TORONTO, ONT.

FRUIT GROWERS and FARMERS

Tile Southern Fruit Grower is iie Lest, most
pntctip-'i fruit paper to read. 24 to 40 pages every
niontb .)Uc a year. Send 10c aud 10 name« of fruit
growers and get the paper ti mos. on trial. Sample
free. Southern Fruit Grower, Box 10. Chattanooga Tenn.

CRAZE & GOODWIN
Fruit Brokers

HANCHESTER

Shippers of Apples to England are invited

to correspond with us.
Central Market for nearly Seven riillion

people. Consignments accepted for all

English ports.
Highest References.
Cablegrams, " Campania, Manchester."

FLOWERING BULBS

FOR FALL PLANTINQ. FOR THE HOUSE AND GARDEN.

Crocus — Choice, Mixed, All Colors loc. doz., 50c. per 100

Hyacinths " " " 6oc. " $4.00

Tulips " " " 25c. " $1.25 "

Prices Postpaid. Write for our 1904 Bulb Catalogue— FREE.

Special Prices to Horticultural Societies on application.

JOHN A. BRUCE & CO., »e^'f.'„..

HAMILTON, CANADA.

T£N UOLL.4RS for the person who buys Gooils to the Greatest Value from Advertisers in this Issue.

See Notice in Advertising Co''!t» is.

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