A-to Sli.£f 3fe mG3 0-5,r^ The Canadian Horticultunst Vol. XXIX NEW YEAR'S DAY, 1906 No. 1 Co-operation as Practised by Fruit Growers Prof. J. B. Reynolds. O.A.C., Guelph, Ont. THE inevitable conclusion from last year's experimental shipment of fruit from Ontario to Winnipeg, pointed to the urgent need for co-operation among fruit growers in practically all the branches of their business that are con- cerned in the handhng of the fruit. This led me this year to make some in- quiries respecting packing houses and co-operation. In this inquiry I have visited a number of places in Ontario where co-operation has been tried and a few points in the States. Some of my observations and conclusions on this subject will likely be of interest to the readers of The Canadian Horticul- turist. I shall deal with the matter under two heads: (1) organization ; (2) equipment. Organization : Where co-operation has been established I found either a co-op- erative association, properly so-called, or a joint stock company. The co-op- erative association is organized under a special provincial act, and is empowered to own necessary property in connection with the business forwhich it isorganized. The joint stock company may have all the features of the co-operative associa- tion and has in addition all the powers and privileges granted to the joint stock company under the provincial charter. The latter form of organization is rather more ambitious than the simple co-op- erative association. While it may not suit most localities, it seems to be a pronounced success in one locality that I visited, namely Thornbury. The banker who does the business for the company expressed his approval of the principle of the joint stock company for the purpose of the fruit growers. The powers of the company are such as will enable them to meet all demands of the business as they arise, since the amount of stock subscribed may be made suf- ficient to build or purchase various parts of the equipment necessary in the busi- ness, so that under progressive and careful management there is greater chance of success in handling, in pack- ing, in storing, and in marketing. Mr. J. G. Mitchell, the enterprising manager of the Thornbury Association, is con- vinced that he has solved the problem of co-operation among fruit growers. Ordinary co-operation had been attempt- ed time and again in that district with- out success, but now, he claims, the in- vestment of a. small sum of money in the business interests each individual NEW YEAR THOUGHTS How the returning days, one after one. Come ever in their rhythmic round, un- changed. Yet from each looped robe for every man Some new thing falls. Happy is he Who fronts them without fear, and like the gods Looks out unanxiously on each day's gift With calmly curious eye. ■ — Archibald Lampman. shareholder to a degree that is not to be expected under ordinar)' co-operation. One rather difficult problem in or- ganization is that of holding members together, so that they act co-operatively, and not singly, in all branches of the business. It is needless to say here that farmers do not sufficiently recog- nize the necessity for co-operative action. Perhaps they are too much imbued with the spirit of independence and self-reli- ance. However that may be, it is ad- mitted as a great difficulty, wherever I have been, to secure complete co-opera- tion. F'or instance, at Fennville, Mich- igan, members of the co-operative asso- ciation there had been approached by fruit buyers and offered prices in ad- vance of those they were securing through the association. The ostensi- ble object of this offer is to break the association and subsequently to have the farmers at the mercy of the buyers, as they were before co-o])eration was estab- lished. vSome of the members of the association at Fennville had succumbed to the temptation, and I found no busi- ness being done at the packing house, partly on this account. Various devices are invented here and there for the purpose of keeping the members together and inducing them to pack and sell only through the associa- tion. The difficulty of securing co-op- eration among a large membership has induced most of the associations to limit their membership, .^t Forest the mem- bership has been reduced to a compar- atively small number this year by the establishing of a new clause in the by- laws, that requires members of the as- sociation to spray their fruit at least four times during the season. At Thom- burv, however, the joint stock company is found to be a sufficient bond among the members. The financial interest in the concern, however small the invest- ment may be, and the prospect of a dividend, creates a lively interest in the prosperity of the company. In addi- tion, a b3'-law providing that members of the company who sell their fruit pri- vately shall be entitled to no dividend, serves as a deterrent upon independent action. As a consequence the member- ship at Thornbury is increasing, while the tendency at other points is to dim- inish the membership and reduce it to a comparatively small number of inter- ested and enthusiastic growers. EQUIPMENT When I commenced this year's in- quiries I was of the opinion that a pack- ing house of special design would be advisable for the purpose. Having seen a number of houses where packing is being done, I have come to the con- clusion that no special form of building is required. Plenty of floor space of suitable, shape, conveniently situated, seems to be the principal requisite. Two floors are advisable, the lower one for receiving, packing, and shipping the fruit, and the upper one for storage of packages. Besides the packing house, a storage house is advisable. In districts where summer fruit is grown extensively, an ice storage is an important feature in the business. If the fruits are shipped daily, that is, received and packed and shipped the same day, there is perhaps little need for cold storage. At Gyp- sum, Ohio, where I found the best equipped and best managed packing house of all those that I visited, there is no cold storage, although tender fruits, such as peaches, plums and pears, are the principal output. The fruit is packed immediately on delivery and is stored in the refrigerator car without delay. In this instance, as in many other in- stances, the refrigerator car takes the place of the refrigerator chamber. For winter fruits, also, a storage house is advisable. 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My prices are right, my ^ock is excellent and my syftem of packing the best ever. 25 STANDARD VARIETIES GUAI^NTEED TRUE TO NAME SOME Extra Early, Johnson's Early, Early, Haver- OF MY land, Bederwood, Clyde, Mid-Season, Sample, LEADEFIS Doman or Uncle Jim, Glenn Mary, Senator Dunlap, Wm. Belt, Late, Lester Lovett. Send at once for my handsomely illustrated catalogue and comprehensive treatise on the culture of the strawberry. Mailed free on application.' W. H. VANDERBURG POPLAR HILL ONTARIO Money Given Free to People who buy Goods from Advertisers in this Issue. See Notice in Advertising Columns. Myr^ The Canadian Horticultunst Vol. XXIX NEW YEAR'S DAY, 1906 No. 1 Co-operation as Practised by Fruit Growers Prof. J. B. Reynolds. O.A.C., Guelph. Ont. THE inevilabk' conclusion from last year's experimental shipment of fruit from Ontario to Winnipeg, pointed to the urgent need for co-operation among fruit growers in practically all the branches of their business that are con- cerned in the handling of the fruit. This led me this year to make some in- quiries respecting packing houses and co-operation. In this inquiry I have visited a number of places in Ontario where co-operation has been tried and a few points in the States. Some of my observations and conclusions on this subject will likely be of interest to the readers of The Canadian Horticui,- TURIST. I shall deal with the matter under two heads: (1) organization ; (2) equipment. Organization : Where co-operation has been established I found either a co op- erative association, properly so-called, or a joint stock company. The co-op- erative association is organized under a special provincial act, and is empowered to own necessary property in connection with the business forwhich it isorganized. The joint stock company may have all the features of the co-operative associa- tion and has in addition all the powers and privileges granted to the joint stock company under the provincial charter. The latter form of organization is rather more ambitious than the simple co-op- erative association. While it may not suit most locaHties, it seems to be a pronounced success in one locality that I visited, namely Thombury. The banker who does the business for the company expressed his approval of the principle of the joint stock company for the purpose of the fruit growers. The powers of the company are such as will enable them to meet all demands of the business as they arise, since the amount of stock subscribed may be made suf- ficient to build or purchase various parts of the equipment necessary in the busi- ness, so that under progressive and careful management there is greater chance of success in handling, in pack- ing, in storing, and in marketing. Mr. J. G. Mitchell, the enterprising manager of the Thombury Association, is con- vinced that he has solved the problem of co-operation among fruit growers. Ordinary co operation had been attempt- ed time and again in that district with- out success, but now, he claims, the in- vestment of a small sum of money in the business interests each individual NEW YEAR THOUGHTS How the returning days, one after one. Come ever in their rhythmic round, un- changed, Yet from each looped robe for every man Some new thing falls. Happy is he Who fronts them without fear, and like the gods Looks out unanxiously on each day's gift With calmly curious eye. — Archibald Lampman. shareholder to a degree that is not to be fcxpected under ordinary co-operation. One rather difficult problem in or- ganization is that of holding members together, so that they act co-operatively, and not singly, in all branches of the business. It is needless to say here that farmers do not sufficiently recog- nize the necessity for co-operative action. Perhaps they are too much imbued with the spirit of independence and self-reli- ance. However that may be, it is ad- mitted as a great difficulty, wherever I have been, to secure complete co-opera- tion. For instance, at Fennville, Mich- igan, members of the co-operative asso- ciation there had been approached by fruit buyers and offered prices in ad- vance of those they were securing through the association. The ostensi- ble object of this offer is to break the association and subsequently to have the farmers at the mercy of the buyers, as they were before co-operation was estab- lished. Some of the members of the association at Fennville had succumbed to the temptation, and I found no busi- ness being done at the packing house, partly on this account. Various devices are invented here and there for the purpose of keeping the members together and inducing them to pack and sell only through the associa- tion. The difficulty of securing co-op- eration among a large membership has induced most of the associations to limit their membership. At Forest the mem- bership has been reduced to a compar- atively small number this year by the establishing of a new clause in the by- laws, that requires members of the as- sociation to spray their fruit at least four times during the season. At Thorn- bury, however, the joint stock company is found to be a sufficient bond among the members. The financial interest in the concern, however small the invest- ment may be, and the prospect of a dividend, creates a lively interest in the prosperity of the company. In addi- tion, a b}'-law providing that members of the company who sell their fruit pri- vately shall be entitled to no dividend, serves as a deterrent upon independent action. As a consequence the member- ship at Thombury is increasing, while the tendency at other points is to dim- inish the membership and reduce it to a comparatively small number of inter- ested and enthusiastic growers. EQUIPMENT When I commenced this year's in- quiries I was of the opinion that a pack- ing house of special design would be advisable for the purpose. Having seen a number of houses where packing is being done, I have come to the con- clusion that no special form of building is required. Plenty of floor space of suitable, shape, conveniently situated, seems to be the . principal requisite. Two floors are advisable, the lower one for receiving, packing, and shipping the fruit, and the upper one for storage of packages. Besides the packing house, a storage house is advisable. In districts where summer fruit is grown extensively, an ice storage is an important feature in the business. If the fruits are shipped daily, that is, received and packed and shipped the same day, there is perhaps little need for cold storage. At Gyp- sum, Ohio, where I found the best equipped and best managed packing house of all those that I visited, there is no cold storage, although tender fruits, such as peaches, plums and pears, are the principal output. The fruit is packed immediately on delivery and is stored in the refrigerator car without delay. In this instance, as in many other in- stances, the refrigerator car takes the place of the refrigerator chamber. For winter fruits, also, a storage house is advisable. It is the opinion of the managers of the associations that the THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST fruit should be held by the owners until ready for use if the best ultimate results are to be reached. If green stuff is put on the market, such as Ben Davis ap- ples are in December, it makes an un- favorable impression. The grower or packer should b? the best judge of the fitness of the fruit for the market. If the grower or packer does not hold the fruit until ready for use, he has no rea- son to 'expect that anyone else between him and the consumer will be interested enough to do so. As a result of immedi- ate shipping much unripe fruit is being sold to consumers in Europe and in the west, and an unfavorable impression is being created. To store fruit for the winter, the associations may rent space in large city storage houses, or they may construct storages of their own. The Georgian Bay fruit growers have constructed a building — a combined packing house and storage house of good pattern. This building is 100 feet in length and 40 feet in width, and con- sists of a basement nine feet high and a storage and packing house 13 feet high. The basement, as well as the storage house above, is intended for winter storage. The ground floor above the basement is divided into two parts — -one part, about 25 x 40, consisting of the packing house proper, the other part, 75 x 40, consisting of the storage house. The walls are concrete, 10 inches thick, and from the ground floor to the first floor the wall is insulated with one inch lumber, tongued and grooved, inside the concrete, with four inch space between the lumber and con- crete— this space being filled with planer shavings. The building is well provided with windows, and, in addition, for ventila- tion two large flues, one near each end of the building, have been provided, running from the basement ceiling to the garret and extending some six feet above the garret floor. As these flues pass through the storage chamber be- tween the ground floor and the first floor, slides are provided that may be opened or shut as desired for change of air in the storage chamber. When the windows in the basement are opened a strong current of air passes up these flues and effects a rapid change of air and affords a means of controlling the temperature of the chamber. It is hoped that by means of the thorough ventilation and the well-insulated walls the temperature can be kept at about freezing point throughout the winter. The company are storing all their winter fruit and expect to hold it until they judge it fit for use. In order to enable all the members of the company to hold their fruit, arrangements have been made with the bank to advance pay- ment on the fruit stored, at the rate of one dollar per barrel. The bank loans the money to the company on security of their warehouse receipts. In September, packing houses in west- ern .Michigan and in northern Ohio were visited. In western Michigan I found nothing at all in advance of what is being done at different places in Ontario. vSome of the associations, as at Fenn- ville, Benton Harbor and Bangor, have built their own packing houses, while others, for the time being, are renting space. The organization of these com- panies is generally co-operative, and all on much the same plan as the co-opera- tive associations in Ontario. Bv far the crop. For peaches and pears they use almost entirely machine graders of the type known as the Rope Sizer. I was much impressed with the efficiency of these machines, and am convinced that they could be used to advantage in any of our co-operative packing houses for grading apples and pears particularly. These graders are operated by foot power, the operator sitting at the upper end of the machine and at the same time feed- ing the fruit from the hopper into the grooves of the machine. At the dif- Receiving Fruit at the Warehouse of The Chatham Fruit Growers' Association best equipped and best managed packing house that I visited in the States is that at Gypsum, Ohio, man- aged by Mr. W. H. Owen. The pack- ing house there was built for the purpose, and has one or two features worthy of note. It is alongside of the railway track, so that fruit can be load- ed directly from the packing house on to the car. The depth of the build- ing, from the track back, is 52 feet, not including the shed. The width, par- allel to the track, is 1 50 feet. The depth, 52 feet, is said by the manager to be about right to allow room for the un- graded fruit at one side, for grading in the middle, and for shipping at the op- posite side next the track. This width is divided into 24 feet for the delivery floor and 28 feet for the grading and shipping floor. The latter floor is three and a half feet lower than the delivery floor, and at the breast of the upper floor the grading tables and machine graders are placed. The width, 150 feet, is pro- portional to the amount of business done. For a smaller business this width should be less, but the depth, 52 feet, allows just enough space for turning over the fruit from the grower to the car. Above this floor there is a second floor for empty packages. I might add a word or two with re- gard to the handling of the fruit at Gyp- sum. Most of the fruit consists of tender varieties, such as peaches, pears, and plums — peaches being the principal ferent grades attendants stand remov- ing undesirable specimens of fruit, such as bruised, imperfectly formed, and over- ripe fruit. The machine grades very accurately according to size. In most of the packing houses on the other side I was surprised to find that bushel baskets were used for shipping peaches. These peaches were princi- pally of the Elberta variety, and, there- fore, were fairly well adapted to the large basket. Where customers asked it or with softer varieties the 12-quart or smaller baskets were used. - Mr. Owen drew my attention to the fact that they made no attempt to "face" their baskets of fruit. The peaches or other fruits were left at the top of the basket exactly as they hap- pened to fall without the slightest at- tempt at selection, even in the matter of color. Mr. Owen claims that only by doing this can they secure the confidence of their customers, for by making no attempt at facing the surface of the fruit represents in every particular the contents of the package. Any purchaser securing one of these packages of fruit suffers no disappointment as he pene- trates farther and farther into the pack- age. I notice that in packing apples in barrels in various packing houses in Ontario the custom is to face the head of the barrel very carefully by selecting, not the largest fruit, but fruit of uniform size and good color. Mr. Owen would not do this, and claims that by refrain- THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST ing from doing this he creates a greater feeling of confidence between himself and the consumer. In the disposing of the fruit, the in- variable practice at Gypsum is to sell direct to the dealer. The manager quotes his price to the dealers, by letter or telegraph, and receives from them or- ders for certain quantities and certain grades of the fruit. So complete is the reliance of his customers on the honesty of his packing that they regularly resell fruit by description before they receive it. There are no conditions that would make co-operation successful, that I could observe existing in northern Ohio, that do not exist in Ontario. So far as I can see the spirit of co-operation is the first essential; whereby members are willing occasionally to sacrifice some possibly temporary advantage that they may gain by independent action, to the permanent interests of the association. In order for this feeling to exist there must be complete confidence among the mem- bers of the association with one another and with the officers. The success of the association depends, above all, on the enthusiasm and the business ability of one or two men in the district. As a usual thing these men have organized the association and in some way or other manage it. They foster this spirit of co-operation and, by their untiring efforts and business ability, they make the thing a success. Wherever co-opera- tion has been undertaken a man of this sort has always had the guiding hand. Success in co-operation, therefore, does not depend on outside conditions so much as on the men who engineer it. I must express my indebtedness to those from whom I have obtained the suggestions that are here embodied, par- ticularly Mr. Owen, of Gypsum, Ohio; to Mr. Johnson and Mr. Lawrie, of For- est, Ont.; to Mr. Mitchell, of Clarks- burg; and to Mr. Sherrington, of Walk- kerton, Ont. Mr. Sherrington, especi- ally, is deserving of great credit, not merely for having organized successfully an association in his own district, but for his enthusiasm and untiring efforts in organizing associations elsewhere in Ontario wherever he has been invited to assist in the work. WHy Fruit Growers SHould Co-operate THE method of handling the apple crop by which the buyers and men go around and do the picking and pack- ing, is utterly unsatisfactory. It causes loss to the grower and to the buyer. Much of the fruit is packed so poorly as to seriously injure the reputation of Canadian apples. This system is the cause of a large proportion of the com- plaints concerning our fruit made bv the British importers. During the past season The Canadian Horticulturist has given the matter a great deal of ing so they would receive twice as much for their fruit as they usually obtain. Even the co-operative associations al- ready established have not made as much from their fruit as they might had they sold direct to the retailers in- stead of to the wholesalers. These, and other points germane thereto, are touched on in this article and in those immediatel)' following. Methods that have been adopted by a number of the leading co-operative associations in On- tario and the States are described in Co-operative Grading and Packing as Done at Chatham attention. It has found that not the growers only, but leading buyers as well, are thoroughly dissatisfied with this system; while the Dominion fruit inspectors condemn it vigorously. Great loss to the growers, also, occurs by the fruit passing through the hands of too many middlemen. The remedy lies in greater co-operation on the part of the growers, who should sell direct to the retailers in Great Britain. Bv do- the article by Prof. J. B. Reynolds Some of the sources of loss to the grow- ers that arise from the fruit passing through the hands of numerous mid- dlemen will be found described in the article dealing with the marketing of fruit. The defects of the method of gather- ing the crops, by which the buyers send gangs of men around to do the picking, grading and packing, are so apparent that even the buyers are outspnaken in its condemnation. "One of the worst features of gathering the crop in this way," said Fruit Inspector P. J. Carey, of Toronto, to The Horticulturist, is that very few of the apples are picked at the proper stage of maturity. Some of the best winter varieties are har- vested before they have obtained their color or other characteristics, while the earlier sorts are past marketable stage in other orchards before the gang can reach them. In many instances a great percentage is blown down or sometimes damaged by frost before the pickers arrive. "Thousands of bushels of apples last fall were not put on the market in the proper season. One large firm had 71 gangs packing in different parts of Can- ada from Hemmingford, Quebec, on the east, to Samia on the west and Pene- tanguishene on the north. These gangs were made up of men of dififerent occu- pations, and it could not be expected that satisfactory work would be done by them all. "Every farmer and fruit grower should pick his own crop and then aU would be harvested at the right stage. It is too bad to have the farmer wait- ing for the pickers to come while heavy winds blow down the best fruit. Our co-operative associations are doing splendid work. Were more of them formed many of these defects would disappear. A buyer's views "Were the growers to pick their own apples and to store them under cover, as they do their other farm crops," said Mr. Eben James, of Toronto, the well- known buyer, "one of the chief sources of loss would disappear. In addition to this the dealers should erect temp- orary houses, or secure packing sta- THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST tions at the different railway points from which they purpose shipping. "In the past few years the apple trade has undergone various changes. Some have been for the better, while others have been for the worse. Hon- est picking has greatly advanced since the Government took measures to pre- vent fraud. The old practice of allow- ing the farmer to pile his fruit under the trees until the buyer got time to pack them is also less common. Experience proves that fruit left lying under the trees for even 24 hours is seriously in- jured in quality. A few years ago barrels cost about 18 cents, and labor could be obtained for $1 a day, making the cost of pack- ing about 15 cents a barrel, or a total cost of 33 to 35 cents in preparing a barrel for export. In time competi- tion became so keen that the buyer was not satisfied to purchase by the barrel, but began buying orchards in lump and taking chances on wind and weather. In some cases he bought below the mar- ket value, and in others paid double what the fruit was worth. "Under this system, when heavy winds or early frosts come, the fruit is damaged and the buyer, in his attempts to make something out of his deal, often exports fruit that should go to the cider mill or to the evaporator. This results in serious injury to the Canadian apple trade, and gives profits only to the barrel manufacturers, the laborers and the steamship companies. "Every few years," continued Mr. James, "the dealers get a severe 'scald- ing,' and they are more cautious until a good season comes, when they again lose their heads. Cooperage stock has doubled in price, and two years ago the unreasonable price of 50 to 60 cents for barrels was reached, and at that price they were difficult to obtain. During the past season we were able to get the' eight- hooped barrel at 35 to 38 cents. "The advance in the cost of labor has added to the troubles of the large buyers. Packers get $15 to $18 a week with board, rain or shine, while the pickers work for $1.25 to $1.50 a day. Even at these wages, sufficient men are not available to properly harvest the crop. "Another serious drawback in hand- ling gangs is the fact that farmers re- fuse to board the men. The dealer, rather than lose the orchard, makes the contract under those conditions and the men are forced to stay at hotels. Time is lost by the men getting to and returning from work, and frequently some of them stay up late drinking in- stead of resting, and the next day they are not in shape for a full day's work. "These drawbacks would disappear were the growers to harvest their crops and deliver them at a central packing house in barrels or crates on spring wagons. In this way sales would be made on the out-turn when put up as XXX or XX. Another satisfactory method would be to have the packing company do the work at so much a barrel, making sales f.o.b., or shipping through some reliable commission house on consignment. In this way the ex- pense to the dealer would be reduced at least 50 per cent., and the grower would receive more for the fruit. The responsibility would then rest on the producer to see that none of the crop was lost. Besides, much of the trash that is now exported would be sent to the cider mill or the evaporator, where it properly belongs, and only the mar- ketable crop would be forwarded. "It is utterly impossible," concluded Mr. James, "for the average dealer to secure help to handle the fruit as it should be handled in the limited time available, and do enough business to make a working profit. The apples can be thrown into barrels for storage. deliver them. By that time nearly every barrel was slack. The contract calls for immediate delivery, but vari- ous excuses are given by the growers for failure to live up to it. As a rule the farmer cannot pack properly, and the best plan would be to have central packing houses to which the producers could deliver the fruit. "Each gang," continued Mr. Graham, "consists of a foreman, who has had several years' experience, an assistant and four or five pickers. If a picker does good work for one season, he is made first assistant the following year. The wages run $12 to $18 a week and board for the foreman, $9 to $12 for the assistant, and $1.25 a day for the pickers. "Great quantities of apples are lost annually because of lack of accommo- dation at the shipping point. At many stations the barrels are piled on the ground in the sun and rain for days. Fruit of the Chatham Fruit Growers off for the Old Country but that means great shrinkage and double expense in packing." ANOTHER buyer's VIEWS "If I could get all my requirements from co-operative associations," re- marked Mr. R. J. Graham, of Belleville, "I would not put any gangs out. Every farmer should pick his own apples. Some growers claim they cannot get men to do the picking, but it should be as easy for the grower to get five men as it is for a buyer to get 500. It would be as reasonable to ask a miller to harvest his wheat as it is to demand that the apple dealer must harvest the apples he buys. "During the past season I had over 70 gangs at work in the apple sections of Ontario and western Quebec. It was impossible, under such circum- stances, to prevent some apples being packed that should have been thrown out. In some cases the apples I had had packed stood in the orchard for a , month before the grower took time to and as a consequence many slack bar- rels are found. . With central pack- ing houses this evil would be removed and the apples would be kept under cover in proper condition." This system of handling the crops is responsible for the inferior condition of much of the fruit that arrives at Mon- treal. Out of 104 cars that reached that port to make up a cargo early in October, the fruit in 38 cars was re- ported by the Government inspector as being in poor condition. Improper marking is also common. In one car of about 160 barrels, 10 were found with deceptive marking. In a recent interview with the man- ager of one of the leading steamship lines. The Canadian Horticulturist was informed that a great quantity of good fruit reached Montreal in poor condition. He had seen barrels opened in which the fruit was six or eight inches below the head. It seemed to have been dumped into the barrels when hot and not packed or pressed. Chatham Fruit Growers' Association THE business of the Chatham Fruit Growers' Ass(jciation for 1905 was the most successful in the history of the association. Prices were the high- est that have been realized, and there were practically no losses. This association started busi- ness nine years ago with a membership of about 12, and shipped two carloads. At that time each member packed his own fruit. In 1902 the central packing house system was adopted, and in that year 42 car- loads were shipped. In 1903 the crop was a failure, and we shipped only seven cars. In 1904 we shipped 43 cars, and this season another off crop, 26 cars. ^ During this time the membership has gradually increased till it has reached almost 100, and it will be necessary to increase our packing facilities to ac- commodate the increasing membership. W. D. A. Ross "W. D. A.. R-oss, Secretary-Treasurer The association has plans under consid- eration with that end in view. Before members are admitted their orchards are inspected and nothing but men with first-class orchards are ac- cepted. In the spring of 1902, the as- sociation purchased a large power spraying outfit, run by a gasoline en- gine. It is used exclusively for spray- ing members' orchards. Three men and a team are employed to run the outfit* continuously for three months during the spraying season. This year, in addition to the Bordeaux, 75 barrels of crude oil were used in fighting San Jose Scale. Excellent results followed its use. This co-operative plan of spray- ing is very effective and equally satis- factory, as the members have not al- ways the time to attend to it when it should be done, and many lack experi- ence in the work. The cost of spraying is charged to each member and de- ducted from his fruit returns in the fall. Those who are spraying regularly are reaping handsome returns from their investment. The fruit is handled on a mutual basis — averaging returns for similar grades so that no one gets a preference, and the losses, if any, are distributed. This season we made three grades of apples: Fancy, which netted the grower $2.50 to $3.00 a barrel; XXX netting $2.03 on the average; and XX netting an average of $1.41. These prices are net after paying all expenses for man- agement, packing, barrels, etc.; every- thing except the picking is included, and we feel proud of the record. In addition to the apples, a large quantity of other fruits were handled, and they turned out equally well. There is a healthy rivalry springing up among our members in their en- deavor to excel, and since the best orchards in the association are just coming into their prime, a splendid future is anticipated. Several members are receiving cheques of $500 to $1,000 from orchards that previously, if sold at all, realized only $200 to $300 a year. One of the chief elements of success in our association is the hearty co-oper- ation of the members in everything that promises to advance its best interests. As secretary-treasurer, I have been ably- assisted by an efficient board of direct- ors, and an energetic business represent- ative, Mr. W. A. McGeachy. We strong- ly recommend the co-operative system of handling fruit as our results show, that it is the only method that will en- sure a uniform grade — special brand — and a good business connection. Some Notes from the E^xperimenters SEVERAL of the well-known fruit growers, who are in charge of some of the fruit experiment stations in On- tario, gave results of their work at two special meetings, held for that purpose at the time of the Ontario Horticultural Exhibition, in November. The superintendent of the stations, Mr. Linus Woolverton, of Grimsby, pointed out that we already have co- operation in spraying, packing and sell- ing, but that the curse of many orchards is the numerous varieties they contain on a few acres. He claimed that by co-operation in planting and by the growers paying attention to the work of the experiment stations much could be done that would result in fewer and more desirable varieties being kept in the average orchard. In talking about desirable novelties, Mr. Dempsey alluded to the fact that the horticulturists 30 or 40 years ago, who produced new and profitable var- ieties by crossing, had been lost sight of. He claimed that such men as Saunders, Dempsey, Arnold and Macoun were as worthy of recognition as Burbank. Al- though favoring the introduction of new varieties he advised the growers to be careful in planting them, as different varieties are suited to different soils. Of the newer varieties Coo's River Beauty, which came from the California E.xperi- ment Station, was one of the best. York Imperial, Windsor Chief and Down- ing's Winter Maiden Blush are also promising sorts. In the discussion that followed Mr. W. T. Macoun, of Ottawa, said that the hardiness of the stock in top-grafting seemed to have no appreciable influence on the hardiness of new wood. A weak trunk is a great defect. The subject of hardy fruits was dealt with by Mr. Harold Jones, of Maitland. It was stated that varieties that succeed in Durham and Northumberland may fail east of Kingston, although there is not much difference in temperature. In that county Fameuse, Scarlet Pippin and Mcintosh Red are the standard varieties. They withstand the severe winters but are subject to spot unless thoroughly sprayed, and all come in early in the season. A profitable var- iety to cover the season from Christmas on is wanted. Spy has been found to be hardy until it comes into full bearing, but after one or two crops the trees die. Ontario was thought to be the desired variety, but the winter of 1903-04 killed almost every tree. Baldwin and Green- ing are not hardy. Russet is the most profitable winter variety for that section, but shrinks badly in ordinary storage. The Northwest Greening is hardy and prolific, but lacks quality. McMahon White is desirable because of its vigor- ous growth and its excellence as a stock on which to top-graft other varieties. It forms an extra strong crotch and is hardy. Milwaukee and Scott's Winter are promising varieties for cooking. Others that are uncertain bearers or lacking in quality are Salome, Baxter, Blue Pearmain and Delaware Red. In the report of the Transportation Committee Mr. Bunting said that it taxed the railway companies at times to handle the fruit in the Niagara penin- sula. The committee had asked the rail- way commission to attend to the matter and their request was not overlooked. Winter Work for the Amateur Florist JoHn Cape, Hamilton WHAT should we amateur garden- ers do in January? No outside work is possible. The gardens are sealed up. Jack Frost holds full sway. Plant life is sleeping the long winter sleep ; and those of us who have no house plants are waiting patiently, or impatiently, as the case may be, for the coming of spring; that annual miracle, the renaissance of plant life. It will be three months yet ere the sweet modest little snowdrop peeps forth, whispering to us the wel- come tidings that winter is passing and heralding the coming of warm weather and nature's awakening. What then is there for the amateur florist to do in January? Much, indeed, in the way of planning, mapping and other preparation for the future. It is in the cold dark days of winter that we amateurs grow the most charming flowers (in our minds). It is then we build our castles in the air, and dream dreams of the wonderful achievements we are going to compass in our gardens next summer. Now it is that we bring out our seed and shrub catalogues, pore over them and study them, and, under the seductive influence of their alluring descriptions, and gorgeous illustrations of plants and flowers, shrubs and trees, new and old, we plan new designs and elaborate effects ; make out our lists, and review them and renew them, and alter them to suit our area and our pocket-book, until finally we settle on the absolute requirements and make the orders for seeds and plants. The seeds shcndd be purchased imme- diately, and the plants later on. What a charming occupation this is! Every grower wants some plant or flower that he didn't have last year. That white Turk's-cap lily that was seen at St. Catharines; that pale blue larkspur, which was a conspicuous feature at the Grimsby show, or that Rocky Mountain columbine that Dr. Fletcher described so vividly. Aye, and we must not forget that Colorado blue spruce for the lawn, or the feathery Japanese maples at Ni- agara Falls Park, that caused us to break the tenth commandment, and covet and desire other men's maples; and that hardy chrysanthemum we saw in Ham- ilton, a great bush of golden glory that, once planted, needs but little after- thought or care, increases year by year in bulk and beauty, and blooms on forever. Besides, that color scheme for the south border has to be thought out, and we need to settle what annuals are to supplement the perennials there, and what shall be grown this year especially for the show in September. With such work as this it can readily be understood how easy it is to have our hands full of garden work in winter as well as in sum- mer . PURCHASING SUPPLIES When the lists are made out the ques- tion is: — Where, and from whom shall we purchase our supplies? Aye, there's the rub! Catalogues pour in upon us in bewildering numbers. Catalogues of seeds, catalogues of bulbs, catalogues of trees, of shrubs, of vines, of perennials, of annuals, of native plants, of ferns, of orchids, and of "everything for the gardener"! Catalogues great and cat- alogues small; catalogues modest and catalogues — well — not at all! All and every kind of catalogue, offering all and every kind of growing things, or things to grow. From Germany, from Japan, they come, and from all parts between. The selection of the necessary require- ments from such a mass of material is interesting, and will prove to be more beneficial employment for the winter evenings than working out Alice's riddles in the Ladies Home Journal. Experience teaches us that no one firm has "Everything for the Garden," al- though some profess to have. There are specialists in horticulture, even as there are in other lines of industry. Where to get the best roses, is often where nothing else is grown. A firm may be famous for its pansy seed, and yet be unable to fill an order for half a dozen varieties of lilies. When the list of our require- ments has been settled we have to study where the items can Vjest be procured, and make out and send our orders, so that we may get our seeds now and our plants later. If we do not do this svs- tematically and now (do it now!) when we caiinot work out of doors, we shall inevitably be "left" when the spring- time, work-time comes. This is what we can and must do in January, and this is what January is for — to the amateur florist. Prepare Your Bedding Plants for next Summer JANUARY is the best month for starting a great number of the most beautiful bedding plants for the gar- den next summer. Amateurs who try to grow these flowers are completely discouraged frequently by their lack of success. There is no reason why such failures and disappointments should occur. In almost every case the cause can be traced to lack of knowledge re- garding the proper time to start and the proper methods to follow in preparing the plants for bedding operations. A fine show can be made with very little ex- pense and most of the work can be done during the winter months when other labors are not so pressing. Bedding plants are grown with great success in the Allan Gardens, Toronto, where Mr. E. F. Collins is an expert in their culture. "In preparing plants for bedding," said Mr. Collins to The Horti- culturist recently, "the growth of the different specimens must be studied. The main object should be to have the plants grow as quickly as possible, and just reach the proper size at bedding time. The slow growing sorts may be started as early as December, while others that grow rapidly will be ready if not started until April. "Geraniums, when taken up in the fall, should be potted and placed in a shed. A thorough watering should be given and then they can be allowed to dry out until all the leaves drop. They should then be well cleaned and again thoroughly watered to induce new growth. In this way }oung shoots, suitable for making cuttings, will be developed by January. When this first crop of cuttings has been removed, the old plants can be set to one side and again well watered. Another batch of cuttings will be ready in about six w-eeks. Under ordinary treatment the same old plants will grow rapidlj- after this and make fine flowering plants by April or May. "Cuttings are best started in coarse, clean sand with good drainage. If only a few are needed they can be put in small pots or in boxes. When large quantities are required, flats can be used. An inch and a half or two inches of sand is suffi- cient, and the cuttings can be placed as close together as possible. If they are A Beautiful Vine for an Amateur's Greenhouse. The Bouganvillea Sanderii, as now Growing in Mr. Alexander's Greenhouse. placed around the edges of the pot or box, growth is encouraged and more rapid development results. The cutting should be made into the hard wood, but not lower than the second or third joint. The cut should be just below a joint and square across so that the base sits flat on the sand. A common fault with ama- teurs is to 'hang' the cutting. The earth is not packed soHdly around the stem but merely pressed around the upper part, leaving a space around the base. Plants set in this way soon wilt and rot off. When light sand is used a thorough watering after setting causes the sand to settle around the cutting and drive out all the air. "When these young plants are well rooted they should be put in two and a half or three inch pots. Ordinary pot- ting soil can be used, and it should be packed firmly. Sometimes the plants can go from these pots to the beds, but the strong growing ones should be reset to four inch pots in April. Two or three weeks after potting the plants should be pinched back to give a strong, dwarf, hardy plant. It is bad practice to pinch or cut back a geranium at the time of repotting, as a check is given to both ends at once. It is best to do the pinch- ing some time after repotting. Geran- iums require bright sun and plenty of air. Many amateurs fail because they attempt to grow them in the shade. Sunshine and air induces stocky growth and numerous flowers. "The best coleus plants, too, are obtained by propagating a few cuttings through the winter and throwing away the old plants. Cuttings from the stock brought in in the fall become sickly be- fore spring. Better results can be had by taking the tips of the first cuttings and resetting them. In this way the plants become tougher and stronger and more suitable for bedding purposes. After resetting about three times new cuttings may be taken in April, and first- class bedding stock will be ready by June. "Abutilons, or flowering maples, are slow growers and must be started early in January. . The same treatment as for geraniums suits them, but they must be kept from the sun for a few weeks after setting. Vincas, or periwinkle, too, should be started in January. Tuberous begonias may be started from seed in January, or tubers can be obtained as late as April. For propagation froin seed a light sandy soil is needed. A thorough watering should be given^^be- fore the seed is sown. They are hard to raise without a greenhouse as there is not sufficient moisture in the atmosphere of an ordinary room. Where ferns thrive begonias also do well. The Centaurea candidissima, or dusty miller, sown in January, and the Centaurea gymnocarpa sown in March, attain suitable sizes by June. "Ageratum and irisenes root all along the stem and need not be cut off at the joint. They can be started in March or April, in the same soil as the coleuses. Anthurium variegatum makes a beauti- ful border for begonias or cannas, and may be propagated readily in the house. When the tip is cut off the flower stem, young shoots appear along the stem. These, when two inches long, can be put in sand in March and be large enough for bedding. Stevias should be started in January to have a good plants by June. The old wood should be cut off when the plants are taken in, and soon young shoots come. These shoots grow readily and much more quickly than the old wood." An Amateur's Greenhouse in January To the true flower lover, that is one who loves flowers all the year round ; not only during the period when the snowdrop and crocus break the bars of their winter prison-house in early spring, to the season when the last of earth's autumnal beauties succumb to the killing breath of "Jack Frost," but who, also, all through the dreary, flower- less time of winter, is longing for flowers, The Flower of the BouganviUea Sanderii Vine to such a one the title of these homely notes will bring up pleasant memories or rainbow-colored hopes. To be able to step from one's dwelling in this month of January into a temperate or summer atmosphere laden with fragrance, and full of the beauty of flowers and foliage, is something worth possessing, and once tasted of, will be made a permanent adjunct to the home, however humble. My purpose in writing this short article for The Canadian Horticulturist is to urge my brother amateurs, who love flowers for their own sakes, to make a great effort to secure this pure and unalloyed and elevating pleasure. A. Alexander, Hamilton, Ontario My first greenhouse was a very un- pretentious affair. It was largely form- ed of old church windows. I was ray own glazier and bricklayer. It was 20 feet long by 12 feet wide, was heated by an old coil of two inch pipe, and was just high enough inside that, with a little care I did not knock my head against the rafters every time I passed along among my flowers, and what flowers they were ! Such geraniums and primulas and cycla- mens I have never had since. My friends who saw my flowers then, and see them often now, say so. Then, I had three varieties of passionflower which covered the entire roof (ridge) with innumerable blossoms, and specimen plants of Streptosolon Jamiesonii and of Begonia Rubra; the former with its immense drooping clusters of orange scarlet bloom, and the latter with a great wealth of scarlet flowers that were produced all the year round, which formed a picture that yields me great pleasure even now. However, it was condemned because, not being attached to the dweUing, I had to get out of bed many times during severe winter weather when the outside ther- mometer was zero or below, and cross the yard to tend the fire. Mv present house is nearly square, 24 X 22, and is built against the south wall of an addition to the dwelling. It faces south and is 18 feet high at the back and seven feet at the front. The roof is not at one angle, but there is a beam running across from east to west that makes a kind of "hip" at about one- third of the dis- tance from the top. I have found this to be a mistake, as it is almost impossible to prevent a drip where the angle of the roof changes over this beam, and the house is too high, thus making it difficult to heat in severe weather. The only redeeming feature of the height is that it enables me to have larger specimens of some plants and vines than I could have in a lower house. It opens into the dining-room by glass door and window. One of my favorite vines for the green- house is BouganviUea Sanderii which was planted soon after the house was built. It is a very beautiful, free-growing vine — has no insect enemy that I know of, and blooms very profusely, being of a beauti- ful rose color. It is in bloom for about four or five months. It does best when planted in a bed or border. The smaller photo shows the details of the flower. The highly colored portions of the flow- ers are not petals but colored bracts, the flower proper being the inconspicu- ous white portion in the centre. Last winter I had the misfortune to lose nearly everything in my house from an escape of coal gas from the hot air furnace in the cellar through careless plumbing. I had no bloom all winter, and this vine lost all its leaves. But now, it is sending out immense young growths, some of them already twelve feet in length. My house is heated by hot water from a coil in a sort of a self- feeder stove. A January Scene in a Corner of Mr. Alexander's Greenhouse THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST Chinese Primula This plant now in bloom, was grown from seed sown last Juno. A comer of my greenhouse, as it looked a few days ago, is shown in the illustra- tion. It may be called a symphony in white. The white is supplied from a liberal stock of Roman hyacinths, paper white narcissus and white Chinese prim- ulas, the latter grown from seed sown last June. In a small packet of seed I had about sixty lovely plants of fine colors. One of these plants is shown. I have always had great faith in the begonia for the amateur's greenhouse. There is such a great variety, and nearly all of them easily grown, and the plants themselves are so free from in- sect or other pests that they are most desirable, for they are decorative, whether in bloom or not. One of the most handsome is Begonia velvetina. In the picture of the Bouganvillea the plant in the background against the back wall is Begonia rubra, which in three years from planting covered a portion of the wall 18 feet by 14 feet, or an area of 252 square feet, and was in bloom continuously for years, until it suffered as above described, but it is now again in bloom and will soon cover its old space. To the right of the Bouganvillea and growing in the same bed is another Begonia — President Car- not. It was twelve feet high and laden with its immense clusters of bloom when the photo was taken. At the present time I have Begonia incarnata, Paul Bruant, Alba and Metalica in bloom, besides some others whose names are unknown to me. Cypripedium insignis is the only orchid I have in bloom now. I noticed what surprised me last winter, when the gas was playing havoc with my plants, when the hardiest ger- aniums lost all their leaves, that my ferns, including the most delicate adian- tums and others, never looked better. The illustration shows a specimen of Nephrolepis Piersonii about 18 months old, from a sucker that seemed to thrive upon the gas. Photo 10 shows a specimen of Pteris tremula which is one of several that I found grow- ing in a damp corner of the centre bed in the greenhouse. When I lifted it it had two fronds about an inch long and now, less than two years after, I have some fine specimens of this elegant fern from self-sown spores. This is one of the many interesting accidents that we came across in our little greenhouse experience. A Fern that Throve in'Gas This Nephrolepsis Piersonii fern, 18 months old, was grown from a spur and did well in a greenhouse, where many other plants were killed by an escape of gas. I will say but little more at this time, as I have no intention to speak of greenhouse construction or heating, or of the mode of cultivating certain plants ; all I would add is that I get the best soil I can get, and I often wish that some of the commercial men would take in hand to supply us amateur florists at a reasonable figure with the potting soil we need for general purposes. By so doing they would increase the sale of many of their plants. I am particular about the pots I use — I wash them inside and out every time they are used, and, as far as I can, keep the atmosphere around my plants not only with the proper heat, but also the requisite moisture and air. With these the plants must grow and thrive for it is the law of their nature. I would close these rambling notes by saying that the main feature of my greenhouse is the large bed in the centre 15 ft. by 14 ft. and the 3-ft. border along the back wall enabling me to have a wonderful development of such plants as fuchsias, abiitilons and begonias and others planted therein. It is Nor^vay Spruce J. W. Smith, Winona, Ont. In the November issue of The Horticultur- ist we noticed the picture of a hedge on the lavpn of Mr. J. W. Smith, of Winona. What kind of hedge is it? Ho«r long has it taken to grow and how old were the trees when put out?— (R. W. O., Collingwood, Ont.) The hedge is Norway Spruce. When planted the trees were 30 to 36 inches high and about four or five years old. This is the best height for planting, although they may be used when higher. When planting them 30 to 36 inches it takes seven or eight years for them to grow seven to nine feet high, providing it is sandy soil. They grow in most any kind of soil. When they reach the desired height the tops may be cut off by drawing a straight line. The sides may, also, be trimmed to suit. This should be done after the hedge has ceased growing for Pteris Tremula the season, usually about August. About the same time it may be thinned, cutting the wood back within an inch of what it was the previous year, so that each year a new wood is left, on which buds form. This hedge was planted about four feet apart and is now 25 years old. It becomes thicker and thicker each year. Plants should have a rest, and that is accomplished by withholding water, lowering the temperature in which they grow and not giving them any stim- ulant."—(E. F. Collins, Toronto). Plant flowers, even if it is not necessary to do so in your vicinity, or if flowers are a trouble and do not bring money. They will bring refinement and pleasure. — (N. S. Dunlop, Montreal, Que.) The flower lover who has never reared her own plants and in turn been re- warded by the dainty blossoms they have borne, has missed a great deal of joy and pleasure. — (Mrs. W. J. McLena- han, Appleby). Try Improved Lilacs Next Summer "W. T. Macoun, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Ont. NOW, when you are planning the surroundings of your home for next summer, do not overlook the claims for attention made by the lilac. There is no spring flowering shrub so popular, and none so easily grown. In fact, the old-fashioned variety establishes itself so readily and suckers so much, that it often becomes almost troublesome and in small gardens takes up too much room unless carefully watched. But no garden should be without lilacs if there is room for any flowering shrubs, and the improved varieties that are budded on lilac stocks are so fine that no one who loves flowers will allow the suckers to grow. Moreover, the varieties that arebud- ded do not sucker as much as seedlings. The improvement in Hlacs has been very marked during the past 15 or 20 years, but comparatively few persons in Canada have yet planted the im- proved kinds. Unless the collection at the Central Experimental Farm has been seen it will be difficult to make anyone believe that, when the census was taken in the arboretum in the fall of 1904, there were 162 varieties in the collection doing well. Charles X, which is one of the oldest of the improved varieties, is still one of the best and freest bloomers of its color, but the range in color now is so much greater than it used to be and the double and semi-double varieties, and those with twisted petals, make so many com- binations that there is a large list to select from. The length of blooming season also has been extended. At Ot- tawa the blooming season of lilacs is from about the middle of May to the first week of July. By planting the different species and having a good range of varieties anyone may have lilacs in bloom for at least six weeks. There are so many fine varieties of the common lilac that it is difficult to reduce the list to a few of the very best. The most satisfactory single white is Alba Grandiflora, a very free bloomer with a large loose truss and pure white flowers. (3f almost equal merit three of the best double whites are Madame Casimir Perier, Madame Abel Chatenay, and Obelisque. Of single varieties in the various shades the following are very fine. Congo is about the best of those of the darkest violet or purplish red varieties, the panicles being of good size and the flowers very large, Prof. Sargent and Souvenir de la Ludwig Spaeth are very much like Congo. Other dark-colored single varieties of great merit are Aline Mocqueris, and Charles X. Furst Liechtenstein and Jacques Calot are two of the best singles with rosy Ulac flowers, and Lavaniensis is almost a'pure pink. Dr. Maillot is a fine late var- iety. Two of the deepest colored and best double varieties are Charles Joli and La Tour d'Anergne, both being dark reddish purple or violet purple. A great deal of the charm of many of these newer varieties is in the contrast of the color of the flowers still in bud with those fully open on the same panicle. The varieties that are particularly at- tractive in bud, the buds having a rosy appearance are, Charles Baltet, Michael tioned last, at least one should not be omitted from a general collection. Tak- ing into consideration the range of color we should select as the twelve best: Alba Grandiflora, Madame Casimir Pe- rier, Congo, Prof. Sargent, Furst Liech- tenstein, Lavaniensis, Charles Joli, Charles Baltet, Leon Simon, Avel Car- riere, Linne and Emile Lemoine. In order to have a collection of lilacs Those Who Passed Stopped to Enjoy This Lilac Bush This Persian lilac stands on the lawn of Mr. T. W. Todd, of Toronto. Last spring the tree was simply a mass of bloom. The blossoms were of a very delicate lavender, andthe flower spikes were of extraordinary length, many of them being over two feet long. This beautiful bush was the admiration and wonder.iof Parkdale for many weeks. Buchner de Jussien, and Prince de Beau- veau, all very fine sorts. The last named variety has a bluish tint when open making the contrast between bud and open flower very striking. Two varieties that are of particularly fine shades of lilac are Leon Simon and Comte Horace de Chisnel. Three other excellent varieties that are bluish when open are; Avel Carriere, Coudorcet and Boussingault. Linne is a very fine var- iety with twisted petals. Some of the best of the double varie- ties of more or less pink or rosy color jn bud or flower are Emile Lemoine and Jean Bart, of which, although men- that will give the length of blooming season already referred to, one should have in addition to the varieties of the common lilac, the following: Syringa oblata, which comes in just before the common lilac; Syringa Persica and S. Chinensis or Rothomagensis, which bloom at the same time as the common lilac. Syringa Josikaea, closely follow- ing the common lilac, S. villosa, bloom- ing during the second week of June. Syringa Amurensis, starting to bloom about the beginning of the fourth week of August, and Syringa Japonica, which is not at its best at Ottawa until the first week of July. THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 11 Perennial Borders for Amateurs RodcricK Cameron, Niagara Falls SoutH HARDV perennials, when once plant- ed, are constantly developing in beauty and size. A variety does not cost the purchaser any more than the tender individual plant from the green- house, that lasts but a season. With the exception of keeping them clean from weeds, they require but Httle care or attention for several years after planting, and then only to subdivide into many plants for use elsewhere. The varieties and color are legion. With a judicious selection in the first in- stance, a perennial bed or border may be kept bright with bloom and foliage from the time the frost leaves the ground in the spring until hard frost in the fall. There are many important points to be considered in making a perennial border. First, there must be a fami- liar acquaintance with the characteris- tics of each variety, its likes and dis- likes as to soil, situation, shade, moist- ure and Hght, and its period and length of blooming. Every plant has a char- acter and gracefulness peculiarly its own, and when surrounded by a vari- ety of similar plants, all equally grace- ful and interesting, the beauty of a well-arranged plot or border com- mands admiration from even the least observant passer-by. It is sometimes a good plan, when the border is a large one, to intersperse some of the finer varieties of shrubs. In some cases vines may be employed to advantage. The choice of the situation for the border is a very important matter. On small lots it should be made up against the line fence. Cover the fence first with chicken netting, then plant against it vines in variety. They will cling to the netting, thus saving tying. There are many instances where this prac- tice would be to advantage in our cities, towns and villages. In front of this netting may be made the perennial bor- ier, preferably as irregular as possible In form. It should be dug two feet 'deep. As much barn-yard manure ought to be used as can be turned un- ier. I believe in using a good coat of pood ashes every fall, spread broad- bast over the surface after the old tops liave been cut and cleared away from the border. It can be forked in in the Spring with a potato fork. I also be- lieve in making such a border in the Jail, and planting it in the spring, as [the young plants get established, and ire better fitted to withstand the fol- liowing winter. Taste and skill in the arrangement of the plants is very essential. Discard- ig any attempt at formality, freedom md grace are two important points to be considered. Ther.^ must, also, be some order and harmony. The plants ought to be graded from the back to the front in an easy and graceful man- ner, and if the whole border is seen at a glance, the colors of the contiguous plants should blend as nicely as pos- sible. On the other hand, if the bor- der is of a crooked form so that only one part is seen atone time, then harmony of color becomes a secondary matter. The planting of a crooked border should always begin on the front row. Use all the smallest dwarf plants in this row, but a too strict line of uniformity of height should be carefully avoided. The plants for the first two rows should be of a mixed character, so that they will not all be in bloom at one time. An excellent method in planting perennials is to use plants of about the same constitution, irrespective of their families, and preferably those that bloom at different periods of the sum- mer. Care should be taken to select those that are not apt to rob, or clash with each other, and to plant three to six or more varieties in such a manner that the blooming of each distinct clump, or plot, will be prolonged as long as possible. Most of the herbaceous plants can be used in this way to advantage, but there are some that are not suitable for inter-clump planting, such as the Rud- beckia golden glow, Helenium autum- nale superbum, Pyrethrum uUginos- sum, Pyrethrum maximum, and other gross feeders and rampant growers. These should have a place for them- selves near the back of the border. It is advisable, when planting on the plot system, to arrange the plants in rows, parallel with the outline of the border. This faciHtates the keeping of the border clean, makes it more easy to get at the plants for cutting and tying up, and simpHfies the labelling of the varieties for the information of the pub- lic, which is a very important matter. i BULB DEPARTMENT % 'j Qviesliona Ans'wired by 'J ^ Mr. Herman Simmers ^ Storing Gladioli I grew some gladioli last summer and stored the bulbs in an ordinary furnace-heated cellar in the fall. They seem to be drying out too much. What should I do with them?— (A.L.C., Owen Sound.) The way you are keeping your Gladio- lus bulbs will not do. They should be kept in an atmosphere containing more moisture. If you have a room in the cellar that does not freeze, or if you could keep them in the same place that you keep such vegetables as carrots, beets and parsnips, they will come out in the spring much better. If you can secure a moist atmosphere where there is no frost you should have no trouble if the bulbs have been properly harvested. Bulbs in 'Water What bulbs can be grown in -stones and water? What is the best time to start them, and under what conditions would I get best re- sults?— (J. S. McP., Orange ville.) Chinese Sacred Lilies are usually grown in this manner, and within the last few years the greater portion of the Polyanthus Narcissus have also been grown with success, notably so the Paper White Narcissus (totus albus) ; also Grand Primo and Grand Monarque Polyanthus Narcissus. They can be started any time during September, October or November. The conditions as to results depends as much as anything upon the strength of the bulb. If a good strong bulb is selected, success is almost certain. It is advis- able to add some ammonia to the water a few weeks before the plants come into bloom. Flo-wer Lovers — We Need "Yovir Help We hope our readers who grow fruit and flowers in an amateur way will be pleased with this issue of "The Canadian Horticulturist." A special attempt has been made to publish articles that will be helpful and interesting to them. We in- tend to make this department one of the strongest in the paper. Everything of a professional floral nature is to be elimin- ated, and special attention will be devoted to the needs and desires of the amateur. Starting with this issue several new de- partments have been added to the floral section of "The Horticulturist." Mr. W. T. Macoun, horticulturist at the Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, has kindly consented to contribute a series of illus- trated articles on shrubs. Mr. Herman Simmers, of Toronto, the well-known seedsman, will write on bulbs; Mr. Rod- erick Cameron, of Niagara Falls South, will treat on perennials, and Mr. A. H. Ewing, of Woodstock, on lawns. Each of these gentlemen will be pleased to an- swer any questions on these subjects that may be asked by our readers. The interesting article in this issue by Mr. A. Alexander, of Hamilton, is only the first of a series by him that will be published during the spring and summer. These articles will be illustrated as is the one in this issue. Several other promi- nent amateur florists, including such well- known writers as Mr. J. 0. McCulloch, of Hamilton; Mr. A. K. Goodman, of Cay- uga; Mr. Edwin Utley, of Toronto; and Mayor H. J. Snelgrove, of Cobourg, have been kind enough to promise to contribute articles on selected subjects during the coming year. All these gentlemen, although busy men, have consented, through love of their subjects, to contribute these articles free of cost. We feel there are many others among our several thousand readers who have devoted special attention to some one or two branches of flower-growing, who could aid greatly in strengthening this department by forwarding an occa- sional article with illustrations. Grow^ing Vegetables for the Early Market' WIv start the first tomato plants about March 1, and we like to prick them out often. As soon as they have four leaves on we prick them out again. You can get a better rooted plant by firming the soil ; we transplant three times, and often four. We keep them in flats." Mr. McMeans: — "You never trans- plant them into cold frames?" Answer. — "No, after they get a pretty good size, if they run up too much, we turn them down. We use shallow flats; the majority of our flats are four, and four and a half inches deep, and we only fill them half full the first planting, and after that we use more. The last plant- ing we cut the earth out and take out a chunk of earth with the plant; and we have veneer, cut four inches wide, the length of the tray. One of these strips of veneer is placed in the centre of the tray, and two across, and that leaves a space four inches square, and we plant one in each space, and wiien we pull the partitions out it leaves the soil ready to lift out with the root. We have that square of earth with the roots all about it, and the plant gets practically no checking. We wet them just before going to field. It they grow stalky it is well to bury them down and bend them over. 'Spark's Earliana' are grown for the majority of the crop." A Member:— "A great many of them split." Answer. — "We do not find that with us." A Member :— "I grow 'Atlantic Prize.' They are not very large but I get early crops and a smooth fruit. They are a little thin-skinned, and will not stand shipping as well as others." Mr. Rush:— "Do you find that a round tomato is better for shipping than a flat one?" - i , Answer. — "Yes, I believe it is" better and firmer. " A Member: — "Have 'Chalk's Early Jewel?" Answer.— "Yes, I tried it a few years ago. It is very fine looking, but with us it is two weeks late. The ' Plentiful ' is grown in our district to some extent." Mr. Robinson:— "They had a great rot in the centre this year. Last year we had no trouble in growing them,' but it seems to be the general cry this past season that they were affected with this green rot." Question. — "Did you ever have any you grown J. L. Hilborn, I^eamin^ton, Ont. experience with the 'Imperial'?" Answer. — ' ' Yes, it is a nice sample and it takes well in the market, but it does not pay us as well as the others." Mr. Robinson: — "I paid a visit to growers in my district this year, and I was surprised to see the amount of rot in the 'Earliana' and 'Plentiful.' Some ground was very rich, and I do not think you want the ground rich for tomatoes." Question. — "Do you have any leaf blight among your tomatoes?" Answer. — "Yes, more or less, but we do not mind it very much, because we think we get the fruit a little earlier." Mr. Robinson: — "We grew a few 'Im- perial,' and they started with the leaf blight. The crop was very promising, but the leaves seemed to turn black and had the same kind of smell potatoes have when they get the bHght." Answer. — "I think spraying will help that. Some five years ago we were troubled with blight on our tomatoes, and we sprayed with the Bordeaux Mix- ture as we loaded them on the waggon. We gave them two or three applications after they went to the field, and were able to control it very well. The last three years we have had very little blight. I think it is largely owing to weather conditions." "I used to grow melons very exten- sivel}-, both the water melons and the musk melon." Question. — "What is the particular kind that you grow ? ' ' Answer. — "The improved Hacken- sack." Question. — "Do you treat them sim- ilar to cucumbers? " Answer. — "We do not have them so large when we transplant them." Question. — "Do you plant the melons in furrows?" Answer. — "We mark out the field in rows and we put the two rows eight feet apart and the next two rows six feet apart. ' ' Question. — "Haven't you found there is a better demand for the small vellow flesh?" Answer. — " Yes, and if I was growing the melon for the Toronto market I would grow small melons. There is more money in it. We have to spray a good deal, and if we put our rows six feet apart there is no room for our spray- ing outfit. We put two plants to the hill. We sow some rye when we take off our early melons and early tomatoes." Question. — -"How high do you let your rye get belore you plough it down?" Answer. — "We plough it early in the spring. I have used very little "com- mercial fertilizer, except nitrate of soda, when I am putting out my tomatoes. As soon as we get them in the field, I give them a little treat of nitrate of soda, about a teaspoonful to the plant. It seems to start them growing. We had a striking result from that this year when some large plants were moved out early. The plants that we treated vielded fullv one-third more than the others." Question. — "Have you had any trouble with melon Aphis?" Answer. — "The history of the melon growing countries, as far as I know, is that they have sandy land and they are effected with melon Aphis. It is a. very hard pest to control unless you go about it in the right way. It will cover a five acre field in a week. The female deposits the eggs on limbs and branches of trees in the fall, and those hatch in the spring into females, and they start here and there in the field, and the first progeny are living young, and they give birth to living young in immense numbers. There is just one waj^ to handle them success- fully and that is to watch them closely ♦Conclusion of an address on "The Growing of Vegetables for Early Markets," delivered at the convention in November of the Ontario Vegetable Growers' Association. The first part of this address was published in the De- cember issue of The Canadian Horticulturist. A Leamington, Ontario, Greenhouse in which Vegetables are Grown for the Early Markets. 12 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 13 when they begin to run. They start in a few places, perhaps four or five plants to the acre, and this is liable to be near a tree, and if you destroy these plants you will have very little trouble. ' ' We take a bushel basket of straw and scatter the straw under the plant and set fire to it. We used to try pulling the plants out, and dipping them in coal oil, but in that way we lost an odd insect and concluded that fire is the only sure rem- edy. This year, in about six acres of melons, we destroyed one-eighth of an acre of plants before we got it checked. A neighbor across the road did not hunt out the hills, and he had to spray heavily and to use a great deal of tobacco stems and the result of his neglect cost him a good many dollars. There is not as much danger from this pc st on heavier soil." The Grow^ing and Marketing of CaulifloAver' A. McMeans, Brantford, Ont. IN packing cauliflower for market I use barrels and jthose large American berry crates that hold sixty boxes of berries. Use plenty of paper so that the heads do not rub. You can buy waste paper very cheaply from the newsdealer or newspaper offices. The large size crates cost me fifteen cents each, the small size ten cents each, second hand empty salt barrels fifteen cents and empty sugar barrels twenty cents. The cost of the packing I add to the invoice. Don't be afraid to packing too tight. If you pack too loosely you will find that owing to the jar of transportation they will rub worse than if they are packed tight. Sometimes I have to sit on the lids of the crates to get them fastened. The large crates hold on an average about two dozen heads. Cut closely and try and have some local place to sell them. If you can't do that then sell them to the pickle manu- facturers. Remember that one poor head in a dozen spoils the appearance of the whole lot. Excessive humidity in the atmosphere frequently develops a disease of the stalk known as stem rot, for which we have no known remedy, but if the weather is cold during August, with occasionally a cool rain to keep them coming along, we may expect to see the care and labor that we have expended on these plants well rewarded. In the open field cauliflower will stand a temperature of 24° or 20° Fahrenheit providing it is not long con- tinued. Full-grown heads are much more liable to be damaged by frost than the small ones. It often happens that some plants will be left in the field when winter begins to set in. In order to save them and to get the most out of them cut them off at the top of the ground and stick the stump into moist, not wet, sand in a cool cellar, first removing all the leaves except the inner course. By doing this you will be surprised to find how many you can store away in a small space. Question. — "Do you not think you would have had better cauliflower if you had left some of the outside leaves on?" *The balance of an address on the growing of cauliflower, delivered at the recent convention of the Ontario Vegetable Growers' Association. The first part of this address was published in the December issue of The Horticulturist. Answer.— "No, I do not think so. The more leaves you leave on the more you draw the strength from the stump. I remove every leaf except a few on the inner course because a cauliflower wit!.out a leaf does not look nice on the market." Question. — "With regard to trans- planting, do you try ploughing in the morning and setting out the plants in the afternoon?" Answer. — ' ' It is very seldom I do that. With my cabbage this year and last year I pulled the plants early in the morning, put them in the root-house, and then went to work and manured and ploughed them, and I planted the cauliflower that night and I had a good crop." Mr. T. Del worth : — "Watering is quite a labor?" Answer. — "Yes; and if you plough twice, and keep the land harrowed and cultivated, you will keep the moisture in the ground." Mr. Delworth :■ — ' ' If you plough your ground and put in the plants at once I think it is a good plan. I have adopted that plan and in the last ten years I have not used one can of water in setting out cabbages or cauliflowers." Mr. McMeans: — "I have done the same thing; my father brought me up on the idea that the more work you do in doing anything the better the result." Question. — "Do you ever pull your plants two or three days before planting them, and leave them in a damp place, and let the little rootlets break out before you plant them?" Answer. — "I have done that with celery, but I could not see much came from it. You start the little fibres and then you brake them off, and you have to start them again under harder cir- cumstances." Mr. J. Rush:— ",I found wonderful results in the hot weather in Julv. We plant our cauhflower from the fifth to the fifteenth of July, when it is generally hot weather, and I have found that by pull- ing the plants from the seed-bed and tying them up in bundles and putting them in the cellar on the floor and keep- ing them there for two or three days, they usually put on a nice bunch of fibres all ready to take over to the soil." Mr.McMeans:— "I have no trouble when I put out a patch of cauliflower. I do not think I miss one in a hundred. I am not troubled with the cut worm." Question. — "What time do you gen- erally plant?" Answer. — "About June 20. The early cauhflowers bring me more money than the later ones ; they may require a little more attention, but ■ I can see but very little difference and if you can get an extra cent on a cauliflower you are making that much more profit. My average net price for the last four years has been $1 a dozen." Question. — "Is your soil light or heavy?" Answer. — "Black loam with sandy bottom; it was originally a cedar swamp. Question. — "You cannot grow early cauliflower there?" Answer. — ' ' I have put out early cauli- flower the same time I put out early cabbage, and they were not bothered with the worm any more than the cab- bage were. But your cauliflower will not develop as nice a head as they will later on. If you have a place with a nice cool bottom and of a stiff nature you can produce just as good cauliflower two or three weeks earlier." Mr. Rush: — "What has been your experience in regard to seed ? ' ' Voice: — "Sometimes we blame the seedsman for having sold us inferior seed untrue to name. I think it is the time of sowing that makes the differ- ence. I have sown May 1, and May 15, and June 1, out of the same bag of seed and had different results." Mr. McMeans: — "That would be due more to the climatic conditions. We do not get the same weather the first of May as we do the first of June." Mr. Rush: — "They all germinate the same, but we do not produce the heads." Mr. McMeans :— "I get my best results from sowing May 1 or May 15. I like to sow the first week in May. Seed sown the first of June will not mature in time." A Member: — "Can you pick a Snow- ball from an Erfurt?" Mr. McMeans: — "I think the Snow- ball is flatter. If you buy D. M. Ferry's Snowball you will get the flat top cauli- flower. If you buy cauliflower seed this year, and you find it is good I would advise you to go back and buy some for next season." 14 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST The Canadian Horticullurisl Published by The Horticultural Publishing Company", Limited The Only Horticultural Magazine in the Dominion 'Official Oigan of British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and Prince Edward Island Fruit Growers' Associations and of the Ontario Vce- etable Growers' Association H. Bronson Cowan, Editor and Business Manager J. .Albert Hand, B.S.A., Associate Kditor W. G. Rook, Advertising Manager A, B. CtrrriNG, B.S.A., Travelling Representative 1. The Canadian Horticulturist is published the first of every month. 2. Subscription Price $1.00 a year, strictly in advance. I'or all countries except Canada. United States and Great Britain add 50c. for postage. 3. Remittances should be made by Post GiBce or Money Express Order, or Registered Letter. Postage Stamps accepted for amounts less than $1.00. Receipts will be acknowledjied on the address label, which shows the date to which subscription is paid. 4. Discontinuances—Responsible subscribers will con- tinue 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. Change of Address — V\'hen a change of address is ordered, both the old and the new addresses must be given. 6. cAdvertising Rates quijted on application. Circu- lation .S,500. Copy received up to the 25th. Responsible representatives wanted in towns and cities. 7. cArticles and Illustrations for publication will be thankfully received by the editor. 8. c-AU Communications should be addressed : THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURLST 507 and 508 Manning Chambers TORONTO, CANADA MAY SUCCESS ATTEND YOU We wish our readers, one and all, the hap- piest of happy new years. May injurious in- sect pests shun you, the sun shine and the rain fall as you desire, and the output of your gardens and orchards for 1906 be the best and greatest in the history of the country. Such good fortune will be none too good for the readers of The Canadian Horticulturist. THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST The great increase that has taken place in the fruit interests of the Dominion has made it necessary to enlarge The Canadian Horti- culturist. During the past two years many improvements have been made in The Horti- culturist; new departments have been add- ed and the amount of setting greatly increased. Several issues last year had to be enlarged by the addition of four to twelve pages each, but even this was not sufficient to relieve the pres- sure on our space, as every month several col- umns of important reading matter had to be left out. For years The Horticulturist chiefly rej)- resented the fruit growers of Ontario. Last year it was appointed the official organ of the Prince Edward Island, the Quebec and the British Columbia provincial fruit growers' as- sociations and the management was surprised to find how immense are the fruit interests of these provinces. It was soon realized that if The Horticulturist was to keep the fruit growers of the Dominion in touch with the de- velopment that is taking place in the fruit in- terests in the different provinces it would have to obtain regular correspondents in the fruit centres of these provinces and add still another department to the paper. It was found to be impossible to do this last year, but at a meeting of the shareholders of The Horticultural Pub- lishing Company, Limited, held early in Decem- ber, it was decided to enlarge The Horticul- turist to its jiresent form and to make many other improvements. Most of the shareholders of The Horticulturist are prominent fruit growers. One of the best features of the paper during 1906, therefore, will be the correspondence that will be published in each issue from the leading fruit centres of the Dominion. Regular cor- respondents have been appointed at Montreal and Winnipeg who will report on the condition of the fruit that reaches and passes through those centres. A monthly letter from I'rince Edward Island will appear that will be written by that well-known horticultural enlhusia.sl. Rev. Father A. E. Burke, the president of the Prince FMward Island Fruit Growers' Associa- tion. The first of these letters appears in this issue. A correspondent has been secured in Nova Scotia, and one is shorth' to be apix)inted in British Columbia. These correspondents are experts in fruit matters and are located in the heart of the fruit centres. The Horticultur- ist expects that their monthly letters will have the effect of giving fruit growers generally a broader outlook on fruit conditions throughout the Dominion, tvnd of bringing them into closer touch with each other. As a means of bringing the paper into closer touch with the rank and file of the fruit and vegetable growers, a travelling representative has been added to the staff in the person of Mr. A. B. Cutting, B.S.A., a graduate of the Guelph Agricultural College, where he took the special course in horticulture, and spent a year as in- structor and' lecturer in horticulture. Before going to Guelph, Mr. Cutting spent two years on the large fruit and vegetable farm of J. C. Black & Son, at Truro, Nova Scotia. During his con- nection with the Guelph college he had charge of fruit experiments there, under the, direction of Prof. Hutt, and of the co-operative experi- ments in horticulture over Ontario as conduct- ed by the Experimental Union. Mr. Cutting was in the Argentine Repuljlic for a year and during 1903 visited the southern States, includ- ing Maryland and Georgia, in which latter state he spent three months in the great Hale orchards. It will be Mr. Cutting's mission, while repre- senting The Horticulturist, to visit the fruit and vegetable growers in their homes and to contribute special articles to the paper giving their views and his own on topics of general interest. The first of his letters appears in this issue. Although the number of pages has been de- creased from ,52, in the old Horticulturist, to 32 in this, its new form, there is just twice as many inches of reading matter on one of these pages as on one of those in the old Hor- ticulturist. This means that The Horti- culturist, as published last year, has been enlarged by the addition of twelve pages of reading matter, or practically by twenty-five per cent. In addition to this a better quahty of paper will be used this year than ever before. Since our last issue we have completed ar- rangements to have the paper printed in To- ronto in future, instead of in Hamilton, as formerly. This will be a great convenience to the business management and will make possible the printing of a better paper. Many other improvements have been made in this issue, such as the addition of a poultry department and separate departments with competent men, who have had practical experience, in charge. Those of our readers who have difficulties with shrubs, bulbs, perennials, or those who do not know just how to have a beautiful lawn are advised to send along questions. We will be pleased to secure reliable answers to all questions bearing on horticultural work. We make no apology for giving these details about the business management and plans of the paper. The horticultural interests of Can- ada and those of The Canadian Horticultur- ist are so closely identified that we feel that anything that affects one affects the other, and our readers are interested in both. It is our desire to publish a paper of which Canadian fruit, flower and vegetable growers may have reason to feel proud. The changes that have been made in The Horticulturist have been introduced with that object in view. We look to our readers to give us their active support and it will be our aim to justify their confidence. THE DISCORD SHOULD CEASE It is time the fruit growers in the different provinces should get together and, armed with representative exhibits, should settle this mat- ter as to which has the best fruit. Ontario has moved along for years in the happy belief that anything any of the other provinces has been able to do in the line of fruit [jroduction must have been largely due to an accident and as such was unworthy of notice. Were any per- son to inform a Nova Scotian that the Annap- olis Valley was not the very best fruit section, well yes, anywhere, something would probably happen. Recently that cheeky little province, Prince Edward Island, has insisted on making itself heard; in fact, it does a little sixjuting in this issue of The Horticulturist, even going so far as to claim it has produced better fruit than that grown across the channel in the val- ley of Evangeline. This, of course, they be- lieve, proves it is the best tliat could be grown anywhere. Quebec has long contended that there are no apples so fine as the Fameuse and Mcintosh Red, and that these varieties are grown to perfection within its borders only. .\'ow, if you would beUeve it, British Columbia persists in flaunting in the faces of her sister provinces the fact that for two years in succes- sion her fruit has captured the gold medal at the big horticultural exhibition in England, the country that is the market of the surplus fruit of all the provinces. She even seems to think that she is so up-to-date in her methods that the other provinces, when they awake from their Rip-Van-Winkle sleep, will have a hard time to catch up to them — the band waggon. Now what are we going to do about it? This discord among the members of Miss Canada's family should cease. Why not arrange for a national exhibition of fruit next winter, place the best fruit from the different provinces side by side and settle the matter — until the next time? Of course the present situation has its advantages. If I say I have the best fruit you can't prove that such is not the case. At the same time you can continue to believe that yours is the best of all, while the other fellows can laugh at us both. It is annoying, however, to have one's assertions ridiculed and a national exhibition seems the best solution of the diffi- culty. Now, then, which will be the first prov- ince to take the field with a challenge? OUR GROWERS SHOULD ACT Ontario farmers and fruit growers as well as those in the other provinces, lose scores of thous- ands of dollars every year through the careless and wasteful manner in which a large propor- tion of the apple crop is gathered and market- ed. Improvement is needed all along the line, . including the method of growing the fruit, the picking, packing and selUng of it on this side of the Atlantic and in the marketing in Europe. The existing system is like a sieve being so full of weaknesses, through which the money of the growers slips, that it is a wonder they receive as much as they do for their fruit. The main defect is the number of times the crop is handled between the day it leaves the orchards of the growers, and when it reaches the hands of the consumers. In many cases the grower sells the fruit to a packer who sends men to the orchard to do the picking and pack- ing. It is forwarded by the buyer to large dealers in Great Britain who call in auctioneers. The auctioneers dispose of the fruit to retailers and wholesalers, who in turn sell it to the con- sumers. It not infrequently happens that a crop passes through the hands of five people between the time the grower sells it and the consumer buys it from the retailer. Each of the intermediaries demand their fee, with the result that it is not to be wondered at that the grower frequently does not receive a quarter or a fifth of the price the fruit finally sells for in Europe. The remedy for the situation lies in greater co-operation on the part of the growers. Co-operation will make it jxjssible for the grow- ers to sell direct to the retailers and thus save THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 15 at least one half of the charges now exacted by the middlemen. These matters are discussed at length in this issue. It is well they are, be- cause they represent the greatest problems con- fronting our fruit growers. lot included some King, Spy, Greening, Mann and Colvert, and was not of the highest quality, many of the barrels being marked No. 2 (or XX), but the prices reaUzed are much better than could be got for so-called No. 1 grade if improperly packed or out of condition." " ■ Evidence of the value of The Can.\di.\n Hor- Tici'LTURiST as an advertising medium con- tinues to accumulate rapidly. The cash prize of five dollars offered in the November issue to the reader purchasing goods to the greatest value from advertisers in that issue was won by Mr. W. C. Dempsey, of Albury, who bought trees worth S140 from the Belleville Nurseries. A similar prize, as well as smaller ones, is offered in this issue. Readers must tell the advertis- ers that they saw their advertisements in The Canadian Horticulturist. The Canadiam Horticulturist starts this year w^ith the largest circulation and the most valuable advertising patronage in its history. The advertisements carried in this issue are worth three times those that appeared in the January issue of 1905. Our February number ■will be devoted largely to planting and nursery matters, and the March issue to spraying. Advertisers should bear this in mind and should apply early for choice of positions. Canadian Fruit in Poor Condition Mr. W. A. McKinnon, Canadian commercial agent at Bristol, England, has the following to say regarding tlie condition of Canadian fruit when it reaches Great Britain: "I have examined a lot of Canadian apples recently landed for sale on commission. These consisted of a number of varieties, including King, Greening, Pewaukee, Cranberry Pippin, Hubbardston and others. The receiver stated that the fruit was not in good condition, and he therefore offered facilities for its examina- tion. Not one barrel of the 20 or more that I examined was 'tight,' as all should be on ar- rival. It seems hardly possible that these could have been properly packed at the point of ship- ment; if so, the fruit must have been subjected to high tem[)erature at some stage of the jour- ney, for there was a large proportion of rotting and soft fruit. As the inspector for the depart- ment of agriculture stated that they were car- ried in a well-ventilated part of the ship (No. 1 'tween decks'), it is hardly to be supposed that the damage began on board ship, and I am inclined to fear that the fruit was never proper- ly cooled before it went aboard at Montreal. The shipper has been notified, but it is to be hoped that other exporters will take warning. Especially in a season w'hen gcx>d fruit is com- manding such excellent prices, it is very re- grettable that profitable returns should be lost owing to the want of protection from heat be- Cm the time of packing and loading on board tt is im|X)ssible for shippers to throw away he less popular varieties and to confine their . ments to a few of the leaders; so long as the trees live, or until they can be top-grafted, these grades must be marketed, but odd varie- ties and mixed lots would do better in the larger and more highly organized markets on this side. The Bristol market is just in process of development, and should have special care. The trade here express the opinion that five or six varieties are all that they require, and have recommended some of the following: Spy, Baldwin, Greening, King and Golden Russet. The Snow is very popular in the early part of the season if it can be landed in good con- dition. A successful shipment "An Oakville exporter has just sent a very ^good lot, showing less than 10 per cent, of 'slacks,' the private sale of which, so far as it I bas gone, has yielded excellent prices. This TOO MANY VARIETIES Canadian Apples in France A report from Commercial Agent Poindron, of Paris, France, gives some valuable hints as to how Canadian apples should be sent there. The report says: "Fall and winter table apples are the only ones suitable for the French market, and espec- ially Golden Russets, Baldwins, Ben Davis and Spies. It would not pay Canadian exporters of apples to send to France on consignment for sale XX barrelled or boxed apples. XXX ap- ples only will pay, and c.i.f. Havre dealings would be the most satisfactory basis rather than consignments for sale. "Barrelled apples are in greatest demand. Much care should be taken in shipping the regu- lar Canadian apple only as to weight and size. Apples in France are sold by the 100 kgr. as a unit (220 lbs.), and not by the barrel. Two years ago the Canadian apple barrel was intro- duced on the French markets, for the first time, in substantial quantities, weighing 74 to 7o kilos (163 lbs.) gross weight, and 68 to 70 kilos (152 lbs.) net weight of fruit per barrel. Later in the season barrels of smaller size were shipped to Paris market, causing trouble and loss to Paris importers who had bought by the barrel and sold by weight. Great care should be taken in having the barrels nailed, as in many instances the point of the nail is not properly knocked down, and it pierces and rots the apples. As a consequence, the apples in the barrel become loose and are badly bruised when the barrel is open, which constitutes a great damage to the exporter and to the reputation of the Canadian apple itself on the market. "As to boxed apples, no fruit below 7 to 8 ounces in weight should be shipped to France. On the contrary, extra choice Golden Russets and Baldwins and Spies, 7 to 8 ounces and over, carefully packed tight in paper and paper wool would meet a good paying demand. By paper wool I mean light paper in small ribbons. The French fruit packers and dealers object to 'ex- celsior' wood fibre which, they say, settles ow- ing to handlings during transportation and makes a much less compact package than paper wool, which enjoys the preference of all of them. The fruit remains unbruised and only in such condition can the full price be obtained from retailer and consumer." To PublisK Results of Experiments At a meeting of the board of control of the Ontario Fru't Experiment Stations, held dur- ing December, in the Parliament Buildings, To- ronto, it was decided to have pubUshed the re- sults of experiments conducted during the past 10 years. This report will include the numerous experiments that have been carried on with different varieties of the various fruits in each of the experiment stations. The object in having such a report published is to show the growers or prospective growers what varieties are best adapted to the differ- ent sections of the province. In the same volume will be included the work of the experimenters in obtaining accurate de- scriptions of the standard varieties already planted throughout the province. This part will be fully illustrated, and will be of special service in identifying the different varieties. The board of control comprises Messrs. G. C. Creelman, chainnan; Linus Woolverton, of Grimsby, secretary; W. T. Macoun, of Ottawa; Prof. H. L. Hutt, of Guelph; P. W. Hodgetts, of Toronto; Elmer Lick, of Oshawa; and A. M. Smith, of St. Catharines. The Standard Frviit DasKets The fruit growers of theNia.cara district have agreed that the law regarding baskets should be amended. At a meeting in St. Catharihes on November 25, the points for and against were freely discussed by the leiulirig growers who deal most extensively with basket fruit. The prevailing opinion was that st i ndard bask- ets should be adopted. It was decided by a large majority to have only the present 15 quart basket for wine grape purposes, the 11 quart basket, a 6 quart basket and the present pony baskets of 2 2-5 quarts. A committee was appointed to investigate the various measurements and decide on which shape would be best adapted to general use. Top and bottom measurements had to be select- ed for the 11 quart and the 6 quart sizes. This committee met on December 2 and re- ported that they had decided the law should he amended to read: "11 quart basket 5 J in- ches deep, bottom to be 6} x 16^ inches, and top 8 X ISJ inches, measurements to be inside of the veneer and not to include the top band, the cover to be 8J inches wide by 19 inches long. "6 quart basket 4f inches deep, with bottom 5fxl3J inches, and top 7 x 15J inches, inside measurements, cover to be 7\ x 15^ inches, corners of baskets to be nicely rounded." A few of the growers were in favor of having a third size for peaches, plums and cherries. Some wanted 7 quart, some 8 and some 9 quarts, but the majority were in favor of hav- ing only the standards as defined, and leaving the law as at present, so that if any grower has a special market he can use a 7, 8 or 9 quart basket by stamping the size in large letters on the side of the basket — this to be done by manufacturer. Very few of these special bask- ets are used. Another objection raised to the special sizes was the fact that it is felt that the time is not far distant when standard fruit crates like those used by western growers will be adopted for the better grades of fruit. The fact that almost all of the baskets used for grape shipments are of the 6 quart size, largely determined the action of the growers. A larger basket than the 6 quart or 9 pounds is not desirable for shipping grapes any distance, and it is the size most called for by the buyers Only three factories in Ontario are making the 6S quart baskets. British Columbia Groovers on Top The fruit sent by British Columbia to the Royal Horticultural Society's show in Ix)ndon, England, captured the gold medal this year for the second time. When it is considered that this has been done in competition with fruit from all the colonies, some idea can be gained as to the high quality of the display sent from British Columbia. The display of apples covered an area 75 x 6 feet, and Britishers said it' was the finest ex- hibit they had ever seen. Besides a gold medal for the provincial exhibit, eight indus- trial exhibitors' medals of lesser value were awarded to British Columbia growers. i A Fine Spraying Machine. — Regarding the "Duplex" Wallace Power Sprayer, Capt. H. L. Roberts, of Grimsby, reports that it has worked well and given him no trouble. He finds only one pump sufficient for grapes and similar work. This machine, he says, has always maintained plenty of pressure. His apple trees are very large. Scalecfde is being widely used across the line for San Jose Scale, and reports show that the results have proved satisfactory. In an ad- dress on spraying at the Fruit Growers' Con- vention in Toronto, Mr. W. N. Brown, of Wyo- ming, Del., said that it was perfectly soluble and costs no more than the Lime-Sulphur wash. It is one of the cheapest of the combination washes used in spraying. 16 T II E CANADIAN HO R T 1 C L L T U K 1 S T Fruit Groovers Meet in Annual Convention THE importance of the fniit industry in the Province of Nova Scotia was well shown by the interest manifested in the 42nd annual convention of the Nova Scotia Fruit Growers' Association, held at Annapolis Royal, on December 13, 14 and 15. The subjects for discussion had been selected owing to their im- portance and this fact added to the interest taken in the sessions. The election of officers resulted as follows: — President, Mr. John Don- aldson, of Port Williams; first vice-pres., Mr. G. C. Miller, of Middleton; secy., Mr. S. C. Parker, of Berwick; asst. secy., Mr. J. H. Cox, of Cambridge; executive, Messrs. R. S. Eaton, of Kentville; A. C. Starr, of Starr's Point, and Col. S. Spurr, of Wilmot. president's address The address of the president, Mr. Ralph S. Eaton, of Kentville, dealt fully with the past year's crop returns and the prospects of the fruit growers of the province. "Though a mil- lion dollars which we have received so often for our apples," reported Mr. Eaton, "will prob- ably come again to the fruit growers this year, yet the crop of fruit, for a second season in suc- cession, has been a disappointing one to many. Yet, if we study our conditions carefully, we will find much in them to encourage us. The average returns of about S3 per barrel, for good fruit under the heavy shipments that have gone forward from this continent to England, means much to the stability of that market. Again, never before have so many persons felt satisfied with their ability to thoroughly con- trol our worst enemy, the black spot. Never before, perhaps, has there been such marked evidence of the efficacy of Bordeaux when ap- plied early and thoroughly. The feeling of cer- tainty regarding this question will bring about a more general application of the fungicide. We are not Hkely to have again for many years such unfavorable weather when the pollen of the apple blossoms is in its most sensitive condition. Then again our trees have had a rest that should count in the income of 1906. The ocean trans- portation question that was so serious for many years seems free from criticism. The competi- tion and difficulties in almost every line of business are increasing yearly, and we cannot expect ours to be an exception. More study is necessary to enable us to fight our enemies, and enly the fighter really knows the solid satisfac- tion of overcoming obstacles and standing up against disappointments. After all men who really accomplish much are not men of chance and broadcloth, of legacy and laziness. 300,000 BARRELS FOR EXPORT "It is doubtful if our export of apples this year reaches 300,000 barrels. Already 175,000 barrels have been shipped from HaUfax, but for this year more than half the crop is gone. The County of Lunenburg rather surprises us with an estimated yield of 10,000 barrels. The Japan plums that blossomed early and set their fruit before that destructive week in June, were a good crop. Cherries were almost a failure. Pears were good. Peaches were fair. "The resolution of our executive asking the Government to place the Express rates under the control of the Railway Commission, as freight rates now are, was formally presented to the Minister of Railways. This seemingly reasonable request was backed up also by Que- bec and Ontario. It has not yet been acceded to. These questions are always larger than they appear to be at a distance. Further study and pressure will be necessary. I trust that the Dominion Convention will clinch this ques- tion. With two and three lines of railway in this small province carrying our expressed fruit to its destination, and each charging a separate high mileage rate the cost of perishable fruit transportation with us is very excessive. ORCHARD MEETINGS "Under the auspices of this association sev- eral successful orchard meetings were held dur- ing the year, when spraying by engine power or by hand was illustrated and practical orchard topics were discussed. Prof. Sears, our vener- able pomologist; Mr. R. W. Starr and our secre- tary, Mr. Parker, assisted in making the meet- ings profitable. "I wonder if we appreciate what was done for our province at Halifax when our association was organized in '63, and if we are famihar with the names of those to whom the credit of its inception is due. We should not forget the names of those first officers, among whom were Robert Grant Haliburton, the first president; Dr. C. C. Hamilton, the second president, and perhaps the prime factor in the movement; Dr. Robertson, as well as Dr. Forester, Richard Starr, Avard Longley. Herbert Harris, John Brown, Leander Rand, Edward Bishop and D. Henry Starr." Prof. F. C. Sears, of the Agricultural College, Truro, gave an address on "Practical Pruning," with demonstrations on nursery stock and also on branches from bearing trees. This was in- teresting and instructive and brought out much discussion. Many questions were asked on the various points introduced. "Nursery Growing" was discussed by Mr. Arthur Harris, of Annapolis Royal, who gave details of his process of preparing the soil, fer- tilizing, planting, budding, pruning and culti- vating. At the evening session of the first day, the best feature was an address on "Soil Manage- ment of Orchards, and its relation to Winter Killing and other Injuries by Frost," illustrated by lantern slides given by Prof. Sears, of Truro. Many questions were asked and much discus,sion on the various points developed. On the second day the subject "Co-operative Fruit Shipping" was introduced by Mr. J. H. Tupper, of Round Hill. This subject caused a lively discussion on the different points advo- cated. The general opinion expressed was that ' it was a good scheme if properly conducted, but that farmers were not educated up to the point of making it a safe venture, and that it needed much missionary work and personal canvass to make it a success. "What Varieties of Apples shall we plant?" was dealt with by Mr. R. W. Starr, who claimed that the list of standard varieties is large enough to select from and who advised growers to be careful in selecting new sorts and to notice the varieties that do best in each locality and choose accordinglv. Market qualities must not be overlooked. The speaker gave a list of those best suited for light sandy loams, and of those not suited for clay soils, because they do not color or mature sufficiently in such locations. Mr. W. T. Macoun, of the C. E. F., Ottawa, followed with an address on "Orchard Culture and Practice." He recommended the earliest possible cultivation in the spring and continu- ous stirring of the surface soil up to the first or middle of July, to conserve moisture and liberate plant food. Cover crops should then be sown to furnish nitrogen and humus, to check wood growth, develop fruit buds, and to pre- pare the tree with well-ripened wood for the frosts of winter. He remarked that the list of standard apples for Nova Scotia was much the same as that for Ontario. Mr R. W. Starr followed, advocating plow- ing the orchard in the fall just after the leaves have fallen, applying the necessary fertihzers and harrowing to a fine tilth. It was claimed that it would destroy the germs of "black spot on the leaves, turn the cover crop into plant food fitted for the eariiest growth in the spring, and furnish a better frost protecrion to the roots than can be obtained by any other practical means. POWER SPRAYING Mr. W. M. Black, of Wolfville, gave an ex- cellent paper on "Power Spraying." His ma- chine was described as a tri-cyUnder pump hav- ing a one and a half horse power gasohne engine, with a long half-round tank mounted on low wide-tired wheels. The agitator was found to be un,satisfactory, and he affixed a short hose from the pump to the bottom of the tank. That only agitated the centre and the insoluble material settled at each end. He then dis- carded the tank for a 100 gallon cask and found that the hose from the pump kept the whole contents violently agitated. He had used two lines of hose and extension rods with clusters of eight nozzles on each, but would not do so again, as a man could not move around quickly enough to avoid waste of mixture. Next year he would use three lines with four nozzles on each, one working from a platform, the others on the ground. No trouble was experienced maintaining a pres.sure of 90 pounds and up- wards. Mr. G. H. Vroom, fruit inspector, of Middle- ton, followed, endorsing much of what had been said and giving his experience with the Govern- ment [X)wer sprayer. It is a large and heavy machine, that is probably too cumbersome for practical use in orchards, where the land is not always level. Its work was very satisfactory, and far ahead of hand pumps. In a paper on "Cranberry Culture," Mr. J. S. Bishop, of Auburn, reviewed the commencement and growth of the industry and gave statistics of crop and price, methods of culture and har- vesting, preparation for market, protection from frost and insects, best varieties to grow, etc. He claimed that the day was past when it was thought that the best berries grew on the poor- est soils. It is known that cranberries need feeding as well as other fruits, and that fine bone and potash greatly increase the crop. Mr. W. T. Macoun, of Ottawa, followed with an address on "Potato Culture," giving results of experiments with many varieties, which showed a vast diiference in yield. Lists of the best, and results of experiments with change of seed, and with different methods of cultivation were given. STAND.^RD B.\RRELS "The Standard Barrel" question was brought up by Mr. S. C. Parker. He reviewed the legis- lation on the subject, and showed that while the law admitted as a legal size the barrel of 96 quarts, or three bushels, for fruit and vegetables, it did not confirm it to that size. In some places the barrel was made to hold 112 quarts or 3i bushels. What is wanted is that a stand- ard of measurement be adopted throughout the Dominion. After some discussion a resolution was passed unanimously requesting the legis- lature to pass an Act defining the size of the dry barrel for fruit and vegetables, and that the dimensions be plainly stated for inside meas- urement. Also that fruit inspectors be em- powered to inspect all barrels, boxes and pack- ages as well as contents, to see that they com- ply with the conditions stipulated by law, and that coopers shall mark their name and address on barrels as a guarantee the requirements have been filled. Fruit Inspector Fitch, of Clarence, gave a paper on the working of the Fruit Marks Act. He claimed that improvement has been made in the selection and packing of fruit. Dishonest packers are comparatively few in number, in spite of the noise made about them. The most trouble comes from the barrels marked No. 2, or XX, as there is no legal definition to say what constitutes a No. 2 apple. It should be defined as well as No. 1. No. 3 should be done away with, as this grade is meaningless and confusing. It should not be put on the market at all, but should be manufactured or fed to stock. Inspector Vroom followed, reviewing the work the inspectors have done, and are doing. He stated an advance has been made all along the line, but that much has yet to be done to im- prove both packing and barrels. Sometimes barrels are smaller than the law allows, but the inspectors can only call attention to the fact, as under the Act they have no power to condemn such barrels. Some of the papers read at the convention will be published in The Horticux, TURIST. THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 17 TKe Prince Ed^vard Island Convention THE fruit growers of Prince Edward Island were in session at Charlottetown Dec. 19 and 20, and, as usual, their meetings were most interesting, instructive and purposeful. Indeed, the remark of Senator Ferguson might be literally accepted when he said that of the many important meetings of the association, he believed this was really the most useful. The association is in a most flourishing con- dition. The treasurer's report showed a con- siderable balance on the right side of the ledger. Reports on transportation, co-operation, prize lists, etc., showed how well organized the island is in those important matters. Besides the local orchardists, Mr. W. T. Macoun, horticulturist at the Experimental Farm, of Ottawa; and Prof. F. C. Sears, of Truro Agiicultural College, were present and rendered valuable service. The National Council subjects coming up for discussion monopolized to some extent the pro- gram, but there were some excellent formal papers and addresses delivered, such as Sena- tor Ferguson's paper on the "Commercial Out- look," which elicited much appreciation; Reg- istrar White's "Horticultural P'xcursions;" Rev. Father A. E. Burke President. Prince Kdvvard Island Fruit Growers' Associ- ation and Special Correspondent from the Island for The Canadian Horticulturist. Prof. Jones' "Horticultural Beginnings;" Mr. Dickey's "Cranberry Conditions in 1904-5," and the excellent addresses of Mr. Macoun on "Island Horticultural Notions," and "Re- marks on Varieties" and Prof. Sears' "Provin- cial Demonstration" and "First Impressions of Island Horticulture." At a large public meeting with a musical pro- gram interspersed, His Worship Mayor Kelly and His Honor Lieut.-Governor McKinnon made salutatory addresses, and Acting Premier Hazzard, Commissioner of Agriculture Reid, Senator Ferguson and Alex. Martin, M.P., made addresses commendatory of the industry and encouraging its extension in healthy lines. The president. Rev. Father Burke, made his annual address at this meeting, and as usual it was replete with matter and admirable in manner. He again insisted on better fertiliz- ing— it wasn't enough to know that good fruit of every variety could be grown on the island; the best had to be produced, and as with all other organisms proper nourishment was an important condition of success. He wanted co-operation also, and expected the Federal authorities to assist in organizing for it as they did with the cheese industry. A packing, grading, market- ing house at the capital was suggested, also a means of canning, jamming and evaporating fruit. Father Burke spoke of the forthcoming National Council, from which he expects much. He also declared flatfootedly for an independent fruit commissionership at Ottawa. The discussion arising from the question box was never more vigorous or interesting. The number of questions was very large, and cov- ered the whole range of practical horticulture. The questions were answered most satisfac- torily by the visiting professors, and local in- formation was available for purely local queries. The fruit show in connection with the con- vention was most successful. The beautiful apples on plates on the tables, and the barrels and boxes were much admired. Profs. Macoun and Sears did the judging, which was in every way satisfactory. We append Mr. Macoun's appreciation of this department. The election 'of oflficers resulted in the unani- mous and enthusiastic rechairing of the Rev. Father Burke in the president's place; the elec- tion of D. J. Stewart as vice-president, and the return with few exceptions of the old board. Father Burke made his acknowledgments, and declared that as he had now put in his con- scription, surely next year he would be permitted to retire. The resolutions passed covered a wide range of work, many of them referring to National Council subjects. TKe Frxiit ExKibit W. T. Macoun While the fruit exhibit was not quite as large as last year, it was a very creditable one consid- ering the light crop that followed the large one of 1904, and the fact that the heavy snowfall of last winter did great damage to fruit trees throughout the island. The fruit growers, how- ever, are not discouraged, and are perfectly con- fident of their ability to grow good fruit. Last year, as well as this, certain varieties of apples appeared much better suited to the island con- ditions than others. Everyone was struck with the particularly fine lot of Kings that were shown, there being a very close competition in this variety, the specimens comparing very favorably with any seen in other provinces. The same may be said of the Stark apple, which succeeds admirably on this island, a box of this variety being as fine as any we have ever seen. There was also a very fine display of Graven - steins. The Annapolis Valley will have to look to her laurels if she wishes to hold the palm in the Maritime Provinces in regard to this vari- ety. In the competition in boxes the first prize went to a box of Gravensteins that was prac- tically perfect, both in regard to the fruit shown and in method of packing. Other varieties which were well grown were Wealthy, Alexan- der, Bellflower, Ben Davis, Baxter, Ontario, Wolf River and Wagener. While the competition in boxes was not large, the fruit shown was all fine and the pack- ing very good. Indeed, little improvement was possible in fruit, package or method of pack- ing, and the prize boxes were practically per- fect in every respect. From the writer's ob- servations made at the exhibitions held in con- nection with the Fruit Growers' Association for the past few years, the varieties that in our judgment would be most desirable to plant are: As permanent trees — Gravenstein, Alexander or Wolf River, Ribston, Blenheim, King, Spy, Stark, and a few Baxter for trial. As Fillers — Wealthy, Wagener, Ben Davis, and a few Ontario for trial. These observations are made from the fruit only. If made in the orchards there might be a sUght change, but probably not much. In closing I wish to compliment the fruit growers, "including the energetic president. Rev. Father Burke, on the display of fruit made. It was easy for even an outsider to see that it was largely through the indefatigable efforts of the latter that much of the success of the exhibit, and in fact the whole convention, was due; but the mere fact that such a good exhibit was made in an off year, showed that the Fruit Growers of P.E.I, do not lack enthusiasm and are willing to work together to further the fruit industry on Prince Edward Island. St. Catharines Notes Robert Thompson, St. Catharines During the past month the weather has been propitious for the fruit grower, allowing him to finish up his ploughing and ditching. Never was the work as well advanced, and a lot of prun- ing has been done. All this should tell in the fruit growers' favor in the spring. The Niag- ara peninsula fruit growers held a meeting in St. Catharines on Saturday, Dec. 16, to discuss the tariff question. A large number were present. After a long and exhaustive discus- sion the meeting decided in favor of a resolu- tion as follows: "That inasmuch as the fruit growers of Ontario in convention assembled at their annual meeting held in Toronto during the month of November, 1905, passed a reso- lution unanimously asking that the duties on fruit remain as at present, except as in regards pears and plums, which were asked to be changed from an ad valorem to a specific duty of J cent a pound, and a committee met the commis- sioners and pressed these views, we feel that it would be wisdom on our part to reaffirm our approval of that action." A few growers were in favor of asking that the duty on peaches be raised to two cents a pound, and pears and plums to one cent a pound and apples to 75 cents a barrel, but the consensus of opinion seemed to be in favor of being moderate, and they felt that the present duty was sufficiently protective for all ordinary purposes, and would not bear unjustly on the consuming public. The Grimsby and Winona growers wished the depth of the 6 quart baskets as defined at a previous meeting, changed from 4f inches in depth to 4i inches, and the St. Catharines grow- ers agreed. This will have the effect of mak- ing the growers unanimous in favor of the 6 quart size. Apples in this district are almost as scarce as oranges. The canning factories are trying to procure contracts from tomato growers at out- lying stations such as Fonthill, Jordan and others, agreeing to furnish crates, make up car- loads and pay freight to St. Catharines, and pay 25 cents a bushel. A large number of the growers refuse to grow for 25 cents, as at this price nearly any other crop will pay better, and the factories can afford to pay 30 cents as their output for 1905 is nearly all sold, and they start in the new year as short of canned toma- toes as at the end of 1904. Spraying for Scale The eighteenth annual report of the Mary- land Agricultural Experiment Station, College Park, Maryland, contains a report of tests made of spraying materials for controlling the San Jose scale. The tests made by Mr. Thomas B. Symons, who says it has been proven that by proper spraying the San Jose scale can be kept under control, and that the trees can be saved and made to produce profitable crops Tests were made of the various spraying so- lutions used at different seasons. Better re- sults were obtained from the cooked solutions of lime sulphur and salt than with the uncooked. The addition of caustic soda or potash was an advantage when cooking was not practised. It was found that the lime sulphur and salt spray may be used to advantage in late fall or early winter, but that the preferable time is early spring. 18 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST Ontario Vegetable GroAvers are Wide A^vaKe THE Ontario Vegetable Growers' Associa- tion is rapidly becoming one of the strong- est associations of the kind in the province. The annual meetings of the branch associations were held during December and in most cases were well attended and successful. According to the constitution of the Ontario association, the annual meetings of the branch associations have to be held during December, at which time the officers are elected. The branch associa- tions, have the right to appoint a director to act on the board of the provincial association, and these directors form the Provincial board. The membership fee of the branch associa- tions is $1 a year, and they pay 50 cents per member to the Provincial association, which makes the members of the branch associations members of the larger body, entitles them to receive free copies of the official organ of the association, free copies of the report of the On- tario vegetable growers' convention, and other printed matter. The report of the secretary of the provincial association, Mr. H. B. Cowan, as read at the meetings of the branch associations, showed that the provincial association on December 1 had a balance on hand of $500, the paid up membership of the association being 225. Branch associations are located at Toronto, Hamilton, Sarnia, Chatham, Leamington and St. Catharines, with individual members scat- tered all over the province. The branch asso- ciations were asked to consider several impor- tant matters at their annual meetings, and re- port their decisions through their directors at the first meeting of the provincial board. These subjects included the advisability of the pro- vincial association devoting a portion of its funds to the securing of regular croj) reports throughout the growing season for the benefit of the members of the association; the advis- ability of giving the directors the right to amend the constitution of the Ontario association so that an executive committee can be appointed, and the advisability of petitioning the Domin- ion Government to appoint an appraiser of vegetables whose duty it would be to inspect importations of vegetables into Ontario, to see that they were not entered at too low a valua- tion. The reports on these subjects received from the branch associations have shown them to be in favor of action being taken along all three lines. The following are reports of the meetings of several of the associations: — Toronto Vegetable Gro-wers ,, At the annual meeting of the Toronto branch of the Ontario Vegetable Growers' Association officers were elected for the ensuing year, and it was decided to hold monthly meetings dur- ing the winter months. Great satisfaction was expressed with the recently formed Ontario Vegetable Growers' Association, and every mem- ber of the 30 or more who were present was anxious to do what he could to further the in- terests of the larger association as well as of the Toronto branch. It was thought that the constitution should be revised so that the pro- vincial association could select a suitable ex- ecutive committee to deal with matters not of sufficient importance to warrant the expense of calling together the whole board of direct- ors. It was also carried unanimously that the Toronto branch was in favor of a reasonable sum being exi)ended by the Ontario Association in securing crop reports, and recommended that this information be obtained in whatever way the directors deemed best. Another point that created much discussion was the appointment of an official to appraise the value of vege- tables imported into Ontario. It was agreed that such an official should be appointed and given power to prevent the importation of vegetables invoiced at less than their real value The proposal to ask the Ontario Gov- ernment to carry on experiments to devise rem- edies for insects and fungous diseases was also approved and Mes.srs. Delworlh and Rush were appointed to draft a statement of the main points that they considered to be most worthy of special attention. The election of officers resulted as follows: pres., Geo. Syme; vice-pres., R. Lankin. The offices of secretary and treasurer were combined and Mr. F. F. Reeves was selected secretary- treasurer. The executive committee consists of Messrs. Syme, Lankin, Reeves, Thos. Del- worth, J. W. Rush, W. G. Carter and John Mc- Kay. Messrs. Wm. Harris and W. G. Carter were appointed auditors. The directors for the board of directors on the provincial asso- ciation are Messrs. Reeves, Lankin, Rush, Syme and Delworth. Each member was requested to canvass his section for new members, and the officers were appointed to do special work in this line. Mr. Delworth, of Weston, suggested that monthly meetings be held during the winter months, so that the growers could exchange ideas. It was decided, therefore, to hold the first of these monthly meetings on the first Saturday in January at the Albion hotel at 3 o'clock. The executive committee was ap- pointed to arrange for the discussion. Messrs. Syme, Reeves, M. Hamilton, John McKay and W. Elford were appointed to ar- range for the annual banquet in January .1;% j"^, Sarnia Grcwers and tHeXariff The Sarnia branch held its annual meeting December 14, on which occasion considerable enthusiasm was shown, both in the work of the local association, as well as in the work of the provincial organization. The election of offi- cers resulted in Mr. J. Baxter being appointed president; Mr. WiUiam Gallic, vice-president; Mr. John Atkin, secretary and director on the board of the provincial association. A lively discussion took place in regard to the matters referred to in the report of the secretary of the provincial organization and a committee was appointed to draft a resolution embodying the views of the members of the branch. The meeting considered each suggestion separately and adopted them all. The question of the tariff on vegetables was considered at length, and a committee was appointed to draft a resolu- tion to be presented to the local member of the House of Commons, with a request that he use his influence on behalf of the vegetable growers. The members decided to recommend to the other branches throughout the province, that they should speak to their members and ask for their influence in the same direction. Chatham Branch.- — The members of the Chat- ham branch of the provincial association elected the following officers at their annual meeting: — Pres., Richard Everitt; vice-pres., H. Hudson; sec.-treas., F. Collins; directors, James Green, R. A. Tompkins, John Colby, Wm. Abbs, and Charles Ross. St. Catharines Growers. — The St. Catharines growers have completed the formation of a branch at that point. Mr. Robert Thompson is president and Mr. W. C. McCalla, secretary. The Toronto branch of the Vegetable Growers' Association will hold their annual banquet at Webb's on January 24. The following pro- gram has been arranged for the first of the monthly meetings that is to be held at the Albion Hotel on Saturday, January 6, at 3 o'clock: — Cauliflower Growing, by J. McKay; The Best Way to Market our Produce, by Geo. Syme, jr. ; Forcing Vegetables under Glass, by J. Westwood, and Bunching for Profit, by R. Lankin. Hamilton Gro-wers Organize The Hamilton branch of the Ontario Vege- table Growers' Association held its annual meeting December 21. Unfavorable weather prevented the majority of members from at- tending, but those present transacted con.sid- erable important business. The auditor's re- port showed a large cash surplus on hand. Many members spoke highly of the work now being done by The Canadian Horticulturist to further the interests of the Ontario Vege- table Growers' Association. The following officers were elected for the com- ing year: pres., W. A. Emory, of Aldershot; vice-pres., R. H. Lewis, of Hamilton; sec.- treas., Jas. A. Stevens, of Hamilton; auditors, B. Bumiston, of Aldershot; Frank Crosthwaite, of Bartonville; director on executive of the On- tario Vegetable Growers' Association, R H. IvCwis.-j Frviit Gro-wers* Organizations The Ontario fruit growers decided, at their recent convention, that local associations or horticultural societies organized in any locality may become affiliated with the Ontario Fruit Growers' Association by paying in advance the sum of one dollar for each member. This fee is to be paid to the local secretary-treasurer, who is to forward 75 cents per member to the secretary of the provincial association. This entitles the members of local associations to all privileges of the parent organization. In the discussion relating to the clause of the constitution referring to affiliated societies, sev- eral members claimed that only 50 cents should be forwarded to the provincial secretary, but it was objected that, as 60 cents per member had to be transferred to The Horticultural Pub- lishing Company for The Horticultirist, local organizations, by paying 50 cents to the parent association, would be getting that mag- azine for 10 cents less than the actual cost and the Ontario association would be out that much for each member secured through the local organizations. "The point was referred to a committee and finally settled that 75 cents be paid. In return it is expected that the local associations shall send one delegate for each 50 or more members to the annual convention and that the expenses of that delegate shall be borne by the parent organization. ■ A Fine SteamsHip Service Fruit growers who export their fruit, are find- ing that the Allan Line Royal Mail Steamers are specially adapted for the carriage of im- ported fruits, the ships being well fitted with modern stowage, in addition to being fast and absolutely regular. Consignees would do well to give this matter careful consideration. It frequently happens about the Christmas sea- son, that fruit is not delivered as promptly as the occasion requires. The Allan Line Royal Mail Steamer "Tunis- ian" left Moville at 1 p.m., Dec. 1st, for Halifax, and delivered her Christmas fruit at Montreal on Monday, Dec. 11th. Consignees in Ontario might compare this service with arrivals via other routes and find it in their interests to do so. Fitzsimmons, Derry & Co., fruit dealers of Duluth, have a branch office at Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. This firm is strongly in favor of the Canadian Fruit Marks Act Situated as they are in American territory, where there is no Fruit Marks Act, as well as on Canadian terri tory, they are in a particularly favorable position to judge the merits of this piece of legislation. Mr. W. Carter, Canadian Cargo Inspector'at Liverpool, thus describes the British Columbia fruit that took the gold medal at the Royal Horticultural Show: "The quality of this fruit was most excellent. I have never seen finer apples anywhere; this was the opinion of all who saw them." THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 19 Quebec Fruit Groovers Meet in Convention LEADING fruit (growers in the province of Quebec rallied at Richmond on December 13, 14, on the occasion of the annual win- ter meeting of the Pomologica! and Fruit Grow- ing Society of the piovince. The sessions were well attended and subjects of live interest to fruit growers were dealt with. For this reason the convention was gn important one. The following officers were elected: — Patrons, Hon. S. A. Fisher and Hon. A. Tessier. Hon. pres., W. W. Dunlop, Outremont; Hon. vice-pres., J. M. Fisk, Abbotsford; pres., R. W. Shepherd, of Como; vice-pres., J. C. Chapais, of St. Denis; sec.-treas.. Dr. H. W. Wood, of St. John's; Directors of districts — District No. 1, G. B. Edwards, of Covey Hill; No. 2, Charles A. Fisk, of Abbotsford: No. 3, J. H. Carter, of Massawippi; No. 4, Mr. Auguste Dupuis, of Village des Aulnais; No. 5, Henri Dumas, of Murray Bay; No. 6, C. P. Newman, of Lachine Locks; No. 7, G. Reynaud, of La Trappe; No. 8, N. E. Jack, of Chateauguay Basin; No. 10, Robert Brodie, of Westniount. "Commercial Fruit Growing," was discussed by Mr. C. P. Newman, of Lachine Locks, who described conditions that would benefit the export trade. The recent development of apple growing in Quebec has made it necessary to look to foreign markets. It was recom.niend- ed that apple growing be specialized and not maintained as a side line. Mr. Newman said that apples and other fruits can well be com- bined, each having a separate piece of ground and being given to special care and cultivation. Thinning of trees and fruit and the growing of fewer varieties were advised. "The Proper Handling of Our Best Export Apples" was taken up by Mr. R. W. Shepherd, of Como. His address was very interesting and will be published in a later issue of Tnt: HOKTltULTURIST in full. Dr. Jas. Fletcher, of the Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, »' poke on "Injurious Insects." The Codling Moth and San Jo;e Scale were fully dealt with. Remedies to prevent or lessen their ravages were mentioned. Recent ravages on shade trees by the Tussock moth were also alluded to and immediate action was advised. The most approved methods of destroying it are collecting the conspicuous white egg masses in winter and spraying in .summer. Mr. G. Reynaud, of La Trappe, in a paper on "Soils that may be Devoted to Fruit Grow- ing," pointed out that much land now unculti- vated could easily be made profitable by plant- ing fruit trees. Mr. Reynaud is always a fav- orite speaker at the conventions of the asso ciation. Mr. R. Brodie, of U'estmount, gave an ex- cellent paper on "How to Set Out an Orchard." It was claimed that in the past the great fault with Quebec orchards had been that the trees were set too close, and in l.") or 20 j'ears they become overcrowded. This resulted in the branches becoming interlaced and the fruit being off color because of lack of sunshine. Limestone soil was mentioned as being best for apples. In discussing the treatment best suited to an orchaid for the first 10 years, Mr. W. vSaxby Blair said that it was not necessary to give extra cultivation or extra fertilizers,' but that to get good croijs each year a system of culti- vation must be followed that will give wood growth early in the season and later on fruit buds. A resolution was passed expressing appre- ciation cf the work cf Sir W. C. Macdonald in establishing an agricultural college at St. Anne de Bellevue and equipping it with an able staff of professors. Messrs. J. C. Chapais, G. Reynaud, 1. M Fisk, N. E. Jack, R. \V. Shepherd and R. Brodie were appointed delegates to the Dominion Con- ference to be held at Ottawa in February. Would Increase the Tariff on Fruit A. B. Cutting', B.S.A., our Special Representative AT a mass meeting of the fruit growers of the Winona and Grimsby sections, held at the latter point, Dec. 21, it was decided, after a lengthy discussion, to petition the Do- minion Government, through the tariff com- mission, for the following increases in the tariff on fruits: — On peaches, from 1 cent a pound to 2 cents. On pears, from 20% ad valorem, to 1 cent a pound specific. On plums, from 25% ad valorem, to 1 cent a pound specific. On apples, from 40 cents a barrel to 75 cents a barrel. Messrs. J-. W. Smith, E. D. Smith, M.P., and Murray Pettit were delegated to bring the reso- lution before the tariff commission. St. Cath- arines growers were invited to attend, but un- favorable weather prevented them from doing so. Two meetings to discuss this question were held recently, one at Winona and one at St. Catharines. At the former, the trend of dis- cussion showed most emphatically that the growers of that district were unanimously of the opinion that an increase in tariff should be asked for on certain classes of fruit, including peaches, pears, plums and apples. In reference to this Mr. A. H. Pettit, of Grimsby, said, "A high tariff on peaches will not effect the local market so very much, but it will increase the sale and consumption of Ontario peaches in the North-west. At present North-west dealers prefer California peaches to ours, as they, being better bodied and longer keepers, though lack- ing in quality, will stand on the market shelves a week without spoiling, and as a result the North-west is asking for a decrease in the duties. As for apples, the ciuestion of tariff is important, particularly in the fall apple trade. We want an increase as under the present tariff the Unit- ed States floods our markets with their surplus of early varieties. Large quantities of pears and plums also come into this country from over the line in competition with home-grown varieties." At St. Catharines, fruit men from the differ- ent sections of the Niagara district were present, but the majority were growers from the im- mediate vicinity of the city. The expression of opinion on the tariff was far from unanimous. Most of the St. Catharines growers supported the action of the Ontario Fruit Growers' Con- vention at Toronto, in November, which waited on the tariff commission and asked that the tariff on fruits be left as it is; while the growers from Grimsby and Winona advocated an in- crease. A change from ad valorem right to back the organization when it has t:.l:en a wrong step." He advanced many argumt'ts for an increase in the tariff. We are not g ing to make fruit more expensive for the home onsumer bv add- ing the increase in the dutii to the price of fruit, but a higher tariff will keep out foreign fruits, thereby lessening the si'ijply, and as a consequence, by virtue of creating a greater demand, the fruit Inisiiic"; will he more profit- able for the grower. In the North west market,, also, the demand for our fruit will increase. Buyers there will handle 'Hir fruit in greater quantity than now, because of its cheapness under increased duties, as compared with that from over the line, to say nothing of the ad- vantage our fruit has in quality." Mr. A. Greenwood, of Grimsby Park, cited some instances in which Ontario fruit has been preferred in the North-west to that from Cal- ifornia. One consignment of Ontario fruit the past season brought $2.25 per 35 pound box, against S2.00 per 50 pound box of California fruit, the same day and in the same n^arket. Mr. Greenwood contended that even to-day our fruit is preferred to Californian, but, under the present tariff, the foreign article captures the market on account of its cheapness. A comparison between the existing duties on fruits and the cost of production was brought out by Mr. J. W. Smith, of Winona. The duty on small fruits is two cents a pound. This class of fruit is comparatively easy to grow, returns are secured within a year or so after planting, and the market for such does not fluctuate so much as the market for pears and other tree fruits; the grower of small fruits can form in advance an approximate idea of the demand and i)rice for his fruit a year hence. On the other hand, the duty on pears is 20 per cent, ad valorem, or about one-quarter of a cent a pound. Pears are expensive and difficult to grow; they require a much longer time to produce a crop — best varieties, 12 to 15 years; the market for pears is not so stable as that for small fruits; and the pear planter cannot form the slightest idea of the condition of the pear market 15 years hence. For these reasons, Mr. Smith be- lieved that the duty on pears should be increased to an amount equal to that now imposed on small fruits. The relative costs of plants and work to plant an acre of different classes of fruit were estim- ated by Mr. Smith as follows:— Strawberries, 7,260 plants, $14.50; setting plants, §8.00- total, $22.50. Grapes, 450 vines, $14 ; 1.50 posts, $20; setting posts, $10; wire and hanging, Sio' planting, $2.50; total, $.56.50. Plums, 200 trees, $.50; planting, $6; total, $.56. Peaches 200 trees, $30; planting, $6; total, $35. Pears 200 trees, $50; planting, $7; total, $57. The labor problem was referred to by Mr. Jas. Tweddle, Fruitland. The cost and scarcity of labor increases the cost of production. Manu- facturers here at home and labor employers in the North-west are taking our best men. We cannot afford to pay the high wages offered by these men and as a consequence good fann hands are hard to secure. This condition of affairs could be mitigated by an increase in the tariff on fruits. The annual meeting of the New Brunswick Fruit Growers' Association will be held January 25, immediately following a two days' session of the Farmers' and Dairymen's Association. Prizes will be offered for a display of winter fruit. Among the speakers whom it is expected will be present are Mr. W. T. Macoun, of the Central Experimental Farm at Ottawa, and Prof. F. C. Sears, of Truro, N.S. The average farmer should have from two to five acres in an orchard, and should attend to it well. An orchard, unless well attended to, is valueless for commercial purposes. Farm ers occupied in general fanning have not time to take care of many trees. — (A. Shaw, Walk- erton, Ont.) Practical Pointers from Practical Men PicKed up and Penned by A. B. Cutting', D.S.A., the Special Representative of TKe Horticulturist, Visiting tKe Homes of Fruit and Vegfetable Gro-wers ■wHc THE privilege and the pleasure afforded me, during the past few weeks, of visiting some of the fruit and vegetable farms of this prov- ince, more particularly along the shore of Lake Ontario, between Toronto and Hamilton, has given me the opportunity of hearing at "first hand", the opinions of growers on different phases of their various pursuits. I have picked up pointers on proper methods of orchard man- agement, on market economics, on the tariff question and on other topics of interest to the readers of The Canadian Horticulturist. From observations made in certain localities it would seem that some of our local fruit and vegetable growers' associations are not taking full advantage of their opportunities during the winter months. In some places, these or- ganizations hold meetings only once, twice or perhaps three times a year, and then only for business purposes. The business factors of the fruit industry are important, and too much at- tention can scarcely be given them, but they are not of more consequence than the factor of orchard management. Some associations dis- cuss only the questions of markets and market- ing. They fail to realize that there is always a market for the best in any commodity, but that the best is not always produced. In the fruit industry there is a most decided surplus of the ordinary. For this reason it is of advantage for each association to meet at least once a month during the winter season, as I find is the custom of the most progressive organizations, for the purpose of discussing and exchanging ideas on pruning, spraying, cultivation and on all the maiiy practices that are needed in the production of high grade fruit. Such "ex- perience" meetings should be more informal than those visited once or twice a year by speakers from the Department of Agriculture. By carrying on a series of local meetings, some of our associations, now inactive in this respect, would profit by the change. FRUIT WORK IN CLARKSON One of the most progressive local fruit grow- ers' associations is in Clarkson. The officers are: Wm. Oughterd, president; Robt. Shook, secretary; and Wm. Clements, treasurer. Reg- ular meetings are held on the first Saturday of each month, when all questions relating to fruit are freely and thoroughly discussed. The area devoted to fruit growing in Clarkson is taken up largely with small fruits, followed, in order of extent of culture, by apples, cherries, pears and plums. Next season, according to Mr. Clements, about 1,000,000 quarts of small fruits will be grown. The association buys all the working material for the members, includ- ing barrels, crates and berry boxes. They have a trade mark for their packages registered in Ottawa so that returnable crates and boxes can be claimed and located when lost, strayed or stolen. OUR TARIFF ON FRUITS Although the Ontario Fruit Growers' Asso- ciation, in convention assembled in Toronto last November, decided not to ask for a higher tariff on fruits, and although the stand of the association is supported by the opinion of fruit growers in general, yet there are some who claim that the action of the association is not in accord with the best interests of the indus- try. Mr. P. Y. Babcock, a well-known shipper of Buriington, believes that we need a material increase in the duties. In the words of Mr. Babcock: "The Canadian fruit grower is handi- capped by climatic conditions, by a high Am- erican tariff, and by the high cost of labor, and should be protected against foreign importa- tions by a higher tariff. In support of this, I can get hundreds of names in the Niagara dis- trict to sign a petition for more tariff." Mr. E. Thorpe, Burlington, in his own ])eculiar way, supports the views of Mr. Babcock, and said to the writer: "I'll bet money that those fel- lows at the fruit convention who don't want more tariff must have had a jag on. We cer- tainly want more duty on strawberries and on early vegetables. Under the present tariff we cannot sell at a paying figure in Toronto on account of competition from over the line." Another grower, and a neighbor of Mr. Thorpe's, tbinks differently, as he told the writer that he did not fear competition from American fruits, as home-grown fruit is far superior in appear- ance and quality to that imported from the other side. In the face of these pertinent ex- pressions of opinion, it is fit to remark that, when growers themselves fall out, the tariff is safe. THE FRUIT DIVISION AT OTTAWA Many and to the point are the comments from growers regarding the placing of the fruit division at Ottawa under the control of the dairy commissioner. That this condition of affairs should not be is the unanimous opinion of fruit growers everywhere I go. That the chief of the fruit division of this country should be given a back seat and made subservient to the dairy commissioner or any other commis- sioner is most humiliating to the fruit growers and not conducive to the extension of fruit work. On all sides I hear a general tone of disapproval and protest against this action of the Dominion Minister of Agriculture. Among the many growers who have ex- pressed their opinions on this subject, Mr. J. S. Freeman, Freeman, Ont., said: "The fruit in- dustry of Canada is large enough and far enough advanced to warrant the appointing of a fruit commissioner, responsible only to the Minister of Agriculture. The fruit division should be placed on a par with the dairy and other divi- sions and should be given the place its import- ance deserves." On this question Mr. J. C. Smith, Burling- ton, remarked: "I think that the fruit division should receive more than second-hand atten- tion. The fruit industry has attained enor- mous proportions, and this should be recog- nized by the appointment of a fruit commis- sioner separate from the dairy division, and responsible only to the Minister." FRAUDULENT PACKING AND SELLING Another matter referred to by a prominent shipper in Burlington was the fact that the Dominion force of fruit inspectors should be increased at least threefold. Although the present inspectors are competent and are do- ing excellent work, they cannot be everywhere at the same time. "During the past season," said the shipper referred to, ' ' some very marked cases of fraudulent packing have come under my personal notice. In particular, I can cite the case of buyers coming here from France who were taken advantage of by the packers in a certain section of Ontario. I saw in one house, growers packing windfalls for XXX fruit, the packers were boasting alx)ut how they were soaking the poor Frenchmen, and this was going on right in the face of the inspectors." This is a most deplorable state of affairs, and should not be allowed to occur another season. When speaking of our foreign commerce in fruits, Mr. J. C. Smith said: "I do not think that peaches and plums can ever be shipped regularly and with success from here to England. Our peaches haven't the body, the dryness and the carrying qualities of western fruit, and should not be expected to compete with the California fruit in the foreign market. Furthermore, we haven't yet secured a system of refrigeration 20 that can be depended upon to carry fruit safely to England. The best kind of refrigeration, however, is of no value unless we first cool our fruit before it enters the car for transport to the seaboard. Present refrigerator cars cannot cool fresh picked fruit quickly enough. Fruit must first be cooled for Ijest results; it will save ice also, as the cars can then go from here to Mon- treal without re-icing." A letter from England to the Biggs Fruit and Produce Co., Ltd., Burlington, says, in part: ''Prices for apples are now good — Kings most in demand, some selling as high as 9s. per 40 pound box. We advise the wrapping of all Spy apples, as they are so easily bruised. Th^ more I see of the Biggs case the better I like it. The first impression is undoubtedly unfavorable, but as soon as buyers get used to them, they go with a swing." IT PAYS TO SPRAV "This year I had buyers in my orchard com- peting against each other for my crop of apples, which averaged 75% XXX stock. I credit the excellence of the crop to good pruning and culti- vation, and particularly to the methods of spraying that were employed, as recommended by Prof. Lochhead, of Guelph, and by The Canadian Horticulturist. Systematic spray- ing gives results. Three years ago, when spray- ing was not practised in this orchard, I could scarcely sell my apples for any price, because they were unsound and undersized." So said Mr. A. C. Cummins, of Burlington, who is a firm behever in the value of spraying, and quite rightly, for his apples the past season, particu- larly his Spys, were among the finest grown in the Burlington district. pears for the BURLINGTON DISTRICT Mr. Wm. F. W. Fisher, president Burlington Horticultural Association, is the owner and man- ager of one of the best fruit farms in his locality. Among the many kinds of fruit grown on his place, the pear is very much in evidence. The writer happened upon Mr. Fisher in the act of directing and assisting the pruners in a young orchard of dwarf pears, and obtained a few pruning pointers that are of value to all. "As far as the time for pruning is concerned," re- marked Mr. Fisher, "I believe somewhat in the old rule 'whenever the knife is sharp,' particu- larly here where labor is scarce, but for ideal results pears should be pruned in late winter for wood growth, and in early summer to induce fruitfulness The form of the tree should be kept in mind and made pyramidal, a central axis should be maintained as far as possible, the superfluous limbs and all branches that rub and cross should be removed, and the remain- ing branches should be well headed back, prun- ing away about two-thirds of the new growth." Mr. Fisher recommends for his district the Bartlett, which is the best of all; Boussock, an old variety of same season, good size, fair qual- ity, with tree free from blight, not very early bearers, but long-lived; Duchess, an excellent export pear; Howell and Kieffer. BUSH fruit culture A method of pruning red raspberries prac- tised by B. E. Chapman, of Bronte, is very effective, even though it does appear as though the same ground is gone over twice. Mr. Chap- man adopts the hill system of culture and prunes three times during the year. In sum- mer he nips back the new growth as soon as it has reached the height of the fruiting canes, say three and a half feet. After the berries are harvested, he hooks out all old canes and all new ones above six in number. The following spring he prunes back all canes that may have THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 21 lieen winter -killed and completes any work that may have been overlooked at the previous prunings. Mr. T. G. Ruddell, of Oakville, has five acres of red raspberries that he grows in hedge rows. His method of pruning is somewhat similar to the above-mentioned, except tliat instead of leaving six canes to a hill, he thins out so that the new canes will stand about 10 inches apart in the row, and in spring, he is particular to cut back to a uniform height, about three feet, so " that the hedge row will be level and neat in appearance. Mr. Ruddell grows the Marlboro and Cuthbert most extensively; for black caps, he plants Souhegan, Palmer, Lucas and Gregg. He also has a large plantation of blackberries, made up largely of Snyder for main crop, and Worchester Thomless, a productive, hardy sort, medium size, mid-season, and with smooth, thomless canes. STRAWBERRIES In Oakville a large area is devoted to the culture of strawberries. Mr. Ruddell has 10 acres, seven of which consists of Lovetts, which he considers the best commercial berry. It is quite large, of dark color, firm, rather tart in flavor — a good point in a shipping berry, and it is one of the very few varieties that will hang on the vines after ripening for three or four days without deteriorating. Mr. W. F. W, Fisher, of Burhngton, is another Strawberry enthusiast. He said: "The Wil- liams is the best and most profitable variety I have ever grown. It is an excellent shipper and can be cropped for two years without dim- inishing in size or yield." Among other varie- ties suggested for his locality are Bederwood, medium size, very prolific and early; and Sam- ple, a pistillate variety, large, good color, pro- ductive and a good all-round berry for market purposes. Mr Fisher believes in cropping his plantation twice. In his own words: "Whether one or two fruitings should be taken off de- pends largely upon the availability and cost of labor. I myself harvest two crops. I keep the soil in good condition and well fed, and when planting I select the best plants for the new plantation. The second cropping is always earlier in season than the first one and this is important in this district," A NEW SYSTEM Mr. W. A. Emory, of Aldershot, president Ontario Vegetable Growers' Association, has adopted a new system of growing strawberries which he calls the "hedge row system." A stde-by-side test with the old "matted row" system has shown Mr. Emery that the new sys- tem is the better one. It requires more work than the old method, but returns justify the labor as the profits are doubled. In the "hedge row" system, the rows are kept as narrow as possible; the. plants are .set at intervals of 2 J feet in rows 3i feet apart. Each of the mother plants are allowed to set four new plants, two on either side and the rest of the runners are cut off. The earliert runners are allowed to root so as to secure strong, healthy growth be- fore winter. Among the many advantages claimed for this system by Mr. Emory are: 1. It is a happy medium between the matted row and hill systems and combines the good qual- ities of both. 2. It does away with what i.s always lacking in vigor of plant and in yield of fruit in the centre of matted rows. 3. All the productive effort of the hedge row is brought to maturity. 4. Each hedge row will produce twice the yield of matted rows. 5. Fruit is larger and better colored than from matted rows. 6. Plants are stronger and freer from disease. 7. Fruit can be picked without in- juring plants and crushing over-hanging berries. 8. The plants can be cropped oftener than when grown in matted rows. I used to go in for general farming but now grow fruit, and find that it pays better than wheat at $1 per bushel, even if we don't get a frop of peaches more than every third year. — C. S. Nelles, Grimsby, Ont.) i POULTRY DEPT. i H* Conducttsd by T^ f S. SKort. Otta-wa J nky^~>> «-)M^^^ na|^ ^~)«J%>s /1M%>« JANUARY is the critical month for the poultry keeper. The results of last sea- son's matings and hatches can be seen at a glance, and whether or not any of the young stock are fit for the show ring. The birds are now mature and in full plumage, defects in which are apparent. Notes can be taken for hel]) in mating next spring. April and May hatched pullets should now be laying. If breeding for winter eggs, the pullets laying ear- Hest should be marked so that they may be used for breeding next season. There were a good many flocks of poultry composed of the following: old hens of various ages, cockerels and pullets, kept together in the same pen, and the result is misery to them all. There are but two excuses for keeping hens of the American (Plymouth Rocks and Wyandottes) and Asiatic (Brahmas and Langshans, etc.) breeds after they are two and a half years old. The first is — if the bird is a high-class exhibition specimen or breeder of exhibition specimens, and second- ly, if she is an exceptionally good layer and likely to be a breeder of good layers. That she is a splendid sitter and mother is the reason given for keeping some scaly-legged spurred old veterans. This is not a good reason. Seventy-five per cent, of all the hens that cluck make just as good sitters and mothers the first time they cluck as they will at any time in their career. The old hens should have been taken out in October or November, and the pullets would' have done better. The cock- erels are sufficiently mature \o select any birds needed for breeders; the rest should be dis- posed of and in the nieantii'it kept separate from the females from which ^^inter eggs are expected. The poultry houses should bt: made as light as possible. Overcrowding should be avoided. Each bird should have eight or len square feet of floor space. Two pens with 2 i fowl in each are better than one pen with 50. Ventilate. Dry pure cold air is better than damp vitiated warm air. The subject of ventilation will be dealt with at more length in our next issue. The successful production of winter eggs and the hatching of chicks from eggs laid in win- ter quarters, depend more on proper ventila- tion than any other factor. Note — In adding a poultry column to The Horticulturist, the management hope that it will prove of interest to our many readers. The addition is in the way of enlarging the usefulness of this magazine. The poultry col- umn will be devoted to seasonable and general information, including the care, housing, breed- ing and exhibiting; in fact, poultry keeping in all its branches. Believing that many of our sub- scribers keep poultry in a small way as much for pleasure as for profit, this column will be conducted more for their help and interest than for the expert fancier or large breeder who raises poultry for a livelihood. — (Editor). The manager of the Oakville Fruit Growers, Limited, the co-operative fruit growers' associa- tion at Oakville, that was described in the No- vember Horticulturist, desires to explain that while the fruit of the growers is stored in bins before it is graded, as stated in The Horti- culturist, the apples are not stored in bulk, but kept in barrels in a separate compartment for each grower. The price paid by the associa- tion for barrels this year was 33 cents. Pratt's Scalecide Soluble Petroleum Is CHEAPER and MORE EFFECTIVE th LIME SULPHURj and SALT in controll T,l SAN JOSE SCALE Mr. A- N. Brown of Wyoming. DeL, who so recently addressed the Ontario Horticultural Soci- cty. writes Nov. 25th, 1905 -" You have conferred a great boon on the American Fruit Grower." For Sample, Testimonials and Prices Address B. G. PRATT CO. 11 Broadway, New York City Or THE SPRAMOTOR CO. London, Ontario, Canadian Agents Canada's Greatest Nurseries ■Offer Two Useful Novelties- Handy Pocket Microscope No farmer or fruitgrower should be without this handy little glass. It magnifies 4 J times and is just the thing for examining seeds, grains, trees and plants for insect pests. In neat alum- inum case, 25 cents. Handy Hack Saw Strong, compact and serviceable. Cuts iron and other hard metals as well as wood. Useful for repairing implements and ma- chinery and a handy saw for trimming trees. Solid nickeled steel frame, 30 cents. Microscope and Saw sent post paid on receipt of Stamps or Silver SEE reading notice page 24 Employ your spare time this winter selling our High-Class Nursery Stock. .Send for Terms and Catalogue of Specialties. STONE ca WELLINGTON, TORONTO FONTHILL NURSERIES OVER 800 ACRES THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST $10M GIVEN AWAY Each Issue to Readers who purchase goods from adver- tisers and say they saw their adver- tisement in The Canadian Horticul- turist. Five Dollars given to the purchaser of the largest amount ; One Dollar to each of the next five making application. Write the Advertising Manager of The Canadian Horticulturist 507-508 Manning Chambers Toronto, Ontario CHAMPION FRUIT EVAPORATOR Save" your Fruit and dry it with the Champion Fruit Evaporator Dries all kinds of fruit and veg- etables, producing a superior quality of clean white fruit. It is made of galvanized iron, is lined throughout with asbes- tos, is fire-proof and portable. Made in five sizes. Catalogue for the asking. Manufacturers of the Celebrated CHAMPION MAPLE SYRUP EVAPORATOR The Grim Mfg. Co. 84 Wellington St., Montreal Money Makers for Someone We have some excellent devices, fully covered by Canada patents, that are for sale. Some would make excellent patent-right sellers. Others are just what many of our manilfactui ers need. WRITE FOR CATALOGUE C. B. REECE St. Catharines, Ontario Fruit Inspection at Montreal E. H. Wartman, Dominion Fruit Inspector;; THE shipment of apples oy steamers from the port of Montreal has ended for 1905. The season from beginning to end was one of great activity. Notwithstanding the reports, both early in the season and later on, that ap- ples were only 50% of the crop of 1904, yet the aggregate shipments from Montreal, of over half a million barrels, was many thousand bar- rels greater than last year. Many ask, How do you account for this? In the first place, prices on the other side for XXX fruit were so promising that in some cases 20s. were paid for XXX all varieties of apples. This rather spoiled the shippers, and led some of them to ship very poor XX and even X apples in large quantities. As an XX barrel of apples is not defined by law, the minds of many shippers were very elastic, and many thousand barrels went forward that could have been used in our own country to better advan- tage. However, it is hoped the law will soon define a No. 2 apple so that we can look for a fair quality of apples under this designation, which will fill a commercial want, while the poorer qualities can be used in other ways. The season on the whole has not been a prof- itable one for shippers or ship owners, owing to the disastrous accidents that some of the big steamers, viz., the Victorian, Bavarian, Eu- pheme and others, met with. It is to be hoped that the blame for running such costly steam- ers on rocks will be attached to the right par- ties, that the effect may improve our future trade. We should be encouraged, as fruit growers and shippers, when we see such markets as Britain, Germany, France, South Africa, Japan and Australia open for our fruits. Need we fear the future? I would think not. I heard fruit growers 25 years ago say : " We are getting only $1 per barrel for our fruit this year, what is the use of setting out more trees, for in 25 years apples won't be worth picking?" The 25 years have passed and where are we to-day? Retailers in Montreal for a first-class barrel of Spy apples ask $4.50, and say, with an inde- pendent air, that it is their best figure for such stock. So we see our fathers made mistakes in their day. The man who has a large orchard of good varieties, well cared for, has a gold mine. The men who put up apples this season that were strictly in accordance with the Fruit Marks Act, are the men who will succeed and who are a credit to our country. But the men who, from time to time, mark No. 2 fruit No. 1, and who put any trash under No. 2 and No. 3, can- not expect to succeed or be benefactors to our great commercial fruit trade. The inspection of fruit at the Port of Mon- treal this season involved the opening of 8,000 packages, and it has given the inspectors a good idea of the season's pack as compared with 1904. It is their opinion that Canadian growers show a marked advance in packing, and they can attribute their success largely to co-operation and co-operative packing, in most cases this season, on account of the uniformity of the quality of the fruit in the packages, has been highly commendable. The increase in boxed apples this season over last was 16,584 boxes. This small parcel re- quires only moderate pressure to keep the fruit tight, and very few packages showed signs of injury by bruising. On the other hand, -ap- ples in thousands of barrels were materially injured by too hard pressing, which caused early decay. If many a manipulator of the apple press could have seen the damage he was doing by unskilful work, it would have been a lesson of a lifetime to him. The handling of apples for export in boxes is, comparatively, a new thing, and the boxes are not handled with the care they should be. Freight handlers have no more right to drop a box of apples than a box of eggs, as both are injured by a fall. The dropping business does [iaiOOD, big •mealy" |LPJ|| potatoes can not be produced without a liberal amount of Potash in the fertil- izer— not less than ten per cent. It must be in the form of Sulphate of Potash of highest quality. •'Plant Food" and '-Truck Farming" are two practical books which tell of the success- ful growing of potatoes and the other garden truck — sent free to those who write for them. Address, GERMAN KALI WORKS. 93 Na.ssa'j Street, New York. HON. WM. GIBSON President J. TURNBULL Vice-Prcs. and Gen, Mgr. BANK OF HAMILTON Capital Paid Up $2,235,000 Reserve - - $2,100,000 Total Assets - $26,500,000 Savings Bank at all Offices Correspondence Solicit'ed Head Offi'ce: HAMILTON w g rth WENTWORTH POTTERY Standard Flo^ver Pots, Fern Pans* Hanging Baskets. Cut Flower Jars and all Florists' Supplies. Mail Orders given Prompt Attention. JoKn Cranston CQ. Son HAMILTON. CANADA ?lipifl:'eRY John cranston & SON Money Given Free to People who buy Goods from Advertisers in this Issue. See Notice in Advertising Columns. THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST Special Glass for Greenhouses GOOD QUALITY, FLAT. EVEN THICKNESS AND WELL CUT PLATE MIRROR PLATE WIRE GLASS PRISMATIC GLASS And all other kinds of Glass used for building purposes Pilkmgton Brothers MONTREAL Limitea TORONTO VANCOUVER WINNIPEG John B. Smith & Sons Limited Cor, Strachan and Wellington Aves, TORONTO JOiBSMlTfl^SONS. LIMITED. TORONTO / SASH BAR ( ALL WOODWORK. FOR GREENHOUSE CONSTRUCTION/' Clear Cypress for Greenhouse Work Manufacturers . . of . . LUMBER LATH SHINGLES DOORS SASH BLINDS SILOS, ETC. Spring Planting Choicest Fruit and Orna- mental Trees, Shrubs, Roses, Evergreens, Berry Plants Just the varieties you want, and they are nice Look over our descriptive Pricei Calalogue. it's free 25 years dealing direct with customers. Try us A. G. HULL & SON Central Nurseries St. Catharines, Ont. not facilitate speed, but rather retards it when the time required to pick up broken pieces and cooperage is considered. As inspectors at this port we insist on the handling of apples in boxes in the same way eggs are treated, and the sys- tem will not be complete until this has been accomplished. The eight wood hoop barrel has been in the majority this season, and it is to be hoped that I there will not be a six hoop barrel offered to j exporters another season. Wire hoops on apple barrels should be discouraged. Nailing hoops i at either end into the fruit is a barbarous habit. Windfall apples should be always marked windfall, so that the purchaser will not count on their keeping quality. When all these little factors that compose a perfect parcel are ob- served, we may hope for full success, and not until then. Prince Ed-w^ard Island Notes Rev. Father A. E. Burke, President Prince Edward Island Fruit Growers' Association WE quite appreciate the advantages accru- ing to local horticulture from the opening in a valuable magazine like The Horti- culturist of a permanent department wherein all its needs and aspirations may find ready ex- pression. Nothing can better respond to our feelings as orchardists, and make more effective- ly for the spread of sane ideas and practises amongst us. One only regret — that some one better qualified to speak for the Island and so important a branch of its agricultural activity than ourself, has not taken up the task! How- ever, we shall simply break the ice, if anything so frigid can be said to exist between us and the general horticultural educationalists of Canada, and whenever found, rehnquish with- out a murmur this special column to the man best quaUfied to make it useful to us and cred- itable to all. Despite the difficulties of winter communica- tion, our growers of apples showed up well at the Winter Fair, Amherst, last month. The apple exhibition was away in advance of other years; and, covering such an extent of terri- tory, wonderfully uniform. The sweepstakes exhibit by Mr. D. S. ColUns, of Kings County, N.S., constituted a picture in itself. How more perfect fruit could be found it would be hard to say. His varieties, too, were eminently com- mercial. Ten varieties were called for, and they were furnished as follows: King, Spy, Ck>ld- en Russet, Nonpariel, Blenheim, Stark, Bald- win, Ribston, Gravenstein and Fallawater. This exhibit would command admiration any- where. In Nova Scotia the Blenheim is a most successful apple. It was known as Graven- stein in the past; that day is done. New Brunswick only swung into line last year in the establishment of a Fruit Growers' Asso- ciation. We all felt that it should organize as it could grow good fruit. What is the conse- quence? A splendid impetus in so short a time to all kinds of orcharding. Its apples at Am- herst were in many cases admirable. The Bearing "Wood of Cxirrants Regarding the pruning of currant bushes Mr. A. W. Peart, of Burlington, informs The Hor- ticulturist that red currants do not bear on the previous year's wood as was stated in a re- port of the address that he gave at the On- tario Horticultural Exhibition. Red currants bear on spurs grown on wood one year old and upwards, and in a measure at the base of last year's shoots. Black cur- rants bear chiefly on wood of the previous year, and to a limited extent on spurs from old wood. These points should be considered when prun- ing the currant bushes. In packing apples in boxes the fruit must be uniform in size and type. By facing the box with the stem end upward the bruises show far less. — (Harry Dempsey, Rednerville.) Photographers In Canada Call and see our new premises 239 Yonge Street, Toronto THE UNDERWOOD The Underwood ^TT" Tried and True." Don't take'^our ^j word for it. We are prejudiced, ^ll We can show you the Underwood, how it works and what it will do, but for the Most Convincing Ar|tument you will have to ask any of the 5,500 users in Canada. More Underwood Typewrif-ers are in use in Canada than all other makes Combined. We carry a large stock of rebuilt typewriters at very low prices. Send for Catalogue and List. Headquarters for Supplies UNITED TYPEWRITER CO. TORONTO, ONT. "-imitkd MARCHMENT'S Sure Growth COMPOST Supplied to all the largest nurserymen and fruit grow;ers in Ontario. Shipments made by car or boat. Prices reasonable. S. W. MARCHMENT 105 VICTORIA ST., TORONTO Telephone Main 2841 Residence Park 951 A Handsome Premium will be Given Free to all Readers who buy Goods from Advertisers. 24 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST Classified AdYeftisemenls All Seed Risks are covered by our three warrants. By this we mean that GREGORY'S SEED shall alwaya be fresh, pure an and 1- LOWER SHEDS. Now 60 Page Catalogue Froo. It tells about I goud plants and seeds and where to ^et them. Send now to W. F. ALLEN, Dept. 67, SALISBURY, MD. QUALITY l&v.? BEND FOB OATALOaUE. ARTHUR T. BODDINQTON .14» W»«t 14th St., New Tork. is always the same, whether you buy a 5c sack or a carload. There is only one grade of Windsor Table Salt — the best — and all of it measures up to the same standard of quality. •VY^ANTED— SUBSCRIPTION CANVASSERS ** for The Canadian Horticulturist both in cities and in the fruit districts of Canada. Liberal commissions offered. Good men soon put on salary. Write The Ca.xadian Horticul- turist, Rooms 507-.508, Manning Chambers, Toronto, Ont. j pOR SALE CHEAP— ONE OF THE CLEAN- j * EST and best equipped greenhouses in To- j ronto. Everything in .splendid condition, car- ; nations planted, excellent stock of ferns and general stock of plants, 10,000 feet of glass. Apply at once to F. C, care of The Canadian Horticulturist. FeiryB Ree<1a are l:)e6t hecanso po Bii(!eeit fij)eittlii their development— lialf a century of expert care in making them superioito all others Vve are specialists In prowing ilower and vegetahle seeds. 1906 (Seed Annual free. D.M.FERRY* CO., Windsor, Ont. FERRY'5 SEEDS ' Northern Grown Trees Apple, Pear, Plum, Cherry, Peach, Nut and Or- namental Trees. Small Fruits, Roses, Shrubs, cheap. Specialties: Wismer's Dessei^ Apple and Mammoth Prolific Dewberry. Send for Free Catalogue— it tells the whole story NURSERYMAN PORT ELGIN. ONT. J. H. WISMER, Farm Fruit, Stock or Grain I will sell or exchange my Kcneral store and stock for a small farm suitably situated. I am doing a good business here — farm implement trade grow- ing. Good reasons for selling. C. B. REECE, North Pelham, Ont. MANTTPF ^'■^p^''^'* ^y compost ^ A JC*-J-1 U XVl-i process from which fruit and nursery growers get the best results. T "MT7T QOIVT 9? jar vis street J- i-N JI/ J-^OV^iN , TORONTO — CANADA Telephone Main 2510 Established 1880 Yes, It Pays to Buy tke Best This applies to Nursery Stock as well as other things. ^ If you intend planting any Fruit or Ornamental Trees, Shrubs or Vines, send for our 1906 Catalogue — ^just out. THE DOMINION NURSERIES ESTABLISHED i860 The Smith & ReeJ Co. St. Catharines, Ont. DisKonest PacKer Caught J. J. Philp, Winnipeg, Man. Dishonest fruit growers are beginning to re- alize that they are not certain to escape de- tection because they choose country points in , Manitoba or the Western provinces, in prefer- ence to Winnipeg, as a field for their exploits. A large shipment sent by Mr. Archibald Pat- terson, of Kidgetown, Ont., was condemned re- cently because of the great proportion of in- ferior fruit it contained. In January, 1904, Mr. Patterson was fined for a similar offence, but the lesson was not forcible enough. Since that time, however, he has done business chiefly outside of Winnipeg. A careful examination of the fruit showed that nearly half of it was marked the wrong grade. The agent for the consigner was fined SI. DO and costs for each package falsely marked or falsely packed. The entire cost to the ship- per will aggregate considerably more than the fine. The majority of Ontario shippers are honest, and make an honest endeavor to pack their fniit properly and comply with the require- ments of the law. Letters are received fre- quently from packers, who have been notified of defects, expressing thanks for pointing out these mistakes, and promising to exercise more care in the future. Carry a PocKet Lens A. McNeill, Fruit Division, Ottawa No farmer and, more especially, no fruit grower should be without a pocket lens. It is perhaps as valuable in its use as a pocket knife, though not so frequently called into requisition. With it a farmer can immediately make an ex- amination of seeds, note insect pests and fung- ous diseases on plants, and abnormal conditions everywhere. The orchardist cannot work intelligently without it. It answers all practical purposes for the examination of clover, timothy and other small seeds. In fact, in innumerable ways, it may save the farmer hundreds of dol- lars each year. Controlling Nature Everybody knows that of late years natural forces have been wonderfully subjected to man's need. People now living can remember when the number of edible fruits and vegetables was far less than at present and even those that j could be grown were vastly inferior to what we now have. For example, our parents knew nothing of the tomato except as a curious or- ; nament in the garden. Sweet com was hardly '• better than the commonest field sorts. All ! oranges had seeds. Celery %vas little known and i poor in quality. In the fiower bed the magnifi- cent pansy has replaced the insignificant heart's ease from which it was developed, and the sweet pea in all its dainty splendor traces its origin to the common garden vegetable. This progress has been made in spite of the great tendency manifested in all plants and animals to go back to the original type. It is indeed a battle to keep strains pure and up to the standard they have already attained, let alone any improvement. The practical results are accomplished by men operating largely for love of the work, like Luther Burbank in Cali- fornia and Eckford in England, as well as by the great seed merchants, D. M. Ferry & Co., of Windsor, Ont., who are not only eternally vigi- lant to hold what ground has been gained, but have a corps of trained specialists backed by ample means to conduct new experiments. The results of their experience can be found in their 1906 Seed Annual which they will send free to all applicants. The onion growers of the section surround- ing Scotland, Ont., asked the Tariff Commis- sion for a duty of 25 cents a bushel instead of 25 per cent. Growers in that district produce 60 carloads of onions a year THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 25 Money Made by Having an Evaporator THE splendid results that may be obtained by fruit growers with large orchards, through the use of evaporators, is clearly shown by the returns secured last fall by a lead- ing grower in southwestern Ontario, who made enough from his evaporator in two months to pay for its cost, although he paid $350 for it. This gentleman, who is an officer of a fruit growers' association, was interviewed by The HoRTicui-TURisT at the time of the Ontario Horticultural Exhibition. He stated that while the information he furnished was absolutely correct, he did not care to have his name used, for fear the people who read the article might come to the conclusion that he was exaggerating. "There are," he said, "30 acres in our or- chard. The evaporator we use is capable of handling 300 bushels of apples a day. It cost $350, and we kept it running for two months, and I believe it paid for itself in one season. Last year was the first season we used it, and its capacity was 100 busliels. This year we enlarged it. By means of this evaporator we are able to save all kinds of windfalls and cull apples that would otherwise be lost. It should last 25 years. "We keep one to two men busy all the time picking culls and gathering windfalls. Prob- ably 800 barrels of this fruit is saved. ' In ad- dition to the apples gathered in our own orchard, we buy about 500 barrels from growers in our vicinity. This year we made a profit of about $1,200 net, which is not too bad when we re- member the small cost of the machine which was bought from the Brown, Boggs Company, of Hamilton. The parts of the evaporator cost us as follows: — For each machine we paid $8.25, and we have six ; the slicer for the six machines cost $25, and three" furnaces complete with pipes, $60 each, or S180._ The building we use for peeling and paring is an old one not worth $100, that was used for a cellar and storehouse. Were we to build it new it would not cost $50. Wood is used for fuel which is bought from an Indian Reserve near our place. Squaws and girls do the peeling, and they are paid four cents a bushel for peeling and trimming. All the peelings and cores are dried and in this way there is no waste. Last fall was an exceptionally good one for the evaporators, as apples were scarce and in good demand. We received 8 cents a pound for output, while in 1904, oj cents was considered a high price. We sold the output of our evaporators! to wholesale dealers in Hamilton, Toronto arid New York, who shipped it to Germany. We are now in correspondence with a firm in Germany and trust to be able to sell them direct next year." A. Successful Firm The well-known seedmen, J. J. H. Gregory & Son, of Marblehead, Mass., are celebrating their 50th anniversary as successful seed growers. For half a century they have been introducing seeds of improved vegetables to planters, farm- ers and gardeners throughout the country. During this time they have built up a great business and a still greater reputation for re- liability. Their seeds are relied on to be fresh, pure and sure ; and that this is true is proven by the fact that they are used universally by flor- ists and gardeners. In addition to raising the standard of ordi- nary varieties, many vegetables, prominent in the agricultural field to-day, were originated by this old seed firm. They are past masters in the art of introducing new and desirable varie- ties. Any one intending to plant seeds of any kind should send to Messrs. J. J. H Gregory & Son, Marblehead, Mass., for their new catalogue. It is a handsomely illustrated booklet, in which are photographic reproductions of many new varieties of interest to all Sent free to those who write for it. A postal will bring it. Small Fruit Plants Gooseberry, Red, White. Currants, Red White, Black. Raspberry, Red, Yellow, Blackberries. Strawberry Plants. Straw- berry-Raspberry. Roses. House Plants Garden Roots Rnrb'^tc! WM. FLEMING NURSERYMAN P.O. Box 54 OWEN SOUND, ONT. Baskets We are Headquarters for all kinds of Splint Baskets VENEER supplied for the pro- tection of trees from mice during winter FRUIT PACKAGES A Specialty SEND FOR OUR PRICES THE OAKVILLE BASKET CO. OAKVILLE, ONTARIO -20 PER CENT. OFF- That's really the difference between our prices and those in the Unit- ed States when you consider the matter of duty! If you are not one of our many customers, be sure and drop a card for one of our illustrated catalogues, " Canadian Plants for Canadian People," out 1st March. THE WEBSTER FLORAL COMPANY Hamilton, Canada Limited FLQRISTS, NURSERYMEN AND SEEDMEN The Great San Jose Scale Destroyer No Sediment to Clog Nozzle A scientific chemical compound. largely of Soluble Petroleum, with Oil of Sulphur and Resin. Two infallible remedies combined in our soluble compound. Write for copy of letter showing Prof. Johnson's and Mr. A. N. Brown's examination of Prof. Smith's application 217 N. PACA STREET BALTIMORE, Md., U.S. A Strongly recommended by Professors L. R. Taft, of Michigan; JohntB. Smith, New Jersey, and W. G. Johnson, Editor American Agriculturist. No Cooking, Non-Corrosiye Simply add water as per directions and stir. Write for Prices . . GRIFFITH CS, TURNER CO. The Chrysanthemum Its culture for professional jirowers and amateurs; a practical treatise on its propagation, cultivation, training, raising for exhibition and market, hybri- dizing, origin and history. ILLUSTRATED. By Arthur Herrington Price SO cents The Window Flower Garden By Julius B. Hbinricr New Enlarged Edition Price 50 cents Home Floriculture A practical guide to the treatment of flowering and other omamental plants in the house and garden. By Eben E. Rexford ILLUSTRATED Price $1.00 Parsons on the Rose By Samuel B. Parsons New and Revised Edition Price $1.00 Morang & Co., Limited. 90 Wellington St. W., Toronto A Handsome Premium will be Given Free to all Readers who buy Goods from Advertisers. THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST THE NIAGARA GAS SPRAYER ALWAYS THE BEST The 1906 cTWachine is Better Than Ever 1*|l # The New Aluminum Rod and Com- bination Y must be seen to be appreciated The Niagara Sprayer Co. MIDDLEPORT, NEW YORK Money Given Free to People who buy Goods from Advertisers in this Issue. See Notice in Advertising Columns. I The Canadian Horticultunst Vol. XXIX FEBRUARY 1, 1906 No. 2 TKe Dominion Possibilities for Horticultural Development Alex. McNeill, CHief of tKe Fruit Division, Otta-wa " Methinks I see in my mind a noble and puissant nation rousing herself like a strong man after sleep, and shaking her invincible locks; methinks I see her as an eagle renewing her mighty youth and kindling her undazzled eye at the full mid-day beam." — Milton. THE problem of the twentieth cen- tury in the northern half of the American Continent is nation-building, and in this process Canadian horticul- turists will have a prominent part. For- tunately our patriotism has a broad and substantial basis in the vast material resources that he about us everywhere. Field, forest, fisheries and mines are yielding their increases lavishly, min- istering to our physical needs and furn- ishing a generous foundation for the highest development of civilization. But this higher civiHzation has its beginning in the homes of the people. Love of country is but a broader love of home. The truly patriotic Canadian will not be content with simply sharing with his less fortunate brother the material bless- ings that lie thick around him, but will plant and water the land, making and keeping it beautiful — a land of homes. Canadian fruit growers have every reason to be proud of the position that they have always taken in competition at fairs and exhibitions with growers from other countries. This success not only gratified our vanity, but proved an -excellent drawing card for immigra- tion purposes. At Chicago, Buffalo, St. Louis and many lesser fairs the Canadian fruit and flowers did as much as any other feature to direct attention to the youthful nation north of the lakes. Within our own borders a healthy rivalry has developed between widely separated provinces. The result shows that trophies will not be allowed to rest anywhere without a struggle. Former- ly Nova Scotia carried off the honors in quality; Ontario claimed first place in quantity and variety, if not in quality. Latterly British Columbia, with new- born enthusiasm, has pushed to the front in fruit products with an article that has captured the market with its beautiful finish and long keeping qual- ities. Quick to see an advantage, the fruit growers of British Columbia have adopted the packing methods and pack- ages of the American Pacific coast, to perfect which the Californians spent years and a mint of money in experi- menting. And thus the honors have travelled from the Atlantic to the Pacific, showing that pre-eminence in horticul- ture is not confined within the narrow boundaries of a few counties in anj' part of this great land. The Bureau of Statistics shows that the apple crop alone of Ontario amount- ed to 10,000,000 barrels this year. A normal crop should be at least half as much more. No official record has been kept for the other provinces. The pos- sibilities of British Columbia in the near future may be gauged by the fact that about 500,000 trees were imported and planted this season, in addition to those of domestic origin. Nova Scotia ex- ports 300,000 to 500,000 barrels of ap- A. Credit to Canada " I want to congratulate The Canadian Horticulturist on its first number for 1906. It is a credit alike to its management and to Canada. Every Canadian who prides in the intelligent products of his country should feel proud of it, and I know that every fruit grower, and every lover of Nature in her many and varied forms must be more than proud of it." T. H. RACE, Mitchell, Ont. pies annually. Prince Edward Island, according to unprejudiced judges, made the best exhibit of fruit in the Maritime Provinces this year. New Brunswick made successful shipments of Duchess apples to Great Britain for the second year. If this market continues there is no reason why the St. John Valley should not become as fanious for the Duchess as the Annapolis is for the Gravenstein, the Province of Quebec for the Fameuse, Ontario for the Spy and British Colum- bia for the Newtown Pippin and Spitz- enberg. We have never yet had the different provinces adequately represented at one time at any show. The Fruit Division attempted last year to secure specimens of 10 varieties from each province and the result was a most interesting ex- hibit, but the competitive element did not enter to spur each province to do its best. Why cannot this be worked out for next year? Cold storage will enable us to hold our fruit so that we can as- semble it at its best in one place. It would be a revelation to visitors, an advantage to the fruit growers of every province, and a lesson in patriotism many times more valuable than flag- waving or the resurrection of disreput- able quarrels with our neighbors. CO-OPERATION NECESSARY The commercial side of fruit growing will form a subject of increased import- ance to fruit growers as the years pass. The co-operative idea cannot legiti- mately end with work in any particular neighborhood. The whole trend of the movement looks towards a co-ordina- tion of the different units, calling for strong organizing power that will strengthen the position of the fruit growers throughout the Dominion. This question of markets lies at the very foundation of the industry, and the exploiting of new markets and the care- ful si:pplying of the old is a subject that must be handled definitely within the near future. British Columbia is com- peting with Ontario; Ontario is com- peting with Quebec and Nova Scotia; Prince Edward Island and New Bruns- wick are struggling for a position in the markets side by side with the other provinces. All these interests have a place, and there can be no proper divi- sion or co-operation in the supplying of these markets without a view that will embrace the whole of Canada. Some organization or medium is required through which fruit growers may speak, and thus be an active agent in so har- monizing the interests of the different provinces that they may pull together, securing for the fruit grower a proper reward for his toil. Without some method of harmonizing the different in- terests, it is probable that what should be simply a friendly rivalry between the provinces will develop into a destructive antagonism. Through all the diversity of soil, climate and situation there runs an identity of general principles under- 28 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST lying the practices of fruit growers from Prince Edward Island to Vancouver. The details, however, may vary to a remarkable degree. In British Colum- bia clean culture is practised in the dry portions, but in the coast orchards it is not considered so essential. In south- western Ontario clean culture gives the best results, but in the north and east not infrequently sod orchards properly managed succeed best. Hut the under- lying principle is the same in sod or clean culture, viz. : regulate the moisture and plant food to the needs of the tree according to the supply from the soil from irrigation or from rainfall. Indeed the proper investigation of the practices in the semi-arid regions of some of the British Columbia valleys would enable orchardists in the humid climate of Nova Scotia, with numerous running streams, to meet these conditions more intelligently. By co-operating the fruit growers of our different provinces will be enabled to play a most important part in the wonderful process of nation-building, and will prove themselves to be true to all good words and works and to the heart Canadian. Best Varieties of Fruits for Ontario A STATEMENT showing the varieties of fruit suitable for planting in the different sections of Ontario was prepared at a meeting of the Board of Control for the Ontario Experiment Stations,held Januarys and 9, and is here pubUshed in part. The selections have been made only after careful tests at the different stations. Lists have been made showing the commercial varieties or those most desirable for market pur- poses, and the domestic varieties or those of special value for home use, for cooking or for dessert. In almost every case the varieties are mentioned in the order of ripening. Many varieties not included in this list do well under special conditions, but they are not as desirable as those mentioned. This action of the Board of Control was taken owing to the recognized dis- advantages facing inexperienced persons who desire to engage in fruit growing for profit because of the large and confusing lists that they have had to select from. A bulletin containing this information in detail and dealing fully with the con- ditions in different sections of the Prov- ince will be published shortly by the Board. In apples the following were selected as being the best for Ontario. In sum- mer varieties, Astrachans are considered suitable for all except the northern sec- tions, and Duchess is recommended for all parts of Ontario. Among fall apples Gravenstein does well in every district excepting along the St. Lawrence River and some northern sections. Wealthy and Alexander are specially adapted to northern parts, Mcintosh and Fameuse of special value in the St. Lawrence River district, and Blenheim is suitable for the best apple sections of Ontario. These varieties are highly recommended. Winter varieties were recommended as follows: — King, adapted to the best apple sections and most successful when top-grafted on hardy stocks ; Hubbard- ston and Greening adapted to the best apple sections; Baldwin not suited to . clay land; Northern Spy satisfactory in the best apple sections and suited for the northern districts if grafted on hardy Stock ; Ontario, a short-lived tree, but an abundant bearer to be used as a filler among long-lived trees, and Stark. The varieties specially suited for do- mestic uses are as follows : — Transparent, Primate, Sweet Bough, Duchess, Chen- ango, Gravenstein, Wealthy, Mcintosh Red, Fameuse, Blenheim, King, Wagen- er, Swaizie Pomme Grise, Greening, Tolman, Northern Spy, and Mann. Hardy varieties adapted for sections above North latitude 46 degrees, are given as follows: — Yellow Transparent, Charlamoff, Duchess, Wealthy, Hibernal, Longfield, Patten, Whitney, Hyslop and Scott's Winter. In crab apples, Whit- ney, Martha, Transcendent, and Hyslop are mentioned as being suitable for any part of the Province. The first men- tioned is a large crab of high quality, suitable for dessert or cooking, and speci- ally adapted to northern sections. The experimenters at the various sta- tions submitted lists of those varieties that are best suited for their respective districts. Mr. Linus Woolverton, of Grimsby, recommended the following for the Niagara district: Astrachans, Duchess, Alexander, Gravenstein, Blen- heim, King, Greening, Baldwin, and Spy; and for domestic use. Harvest, Sweet Bough, Duchess, Chenango, Gravenstein, Shiawasee, Fall Pippin, Fameuse, King, Louise, and Spy. For the Bay of Quinte section, Mr. W. H. Dempsey, of Trenton, recom- mended the following for commercial use: Duchess, Gravenstein, Trenton, Alexander, Wealthy, Fameuse, King, Mcintosh, Greening, Baldwin, Ontario, Seek No Further, Spy, Tolman, Ben Davis and Stark; while for domestic purposes, Benoni, Primate, Gravenstein, Fameuse, Mcintosh, Greening, Ontario, Spy, Tolman, Grime's Golden and Swaizie were said to be the best. Varieties for the Burlington district, named by Mr. A. W. Peart, were, for commercial purposes : Astrachan, Sweet Bough, Gravenstein, Wagener, Seek No Further and Golden Russet. From the Lake Huron district Mr. A. E. Sherrington, of Walkerton, recom- mended for commercial purposes: As- trachan, Duchess, Wealthy, Fameuse, Mcintosh, Blenheim, Greening, Baldwin, Spy, Golden Russet, and Ben Davis; while for domestic use Transparent, Astrachan, Duchess, Mcintosh, Grime's Golden, Blenheim, King, Spy, and Golden Russet are the best. ^ For the St. Lawrence district Mr. Harold Jones, of Maitland, recommended for commercial use : Duchess, Alexander, Wolfe River, Pearmain, Scarlet Pippin, Fameuse, Mcintosh, Milwaukee and Golden Russet. The best domestic varieties are Transparent, Brockville Beauty, Scarlet Pippin, Fameuse, Mc- intosh, Blue Pearmain, Yellow Bell- flower and Golden Russet. The general list of the desirable var- ieties of pears for commercial use is as follows: Gifford, Clapp's Favorite, Bart- lett, Boussock, Flemish Beauty, Howell, Louise, Duchess, Bosc, Clairgeau, Anjou, and Kieffer ; and for domestic use : Sum- mer Doyenne, Gifford, Bartlett, Flemish Beauty, Sheldon, Seckel, Bosc, Anjou, Laurence, Josephine and Winter Nelis. Hardy varieties of plums of the differ- ent classes were selected as follows: European — Bradshaw, Imperial Gage, Gueii, Shipper's Pride, Lombard (liable to overbear, requires thinning), Quacken- boss. Yellow Egg, Grand Duke, Coe's Golden Drop and Reine Claude (one of the best for canning) ; Japanese — Red June, Abundance, Burbank, Chabot, and Satsuma (red-fleshed variety suit- able for canning) ; American — Extreme- ly hardy and desirable where European and Japanese do not thrive, Aitkin, Cheney, Bixby, Mankato, Wolf, Hawk- eye and Stoddard. The general list of cherries suitable for the different sections of Ontario is as follows: Orel 25, Orel 24, Early Rich- mond, Montmorency and Russian 207. The following varieties of peaches were submitted for the peach districts: Sneed, Alexander, Hynes, St. John, Mountain Rose, Early Crawford, Cham- pion, Brigdon, Fitzgerald, Reeves, El-' berta, Oldmixon, Stevens, and Smock. The best varieties for domestic purposes were given as follows : Hynes, St. John, Earlv Crawford, Oldmixon, Longhurst, and Stevens. The following grapes of the different colors were recommended for the com- mercial districts: Black — Moore, Camp- bell, Worden, Concord, Wilder; Red- Delaware, Lindley, Agawam, Vergennes; White — Niagara and Diamond. For the northern sections the varieties recom- mended were as follows : Black — Cham- pion, Campbell, Worden, and Wilder ; Red — Moyer, Brighton, Delaware, and Lind- ley;] White — Winchell, 'andj Diamond. How is This for Quebec — 16 Fameuse Apples, All of Good Size, and on One Branch a Foot in Length? Such'^fruit as this, the illustration of which was furnished by Mr. R. Brodie, of Westmoimt, Que., proves that Quebec is capable of holding her own in the production ofjcertain varieties of apples. These are limited to the most hardy varieties. Mr. R. W. Shepherd, of Como, Que., president of the Quebec Fruit Growers' Association, reports that the following well-known Ontario varieties are too tender for Quebec; Hubbardston, Wagcner, Baldwin, Fallawater, Northern Spy and Ribston Pippin. Recommended varieties include Fameuse, Mcintosh, Winter St. Lawrence, Canada Baldwin, N. W, Greening and Windsor Chief. DESIRABLE BUSH FRUITS. The following varieties of currants were recommended : Black — Victoria, Champion, Lee, Naples, Saunders ; Red — Cherry, Fay, Pomona, Red Cross, Vic- toria, and Wilder; White — White Grape. Blackberries — ^Agawam, Snyder, Eldo- rado, and for southern sections, Kitta- tinny. Raspberries : Black — Hilborn, Older, Gregg, Smith's Giant; Purple — Columbia and Shaffer; Red — Marlboro, Herbert, and Cuthbert; White— Golden Queen. Experiments at the different stations show that many varieties of strawberries suitable for domestic use- are very un- satisfactory for commercial purposes. Varieties marked (P) have perfect flow- ers, and those marked (I) are imperfect in the flower, and will not produce a crop unless some perfect variety is planted with them. Those recommended for commercial purposes are as follows : Splendid (P), Bederwood (F), Warfield (I), not suited for light sandv soil ; Gren- ville (I), Williams (P), Saunders (P), Sample (I), Irene (I), and Buster (I). Recommended domestic varieties are as follows— VanDeman (P), Splendid (P), Excelsior (P), Senator Dunlap (P), Ruby (P), Bubach (I), Irene (I), Wm. Belt (P), and Eovett (P). Fruits Suited to tKe Different Provinces THE multiplicity of varieties of fruits recommended for planting in the different sections of Canada led The Canadian Horticulturist to gain the following information from growers com- petent to advise regarding the varieties specially adapted to the various climates and locations found in the different Provinces of Canada. The evils of having too many varieties is being felt more keenly as the fruit industry de- velops and it is now realized that it is best for growers to plant only a few tested varieties. nova SCOTIA The sorts best suited to the orchards of Nova Scotia are thus described by Prof. F. C. vSears, of Truro, N.S.: A selection of the best varieties for any one section is an extremely dilHcult question. It is a personal question and one cannot be sure that his selections will suit his neighbor. One man with a particularly well-developed conscience says that he has no use for poor quality sorts. He believes they damage the market and will eventually hurt the business, and anyhow he would not feel right to sell a man a barrel of Ben Davis if he knew his customer was planning to eat them. He, therefore, drops out of his list the above-mentioned variety along with the Gano and possibly the Baldwin and the Fallawater. He goes in for the Graven- stein, Ribston Pippin, Blenheim, King, Hubbardston, Northern Spy, Golden Russet and such varieties. His neigh- bor, with a little more of an eye for busi- ness, and a little less tender conscience, says, "If Ben Davis is what people want they ought to have it, and if I can make more money out of that variety, I am going to grow it." vSo he plants Ben Davis, Gano, Baldwin, Fallawater, and Stark. For these and other reasons it is difficult to say what are the best sorts for Nova Scotia or for any other section. Unless a comparatively long list is given one is going to leave out some sorts that are very popular with many growers. At the Amherst winter fair in Decem- ber last, the writer had the pleasure of assisting Mr. R. W. Starr to judge the fruit exhibit made by the three Mari- time Provinces. A sweepstakes prize was offered for the best exhibit in the entire fruit show, and this was awarded to Mr. D. S. Collins, Port Williams, Kings Co., Nova Scotia. We considered his the best collection of 10 sorts we ever saw staged. The varieties were well grown, well selected, well colored and probably the best 10 commercial varieties for the Province generally. The varieties shown were Gravenstein, Ribston, Blenheim, King, Spy, Stark, Baldwin, Golden, Russet, Nonpareil and Fallawater. This presents the matter in a nut-shell so far as apples are concerned but there is a great deal that might be said in ex- planation, for while we think the above are "the best 10 commercial sorts for the Province generally" they nearly all have quite serious faults, and there are many other sorts (a half dozen at the very least) that come very close in point of 30 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST low Egg or Magnum Bonum, Grand Duke, Burbank, Bavay, Bradshaw, Washington, German Prince, I'rince of Wales, I-'ellenberg, Lombard, Monarch, and Prince's Yellow Gage. I have omitted from this list the Damsons which really ought to be included, The French and' Shropshire are probably the most commonly grown, though even these are not very plentiful, but coming late in the season they are very profit- able to those who grow them. Of the Japanese I have only included the Burbank for the reason that as yet it is the only one that merits a place among our most generally successful market plums. The Red June stands next. The Abimdance bears poor crops too often; while the Wickson has been abandoned even in the Annapolis \^alky J. S. Scarf, of Woodstock, Ont. The president of the Ontario Fruit Growers' Associii- tion, Mr. J. S. Scarf, has been prominent in horticultural affairs for many years. He was secretary of the Wood- stock Horticultural Society, and by energetic work on its behalf made it one of the best in Ontario. He has also taken an active part in the municipal affairs of the city and was elected to the highest position in the gift of his fellow citizens for 1905. popularity to some of those mentioned. This secondary list would be — approx- imately in the order of their popularity — as follows : Wagener, which is the most popular sort for fillers or any method of close planting; Rhode Island Greening, which is coming more into favor again of late years, and which but for its unat- tractive color would be one of our best and most profitable sorts; Hubbardston, used on dry lands in place of Ribston which needs moisture; Ben Davis, very eagerly planted a few years ago but — fortunately for the fruit industry of the Province I believe — not nearly so gen- erally set during the past few years, and Ontario, also popular as a filler. There is also a third list including several of those mentioned in the two preceding lists that is planted largely in outlying parts of Nova Scotia where hardiness is a first requisite. This list would run about as follows: Wealthy, Wolfe River, Ribston, Mcintosh, Bax- er, Hurlbut, and Stark. PLUMS In the other fruits the selection is not nearly so well defined, because much less attention has been paid to their growth. Plums stand next to apples in importance though very much below them in that regard. The following list of 12 varieties includes the most popular and the most successful sorts, and I have tried to arrange them in order of -I'alue to the Province generally: Yel- tendency of the latter to rot at the core being a heavy handicap. Following these are a half dozen others quite gen- erally grown but only in very limited numbers: Beurre, Clarigeau, Anjou, Louise Bonne de Jersey, Vermont Beauty Sheldon and Flemish Beauty. Seckel and Keiffer, the best and the poorest of pears, are not successful with us. CHERRIES In cherries practically nothing is done beyond supplying the home market and even that is very poorly supplied. At Bear River and Digby, sections that seem naturally adapted to cherries and where they spring up of themselves along the roadsides, some little com- mercial growing is attempted, but the product would not nearly supply the local markets if these were developed. The most satisfactory varieties are, among the sweet sorts. Black Tartarian, Gov. Wood, Windsor and Schmidt and, among the sour varieties Montmorency, English Morello, and Wragg. In our work with "model orchards," that is, in sections outside of the Annapolis Valley, we have practically given up planting anything but the sour sorts, finding the others too uncertain, though no doubt there are favored spots in most of our counties where the sweet varieties can be grown. I shall leave out of consideration i^eaches, quinces, and apricots, for while i have known of cases where thev have R. W. Shepherd, Como, Que. The new' president of the Pomological and Fruit Grov^ ers' Society of the Province of Quebec, first planted an orchard in that province in 1874, and for some yeaiN afterward planted out 200 to 300 trees annually. He now has 50 acres in apple orchard and one in plums. He has introduced many varieties of fruit in the prov ince, and his experience has been of great value to many growers. Fruit can be sent from his farm 30 miles west of Montreal, and the same day be put on board steamship at Montreal. as too tender. From our experience with the Japanese plums in the model orchards I should advise anyone outside of the Valley and a few favored sections elsewhere to plant very sparingly of them and then only of the Burbank or some other of the hardiest kinds. PEARS Pears follow plums in the order of importance, Bartlett and Clapp's Favorite being the two varieties most commonly grown and very generally successful. Of course, for market purposes the Bart- lett stands far ahead of the f^lapp, the John Donaldson, Port Williams, N.S. In their new president, the members of the Nova Scotia Fruit Growers' Association have selected a man who is not only a practical grower, but who has been connected with the Association for a number of years. Mr Donaldson is one of those who have long had faith in the possibiUties of the fruit industry in Nova ScoUa, and his work as a grower and as a member of the Asso- ciation has been of great value to the province. Gathering Knowledge in Fruit Growing — Pupils at Wuik in the Agricultural t>i;huol Kuiseiy, La Iiappe, uka, Ont. About 75 pupils yearly fallow the course in hortieulturc at this institution, the work being in charge of Prof. G. Reynaud. who may be seen standing to the left. The trees at the left are Wealthy, and at the right Ben Davis. The young nursery trees are Yellow Transparent and Pewaukee. A feature of the course is regular practical work in the orchard. been successfully grown in the valley and in some other sections, and while in some instances individual peach trees have proved very profitable, they do not give as good returns as the fruits men- tioned, nor is the question of varieties sufficiently well settled to warrant one in making any general recom- mendations. HARDY PLUMS FOR QUEBEC At the Quebec experiment station at Village des Aulnaies, in the far northern part of the Province, Mr. Auguste Du- puis has been testing varieties of plums since before 1860. The varieties that have given good crops at the station have been grouped according to time of matur- ity. Those which ripen August 10 to 15are:— Jaunetr^shative, Jaune hative, Mirabelle precoce and Favorite ha- tive. Varieties maturing August 18 to 25 are: Precoce de Tours, Reine Claude d'Oullins, Monsieur Jaune, and De Montfort. From September 1 to 15 the following sorts reach maturity: Early Red, Washington, Bradshaw, Moor's Arctic, Green Gage, vSmith Or- leans, Reine Claude d'Ecully, Reine Claude Impdriale, Mirabelle petite, Ee- jonnieres, Jefferson, Reine Claude Brj'- anton, Damson Blue, Reine Claude Montmorency, Yellow Meldowka (Rus- sian), Imperial Gage, Island of Orleans Blue, Mirabelle parfumee Columbia, Mirabelle Grosse. The following varieties mature Sep- tember 15 to 30: Reine des Mirabelles, Duanes Purple, Lombard, Gros Damas de Septembrc, Yellow Egg, Amaryllis, Shipper's Pride, Englebert, Reine Claude d'Althan, Reine Claude Diaphane, Reine Claude Razaimbault, Jones, Damas de Tours, Reine Claude Sagot. , During the last days of September to October 10, several varieties mature. These keep in good condition for market until November 1, but on account of hard frosts must be picked and packed in boxes about October 10. These are: Gueii (Glass Seedling), Ouackenboss, Hudson River Purple, Grand Duke, Pond Seedling, Reine Claude de Bavay, St. Catherine, Datte verte, Prune d 'Agen, Coe's Golden Drop, Tardive de Cham- bourcy, De Norbert. In recommending for a small family garden, in the north, Mr. Dupuis men- tions Jaune tres hative (yellow), or Favorite hative, (blue) Bradshaw, Reine Claude Montmorency (greenish yellow), Washington (grafted on Green Gage is better than on Mirobolan), Blue Damson (on own roots), and Grand Duke. In addition to these, Coe's Golden Drop, a large fine and good plum, keeping till December if picked before frost, has given good returns. APPLES FOR MANITOBA Mr. A. P. Stevenson, of Nelson, Man- itoba, who first planted fruit trees in the Prairie Province in 1874, has in his orchard individual hardy specimens from 500 trees consisting of 80 varieties of Russian apples planted in 1889. The varieties that have endured the western conditions are as follows: Summer — Blushed Calville, Charlamoff, Volga Anis, Repka Kislaga and Lowland Raspberry; fall — Anisette, Simbrisk No. 1, Kourisk Anis, Ukeraine, Anism and Gipsv Girl ; late fall and winter — Hibernal, Cross, Wealthy, Peerless, Qs- trekoff Glass, Heren and Antonofka. These varieties have given greatest satisfaction for the past ten yt ars. The best of them were obtained from Dr. Saunders, of Ottawa. I New Varieties of Stra^vberries Tried in 1903 OVER two years ago my attention was directed to a new strawberry for which very high claims were made. I found it was growing in the trial grounds of Mr. Geo. J. Strcater, of Ohio. ! A dozen plants were kindly sent me by the originator. I was told by an exten- sive grower of strawberries in Ohio who saw the new variety growing on the i grounds of the originatf)r, that the long \\ sought for "Perfect" strawberry had E. B. Stevenson, Ponsonby, Ont. arrived. This new berry was reported as creating quite a stir among berry- growers who had seen its fruit, as in plant, berry and fruit-stem it was, they said, perfect. I was anxious to see its fruit after hearing so much about it. The Cardinal, the name of the new variety, Mr. Streater says, is the result of thirty years' experience in growing strawberries. During this period all the varieties, novelties, standard varieties, and thousands of seedlings were grown. For this reason I was very much pleased to receive plants of it from the originator. I planted them in a trial plot, beside the old standards, and I am pleased to report that the Cardinal has come up to what was claim- ed for it. It is a great berry. It was said by one grower to be the greatest all purpose strawberry yet produced. It cer- tainly made a very good showing with 32 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST me during the past season. I believe it will take a first place as a market berry when it is \/c\l enough known. A. W. Clark, of khode Island, says that with him "it is all ihat the originator claimed for it, it is a wonderful berry." Mathcw Crawfora, of Ohio, says of it, "It is a most woniieuul strawberry." It is said to be a ?,eeiiling of Walfield, and Wal- field is Llaimeii to be a descendant of Wilson d Alba.iy. The new strawberry would, apyea/ to be akin to the Wilson thtit held tne lead for over twenty-five years as the best market strawberry. The plant of the Cardinal is large and strong, very healthy, very bright glossy green foliage. The fruit is held up on tall strong fruit-stems. The plant is very productive of large berries of good quality, and firm enough to carry well. "Wonder," a {Perfect blossom) origin- ated by vS. A. Sampsel, of Ohio, is also called "Sampsel's Wonder." It is a luxuriant grower. The plant is large, strong and healthy, a good runner, and very productive. The berry is large and conical, scarlet color and red seeds. The berry has a neck, and is of very good quality and well worth a trial. I was very much pleased with it. It has a long season, from mid season to late, and holds its size to the end. Howard's No. 103 (Imperfect), the origin of 103 was grown from seed of a seedling of Crescent crossed with Clyde, by A. B. Howard, of Massachusetts. It has not been introduced. The plant is a good grower and makes a great many runners, and is very productive. The berry is conical and of good color and size. It gave a yield second to no named kind. It is a good early berry, one of the best we had. It is pistellate and that is one reason for its great productiveness. Early Hathaway (Perfect), originated by Hubachiand Hathaway, of Arkansas, and sent me two years ago. The plant is healthy and a good runner. The berry is conical, firm, of good color, red all through, acid, but of good quality, medium to large, very productive, a good early, well worth trying as an early market sort. The foregoing four varieties took first place among the new kinds with me, and are equal if not superior to the old stan- dards, but time will tell. Perennials for the Tow^n Lot R.odericK Cameron, Niagara Falls, SoutK MANY owners of a lot in a town or city are anxious to make the home surroundings more attractive but do not know how best to accomplish the task or what class of plants to use. In most cases perennials can be used to best advantage. The following specimens are most suitable for the average-sized lot, about 50x120 feet, giving a front yard 50x25 feet. By referring to the diagram here published an idea can be gained as to the proposed arrangement. The space available for gardening pur- poses being so small, care must be taken to utilize every inch. plant vines against, which will chng to the netting by their tendrils, saving the time and trouble of tying. A fence covered with suitable vines, kept clean and trimmed properly, becomes more attractive and beautiful year by year. If the front fence is a wall, cut holes through it near the bottom and put in four or six inch tiles. Then close round the tile as before and plant inside the wall with ampelopsis. They will find their way through the tile pipe and cover the outside of the wall, at the same time covering the inside. In this way the danger of destruction of the vines by ^M ■•;^:g^7^^s^:>:-Y%asg:^g^^^.i ^ vfe;-^.^ '^,^^g£ '^"^:^^gil?g SOUTH • • - 7;'K'5i:5l:;^^6jg5 1 :r^.^':t^2»yt«.>t. :, ■■•iii.^.:';;' 2 » S- o "T"" ;;';• clothes; .yard',";; ^®-:''/p.0i:)'&: '** M /^ r, T u t r\ NORTH 10 .".3 3.; •,*">>♦•»* 14 14- The paths are the first consideration. They must be convenient and spacious enough, particularly to the front door, for four persons to pass abreast without crowding each other on to the grass. It is best to adopt straight lines since the single lot does not permit of crooked ones without cutting up the lawn too much; in other words, we must make the best of the space at our disposal. On a larger space, say two lots, irregular lines would be better. Lots are generally surrounded by a fence, and if one is used it is best to cover it with chicken-netting, which costs but a few cents a yard. It is then ready to public works on the street is removed. On the north side, from the front to the back door, plant Hall's Japan Honey- suckle, and trim it as you would a hedge each year, preferably in the spring. It is usually the lack of this trimming that makes these vines look so bare and scrubby. Trim them and see what a pleasure will be derived, not only in foliage, but also in bloom, and almost throughout the entire summer and fall. At 12X12 plant the tall Nasturtiums ; at 1 1 plant Clematis panic- ulata and one or two Clematis Jack- mani; at 13-13 set the different varieties of Rambler Roses and Queen of the Prairie, and do not forget to trim them now and again when needed, and at 14-14 plant Trumpet Creeper and the rose Acacia alternately. They must be kept close to the fence and trimmed occasionally or tied to the fence. At 16 may be used a cedar hedge as a screen to hide the alley at the back of the lot. The lines for the house at 17 should be Chinese Wisteria and the golden- leaved Honeysuckle, or Louicera retic- ulata. The Wisteria climbs up and over the front veranda, while the Honeysuckle covers the bare stem of the Wisteria. At 18-18 plant Akebia quinata and Clematis paniculata. At 19-19 and 20-20 plant Ampelopsis veitchii, or Boston Ivy, to cover the wall. At 2 1 use Matrimony Vine or Staff Vine, Lycium Chinensis and Celastrus scan- dens. To the left of the front steps is a flower border three feet wide; the vines, 18, are planted at the back : thefr ont row, 24, may be sown with Mignonette or Sweet Alyssum, or Madam Saleroi Geranium, or Golden Bedder Coleus may be used. Behind them 22-22, plant mixed Geraniums or Scarlet Salvia. At 25 may be planted dwarf Nasturtiums; at 26 pink Geraniums thinly, and among them in the open spaces Gladioli. At 27 dwarf Cannas bordered with varie- gated Stevias, Zinnias, French Mari- golds or Coleus look well. Space 28 can be planted with roses such as Gen- eral Jackminot, in the back row; the second row, Mrs. John Laing, and the front row mixed summer bloomers that must be laid down during winter. Throw a spadeful or two of soil close up to one side of the bushes to act as a pillow, and bend the branches over it. This will prevent a sharp bend in the branches, and keep them from breaking. Over the whole place a good-sized sod, grass- side under, to protect the plants over FREAKS AMONG THE TRILLIUMS Dr. D. G. Storms, Hamilton, Out. During the last three or four years, in my rambles through the woods in spring, I have chanced upon a few specimens of trilliums such as the above, having the petals more or less splashed with green. In the spring of 1905, in a secluded ravine near Hamilton, my wife found the large cluster which had a dozen or more blooms, varying from pure green to merely a slender green strip down the midrib. In the same place, but possibly fifty or seventy-five feet away, the left hand bloom in No. 1 was found, and two or three hundred yards away, and on high, dry ground, that in No. 3 was discovered. . In the ordinary trillium the whorl of green leaves sits down upon the flower stalk, that is, they have no stems. You will see, in the left hand bloom of No. 1, the leaves have stems about as long as the leaves themselves. In No. 2 the stems were six or seven inches long and attached below the ground. In No. 3 the green leaves were absent. Another strange feature with No. 3 was that the bloom was double. This can be accounted for by each whorl being moved up one place, so that the whorl of green leaves form what looked to be the sepals, the sepals forming the petals and the petals proper forming the additional whorl of petals. These latter were white with a green stripe. We carefully took up the cluster in No. 2 with all the earth about the roots, and planted it in our garden at home, where it was admired by many. It seemed to be perfectly at home. We are looking for the spring to see if it will appear again as we found it. These rare specimens are found frequently near Gait, and in several places about Hamilton. We want to know why, and we invite opinions from those readers of " The Horticulturist" who have studied these beautiful and interesting plants. winter. Among the roses may be plant- ed Gladioli, Violas or Pansies to keep the "lot bright. At 2-2 may be used a Cut-leaved Weeping Birch and a Halesia Uraptera, or Snowberry tree, and next to each in their shade, plant on one side one or two Golden Bell bushes, Forsythea suspensa, and on the other Viburnum plicatum. The street trees, 1-1, may be elms or maples. Both are suitable for the pur- pose. At 29 plant Deutzia gracilis, Deutzia Lemoinei and Yucca filiamen- tosa, and border with Sweet William mixed. At 30 may be planted Tritoma Pfritzeni, Perennial Phlox, and Cam- panula salicifolia in twos and threes. At 31-31-31 may be used as an edging meria, Maritima splendens, bright sy pink flowers, and Alba, white. hey may be mixed or planted in clumps of three or four. The rest of this border should be planted in clumps with no regard to order. The following plants vill not rob one another since they are uf about equal constitution. The best are as follows: Arabis Alpina, single white flowers, Var rosea, has pink flow- ers, and variety flore pleno has double white flowers, and begins to bloom after the single is done, thus prolonging the season of bloom; Dicentra eximia, a purple dwarf Bleeding Heart, blooming almost continously during summer and fall; Iberis sempervirens. Evergreen, m Candytuft with white flowers, Alyssum saxatile compactum, also called Basket of Gold, a foot high, and producing golden flowers; Authericum liliastrum, two feet high, pure white lily-white flowers; Montbretia in half-a-dozen vari- eties, growing two to three feet high, and resembling small Gladioli. Among these plants here and there may be planted clumps of Pansies or Violas, also called Tufted Pansies. Plot 32 may be planted in a similar manner to 31, but more variety and larger plants should be used. The front row may be of Scotch Pinks in variety, and Tufted Pansies or Campanula car- patica. The rest of the plot may be planted in clumps with the following, keeping the tallest towards the back, Lythrum calicaria, or Spiked Loose- Strife, four feet high, purplish flowers in long wand-like spikes ; Lysimachia cleth- roides, two feet high, and white flowers, Achillea ptarmica, the pearl, two feet, double white daisy-like flowers, Merten- sia virginica, Virginian Cowslip, 15 inches, blue flowers, and Coriopsis grand- iflora, two feet, yellow flowers, are all good. Delhpinium in variety may be added if there is room. They can be had in many shades of color, and grow four to six feet high. Plot 33 I would advise planting in the same way as 32, but with different specimens to give variety to the border, 33 and to have cut flowers for home use. The front row should be planted with Poly- anthus, Cowslips and Primroses. Here and there among them may be planted Lychnis plenissima, Semper florens, growing about a foot high, and produc- ing rose-pink flowers from spring to fall. Myosotis palustris makes a good subject for the front row ; it is continuously in bloom from spring to fall. This Forget- me-not is also forced during winter by the florists. The remainder of this bor- der may be planted in clumps with the following: Monarda didyma splendens, three feet high, scarlet flowers; Platy- codon grandiflorum, two feet high, one blue and one white, and Saxifragas um- brosa, London Pride, or None so Pretty, a low-growing, spreading sort, that throws up stems a foot high with pink flowers. A plant of each of the following gives much pleasure to the owner: Spiraea Chinensis, pink flowers, three feet high; S. filipendula, florepleno, double white flowered, fifteen inches high; S. Japonica aurea reticulata, 15 inches high, with leaves beautifully veined with gold; Pentatemon barbatus Torreyi, 2 feet high, producing scarlet flowers on long stems from the base of the plant all summer, and good for cut flowers; Chrysanthemum maximum superbum, suitable for out-of-the-way corners at the back of the border, blooming all 34 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST summer; Clematis Davidiana, three feet high, and producing Hght blue flowers in the axils of the leaves; Campanula persicifolia gigantea Moerheinii, this is one of the best herbaceous plants grown, double white flowers on stems three feet high; Anemone Japonica in variety, to bloom when other plants are done, three feet high; Helianthus nmlti- florus florepleno, four feet, double yel- low flowers, and Helianthus sparsifolius, six to eight feet high, with large golden- yellow single flowers. These varieties are choice for cutting, and will make a fine dis- play throughout the summer if cared for. The clothes-yard posts should be red cedar. Place wire or netting on them, and plant beside 1, 2, and .^; the pink Everlasting Pea, Lathyrus latifolius, and on 4, 5 and 6 Lathyrus latifolius alba, they will cover the posts and pro- duce excellent cut flowers for the table. The walk from the gate to the front door is six feet wide and made of con- crete. Xo. 2 is a two-foot path from the front to the kitchen door, also made of concrete. Xo. 3 is a four-foot con- crete walk from the alley to the kitchen door. Xo. 4 is a gravel space in front of the cellar entrance. Xo. 5 is a four-foot wide grass path running from the clothes- yard to the front lawn. At Xo. 8-8, two small trees, one cercis Canadensis or Judas Tree, the other on the south side, Cercidiphyllum Japonicum, or Cai sura Tree of Japan, are planted. Pleasing Floral Effects for tKe Table No matter how dainty the meal, or how elaborate the diplsay of cut- lery, glassware and china, the table is not complete without some form of plant life. Nothing is more pleasing than a few fragrant flowers artistically arranged. Even a small bouquet of some common flowers in a vase in the centre of the table makes a pleasing effect. In the summer no difficulty is experienced in getting a suitable supply for every occasion, but when winter comes the supply is somewhat limited and the cost considerably increased. It is at this season, however, that floral decorations on the table are most en- joyed and, for this reason, when friends are entertained, the expenditure of a few dollars for flowers for the table affords pleasure to all. These flowers may be arranged by one's self. ^. Persons who visited the recent Hor- ticultural Exhibition in Massey Hall, Toronto, received an object-lesson in artistic table decorations, if they but studied the different arrangements on the various tables in the competition. The table that won first prize was decked with orchids, lily of the valley and as- paragus fern. Richmond roses, lily of the valley, and maidenhair ferns were on the second prize table. On the third prize table were Canadian Queen roses, violets and asparagus fern. In every case the display was more elab- orate than can be expected in the aver- age dining-room, but the different ar- rangements offered suggestions as to what might be accomplished with fewer and less costly specimens. Various plants can be used to advan- tage, but those with a pleasing fra- grance should be chosen. In an inter- view with the Canadian Horticul- turist, Mr. J. S. Simmons, of Toronto, whose table won third prize in the com- petition said: "There are many flowers that produce a pleasing effect on the The prize-winning decorated table exhibited by Mr. J. S. Simmons at the Ontario Horticultural Exhibition. dining-room table in winter. Violets with yellow daffodils or yellow tulips are desirable. Roses are frequently used, and when combined with other suitable plants are among the best for decorating tables. Sunset roses and vio- lets make a very pleasing effect. Meteor or Bridesmaid roses with lily of the val- ley can be arranged to give a fine dis- play. Many people use the pink car- nation, Enchantress, and violets to ex- cellent effect. A centrepiece of En- chantress carnations and corner bou- quets of lily of the valley are common table decorations. "For the greatest show and to pre- sent a rich appearance the flowers are placed in a cut glass vase on a mirror base. A more natural effect is pro- duced by placing a few flowers on the mirror loosely as if they had fallen from the centre bouquet. Other arrange- ments for display are made by having a centrepiece in basket form, or with a birch bark hamper. If the former is used, the willow basket can be screened with asparagus fern. In using daffo- dils and violets with the willow basket the appearance can be made much more attractive by forming ribbons of aspar- agus fern, and having them placed care- lessly from the basket. All signs of stiff or set arrangement should be re- moved. In using daffodils it is com- mon to form fans on the corners of the table. The flowers should be tied with ribbon to match. With carnations and lily of the valley in the basket a pleas- ing effect can be produced by forming a three-looped bow and placing a vase in each loop. The loose ends of the ribbon arrangement can be allowed to run to a prominent part of the table. 'When the birch bark hamper is used in forming the centrepiece, a more pleasing effect is made by having small birch bags on the corners of the table. LOOSE ARRANGEMENT BEST "As a rule the flowers should be ar- ranged loosely. Care should be taken not to obstruct the view across the table. It is not advisable to have the flowers stand up too high or to have them arranged compacth. Ribbons THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 35 and drv goods are objectionable, and should be largely dispensed with. "In many cases a corsage is left for each lady and a boutonni^re for each gentleman. When the table is decked with carnations and hly of the valley, the lady should have a pink carnation and some valley tied with white cord. while the gentleman receives only the valley. When roses and violets, or roses and valley are used, a rose is given to the lady and some violets or some valley to the gentleman." If cut flowers cannot be secured, a nice pot plant of low growing habit is an excellent substitute. The dwarf ferns are admired by many. A bushy specimen of geranium, or impatieus, or any plant that can be induced to bloom in winter, is preferred by others. Most of the common flowering house plants can be used for this purpose if the bloom is kept off during the late fall, and extra care given them. A.n A.inateur*s GreenKouse in February A. Alexander, Hamilton, Ont. IK" THE prevailing color of the January house was white, from the predom- inance of Roman Hyacinths, Paper- white Narcissus and white Primulas — these are now in tl)e background, and pink and yellow reign supreme. The pink from a large number of pink or rose- colored Begonias, and the yellow from scores of Daffodils, which, though bought for Von Sion from two different firms, have .turned out to be "Trumpet- Major" — not one Von Sion bloom in the 150 bulbs! I am curious to find out if the experience of my brother- amateurs in this matter coincides with mine. I do not regret it, for they are very beautiful, and I am satisfied. The following is a partial list of plants now in flower in addition to those mentioned : — Poinsettia pulcherrima, Bouganvillea, Azalea, Begonias, Cyclamen, Freezias, Abutilon, Lantana, Geraniums, Dutch yacinths, etc. Not alone for flowers is the Amateur's Greenhouse useful for keeping up a con- stant succession of beauty throughout the dreary months, but also in prepar- ing for the coming work out of doors in the garden, hence this month of Febru- ary should see sundry boxes and pots containing seeds and cuttings standing about in, or on, the sand of the propa- gating bed. Neither should the kitchen garden department be neglected, for if a few tomato seeds are put in, and potted on, by the middle of May you will have plants with fruit set, ready to plant out. Let me also recommend that now is a good time to put in sand, or moss, a few tuberous-rooted Begonia tubers just to start them off before potting. They are most desirable for the amateur's house; they are easily handled and give great satisfaction. I get a shallow box, two or three inches deep is enough, put in an inch of moist sand, lay the tubers on this and fill in between with the sand, just leaving the tops visible, but be sure it is the tops. Cover with a piece of glass to prevent too much evaporation, and shade with a piece of paper. As soon as the first signs of life appear remove the glass and, when the sprouts are about an inch long, put each in a suitable pot in good soil, and in about two or three months you will Cypripedium Insignis as Grown in Mr. Alexander's Greenhouse. be delighted with the resulting beauty. There are also many hardy peren- nials that may be started this month, and which will flower the first year. As. an example, about this time last yearjl sowed in a shallow box in the greenhouse a few seeds of perennial Delphiniumjfor Larkspur, which planted out in June, about 100 plants. In September I had 70 of them in bloom — some of them quite new and valuable. Some of the spikes of bloom were three feet in length, of every shade of blue, from indigo to nearly white. With a small greenhouse and some bottom heat, all the annuals and other plants you need for outside may be raised. Flowers are alwaj^ a source of joy, whether we pluck them from our own little garden or whether we order them ready made from the florist. — Mrs. W. J. McLenahan, Appleby. Another Corner of an Amateur's Greenhouse in February Do not be a back number. Improve your surroundings and keep up with the procession. Flowers will grow where weeds and thistles will grow. — N.^S. Dunlop, Montreal, Que. 36 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST Winter Treatment of Bulbs and Tubers A^m. Hunt, Guelph, Ont. AMATEUR flower growers frequent- ly make a mistake, when winter- ing their bulbs, in the care they give the Amarylhs. These popular and gorgeous flowering bulbs should be divided into two classes, the herbaceous and the evergreen. The mistake is often made of treating these two distinct types in exactly the same way during the resting period. This sometimes happens because the char- acteristics of these two types are not understood. The herbaceous type of the amaryllis is very easy to detect. As soon as these have flowered and the flowers drop the foliage begins to show signs of decay This is natural in the herbaceous type and is a sure sign of the natural and severe rest required by these bulbs. The proper flowering season of both the evergreen and herbaceous var- ieties is during the summer months. As soon as the herbaceous variety is out of flower and the foliage begins to decay, give the bulbs less water. When the foliage has died down give only sufficient water to keep the soil moist around the bulb. Remove them to a cool, shady position out of doors, bringing them in before frosts, and put them in a cool cel- lar or window in a temperature of 45 de- grees. They can be kept here quite dry until February or March, when they can be brought out into a warm window, watered, and started into growth. Re- pot the bulbs if necessary at this time. A good top dressing of soil is, however, often to be preferred to re-potting them. With the evergreen type of these plants no sign of decay will likely be seen in the foliage after flowering, as these do not require so decided a period of rest. The evergreen varieties can be kept in a cool window all winter, giving them less water, however, than during the summer. A temperature of 40 to 50 degrees will suit them in winter. The Vallota purpurea or Scarborough Lily is closely allied to the different varieties of evergreen amaryllis, and requires much the same treatment in winter. Gloxinia bulbs should be gradually dried off after flowering as soon as the leaves show signs of decay. Very little water should be given them when once dormant. Light waterings may be neces- sary at times during the winter, so as to keep the soil from getting dust dry. This latter condition is too severe, and results in either dry rot or shrivelling of the bulb. A temperature of 45 to 50 degrees will suit them in winter. ACfflMENES These pretty Uttle flowering plants make very desirable window plants for summer flowering when properly managed. If the small bulb-like tubers are started in April or May in pots in a hot-bed or in the window they give good results. They succeed best in hanging pots or baskets. A light compost of equal parts of potting soil, leaf soil, and fine sand will suit them, with plenty of drainage. Avoid giving too much water in the earHer stages of growth. A sum- mer temperature and partial shade suits them best; sprinkle the foliage very seldom. When out of flower treat as recommended for the gloxinia, with the exception that achimenes will endure a drier condition of the soil when dormant than the gloxinia will. Light soil, good drainage, h at and partial shade, with careful watering in the early stages of growth, are the essen- tial points in the culture of both of these plants. I have been tempted to take this opportunity of giving a few cultural hints on achimenes from the fact that their usefulness as summer flowering window plants is not generally known by plant lovers, although they are fav- orites with many amateurs who often have great success with them. AMORPHOPHALLUS OR SNAKE PLANT Not a very attractive name, but the growth of the plant is very pretty in summer. Their oddly formed leaves, together with the green and almost white blotches on its foliage, that has given it the name of the Snake Plant, and its easy culture when properly treated makes it a very attractive plant for an east or north window in summer, or even out of doors in July or August in a shady position. The treatment of the bulbs when dormant should be about the same as for the gloxinia and achimene. The cultural notes given for these last named plants will also suit the Snake Plant, except that the soil need not be quite as light in its nature. This plant usually flowers when the large bulbs are dor- mant. The flower should be destroyed as its odor is very disagreeable. TUBEROUS ROOTED BEGONIAS The tubers of these should be kept dry during the winter when once the foliage has entirely dried off. A temperature of 40 to 45 degrees will suit these tubers in winter time. I prefer keeping all of the bulbs and tubers I have been speak- ing of in the soil they have grown in, and in the pots as well, without being disturbed while dormant. Dry sand or earth can be used to pack them in, but from experience I have had the best re- sults from keeping them in the pots undisturbed. It is the most natural method to treat them, as the pots can be stood away in a cool cellar or room very easily when the roots are dormant. Grow FloAvers for tHe CHurcHes A. K. Goodman, Cayuga, Ont. IN the smaller towns it would be a good thing to plant gardens, espe- cially for the purpose of supplying cut flowers for the decoration of the churches. Set these gardens apart from the formal beds and interest the children. Have them make the weekly cuttings Gathering Flowers for the Church and decorate the chancel. After the morning and evening services, have the flowers distributed among the sick in the locality. This would have a wholesome effect in many ways, and be particularly a wise training for the young. It might even revive interest among the older members of society in church work. Mr. Goodman's Garden where Flowers are Grown for Church Decoration and check any tendency to atheism, that foul, unnatural vice, foe to all the dignity and consolation of mankind. Pleasing results for this purpose may be had from asters and gladioli planted in masses. If the former are tried, note that asters feed near the surface of the ground and require the best of soil, in the open, good drainage, plenty of water, with a mulch of well- rotted manure just before or as the buds form. For those horticulturists who have well-balanced minds and wish to have a real garden, a combination of floral effects is necessary. All are equally important in the making of a garden that will be interesting and useful, and if properly combined they will produce an effect at once striking, beautiful and artistic. TKe LaAvn — An Important Part of tKe Home Surroundings To have a nice even lawn the ground ust first be properly prepared. This cannot be attained simply by leveUing the hills into the hollows. If this is done, e jplaces where the hills were will be -A.. H. E-wing', W^oodstocK, Ont. when you are finished without your spectacles. Forty or fifty pounds to an acre is said to be the right quantity, but that is rather indefinite to most people. Some rake the seed in, but I prefer A Lovely Home Surrounded by Lawns The west lawn at "Altadorc." Mr. H. A. Little's residence, at Woodstock. some "country" residences. One of Canada's hand- r soil and the grass when grown will ik patchy and will wither much more ickly in dry weather than the grass 'here the hollows were and where there a good depth of top soil. I have, in my mind's eye, a lawn where twenty years or so ago there were flower beds and cinder paths. These were dug and covered with a light coat of soil. To this day the pattern of those beds and paths is plainly visible, especially in dry weather. The land should be ploughed or dug ^and levelled to the desired contour, ^fcoughed or dug again, and well worked ^B an even depth, and give a good coat ^^B old, well-rotted manure, especially on ^^Be poor spots. This should be well ^Borked in. It is preferable to do this ^K the fall so that the ground may settle P^pd be again levelled as early as possible tn the spring and the seed sown at once. I Before sowing go over the land with a : • rake and pull off all stones and lumps that cannot be broken. At the same time make the surface perfectly even. Procure the best lawn grass seed from a reputable seedsman— be particular about this as it will save future trouble with weeds — and sow broadcast on some very still day. Early morning is gen- erally the best time. Sow it thick, too, so that you can see it on the ground leaving it alone. The best plan is not to touch the lawn the first time until the grass is long enough to be cut with a scythe, unless the mowing machine is very sharp and in good order. It is better not to cut it until it is strong and has a good hold of the ground. After the first cutting, the grass plants (and clover, too, if you have sown it) will soon cover the ground and stand cutting whenever needed. The machine should not be set to cut too low the first year. There are sure to be some weeds, but many of them will die after being cut off with the machine a few times. Dande- lions, plaintain and ox-eye daisies can not be killed so easily. These must be pulled or spudded. A good lawn can be obtained much more quickly if clean sod can be secured at a reasonable rate from a nearby pas- ture. Sodding can be done almost any season of the year (except ' winter) es- pecially where plenty of water is at hand. Spring and early fall are the best times. The same preparation of the ground is necessary as for seeding. In cities or. places where the plot is likely to be tramped, sodding is much the better way to start a lawn. Seeding is a pre- carious proceeding and not advisable. There are many points in the making of a lawn that the uninitiated might want to know. Every place has its own particular points, and I propose, if the editor thinks I know enough about it, to write more on the subject in the near future. The keeping up of old lawns will be treated. In the meantime I shall be pleased to receive questions from anyone proposing to make a lawn and to embody the replies in my next contributions. A Sweep of Lawn Like This Adds a Homelike Appearance This illustration shows the south lawn of the residence of H. A. Little, Esq., of Woodstock, formerly owned by the late Hon. James Sutherland. 37 Fertilizers for Vegetable GroAvers' Prof. R. Horcourt, O.A.C.. Gvjelph, Ont. UNTIL comparatively recently the fundamental principles underlying the use of fertilizers was not understood. Some of the questions which had to be solved first were: What is the food of plants? and, What is the source of that food? Further, in order that fertilizers be intelligently and economically used, it is essential that some definite knowl- egde be gained regarding the food re- quirements of different plants and the power which they possess of appropri- ating these food substances. It is also necessary that something be known re- garding the quantity of food materials that are available to the plant, and the particular part each food constituent plays in plant development. These, to- gether with an intimate understanding of the composition and availabihty of the constituents of a fertilizer, and many other points, must be, at least partially, understood before fertilizers can be in- telligently applied. Given that the soil is in fair condition and that the cultivation will be thorough, there are certain fundamental facts con- cerning the needs of the soil and crops and the nature of the fertilizers that are not difficult to understand, and atten- tion to which will greatly increase the likelihood of success. All soils will not contain or retain plant food to the same extent. -As a rule, clay soils hold that which they receive better than sands, and thus do not suffer so much from the leaching action of water; on the other hand, the sands may be more liable to lose plant food in the drainage water, but they also give up that which they have to plants quicker than the heavy soils. In both classes of soils and all the inter- mediate types, an abundance of humus is essential. Regarding the plants themselves they differ in the range of root, period of growth, purposes for which they are grown, and in their power of attacking insoluble constituents of the soil v^'ith which they may come in contact. As a general rule, the greater the depth and range of root a plant has, the less need there is of supplying the ash constituents for that crop, as it can gather its food over a very wide area. The length of the growing period also has a very mark- ed influence on the nature of the ferti- lizer which a plant will require. A crop, such as barley, requires its food in a form more readily available than oats, for its period of growth is shorter and it ♦Extract from a paper read at the first annual convention of the Ontario Vegetable Growers' Association, held last November at the time of the Ontario Horticultural Exhibition. gathers its food almost entirely from the surface soil. Such crops as the legumes have com- paratively little difficulty gathering all the nitrogen they need, because, through the aid of certain minute organisms pres- ent in most solids, the immense supply of nitrogen in the atmosphere is avail- able to them; but, on the other hand, they have difficulty in getting the amount of potash they require. Root crops, such as mangolds, turnips, car- rots and beets cannot make ready use of the insoluble mineral constituents of the soil. Hence, in order to insure full crops, they must be supplied with avail- able food in which phosphates should predominate for turnips and nitrogen for mangolds and carrots. Another group of plants is distin- guished as a class not so much because of their peculiar habit of growth as be- cause of the objects of their growth. This class includes lettuce, beets, aspar- agus, celery, radishes, in fact all plants that are marketed in immature form. One of the most important points in raising these is to secure rapidity of growth, and thus to insure high quality, which is measured largely by their suc- culence. In order that this may be ac- complished they must be supplied with an abundance of available plant food, and since nitrogen is the one element that more than any other encourages and stimulates leaf and stem growth, its use is especially beneficial to all of these crops. They must not lack this element in any of their growth, though, of course, a sufficiency of the ash con- stituents must be supplied in order that the nitrogen may be properly utilized. Because of their high commercial value the quantity of plant food applied may be greatly in excess of that for any other group of plants. It is impossible to give general in- formation concerning the upe of fertiliz- ers that will apply well under all circum- stances. On soil in good condition, it is safe to apply good dressing of readily available nitrogen to all crops that pro- duce large leaf and stem growth and are harvested in the immature state. For the legumes, which can gather their own nitrogen, and potatoes, which use up large amounts of potash, potassic man- ures can safely be recommended, and for roots, and particularly for turnips, phosphoric acid is the dominant fertil- izer. It is not meant that only those particular constituents should be applied for the other fertilizer constituents are, up to a certain point, just as important. If the soil is in a high state of cultiva- tion or has been manured with natural products, as farmyard manure, they may be used singly to force a niaxinmm growth of the crops. For worn-out soils, possibly the best practice would be to apply with what farmyard manures may be available, a liberal supply of mineral constituents in the cheaper forms, such as ground bone, tankage from pork pack- ing establishments, ground phosphates, and basic phosphate for phosphoric acid, and the crude potash salts, not forgetting wood ashes for potash. The phosphoric acid and potash forms fixed compounds in the soil, and are, therefore, not likely to be leached out, provided the land is continuously cropped. Nitrogen should be applied chiefly as nitrate of soda, because in this form it is immediately useful, and thus may be apphed in frac- tional amounts, and at such times as to best meet the needs of the plant at the different stages of growth, with a rea- sonable certainty of a maximum use by the plants. In conclusion, it cannot too strongly be urged that, while fertilizers intelli- gently used may be a source of profit to the fruit grower, and especially to the vegetable grower, carelessly used, they may be a source of great loss. Thev can never take the place of cultivation; in fact, it is only in conjunction with the most thorough cultivation that thev will prove profitable. Forcing Vegetables W. T. Macoun, Ottawa, Ont. In The Horticulturist last winter Mr S. Ward Kennedy, of Leamington, had an article on Early Vegetables. Why not go further and bring vegetables to maturity under glass in winter? I am interested in this question, but only as an amateur, and I trust I am not ask- ing an absurd question. Given a properly con- stnicted, ventilated and heated greenhouse, proper soil, fertilizers and attention, why could - our growers not fill with their produce the stalls of our shops that in winter are supplied with foreign vegetables? — M. W., Hamilton. The principal reason why Canadians do not grow winter vegetables to supply the home market is that the winters are so severe that the cost of heating pre- vents successful competition with vege- tables produced in the south. It is grat- ifying to know, however, that tomatoes are being more largely grown in Canada in winter, and, we believe, with fair profit. Lettuce, radish, and some cu- ctimbers are also grown. In southern Ontario, where the winters are compar- atively mild, the growing of vegetables in winter is receiving considerable at- tention. THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 39 F. F. Reeves, Humber Bay. The Toronto branch of the Onlaiio Vegelable Growers* Association is the strongest branch of the provincial organization in the pro\'ince. It has over 100 paid mem- bers. Monthly meetings are held at which addresses are given by li>cal vegetable growers. One of the secrets of the success of this organization lies in the hard work that has been done by its efficient secretary. Mr Reeves, who has been a successful vegetable grower for a num- ber of years. Mr. Reeves was in charge of the vegetable exhibit at the Ontario Horticultural Exhibition and is a director of the Ontario .Vegetable Growers' Association. Celery Blig'Ht What is the cause of celery blight, and what is the best remedy? What experiments have been conducted to find the cause? — F.F.Reeves, Humber Bay, Ont. Prof. F. C. Sears, Truro, N.S. : There are two common diseases of celery that are known as "celery blight." As one appears much earlier than the other they have been distinguished as the early and the late blights. Both are fungous dis- eases and both begin as spots upon the leaves, but in the early the spots are at first grayish-green and later brown and ashen ; while in the late blight the spots are of a tawny color. The remedies that have proved most satisfactory are : growing celery in moist ground and, where feasible, shading it; practising rotation so that the disease may not be carried over in old celery plants and attack the new crop; de- stroying all refuse, plants and leaves, and spraying with Bordeaux mixture in the early part of the season, and later, as the plants near maturity, with cop- per carbonate solution (copper carbon- ate six ounces, ammonia water two pints, water 45 gallons). It is also recom- mended to dip the tops of plants on set- ting them out into the copper carbonate solution. Extensive experiments have been made at the following experiment stations : Ithaca, New York ; New Bruns- wick, New Jersey; New Haven, Con- necticut, and U.S. Department of Agri- culture, Washington, D.C. ANOTHER ANSWER Prof. L. R. Taft, Michigan: Celery blight is caused by a fungous disease that is especially troublesome when the growth of the plants has been checked either by lack or excess of moisture. Its effects can be lessened by using land that is naturally moist but well drained and that is well supplied with plant food. The use of mineral fertilizers rich in phosphoric acid and potash seems to reduce the tendency to the attack of this disease. When the disease has been troublesome it is a good plan to use the land for some other crop for a year or two. Spraying with Bordeaux mixture or weak copper sulphate solution will reduce the injury. Sometimes the dis- ease appears on a few plants and it will be well to remove and destroy the in- fected leaves. It will also be well when harvesting celery to carefully gather and destroy all the leaves. ONLY ONE BLIGHT Prof. S. F. Edwards, Guelph, Ont.: The term celery blight is commonly ap- plied to several diseases of celery, but accurately speaking there is only one that should be called blight. The cause of this trouble is a fungus, Cercospora apii, Fr., which may appear at almost any time during the season, attacking first the lower leaves, and producing ir- regular brownish blotches that later turn yellow. Probably the most beneficial treatment is spraying with Bordeaux mixture, twice on the young seedlings, and again a few weeks after transplant- ing. Another disease of celery that is some- times called blight, and which is prob- ably of bacterial origin, is under investi- gation in this laboratory. In connection with this work, specimens of a few leaves of diseased celery, accompanied with data as to the extent of the trouble, percentage of loss, and varieties of celery most affected, would be gladly received. Gro-wing Cauliflower The question of growing cauliflower was ably discussed at the meeting of the Toronto branch of the Vegetable Grow- ers' Association on January 6, by Mr. Jno. McKay, the cauliflower king, of Doncaster. It was stated definitely that for success in growing this crop a suitable soil must be provided. As a rule success cannot be had on land that is suitable for growing celery. A sandy loam is the best soil and much better than heavier soil. A liberal stipply of manure must be added and frequent cultivation is required throughout the season. It is an expensive crop to grow, as the plants are delicate and will not stand extremes of heat or cold, and there are numerous insect pests to combat. For success the best seed is needed. These should be started about June 1. Mr. McKay used to sow the seeds before May 15, but he found that the white maggot usually did much damage when the plants were started early. He advised setting out a few plants about July 1, and the main crop July 15, and holding a few thousand as late as July 20. The best returns were obtained by setting the plants in rows two and a half feet apart, and the plants two feet apart in the row with those of one row opposite the spaces in the adjoining rows. All the plants were watered as they were set out, two men setting while the third put on the water. It is well to set the plants out during showery weather but when three or four acres are to be planted suitable weather cannot be awaited. Plants with two to two and a half inch stems were claimed to be better than longer specimens. Frequent cultivation with the horse and constant use of the hoe to keep the weeds down results in rapid growth, and when the head has developed to the size of a hen egg or duck egg the leaves should be pulled together over the top and tied with a string to prevent the sun from burning it. Mr. McKay was asked what his ex- perience with commercial fertilizers had been, and he remarked that he had used different fertilizers both in the green- house and for field crops. In some cases excellent results followed and again, under similar conditions, no im- provement in the crop was noticed. The blight could not be kept down no matter how much fertilizer was used. Mr. Shuter said that the fertilizers tend- ed to make the plants stronger and more able to resist disease and insect attacks. When asked what variety gave best results Mr. McKay said that Erfurt seed procured from one of the Toronto seed houses was most satisfactory on his soil. He started the seed on a knoll and secured more sturdy plants there than when the seed was planted on lower ground. THe BurdocK Will a burdock bear seed the first year, or how many years will the same root bear seed? — Subscriber, Clinton. The burdock is generally considered a biennial (that is, it takes two years to reproduce itself), but in rare conditions it may be found as an annual. The biennial burdock starts from seed but does not flower the first season. The following spring it resumes growth and produces seed, after which the whole plant dies. The same root bears seed only once. Plants should be treated more as human beings who eat and drink and breathe. Weak plants are usually caused by high feeding, or the addition of something that the plant doesn't like. E. F. Collins, Toronto. 40 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST The Canadian Horlicullurisl Published by The Horticultural Publishing Company^, Limited The Only Horticultural Magazine in the Dominion Official Organ of British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and Prince Edward Island Fruit Growers' Associations and of the Ontario Veg- etable Growers' Association H. Bronson Cowan, Editor and Business Manager J. Albert Hand, B.S.A., Associate Editor .W. G. Rook, Advertising Manager A. B. CtrrriNO, B.S.A., Travelling Representative 1. The Canadian Horticulturist is published the first of every month. 2. Subscription Price $1.00 a year, strictly in advance. For all countries except Canada, United States and Great Britain add 50c. for postage. 3. Remittances should be made by Post OflSce 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 con- tinue 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. Change of Address — When a change of address is ordered, both the old and the new addresses must be given. 6. cAdvertising Rates quoted on application. Circu- lation 5,500. Copy received up to the 25_th. Responsible representatives wanted in towns and cities. 7. cArticles and Illustrations for publication will be thankfully received by the editor. 8. cAU Communications should be addressed: THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 507 and 508 Manning Chambers TORONTO, CANADA UNRELIABLE NURSERIES A considerable amount of business is done in Canada each year by unreliable nursery firms from across the line. Eagerness on the part of the grovper to save a few cents, and foresig:ht on the part of the managers of these nurseries in issuing a bright catalogue full of tempting oilers, result in many farmers and fruit grow- ers being bitten. Trees are catalogued at rates slightly lower than the Canadian nursery- men offer similar stock, but the short-sighted grower forgets that duty and freight have to be paid. The Indianapolis Nursery Company and others of a similar stamp flood the fruit grow- ing districts of Canada with these catalogues every season. The stock that they offer is gen- erally found to be a surplus that they cannot sell in their regular territory. In many cases it is not true to name as the orders are filled from whatever sorts are most plentiful. More than this these firms specify that money must accompany the order, and cases are known in which the money was retained and no stock sent. The fact, also, that these goods are grown in the south is worthy of consideration. Such stock is naturally of a softer and more pithy growth than our Canadian trees. They are not suited to Canadian culture, and the first severe winter kills the trees or causes them to become black-hearted. Many of these trees are grown in sections that are the very hotbeds of the dreaded San Jose scale. Every case in which this scale has been found in Canada has been traced to stock imported from the United States Special precautions are taken to de- stroy scale forms on imported stock by thor- ough fumigation, but it is infinitely safer to purchase from Canadian nurseries where such troubles do not exist. Last spring an unreUable firm established temporary headquarters at Napanee, and sent agents around selling the famous Lovett stravr- berry at exorbitant prices. Many growers, knowing the superior quality of this variety, made large purchases. The plants proved to be worthless, but the contracts were so arranged that they could compel payment. In a few cases the stock was satisfactory in appearance, but it was afterwards learned that the plants were obtained from a neighboring patch and taken u[) with a plow. Such practices should l)e a lesson for every grower in Canada. Reliable firms, such as those advertising in The Canadian Hortic^jlturist, for each of whom we can vouch, can supjily the requirements of the great majority of the grow- ers, and it will be found much more satisfac- tory lo deal with established firms such as these that are known to be reliable, and who have a reputation to maintain. FRUIT GROWERS AND THE TARIFF The position of the Ontario fruit growers on the tariff is an unfortunate one. Instead of going before the Tariff Commission and jjresent- ing a statement, and later having a discussion of the matter in the fruit sections, the discussion .should have been held first and the commission waited on later. As it is, the Ontario Associa- tion has asked for one thing while the growers in the Niagara peninsula purpose petitioning for something entirely different. The result is that the growers are divided among themselves as to whether or not the tariff should be increased, while the opposition to an increase is strong and to the point. The position of those who oppose an increase is strengthened by the foohsh action of those growers who favor asking for a higher tariff than they need, or expect to receive, in the hope that in that way they will be able to obtain what they require. By asking for more than they need they strengthen the attack of those who oppose an increase who are thus enabled to show how unreasonable their demands are and in this way to bring discredit on the whole case of the fruit growers. The sympathy of the public is what settles the line of action taken in matters of this kind. If the commission dealers are able to show that the demands of the fruit growers are in any way unreasonable they gain this sympathy. The statement made by Mr. W. F. Maclean, M.P., last week, at the Vegetable Growers' ban- quet, that there is no reason why it cannot be arranged to have the tariff on fruit and vege- tables go into effect through order-in-council in any district or districts, and for stated periods, is a most important one. If this can be done, and no strong reason has been advanced to show the suggestion to be impracticable, the difficulties of the situation have largely been solved. In this way the growers in the different sections of Canada would be able to obtain the protection they require, and at the season it is needed, while the consumption of fruit at other periods of the year would not be curtailed. This matter is worth further consideration by the growers. It might be well to arrange for a conference between representatives of the On- tario Association and those of the Niagara penin- sula. The first effort of the growers should be to harmonize their views as far as possible, and then to lay their amended case before the commission. The Horticulturist strongly favors greater protection on several varieties of fruit for limited periods, but it will oppose, as being unreasonable and unwise, demands that, if granted, will pre- vent the consumption of foreign fruit at periods when Canadian fruit is not available. and ability deserve. Men of no greater ability, who specialised in other departments, had no difficulty in securing desirable and remunerative positions. There is no option on the college curriculum that has so many desirable features as that of horticulture. Were a reputation for excellence established by that department, students who graduated in horticulture would be in demand. Apart from this fact, how is the Province being benefited by work done or experiments carried on at the college? Some ex]jeriments have been conducted with strawberries and with tomatoes, but how great has been the bene- fit to the practical grower of strawberries and tomatoes? Have the results been sufficiently advertised ? The vegetable growers are thirsting after knowledge in regard to insect and fungous diseases and yet the college is able to render them but little if any assistance. What the practical grower wants is results of practical experiments and not theoretical information he is unable to use to advantage. Vegetable growing f.nder glass is becoming an important industry in Ontario. Why is not our Agricultural College in the van of this great work? It is all well enougli to grow a few choice tomatoes and cucumbers for table use during winter, but how many experiments have been conducted along this line and the results pub- hshed so that the ambitious gardener may know the varieties to put into a glass house, and the cultural methods to follow to obtain profitable returns for his labor? Fault is not being found with those in charge of the greenhouses. With the addition of lectures to the already numerous duties delegated to Mr. Hunt the wonder is that he has done so much good work. What is wanted is more greenhouse space for experi- mental work, and the appointment of a compe- tent assistant. In fact the assistant is needed whether additional houses are built or not. The Ontario Agricultural College has gained an enviable reputation. This reputation can be retained only by making still further improve- ments. In no branch of the college is improve- ment more needed than in that of horticulture. IMPROVEMENT NEEDED AT GUELPH What is the matter with the horticultural department at that excellent institution the Guelph Agricultural College? Why is it that so few students take the horticulture option? Why is it that those who do take that option find such difficulty in securing positions? The answer to the former question is found in the latter. The horticultural department has been running long enough to have gained a reputa- tion equal in its field to that acquired by the agricultural department. Although comparat- ively few students took the horticulture special during the past few years, several promising graduates are without work such as their energy ONTARIO HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITION Arrangements for the next Ontario Horticul- tural Exhibition are already well under way. A meeting for organization purposes was held in Toronto, Jan. 23, when it was decided to hold the exhibition this year Nov. 6-10, in Massey Hall. Half rates will be guaranteed over all railroads. The officers elected were Pres., R. J. Score, of Toronto; 1st V.-Pres., W. H. Bunting, of St. Catharines; 2nd V.-Pres., H. R. Frank- land, of Toronto; Sec, H. B. Cowan, of Toronto; Treas., J. H. Dunlop, of Toronto, and an Execu- tive Committee composed of representatives from the Ont. Fruit Growers', Ont. Vegetable Growers', and Ont. Bee Keepers' Associations, and the Toronto Electoral and Horticultural Societies, and Toronto Gardeners and Florists' Association. A financial statement was presented that showed that a deficit of some S400 connected with the last exhibition had been wiped off through the efforts of the directors, and that the prize fists and all expenses had been paid in full. -This was considered very encouraging. It was decided to open the exhibition this year Tuesday evening, instead of in the afternoon, as in the past. The judging will be completed and the prize cards in place before the exhibition is opened. It was decided to have the prize lists printed and in circulation by July 1 next. In the meantime preUminary prize lists will be pubhshed in the papers. Those present were enthusiastic regard- ing the success of the next exhibition. If boxes are used they should be made strong. I have heard of many boxes being so light and easily broken that they were in bad shape when they reached Montreal. I have always con- sidered that packing in boxes is slow work. — Irvine Hicks, South Bay, Ont. Niagara Groovers Want More Tariff AT an important meeting of the Niagara Pen- insula United Fruit Growers' Association, held in St. Catharines, Jan 18, it was de- cided after a spirited discussion to ask the Federal Government to increase the duties on certain fruits. The increase asked is identical with that decided upon at previous meetings held in Winona and Grimsby and published in the January issue of The Can.\dian Horticultur- ist, viz.: '^ On peaches from 1 cent a pound to 2 cents. On pears from 20 % ad -valorem to 1 cent a lb. specific. On i^lums from 25 % ad valorem to 1 cent a lb. specific. On apples, from 40 cents a barrel to 75 cents a barrel. A large attendance gave evidence of the interest taken in the tariff ([uestion. Different opin- ions were voiced and three different proposals were submitted to the meeting. Mr. W. H. Bunting, of St. Catharines, seconded by Mr. Chas. Lowry, St. David's, moved the adoption of the following: — "Resolved, that we believe the maintenance of the tariff on foreign fruits is necessary to the encouragement of the fruit industry of this country, that the tariff at pres- ent in force has a beneficial effect, and has not to any appreciative extent increased the cost to the consumer; we would, therefore, respect- fully urge upon the Government that no reduc- tion be made in this tariff but that a specific duty of 1 cent a pound be substituted when- ever an ad valorem tariff is at present in force." In amendment to the above Mr. Jos. Tweddle, of Fruitland, seconded by Mr. W. A. Emory, of Aldershot, moved that the Government be asked to adopt an open and closed season as requested by a majority vote at a meeting held in Burling- ton on Jan. 2, with the following proposed schedule of rates, the Government to regu- late the tariff during the open season for revenue purposes : Strawberries,4 cents a lb., May 15 to July 1. Raspberries, 2 cents a lb,, July 1, to Sept. 1. Blackberries, " " " " Gooseberries, " " " " Currants, " " " " Grapes, 2 cents a lb., Aug. 1 to Dec. 1. Cherries, 3 cents a lb., July 1 to Sept. 1. Plums, 2 cents a lb., July 1 to Nov. 1. Peaches, " Pears, 2 cents a tb., July 15 to Jan. 1. Apples, 75 cents a barrel July 15 to Jan. 1. After a lively discussion on this question of a sliding tariff, Mr. Jonathan Carpenter, of Win- ona, supported by J. W. Smith, of Winona, moved in amendment to the amendment that the Government be asked to increase the duties on a flat rate basis, as outlined in our opening paragraph. This was put to the meeting and carried by a larg'e majority. THE BURUNGTON MEETING. A meeting of the Burlington Horticulturist Association was held in BurUngton, Jan. 2, Messrs. E. D. Smith, M.P., and J. W. Smith, of Winona, were invited to attend. The members present were unanimously in favor of an increase in the duties on fruits, but differed as to the best means of adjusting same. Some favored a flat increase; others proposed and supported the idea of a closed season. There was some talk also of asking for a revenue tariff on bananas as it was thought that the enormous consumption of bananas in this coun- try interfered with the desire and sale for do- mestic fruits. Finally it was decided to appoint a committee — J. C. Smith, and A. W. Peart, Burlington, W. A. Emory, Aldershot — to draw up a schedule for a sliding tariff, same to be the voice of the meeting, with the alternative of a flat rate increase. Same committee later met delegate from AMnona and Grimsby, and de- cided upon the schedule above mentioned. Such was presented to the mass meeting at St. Catharines and defeated by the advocates of a straight increase. THE DISCUSSION AT ST. CATHARINES. At the St. Catharines meeting the positions taken at meetings held at BurUngton, Grimsby and Winona, were submitted to the growers and thoroughly discussed. Mr. Robt. Thomp- son, of St. Catharines, said that the idea of a sliding scale was absurd and impracticable. Closed season in this district would not be a favorable closed season in the Northwest. During open season consumers would buy their supply of fruit in advance of our season, both for table use and for canning. In reply, the advo- cates of a sliding tariff contended that before the first dates of closed season fruit could not be bought cheap enough for profitable canning and only the few could afford to buy it even for table use. Mr. W. H. Bunting and others of St. Cathar- ines were not in favor of either proposition for an increase in the duties except in the case of pears and plums, which should be changed from ad valorem to a specific duty of one cent a pound. Mr. Bunting said that he was strongly of the opinion that if the Association presses for two cents a ]»und on peaches that it will be so strongly opposed in the Northw-est that our petition will be swamped. The Northwest is not in favor of our peaches and fruit, generally speaking, and we must go easy if we are to com- mand our share of that market. If we can secure a five days' transportation service to the Northwest, we need not fear so much the com- petition from over the line. Regarding the idea of a sliding tariff on fruits, Mr. E. A. Lancaster, M.P. for Lincoln, said that he believed such was feasible. The present tariff provides for an open and closed season for some kinds of manufactured goods. Mr. E. D. Smith, M.P., of Winona, spoke in favor of an increase. The more he thought of the closed season idea the more favorably dis- posed he was towards it. An increase in the duties is necessary: from the growers' viewpoint a sliding tariff would be the most satisfactory; from the Govern- ments' viewpoint a flat increase may seem the most feasible. For apples an increase was asked, not so much for growers in the Niagara district, but in the interests of growers all over the Prov- ince. "In the case of peaches," said Mr. Smith, "if we can get the Government to put a duty of 2 cents a potmd on them and thereby keep out California peaches, we can find a market in the Northwest for thousands of bushels that we cannot send now." As we have found the way to put our peaches in the Northwest in sound condition, and as we can grow the fruit, we should not be denied the market for want of an increase of one cent in the duties. — A. B. Cutting. TKe West Wants Tariff Reduction THE action taken recently by the Niagara District Fruit Growers in demanding a higher duty on fruit from the United States brought forth the following editorial from the Winnipeg Free Press, which may have been in part inspired by the Winnipeg commission deal- ers, and which is to a certain extent the reply of the West: "Wholesale fruit houses of Winnipeg have dropped thousands of dollars in the attemjit to handle Ontario peaches. Ontario shippers have not succeeded in sending peaches to the West in good condition. As for Briti-sh Columbia peaches, they are not early, and have appeared here as yet only in limited quantities, and of those that have appeared a considerable proportion have been lacking in carrying quality. Plums and pears of British Columbia are also late, not being ready before the end of July or early in August. British Columbia, Uke Ontario, po.ssesses areas of the finest fruit-growing lands on the continent, but they do not produce fruit all the year round, nor have Ontario or British Columbia fruit-grow- ers succeeded in producing fruit of a sort to Stand transportation in comparison with the Strawberries of Oregon, which come to Winnipeg in prime condition. The problem of the 'car- • rying quality' of fruit which is both a problem of fruit production and a problem of fruit pack- ing, is one which has not been solved, especially in regard to strawberries, either in Ontario or British Columbia. But if it were solved, why should peoijle living in Prairie Provinces be heavily taxed, as Mr. Ernest D'IsraeH Smith, M.P., advocates on fruit brought in from across the boundary in months when neither Ontario nor British Columbia have any fruit to offer? "Fruit is not so much a luxury as a necessity to health. "The question of the tariff taxation of fruit is a vital one to the people of the Prairie Provinces, and in view of these demands of the Ontario fruit growers, as also of the demands that were made by representatives of the British Columbia fruit growers, who appeared before the Tariff Commission a couple of months ago, some figures of what is paid out in the way of customs duties on fruit claim attention. During the months of January and February, strawberries from the United States arrive in Winnipeg in express lots at the rate of some 20 or 25 cases weekly; in April and May, 100 cases weekly. In the latter part of May and on through June they arrive in car lots, mainly from the famous Hood River plantations in Oregon. "The only fruits which Ontario can send to the West in satisfactory condition are apples, plums and grapes, also tomatoes. Apples from across the boundary pay 40 cents a barrel duty. They cannot begin to compare with the apples either of Eastern Canada or of British Columbia, but we get them two months earlier. They do not in any way compete with Canadian apples, and nobody imports them once Canadian apples are to be had . "The West wants tariff reductions, not tarifl increases. The West will not stand up for any tariff increases, and least of all for tariff increases on fruit. If any indication is given of an in- tention to alter the tariff in the manner demanded by the Niagara Peninsula Ignited Fruit Growers' Association the Government will find it met by a protest from the West that will be anything but- perfunctory in its character." In a communication dated December 20, to the Trade and Commerce Department, Mr. Chas. Kittson, Canada's commercial agent in Africa, states that a recent shipment of Canadian apples consigned to Cape Town, was seriously infested by scab, and also by codling moth, some barrels to the extent of 60 % in case of the former, and 40 % in case of the latter. He points out that Canadian shippers were warned that fruit so affected was liable to confiscation on arrival, without compensation to shi[)pers or consignees, and it has lately been authoritatively stated that unless Canadian shippers refrain from shipping diseased fruit to South Africa the importation of fruit from the Dominion will be prohibited by the Cape Colony Government. Practical Pointers from Practical Planters PicKed up and penned by A. D. Cutting. D.S.A., Special Representative of The Horticulturist, -who is visiting tHe Homes of fruit and vegetable groTwers in tHe Niagara Peninsula SUCCESS in fruit growing depends chiefly upon four factors: the personality of the growers, proper methods of orchard man- agement, a thorough knowledge of market economics, and the prospective condition of the market, local or foreign. The first of these, the individuality of the growers, is more important than most people think; yet everyone knows that any two persons placed in business in the same environments, and given an equal chance, will arrive at very different results. A differ- ence in individuality, and in some cases a lack of individuality is very striking in fruit growers. How often we see, side by side, enjoying the same condition of climate and local environment, tilling the same kind of soil and growing the same class of fruit, two men attaining very different results in the fruit business! Even in our famous Niagara district many contrasts of this nature may be found. Besides the factor of individuality the factors of marketing and markets are important also, but not more so than the factor of orchard orchardment. Some growers are apt to leave too much to chance. Even in the selection of varieties for spring planting, I find in my sojourn amongst the growers of this district that some planters are very careless in this matter. Others again are alive to the require- ments of the industry and from these I have picked up some pointers of value and interest. HOW TO SELECT VARIETIES. The gist of these pointers shows that the fundamental principal in selecting varieties is to profit by the experience of your neighbors, to observe the behavior of varieties growing under conditions similar to your own, and to be governed accordingly. With some men personal preference largely influences the selec- tion. For the home orchard such a system of selection may be all right, but for a commercial plantation something more stable must be depended upon. Local conditions of soil and climate must be studied and varieties chosen to suit such conditions. Some purpose must be kept in mind, and some particular market to be filled, and selection be made accordingly. In- terpollination also should be considered, par- ticularly in varieties of apples, pears, grapes and strawberries; it is safer never to plant even a peach orchard of one variety alone. "To illustrate the value of interpollination in grapes," said Mr. F. M. Carpenter, of F'ruitland, "observe the case of Brighton, which seldom ripens all over the bunch unless planted near some variety that will fertilize it. In my vineyard rows of Brighton adjoining Concord fertilize and ripen much better than rows far off." The number of varieties that one should plant will depend upon the market to be supplied and the method of marketing. When catering for both local and distant markets, plant var- ieties to ripen early and late so as to keep up a supply of marketable fruit from the beginning to the end of the season. When large ship- ments in refrigeration are in prospect select varieties that will ripen at or near the same time, or better still, plant enough trees of one variety, if self fertile, so as to have sufficient fruit of one kind and at one time to fill the car, or the apartment on board ship. Pressure of space does not permit of all the list of varieties recommended for planting by the many growers that I have visited. At a farmers' institute meeting in Ancaster Jan. 10, the question was asked: "What six varieties of apples are the best to plant as money makers?" In reply, Mr. G. C. Caston, of Craighurst, who was the chief speaker on fruit matters, recom- mended the following: — Ontario, Gano, Boiken, Spy, Baldwin, and R. I. Greening. Boiken, a variety little known, is a very early bearer and produces abundant crops yearly. Mr. Caston advised top-grafting the tender varieties of apples on hardy stocks, and, in particular, he recommended top-grafting King on Talman Sweet to ensure early bearing and a double yield. CHERRIES. "The best sweet cherries for my district," said Mr. H. F. Burkholder, of Bartonville, "are Schmidt's Biggereau, a reliable yielder and a very profitable sort; Black Oxheart, Black Eagle, Black Tartarian and Windsor." He and other growers in that locality recom- mend in sour cherries the old reliables, Early Richmond and Montmorency. Cherry trees are very difficult to graft. For best results it should be done in early spring just before growth starts. The bird cherry makes a good stock to graft sour cherries upon. POINTERS ON PLUMS. Mr. C. C. Pettit, of Fruitland, who has an orchard of over 2,500 plum trees, including about 1,100 Lombards, discussed the Lombard situa- tion with the writer and said that there are too many Lombard trees in the country. When there is a glut in the plum market the Lombards are the ones to suffer. Although such gluts may be the result of over-production in certain localities they are more probably due to a lack of proper distribution. One of the crying needs of our fruit industry is for a system of distribution that will do away with disastrous plum gluts such as growers have experienced during differ- ent seasons in the recent past. It is well known that oftentimes when Hamil- ton, Toronto, and other large markets are over- stocked with plums, that in smaller towns they cannot be bought at any price. "To illustrate this fact," said Mr. Pettit, "I was talking during the plum glut of 1903 with a man from the eastern townships who said that in his town he paid as high as 75 cents a basket for plums, when in Toronto and Hamilton they could be bought for 10 cents and less." Although Mr. Pettit has such a large percent- age of Lombards in his orchard he would not advise new planters to set out any trees of this variety. In yellow plums, also, there are some well-known ones that are not worth planting, particularly General Hand which is unproductive. Some nurserymen are pushing the Stanley which is identical with the General Hand — another case of an old variety with a new name. Among the many profitable varieties, Mr. Pettit recommends Burbank, Bradshaw, Canada Orleans, Washington, Green Gage, Yellow Egg, Quackenboss, Damson, German Prune and Reine Claude. THE JAPAN PLUMS. Whether or not it is wise to plant Japan plums is a disputed point. Some of the growers that I have visited say that this class of plum is being planted too much. Japan plums fall to pieces when canned, particularly the Abundance, and as a consequence they are not wanted at the canning factories. Others claim that there is more money in this class of plums than in any other, being early and very productive. As for canning these men cite the case of Satsuma which is, they contend, one of the best for can- ning to be found in any class. PLANTING PEACH TREES. "When selecting or buying peach trees for planting," remarked Mr. J. W. Smith, of Winona, "the height should be the last consideration. Large trees are not the best — medium sized or small ones, if smooth and thrifty, are more satisfactory — in no case should they be more than one year from the bud. The trees should be stout and well grown at the collar, and have plenty of roots; a good strong top is sure to follow." Plant the trees just deep enough and 42 firm enough to be solid when future top is formed. FORM LOW-HEADED TREES. Mr. Smith believes in low-headed tree, but says that the head should he started in the nursery row, by nipping back when grown to the right height, say 18 inches, rather than cut back after the tree has grown to good size. Trees with heads well started in the nursery are worth at least five cents more than others not so treated. Trees not headed back and formed in nursery row cannot be headed as low as they should be, as strong buds are few and irregularly placed low down on the trunks of such trees. The present custom is not to form the heads in the nursery, and, as Mr. Smith said, nursery- men should not be expected to do so until the demand for low-headed trees warrants the change. Any planter who desires such, how- ever, will be gladly accommodated by nursery- men if he will first tell his wants to the nurserymen during the previous season and in plenty of time to do the necessary work in the nursery. Some growers object to low-headed peach trees on the ground of expense and labor at the time of cultivating. Mr. Smith claims, while recogniz- ing the force of this argument as far as it goes, that the greatest expense and labor comes at the time of picking, not earlier in the season. As a consequence it is better to hire additional help for cultivating and have low trees that may be picked from the ground than to try and economize time and money in cultivating high- headed trees, that must be picked from ladders. A picker on the ground, provided the fruit is within his reach, will pick twice as fast and twice as much as one on a ladder. It is wise, therefore, when planting for growers to bear this in mind. BUY HEALTHY STOCK. "I received a lot of peach trees from a nursery in Ontario, in each of which I found one or two- borers. I have reason to believe, however, that the trees were not grown in this Province, but were imported froin over the line." So said Mr. Geo. Awrey, East Hamilton, who cautions growers against buying infected stock. Nursery trees should be free from fungi and injurious insects. It is best to avoid trees grown in districts subject to tree troubles; such as peaches from a region where leaf curl is prevalent, or pears from a 'section where blight is known to exist. PLANTING GRAPES. "When planting grapes cut off the previous year's growth to two buds on a single vine. To plant quickly, stake out distance apart of rows, plow furrow in same direction as row is to run, then mark out the distance apart vines are to be set in the row. Plant firmly, then cultivate ■with scuffler to loosen surface soil and to fill up furrows. A hoe crop may be grown first year which should be cultivated at regular intervals." Such is the advice of Mr. Murray Pettit, of Winona, who also recommends for planting the following varieties in order of ripening: — Camp- bell's Early, Worden, Delaware, Lindley, Concord, Niagara, Agawam, Catawba, in localities where they will ripen, and Vergennes. In early local- ities, on heavy soil, good money may be made in growing Champions if they are well thinned. Mr. Pettit follows the fan system of training, which we hope to describe in a future issue of The Horticulturist. Both as a fruit grower and a fruit merchant we find The Canadian Horticulturist exces- sively interesting, and we have gained some very valuable information from the hints con- tained therein. — Toel Goodwin, Manchester, Eng THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 43 A-pples at Five Cents a Barrel J. J. PHilp, Dominion Fruit Inspector, "Winnipeg Apples are more in demand in Winnipeg at this season than any other fruit. They are more of an actual necessity than are the finer and more expensive fruits. This year in Winnipeg to many the apple trade is a very unsatisfactory proposition, not to the regular and legitimate dealers, or those who have a regular trade and are handling their stock inteUigently, but to those who are ship- ping here on commission, or for storage, and have no proper facilities for watching their fruit, or a regular trade to absorb the accumulation of off stock that is bound to appear at this time of the year. To the latter the experiences of the present season cannot fail to be anything short of disastrous. One eastern man sold 75 barrels, and notwithstanding that some of them brought $4.25, the whole lot netted him less than $1.00. There was a time when the writer used to think that we had the very best cHraate for keeping apples over winter. Closer observation has convinced me that this is a mistake. Few cellars can be procured that are altogether free from artificial heat. This means want of uni- formity of temperature, and lack of proper ventilation, two conditions that when combined cause the destruction of the fruit stored. It may be asked what about cold storage? It's the very best, but could not accommodate one-half of the quantity that has to be stored here for the three months after navigation closes. It is astounding to look over the stocks stored in Winnipeg at the present time. Just fancy: Snow apples, lots of them, XXX, and XX, the first some of them not too bad, but the latter small, scabby, and rotten. Many of them are not worth the price of the barrel in which they are packed. Also in stock there are: Col vert. Jenneting, Wealthy, Mcintosh Red, Haas, Golden Pippin, and other varieties too numerous to mention. Very few of these will realize enough to pay for their transportation, and all I ^^Tnce down by the sea. Nova Scotia, will be exporting over a million barrels of apples in addi- tion to supplying the ever increasing demand in the local markets. Great progress has been made during the past few years. The earliest record we have of apple-growing in this province is in the year 1633. Previous to 1812 the fruit industry was only an industry in name, and consisted in growing a lot of seed- ling apples and a few good varieties. These latter were shaken from the trees and marketed in old flour barrels, and foimd sale in local towns and cities in the Maritime Provinces. Tlie poorer sorts and seedlings were carted away to the mills and the juice converted into cider. In the year 1812, the Hon. Charles R. Pres- cott, M.L.A., bought a farm at Starr's Point and started fruit-growing. This marks a new era so far as the fruit industry is concerned in Nova Scotia. Most of tlie varieties of fruit planted by Mr. Prescott were imijorted from England, and in that way very many of the best standard varieties of to-day were introduced. In his list were to be found the Spy, Ribston, Blen- heim, Baldwin, Gravenstein, Fameuse, Green- ing, Spitzenburg, and others. His hst of pears, phmis, cherries and other small fruits contained many of the leading stand- ard varieties of our time. About 1849 the first fruit show was held in Canard, Kings County. At that show Mr. Pres- cott exhibited 03 varieties of apples and 20 varieties of pears. From this time on the fruit industry increased and grew until in the year the time they are seriously injuring the sale of good stock. Herein we have the pith of the whole matter. Such apples as many of these are can never be shipped liere except at a loss, because they are not worth anything, and never should have been shipped. A couple of weeks ago The Ottawa Fruit and Produce Co. auctioned ofi' large quantities of Ontario fall fruit for five cents a barrel. From 300 to 350 barrels a day were sold, according to a recent issue of the Winnipeg Free Press, for several weeks. These were fall apples that should have been sold by November. The purchasers were Yiddish people. Shippers should send half the quantity, and that the best half. This gives only half the expenses, and half the risk. Better marking of the barrels according to the Fruit Marks Act should be observed. Shippers must consider the effect that a fine package, neatly marked, has on the sale of the article. I believe that a man's character and personal habits can be told by the way the apple barrels are marked. Besides, the law says so, and the inspectors are supposed to see that it is observed. The wholesale fruit dealers at a recent meeting appointed a committee to formulate resolutions regarding the standard for a No. 2 or XX grade, and other amendments that they think will improve and help to facilitate the working of the act. If there are any amendments to be made that will improve the act, they will be very wel- come, and cannot come too quickly, but in any event let all discussion in reference to its several features be on a higher plane than the purely selfish idea that if it is going to benefit the other fellow more than it does me I won't have it. That our fruit interests are in need of being raised to a higher standard, no one in close touch with the business will deny, and all should aim to have a part in the good work. The Frviit Industry of Nova Scotia G. H. Vroom. Midaieton, N.S. 1880 the export of apples from St. John and HaHfax to Great Britain amounted to 24,000 barrels. In 1890 the export had reached the 100,000 barrels, and in the year 1903 the total export of apples from Nova Scotia to the Old Country amoimted to 532,000, besides over 80,000 barrels sold in local markets. It is only within the last 20 years that fruit has been grown very much outside the dis- trict known as the Annapolis Valley, which in- cludes the stretch of coimtry lying between the north and south mountains in the counties of Annapolis and Kings. This valley is about 80 miles in length and three to eight miles in width. The best orchard land is near the foot of the mountain and on the hilly slopes. The soil is deep and fertile, and frost does less damage than it does on the low lands near the rivers. In the early eighties other parts of the prov- ince made small beginnings in the fruit-growing industry. The farmers in the county of Lunen- burg began to wake up to the fact that fruit- growing was a pleasant and profitable industry, and decided to try the possibilities in that grand, historic old country. Their efforts were crown- ed with a marked degree of success, and to-day some of our finest and best fruit comes from Lunenburg county. Hants county also em- barked in the business on a soniwhat extended scale about the same time, with the result that to-day fruit grown in the Avon Valley is sought after in both the local and fi ireign markets on account of its superior quality. Similar advance- ment has been made in other sections. With few exceptions the fruit business in Nova Scotia is carried on in an up-to-date manner. Among those exceptions may be mentioned the tendency to pack and market third-grade stuff, which is detrimental to the reputation of number one Nova Scotia fruit. Among the up-to-date features of the Nova Scotia fruit business is the abundance of first-class fruit houses along the lines of railway where the farmer can store his apples and haul them when the roads are good in the fall. This does away with the old method of hauling through snow-banks or mud, or run- ning the risk of having the fruit frozen on the highway. In these frost-proof houses the fruit is packed under the supervision of a competent man who has had sufficient experience to qualify him for such a position. When a steamship arrives in port cars are run alongside the fruit house, and the work of loading a car is only a matter of a short time. The cars are better than in former years and, taking everything into consideration, good facilities are in existence to ensure our fruit arriving in the British market in excellent con- dition, if proper care and precaution is taken. This is benefiting the industry and helping Nova Scotia fruit to hold its own in the markets of the world. Notes on tHe Fruit Xrade E. H. Wartman, Dominion Fruit Inspector Handlers and speculators in Canadian apples are a class that make many mistakes, and run a little wild in their ideas. Frequently buyers say, "If I only had purchased 5,000 instead of 10,000 barrels, or 10,000 rather than 20,000. By purchasing the smaller quantity my help engaged could have done good work and got through before frost had a chance to do any damage." Many a buyer has purchased from small growers 25 to 50 barrels on the trees, not making provision to house or shelter this fruit as gathered. When the time comes to gather you have the spacious out-door to do your work, through rain, snow, heat or mud. The mark- ets demand a clean, neat package, but how is it possible under these circumstances? Buyers should pass such ill-provided ranches, and teach such men it is absolutely necessary to jirovide for their products. The buyer who left such fruit would be money in pocket. Other buy- ers go around the country buying small lots of 20 to 40 barrels that have been picked some 5, 10 or 15 days, and exposed to heat and all kinds of weather. No fruit should be bought under these circumstances. In this day of advance- ment buyers are looking for sound goods in neat, clean packages. Co-operative associations have been formed and are doing good work. It is hoped soon that all those who have no place to house and projjerly pack their fruit in, will have one of these close at hand, where the fruit can be taken and properly cooled, graded and packed; then a buyer can at any time get a full car of the varieties he desires. As the demand for choice apples in boxes is increasing, we need not look for any more bar- rel famines. Fruit buyers this year who have tried to live up to the requirements of the Fruit Marks Act have been well compensated. The principles of this act are only the golden rule after all. A Bu.slncs.s Change. — The first of this year Mr. FeUx A. Perkins, of the firm of Perkins & Paine Manufacturing Co., Port Dover, sold his share and interest in this firm to Otto G. Palm, who, with Mr. John B. Paine, of Toronto, will con- tinue manufacturing the Little Giant Sprayer in Port Dover, Ont., under the firm name of the "Little Giant Sprayer Mfg. Co." The office will be' in Toronto at 41 Colborne St. They have several orders on hand, and are rushing out machines as fast as possible. This is one of the most practical spraying machines on the market, and as it is a Canadian invention and made in Canada, it ought to be patronized by Canadian fruit growers. 44 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST Excellent WorK of the Horticultural Societies JucIkiiik from the fiuhusiusni that is shown by the re])orls from the annual meetings of the different Horticultural Societies in Ontario, a great improvement will result this year in the appearance of the various towns and cities where these organizations exist. The result of the selection of officers for many of the societies have reached The Horticulturist. Lack of space prevents the publication of not nearly as full a report of the numerous meetings as we would like. PICTON. At Picton the new officers are: Pres., P. C. Macnee; 1st V.-Pres., W. J. Carter; 2nd V.- Pres., Thos. Bog; Sec.-Treas, Walter T. Ross. Directors, R. Davison, W. H. ,Seth, J. Roland Brown, J. L. Graydon, H. Piatt; Auditors, J. P. Blakely, J. C. North. The premiums promise to be greater than ever as the money spent last year for a United States garden magazine will be used for premiums. HESPELER'S OFFICERS. The officers for 1906 at Hespeler are: Pres., David Rife; 1st V.-Pres., Henry Bolduc; 2nd V.- Pres., Peter Morlock; Sec, Robt. Davis; Treas., John E. Warren; Auditors, James Pringle, D. N. Panabaker; Directors, H. Prestien, Abr. Rudell, F. Evans, Owen Reist, R. H. Knowles, James Hyslop, James Moreland, Ed. Birkin, Thos. Chestemian. The members are to be given practically the same premiums as were given last year. This includes a valuable list of plants and The Canadian Horticulturist COBOURG'S PLANS. At Cobourg officers were elected as follows: Pres., J. D. Hayden; 1st V.-Pres., Dr. Ferris; 2nd V.-Pres., W'm. Massie; Directors, D. Denton, H. J. Snelgrove, M. Jaynes, Alfred Landymore, J. G. Jackson, John Mason, T. A. Chapman, E. C. S. Huycke, K.C., and Mrs. Jas. Barr. The Board of Directors met immediately and Major H. J. Snelgrove was re-elected Secretary, while Mrs. Jas. Barr was elected Treasurer. The Finance Committee will comprise the President, the Secretary and the Treasurer. Sec. Snelgrove suggested that the society co- operate with the town council in cleaning up un- sightly comers and in beautifying the towTi generally. President Hayden recommended window gardening at the town hall and the grow- ing of plants and vines on the balcony. The same could be done at the post office and the public schools. An effort will also be made to beautify the town's gateway, the G.T.R. station. It was unanimously decided to continue taking The Canadian Horticulturist. KINCARDINE ENERGETIC. The following officers were appointed at Kin- cardine: Pres, A. Clinton; 1st V.-Pres., Joseph Abell; 2nd V.-Pres., M. McCreath; Directors, Dan. McDonald, Wm. Welsh, J. Miller, R. D. Hall, George Tuck, Rev. J. C. Pomeroy, F. H. Hoffland, A. C. Patterson, Jos. S. Gadd; Sec.- Treas., Joseph Barker; Auditors, T. H. ScougaU and Ed. Fox. The energetic work of the past season will be continued. SMITH'S FALLS. At Smith's Falls Dr. McCallum was again elected President. The doctor has filled the office continuously since the formation of the society nine years ago. The other officers elect- ed were: 1st V.-Pres., Mrs. Wm. Richy; 2nd V.-Pres., Mrs. W. A. Wood; Directors, Mrs. Wm. Johnston, Mrs. G. F. McKimm, Mrs. R. C. Currie, and Messrs. Wm. Keith, S. E. Arnold, F. Ballentyne, Jno. Rabb, W. J. Graham, J. T. Pearson, H. W Hutton; Auditors, J. J. Kerfoot and H. A. Lavell. Mr. C. A. Weaver was appointed Sec.-Treas. Every effort will be put forth to increase the usefulness of the society. OTTAW^A'S PLANS. The Ottawa Society selected officers as follows : Pres., S. Short; 1st V.-Pres., E. Mepsted; 2nd V.-Pres., Mayor Elhs; Board of Directors, R. B. Whyte, Aid. Putnam, J Graham, G. A. White, W. H. Snelling, Jos. McNabb, P. G. Keyes, T. McCann, and W. H. Ostrom; Sec.-Treas., J. F. Watson. Arrangements are being made to hold a series of meetings during the winter months at which papers will be read on horticultural topics and demonstrations given in pruning, etc. DESERONTO ORGANIZED. The Deseronto Society which did such good work last season, elected the following officers: Patrons, Major E. W^alter Ralhbun, F. B. Gay- lord, Mayor John Dalton; Patronesses, Mrs. Gaylord, Mrs. F. S. Rathbun, Mrs. Blair; Hon. Pres., P. Slavin; Hon. V.-Pres., J. P. Ashworth; Pres., F. B. Gaylord; 1st V.-Pres., Dr. AV. J. Pasmore; 2nd V.-Pres., J. B. Davidson; Directors, Mrs. McGaughey, Mrs. E. W^ Rathbun, Mrs. Smellie, Mrs. Rixen, Mrs. Gaylord, Mrs. McClew, and Messrs. P. Casburn, H. E. Parks and D. McClew; Exhibition Manager, H. E. Parks; Sec.- Treas., D. McClew. It was pointed out that an untidy and unat- tractive dooryard was now the exception. The grounds competition will be arranged for again this season. The annual flower show wiU be held on August 29. WOODSTOCK'S OFFICERS. The newly appointed officers at Woodstock are: Hon. Pres., G. R. Pattullo; Pres., R W. Woodroofe; 1st V.-Pres., J. W. Armstrong; 2nd V.-Pres., Mrs. James Hoare; Sec.-Treas., Maurice Dawes; Directors, Mrs. J. W. Armstrong and Messrs. Whealey, Richmond, H. E. Kam, White- head, Vrooman, Becker, Tindale, and Hoare. Although the members took but little interest in the annual show of the society last year it was decided to hold it again this summer. Pres. Woodroofe advocated that the management of the parks and play grounds of the city should be under the management of a park commissioner. SIMCOE'SSEED DISTRIBUTION. At Simcoe the new officers are: — Pres., H. H. Groff; 1st V.-Pres., E. Boughner; 2nd V.- Pres., J. A. Campbell; Sec.-Treas., J. Thomas Murphy; Directors, I. S. Rowat, H. S. Macpher- son, Thos. Haddow, Jos. Gilbertson, Henry Johnson, H. F. Cook, E. E. Collins, A. Gilbert, W. D. Boyd. Excellent results followed the distribution of seeds to the school children in 1905, and that work will be taken up again this season. Besides this, seeds, bulbs, and trees are given to the members. WATERLOO'S PREMIUMS. The officers for 1906 at Waterloo are: Pres., R. Y. Stuart; 1st V.-Pres., Ammon Merner; 2nd V.-Pres., Cleason Shantz; Sec.-Treas., J. H. Winkler; Directors, A. Musselman, Wm. Miller, Chr. Scheifele, Fred. Czerwinski, Geo. Bolduc, J. H. Roos, Hy. Bracey, Miss M. Bruce and Mrs. Hohmeier. For this year the inducements are: The Canadian Horticulturist for 1906. A quantity of Gladioli bulbs, and a choice of one of the following premiums: (a) 2 German Prune trees; (b) 2 pear trees — Louise Bonne de Jersey; (c) House plants. In addition to this the societ will give a quantity of bulbs next fall without further cost. MEETING AT LINDSAY. The following officers are charged with the management of the Lindsay society: — Pres., Robert Chambers; 1st V.-Pres., Alexander Cathro; 2nd V.-Pres., Mrs. D. C. Trew; Directors, F. J. Frampton, S. Nevison, Geo. Irwin, Byrd Woods, G. H. Wilson, T. Connolly, C. Hughan, Alex. Skinner, and Mrs. Ancil Mills. Mr._F. J. Frampton was elected Sec.-Treas. - ' 18* . r\ ' ■ BELLEVILLE'S INDUCEMENTS At Belleville the election of officers resulted as follows: Pres., Wm. Rodbourne; 1st Vice-Pres., H. J. Clarke; 2nd Vice-Pres., S. J. Wedden; Directors, Mayor Sulman, J. Harris, S. A. Gar- dner, F. D. Diamond, W. J. Diamond, W. Kemp, E, Naylor, E. T. Cherry, and W. C. Reid. The officers met at the close of the annual meeting and elected Mr. W. J. Diamond Sec.-Treas. Special inducements for 1906 include a fine collection of plants, shrubs and fruit trees, and The Canadian Horticulturist for a year. SEAFORTH'S LOSS. At the annual meeting of the Seaforth Horti- cultural Society Roliert Scott was elected Pres.; Wm. Hoag, V.-Pres.; and H. W. Brown, Sec.-Treas. It is the intention this year to award each member a copy of The Horticul- turist, practically his own choice of trees, plants, bulbs and seeds to the retail value of $1.50 for spring planting, and a collection of about 30 bulbs in the fall. Monthly meetings will be held and a flower show in the early fall. The .society met with a heavy loss in the removal from town to Owen Sound, of Mr. Wm. Elliott, who had been secretary for years and had worked up in- terest to its present height. STIRLING'S RESULTS. The Secretary of the Stirling Society, Mr. G. G. Thrasher, reports that they find it beneficial to expend the funds on improving the public park, as well as looking after the individual wants of the members. The benefits and results of the Horticultural Society are noticeable both in the park and in the individual homes. MITCHELL'S GOOD WORK. The Rev. I. Ken- ner was selected as Pres., and Mr. A. J. Blowes, Sec, of the Mitchell or- ganization. In a recent letter to The H O R T ICULTURIST, the president out- lined the good work done during the five years since the society was formed. One by one individual houses and lawns have been made beautiful, and the infection spread until now practi- cally every resi- dent has made some attempt to make his home a credit to the town. The churches and the town hall have been improved, and the town fathers passed a by-law excluding bovines from the streets. MIDLAND'S CHILDREN ENCOURAGED. Midland society selected Mr. Frank Cook as Pres., and Mr. E. H. Piggott as Sec. The latter wrote The Horticulturist as follows: "The most encouraging work we have taken up is the distribution of seeds to school children and awarding prizes for bloom at the fall fair. We distributed 800 packages last spring." CIVIC IMPROVEMENT AT NAPANEE. The following officers were elected at Napanee: Pres., .W. S. Herrington, K.C.; 1st V.-Pres., Mrs. J. A. Shibley; 2nd V.-Pres., Mrs. H. T. Forward; Sec.-Treas., Miss ]. E. Ham; Directors, Mrs. D. C. McNaughton, Mrs. J. L. Boyes, Messrs. A. W Grange, Thos. Symington, G. F. Ruttan, Geo. Gordon, F. F. Miller, John Wilson and Clarence M. Warner. Civic improvement will receive special attention during 1906. A lecturer will be brought to the town to advise regarding park improvement and other matters of interest to lovers of flowers. TORONTO TO ARRANGE FOR ADDRESSES At the annual meeting of the Toronto society the following officers were elected: Pres., H. R Frankland; lstV.-Pres.,W. G. Rook; 2ndV.-Pres., George Musson; Directors, R.J. Score, Lieut.- Col. Delamere, F. Abbott, C. J. Agar, G. H. Mills, William Jay, H. Simmers, W. Williams, and G. C. Amott; Representative to Industrial Exhibition Association, H. R. Frankland; Delegates to Ontario Horticultural Exhibition, R. J. Score, H. Simmers, W. G. Rook and Thomas Manton, Delegate to Ontario Horticultural Society; H. A. J. Blowes THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 45 R. Frankland; Sec.-Treas., Chas. E. Chambers. About four meetings will be held during the year, exclusive of the annual meeting and the annual excursion. These meetings will be devot- ed to the more important subjects connected with horticulture, such as a contemplated address by Mr. J. Horace McFarland on "Civic Improve- ment" and addresses such as that delivered by Dr. Fletcher in June last. It is claimed that fewer meetings and better subjects would be conducive to a much larger attendance. GRIMSBY HELD MEETINGS. At Grimsby the Pres. for 1906 is Dr. Clark, and the Sec. Mr. J. W. Brennan. During the past year several fine exhibitions and regular meetings were held. Travellers frequently ex- press their admiration of the beautiful lawns and gorgeous display of flow^ers. DURHAM'S HOMES IMPROVED. The officers of Durham Society for this year are: Pres., Gilbert McKechnie; 1st V.-Pres., Geo. Furneaux; 2nd V.-Pres., Wm. Scaif; Sec.- Treas., Chris. Firth. The secretary writes The Canadian Horticulturist as follows: — "A great impetus has been given to home improve- ments in the way of ornamentals. Evergreen and shrubbery, and flower gardens have been started where such things have never been before, especially about the homes of farmers, for a radius of eight or ten miles around the town. A great improvement is to be noticed also in the surroundings of town residences VANKLEEK HILL PROGRESSIVE. A new society was formed at Vankleek Hill and officers elected as follows: Pres., J. L. Browne; 1st V.-Pres., E. Z. Labrosse; 2nd V.- Pres., A. R. Metcalfe; Sec.-Treas., D. T. Mode; Directors, J. Hurley, A. Bancroft, J. MacCallum, F. B. Bouden, J. S. Macintosh, P. Dusserre, J. Irvine, H. C. Jones, and S. A. Huntington. The organization was effected chiefly through the instrumentality of the newly elected president, who had been connected with the Durham society. Special inducements are offered in giving premiums of ornamental trees, shrubs bulbs and plants, and low rates on fruit trees and other nursery stock. Besides the members will receive The Canadian Horticulturist for a year. Will Improve the Horti- culturist At the annual meeting of the Horticultural Publishing Co., Limited, held in the offices of the Company, Toronto, Jan. 24, it was decided to still further improve The Canadian Horti- culturist. Various departments of the paper are to be strengthened; it will be enlarged by four pages in each is.sue, and the cover will be improved. The following officers were elected: Pres., W. H. Bunting, of St. Catharines; 1st Vice- Pres., J. H. Dunlop, of Toronto; Sec.-Treas and Managing Director, H. B. Cowan, of Toronto. The board of officers consists of those already named, and Messrs. Alex. McNeill, of Ottawa, representing the Ontario Fruit Growers' Asso- ciation ; Herman Simmers, of Toronto, and Har- "\d Jones, of Maitland. It is the intention of I he management to make The Canadian Horti- i^BpjLTURisT a publication of which Canadians ^^Kay feel proud, and one that will hold its own ^^^Kth any other publication of a similar nature on ^^^Bie continent. A general statement of the Bank of Hamilton shows that they have a cajiital stock of $2,- 440,740. After paying the customary divi- dends this bank has been able to place in the re- serve fund the substantial sum of SIS."), 000. A few new branches have been ojjened during the year in Ontario and Manitoba, and special at- tention has been given to .strengthening and building up the business at points Where offices had already been established. It is proposed that $.500,000 additional capital be subscribed and used in providing for the future growth of the bank's business. It has also been decided that the practice of declaring dividends every three months be adopted. Dealing WitK tHe Tomato Question j\. B. Cutting, B.S.A., our Special Representative AT a meeting of the Hamilton branch of the Vegetable Growers' Association, held in Hamilton on Jan. 13, a committee was appointed to confer with the executive of the Consolidated Canners' Association of Canada and discuss the tomato question. The commit- tee comprises Messrs. E. G. Mahoney, R. H. Lewis, P. Ray, H. D. Binkley, and A. E. Bates. It was decided to approach the canners in a businesshke way and ask for a business under- standing. The vegetable growers of the district want a square deal and in return are ready and willing to guarantee superior excellence in the commodity that they have to offer in exchange. Already some of the factories in this district have circulated rumors to the effect that they have contracted for all the tomatoes they require for next season. Growers should not be hood- winked by reports of this nature as they are far from correct. In proof of this, we can cite the case of a factory representative who, when soliciting contracts in the vicinity of Hamilton, told each and every grower in turn that his factory required only 1,000 bushels more; when the contract was secured, the same story was told the next man and his neighbor until the whole neighborhood was completely canvassed. It is known that a few growers were led to con- tract for the coming season but tlie great major- ity have not yet done so, nor do they intend to do so until they get a square deal. One of the members stated that last season the canners took pains to keep a record of the grade and quality of each grower's tomatoes as they went in the factory, so that, in the event of a raise in price for this year, they would know where the best stock may be secured. This action on the part of the canners indicates two things: — first, as regards the canners, it shows that they are not so independent as they would have the growers believe, and that though they would demand high grade stock, they would pay an increased price if they had to; and second, as it effects the growers, it shows that a raise in price would mean greater discrimination in quaUty and grade, and as a consequence the grower of trash would be left out in the cold — this is as it should be. Mr. Mahoney spoke briefly on the advantages of co-operation in this matter. The association can do a power of good for its members. Dur- ing the past year a little friction was caused in one or two instances by members contracting at prices lower than asked by the association. These are things of the past, and should an incentive to do their duty in the future. Unity of effort is necessary to achieve results. This sentiment was supported by Mr. Emory who urged the members to stand together not only upon the tomato question but also in all matters that affect the association. He pointed out the fact that beside this possibility of better prices for tomatoes many other benefits may be derived. Practical Co-operation The committee in charge of the co-operative work in connection with the Ontario Fruit Grow- ers' Asscxriation have decided to concentrate their efforts during 1906 and put forth a special effort in about a dozen places to form co-opera- tive shipping associations. It was decided that in former years an attempt had been made to carry on this work too extensively, and it is expected that if efforts are directed to fewer places it will result in strong associations that will serve as object lessons to growers in other parts. It was recommended that the Minister of Agriculture be advised that a series of experi- ments for the spraying for the Codling Moth, Scab, San Jose Scale, Grape Rot, and other fun- gous diseases, should be carried on as extensively as possible during the summer. It w-as suggest- ed that a committee be appointed in each section to act in conjunction with Prof. H. L. Hutt, of the O.A.C.; Secretary Hodgetts, of the Ont. Fruit Growers' Assn., and a representative of the De- partment of Agriculture, and that this commit- tee inspect the work done two or three times during the season and have the compiled results published next fall. Owing to the difficulty in obtaining reliable information regarding the prospects of the season's crop and the probable prices, it was proposed that coiTespondence be inaugurated between each of the co-operative fruit growers' associations and Sec. Hodgetts, so that the associations may be kept in closer touch with each other. It was also recommended that the different co-operative associations should unite in the effort to advertise their products by mak- ing as large and as representative an exhibit as ijossible at the Royal Horticultural Society's Show in London, Eng., as well as at other im- portant shows, and that a representative be put in charge. The Dominion Dept. of Agri. will be asked to continue the supervision of tlic work connected with the transferring of fruit sliipments from the railways to the steamers at Montreal, and if necessary, to appoint special inspectors to look after this work. It is felt that commercial agents in the Old Country should engage extra help for two or three months during the shipping season to personally look after the shipments and report their condition. The good work accom- plished by Mr. B. T. Boies, of British Columbia, in showing the Ontario growers the proper methods of packing and grading fruit was refer- red to, and it was decided to ask the Dominion Government to continue such demonstrations. Items of Interest A meeting of the members of the Toronto Vegetable Growers' Association will be held in the Albion Hotel, Feb. 3, at 3 o'clock, when "Forcing Rhubarb" will be discussed by Mr. Thos. Delworth, of Weston, and "Celery Grow- ing," by Mr. George Syme, jr., of Carlton West. "Blights on Vegetables, Their Causes and Rem- edies, if Any," will be fully discussed. The first meeting held recently was a great success. At a meeting of the Hamilton branch of the Ontario Vegetable Growers' Association, held in Hamilton, Jan. 13, the newly elected President resigned. Mr. E. J. Mahoney, President for 1905, was appointed without opposition. Directors for 1906 were also appointed as follows: — Chas. Scheer and W. A. Emory, Aldershot; P. Ray, Waterdown; John L. Lewis and John Ewing, Hamilton; Frank Crosthwaite, Bartonville; and J. J. Fields, Burlington. The members of the committee in charge of co-operative experimental work in horticulture in connection with the Ontario Agricultural and Experimental Union appointed at the annual meeting are: Prof. H. L. Hutt, directors H. S. Peart and J. Albert Hand. Last year about 200 members experimented with the different varieties of fruits. During the coming season experi- menters will receive the different bush fruits, grapes and ajjples. The annual meeting of the British Columbia Fruit Growers' Association will be held in Van- couver, on Feb. 7 and 8. Growers should lay in a stock of baskets, boxes and other fruit packages before the har- vesting season comes. Mr. C. W. VanDuzer, of Grimsby, carries a full line of all such goods. 46 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST Niagara Peninsxila Growers Advocate Lines of WorK N ew IN addition to taking a stand on the tariff question the members of the Niagara Penin- sula United Fruit Growers' Association at their recent meeting at St. Catharines, transacted considerable other business of importance. Officers were elected for the ensuing year as follows: — Pres., Thos. Herriman, of Niagara Falls, Ont.; 1st Vice-Pres., los. Tweddle, of Fruilland; 2nd Vice-Pres., I^. H. Goring, of Homer-; 3rd Vice-Pres., W. A. Emory, of Alder- shot; Sec.-Treas., C. E. Fisher, of vSt. Catharines; and a strong executive. The following resolution was moved and carried: "Whereas, the bearing orchards of this district are largely planted from trees that in many cases have proved tmtrue to name, and in many others with trees propagated from parent stock having come inherent weakness or disease and as a result have degenerated both in hardiness and unproductiveness: Therefore, we would urge the Provincial Government to institute the necessary legislation with the view to the improvement of our nursery stock, and that a series of exiJerinients along this line be initiated in our experiment stations and amongst our prominent fruit growers with the view of educating the public to the importance of secur- ing pedigreed stock, and that a copy of this resolution be submitted to the Minister of Agriculture." THE BASKET QUESTION. The association decided to ask the Govern- ment to amend the law regarding baskets as proposed at the last meeting except in the case of the six-quart basket which should be il^ inches deep instead of 4^ inches. Mr. E. D. Smith declared that the present clause in the act, allowing growers to use special sizes when such size is stamped in large letters on the side of the basket, should be done away with. Growers should be comi)ellcd to use a standard size and no other. Consumers do not know the law and are imposed upon by growers who use a small size even though such size is stamped on the package. A stamp has no meaning to the oridnary consumer and even to many retail dealers. If growers can use any size basket they like, we may as well have no act at all. In opposition to Mr. Smith's proposal, the argument was advanced that since the Ontario basket factories have combined, growers may want American baskets which are of a different size and which could not be used if this law is changed. Mr. Smith: " All that is required is to give orders in advance and American makers will fill them and meet all demands." When put to the meeting the proposal did not carry. NEW FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATION. ■ The association passed a strong memorial to the Minister of Agriculture asking that an exten- sive experiment station be established in the Niagara district. Mr. Linus Wolverton, of Grimsby stated, that at a recent meeting of the Board of Control of Fruit Experimental Stations for Ontario it was decided to recommend to the Government the advisability of establishing a station of this nature in South Ontario. Prof. Robt. Harcourt, O.A.C., Guelph, de- livered an interesting address on the use of fer- tilizers in orchards. — A. B. Cutting. Vegetable GroAvers' Banquet At the annual banquet of the Toronto branch of the Vegetable Growers' Association, held last week, the spirit of advancement that has seized the Ontario Vegetable Growers of late was plainly manifested. Every speech was full of enthusi- asm, and showed the increasing tendency of the growers to co-operate. The president of the local association, Mr. George Syme, jr., made a most capable chair- man. Mr. W. F. Maclean, M.P., said that a specific duty is in the interest of the farmer, and that in some cases it should be made to go into effect in certain months of the year by order-in-council, and that geographical conditions should be considered in such orders. In discussing trans- portation facilities, he said that the express rates should be regulated so that there would be no discrimination given to imported goods by the transportation companies. The toast to the Vegetable Growers' Associa- tion was proposed by Mr. F. F. Reeves, the energetic secretary of the Toronto branch, and was responded to by Mr. W. A. Emory, the president of the Provincial association, who favored a sliding tariff or a closed season; by Mr. H. B. Cowan, the secretary, and by Mr. Mr. Thos. Delworth, who advised the growers to stand by the association, and to strive to improve themselves in every way possible. The toast to the Ontario Legislature was responded to by the Hon. Nelson Monteith, who drew forth applause by announcing that the Government is giving serious consideration to a proposal to establish an experimental sta- tion in some section where conditions are more congenial to vegetable growing than they are at Guelph. Hon. J. W. St. John said that co-operation, loyalty and unity would do much to benefit producers and consumers. They should learn to stand up for fair prices, as well as to demand duty against the imported goods. The only solution to the tariff question was in the establishment of a specific duty, and if that can- not be got the Ontario Government should be approached regards appointing an inspector who would have power to reject undesirable importations. Other speakers included Messrs. Geo. Syme, sr., reeve of York township; G. S. Henry, Jos. Rush, Herman Simmers and T. Rennie. A. Heavy Fine for False PacKing The maximum penalty for infraction of the Fruit Marks Act was imposed on Mr. Jas. Coyle, of Colbome, by Magistrate O'Rourke of Trenton, on January 18. He was fined $50 and costs, and in default of i)ayment iinpristjn- ment for 30 days in the common jail at Belle- ville. The charge, laid by Robert J. Ruther- ford, Inspector of the Fruit Division of the De- partment of Agriculture, was that the defend- ant, on Dec. 28,1905, in violation of Section 6 of the Fruit Marks Act, did have in his iK)sses.sion for sale 50 barrels of apples marked XXX that were below the standard, and that these apples were not XXX standard as required by the Act. Mr. P. J. Carey, FVuit Inspector, testified to visiting the cold-storage warehouse in Trenton, in company with Inspector Rutherford, and finding a shipment of apples of the Stark variety being packed. They examined eight barrels that were marked XXX, and found the apples contained therein were not up to the standard prescribed; a large percentage of the fruit was inferior, being infected with scab,lacking in color, worm-eaten, and too small. On being asked if the general pack was similar to the barrels exam- ined, Mr. Coyle admitted they were a |x»r lot, and signed a document stating that 50 barrels contained apples similar to some shown by Mr. Carey. Mr. Robert Coyle, who had charge of the pack- ing, in defence, said: "Neither Mr. Carey nor Mr. Rutherford show- ed him an apple that was condemned, any more than one or two which were bruised by pressing; in fact, they did not go down in the barrel at all, and did not say anything aljout 'size,' 'off-color,' or 'worm-eaten.' In his pres- ence the inspectors only looked into the 'tail,' and did not go farther into the banel.; they did not say anything about shipping the apples or offer any objections to their shipment, and he had not heard anything further alxjut it until the summons was issued. The apples sold for $3.56 per barrel by aucdon on a declining market in England to-day." The chief of the fruit division, Mr. A. McNeill, asked for the maximum penalty, and said that the man who deliberately marked packages falsely committed a crime against society, which affected every apple-grower in the country. The false packer, to gain 50 cents a barrel here, caused a loss of $2.00 to $3.00 to the English merchant. Mr. F. C. Morrow pleaded guilty to a similar charge in respect to five barrels, and was fined five dollars and costs. Your magazine during the last few months has shown a decided improvement in the arti- cles appearing therein. We can see no reason why it should not stand at the very front of all the horticultural magazines published on this continent. — Brown Brothers Company, Ltd., Brown's Nurseries, Ont. r Make Your Work Show in the Garden The user of Iron Age Tools can show most results for work performed, whether at the end of the day or the end of the season. Wonderful easi and rapidity of operation, with wide range of adaptability, insures best re- sults from every soil and crop. IRON AGE Implements The No- 6 Combined Tool is almost a complete tool-house in itself. A simpl. chang-e of parts and with the same pair of handles you can open the ground, sim', seed. roll. rake. weed. hoe. cultivate. Our New/ Iron Age Book describes not only this but many other farm and g-ar- den impitMnents. Orchard Cultivators. Sprayers. Horse Hoes, Fertilizer Disfributors. Hill and Drill Seeders, pQtato Plant- ers. Potato Dig^erers and Riding Cultivators. This book is FREE. Send for it. No. 6, Sowing Seed No. 6 Iron Age Gomblued Double and Sin gle Wlieel Hoe. Hill and Drill Seeder BATEMAN MFG. CO. Box 516, Grenloch. N.J., U.S.A. Or J. A. SIMMERS, Toronto, Ont., Canada r THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST NewC rimson RedC anna DID YOU SEE EXHIBITED AT ST. LOUIS THE NEW CRIMSON RED CANNA Mrs. Wm. F. Kasting ? Height, 3i feet. Most brilliant in color, most prolific of all Red Cannas. Blooms all the time, and is exceptionally fine for conservatory decorations. You will need it in your business. Awarded, on its merits, a GOLD MEDAL at the World's Fair, 1904. West Seneca. N.Y., U. S. A., Sept. 15. 1904. Mr. Wni. F. Kasting, Dear Sir — In our trial grounds this year, the Canna. Mrs. Wm. F. Kasting, was by far the best of its class; both in richness ni coloring and in freedom of bloom. It has been a sheet of dazzling crimson from June up to the present time and promises to be good for a month to come. 1 consider it a most valuable acquisition and shall need a large bed of it next year. Respectfully, JOHN F. COWELL. Prices for Bulbs, $2.00 per Dozen $15.00 per Hundred $100.00 per Thousand Delivery now up to April WM. F. KASTING 383-387 ELLICOTT STREET BUFFALO, NEW YORK GERHARD HEINTZMAN PIANOS C All the work in the world is directly and immediately undertaken for the mainten- ance and betterment of the home. Music- ally, no refined home is complete with- out Canada's best piano The Gerhard Heintzman which can be purchased on easy terms and will prove much the cheaper piano in the end. C Have you seen the wonderful self- player, the "Apollo" ? Anyone can play it. Send for catalogue and printed matter. GERHARD HEINTZMAN LIMITED 97 YONGE STREET, TORONTO Hamilton Warerooms — 127 King Street East ATTENTION! T F you intend purchasing any Trees, -*- Vines, Shrubs, Roses, or Orna- mentals the coming Spring, it will pay you to submit list of wants for special prices, as I have a complete assortment of Nursery Stock for de- livery this Spring, especially Apples, Pears, Plums and Ornamentals. Quality and Prices Right _| Agents Wanted Outfit Free C. W. F. CARPENTER WINONA, ONTARIO Nurseries: WINONA GRIMSBY BEAMSVILLE Money Given Free to People who buy Goods from Advertisers in this Issue. See Notice in Advertising Columns. 48 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST *«%^^ *» ^^C%(^* '<%(^* i POULTRY DEPT. i O o n d u c 1 1; d by S. SKort, Ottu-wu r)*Jfii§jy,r>tJf^i^r»J(^^n^ff§^^y^ft§>^ FEI3RUARY is the most trying month of winter for the fowls. Tliey begin to find the limited space of the winter quarters irksome. The floor litter should be changed' frequently, say once a fortnight. The windows of the pens should be cleaned to admit as much light and sunshine as possible. Keep the grit boxes filled. Study the birds with a view to making up this season's breeding pens if they are not already made up. Dispose of all extra or surplus males. If thoroughbreds are not kept, try and make provision or arrangements to in- troduce them. Good pure bred breeding birds may be purchased for five dollars a trio in nearly every neighborhood. Try and see personally the birds before buying. Do not go across the border for them, but encourage Canadian breeders. Two expert breeders who visited Guelph and Madison Square poultry shows recently held, declare the quality of the stock shown at Guelph to be equal to that shown at the Madison Square Gardens. Five dollars is a reasonable price for a trio as I will endeavor to show in the next issue of this magazine. With regard to which breed to keep, that depends on individual preferences. Apparently white Wyandottes are the most popular fowl in Ontario, for they were the largest class exhibited at Guelph. At Madison Square barred Plymouth Rocks headed the list, with white Wyandottes and white Leghorns next in order. This may assist in deciding the question, for breeders both in Canada and the United States kec]) fowl more for j)rofit than pleasure. VENTILATIO.N. Last month something about ventilation was promised for this issue. With this end in view six of the most prominent poultry plants in and about Ottawa were visited in January — and data collected. No definite conclusions were ariived at and I will relate the conditions of each and let the readers judge for themselves. The first house visited was situated on the brow of a hill with southern exposure. There were three |Jens of fowl. The first pen contained 46 white Leg- horns, hens and pullets. They were laying on the average 20 eggs a day. They looked in first- class condition. The next pen, a small one, con- tained 1.5 May hatched Plymouth Rock pullets. They were laying an average of six eggs a day. The third pen was in a loft over the other two. The poorest birds, that is the culls, were kept up- stairs to the number of 50, and laid on an average eight eggs a day. The owner said that he had never been able to get really good results from birds kept upstairs so he had put up the least promising stock in this loft. The house was comfortable and I was told that the temperature never went below freezing point. There was a stove in this house and when the weather was cold a fire was lighted to keep the temperature up, and no trouble had been experienced with dampness for the frost did not collect on the walls unless the thermometer went below freezing point. The owner of this establishment is making money. The next house visited con- tained 20 white Wyandotte pullets, some of them winners of the best prizes at Ottawa last fall. They were all laying, and had been averaging 12 to 13 eggs daily. They were housed well. Last winter moisture collected very heavily on the inside walls of this house, and some sickness was the result. This winter two panes of glass, SAVE YOUR TREES from the Ravages of SAN JOSE, COTTONY MAPLE SCALE, PSYLLA, Etc. Auyouneed Scalecidc Watcr ^k°ayp"SS? SIMPLE, MORE EFFECTIVE and CHEAPER than LIME, SULPHURj and SALT Mr. A. N. Brown of Wyoming, Del., writes — " You have conferred a boon on the American Fruit Grower, For Samples, Testimonials and Prices Address B. G. PRATT CO. 11 Broadway, New York, N.Y. THE SPRAMOTOR CO. London, Ontario, Canadian Agents CANADA'SGREATESTNURSERIES Offer Four New Specialties for Spring, 1906 Why plant OLD varieties when the NEW~will produce DOUBLE QUANTITY, BETTER QUALITY and BRING HIGHEST PRICES? THE cTWAYNARD PLUM Mr. Luther Burbank's greatest plum. In the May- 1 ard we believe Mr. Burbank has reached the point of perfection. GOLD COIN POTATO Tested at Experimental Station, Ottawa, and pro- duced 554 bushels to the acre. Best showing made out of seventy-five varieties tested. Free from Blight and Rot. ElDEAL'MSPARAGUS ttA new mammoth French Asparagus. Early. Larg- est size and most productive. A bunch of 20 stalks weighs 2 lbs. Strong 3 yr. old plants. NEW cTWILLER RASPBERRY Earlier than Marlboro. Continues a long season. Fruit large, bright red, best quality and exceedingly firm. Canes vigorous and hardy. Order at once as supply is limited. Send for full particulars and special circulars fully describing the merits of these New Specialties. ■Why not put your spare time to profit this winter in selling these specialties and other high-class nursery stock in Fruits and Ornamentals ? Liberal inducements. Write for terms. See reading notice on page 49 STONE CS, WELLINGTON Fonthill Nurseries, over 800 acres. TORONTO, ONTARIO one upper and one lower, were broken out and cotton stretched across the oj>enings. There has been no moisture so far, but as this has Ijeen an unusually mild season the owner could not say yet whether or not the cotton ventilatf)rs would prove a decided success. These birds were more than paying exjjenses. The next place visite THE RIGHT KIND OF, ii f FELRTILIZER ? f ■nIoW IF YOU HAVE ; A PIE.CE OF LAND THATl WONT GROW ANYTHING | BUT WEEDS, TALK WITH 1 US ABOUT IT AND LET US i t SUGGEST 1 THE RIGHT FERTILIZER: We feel very sure That WE CAN SHOW you HOW TO USE fertilizers WITHOUT GREAT EXPENSE SO YOUR LAND WILL PAY Consult us freely it is ' . OUR BUSINESS TO KNOW ! , ENQUIRIES FREELY ANSWERED , AGENTS WANTED FOR TERRITORY NOT TAKEN UP ' ■^»^W.A. FREEMAN CQ- limited. HAMILTON ONTARIO IT PAYS TO BUY THE BEST And the Best is None too Good for You Canadian Grown Trees for Canadian Growers of Fruit CFrom the time the scions are taken, until the trees are shipped, they receive the personal attention which make our trees famous. CWe guarantee our trees to be free from disease of any kind. CPlace your order now for Fruit and Ornamental Trees and Shrubs. CA large supply of the choicest varieties to select from. COur Catalogue is free for the asking. THE HELDERLEIGH NURSERIES E. D. SMITH - WINONA, ONT. Money Given Free to People who buy Goods from Advertisers in this Issue. See Notice in Advertising Columns. 50 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST specimens as the Mayiuud |)luiii, the Ideal asparagus, and the Gold Coin ])f)tato. In apples they have introduced such varieties as Mil- waukee, Macdonald and Scarlet Pii>pin. In small fruits they are ofTering a fine collection, consisting of the King raspberry, Cumberland black raspberry, Boskoop Giant black currant, Perfection red currant, Rathbun black kerry, and Victoria gooseberry. Their line of shrubs and herbaceous plants also is complete. Mr. J. A. Simmers' catalog contains a com- plete list of garden and vegetable seeds, bulbs, etc., for the city and suburban gardener. The seeds from this firm are noted for their high If You Want Your Fruit to look well, carry well, and sell well, you need the best PACKAGES I make them and can satisfy you WRITE C.W.VanDuzer GRIMSBY, ONT. Manufacturer of Berry and Plant Boxes, Berry- Crates, the Climax Peach and Grape Baskets, etc. 1906 BOOK FREE The Book that beats them all because it tells how bis crops of bic fnncj strawberries can be grown every year and how to pick and pack them for big prices. It keeps Experienced Growers posted on new discoveries in plant breeding and latest cultural methods. It takes beginners through a complete course of instruction; tells just when and how to do everything to get Bis: Results, and how to start a Profitable Berry Farm with little capital. Beautifully illustrated^ with photo-engravings. Don't order your plants until you read this l>ofik. It is free. B. M. KELLOQO CO., BOX S70 THREE BIVEBS, MICH. Standard »W ^^(0 opeiiH with a triuniphunt urcli ^S» •^*^m!»(l4» up of over 4n vuriptii'Hof voire- A ta:>i»'M the world liaalejirne*! to vul lie. uud of which we were the ork'Inul Intro diicers. ft has some l>oth uew and tiood for thifi fteiiflou, unil u viint variety of standiin! vetteuihieand flower soed. with iiitelligeut liiHtrucUouH for the cultiva^ liif^of all of thorn ('!it:il0f,'ue FREK. J. J. H. GREGORY Sl SON Marbleheadt Mass. '"OR 190^ GET OUR CATALOGUE OF RUBBER STAMPS AND STENCILS THE SUPERIOR MFG. CO. SB ADELAIDE ST. W. TORONTO. Money Makers for Someone We have some excellent devices, fully covered by Canada patents, that are for sale. Some would make excellent patent-right sellers. Others are just what many of our manufactu' crs need. WRITE FOR CATALOGUE C. B. REECE St. Catharines, Ontario Strawberry Plants Virginia and Chesapeake, winners of$loo GOLD PRIZE r o lers; also Cardinal, Commonwealth. North Shore. Oalis I liarly. New York, Glen Mary. Stevens Champion, and 90 i others; best list, good stock, fair prices. Dewberries: Lu- | cretiaand Austins. C*— ^ J ^ Full Une best new and standard old vari- ^eCCL'S ^tiesGAKI>EN.FIILI.DartdFI,0\VIiR SEEDS. New eo Page Catalogua Free. Ittells about good plants .mil seeds and where to get them, ^end now to | W. F. ALLEN, Dept. S7, SALISBURY, MD. QUALITY I^A? SEND S'OB OATALOOUE. ARTHUR T. BODDINQTON :»♦* Went 14th St.,NewTork. Better Cheese At Less Cost By Usin£: WINDSOR SALT. Windsor Cheese Salt is especially for cheese making. Dissolves slowly and evenly — improves the flavor— insures a firm, solid, smooth, rich cheese — that will keep. Because it IS pure, Windsor Cheese Salt will salt more cheese than any other. Have your dealer send I a barrel. when Ontario growers have a full crop, the rail- way authorities will be asked for s|)ecial regula- tions that will facilitate shipments of low-grade apples for cider purposes to the Old Country in open packages. Those who intend taking a pleasure trip to Europe will find the new ships, Jvnipress of Brit- ain and Empress of India, belonging to the Can- adian Pacific Railway Company, suitable in every particular. These boats have a displace- ment of 20,(){)0 tons, and a sea speed of 18J^ knots. They will be placed on the St. Law- rence-Liverpool route next May and June. The Southern Pacific Railway Co. has con- tracted with N. W. Ayer & Son, the greatest advertising house in Philadelphia, to spend $100,000 in telling the public of the wonderful scenery along their line from I^os Angeles, Cal., to Portland, Oregon. This adverti.sing com- pany has an army of photographers, artists and writers at work preparing material for adver- tising purposes. Your publication steadily improves. I can- not help noticing it, as I am one of the paper's oldest subscribers. I consider the giving up of the distribution of free plants to the sub- scribers has been well repaid by the improve- ment in the magazine. — A. J. Collins, Lis- towel, Ont. FERRYS Represent the snrvlval of the Attest We have become the largest seed house in the world because our seeds are better than others. Do you wish to grow the moHt beautiful flowers and the flnest vege- tables? Plant thebestseeds— Ferry's. 1906 Seed Annnal free to all applicants. D. M. FERRY & CO. Windsor, Ont, Classified Advertisements Yes, It Pays to Buy the Best This applies to Nursery Stock as well as other things, fl If you intend planting any Fruit or Ornamental Trees, Shrubs or Vines, send for our 1906 Catalogue — just out. THE DOMINION NURSERIES ESTABLISHED i860 The SmitK & Reed Co. St. CatKarines, Ont. Advertisements under this heading will be inserted at the rate of ten cents per line, each insertion ; minimum charge fifty cents in advance. lyiAN WANTED who understands growing and handling nursery stock. State age, experience, and wages wanted. Correspondence confidential. Buchanan Nursery Co., St. Charles, Manitoba. ■mHAT INDUCEMENT CAN YOU OFFER us to locate in your town ? We expect to handle a large quantity of apples and will give employment to a number of people. Address The Canadian Apple Co., care of The Cana- dian Horticulturist, Toronto. pOR SALE CHEAP— ONE OF THE CLEAN- EST and best equipped greenhouses in To- ronto. Everything in splendid condition, car- nations planted, excellent stock of ferns and general stock of plants, 10,000 feet of glass. Apply at once to F. C, care of The Canadian HORTICin,TURIST. WANTED— SUBSCRIPTION CANVASSERS _*' for The Canadian Horticulturist both in cities and in the fruit districts of Canada. Liberal commissions offered. Good men soon put on salary. Write The Canadian Horticul- turist, Rooms 507-508, Manning Chambers, Toronto, Ont. Northern Grown Trees Apple. Pear, Plum. Cherry', Peach. Nut and Or- namental Trees. .Small Fruits, Roses, Shrubs, cheap. Specialties : Wismer's Dessert Apple and Mammoth Prolific Dewberry. Send for Free Catalogue — it tells the whole story NURSERYMAN PORT ELaN. ONT. J. H. WISMER. GLADIOLUS BULBS Grofrs Ne-w Hybrid Seedlings Groff's Pan-American CxKibition Collection Groff's Special Selections CANNAS— Leading Varieties DAHLIAS—SKow and Cactus PAEONIES— A Large Collection AVRITE FOR CATALOGUE JOHN A. CAMPBELL SIMCOE. ONTARIO Small Pruit Plants Gooseberry, Red, White. Currants, Red White, Black. Raspberry, Red, Yellow, Blackberries. Strawberry Plants. Straw- berry-Raspberry. Roses. House Plants Garden Roots ^IfubTbi'^t'c! WM. FLEMING NURSERYMAN P.O. Box 54 OWEN SOUND, ONT. A Handsome Preminm will be Given Free to all Readers who buy Goods from .Advertisers. The Canadian Horticulturist 'Vol. XXIX MARCH 1, 1906 No. 3 Development of Spraying Operations IN no department of orchard opera- tions has the advancement of re- cent years been so noticeable as in spraying. Constant progress from the small knapsack to the crude barrel pump worked by hand, and from the hand pump attached to the barrel to the various power devices of present-day use has been evident in all fruit sec- tions. Although ridiculed by many when first taken up, spraying has be- come recognized by the more progres- sive growers as one of the elements which enter into successful orcharding. Its advantages have become so clear to the fruit men that now it holds a place along with cultivation, fertilizing, prun- ing and other cardinal operations on the up-to-date fruit farm. Those who ridicule the practice of spraying are becoming fewer year by year. Now and then an unprogressive grower chances to have a good crop of fruit, although he never sprayed. This is held up by himself and a few neigh- bors who do nothing until forced, as a straight proof that spraying is not required. Or, perhaps, a thrifty fruit grower decides that he will spray his trees. Careful and thorough spraying at frequent intervals during the sum- mer season is done, but when the crop is harvested he has no greater yield than a neighbor who went to no bother and no expense in carrying on spray- ing operations. Again the unprogres- sive fellow has a chance and spraying is pronounced "no good." To the orchardist who reads and studies, however, such isolated cases are not taken into serious consideration. Because the grower's dwelling and fruit sheds are not burned each year, is that any reason why he should not insure his buildings? The same argument holds good in regard to spraying. Im- portations of nursery stock and fruits have resulted in the introduction into Canadian fruit sections of so many in- jurious insect and fungous pests, that it has come to be realized that scien- tific and thorough spraving each year is essential to success. It may be that weather conditions are unfavorable to the development of these enemies to fruit production for a season, and the man who sprays none may reap as great a harvest as the one who attends to his trees regularly; but for certain returns year after year the man who sprays is the man who wins. Did any of those cranks who maintain that spraying is a useless innovation in fruit culture, ever consider that the man in his section who sprays most scientific- ally and most persistently, provided other essential orchard operations are given due attention, is in the front rank of the growers? He is making money, and increasing his fruit plantations almost every year. Competition on the various fruit markets is becoming so keen that it does not pay to ship in- ferior fruit. Experience has shown that number one fruit cannot be guaranteed if the trees are not sprayed. Some may say spraying is no guarantee. How- ever, the experiences of leading grow- ers has proved that if it is done intel- ligently, the one who practises it never regrets the time and labor given to the work. To answer the question, Does spray- ing pay? the experiences of some lead- ing fruit growers may be cited. Mr. D. Johnson, president of the Forest Fruit Growers' Association, in a letter to The Canadian Horticulturist, said: "After almost 12 years' experi- ence, I have great confidence in spray- ing. Previously my apple orchard was producing only 300 to 400 barrels a year. Although the orchard was cul- tivated and fertilized just as well then as it is now, the fruit would not set properly, and that which did set and come to maturity was often so defec- tive with scab and worm as to be of little value. I determined to try spray- ing with Bordeaux mixture and Paris green and to give it a thorough test. So successful was the test, the orchard in a few years was producing 1,500 to 1,800 barrels a year, the greater part of which were XXX in quality. Some va- rieties, such as Spitzenburg and Snows, that at one time seemed beyond re- demption, are producing excellent fruit perfectly free from scab or worm. "My experience in spraying plums, pears, peaches and grapes has been equally successful, and has produced most astonishing results. Some years ago I lost the entire plum crop, with the exception of about 35 bushels, from the Black Rot. The next season I sprayed with Bordeaux mixture, and although the Black Rot was as preva- lent, I harvested over 1,000 bushels. The Black Rot fungus is always with us, but I have little difficulty in keep- ing it in check with the Bordeaux mix- ture. I use the strongest barrel pump I can get, with an elevated platform for the spray operator to stand on. I usually spend 12 to 14 weeks each sea- son spraying." Another illustration of the value of power spraying was evidenced during the past season in the orchard of Mr. A. C. Cummins, of Burlington. Re- garding this orchard, Mr. A. B. Cutting, travelling representative of The Hor- ticulturist, writes: "Perhaps the fin- est lot of Spy apples grown in this local- ity during the ■ past season came from Mr. Cummins' orchard. Of the total crop the buyers say that 75 to 80 per cent, were XXX stock, and less than five per cent, culls. This is an excep- tionally good record, and is due, as Mr. Cummins says, to persistent and thor- ough spraying. Three years ago in this orchard, when spraying was not practised, only 10 barrels of XXX apples were found in a total crop of 1,500 barrels. "A very marked comparison of the merits of spraying vs. non-spraying was seen in this same orchard last sea- son in the case of a single Spy tree standing in a raspberry patch where it could not be reached with the sprayer. Surrounding the raspberry patch are the trees that gave the good results mentioned. The lone, untreated speci- men in the patch produced an excel- lent crop of Codling Moths and scabs, with little or nothing else. The single unsprayed tree was diseased and at- tacked by insects; the sprayed orchard, only 50 feet away, was clean." The excellent results obtained by growers in various states of the Union were referred to by Mr. A. N. Brown, of Wyoming, Delaware, in an address at the annual convention of the Ontario Fruit Growers' Association held in Toronto last November. Mr. Brown pointed out the absolute necessity of having a first-class power outfit and only the best nozzles, so that a perfect mist would be given. He said that ex- perience had shown the growers that 54 1' H E CANADIAN H () R T 1 C U L T U 11 1 S T intelligent and perfect spraying gives perfect fruit. He cited a case where a grape grower sprayed four times with Bordeaux mixture and had with some varieties 99 per cent, perfect fruit, de- spite adverse conditions. Other varie- ties averaged 94 to 92 per cent perfect. Several owners of large vinevards in the same section did not spray, and had not a single pound fit for market. Direct results of this nature have been obtained by the leading growers in all sections. Scores of other cases could be mentioned by The Hokticul- TUKiST. Those growers who have un- dertaken spraying most extensively, provided intelligence was combined with the work, realize the benefits and the returns in dollars and cents. Insect pests and fungous diseases must be combatted. It is then the part of the grower to study the method of pro- cedure which would best suit his con- ditions, i Fruit Unemies and THeir Treatment MANY fruit growers with good in- tentions are disgusted with spray ing each year because they do not know what spraying mixture to use, nor when to apply it. Bordeaux mixture is recog- nized as the standard for general orchard use, but there are pests on which this mixture has no effect. P^very grower has not the time nor the opportunity to study insect life, but very little investi- gation regarding these enemies is neces- sary to distinguish between the forms that are destroyed by certain classes of spraying mixtures. A study of insect life has revealed the fact that as far as injury to plant growth from insects is concerned there are two main classes — those that eat the vege- table tissue and those which suck the juices without destroying the tissue proper. The former class, to which belong the Potato Beetle, the larvte of the Codling Moth, and numerous other forms, can readily be destroyed by Paris green or some such poison. To the class of sucking insects belong the scale in- sects, aphids or plant lice, and various other forms. Since these do not eat the tissue they must be destroyed by some means other than poisoning. Some caustic preparation that injures the body must be applied. For years kero- sene emulsion was the standard but many commercial mixtures, including Scalecide, Kiloscale and such prepara- tions are recommended by prominent fruit growers as being effective and cheap. Powder preparations, too, such as hellebore, are effective because they get into the breathing pores and so destroy the pest. The Lime Sulphur wash has become popular in many sec- tions and is by many claimed to be the standard treatment for scale insects. Then there are the fungous and the bacterial diseases. The former include such well-known troubles as Apple Scab, Black Knot, Mildew, Black Rot, and kindred diseases. These are readily destroyed by such fungicidal mixtures as Bordeaux mixture or ammonia cop- per carbonate, if treated thoroughly and at the proper time. The bacterial diseases comprise Peach Yellows, Pear Blight, several rots commonly found in vegetables, and many other troubles. They are the most difficult enemies to combat. Prevention is better than cure. Care should be taken to discard varieties that are most susceptible to the diseases and every trace should be removed and burned as soon as it is noticed. If the soil becomes infested with the germs that produce a certain trouble, it takes years to remove them. A careful consideration of these classes of pests shows that the Paris green and bordeaux mixture merits the place it holds as a standard material for spray- ing. The Paris green plays havoc with insects which eat the tissue, while the Bordeaux mixture destroys fungous forms. The mixture used, however, must be regulated by the pests that are present and the sooner growers disabuse their minds of the idea that Bordeaux- Paris green mixture is the cure all for the orchard the better for them. Any quantity of it would never eradicate San Jose Scale. Likewise, the most effective treatment for San Jose Scales and other would be useless on combatting insect forms which eat. Labor is scarce and some spraying mixtures expensive. It is, then, im- portant that the grower make a careful study of the troubles with which he has to contend, and that he apply the proper mixture in whatever way is best suited to his conditions. As a general rule those who have made a study of fighting insects and fungi recommend about five sprayings in a season. This rule, how- ever, does not hold good in every case. In an interview secured by a repre- sentative of The Canadian Horticul- turist with Mr. J. C. Harris, of Inger- soll, Mr. Harris said; "Spraying must be done according to the season. If done thoroughly, four times is usually enough. Consideraijle difficulty is frequently experienced in giving the first applica- tion in the spring because the ground is so soft. On the average 80 or 90 per cent, of the fruit is free from blemish if the trees receive four or five applications of the Bordeaux-Paris green mixture. After carefully studying orchard and garden pests, and the best methods of combatting them Prof. W. Lochhead, of the Ontario Agricultural College, pre- pared a spray calendar showing the preparation of the various spraying mixtures, the mixture most effective in destroying the common pests and the dates at which applications should be 1^' given in each case. This information has been published in bulletin 122. In fighting leaf-eating insects and fungous diseases that attack the apple and the pear, Prof. Lochhead recom- mends Paris green and water (Paris green 1 tb. ; water, 150 gals.; freshly slacked lime, 2 lbs.), just as the leaf buds are expanding, to destroy bud- moths and case-bearers. About a week later Bor- deaux mixture and Paris green (blue stone, 4 tbs. ; lime, 4 lbs. ; Paris green, 4 oz. ; water, 40 gals.) is required for bud- moths, case-bearers, canker-worms and tent-caterpillars as well as scab, leaf spot and mildew. XThree subsequent sprayings with Bordeaux and Paris green are recommended/one just before the blossoms open for canker-worms, tent- caterpillars, etc., as well as for such fungi as scab and leaf spot;, one just after the blossoms fall for Bodling Moth, canker-worms, tent-caterpillars, pear slugs, scab and leaf spot;i'and one 10 days or two weeks later for Codling Moth, Palmer worm apple Bucculatrix, scab, leaf spot, etc. For sucking insects on the apple and pear kerosene emulsion, whale oil soap, or lime wash are recommended, for pear- leaf, blister-mite, pear psylla, aphids. oyster shell, bark louse, etc. Applica- tions should be given before the buds open, as the leaves are unfolding, again 10 days later, and about June 1. Pro- fessor Lochhead also advises the appli- cation of lime wash during winter for - these pests. The following treatment is suggested for the peach orchard: against Peach leaf Curl, Brown Rot, Curculio and Bud- moth, Bordeaux mixture and Paris green before the flower buds open, after the blossoms fall, and again two weeks later. Besides a spraying with ammonia-copper carbonate (copper carbonate, 1 oz. ; strong ammonia, ^ pint or more; and water 10 gals.) is advised after the fruit is well formed. At this season the Bor- deaux mixture cannot be used because it spoils the appearance of the fruit. Aphids and scale insects on the peach can be kept in check by the use of kero- sene emulsion (soft soap 1 qt., boiling soft water 1 gal., coal oil 2 gals.) diluted one part in 10 of water or whale oil soap one pound in seven gallons of water. Aphids should be treated as soon as they THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 55 appear. I'or San Jose scale, whale oil soap two pounds in one gallon of hot water, or crude petroleum 25 per cent. is recommended in early sprint before the buds open. Enemies of the plum and cherry require much the same treatment to those of the peach. Leaf -eating in- sects, Curculio, Brown Rot, Shot Hole I'ungus, etc., should be subjected to three applications of Bordeaux mixture and Paris green — the first when the last buds are opening, the second when the fruit is formed and the third two weeks later — and one spraying with am- monia copper carbonate when the fruit is large. Plant lice and scale insects require treatment similar to that given in the peach orchard. For the vineyard, four sprayings with Bordeaux mixture and Paris green are advised as follows : One as the buds begin to swell, 10 days or two weeks later, before the blossoms open, just after blossoming, and two weeks later. To pre- vent later developments of Black Rot and Mildew, Professor Lochhead recom- mends spraying with ammonia copper carbonate after the fruit is well formed. Thrips and leaf hoppers are destroyed with kerosene emulsion, one part in nine of water, soon after the leaves are formed. Treatment for the raspberry patch is given as follows: To destroy Anthrac- nose, Leaf-blight and Saw Fly larva-, Bor- deaux mixture and Paris green before growth begins, and again when the first blossoms open, and Bordeaux mixture when the fruit has been harvested. On currants and gooseberries Bordeaux mixture and Paris green before the buds expand, and again 10 or 15 days later is the best for worms and mildew. The worms can be killed by Paris green alone or by hellebore. Plant lice on these bushes can be effectively treated with kerosene emulsion, whale oil soap, or by dusting with fine wood ashes. Strawberry Rust or Leaf-blight can be controlled by applying Bordeaux mixture at inter- vals of two or three weeks when it can be applied without disfiguring the fruit. It must be considered, however, that these are not hard and fast rules for ap- plying these mixtures. If the weather is favorable fewer applications may suffice, but on the other hand if a rain should come almost immediately after spraying the effects would be nullified. The successful sprayer regulates his work by conditions as they exist. Thorough- ness is the prime requisite. If the proper mixtures are applied intelHgently the results will be satisfactory. j\ Groover's Experience \vitK a PoAver Sprayer* W. M. BlacK, AVolfviUe, N.S. i AMON'Cf the many important points to be considered in the selection a power sprayer are, cost, ease of eration, economy, draft, accessibility valves and other working parts, large earings. stuffing boxes and other mat- ters of minor imi)ortance. After giv- ing these various points due consider- ation, and corresponding with many makers of spraying outfits, I finally de- cided to purchase a certain machine. The style secured is known as the "Triplex Power Sprayer," and con- sists of a three-plunger pump, capable i maintaining a pressure of 200 pounds, 'th, however, a pass valve that allows e pressure to be adjusted as desired. The pump is supplied with jjressure gauge and outlets for four lines of hose. The working parts are of brass or of composition metal, and the stuffing boxes so arranged as to be easily and quickly packed. It is operated by a one and a half horse-power "Fair- banks" four cycle gasoline motor, the speed of which can be regulated bv a governor as desired. When adjusted for 50 revolutions a minute it con- sumes one pint of gasoline per hour. In operating this outfit I used two lines of hose with silx vermorel nozzles *Paper read at the Annual Convention of the N'ova vScotia Fruit Growers' As.sociation in 1905. sib i on each line. Another line of hose was run from the pump to the bottotn of the cask and fitted with a two outlet Bordeaux nozzle adjusted for a coarse spray. This was for use as an agitator and worked in a most satisfactory manner, keeping the solution in active motion at all times. When first oper- ated I used one of the common half- round tanks with agitator worked by hand, but found bv experience that the agitation was not satisfactory, so I re- moved the paddles and placed the hose in as above stated. Although this im- ])roved matters somewhat, it was still unsatisfactory, and I finally replaced the half-round tank with a puncheon and found no further trouble. The form of wagon on which to mount the outfit was the next consideration. After consultation with some of the largest fruit growers in my vicinity, I decided on what is known as a low down " I''armef's Handy Wagon ," narrow gauge, six inch tires on solid wood wheels, with front wheels turning under the body, thus enabling the outfit to be worked in closely set orchards without damage to trees or land. As the orchards I had contracted to sjirav were mostly in full bearing and low headed, this sel- ection proved a wise one, as even with this low down wagon manj^ limbs were scraped and the fruit spurs destroyed. During the season of 1905, 14 or- chards were sprayed and 12,600 gal- lons of solution passed through the pump. No trouble was ionnd with clogging of the nozzles as a general thing, but owing to the strong suction the strainer at the bottom of the suc- tion pipe became clogged ; later this was obviated by using extreme care iri straining the solution into the tank. I cannot give the exact weight of the outfit when loaded for operation, but it was found that a team of horses. ^ A Government Power Sprayer This illustration and tlit* one above shows how the gasoline engine was loaded with the tank and the stand for the man spraying on one of the sprayers operated last year by the ()niario DeparlnuMit f>f vVgricnlture. 56 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST ^?>^;^- t He nozzles with new ones, LS the chemical action, to- ijether with the high pres- sure at which the pump was run, 125 pounds, soon en- larged the holes so that the spray was not as fine as it siiould be for good work. It was necessary, also, to replace the length of hose three times during the sea- son, the regular half -inch, four-ply spraying hose of the best quality being used. The continuous high pres- sure, together with the dragging of the hose over the ground, served to shor- ten its term of usefulness. For the season of 1906 I propose using what is known as "Pneumatic," a hose used in mines and other such places. It is one- Spraying a Spy Orchard. quarter inch, four-ply can- One of the government sprayers, at work in the orchard, at Trenton Ont., VaS COVercd with Capped of Messrs. L. & A. Little, is here shown. This orchard contains over 700 Spy ends, whlch Will Stand hard trees, all of which were sprayed three times with most satisfactory results. usage mijtAr. weighing about 1,050 pounds each, could handle an outfit on hilly, culti- vated ground as easily as could be ex- pected with an outfit of this capacity. It was necessary at frequent inter- vals to replace the small washers in It is also my intention to place a small platform over the highest part of my outfit and to spray the tops of the trees from that; then with two lines of hose on the ground to take care of the lower parts, the trees can be well covered. With the proposed platform no higher than the present outfit, and with removable nails, the trees would suffer no more damage than in the past. Four nozzles instead of six on each line of hose would be an advantage, as better work could be done with less waste of material. In practice we find that we can easily spray out one tank of the solution, or 80 gallons, in 20 minutes. The daily capacity possible with the outfit may be estimated from the fact that in spraying one orchard with two lines of hose, 1,040 gallons were ap- plied in eight working hours. When it is considered that at times the outfit was at the extreme outskirts of the orchard and had a long distance to travel from the base of supplies, it is unnecessary to say that it was much more economical, so far as labor was concerned, than the usual hand work, to say nothing of the maintained pres- sure of 125 pounds which of necessity made possible a better application of the solution. In spraying my orchard I can apply in half a day more solution than I form- erly could in two days, and thus leave mv men and horses at liberty to perform other necessary work at that busy season. The outfit more than paid for itself last year in the saving of labor alone in the orchards in which it was operated. Spraying Experiences for 1903 JosepH T-weddle, Fruitland, Ont. I HAVE found the application of lime and sulphur to red currants and goose- berries once before the buds open, followed by one application of Bordeaux mixture after the bloom, gives wonder- ful results in the growth of wood and healthy foliage. Currants hold their foliage much longer than usual. Eng- lish gooseberries that had been almost destroyed in previous years, were en- tirely free from mildew on both foliage and fruit. Not only was the crop clean but also the bushes themselves. I attribute the results obtained largely to the application of lime and sulphur. Another lesson learned was the dan- ger in the use of what is known as Soda-Bordeaux used on fruit trees in conjunction with arsenic, either in the form of Paris green, white arsenic or arsenate of lead. The sal-soda of the Bordeaux and the arsenic form a chem- ical compound very injurious to foliage I shall use the standard lime and Bor- deaux in the future, especially when mixed with arsenic as an insecticide. In treating Pear Psylla, the lime and *A number of growers who have been using wheel-geared horse- power sprayers have reported to The Horticulturist that they have never had trouble on this score. Mr. W. H. Dempsey, of Trenton, states that his team of Ught horses have Uttle difficulty operating his machine under almost any conditions. sulphur, where thoroughly applied in .'\pril, destroyed all the eggs, but where small portions of the tree were missed enough were left to reinfest the trees, as badly as ever before the season was over. Nothing but perfect work in spraying will accomplish its extinction. A Psylla will kill a pear tree just as quickly as will the San Jose Scale, but it can be eradicated by thorough spraying with lime and sulphur mixture. I would respectfully warn pear growers of this serious pest. It is much more prevalent than may be suspected by most growers, but it is too small for easy detection by the naked eye. To the irutiated observer, however, its presence is readily detected in the orchard by the busy hum and buzz of numerous wasps and flies, seeking the honey-dew which is exuded by the larvae, and which is easily observed on the surface of the foliage. With the general use of powxr spray- ers the advantages and disadvantages in the use of the different machines have been watched with interest. With fine weather and the soil in firm condition for using the wheel-geared horse-power sprayer, a great amount of excellent work can be done at a minimum cost for power, as the team drawing the sprayer furnishes the power. , One dis- advantage of. this machine shows up in wet weather, the horse-power sprayers where the soil is heavy sometimes being laid up for a week at a time from the soft condition of the ground, while the conditions of moisture were propagating fungous trouble most rapidly, thus pre- venting the application of the spray when most needed.*' The gas sprayer which is a new com- petitor in the field, using carbonic acid gas for power, relieves the team of the heavv draft, in the case of the wheel- A Well Tried-Machine One of the spraying outfits used by the Department of Agriculture last year in Ontario was a Niagara Gas Sprayer. It gave excellent satisfaction. This shows it when it was being dismantled at the close of the season, last fall. THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 57 geared power sprayer, and admits of the prosecution of the work, even when the soil is wet, and when the foliage is dry, and usually permits of getting the I work done in time for thorough protec- tion. The cost of the gas is the price to be paid for this advantage, which when looked at in comparison with the cost of the horse-power in the case of the wheel-geared machine, would appear to be a considerable item. Again when we come to compare the cost of the gas, which is less than half a cent per gallon or 40 cents per acre per application, it would appear to be a very small considera- tion looking at the matter from a scien- tific or business standpoint. The gas sprayer has the advantage also of simple construction and operation. With or- dinary care vexatious delays are un- necessary. There are no pumps to get out of order, and the work is done quickly, furnishing any desired pressure for any desired number of nozzles. It remains for the grower to decide which will best suit his special conditions. The compressed air power machine, also, has the great advantage of light draft, but it is a very expensive outfit, and liable to delays by the use of the engine and air compressor. Besides, the services of an experienced operator are required. Thorough preparation and straining of the mixture are imperative with power sprayers, especially where a large num- ber of nozzles are in use. A strainer or separator placed between the tank or pump and the hose is the latest and best arrangement. A valve is provided by which the strainer can be cleaned in an instant in case of clogging. The Peach Nursery BEFORE we can raise good peaches we must raise the trees, and before we can raise good trees we must know how to select and treat the seed. Many growers prefer seed from natural fruit rather than that from cultivated varie- ties, claiming that such is more vigorous and hardy and that the trees are longer lived. While this contention has considerable weight, and while no mis- take is apt to be made by its adoption, yet, there are men who use only the seed of budded trees and with the same degree of success. SELECTING AND TREATING THE SEED. Whether selected from natural or cul- tivated fruits, care should be taken to secure pits that are healthy, of good size, and from ripe fruits. It is better also to obtain them from trees of known hardiness and strong growth. Pref- erence is sometimes given to pits from yellow peaches, particularly when the seedlings are to be budded with the same colored fruit. Pits from distiller- ies, where peach brandy is made, are not fit for the nursery, as the boiling process destroys their vitality. When it is desired to grow the peach on heavier or moister soils than suits its own roots, the seed of the plum may be used for the production of stocks. For growing peaches on heavy clays, budding on plum stocks is particularly desirable and often necessary. For very dry soils the hard-shell sweet almond is used as a stock in countries where climatic conditions are favorable. To get an even stand of trees the pits should be stratified in the fall (i..e, mixed with alternating layers of sand in a box, or buried in a fairly dry pot in the gar- den or orchard) and exposed to freez- ing and thawing till spring, then soaked in water till they have absorbed con- siderable moisture. They should then be placed in thin layers on the surface of the ground and exposed to the action of frost, being protected from drying by a light covering of leaves or straw. Some growers put the seed in fall di- A. B. Cutting. B.S.A. rectly in the nursery, but by so doing only a portion will grow and no regu- larity can be attained in the rows. It is better to treat the seed by stratify- ing, as that prevents vacancies. In the spring, when taken up, most of the shells will be found to be cracked open ; the others may be loosened with a ham- mer. They are then ready for plant- ing in the nursery. CHOOSING THE SITE. The most important requisite in choosing the site for a peach nursery is the selection of a suitable soil. Peach pits will germina'e and develop in a more or less questionable shape on a variety of soils, but to get the best re- sults one should select a very light, sandy loam, well drained, warm and easy of cultivation. The exposure and location should also be considered. The sweep of prevailing winds should be avoided, and the slope of the land, if any, should be towards the north to re- tard bud growth in spring until danger from late frosts is past. If near large bodies of water the ^lope should be towards the water. Select, also, a place that is easy of access, near the road for ease in transporting the trees, and near the house so that the development of the young seedlings and buds may be conveniently watched. A location con- venient to a constant water supply is also desirable and, in some sections and seasons, necessary. PREPARING THE GROUND. The ground for a nursery should be in the form of a square or parallelo- gram, and it should be laid out so as to admit of horse cultivation. Strips of land on the ends should be left suffi- ciently wide for a horse to turn about on. To get the soil in the best possible condition for the growth of young seed- lings, a hoed crop should occupy the land the previous season. A fall plow- ing is necessary, followed by a similar working in the spring, and a subsequent harrowing and rolling will leave the land in good condition to receive the pits. If the land is not rich enough, apply barnyard manure that is well rotted, and, if obtainable, unleached hardwood ashes at the rate of 40 bush- els per acre will be found to give good results. PLANTING THE SEED. Nursery rows, for horse labor, should be about three and a half feet apart and laid out as straight as possible. Mark out with a hoe or plow furrows two inches deep and drop the pits about six inches apart and firmly press the soil upon them. Care should be taken that the seeds do not become dry or mouldy before they are planted. CARE OF NURSERY. The ground should be cultivated as often as is required to keep the weeds down and the soil loose, especially dur- ing the early growth of the young seed- lings. Hand hoeing is necessary be- tween the trees in the row. Where the seed may have been dropped too thick- ly, through carelessness or accident, the superfluous trees should be re- moved. As the season advances the cultivator should be used less fre- quently, and when the trees are large enough to shade the ground it should be stopped altogether. In late sum- mer or early fall — the month of August usually — the young seedlings should be budded. The following spring, when growth begins, the wood above the bud should be removed and all the natural buds and twigs below the scion rubbed off. This should be repeated as often as new buds or twigs appear. All shoots that spring from the roots must also be watched and kept down. Cultivation of the ground should be resumed and continued throughout the growing sea- son. Early in the season a little ni- trate of soda may be applied if the growth of the trees is not satisfactory. Summer pruning is practised by some nurserymen, and sometimes with ad- vantage. It is not essential, however. Whether it is advisable or not is a mat- ter of opinion. Annuals for tKe To\^n Lot RodericK Cameron, Niagara Falls SoutH, Ont. SINCE the owners of small town lots are in the majority, and many of them are thirsty for information re- garding the planting of their lots to the best advantage, a further treatment of that .subject in Thk Hokticui-Turist is necessary. Many persons have re- cently bought their homes. Others live in rented homes. In each class may be found parties having admirable taste and love for flowers, etc. Those who have recently bought homes, how- ever, cannot afford yet to plant with the permanent material. Those hav- ing rented homes wish to have them beautiful with as little expense as pos- sible, since it would not pay them to plant and improve permanently prop- erty belonging to others better able to do so than themselves. To meet this want, I submit the same diagram as was used last month. Bor- The fence must be covered. Sow close to it a row of the tall growing nas- turtiums. No. 17 may be planted with ferns from the woods. No. 18 and 27 would look well planted with dwarf nasturtiums. 22-22-24 can be devoted to mixed geraniums, or scarlet salvias bordered with Oolden-bedder Coleus, or Madam Salerov geranium. If the dividing line fence at 11-12-12-13-13 is open picket or netting, plant sweet peas a foot from it, beginning at 12, and coming to the front 1 1 . From the centre 12 to the end of the fence 13 may be planted or sown with ornamental gourds, and from there to the grass margin with Asters, Ten Week Stocks, Annual Gaillardias or Sweet Scabiosa. Beside the clothes posts, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, plant or sow a few seeds of Morning Glory or Adlumia cirrhosa to cover them. At ^3 sow next the fence SOUTH tn "'28' '/"■,-• >■'■,'- ■-;■■;•,■, Vc. ■;'/• 'y.:,'i ',-',■,' ' -' ,' 'v7\83**''''^''^*^32*.*''?*.''''^i ';fe-§ ,;/■:;« %m ^Em'ii X o c n _j7 Vl^i^^QAv^Au^y^o^^tr 'y";cV0THtS/.yARD','';; ™ NORTH 10 3 § 14 14- Arrangement of Annuals on a Town Lot. ders, paths and lawns are similar, but annuals are to be planted instead of perennials. There can be excellent re- sults obtained, and quicker returns than from perennials. I would recommend the following an- nuals to be planted, or sown according to the numbers on the diagram. The vines on the building recommended last month will be left as they are, since they should be permanent from At number 28-29, one foot from the grass margin, sow a row of Sweet Alys- sum, and a foot from the alyssum sow a row of purple Candytuft. There is room for another row, and it can be planted with French Marigolds or zin- nias mixed. 38 may be sown with Mashet Mignonette, and here and there may be dropped a few seeds of that beautiful poppy, Papaver umbrosum, to brighten the plot of mignonette. The poppy seeds should be sown about midsummer, to make strong plants for blooming the following summer. They are biennials, and will seed and care for themselves after once sown. the tall or climbing nasturtiums to cover it, and edge the border next the grass with tufted pansies, the re- maining space with Antirrhinums and Linaria bipartita, of which there are two colors, purple and white, the pur- ple being the type. They are prolific bloomers all summer, resembling minia- ture antirrhinums, and "good to cut. Most of the above annuals may be sown where they are expected to bloom, but there are a few that would bloom earlier, and perhaps be better if sown in a hot-bed early in the spring, and planted outside when large enough. Those that would be the better for this treatment are Ten Week Stocks, antirr- hinums, asters. Tufted Pansies, Sweet Scabiosa and Linaria bipartita. When I want to grow some choice annuals in a hot-bed from seeds, I gen- erally commence to get some good hot manure ready about the middle of March. I like to turn it over once or twice before the first of April to get rid of the most of the heat and steam. I then form it into a bed and place the 51 frame on it. About the first of Ajjril I place the sash on the frame tighll> for a day or two, and then open tin- sash and put into the frame four to six inches of rich loose loam, and replaci the sash, leaving about three inches ai the top open to let out the steam. About April 8 or 10 the bed should be in good condition to receive the seeds. About that time I stir the soil thor- oughly, rake level and fine, and draw shallow lines or drills four to six inches apart north and south, because the frame should face south. In these lines or drills sow the seeds thinly, and cover in proportion to the size of the seeds. The smaller seeds like dust should be sown on the surface; they will find their way into the crevices of the soil be it ever so fine. Some varieties of annuals germinate very quickly ; others are very slow in germinating. The latter must be known so that they can be treated properly. The best results are obtained by cov- ering them with long strips of paper, held in place with a few small stones. This keeps the heat and moisture on the seeds, forcing their germination much faster than if left bare. Be sure to uncover them as soon as they are up, b\ placing the strips on a few stakes from four to six inches above the plants. In a . few days they will be strong enough to stand the direct rays of the sun. I scarcely ever prick out the annuals separately. It is Joo much labor. I prefer sowing enoi:gh rows to begin with. If they are too thick, I thin them out and throw the thinnings away. About June 1 these plants should be in good condition to plant in the open for blooming. At this time I treat them differently to any other person I have seen or heard of. I drench them, soil and all, with water, and allow 10 or 15 minutes for it to settle. I then begin at one end, place my hands one on each side of the row of plants, and press the fingers down through the soft soil below the roots. The soil and roots between the fingers is packed tightly : and drawn up, the soil and roots being ■, formed into a hard ball. There may ' be in each ball of earth two or three plants. When all the plants are treated in , this fashion, I place them back into ■ the frame in rows, covering the balls with the soft soil in the frame, and the frame is shaded for a day or two until the plants survive the shock. After three or four days they may be sub- jected to all the light and heat they can get. In two days more they may THE CANADIAN HORTICULTUR.IST 59 be lifted. The balls of earth are now bound together with roots, and may be handled much rnore quickly than if the plants were grown in pots from the |™...„ J— I should have a garden, for the bene- ficent influence on the taste and char- acter, as well as for the pleasure which it confers. The pursuit of gardening in connection with the ordinary business of life is to be highly commended. The amateur must of necessity avoid the many exotics requiring a degree of care and protection from adverse influences which only those who have conserva- tories can bestow; but there are in Ontario a very large number of hardy Aarieties, both beautiful and fragrant, beginning. There is no wilting, and the^plants do better. They make more fibrous roots, giving them a better hold of the soil. This method will" save Formal Gardening A. H.. Goodman, Cayug'a, Ont. for the development of individual tastes, and wonderful scope for the artistic colorist in formal gardening; yet the steps of progress are circumscribed by certain primary rules rigidly laid down by nature. These rules must be obeyed. They are drainage, good soil suitable to ■the plant, sunlight, freedom to develop unchoked by plant life or roots of trees, and water. If these are ever borne in mind the grower may revel in a pleasure numbered among the greatest given to man. In the shapes, sizes and proportions, growers of such plants many disap- pointments, not onlv in the growing of annual seedlings, but all other seed- lings as well. ing grounds must all be taken into con- sideration. Use the three colors or shades of the three colors in each bed. Cut 1 shows a charming result obtained from a centre of castor oil bean, sur- rounded by dark red geraniums and climbing blue ageratum, with a border of alyssum. The ageratum climbs over the other plants to the castor oil plant, making the general effect superb. A large oval bed raised in the centre may contain castor oil beans, two circles of cannas, one of helianthus, one of eleph- ants'ears, one of climbing ageratum, one A Charming Flower Bed with Castor Oil Bean in the Centre A Circular Bed of Cannas and Coleus which the owners of the smallest gar- dens can cultivate easily and success- fully. Formal gardening is a wide sub- ject, but, as commonly practised in Ontario, usually means, from a floral standpoint, those beds that are planted by the flower-lover to ensure a continu- of bloom or color from spring until 5st. It does not always comprise set eces, but is apart and distinct from |ose specimens grown in the garden cut flowers. [Now is the time to plan the summer irdens of 1906. There is ample room TH U freesia is one of the most charm- ing and most graceful of the winter flowering bulbs. . It has a delightful and penetrating odor, and one flower will scent a whole room. Unlike most other bulbs which bloom in the winter the freesia does not require to be and in the blending of color, there is no limitation. The amateur's beginning should be simple, but he should be in earnest and thorough. From the public gardens of the city he can personally obtain ideas for reproduction. One thing more he must learn, that is, after the garden is made and planted it must be cared for, weeded, edged, etc. Once safely started, he will, in a few years, be coaxing others along the path he so feebly walked in the beginning. Circular, oval,' ribbon, star or oblong are all effective, thousjh the surround- TKe Freesia \V. T. Macovin, Otta Ont. well rooted before forcing. The most satisfactory results are obtained by leaving the bulbs in the cellar for a few days, only until roots begin to push out, and then bring the pots up and force them. They may even be forced with satisfaction by bringing the pots or of red achyranthes, one of bronze bedding geraniums, and a border of silver-leaf geraniums, Madam vSaleroi. A good ribbon bed may be made with a centre of four rows of scarlet geran- iums; on both sides have three rows of dark red coleus; on both sides again plant two rows of silver-leaf geraniums; extend as far as required and border with red alternantheras. A circular garden of cannas with different colored coleus gives a handsome general effect along with the foliage of the shrubbery and trees as shown in the second cut. boxes into a warm room as soon as the bulbs are planted. The soil should not be kept very wet until they are growing thriftily, as the bulbs might rot. Many a beginner has thrown out a pot of freesias in disap- pointment at no flower-buds showing, 60 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST Freesias Grown in the Window Photograph by Pfof. F. T. Shutt while had he had patience they would soon have rewarded him with an abund- ance of bloom. Freesias should be started in August if the bulbs can be obtained, and even if kept growing steadily no flowers need be expected before the last week of December, unless with Rermuda-grown bulbs, which can be purchased early in July. With them flowers should be produced a little earlier. As the bulbs are very cheap, about $1.00 per 100 retail, they may be used freely, and there will be a greater mass of flowers if planted fairly close. Freesias are very effective when grown in boxes, as is well shown in the illustration. They should be placed in the window so that the plants will get an abundance of light, for it takes a considerable time for them to come into bloom, and the plants will be very spindley and the flowers small unless they get plenty of light and sunshine. The bulbs should be planted from one to two inches apart to get the most effective display of flowers. From) a pot of six bulbs 124 flowers were pro- duced. As the plants grow tall before blooming, they should be supported,.by a wire. They are very easily grown, but as they make a great deal of growth before the flower-buds show, one must have patience, but the reward is well worth waiting for. THERE is no branch of plant cul- ture so fascinating as the col- lecting, arranging and growing of ferns in the garden. About 10 years ago I started to make a collection with the object, at first, of being in the woods and close to nature with my two little boys, but gradually the quest assumed new interests, until I was absorbed by it, and now I have a collection of 40 to 48 varieties all growing in the gar- den as well as they did at home in their own haunts. With about six excep- tions all these varieties have been col- lected in the district surrounding Ham- ilton. Last fall I had a collection of 33 varieties at the Horticultural Ex- hibition held in Hamilton. Although the exhibit was interesting, it would have been much more so had the show been in July rather than in September. When I began making the collection I was told by some men of wide ex- perience, that ferns would not grow in such an exposed situation as mine was, but time has proved that they were wrong. The bed of Adiantum pedatum shown in the photograph, is nine years old, and is better than can be found in the woods anywhere to-day. Several important points regarding the handling of these plants have been learned since the first specimens were put in the garden. Great care must be taken in gathering them. Less dan- ger of loss will result if they are trans- planted when in a quiescent state, but Our Native Ferns Dr. Douglas G. Storms, Hamilton, Ont. with my limited time 1 have been obliged to take them at whatever sea- son they were found, and I have rarelj- lost any specimens. Plenty of earth should be taken up with the plants, especially if they are removed out of season. A moderately good soil in as shady a place as possible is the most suitable for their development. After being planted they should be left alone. If ferns are coddled they die. Conditions, as nearly as possible the same as existed where the ferns were found, should be maintained at all sea- Seventeen Varieties of Ferns in Dr. Storms' Garden THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 61 A long bed of ferns between the walk and the fence injDr. Storms' garden sons of the year. In the fall it is well to 'spreads leave over the fern beds. These can be left there, and in the spring a layer of leaf mould is formed al- most the same as the plants were accus- tomed to in the woods. In collecting I have found the lit- tle book, "How to Know the Ferns," extremely useful, and in fact better for an amateur than many larger works. A good lens is needed to disting- uish some of the varieties. In studying the names it is better to get both the house- hold knd scientific names, as though the latter are seem- ingly long and dif- ficult, are not easily lost when once learned, and it is much easier to talk ferns using the bo- tanical names. These names, too, have each a mean- ing which is most in- teresting to determine, and which should be carefully studied by all those who have a special liking for beautiful flowers. The names of the ferns exhibited last fall will give a fair idea of those best for cultivation. They are as follows: Asplenium angustifolium, Narrow- leaved Spleenwort; Asplenium acrosti- choides, Christmas Fern ; Asplenium acrostichoides, undulatum ; Asplenium filix-foemina. Lady Fern; Asplenium filix-foemina latifolium, Broad-leaved Lady Fern; Asplenium thelypteroides. Silvery Spleenwort; Asplenium tricho- manes, Maiden-hair Spleenwort ; Asplen- ium ebeneum, Ebony Spleenwort; As- pi dium cristatum, Crested Shield Fern; Aspidium niarginale, Evergreen Wood Fern; Aspidium spinulosum, Spinulosa Wood Fern ; Aspidium spinulosum dila- tatum; Aspidium munitum; Aspidium noveberacense. New York Fern; Aspid- ium Goldieanum, Goldie's Fern; Aspid- ium thelypteris. Marsh Fern; Adiantum pedatum, Maiden-hair Fern; Camptos- orus rhizophyllus. Walking Fern; Cys- topteris bulbifera, Bublet Bladder Fern; Onoclea sensibilis. Sensitive Fern; Ono- clea struthiopteris. Ostrich Fern; Os- munda cinnamomea, Cinnamon Fern; Osmunda Claytoniana, Interrupted Fern ; Osmunda regalis. Royal Fern; Pellsea atropurpurea, Purple Cliff Brake; Phe- gopteris dryopteris, Oak Fern; Phegop- teris hexagonoptera. Broad Beech Fern; Pteris aquilina, Umbrella Brake; Scol- opendrium vulgare. Hart's Tongue; Woodsia Ilvensis, Rusty Woodsia; Woodsia obtusa, Blunt-lobed Woodsia; Polppodium sculari; Lomaria spicant. •I beautiful evergreens, and amateurs who know the secret find little difficulty growing them successfully. Many var- ieties are tender in this country, and the tenderest varieties are the most beautiful and graceful. The variegation in some of them is equal to some of our most beautiful tropical plants, and, for the above reasons, I am surprised that they have not been more extensively grown as tub plants for the lawn during the summer, or for the decoration of halls and churches during the winter. A collection of cupressus are very pretty in beds on the lawn. The illus- tration shows the cupressus in half-inch, galvanized, chicken netting baskets, Uned with moss, and then planted the same as a hanging basket lacking the vines. The netting was obtained from a wire factory in a bale, and was cut to the size desired for each plant with a plumbers' shears, and sewed in basket form with wire the same as the netting. Any handy man can make one of these baskets in a few minutes. The plants on the right, showing the TKe Gro-wing of Tender Ervergreens RodericK Cameron, Niagara Falls, South roots protruding through the side of the basket, has been in the basket for two years, and will remain there for an- other year, when it will be changed into a larger basket. It must be borne in mind that this method is only intended for haK hardy, oi" tub plants, of any variety grown by the general public. The nurserymen can make general use of it for evergreens, and many expensive and rare deciduous plants. Each basket costs about five cents. Tubs that look respectable, when made of material that lasts any time, cost about two dollars, and are heavy and awkward to handle, and they look un- natural and are out of place on the lawn. There is also a loss of time con- nected with caring for them, and the continual watering that if neglected, means sickly, diseased, insect eaten plants, and probably their death. The basket described requires no watering, as the plants, with the exception of the basket, are the same as if planted in the natural manner. The plants take the moisture through the basket, from above as well as round about. The roots, also. have freedom to pass through the meshes of the basket. Plants treated this way are always clean and healthy, and can be moved from place to place during the summer without loss. WINTERING HALF HARDY PLANTS My method of keeping the half-hardy plants through the winter is very simple and inexpensive. I dug a cold storage pit, eight feet deep, below the natural surface of the ground, 16 feet wide and 30 feet long, lined it with galvanized corrugated iron along the sides and threw joists across on a level with the surface soil. A much smaller hole would do for amateurs with only a few plants. On top of this was placed a greenhouse roof for light and air when necessary. Two feet of good soil was placed on the natural floor of this cellar. Into this is planted the plants that will not stand our winters. The basket and tub plants are dug up before severe frost, and re- planted in the cellar, basket and all, as they were out doors. The two feet of soil in this cellar is thoroughly watered in the fall before the plants are put in. This is all the watering required until 62 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST Cupressus as grown in half-inch galvanized chicken netting baskets lined with moss. the following spring, when the plants are set out again in the open. Hydrangeas and oleanders, as kept in the greenhouses over winter, bloom dur- ing the spring months, but by adopting the foregoing method, they bloom the whole summer, until late in the fall. Our lawns, thus, are more beautiful when friends are visiting us. The plants in this cellar have stood the test of 16 degrees of frost, and I believe they woiild stand a few more degrees without injury. This is the secret. As soon as they be come frozen, thc\ are not touched un- til the frost comes out. This may not happen for weeks at a time. The place is kept in per feet darkness until the frost is out by laying a temporary inch board floor over the joists over head. As soon as the frost is out the light must be let in again. Some of the plants that are not hardy that were treated in this way include, Cotoneasters, Eleagnus, Euonymus, Hy- drangeas, Holly, Laurel, Rhododen- drons, Cupressus, Taxus or Yews, Olean- ders, Acubas, Lenon Verbena, Fuchsias, and I could mention many others, but space forbids. Is it not then possible to have a beautiful home without a greenhouse? TKe Velvetty Lawn Rev. P. C L. Harris LAWNS are developed, not made in a day. They ought to be at their best hundreds of years after they are made. Many people wonder why their lawns give so little in return for the labor they put on them. Devotion in cutting or proper watering is only a portion of the work needed. In the making of the lawn was where the care was needed, but was not given. Fre- quenth' when* a fine, comfortable house is built the practice is to level the hard pan soil taken from the cellar, sow some indifferent lawn mixture on it and wait in vain for the velvety grass. It will never come that way. An ideal lawn is desired, but circum- stances tell you that you cannot afford it. It would be wise to begin now and start an improvement fund by placing aside a little money every week or every month until there is sufficient to pay for the work. Many people won- der why so much water is required. The main reason is because the lawn has not been properly made. Care at the beginning spells success. The first and most important factor is to have the ground thoroughly pre- pared by trenching two to two and a half feet deep, the soil to be well mixed with crushed bone — not too fine. In trench- ing carry the soil from the first trench to the far side of the plot, where it will be in place to fill in the last trench dug. If the soil is sandy, use plenty of cow- manure with the bone; if clayey, use plenty of half-rotted stable manure with the bone. Then level and roll and re- roll until perfectly smooth. It is important to ascertain what kinds of grass does best in the par- ticular locality. For a general mixture use the following: Red Top, Kentucky Blue, and plentv of Festuca Ovina, with a little White Clover. If the locality is subject to heavy rains before the grass becomes well established, sow some white mustard or rape with the grass seed. As soon as the grass is nicely up, mow. so as to destroy the mustard and rape. Nothing is more beneficial to a lawn than a fair sprinkling of crushed bone early in the springtime. This is a cheap and valuable fertilizer. Many people have excellent oppor- tunities for fine • lawns were it not for the density of shade. In such cases the trees should be trimmed, and per- haps some of them cut out. This will pay. However, do not dock the maples. The lilacs are very injurious, and it would be best to keep them well re- moved, if you want a good lawn. The roots are great travellers, and gather up all nourishment for a considerable area around them. i BULB DEPARTMENT t W^ Qu«j»iion« An sewered by W^ \f Mr. Herman Simmers O «-)a|^>t «^>M^>t «'>M%>N «X.r%>> «'M^>N Bulbs for tHe Season \\ hat arc- the Ijc-st varieties of bnlb>; f])e. This question is wide and 1 would sug- gest thai subscriber condense his query. This question might be answered by giving a list showing in what succes- sion such bulbous plants flower. The list is Snowdrop, Crocus, Tulip, Nar- cissus. Hyacinth, Liliuin candidum, -Vlontbretia. Japanese lilies, in variety). Tuberous rooted Hegonias, gladiolus. Tuberoses and dahlias. Hieeping Dulbs Over .\re bulbs grown in the house during winter of use to keep for the following season? If so, how are they best kept?— H.B.L. To answer this directly I would say they are not of any use for the following season. If, however, they are wanted to be kept over, the pots should be .set in the cellar after the plants are through blooming, and the tops allowed to die away. At this time water should be put on occasionally. As soon as the tops are dried off no more water is required. The bulbs should be left in the pots for a few months, after which they may be taken out and partially cleaned to allow them to become thoroughly dried. Final cleaning can take place, after which they will be ready to plant again. They do not flower nearly as well the next season. I Coffee in Glengarry Any novelties in horticultural lines are to be found in different parts of Can- ada, but coffee growing in northern On- tario is something beyond the ordinary novelty. Without the aid of green- house or hotbeds Mr. William Gamble, of Lancaster, has had success with this plant for two seasons. His plants this year were obtained from seed sown on May 10 last in drills two feet apart. The coffee beans were put about three inches apart in the drills and covered lightly. In about 10 days the seed had germinated and soon the crop was making good headway. "It will thrive on any good garden soil," said Mr. Gamble, "and needs no special care. All that is necessary is to keep the ground free from weeds by frequent use of a hand cultivator." The coffee plant g^ows somewhat the same as the common bean but much taller and with an abundance of pods. Many plants reached a height of three and a half or four feet and pods were scattered freelv in clusters of one to THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 63 three from within six inches of the base of the very tip of the vine. Two or three round and slightly flattened beans smaller than the common pea were Selling Vegetables in Cities Two of Mr. Gamble's Coffee Plants found in each pod. Their productive- ness can be judged from the fact that Qver a bushel was harvested from four ounces of seed. Japan Qxiince is E-dible Prof. H. L. Hutt, O.A.C., Guelph Is ttie fruit of the Japan Quince, Pyrus Jap- wica, an edible thing? It seems as if it might je, but one scarcely likes to risk it. — J. S. McClelland, St. Catharines. The Japan Quince, Pyrus Japonica, las been cultivated for its flowers rather ;han for the fruit, hence the develop- nent has been more in the improve- nent of the flowers than in the improve- nent of the fruit. The fruit, however, s edible, although not nearly so good IS that of the common quince, which las been grown especially for the fruit. have used jelly made from the fruit >f the Pyrus Japonica, which was ex- client, but this is probably the chief vay in which it can be used to ad- vantage. Crushed Bone is a cheap and valu- ble fertilizer. Nothing is more bene icial to a lawn than a fair sprinkling arly in the spring. — Rev. P. C. L. larris, Guelph. arftn dsno it I'M initcli Early Tomatoes. — I grow a few early omatoes for the fancy market, and obtain best results from plants hat have been transplanted at least hree times before being set out. When his is done there is a ball of fibrous roots nd practically no top root. These lants when set out never wilt. I start he seed about February 1 5, and set the lants out soon after May 24. — Geo. ienner, Burlington, Ont. Many vegetable growers who can pro duce excellent crops are not successful in disposing of their products. Those who attended the meeting of the Toronto branch of the Vegetable Growers' Associ- ation on January 6, and heard the re- marks made by Mr. Geo. Syme, obtained many pointers of value to growers who truck their crop to the town or city. He emphasized the fact that every gar- dener must linderstand the trade thor^ oughlv and also know the characteristics of his customers if he hopes to do a good business. Sortie men want to do business in a hurrv but there are others who are slow- going and there is no use trying to rush matters as it is detrimental in closing a sale. He advised growers never to have more on the waggon than the merchant wants and not to pretend they have all their load sold except enough to meet their requirements. As a rule it is best to make the retailer believe you are somewhat ignorant and to keep him thinking he knows it all. S Too many growers are afraid of com- petition. This should not be the case and no matter how many vegetable growers' waggons are around a store door an attempt should be made to do business there. If no sales can be made that day, learn what the chances are for another. The best practice is to have a load sold ahead, and no grower should take in more than he knows he can handle. Customers should not be secur- ed too close together, because if one merchant sees a gardener supplying another a few doors from him it creates a jealousy and it is much better to hold a large trade with one man than to sell a little to several. The practice of sell- ing to an individual in front of the door TKe Progressive Veg'etable Grower A. McMeans, Brantford, Ont. The progressive vegetable grower is an enthusiast and, unlike the farmer, he believes in intensive cultivation, and wants to secure two or more crops from the one piece of ground. He may be classed with the florist, bee-keeper or chicken-fancier, in the fact that he is more ready to attend conventions, sub- scribe for trade journals (and right here let me drop a word of congratulation to the management of The Horticul- _TURiST for the improvement they have made in that valuable magazine), or in any way further the interests of the busi- ness they are engaged in. Take the florists as an illustration, and look back a few years and see the improvement that has been made in that industry. The question then arises: of a customer was strongly condemned because it was claimed that he immediate- ly lost faith in the producer who resorted to such practices. The shrewd gardener exercises great care in loading his stock and in getting rid of the inferior grades. As a rule the retailers who are after the low grade vege- tables are out early in the morning to meet the growers before they reached the city. The good product should be kept covered, because if a box of good vegetables is placed beside inferior stuff the latter looks 100 per cent, worse than it really is. Usually the low grade stock can be sold before the merchants who wanted the good line are reached. Mr. Syme advised the producers to hold out for a good price for a good article and not cut down the price through fear of losing the sale. Poor stuff, however, should be got rid of at any price. Growers were warned never to mis- represent their goods by saying it was first-class when it was not. When a re- tailer asks for a certain article and you find that you had none on hand it is good policy to buy it for him from some other grower. The general appearance of the man and his team and rig were fully discussed by Mr. Syme. He advised every grower to furnish a first-class outfit as there is nothing that keeps a man down so much as a poor team and rig. As for the man himself he should never go into a store with a pipe in his mouth or smelling of liquor. It is never wise to interrupt a man when he is doing business. In every case he should be approached in a busi- ness way, but if he does not want any of your stock do not raise a fuss about it or hang around coaxing him. There is no use trying to force goods on a merchant. How and why has this advancement been made? Because the florists are en- thusiasts, or in other words, what some people choose to term cranks on the business they are interested in. They are always striving and seeking after new ideas and new methods of culture so as to be in the advance guard: So, too, is the advanced vegetable grower, with this difference, that he is just enter- ing into the new era that will eventually place him where he belongs. With the co-operation of the Government through a fully equipped and thoroughly up-to- date experimental station, be will soon forge to the front, arid be a credit to his home and an honor to his country. • Kindly send me The Canadian Horticul- turist for the ensuing year. It is well worth the price asked and should be in the hands of all who are interested in fruit or flowers. — (Samuel Shearer, Niagara-cn-the-l,ake, Ont. Tomatoes and Cucumbers for E-arly MarKets "W. 'W. Hilborn, {Leamington. Ont. ON growing early cucumbers and to- matoes for market two special local conditions are requisite for the most profitable production of the crop. The first is a high, warm, sandy soil ; the second is nearness to a large body of water to prevent late spring frosts. Within the last few years this phase of vegetable growing has become an ex- tensive industry in this locality. Early tomatoes receive the most attention. The plants are grown in greenhouses. I have four houses 10 feet wide and 50 feet long, and one house 52 feet wide and 80 feet long. They are cheaply made and cheaply heated, but specially adapt- ed to the growing and hardening of early vegetable plants. The construc- tion and heating of these houses may be a subject for a future article. The seeds are planted about March 1 to 15, in trays or flats one foot wide, two feet long and four inches deep. In these is put about two and a half inches of good garden loam which is thorough- ly saturated with water, and covered with about an inch of soil. This makes an ideal bed on which to sow the seeds. Make small drills across the tray one quarter inch deep and one and a half inches apart, and in them sow the seeds thinly. By having the soil wet in the bottom of the tray, enough moisture is usually supplied to last until the plants come up. They should be watched carefully at this period, and not al- lowed to get too dry, nor should they have too much water as they are very easily destroyed from the time they begin to germinate until they come through the ground. When the seedlings have developed two rough leaves, transplant them two inches apart each way. When they begin to crowd each other, transplant about three inches apart, and when they again crowd, give them their final shift into individual boxes five or six inches square, or to positions five or six inches apart each way in trays or beds. The soil in which these plants are grown should not be too rich in nitrogen, but should contain a good per- centage of phosphoric acid and potash. In growing the plants great care must be taken in watering. Early in the season it should be done in the morn- ing. Saturate the soil to the bottom and do not water again until the soil is dry on top. Give ventilation when- ever possible to secure a strong, stocky growth. The house should be kept at a temperature of about 60 degrees at night until the plants come up. After that about 50 degrees at night and 75 or 80 degrees during the day is suffi- cient. As soon as the weather will per- mit many of the plants arc put in cold frames and covered at night with cotton. Planting in the field is usually com- wnenced about May 15 to 20. A warm sandy soil, rich enough to produce a good crop of corn, is selected, and the plants set four feet apart in rows five feet apart. It pays to put a large handful of good fertilizer around each plant, and to work it well into the soil. A fertilizer containing about four per cent, nitrogen, eight per cent, phos- phoric acid, and seven per cent, potash is satisfactory. The plants are culti- vated frequently until they are so large that they prevent it. As the plants grow larger the cultivation should be more shallow I have tested many varieties and find Earliana much the best early sort for this locality. I put out 18,000 plants of this variety last season, and began to ship the fruit July 6. The fruit is sent by express to cities, towns and villages from Quebec to Winnipeg. The greatest drawback we have is ex- cessive express rates. About one-quar- ter to one-third of the proceeds of the crop is taken by the express companies for carrying it to market. Cucumbers are started in trays in the same way as the tomatoes except that the seeds are planted farther apart— not less than one and a half by two inches. The trays should be placed in the warmest part of the greenhouse. Cucumbers require a soil rich in humus or decayed vegetable matter. When the first rough leaf is about the size of a dime, the seedUngs should be transplanted and set three or four inches apart in other flats. When they have made four or five rough leaves they can be set in boxes seven inches square, one plant in a box. If trained to stakes the plants can be left in these boxes until part of the tomato plants are set out. Then they are put where they are to remain for cropping. Two rows are put in the 10 foot houses and 10 rows in the large house as shown in the illustration. The plants are set three feet apart and trained to a V shaped trellis six feet high, made of binder twine. All the vines are kept on the trellis and none are allowed on the ground. In the large house there are no benches. The plants are set in the ground soil, which is made rich with manure, finely ground or dissolved bone, and wood ashes. Large quantities of water are required to grow cucumbers. We use a windmill and a gasoline en- Cucumbers as grown is Mr. Hilbom's Greenhouse. 64 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 65 gine to raise water into an elevated tank. This gives us a good supply, which is piped into all the greenhouses and arranged so that we can reach all parts of the houses with hose. Ariington White Spine is the variety used most extensively. The past sea- son we began shipping cucumbers May 29 in II quart baskets, 18 to 24 in a basket. This industry is rapidly in- creasing in importance, and the need for experimental work is generally rec- ognized. Forcing Cxicumbers THE forcing of cucumbers is treated in Bulletin No. 231 of Cornell Uni- versity, Ithaca, N.Y., by Professors Craig and Hunn. It is advised that the seed be started in small pots or sod, so that the soil cannot break away from the roots of the young plant when being transferred to the benches. Soil con- sisting of equal parts of loam, leaf mould and sand is recommended for the pots and loam, sand and well-rotted manure for the benches. The plants should be placed two feet apart. To avoid "damp- ing off" a handful of sand is scattered under the ball of roots and over the sur- face around the stem. The plants are trained on wire trellises. Stout wires are run lengthwise and finer wires con- necting an upper and a lower strand used. The plants are tied to these as they grow. When the main vine has reached the desired height the tip is nipped off and the development of lat- erals induced. No fruit development should be encouraged until the vines are stout and strong. The fruits develop rapidly and in many cases require some support to prevent them breaking the vines down. Some growers make slings for the fruit, while others place a thin board horizontally and rest the fruits on this. The time of planting depends on when the crop is required. About two months from the time the seed is sown the crop is ready for market if no set- back has been received. Some growers do not use trellises, but those who have tried both methods pre- fer having the vines overhead. Con- siderable quantities are grown in On- tario every year. "I always like to have the cucumber vines on wires above the benches," said Mr. J. E. Terrill, of Picton, to ThS Horticulturist, a short time ago. "The plants are much more easily wat- ered, the fruits are kept out of the dirt, and the crop can be handled more read- ily. I like to have them ready for mar- ket by May 15, and the same vines produce a crop until the outdoor varie- ties come in. I have been a regular subscriber for The Canadian Horticulturist for 24 years, and would not think of doing without it. — (W. C. Reid, BelleviUe, Ont. Planting Asparag'xis Prof. H. L. Hutt, O.A.C., Guelph I am getting ready to plant a bed of aspara- gus. The land is fertile, and somewhat wet, but I am having it underdrained. I cannot get the pipes down more than two feet or so. Would this soil be sufficiently deep for asparagus, and would the underdraining be likely to make the soil produce a crop early in the season? I would like to get a clearer idea as to how soil that has been drained compares with natural sandy soil, that is, in earliness of workability and in earliness of the crop produced. The distance apart for planting asparagus varies from six feet between the rows and three feet in the rows down to three feet by one foot apart. Which is the best and most practical space?— (F. P. W., Toronto. I have at hand no data from which to make comparison of naturally well- drained sandy soil and thoroughly tile- drained low soil on the earliness of the crops grown on them, but my impression is that the naturally well-drained soil would be earlier and far more satisfac- tory than the tile-drained soil. Aspara gus does best on soil naturally well drained, and I would hesitate to plant it very extensively on soil which was not well drained. I am inclined to be- lieve that with the tiles only two feet below the surface there might be danger of the roots getting into and blocking the drains. The distance apart for planting aspar- agus has been variously given, both for field and garden culture. For conven- ience of cultivation, it is recommended for field culture that the rows be four or five feet apart and the plants two or three feet apart in the row. This, how- ever, is more than is necessary for the full development of plants. To econo- mize space or to get as much crop off a given area as possible, I would recom- mend setting the plants two feet apart, in rows three feet apart. This will give plenty of room for full development, and if the ground is liberally manured the plants will not suffer from exhaustion of the soil. BxincKing' Veg'etables for Profit In discussing the best methods for bunching crops, at a meeting of the Toronto Vegetable Growers on January 6, Mr. R. Lankin claimed that much time and money was lost by the system followed by many of the growers. Put- ting up small bunches was claimed to entail a great loss of time, and it was pointed out that with the vegetable grower, as with other people, time means money. With almost every crop larger bunches can be made with advantage and profit to the grower. It was asserted by Mr. Jos. Allen that many retail dealers want five cent bunches and if larger bunches are made they frequently sell for less than they are worth. Mr. Jos. Rush advised that an effort should be made to establish a uniform system of bunching throughout Ontario. One grower does not know what another grower means by a bunch. A five cent bunch means anything. It may consist of 12 onions or there may be only six. Something definite should be decided on. He recommended that beets and carrots should be put six in a bunch, onions 12 in a bunch, and radishes 12 in a bunch. He pointed out that more care should be taken by the individual grower in grading the vege- tables. It was suggested that the Association draw up a scale for bunching and submit it to the other Vegetable Growers' Associations. Something should be done to adopt the same system throughout the Province. Mr. Delworth remarked that bunching as practised by many growers is very expensive, and in many cases more could be had for the same crop if it were sold in bulk. Much of the bunched good was sold at a loss when labor is counted in. The time required for washing and tying ran away with the profit. A great many growers get into the way of bunching and do not change their meth- ods because they have never figured it out. It was suggested by Mr. Geo. Syme that the system of bunching should be regulated by the merchants to whom the goods are to be sold. The high- class butchers and grocers want bunches that will sell two or three bunches for 10 cents, whereas peddlers want every- thing in five cent bunches. TKe Onion Bed In an interview with The Canadian Horticulturist, Mr. George Benner, of Burlington, said, "The onion bed should not be ploughed in the spring as the ground is much more easily kept clean. I use plenty of manure and plough it in in the fall. If the bed is slightly rounded up to keep it free from water and prevent baking of the surface soil, better results are sure to come. "Snow or frost will not hurt onions. I sow early Globe Denvers as early as the ground can be worked. The best yield can be had from planting in rows 12 inches apart. These can be culti- vated readily with the hand cultivator. Plenty of work is needed to keep the onions growing steadily". "One of the main things in growing onions," says Mr. Benner, "is to have the crop ripened and cured before rainy weather comes in the fall." Peppers need rich sandy loam and frequent cultivation. I grew 8,000 plants last year. They were started in the greenhouse about the middle of Feb- ruary. One transplanting is sufficient. After all danger of frost is past I plant them in rows two and a half feet apart, and one foot apart in the row. — (Geo. Benner, Burlington, Ont. 66 THE CAiNAJMAA 11 O 1( J 1 ( L L T I 1( 1 S 1 The Canadian Horlicullurisl Published by The Horticultural Publishine Company", Limited The Only" Horticultural Magazine in the Dominion Offlciftl Organ of British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and Prince Edward Island Fruit Gro^A^ers' Associations and of the Ontatio Vee- etable Growers' Association H. Bronson Cowan, Editor and Business Manager J. Albert Hand, B.S.A., Associate Editor W. G. Rook, Advertising Manager A. B. Cutting, B.S.A.. Travelling Representative 1. The Canadian Horticulturist is published the first of every month. 2. Subscription Price $1.00 a year, strictly in advance. For all countries except Canada. United States and Great Britain add 50c. for postage. 3. Remittances should be made by Post OflSce 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 con- tinue 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. Change of Address — When a change of address is ordered, both the old and the new addresses must be given. 6. cAdvertising Rates quoted on application. Circu- lation 5,500. Copy received up to the 25th. Responsible representatives wanted in towns and cities. 7. cArticles and Illustrations for publication will be thankfully received by the editor. 8. tAIl Communications should be addressed: THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 507 and 508 Manning Chambers TORONTO. CANADA THE SPRAYING SITUATION Happily for the fruit industry of Canada, orchardists in all sections are gradually adopting spraying as one of the essentials to the produc- tion of first-class fruit. In some districts and in some exceptional seasons, conditions are such that the grower does not feel that the ravages of insect or fungous pests warrant the expenditure of time and money demanded for thorough work. For continual success, year after year, scientific spraying pays. Leading orchardists in the var- ious fruit sections have proved this. Some successful growers claim that they can reap bountiful harvests by proper cultivation and by maintaining such conditions that insects have no harboring or breeding places. These precautions are beneficial, but where 60 or 75 per cent, of the crop is free from blemish under such conditions, 90 per cent, would be perfect if spraying were carried on in conjunction. In most sections the orchard pests must be fought in more ways than one. That this is the case has been brought home forcibly during the past few years to those who grow fruit extensively. The difficult part of the spraying problem is to show the man with the small acreage that thorough spraying must be done. Many such growers cannot afford to purchase a power sprayer, and effective work cannot be guaranteed by the ordinary hand pump. In some sections, an at- tempt has been made to have the spraying done by the same system as threshing is done. This method furnishes the proper power but it has disadvantages. The chief objection is that a great number of orchards are not sprayed at the right time. Practically all the trees in a locality are ready for spraying about the same date. Farmers at the best, are slow to agree under such circumstances. Everybody wants the sprayer at the same time. The result is numerous orchards go unsprayed and the owner of the machine does not make sufficient cash to convince him that it is a paying investment. When associations own the machine and hire the operator the latter difficulty is overcome, but the former remains. There are two ways in which this may be remedied. One is the education of the farmers or fruit growers, by example where pos.sible, to work together more harmoniously for mutual benefit; the other is the placing on the market of a less expensive power machine. At present too many have to club together to make the oper- ation of the machine a paying proposition, and the result is some orchards do not receive effective treatment. Thus, centres are left from which insects and fungi spread to the surrounding orchards. The same conditions exist in the leading fruit sections. Here and there is a grower who will not spray. His orchard, then, is the breeding centre for the district, and the labor connected with spraying is doubled to his neighbors. There is yet much to be done before spraying will become general in the apple sections. The governments have done yeoman service, but much remains to be done. The co-operative fruit growers' associations, too, have in some cases been of great benefit in introducing the practice, and in forcing members to spray their orchards thoroughly a certain number of times. The small, unsprayed orchards are the curse of fruit growing. It is the duty of those who realize the advantages of spraying to spray the more thoroughly and show their less intelligent neigh- bors by practical results that it pays. It may take time but eventuallv Ihev will be converted. DOMINION FRUIT CONFERENCE There will convene at Ottawa this month the most important gathering of fruit growers ever held in Canada. The delegates appointed by the various provincial fruit growers' associa- tions are the leading and most representative fruit growers in the Dominion. It is well that this is the case, because the matters that are to be discussed are of vital importance to the fruit industry. The convention will fail in one respect if it does not succeed in arranging for the holding of similar conferences at regular periods in the future. Spasmodic gatherings of this nature accompHsh but Uttle. There is as much and even more reason for the holding of annual, or at least bi-annual national conferences, as there is for the annual conventions of the pro- vincial associations. The matters to be dis- cussed this year are of such far-reaching im- portance they can be carried to a successful issue only by systematic and sustained effort. The provincial governments give financial as- sistance to their local associations each year. The Dominion government should do the same for a larger body. The Can.\dian Horticulturist will be en- larged next month that it may contain as full a report of the conference as possible. Here's wishing the gathering will prove a complete and unqualified success — ^the first of many more to follow. HORTICULTURE AT GUELPH In another column appears a letter explain- ing some of the difficulties under which the staff on horticulture at the Ontario Agricul- tiu"al College has been working, and improve- ments that are needed. This letter has been brought out as a result of the criticism in these columns last month of the work being done by this department at the college. The latter really goes to prove the strength of our con- tention. Had the need for these improvements been pressed with sufficient vigor, it is probable they would have been secured long ago. In the speech from the throne, at the open- ing of the Ontario Legislature, improvements in the work at Guelph were foreshadowed. The Horticulturist understands that con- siderable is to be done to strengthen the hor- ticultural department. We trust this is the case, and will be glad to do what we can to assist and supplement the work of this branch of the college in every way possible. A RETRACTION The Horticulturist regrets u> find that in its Winnipeg correspondence last month an in- justice was done the branch of The Ottawa Fruit and Pnxiuce Exchange at Winnii)eg, which was credited with having sold 3(» to 350 barrels of Ontario fall fruit a day at five lents a barrel. Our Winnipeg corrcspeen auction- ed off by The Ottawa Fruit and Produce Co. Although our correspondent did not vouch for the truth of the article, he suggested that it might be published in a manner that would tend to strengthen the point made in his correspond- ence. As space prevented our using the article in full separately and as it had been sent by our correspondent, we took the hljerty of embodying a short note concerning same in his corre- spondence. Care was taken Xo quote the Win- nipeg Free Press as authority for this informa- tion. The Ottawa Fruit and Pnxiuce Exchange has written us that the information as published was false and that the Winnipeg Free Press has made a complete retraction of same. Instead of large quantities of Ontario apples having been auc- tioned off at that price some twelve barrels only were sold. The.se apples had been kept in cold storage by mistake through the shipper not naming correctly the variety of apples in the cars. The company further states that they have no artificial heat in their cold storage cellar to injure the quality of their apples, although our cor- respondent did not intend to imply that they had. These being the facts of the case The Horticul- turist desires to express its regret that anything was published that did an injustice to The Ottawa Fruit and Produce Company. THe Fruit Gro-wers of Canada Indignant It is evident from the expressions of opinion that are constantly reaching The Canadian Horticulturist that the fruit growers of Can- ada are not going to be content until they have and independent fruit commissioner of their own. The feehng of dissatisfaction over the existing arrangement, by which the chief of the fruit division is under the dairy commissioner, is general throughout the Dominion. The foUow'- ing are views from representative fruit growers that have been received recently. Rev. Father A. E. Burke, Alberton, P.E.I., president Prince Edward Island Fruit Growers' Association: "This province, through the fruit growers' as- sociation, has protested vigorously, by a reso- lution sent to Hon. Mr. Fisher, against the deg- radation of the fruit division of the Department of Agriculture. We will continue to do so until this important branch of our national resources is placed on a proper footing and permitted to exert the measure of influence it should exert in developing fruit culture in Canada. The general feeling is that a fully authorized com- missioner should direct the policy of the fruit division under the minister only, and nothing less will satisfy the organization: specially fos- tering horticulture or the horticui^ irists of this country." Mr. J. C. Metcalfe, Hammond, B.C., president British Columbia Emit Growers' Association: — "The fruit interests of the Dominion are of suf- ficient importance to have a department and chief of their own. It should not be subordin- ate to any other department or chief The head of the fruit division should stand next to the Minister of Agriculture and should not be under the necessity of making representations through an intermediate or the chief of another depart- ment. The various problems that are continu- ally cropping up and confronting the fruit grow- THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 67 ers, such as the changing conditions of trade and markets, transportation, cold storage, co- operation and numerous other questions, render it necessary that we should have a department and chief who could give his time and special attention to the requirements of the industry, having at the same time the direct ear of the minister without the interference of the chief of another department whose sympathies and en- ergies are given more to the department or class of work congenial to his tastes, training and education." Mr. S. C. Parker, Berwick, N.S., secretary Nova Scotia Fruit Growers' Association: — "Fruit growers in Nova Scotia are feeling very strongly the injustice of making the fruit de- partment subservient to the dairy branch of the Department of Agriculture." TKe Horticxiltural Department at GuelpK Constitution Changed At a general meeting of the Niagara Peninsula United F'ruit Growers' Association, held in St. Catharines, Feb: 17, the principal business dealt with was the amendment of the constitution as proposed by a committee at the last regular meeting. After considerable discussion on all clauses of the constitution a few changes were made. It was decided to drop the word "Unit- ed" from the name of the association. The work and area of the association was extended from Welland and Lincoln counties, as hereto- fore, to include also the counties of Wentworth and Haldimand. The membership fee in future will be $1.00 per annum, which sum will include membership not only to the Niagara Peninsula Association, but also to the Ontario Fruit Grow- ers' Association, with its many privileges, in- cluding a year's subscription to The Canadian Horticulturist. It was decided to hold a series of meetings at the same points as last year, and on the following dates: Stoney Creek, Mon., March 12; Grimsby, Tues., 13; Beamsville, Wed., 14; Jordan Station, Station, Thur., 15; Queenston, Fri., 16; St. Catharines, Sat., 17. The association is now in communication with Prof. Craig, of Cornell; Mr. Geo. T. Powell, of Ghent, N.Y.; Prof. Van Deman, Rochester, N.Y., and others, and of these one will be secured to address the meetings. Local practical men also will deliver addresses and lead the discus- sion.—(A.B.C. Dominion Fruit Conference The Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island Fruit Growers' Associations have appointed the following delegates to at- tend the Dominion Fruit Conference to be held in Ottawa, March 20, 21, 22. The list of dele- gates appointed by the British Columbia As- sociation has not been announced yet. Ontario — Harold Jones, E. Lick, W. H. Bunting, Robert Thompson, M. Pettit, A. W. Peart, J. L. Hilborn (?), (W. D. A. Ross), D. Johnson, A. E. Sherrington. Nova Scotia — Ralph Eaton, R. W. Starr, G. C. Miller, W. H. Sangster, S. C. Parker. One N.S. delegate will have to be left off, and it will probably be Mr. Sangster. Prince Edward Island — Reverend Father Burke, A. E. Dewar, Professor Ready. Quebec — G. Reynaud, La Trappe; J. M. Fisk, Abbotsford; N. E. Jack, Chateauguay Basin; R. W.. Shepherd, Como; Robert Brodie, Westmount. An Omission. — In the report of the annual meeting of The Horticultural Publishing Co., Limited, published in our last issue, the name of Mr. A. W. Peart, of Burlington, was omitted from the list of directors appointed for 1906. Please accept my congratulations for the February Horticulturist, which is the first issue I have seen in its new form, and I like it very much indeed. It should be of much more value to its readers. — (Prof. F. C. Sears, Truro, N.S. THE editorial in the February issue of The Canadian Horticulturist entitled "Im- provement Needed at Guelph," and claim- ing that the horticultural department at the College has not been as valuable to the fruit and vegetable growers of the province as they feel it should have been, has attracted a great deal of attention. One or two letters have been received claiming that the editorial did net do justice to the College, but among the rank and file of the growers the editorial has been generally commended. The following letter, which is referred to editorially, has been received from a gentleman who is well informed in regard to the work of the horticultural department at the College. This party requested that his name should not be published. Editor The Canadian Horticulturist: The editorial in the last issue of The Cana- dian Horticulturist, in my opinion, does not do justice to the work of the horticultural department at the Guelph College. In the first place, I think your criticism is likely to mislead the public because they are not aware of the nature of the manifold duties devolving upon the horticultural department. Its first duty, of course, is the instruction of students. This part of the work has developed more within the last few years than the public has any idea of. When Prof. Hutt took charge of the department 13 years ago, horticulture was a minor subject on the curriculum, consist- ing of but a few lectures in fruit growing given to the second year. To-day it is one of the major subjects, embracing fruit growing, vege- table gardening, landscape gardening and flori- culture, given throughout the year to the first, second and fourth years, and to the lady students and teachers' classes in attendance at the Mac- donald Institute. Thirteen years ago the at- tendance at the College was less than 300 students; last year the total attendance was over 1,000 students. Yet in this time but one assistant has been added to the teaching staff of this department, and through necessity the florist has been pressed into the work in addi- tion to his regular duties. At the Illinois Agricultural College two professors, two assist- ant professors and two demonstrators are employed to do the same work that three men are doing at Guelph, and Ontario does not in anyway have to take second place to IlHnois in importance of horticultural matters. Second, the horticultural department, in addi- tion to its teaching, has to maintain a large catering department, furnishing fruits and vegetables to the College boarding-houses, and furnishing flowers and plants for the regular decoration of tables, and almost weekly decor- E.xcellent Worh of tHe Toronto BrancK That the monthly meetings held by the mem- bers of the Toronto branch of the Ontario Veg- etable Growers' Association will result in much benefit to the' gardeners surrounding Toronto, impresses those present more forcibly at each meeting. On F'eb. 3, the executive reported on the progress they had made in securing lower rates by purchasing their supplies as an association. Several firms had been seen, and it was learned that a considerable reduction in prices could be had on boxes, Paris green, etc. The matter of deciding on what firms should be dealt with was left in the hands of the commit- tee. Several members referred to different purchases of seeds and other supplies in which they had been defrauded. It was suggested that in future, if any firm misrepresented its goods to the disadvantage of the grower the matter should be reported to the executive, and the matter be investigated. Judging from the free- ation of other buildings for public receptions and meetings. This particular work has more than doubled since the addition of the Macdonald Institute. It has also to maintain greenhouses for public display, and to keep over 40 acres of lawn and grounds in a condition to be above criticism ficm the thousands of visitors who visit the College annually. For all of this work the department has been barely able to get a sufficient grant to employ the labor needed; yet it has received no credit for anything of this kind in the public accounts, and to but a limited extent in the eyes of the general public. Third, the geneial public looks to the depart- ment to carry on as much investigation work as is done at the Ottawa Experimental Farm, where the members of the staff have their. whole time for such work, and are not required to lecture or manage a catering department for the rest of the institution. At many of the American Experiment Stations they have a separate staff for the college and one for experi- ment station work. It is hardly to be expected that with all the other work devolving upon the staff at the College it can do as much investiga- tion work as where they have nothing to do but investigation work, as has been the case, even in the Experimental Department at Guelph. You will find by referring to last year's report that much more investigation work has been undertaken at Guelph than your editorial would lead the public to believe; in fact, the staff has undertaken as much as the funds at its disposal would allow, for it has never yet had any special grant for this purpose, and what has been done has been squeezed out of tke already insufficient labor grant. An effort has been made to overcome^ the handicap of climate by developing the co- operative plan of work. This has been done through the Fruit Experiment Stations and through the Experimental Union, both of which the horticultural department was instrumental in organizing. Last year there were over 2,000 experimenters engaged in this work. With a promised increase in the grant for the work this year, the work has been greatly extended, and already over 1,000 applications from experi- menters who wish to undertake the work this spring have been filed. The crying need of the department is for more assistants and more financial support to enable it to undertake the work before it, and it is up to the fruit growers, vegetable growers, florists and horticulturists throughout the Province to see that their department is as liberally sustained as other departments of the College which have a well-organized constituency and good financial support at their back. A Friend of the College. dom with which the discussions were entered into the members are gradually getting away from the idea that the gardener's neighbor is his greatest enemy. Each member seemed anxious to let his brother gardener know all the secrets that he had gained from his experience. The question of "Forcing Rhubarb" was fully dealt with by Mr. Thos. Delworth, of Weston. He had tried growing this crop from seedlings, but found it difficult to obtain satis- factory results. Better returns could be had if strong, thrifty roots were used. In discussing celery-growing, Mr. Geo. Syme, Jr., said that it was the most profitable crop a gardener could grow. His experience with three different kinds of soils had shown that sandy loam was best. At 3 o'clock on March 3, in the Albion Hotel, the following subjects will be discussed: Early Cabbage, by J. Stevens; Celery Growing, by W. Harris; Early Beets, by A. Shuter. The mem- bers are requested to bring along any gardeners who may be interested, whether members or not. 68 THE C A N A I) IAN H O R T I C U L T U R 1 S T WitK tHe Horticultural Societies AT a meeting of the directors of the Toronto soc. in St. George's Hall, on Feb. 20, steps were taken to obtain some i)er- manent improvement in the condition of the boulevards and lawns of the city by the plant- ing of trees and shrubs and hedges at street corners, etc., and to establish combined effort on the part of the residents of different neigh- borhoods. It was decided to apixrint qualified persons to make suggestions for the beautifica- tion of a street or neighl)orhout to cut the trees down, and now the trees are clean and healthy. I appHed the regular strength, 4 gallons to 40 gallons of water, on trees seven years old and the cost of labor, material and all amounted to only five cents a tree — on calm days it cost less. The beauty of this mixture is its cleanliness on operator, horse and appar- atus. " This mixture was used last spring also by Mr. Archibald, who is working a fann for Mr. Edward McArdle, St. Catharines. In the same orchard he used Hrae and sulphur and Carlson's mixture and found that fruit from trees treated with the latter was the better in quality and appearance — jjears brought 10 cents a basket more than those from trees sprayed with lime and sulphur. "On some trees," he said, "I used the mixture where pears and plums were half grown and infected with scale and it cleaned the fruit for market. Carlson's mixture can be used when trees are in leaf, if diluted one half; that is, two gallons to 40 gallons of water." THe New Method of Killing' San Jose Scale It has long been known that petroleum oils would kill San Jose Scale if they could be mixed with water so as to be conveniently applied. That Scalecide is such a practical triumph is shown by letters from growers and by references in bulletins, etc. It is a perfect mixture of oils that effectively penetrates the scale, causing it to curl up and die, and fall off. This new prepar- ation is said to supplant the lime-sulphur wash with its bothersome preparation, boiUng of ingredients and danger of serious injury to the clothes and hands. Prof. R. L. Taft, Horticulturist Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, wrote of Scale- cide, "I find that the results of the winter apph- cation has been quite satisfactory as, judging from the results on peach trees, considerably less than one per cent, of the adult scales escaped treatment." Prof. John B. Smith, Entomologist New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, New Brunswick, N.J., wrote: "I beheve that apphed at the right time and in a thorough manner, this is as good, if not a better remedy for this pernicious insect than any we have up to the present time." For further testimonials from fruit growers and experiment stations, and for samples, address, -B. G. Pratt, Company 11 Broadway, New York. Horticultvire in tKe "West THAT horticulture is increasing in the west as the population grows was shown by the interest taken in the sessions at the annual meeting of the Western Horticultural Society, held in Winnipeg, on Feb. 14 and 15. Horticultural subjects were ably dealt with, and the vast importance of forestry dwelt on. It was decided to hold an horticultural exhibi- tion in W^innipeg this year in August or Sep- tember. A resolution was passed asking for the establishment of experimental stations in horticulture throughout the country in connec- tion with the Dominion Experimental farms. Other resolutions asked the western provincial Governments to endeavor to check the preval- ence of prairie fires, which are very destructive to timber areas within the prairie region and en- dorsed the recent forestry convention at Ottawa. The election of officers resulted as follows: — Pres., W. G. Scott; 1st vice-pres., A. P. Steven- son; 2nd vice-pres., John Caldwell; secretary, Geo. Batho. THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 71 The presidenl, Mr. D. W. Buchanan, in a short address at the opening session referred to the prosperous condition of the society, which had nearly quadrupled its membership during the past year, increasing from about 60 to 200 members. This result he attributed to increased attention throughout the country to horti- cultural work, to the increase in population and •general advancement of the country, and to the energy with which the society had been conducted during the year. They had passed the experimental stage in growing many kinds of fruits, he said, and in some cases some of the small fruits were being grown on a large scale in a conunercial way. Some large shipments of local grown strawberries had been received in Winnipeg during the year. The chief diffi- culty in growing small fruits was the scarcity of help and high wages. Land around Winni- peg was getting too dear for ordinary farm purposes, and it would be necessary to encourage horticulture in order to make their lands profit- able. In tree fruits progress was being made, and many apple trees were coming into bearing in the Red River valley and some other sections of the country, so that the problem of growing tree-fruits was also being solved. The secretary in presenting the annual report, reviewed the work of the society during the year. He referred to the free distribution of plants to the members, which helped to increase the membership. The society also pubUshed a list of trees, shrubs, fruits, etc., showing what varieties are hardiest and best adapted to growing in this country, and it, too, was sent to the members. The treasurer's report showed that a surplus remained on hand notwithstanding the heavy expenditures. At a public meeting on the evening of the 14th, Dr. Fletcher, of Ottawa, gave a very interesting address on nature study, illustrat- ing his remarks with hmelight views. President Creelman, of the Ontario Agricultural College, spoke on the need of more practical education in the public schools. The remaining sessions were devoted to dis- cussions of questions pertaining to practical horticulture. One of the most interesting pap- ers was that given by Norman M. Ross, who has charge of the Dominion Government for- estry work in the west. Mr. Ross said that trees could be grown for fuel, fencing, etc., very profitably in the prairie provinces, and recommended the box elder, white elm, green ash, Cottonwood, basswood and the native spruce and tamarac. Dr. Sheeckly, of Pilot Mound, Man., discussed the shrubs and flowers liest suited to this country. For hedges he preferred the common lilac, as it holds its foliage late in the fall. A pajier on jjotato-growing in the Winnipeg district was read by W. H. Tomalin. He spoke of the potato blight, which was unknown here until lately, but which was bad last year. So far no spray- ing had been done in Manitoba. Dr. S. J. Thompson, of St, Charles, Man., explained his method of growing small fruits, in which he has been very successful, with currants, goose- berries and raspberries. A. McLeod, of Morden, Man., said that at first he did not succeed in growing tree fruits, but after planting wind breaks and shelter liells, he had been able to grow apples, crabs and plums. W. G. Matthews, of Macleod, Alta., spoke on horticulture in Southern Alberta. He had been able tf) grow many trees without artificial watering. < •« A paper on roses and flowers was given by Mrs. J. B. Hodgson, of Foxwarren, Man,, and addresses were delivered by J. B. Merril, J. D. Carwell, Alf, Andrews, James T, Drysdale and Robert Atkin. No. 6 Iron Age Combtoe^ ^ Double and Single S^ Your Spring: Help - \^hat kind of help will you have this spring. Will you do your work the old way with many men and much expense, or employ the time-saving, labor- lessening and money-making IRON AGE Implements These implements comprise tools for the cuUivation of all crops. The No. 6 tool shown, prepares the ground, sows the seed and cultivates the growing crop. The Iron Age (Improvtd Robbins) Potato Planter has no competitor. The only planter performing absotutely perfect work. Riding and Wallcing Cultivators, Spras'ers, Hoes, Drills, Potato Diggers, etc. all are shown in the New Iron Age Boole. Mostcomplete and instructive l300l£ oa crop raising published. Write for it. It's Free. BATEMAN MFC, CO., Box S16, Crenloch.N. J. Ne"w BrunsAvicK Frxjit Growers are Progressing Pickers and packers should be required to obtain a certificate before they are allowed to begin operations. Some of the work is done so poorly that one would think crazy men had been at it. — (P. J. Carey, Dominion Fruit In- spector, Toronto. THE second annual convention of the New Brunswick Fruit Growers' Association was held at Fredericton on Jan. 25. A committee comprising Messrs. W. W. Hubbard, Henry Wilmot and W, A. Mcintosh, appointed to consider the suggested topics for discussion at the Dominion Fruit Growers' Conference, submitted the following report, which was adopted by the association: 1. We suggest that the work already started by the fruit division of the Department of Agri- culture in regard to statistics and fruit crop reports, should be encouraged, and that fruit- growers everywhere should furnish statistics and crop prospects within their reach promptly when requested by the division. 2. That an extension of cold storage and re- frigerator car service is urgently needed, and that the rates of the express companies operat- ing in Canada should be brought under the supervision of the Railway Commission. We believe that the rates charged by the express companies seriously interfere with the develop- ment of our fruit interests. 3. In addition to recommending that there be a uniform barrel for Canada, we would sug- gest that more expeditious means than exist, be provided to prevent the use of barrels and other fruit packages below the legal size. Our federal department should be urged, in every way, to safeguard and develop our export trade, and to make conditions as easy as possible for trade within the Dominion. 4. It is regrettable that many of our best grocers consider that to be sure of getting pure fruit jams and jellies they must import them from English manufacturers, and we would sug- gest that the Department of Inland Revenue be asked to give this matter their special attention. .5. Fruit growers would be in a safer position if such control were exercised over nurseries, that their owners, before they could legally collect money for trees sold, should be com- pelled to hold a certificate from a competent inspector stating that their stock was free from dangerous scales, insects, or diseases, 6. We would suggest that the following defi- nition for number 2 fruit be embodied in the Fruit Marks Act: — "No. 2 .\pples shall consist of well-grown specimens of fair size, color and shape, and not less than 85 per cent, free from scab, worm holes and other defects, and packed in tlie same careful manner as provided for No. 1 fruit." 7. We would recommend that our delegates examine into the moves that have been made in the direction of horticultural education in the different countries of the world, and be in a position to assist in making such sugges- tions as may be in the best interests of Cana- dian horticulture. 8. Your committee would recommend that our delegates give this subject thorough in- vestigation and consideration, and make such recommendations asTwill, in their judgment make our fruit exhibitions more educational to both producer and consumer, more encour- aging to the growth of the best commercial varieties adapted to the district, and in every possible way calculated to encourage the growth and disposal of our fruits. For 1906 officers were elected as follows: pres., John C. Gilman, Kingsclear; v.-pres., I. W. Stephenson, Sheffield; treas., Henry Wilmot, Sunbury; sec, T. A. Peters, Fredericton; di- rectors, J. W. Clark, Sunbury; J. F. Tilley, Carleton; William Mcintosh, St. John; John Ferguson, York; S. B. Hatheway, York; George McAlpine, Queens; Mr. Richardson, Charlotte. Pres. Gilman and Mr. Isaac W. Stephenson, of Sheffield, were appointed delegates to the Do- minion Conference. Among the speakers were Mr. W. T. Macoun, Ottawa; Prof. F. C. Sears, Truro, and Mr. W. h.. Mcintosh, of St. John, N.B., the leading en- tomologist of the maritime provinces. A very creditable display of apples was made, and be- fore the close of the sessions a motion to have a fruit exhibit at the next annual meeting was carried. Mr. Macoun and Prof. Sears judged the fruit exhibit, the following being the prize winners of the varieties named: J. C. Gilman, Fred- ericton— Fameuse, Mcintosh Red, Alexander, Milding; Geo. McAlpine, Gagetown — Wolf River, Bishop Pippin, Ontario, Golden Russet, King of Tompkins, Northern Spy, Gano, Ben Davis; Henry Wilmot, Lincoln — Wealthy and a Seed- ling; S. B. Hatheway— -Canada Red; Rev. T. Hunter Boyd — Stark; collection of 10 varieties— Geo. McAlpine, Gagetown, and J. C. Gilman, Fredericton; collection of five varieties — Geo. McAlpine and J. C. Gilman. Pres. John C. Gilman opened the meeting with an admirable address, in which he re- ferred to the extreme cold of the winter of 1905, which pointed out to fruit growers the great advantage of planting hardy varieties. The midsummer drought, on the other hand, showed the vital need of a generous supply of plant food and sufficient moisture in the soil to main- tain a steady growth. After impressing on the growers the importance of having only the best fruit for the markets, the president said that the best way to increase the percentage of num- ber one fruit was to start at the beginning and get the right varieties. Then prepare the ground, as any good farmer would, for a crop he expected to yield a good return; cultivate and keep up the fertility; fight the insect pests; have a good spraying equipment, and use it at the right time and often enough to answer the purpose; nip back and prune off all unnecessary growth; give the air and sunshine a chance to help you; use proper ladders, baskets, barrels and boxes; grade to comply with the Fruit Marks Act; haul on spring wagons, and see that every operation is done with care. 7« THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST In discussing injurious insects, Mr. W. A. Mcintosh, of St. John, N.B., whose collection of New Hrunswick insects exceeds 14,000 speci- mens, gave an interesting address illustrated with large colored plates and also s|)eciniens of the insects in their various stages. Mr. Macoun pointey^j^ y^'" " ^R, Royal Nosegay Collection — 1 pkt each 10 ^Hfeul^ ^''^^^^j^K^^^li^^^K^ Bruce's Finest Mixed — Mixed from named '^:^H|||^^^HQKSS^^Bv ^^SB^'^^ Grand Collection — 1 oz. each of 20 distinct ''^^8t^^3 HAMILTON, ONT. THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST NewC rimson RedC anna DID YOU SEE EXHIBITED AT ST. LOUIS THE NEW CRIMSON RED CANNA Mrs. Wm. F. Kasting ? Height, 3i feet. Most brilliant in color, most prolific of all Red Cannas. Blooms all the time, and is exceptionally fine for conservatory decorations. You will need it in your business. Awarded, on its merits, a GOLD MEDAL at the World's Fair, 1904. West Seneca, N.Y.. U.S.A.. Sept. 15, 1904. Mr. Wm. F. Kasting, Dear Sir — In our trial grounds this year, the Canna, Mrs. Wm. F. Kasting, was by far the best oi its class; both in richness o{ coloring and in freedom of bloom. It has been a sheet of dazzling crimson from June up to the present time and promises to be good for a month to come. I consider it a most valuable acquisition and shall need a large bed of it next year. Respectfully, JOHN F. COWELL. Prices for Bulbs, $2.00 per Dozen $15.00 per Hundred $100.00 per Thousand Delivery now up to April WM. F. KASTING 383-387 ELLICOTT STREET BUFFALO, NEW YORK THE Hddcrlcigh Nurseries Has long been noted as the home of reli- able nursery stock. ^ Our long experience and the care given even the smallest orders, have made for us the reputation of being the leading nursery in Canada. fl Our stock is always true to name ; only one grade, and that the best. ^ Place your orders early to ensure your receiving stock at the right time. ^ Send for our beautiful catalogue. THE Helderleigh Nurseries E. D. SMITH, WINONA, ONT. Hardy Perennials This class of plants, familiarly kntiwn as Old-fasKioned Hardy Garden Klo-wers, has come into jjublic favor again so rapidly as to astonish even the most siinguine en- thusiast of these gems of the garden. Their popularity is not at all surprising when we consider the many varied and pleasant changes which take place throughout the entire growing season in a well-arranged hardy border, in which every week, yes, almost every day, brings forth something fresh and new. Karly flowering varieties open up their flowers often before snow has entirely disappeared, and con- tinuing with constantly changing variety throughout the summer until late in fall, when severe freezing weather only will stop persistent late bloomers. ■ SIMMERS' COLLECTIONS OF OLD-FASHIONED—— Hardy Perennial Plants These are prepared especially for those who are not acquainted with this class of plants, and are composed exclusively of the easiest-growing, freest-flowering varieties, and also cov- ering the longest flowering period. 6 distinct species, our selection, postpaid $ .90 12 " " " '■ " 1.7:5 25 " ■' 3.25 J. A. SIMMERS SEEDS— BULBS— PLANTS TORONTO, ONTARIO Money Given Free to People who buy Goods from Advertisers in this Issue. See Notice in Advertising Columns. 74 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST i POULTRY DEPT. i Tf O o n d VI c t «* d By 'J Q S.ShoriOiia^vu ft 0*>;%>t OM%>> nMf%>« DM*^^ « ')%4%>% IN the February number of The Horti- culturist it was recommended to begin- ners in poultry-keeping, in fact to all who do not keep pure breds, to make an investment at once in a trio of any of the pure breeds which could be purchased, preferably in Canada, and usually from a near-l)y fancier. A reasonable figure for a fair Irio is $5.00. This statement I will endeavor to prove. At the beginning of March all hatching plans for this season should be fully mature and the breeding birds in the breeding pens. In support of the statement made aboye I am quoting the figures supplied me by a lady in this neighbor- hood who began last summer to hatch and raise chickens artificially. Her experience will be of interest in that it will show the outlay that a beginner may expect to make, and also what it costs a poultry keeper to raise pure -bred chicks to maturity, and then to sell them at less than $5.00 a trio would mean to sell them without profit. I had the privilege of visiting the yards of the lady whose experiences I am giving, and can therefore vouch that the strictest economy was used and care taken to prevent waste, while giving the chicks ample rations. Any mishaps thai took place were such a.s u Ijcginner might expect to have. Accidents and misfortunes are the price of experience. At the end of January the pens contained about 50 very good specimens of Barred Plymouth Rocks, chiefly pullets, several of which were laying. The cost of the eggs from which the.se birds were hatched, and the food and other expenses are as follows: 220 Baixed Rock eggs, 515; coal oil (2 hatches), 54.50; food, straw, sand, etc., $33.77. This gave a total expenditure of $53.27. The re- ceipts in that time were: 14 eggs at 50 cents a dozen, or 58 cents, and chicks used and sold, 511.10, or total receipts of $11.68. This, then, leaves the actual cost of the 50 fowl to be $41.59, about 83 cents per head. A trio eight months old, therefore, will on the average actually cost the producer $2.49. Sell- ing at $5 leaves a profit of $2.51, from which the producer or fancier has to deduct the cost of management, care, advertising, shipping, coops, and sometimes cartage to express ofllce. Under these circumstances no fair-minded person will say $5.00 a trio is an exorbitant price. The question is often asked, "How much will it cost to start keeping fowl on a small scale? ' Below will be given the exact expenditure in detail, regarding the chicks hatched, how they were fed and all about them. They represent the experiences of the lady beginner whose figures have been used already in this article. This lady had very little, if any, experience in poultry keeping, and was guided always in the operation of the incubator by the instructions supplied with it. The very successful hatches speak well for the machine — a new one never MARCHMENT'S Sure Growth COMPOST Supplied to all the largest nurserymen and fruit growers in Ontario Shipments made by car or boat. Prices reasonable. S. W. MARCHMENT 19 QUEEN ST. EAST, TORONTO Telephone Main 2841 Residence Park 951 Creigkton Poultry Yards OTTAWA. ONTARIO Have won First Honors on Barred Plymouth Rocks for the last ten years under judges such as Jarvis, Cosh, Bennett and Butterfield. A few good Breeding Pullets to spare at $2.00 each. In White Wyandottes we have several fine Cockerels at $2.00 each — good value. Eggs in sea- son from both breeds at $2.00 per 13. Utility stock at $1.00 per 13. S. SHORT. Proprietor CANADA'S GREATESTNURSERIES Offer Four New Specialties for Spring, 1906 Why plant OLD varieties when the NEW will produce DOUBLE QUANTITY, BETTER QUALITY and BRING HIGHEST PRICES? THE cTWAYNARD PLUM Mr. Luther Burbank's greatest plum. In the May- 1 ard we believe Mr. Burbank has reached the point of perfection. GOLD COIN POTATO Tested at Experimental .Station. Ottawa, and pro- duced 554 bushels to the acre. Best showing made out of seventy five varieties tested. Free from Blight and Rot. IDEAL o4SPARAGUS A new mammoth French Asparagus. Early. Larg- est size and most productive. A bunch of 20 stalks weighs 2 lbs. Strong 3 yr. old plants. NEW cTWILLER RASPBERRY Earlier than Marlboro. Continues a long season. Fruit large, bright red, best quality and exceedingly firm. Canes vigorous and hardy. Order at once as supply is limited. Send for full particulars and special circulars fully describing the merits of these New Specialties. Why not put your spare time to profit this winter in selling these specialties and other high-class nursery stock in Fruits and Ornamentals? Liberal inducements. Write for terms. STONE ca, WELLINGTON FonthiU Nurseries, over 800'acres. TORONTO, ONTARIO before used - as well a» im tlic watchfulness and care of those who o|)eraled it. The items are as follows: Expenses — Incu- bator, $22.00; 120 eggs (Barred Rock, 1st hatch May 24), $8.1X); 120 eggs (Barred Rock, 2nd hatch June 22), $7.00; brcKxier (second hatch), S3.(M); coal oil, $4.50; wire for the run-way, 51.00; thermometer, 40 cents; lumber, 54 cents; new burner, wick, etc., 17 cents. From this total ex])enditure of $47.21 the first hatch gave 75 and the second 77 chickens. The cost of feeding until eight months olfi was as follows: — Puritan Ux>d for small chicks, $5.24; grain (wheat, oats, cracked corn, barley, $17.38; groimd food (corn and shorts), $3.85; straw for scratching pen, S3.(X); grits, 35 cents; sour milk, 25 cents; cabbage, 70 cents; sand for pens (2 loads), S3.00; giving a total cost of $33.77 By the end of July the 152 chicks had dwindled to 90. By keeping the brooder too hot 38 had been smothered at one time. Over-crowding at night killed the others. All were healthy. These figures show for the first outlay to begin on a fairly extensive scale, S50.00 will be required for implements, lumber, etc., all of which with care will last for years. Then there is the co.st of a building unless there are some sheds that can be converted into poultry houses, as was done in the case here quoted. It might be said that it would be cheaper to use hens for hatching the eggs. I have not met Tne Herbert Raspberry The Earliest, Hardiest. Finest Flavored, Most Productive Red Raspben->'. Sec Particulars in February Horticulturist. 40c. each; S4.00 dozen; $25.00 per 100 The RenfrewNurseries Company. Limited RENFREW, ONTARIO STRAWBERRY Plants For Sale Ever>- garden should have an extra early and extra late vari- ety to expand the season of fruitine to its full limits. SPECIAL OFFER— 60 early and 60 late plants sent post- paid to any address for $1.00. Attractive prices on thousand lots of Haverland, Parker, Eari. and Williams. TERMS cash with order. JOHN DOW^NHAM StratKroy Ontario Spray, Spray Spray your trees for the Codling Moth and all Leaf Eating Insects with the Best and Safest Poison which is SWIFT'S Arsenate of Lead It Will Not Bum and It Sticks MADE O.^LY BY THE MERRIMAC CHEMICAL CO. 33 BROAD STREET BOSTON", MASS. I ( WRITK FOR KRBB BOOKLET hX>R SALE BV W. S. Stevens, Grand Rapids. Mich. Benton. Hall & Co., Cleveland. Ohio. Williamson Produce Co., Quincy, 111. McPikc Drug Co.. Kansas City. Mo. C. S. Martin & Co.. Salt Lake, Utah. Woodward, Clark & Co., Portland. Ore. Langley. Michaels Co., San Francisco. Cal. San. Monte Fruit Co., Watsonville, Cal. INSIST ON HAVING SWIFT'S A Handsome Premium will^be Given Free to all Readers who buy Goods from Advertisers. THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST I ^IjVERY truck farmer I ■■ knows (or ought to ' know) that Potash is indispensable for pro- ducing good-paying truck crops. A liberal quantity of Potash, along with ample amounts of phosphoric acid and nitrogen, is vital to successful truck growing. '•Truck Farming," an interesting book dealing with practical truck raising and valu- able to every truck farmer, will be sent to farmers on request, free of any cost or obligation. Address. QERMAN KALI WORKS, 93 Nassau Street. New York STRAWBERRY PLANTS "CARDINAL" ("thb ideal") A limited number of Cardinal plants for sale. Also Victor.Commonwealth, North Shore,Early Hathaway, New Home, Superior, Mrs. Fisher, Wonder, Ben Davis, and 80 others. Young plants, fair prices. E. B. STEVENSON PONSONBY, ONT. If You Want Your Fruit tojlook well, carry well, and sell well, you need the best PACKAGES I make them and can satisfy you WRITE C.W.VanDuzer GRIMSBY, ONT. Manufacturer of Berry and Plant Boxes, Berry" Crates, the Climax Peach and Grape Baskets, etc. Mortgage Lifting FERTILIZERS DO YOU KNOW 1 THAT WORN-OUT i LANDS MAY BE MADE PRODUCTIVE AND PROFITABLE BY THE JUDICIOUS USE OF THE RIGHT KIND OF. FERTILIZER ? ; hJOW IF YOU HAVE A PIE-CE OF LAND THAT WONT GROW ANYTHING BUT WEEDS,TALK WITH US ABOUT IT AND LET US I SUGGEST ' THE RIGHT FERTILIZER WE FEEL VERY SURE THAT WE CAN SHOW YOU HOW TO USE FERTILIZERS WITHOUT GREAT EXPENSE SO YOUR LAND WILL PAY Consult us freely it is our business to know ENQUIRIES FREELY ANSWERED AGCNTS WANTED FOR TERRITORY NOT TAKEN UP "^"tW.A. FREEMAN co. limited HAMILTON ONTARIO ELDORADO POTATO ==^— — SOLD IN FALL OF 1903 FOR $1,250.00 A POUND — — ^— The most sensational potato in price and produce of all time is the "ELDORADO," introduced in Spring of 1903 by Mr. John Fendlay, Mr. Geo. Massey selling in December of same year 14 pounds for $7,000,00. In Spring of 1904 Mr. Alfred Dunham paid $250.00 for one weighing 5 ozs., and smaller ones sold at rate of $1,250.00 a pound. In February, 1904, Mr. Chas. Neidham, Lincolnshire, paid $30.00 for an Eldorado weighing only i an ounce or three times its weight in gold. SO MUCH FOR THE PRICES, NOW FOR THE PRODUCE — This i ounce potato raised the first year 361 pounds; 5 roots weighed separately over 12 pounds each, the heaviest being 14^ pounds, 11 roots weighing 110 pounds; one of the largest potatoes weighed 2 pounds, 12 weighed over 16 pounds, and out of the total 100 potatoes weighed 100 pounds. To those unaware of the history of this potato these statements may sound incredible but they are facts absolutely beyond the shadow of dispute. The Eldorado is rot and blight proof. It is this feature together with its most wonderful cropping qualities that has built up a record never before dreamed of. In spring of 1905 we imported direct from the originator some at a cost of $16.00 a pound, one pound of which under our ordinary field test alongside 26 varieties yielded 148 pounds of the finest potatoes we ever dug. They are in shape an elongated oval, with white, slightly russetted skin, shallow eyes, and finest cooking qualities. The prodigious cropping qualities of this potato enable us to offer them for the first time in Canada at a price that all can pay. Every sale accompanied by copy of the original bill from Mr. Fendlay. Every pound sent out warranted true Eldorados. $1.00 Per Pound (Only a limited quantity) We also offer Fendlay's Star, cropped 1,500 bushels to acre, sold 5 years ago $100.00 each, at 50c. jxjund. Also Gold Coin, Toraton Beauty, Irish Cobbler, etc., 26 varieties, the only registered pedigreed seed potatoes offered in Canada. Strawberry Plants $1.50 per 1,000 up Cardinal, New Home, Commonwealth, Dunlop, Hathaway, 60 others selected pedigreed. RASPBERRIES: King, Loudon, Eaton, Cimiber- land, etc. BLACKBERRIES: Mersereau, Rathbun, etc. Get our list before ordering. SMITH BROTHERS, BEACH VILLE. ONTARIO BOX 4 MEMBERS CANADIAN SEED GROWERS' ASSOCIATION Money Given Free to People who buy Goods from Advertisers in this Issue. See Not'ce in Advertising Column. THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST PRATT'S ti SCALECIDE SOLUBLE PETROLEUM A POSITIVE REMEDY FOR SAN JOSE AND COTTONY MAPLE SCALE, PSYLLA, ETC. SEE ARTICLE ON NEW METHODS OF KILLING SCALE ON PAGE 70 B. G. PRATT CO., 11 Broadway, New York, N.Y. THE SPRAMOTOR CO., London, Ont., Canadian Agents FLOWER POTS Now is the time to order tliem for Spring trade. We have a large stock of all sizes on hand and can make prompt ship- ments. Drop us a post card for Catalogue and Price List. THE FOSTER POTTERY CO. fOSTER'S j STANDARD POT Limited MAIN STREET WEST HAMILTON I SELL Trees, Roses, Plants and Vines Evergreen Tree* a Specialty Write for Price List A. W. GRAHAM, St. Thomas, Ont. FARTHER NORTH. Mi is iht tightnt and strongest hoiue icMginable.' HALL tc ROBINSON. Mo>i«^ P. Q. NORTH. The tghici »«d moM perfed grwnhouae conitnjclion yet anempted. Ben crop ot beaubet I ever had. J. R DUNLOP. Tom— n. Obi NEW ENGLAND. 'No Oiade in my new bouM. ciop ia a record brcmlur.' J A LONa EAST. 'So well pleaded with aU points, we intend to build more of them." C MATTHE\X'S. Cre« N«k. N. Y CENTRAL 'Lightest house on the place, strong as a bridge.' W. J. PALMER «cSON. Bii9.lo. N. Y. Ik 1DRAWAMU. NlT. lomomo, ow. KEVC CONSTRUCTION CO. GREENHOUSE CONSTRUCTION AND EQUIPMENT- WtfTE ro« CATAtOCt'E AiMP nirr% Permanent structures best and cheapest to build Ventilating, heating and all other accessories ,for greenhouse equipment. For catalogues and particulars apply to The King Construction Co. 32 Church Street, Toronto FAR WEST *Ahet makiof « tnp Eait (o KC aO constructioot ■ m ordeiiDg youn. Best in every way." C H HOPKINS. KmL Wuh. WEST "They are pcrfecl m every way." C F. MALER Doirn. C(4». $10.00 Given Away Each Issue to Readers who purchase goods from adver- tisers and say they saw their advertisement in "The Canadian Horticulturist. Five Dollars to the purchaser to the greatest value ; One Dollar to each of the next five making application Write tlie Advertising Manager of TKe Canadian Horticulturist 507-508 Manning Chambers, Toronto, Ont. This TRADE-MARK Insures THE BURPEE QUALITY of the Best "Seeds that Grow" Burpee's Seeds cost but litlle more than do usual commercial grades— and yet are 7vorth mucli more. At our own farm? in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, as well as in the gardens of planters everywhere, Burpee's Seeds are proved by test to be the BH-st Skkds that Grow. Consequently we hold the largest mail-order seed trade in the wurJd. Onr **Qile»nf ^al^acmon " neatly dressed in a ' coat of many colors. "and telling the Ul OllcilL OdICbllldll, platrr tiuth. with photographic pictures of (he superior products of Burpee's "Seeds that Grow " will be mailed FREE— if You will write for 1876 A 1906 Farm Annual for 1906 Thirtieth Anniversary Edition of " The Leading American Seed Catalogue." This is a handsome book of i6S pages, carefully edited and neatly printed ; bound in cover lithographed in nine colors, it shows, painlcd from nature. Seven Superb Specialties in Vegetables of unequaled merit and Six Novelties in Flowers— including Luther Burbank's AVs or Vines, send for our 1906 Catalogue— just out. THE DOMINION NURSERIES ESIABLISHED i860 The Smitli & ReeJ Co. St. Catliarines, Ont. any who have hatched over 100 chicks with hens in one season that would do it again if they could get an incubator. The machine lasts for years, and in the end is far cheaper than buying and fussing with clucking hens. The cost of feeding, bedding, etc., would be much lessened on a farm, but the above ex- periences are those of a resident of the city, with a large-sized lot, who had to purchase all necessaries at city prices. In the next issue something will be given about the different methods of hatching and how to go about it. Bit; Kesults from Fertilizers. — Messrs. S. & W. H. Collinson, proprietors of the Meadow- brook Fruit and Stock Farm, St. David's, Niagara Township, breeders of pure bred Holstein- Friesian Cattle, have over 70 acres in orchard, divided as follows: 50 acres peaches, mostly young orchards; 10 acres grapes, young vine- yard; 6 acres pears; 5 acres plums; cherries and other fruits, upon which they have used several carloads of Freeman's high grade manures. Messrs. Collinson say these Fertilizers have given great satisfaction and they highly recom- mend them. Grapes cut from Mr. CoUinson's young vineyard were as large as plums, and he stated that the bunches were too large to pack advantageously in baskets and had to be cut in three or four parts. By calling upon Mr. William Wiley, the Superintendent of the W. A. Freeman Co. (Ltd.), Hamilton, he will be pleased to point out to fruit growers the orchards upon which Fertilizer was used, the results of which will convince the most sceptical. j( Announcement. — At present I am in corre- spondence with the manufacturers of "Target Brand" Insecticides and Fungicides, and before next issue of The Horticulturist expect to have arrangements completed for handling these in Canada. Their San Jose Scale Destroyer and Arsenate of Lead preparations are guaranteed to produce results claimed — kill or keep off San Jose Scale, and kill all leaf -eating insects without damage to either tree or foliage Circulars free. W. H. Brand, Jordan Station, Ont. Could our Canadian vegetable growers raise cauliflower in time for the August markets they could make big money. One firm in New York informed me that they would buy 10 cars a day, if they could get it, during August for use at the summer resorts, and offered a price that would pay our growers w^ell. — (H. Dawson, Commission Merchant, Toronto. 1906 BOOK FREE Worth its weight in GOLD. The Book that beats them all because it tells how biif ^^^^>^^^^v>^^v ASTER SEED KATE LOCK Colors, EnchantroflH (Pink) and White. Mo A««nts. Don't seod Checlu J. H. LOCK, Aster Specialist - 41 Manchester Ave., Toronto, Ont. Again taken blshest awards irherever shown Don't seod Checks. Trad* Package. 91.00 •■ Vi.ur Anler. 'MIm KatA Lock,' in Hip fln<-«t I aver Brew. The larireet and moat i«rf«ct now. est new and standard old varl- *3e€a»f fiicsGAKIJUN.I'll-LDandFlJnVER SHH[)S. New eo Page Cateloflue Free, litrlls about I j;iiod plants .-inMseciKiind w1i't<- t.^ :,"?t th'-m. St-iid now to [ W. F. ALLEN, Dept. S7, SALISBURY, MD. GET OUR CATALOGUE OF RUBBER STAMPS AND STENCILS THE SUPERIOR MFG. CO. SB ADELAIDE ST. W. TORONTO. John B. Smitk & Sons Limited Cor, Strachan and Wellington Aves. TORONTO Q JoiBSm^SoNs. LIMITED. \ TORONTO /^ \ SASH BAR ( ALL WOODWORK. FOR GREENHOUSE \CONSTRUCTION/' Manufacturers . . of . . LUMBER LATH SHINGLES DOORS SASH BLINDS SILOS, ETC. Cle for G; ear L,ypress tor Ureenhouse Worl Work THE UNDERWOOD The Underwood ^TT" Tried and True." Don't take our ^1 word for it. We are prejudiced. j} We can show you the Cnderwood. how it works and what it will do, but for the Most Convincing Ar^unnent you will have to ask any of the 5,500 users in Canada. More Underwood Typewriters are in use in Canada than all other makes Combined. We carry a large stock of rebuilt typewriters at very low prices. Send for Catalogue and I^ist. Headquarters for Supplies UNITED TYPEWRITER CO. TORONTO, ONT. "uitbd Baskets "Wc are Headquarters for all kinds of Splint Baskets VENEER supplied for the pro- tection of trees from mice during winter FRUIT PACKAGES A SpecialtK' SEND FOR OUR PRICES THE OAKYILLE BASKET GO. OAKVILLE, ONTARIO Small Fruit Plants Gooseberry, Red, White — Currants, Red White, Black— Raspberry, Red, Yellow- Blackberries — Strawberry-Raspberry — Grapevines, Campbell's Early, Eaton, Worden, Moore's Early, Salem, etc, all hardy sorts — Strawberry Plants — House Plants— Roses — Rhubarb and Asparagus Roots — Order early. WM. FLEMING NURSERYMAN P.O. Box 54 OWEN SOUND, ONT. A Handsome Premium will be Gi^en Free to all Readers who buy Goods from Advertisers. The Canadian Horticulturist Vol. XXIX APRIL, 1906 No. 4 TKe Dominion Fruit Conference TH E Dominion Fruit Conference that took place in Ottawa March 20, 21 and 22, was the most im- portant gathering of the kind ever con- vened in Canada. In spite of the fact that the meetings should have been ex- tended over a week, instead of over only three days, many matters of vital interest to the fruit industry were dealt with, and decisions concerning same reached and recorded. Owing to the short time available for the consider- ation of the numerous important points raised, it was not possible for those present to draft as carefully as was de- sirable some of the resolutions that were adopted. In the form in which they were passed, however, together with the discussions that took place concerning them, they will serve to make known the opinions and desires of the most thoroughly representative gathering of fruit growers that, as yet, has been held in the Dominion. Owing to lack of time many important mat- ters that were on the program for discussion were not touched. This was unfortunate, but the disappointment of those present was dispelled, in a large measure, when Hon. Sydney Fisher, Minister of Agriculture for the Domin- ion, announced that he would arrange . for similar gatherings every two or three years in future. This announce- ment brought out hearty applause. Put briefly, the most important rec- ommendations passed were the fol- lowing: That in the Fruit Marks Act a new grade, to be known as "fancy," ^hall be established, which will include (rfect fruit only. That the act define a number two nple. A definition of a number two vas adopted. That in future the numbers 1, 2 and only shall be used in grading fruit, nd that the marking x, xx or xxx lall be discouraged. That the penalty imposed in the case I third convictions for infractions of lie act shall be increased. That the 28 inch barrel shall be made lie standard barrel, and the use of irger barrels be discontinued. That the standard box used for the xport of fruit shall be made the stand- ird box for inter-provincial trade as veil. That the department prepare and distribute widely regular reports on fruit crop conditions throughout Can- ada, and in the United States and Europe as well; these reports to be issued twice a month during the late summer and fall. Hon. Mr. Fisher expressed his wiUingness to undertake work of this nature. That cars of apples for export be iced at the government expense, as is now done in the case of dairy products. Hon. Mr. Fisher promised that this will be done. That direct sales by growers to re- tailers be encouraged, and that the Hon. Sydney Fisher, Minister of Agriculture Who presided witti great ability at the sessions of the Dominion Fruit Conference government appoint men whose duty it will be to develop markets for fruit in Great Britain and on the continent. That express companies shall be placed under the control of the Rail- way Commission. That railway companies be required to give a service with fruit cars of not less than 12 miles an hour; that they be held responsible for damage to fruit when they fail to furnish cars within six days after the cars have been or- dered ; that they establish icing stations at divisional points; that protection from sun and rain shall be furnished at all stations where fruit is loaded in carload quantities, and that shippers shall be kept informed of the location of cars in transit. That the Pure Foods Law be en- forced in regard to the manufacture of jams and jellies. That the making of exhibits of Cana- dian fruit at foreign exhibitions shall be encouraged. That spraying demonstrations in the various provinces be continued and extended, and That several improvements shall be made in the shipment of fruit across the Atlantic. The resolutions committee also brought in a resolution calling for the separation of the fruit from the dairy division of the Dominion Department of Agri- culture, but, as described elsewhere, through some clever manipulation on the part of the chairman, Hon. Sydney Fisher, this resolution was not dealt with. A resolution recommending the pro- vincial governments to enact legisla- tion that will protect growers from being defrauded by commission deal ers was adopted. THE CONFERENCE The conference was called by Hon. Sydney Fisher, Dominion Minister of Agriculture, as a result of requests made during recent years by the various provin- cial fruit growers' associations. Growers have long felt the need for the convening of such a gathering, that matters of national importance pertaining to the fruit in- terests, which could not be discussed satisfactorily at provincial meetings, might be considered and dealt with. The most noticeable feature of the sessions was the national spirit that manifested itself in the remarks of the various delegates. There was a sub- dued enthusiasm all through the meet- ings, and an apparent desire to har- monize the various conflicting interests of the different provinces. Again and again delegates expressed a willingness to give way on minor matters relating to their province or provinces in order that harmonious action might be possible on the part of all the provinces. This assisted in the solution of several 80 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST knotty problems, and finally resulted, at the close of the convention, in the spirit of national pride finding a vent in the giving of hearty cheers for Canada and the fruit interests of the Dominion. THE DKLEGATES While it might have been possible to have had a larger number of delegates in attendance, a gathering more repre- sentative of the fruit industry of the Dominion, and of its various sub- divisions, could not have been convened. Every province was represented by its full number of delegates, there not being an absentee. The delegates in attend- ance were: Ontario — Harold Jones, Maitland; W. H. Bunting, St. Catharines; Elmer Lick, Oshawa; F. G. Stewart, Homer; M. Pettit, Winona; A. W. Peart, Buriing- ton; D. Johnson, Forest; A. E. Sher- rington, "Walkerton; W. D. A. Ross, Chatham; P. W. Hodgetts, i:)epartment of Agriculture; Prof. H. L. Hutt, O. A. C, Guelph; Linus Woolverton, Fruit Experiment Stations, Grimsby. British Columbia — Jas. A. Grant, Vic- toria; J. C. Metcalfe, Hammond; W. J. Brandrith, Ladner; Martin Burrell, Grand Forks; R. M. Palmer, Depart- ment of Agriculture, Victoria. Nova Scotia — Ralph Eaton, Kent- ville; R. W. Starr, Wolfville; G. C. Mil- ler, Middleton; S. C. Parker, Berwick; B. W. Chipman, Department of Agri- culture, Hahfax; Prof. F. C. Sears, -Agri- cultural College, Truro. Quebec — G. Renaud, La Trappe; J. M. Fisk, Abbotsford; Robert Brodie, Westmount; R. W. Shepherd, Como (Montreal) ; N. E. Jack, Chateauguay Basin; J. C. Chapais, Department of Agriculture, St. I)enis; Prof. S. Blair, Macdonald College, St. Annede Bellevue. New Brunswick — J. C. Gilman, Kings- clear; L W. Stephenson, Sheffield; Thos. Peters, Department of Agriculture, Fred- ericton. Prince Edward Island — Reverend A. E. Burke, Alberton ; A. E. Dewar, Char- lottetown; J. C. Ready, Department of Agriculture, Charlottetown. Manitoba — David S. Manson, Win- nipeg. Saskatchewan — R. T. Goodfellow, Prince Albert. Alberta — A. E. Clendennan, R. J. Hamilton. In addition to the foregoing, who had been appointed by the various fruit growers' associations, departments of agriculture and agricultural colleges of the different provinces, the various com- mercial interests were well represented by such leading apple buyers and ship- pers as Messrs. E. D. Smith, M.P., of Winona, Ont. ; R. J. Graham, of Belle- ville, Ont., and A. S. Chapin, of Toronto. The commission dealers were represented by Mr. G. W. Hunt, of Ottawa and Winnipeg, and by Mr. D. S. Manson, rejjresenling the .McPhersoii Product Co. of Winnipeg. The barrel manu- facturers were represented by Mr. J. Inncs, of Chatham, and the canning in- terests by Mr. Robert Anderson, of Montreal. In addition to these parties, several members of Parliament were in attendance at several of the sessions. The presence of all these gentlemen made it possible for the various subjects to be discussed from all sides, and assisted greatly in the intelligent consideration of the various points raised. Those who may have thought that the fruit interests in the different prov- inces are too widely divergent to ever be harmonized, had their fears dis- pelled as a result of the unanimous action taken by the conference on prac- tically every point raised. Not a jar- ring note occurred. The delegates have scattered to their homes to spread the news that the interests of the fruit growers of the Dominion, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, are identical, and that in future national interests, in every case, must take precedence over those of local importance. The out- come of the future conferences that have been promised will be looked forward to with greater confidence. OPENING SESSION The conference was opened Tuesday morning by Mr. J. A. Ruddick, Dominion Dairy Commissioner, who is in charge also of the fruit division. After a few- words of welcome, Mr. Ruddick intro- duced Hon. Sydney Fisher and asked him to preside. In accepting the chair, Mr. Fisher explained that while it might be unusual for the Minister of Agricul- ture to preside at such gatherings, he felt that the conference was going to be one of national importance, and that the best way he could take of gaining the views of the delegates was to preside at their meetings that he might the more closely follow the various dis- cussions. The first business taken up was the appointment of committees, which re- sulted as follows: Resolutions, Messrs. Martin Burrell, M. Pettit, J. M. Fisk, G. C. Miller, A. E. Dewar. Program, Messrs. W. H. Bunting, D. S. Manson, R. W. Starr, Rev. Father A. E. Burke, J. C. Metcalfe, and J. C. Gilman. Credentials, Ralph S. Eaton, Robert Brodie, Harold Jones, W. J. Brandrith, and A. E. Dewar. FRUIT STATISTICS The first subject considered was sta- tistics, which was handled most ably by Mr. A. W. Peart, of Burlington, who submitted an exhaustive report con- taining statistical information relating to almost all branches of the fruit in- dustry in Canada. This report helped to show the delegates the relative ini portance of the fruit interests in tin different provinces. In submitting these figures, only a brief outline of which can be given in this report, Mr Peart said: "In these statistics an attempt is made to give some idea of the extent of the fruit industry in Canada and in the various provinces as well. The figures given are derived partly from the Do- minion census of 1901, from the Domin- ion trade returns for 1904-1905, partly from the opinions of practical and well- informed fruit growers in Ontario, and partly from calculations made by my self from the census figures and other data. The need of some such statistics, , both from a commercial and an academic ' standpoint, is apparent. No attempt ! has been made in these tables to boom the fruit industry. A just and season- able presentation of the case, based on • all the facts available, has been the con- , stant aim. The inherent difficulties of such a task are obvious and while then- are undoubtedly errors still, I belli that the figures here submitted are i the main reliable." The report then went on to show that the year 1901 was a very short apple year, the bearing trees yielding scarcely two bushels each. Last year, 1905, was nearly the same. During the inter- vening years the crop w-as heavy, so that it is estimated that the annual average value of the apple crop in Canada during the five years, 1901 1905 inclusive, was $6,984,819, on the basis of 25 cents per bushel, as the apples were picked from the trees. Total fruit trees of all kinds in Can- ada, 1901=21,201,239. Adding 10 per cent, for increase since then on the basis of an increase of two per cent, per year (the estimated increase in Ontario), the number for 1905 would be 23,321, 362. Total fruit trees in Ontario in 1901, 14,087,936. Add 10 per cent, equals 15,496,729 for 1905. Total fruit trees in 1901 : Quebec, 3,055,805; Nova Scotia, 2,294,780; New Brunswick, 761,834; Prince Edward 1 land, 360,060; British Columbia, 56, 782; Manitoba, 63,637; North-West Territories, 9,405. Average annual value of apple crop these last five years estimated at $6,984,819 (1901 to 1905 inclusive) on the basis of 25 cents ptr bushel as picked from the trees. The total apple trees in Ontario in 1901 were placed at 9,541,619 and bushels at 13,631,264; Quebec, 2,256,- 752 trees and 2,025.113 bushels; Nova Scotia, 1,975,575 trees and 2,065,104 bushels; New Brunswick, 675,364 trees and 503,214 bushels; Prince Edward Island, 202,100 trees and 159,421 bush- els; British Columbia, 391,644 trees and 240,012 bushels; Manitoba, 8,332 trees and 571 bushels: North-West Territor- ies, 2.488 trees and 1.487 bushels. Delegates and others who were in attendance at the Dominion Fruit Conference, as photographed speciaUy for The Canadian Horticulturist (The names of the delegates are published on page 106, and may be traced by the numbers on their hats. Mounted copies of this photograph may be had for 75 cents each by writing to The Canadian Horticulturist) Apples exported from Canada during the years previous to June 30, 1904: Crop Year Fiarrels Total Value 1899 956,458 $2,578,2,33 1900 678,651 1,482,927 1901 516,215 1,566,808 1902 1,000,528 2,758,724 1903 1,598,614 4,590,793 It was estimated that approximately 815,000 barrels of apples have been ex- ported from Canada since the opening of the apple season of 1905. Value fruit crop in Canada in 1901 was $8,236,500; number of acres, 370,- 998; capital value of land and trees, $66,537,650; proportion of capital earn- ing, $44,358,433. Were 25 per cent, added to the value in 1901 to find the value in 1905, the value would be $10,- 295,625. Add 10 per cent, to the num- ber of acres to find number in 1905, would be 408,097. Were 10 per cent, added to the capital value in 1901 to iind capital value in 1905, it would be 3,191,415, and the capital earning 58,794,276. ' )ther estimates placed the total value ')i fruit in Ontario in 1901 at $6,004,905, and in 1905 at $7,505,636; the number of acres in fruit in 1901 at 279,571, and ill 1905 at 307,528; the capital value in 1901 at $50,347,150, and in 1905 at $55,381,865, the capital earning in 1901 at $33,564,766 and in 1905 at $36,921,242. Mr. Peart suggested that the Do- minion census should be amended as follows: Where it now gives only total acres in orchard it should give acres in apple orchards and acres in other tree fruits. Where it now gives acres in vegetables and small fruits together they should be divided. Where it gives the value of fruit and vegetables together it should give the values separately. In Ontario, where acres in orchard and garden are given to- gether, they should be so divided as to show the acres in apple orchards in other tree fruits and in small fruits. In conclusion, Mr. Peart submitted the following resolution: "That the del- egates to this convention from the sev- eral provinces petition their respective governments to collect, classify and publish henceforth in detail in their annual industrial reports the statistics bearing on fruits and (b) that the Do- minion Government in the next census give further sub-divisions of the tables and figures relating to fruits; (c) we appreciate and recognize the valuable information given heretofore by the Dominion and various provincial gov- ernments on fruit statistics." In the discussion that followed a del- egate from each province was asked to speak in regard to the fruit interests of his province. For Quebec Mr. Jack re- ported that he was not furnished with statistics for the province, but in his locality during the past five years, there had been an increase of 30 to 40 per cent, in the amount of fruit pro- duced. Mr. Gilman, the delegate from New Hrunswick, said that as yet the production of fruit in that province is not equal to the consumption. So lit- tle fruit has been grown that reports on fruit conditions have not been made in the annual reports of the department, but this will be remedied in the near future. I'^or Nova Scotia, it was re- ported by Mr. Starr that the average number of barrels exported during the past three years ha(! been 405,813; about an equal amount was raised for home consumption. Rev. Father Burke, speaking for Prince Fdward Island, re- ported that that province had no ma- chinery for collecting and tabulating reports concerning its production of fruit. The industry has been advanc- ing by leaps and bounds. The Pacific Province, British Colum- bia, was heard from through Mr. Bur- rell, who stated that the fruit industry there is growing with extraordinary rapidity. He agreed with Mr. Peart, as did the other speakers, that each 82 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST J. W. Brandrith, Ladner, B.C. One of the Delegates a d Secictary of the B.C.F.G. Assn. province should endeavor to publish annual reports showing the amounts of fruit raised, acreage under the dif- ferent fruits, etc. About 12 years ago, British Columbia shipped its first car- load of fruit. Last year the C.P.R. alone handled 4,000 tons by freight. In 1903, there were one million trees, in 1904 there were 1,750,000 ; in 1905 2,500,000, and this year, it is probable nearly 1,000,000 trees will be planted. He looked forward to the time when, 10 years from now, British Columbia will have assumed first place among the provinces for fruit produc- tion. Its possibilities in this direction are only beginning to be realized. As an evidence of what can be done, lu stated that 10,000 crates of strawberries were shipped last season from the Kootenay district alone, where a few years ago it was thought to be impos- sible to raise any strawberries. He spoke of the eight medals that have been won by British Columbia fruit in Great Britain in competition with fruit from the other provinces, and conclud- ed by saying that however much Brit- ish Columbia growers may brag of their ability to grow fruit, they are one with the growers of the other provinces in their desire to promote the fruit inter- ests of the Dominion as a whole. Brief reports were presented from Manitoba and Saskatchewan by Messrs. Manson and Goodfellow respectively. Dr. Saunders, of the Dominion Experi- mental Farm, described the experi- ments that have been conducted to find varieties of fruit which can be raised in the Northwest, and reported that Mr. Stevenson, of Morden, Man., last year raised 70 barrels of different varieties of fruit, showing that it is possible to raise fruit in that district. While the results at the Experimental Farms have not been very satisfactory. he felt encouraged with the success which has attended their experiments. FRUIT CROP REPORTS The first business taken up Tuesday afternoon was the consideration of the gathering of fruit crop reports. The following motion was submitted by Mr. Peart: "Resolved that the Fruit Division be asked 1. To issue monthly reports from May to .\ugust inclusive, and semi- monthly from September to December inclusive. 2. That the reports should include weather, general condition of trees, plants, vines, bushes, insects, fungous diseases, outlook or probable quantity of crop and market quotations for each of the provinces. 3. That there be set forth the out- look or probable crop of apples in those J. M. Fisk, Abbottsford, Que. A. Quebec Representive to the Fruit Conference countries to which Canada exports such as Great Britain, Germany, France, South Africa, Mexico, and other coun- tries where profitable markets ' may be secured. 4. That Canadian representatives in the above countries be instructed to cable weekly, at the proper season, the prices ruling for apples and pears in those countries, said cables to be published in a weekly report, and in such newspapers as may be willing to print them. Mr. Graham, of Belleville, said that the apple dealers spend large sums of money each year to gain information as to the crop conditions throughout the United States and Europe, and claimed that the dealers will be as glad to get these reports as the growers. Mr. Fisher asked what Mr. Peart meant by the words, "the proper season," in clause 4 of the resolution. Mr. Peart replied, that what was desired was that just l)efore making shipments to Germany, he would like to be able to consult a government cable to ascer tain if it would be wise to do so. Mr. Graham was afraid that cable messages would not be as valuable as crop reports, as were a cable to be re- ceived raying that the Liverpool market was in a satisfactory condition, it might lead to a lot of fruit being shipped there and the market being glutted. He thought an effort should be made to do away with the auction sales rooms, believing that they are pro- ductive of great harm to the Canadian fruit industry. This remark was ap- plauded. Mr. Fisher asked how such reports could be secured in other countries. Mr. Graham suggested that the commercial agents in such centres as Paris and Hamburg should place themselves in touch with the fruit interests and make reports. Mr. E. D. Smith asked if the Department could not appoint paid crop correspondents in those countries. Mr. Fisher asked if the delegates would like to discuss further the auction sales method of selling fruit in Great Britain. Mr. Graham said that fruit has a standard value, and should not be sold at prices varying from 15 to 20 shillings a barrel. The differences in price are due to large shipments being received one week, glutting the market, while the following week, owing to fewer arrivals, prices are forced up. If British retailers knew they could get all the fruit they wanted in regular quantities, they would be able to con- tract for it in advance, which would ensure the fruit being sold at more uniform prices, thereby enlarging and steadying the market. (continued on page 99.) A. W. Peart, Burlington, Ont An Ontario Delegate to the Fruit Conference Pruning tKe Fruit Trees k. W. Starr. Wolfville, N.S. PRUNING should be considered as a system of education for the tree or plant — an effort on the part of man to assist nature in developing the form and shape that we wish, or as near to that as possible, without doing violence to its natural habit. To best accomplish this we must commence with the young tree as it comes from the nursery, either before, or immedi- ately after it is set in the orchard, decide on the height at which to form the head, and prune as near to that as possible. Next, the position of the branches forming the head must be considered. They should spring from a single leader. Never allow two equal branches to struggle for mastery, or there will be trouble in the future. Select such branches as will give a desirable shape and a well-balanced head, cut- ting off the rest to relieve the root sys- tem injured in transplanting, and possibly shortening the side branches if necessary, in order to preserve the balance between roots and foliage during the first year. As the tree grows older it should be carefully examined each spring and all superfluous branches, like bad habits, be suppressed or removed before they do serious injury. The aim of the pruner should be to keep the branches from crossing and crowding, to keep the tree standing fairly on its feet. If the tree has been carefully and judiciously prun- ed when young, so as to carry a well- shaped, evenly-balanced head, but little severe pruning will be found necessary in later years, except the annual cutting out of such small limbs as are crowding or crossing, and thus preventing the full development of that perfect form which allows the sunlight to find all portions of the tree. These may be considered as general principles that may be applied to all orchard trees. It must be borne in mind, however, that it is impossible to make trees follow any set pattern or form ; not only has each tree fts own individuality but each variety has its own peculiar habit of growth. These habits and peculiarities should be care- fully studied, so that pruning may be done to advantage, without doing too much violence to nature. Old trees that have been neglected will frequently need more severe treat- ment. Dead and diseased branches must first be cut off, and others that are in the way 9r too much crowded taken out. Care must be taken, however, not to overdo the thinning. In passing through the country looking at orchards in general, I see more overpruned, or butchered trees, than those in need of severe pruning. This is especially the case in some of the older orchards where a system of cutting from the inside has been used, and a cluster of bare branches is all that remains in the centre of the tree. All the foliage, and the fruit .is borne on the ends of those limbs, and frequently they are interlocking with the branches of the adjoining trees, so that the nearest approach -'to sunlight to be found in such an orchard is by looking skyward from the trunk of the tree. In such case the pruning should be done from the outside. The ends of the branches should be cut back and thinned, and what are usually called "water sprouts" encouraged to start from the large bare Hmbs. These should be thinned to such as have room to grow and bear fruit. They may need to be pinched back or summer pruned in order to throw them into bearing. This can frequently be ac- complished in the third year. In this way the bare centres can be clothed with foliage and eventually with fruit. Extra care must be taken to preserve all the fruit spurs possible. Many varieties form fruit spurs on large limbs and continue bearing for several years. These in time become brittle and are easily broken, but are seldom replaced. Pickers and pruners are apt to be care- less and thoughtless. They must be taught to have more respect for those little spurs, and, instead of destroying them, try to induce the growth of more. This may not seem to come within the purview of pruning as a subject, but it is of too much importance to be lost sight of. In cutting branches from trees there is usually only one place where it can be advantageously done; that is as close to the trunk or main branch as possible, without making the wound larger than necessary. By this method the wounds heal over most quickly, and the trees are least disfigured. This rule holds good for limbs of all sizes. All pruning tools must be in good order and perfectly sharp; otherwise the work canaot be neatly done, and the wounds will not heal readily. All wounds over one inch in diameter should be painted immediately. Many years' experience has shown that nothing is better for the purpose than pure white lead and linseed oil. In this branch of horticulture there can be few fast rules. Every tree is a study by itself, and every man must work according to his conditions, and the amount of brain power he can afford to devote to each special case, for he will find no two specimens exactly alike. Planting OrcKard Trees J. C. Metcalfe, Port Hammond, B.C. One of tile Delegates from the Pacific Province AS the Canadian fruit industry de- velops, orchardists are paying more attention to planting and to the distances ajmrt for trees and bushes of the various fruits that will bring best returns. The general tendency with all fruits is to wider planting, so that culti- vation, spraying, pruning and other cardinal orchard operations may be carried on more easily and to better effect. In this way only can the high quality of fruit now in demand be pro- duced. I'illers are being commonly used by leading growers. In a letter to The Horticulturist, recently, Mr. W. H. Bunting, of St. Catharines, wrote: "Apple trees should be set not less than 40 feet each way for permanent trees. If fillers are used, 40 by 50 feet would be more profitable. Early varie- ties, such as Duchess, Yellow Trans- parent, Wealthy, Ontario and others, could be used as fillers between the wider distances. 1 prefer the well- known and tried winter varieties, suit- able for the export market, to any other for profit. A practice that is being ad- vocated by many is to set an orchard with Talman Sweet or some such hardy free-growing stock, and later, top-graft to the varieties desired. "Growers have been planting peaches too close. Peach trees should be given 84 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST not less than 20 ItiL caili wax , and 20 by 24 would be better. The same ap- plies to cherries and plums. Pears may be set closer. "I would emphasize the necessity of a thorough pre[)aration of the soil before planting. It is hardly possible to give too much attention to this essential. A reasonable trimming of the roots and low heading are now the slogans, on ac- count of the great tiecessity of thorough and careful spraying, and the greater ease in gathering fruits of all kinds. The tops should be cut back severely and the tree started as near the ground as possible, not more than two feet. With modern labor-saving machinery it is possible to cultivate a low-headed orchard much more easily than form- erly." In discussing essential points in plant ing fruit orchards, Mr. Joseph Tweddle, of Fruitland, says: "Having selected site and soil suitable, the next in order is the preparation of the soil. Contrary to general expert advice and practice, we have found it profitable to plant on fresh plowed sod land instead of soil which previously has been cultivated to destroy all grass. True, it does require more work to prepare and put in good tilth and dig the holes and plant the trees or vines, and more thorough culti- vation the first season to kill the grass or sod, but think of the advantages to be gained from the decaying humus in the soil holding the soil moisture from the spring rains during summer. It also affords winter protection to the roots for the first and second winters following planting. The little extra labor is many times repaid. This meth- od applies only to trees and grape vines where the necessary work of hoeing is but trifling and not to small fruits, where the grass might cause endless trouble. Humus is just as requisite in the young orchard and vineyard as any- where else on the farm, and will push the trees and vines into a vigorous and healthy start in life if properly handled. Most growers delay planting because their land is in sod. By working it for a year or two they destroy this humus- producing element. "With increasin^g wealth comes an ever growing demand for higher quality, and this applies in planting as to dis- tance apart. The close planting is gradually giving way to more liberal space so necessary to the perfect de- velopment of fancy fruit and the con- sequent high prices to be obtained. Without an abundance of light and air for the foliage and the soil no tree can produce high quality of fruit. Peach orchards 12 by 12 feet are being replaced by others 20 by 20 feet, and even more by some of the leading growers. Wider planting is being practised, too, with other fruits. "Fillers are not so much used as form- erly, growers preferring to grow some hoe crop at a safe distance from llie trees till the trees require the whole space. Few growers have the courage to cut out the fillers in time and by crowding the permanent trees they cause them to grow tall. This is dis- astrously expensive in pruning, spray ing and picking later on. If fillers are planted they must be of heavy bearing, short lived varieties, suitable to the soil and climate of the locality. Selec- tion must be left largely to the wisdom of tliejifTower. In sections where Wage- ner and Ontario thrive they can be used for fillers. In pears, dwarfs can be used between standards or possibly currants, gooseberries or raspberries can be plant- ed in the rows of trees. Peaches grow .so rapidly that it is scarcely profitable to plant fruit as fillers. In some cases raspberries and strawberries are used. "Planting should be done as early as the soil can be prepared in the spring. Trees should be dug early and well heeled in. It is best to open the bunches and stand the trees in a large furrow, covering the roots so that no air can reach them. Many trees are ruined by careless heeling in. If planting is de- layed into warm weather the young rootlets start and the trees can scarcely be got to the field and planted without destroying them, or at least causing a great check to the growth of the tree. VV'e must emjiliasi/.e early planting for' good growth the first season. In case : of unavoidable late planting, keep tin trees wrapped in a damp cloth if nect sary. In dry soil use half a pail of water to a tree when the hole is filled within four inches of the surface, then fill in the balance with fine dry soil, s mulch with coarse manure and keep the j cultivator going." Mr. J. C. Harris, of Ingersoll, wrote TiiE HoKTici LTiRiST as follows : "I would suggest to intending planters that C they set a number of trees in one comer j of the orchard at close distances — say - 12 feet apart — or between the standard ;. trees. These can be used any time be- • fore they are 12 years old to replace ' standards that have died or are not ■ doing well. In this way a thrifty or- chard of even size can be secured. j "During the past two years I have ' moved over 1 00 trees 1 1 years old and there is little difference between them and the others planted the same year. "I prefer spring planting as soon as the ground is fit for cultivation. Stand ard varieties should be set at least ?-'^ or 40 feet apart. Where fillers are usc( Wealthy, Wagener and Ontario are the most desirable in this section. The | directions and instructions for planting ' by nurserymen are usually satisfactory and can be followed with safety." TKe Currant PatcK ■W. E. A. Peer, Freeman I A FEW years ago currants were re- ceiving little or no attention on the part of the commercial fruit grower. The price realized was so small that only under favorable conditions and convenience to market was it pos- sible to receive sufficient returns to pay for the cost of handling and marketing this crop. Such a state of affairs dis- couraged the planting of currants, and led to the destruction of many planta- tions in existence. This check in the development of the currant industry and the increasing demand for this fruit has once more placed it among the de- sirable crops to have included in the fruit plantation. The selecting of varieties of currants for planting is a very important con- sideration, and one that if carefully attended to will give ample returns in cash and satisfaction for the trouble taken. From a commercial standpoint appearance has a great deal to do with the final returns. Size plays an im- portant part in establishing the price. There is frequently a difference of two cents a quart in the price paid for large- sized currants in preference to small ones. I have known buyers refuse to handle the product supplied by growers whose plantations were known to con- tain a large percentage of the smaller varieties of currants. Among the varieties that might be mentioned as undesirable on account of their small size are Brayley's Seedling, S. C. Parker, Berwick, N.S. One of the Delegates from tlie_Land of EvaOEcline THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 85 New Victoria, Raby Castle, Red Dutch and Versailles. Among the better class of currants it would be difficult to select a limited number of varieties to recom- mend under all circumstances. If the reports of the experiment stations are studied and the opinions of other grow- ers considered, a diversity of opinion in regard to this vexed question will be noted. The man who is making currant growing a business will find it to his advantage to investigate closely for him- self those varieties recommended by experiment stations and make his own selection of those best suited to his con- ditions. The soil for currants should be thor- oughly prepared before the plants are set out. It must be rich and deeply tilled in order to give the best results. Currants are a shallow-rooted plant, spreading out their rootlets near the surface, hence deep cultivation cannot be given after the plants have become established without doing severe injury to the bushes. For best results they require a rich, damp, but not wet, soil, preferably a sandy or gravelly loam. When setting out the bushes give them plenty of room. There is some vari- ation of size of bush in the different varieties, but generally speaking, six feet each way is close enough. Care should be taken to get the plants set deeply enough ; a good guide is to plant them somewhat deeper than they were in the nursery row. Before planting the roots should be made in proper condition for setting out. When digging the plants many of the roots become broken and torn. These should be pruned back, leaving a clean, oblique undercut which will fit closely to the soil, and from which new rootlets will more readily spring than they would from the bruised and muti- lated ends as they come from the nursery. Currants will adapt themselves to a great amount of neglect, but for large currants and productive bushes, the plantation must receive proper atten- tion. They will respond liberally to careful cultivation and enriching of the soil. Owing to the shallow-rooted system of the currant, cultivations must be frequent and shallow to conserve moisture, keep down weeds and avoid injury to the roots. Stable manure is one of the best fertilizers that can be used in a currant patch, as it also serves as a mulch. If necessary, it may be supplemented with a small amount of bone dust and potash fertilizer. To get the best results it is necessary to prune annually and systematically. There must be a gradual removal of old wood, and a constant supply of new wood developed to take its place. Keep the branches as well distributed as pos- sible, and the bush symmetrical. Do not allow branches to become long and straggly, or they are apt to bend over and break at the time of maturing the fruit, so that it is soiled in the dirt and made unfit for market. Under branches that have a tendency to sweep the soil should be removed. The fruit on these is almost sure to be splashed with soil when a heavy rain-storm comes. V Raspberry Cxaltvire as Practised at tKe LaKe Huron Station A. E. SKerrington, A^alKerton Rev. Father A. E. Burke, Alberton, P.E.I. One of Oie Ueleeates from the Garden of.,theiGulf RED raspberries are grown in rows six feet apart, the land is first put into good condition by either plow- ing in clover or barnyard manure the fall previous to planting. As all plant- ing is done in the spring, the land should be plowed deep as soon as fit to work, then well worked with disk or cultivator, so as to have a fine surface. The rows are made by plowing a deep furrow, throwing the soil out both ways; the plants are then set in the bottom of the furrow, putting in sufficient soil to cover the roots well. The furrow is gradually filled by the process of culti- vation. Frequent and shallow cultiva- tion is practised so as to control the soil moisture and destroy all weeds. As the red raspberry propagates by suckers, the rows are allowed to fill with plants and spread to about 30 inches. The rest of the space is kept clean by frequent cultivation. Plow- ing or dee.p cultivation should never be practised in a raspberry plantation. For fertilizers, barnyard manure and wood ashes are used. Some growers are using commercial fertilizers alone so as to avoid weed seeds, but under this system the land will soon become deficient in humus, which is such an important factor in the production of plant growth. The soil, when depleted of its humus, dries out much more readily than when well supplied with humus or vegetable matter. After testing some 70 varieties for the last eight years, the following varieties has proven to be the best all-round sorts for either market or home use: Marlboro — plant of dwarf habit, strong and hardy, fruit large, firm, rather dry and seedy for a good table berry ; color, bright red; quality fair, ripe July 13. Herbert — a new berrv of recent intro- duction plant a good grower, hardy. fruit large, firm, but not nearly so dry as Marlboro; color, bright red; quality good, ripe July 17, very promising. Cuthbert — the Queen of all berries, plant strong and very vigorous, hardy, fruit large and firm, dark red, quality of the best, ripe July 19. Phoenix — plant strong, vigorous and hardy, fruit medium to large, color, dark red; qual- ity good, ripe July 22, a good cropper. These four varieties are given in order of ripening, and will cover the rasp- berry season. BLACK CAPS The blackcaps are grown in rows six feet apart and three feet in the rows. As they propagate from tips, they do not spread as the reds do. It is very important that they should be planted in a deep furrow; if not set deeply they are liable to be blown out by the winds Cultivation is the same as for the reds. The pruning is done by pinching off an inch or two of the terminal points of the young canes the first year, when about 18 inches high. This will cause them to grow stalky, and establish a good root system. The laterals should be cut off the next spring to about 10 or 12 inches. The second year the canes may be allowed to grow to 24 or 30 inches before pinching back. By this method strong canes will be formed with the laterals near the ground. The laterals at this pruning can be left about 24 inches long; they should be cut back in early spring. This treatment will produce a strong upright bush that will need no tying. It is also a system of thinning, which is necessary if first- class fruit is wanted. The two best varieties are : Conrath — plant strong and vigorous, fairly hardy, fruit large, quality good, and Hilborn— plant vigorous and very hardy, fruit large and of good quality. HoAV a City May be Made Attractive TmC lU'cd for iniprovinj4 the exist- ing conditions in and around cities and large towns was depicted clearly and with force by Mr. J. Horace McFarland of Harrisburg, Pa., who spoke in St. George's Hall, Toronto, on March 20, under the auspices of the Toronto Horticultural Society. That much .can be done in a short time to improve these conditions was proved by the success that has attended the efforts of Mr. McFarland and his co- workers in Harrisburg. Ivxcellent views were thrown on canvas to illustrate unsightly spectacles commonly found as a city is approached. Among these were such public nuisances as the repulsive signboards, the odoriferous Before dealing with civic improve- ment proper, Mr. McFarland discussed the Niagara Falls problem, and advised the citizens of Canada to put forth every possible effort to prevent that great scenic wonder from being destroy- ed to fill the pockets of 1,000 stock- holders representing six development companies. Those financially interest- ed claimed that by using this power to develop electricity, a great public benefit would result. It was shown, however, that in Buffalo light was more costly than in Harrisburg, where no such means of developing power is at hand. Views were presented showing the beau- ties of the falls and the rapids at present, and others showing what a hideous sight An Unsightly Dump at Harrisburg, Pa., Before Improvement dump heaps and the death-dealing sewage systems. The executive of the Toronto Society- are to be congratulated on securing the services of such an authority on civic improvement as is Mr. McFarland. Great things are promised by the society in the way of improvements in Toronto's streets, parks, etc., and it can only be expected that Mr. McFarland's address will stimulate that body to still greater work than had been proposed. Presi- dent Frankland introduced the speaker of the evening as the president of the American Civic Improvement Associ- ation. < will replace them if these companies are allowed to carry on operations at their own free wills. "The people," said Mr. McFarland, 'have the power to run the country's affairs, and they should set to work to save the falls. Every year finds an expenditure of $15,000,000 by those who visit this greatest scenic wonder of the world. "Citizens of Ontario also benefit from the visits of these sight-seers who spend considerable money. When the waters of Niagara are harnessed, all this is lost. People lose sight of the fact that this is a sight that American citizens should be proud of, because they think it may result in a paltry gain. Pressure should be brought to bear on those in authority. Letters should be sent to your premier, and to the mem bers of your parliament urging that steps be taken to prevent these develop- ment companies from destroying such a magnificent production of nature." The methods adopted in forwarding civic improvement in Harrisburg were outlined. In 1902, $5,000 were sub- scribed by 60 citizens to be devoted to formulating a scheme for general im- provements. Three men were selected, one of whom was given charge of water and sewage systems, another control of paving, and the third charge of parks, drives, etc. These three men drafted a plan of the various steps that should be taken to make Harrisburg what it should be. The report recommended the expenditure of $1,090,000. The people had to be convinced that the benefits that would result warranted the use of so much public money. The $5,000 that had been subscribed were spent in educating the people to the need of this. A copy of the report con- taining the suggested improvements was sent to every citizen ; clergymen and principals of schools co-operated; every organization in the city was ap- proached, and the newspapers gave valuable assistance. Women workers formed committees and sent representa- tives to the schools to talk to the chil- dren and distribute pamphlets. In this way many parents were won through the children. Everything possible was done to have the people vote intelligently. It was pointed out to the voters that if this scheme was carried out it would mean an increase in the tax rate of about three and a half mills under the most unfavorable conditions, but if every- thing prospered as they hoped it would, the increase would not be over two mills. In return for this expenditure they offered beautiful parks and streets, and, more important from the standpoint : of economy, a pure water supply and a perfect sewage system. In this con- nection views were used to show the ,\ condition of the streets, the extent of the garbage dumps, and the prevalence of large signboards hiding natural scenery that should be open to the view of wayfarers and travellers. Statistics were given showing the ravages of typhoid fever and other diseases due to using impure water and to an inade quate sewage system. Unfiltered wat from the Susquehanna River was being used throughout the city. This water had received the sewage from cities and towns farther up the river, with a total population of over 522,000. At certain seasons the waters of the river lowered THE CANADIAN II () K T I C I L T U R I S T 87 and stones, etc., along the banks re- mained covered with a foul, unwhole some and death-dealing slime. The people gradually became awaken ed. The day previous to the election large streamers were used on the street cars, urging the citizens to vote for pure water, better sewage system, less dis eases, playgrounds, parks, beautiful streets, etc. No attention was paid to politics. Those men who had the wel- fare of the city at heart were elected and the entire project was a huge success. The results have been greater than was anticipated. In four years a filter system has been installed by means of which pure water is supplied. Already 21 miles of streets have been paved and are kept perfectly clean. At first the citizens on various streets rushed to the city buildings to ask that their streets be left out. All this is changed. More paving is to be done this spring and the residents rush to ask that some of the work be done on their streets. Slum streets have been converted into veritable gardens. The railroad station surroundings have been improved so that the new comer is at once con- vinced that Harrisburg is a lovely city. Mr. McFarland pointed out that Toronto Station could easily be made a place of beauty. Commerce was important, but to some extent should be subordinate to beauty. A notable change has taken place where the old dump shown in the ac- companying illustration was in evidence with its conglomeration of tin cans and garbage as well as its horrible odors. This has been converted into a beauti- ful river front one and a quarter miles long. Recently 3,800 feet have been added, and this, too, will be made into park ground. Grass now replaced the garbage, and shrubs the tin cans. A formal city entrance, shown in the third illustration, also has been con- structed. Two stately pillars were ob- tained from the old state capitol. On the bases of these pillars are inscrip- tions of historic importance. The sur- roundings have been improved in keep- ing with the importance of such an entrance. Everything has been done quickly and systematically until the city is surrounded by playgrounds and park grounds accessible from every point. The practice of butchering shade trees was strongly condemned, as was also the erection of signboards and public dumps, which showed the lack of necessary attention by the citizens to public duties. Shdes were used to impress the evils of these practices. Telephone and telegraph companies were charged with undue destruction of trees in many cities and frequently in the country as well. City councils were advised to force these companies to place the wires underground. In some The Unsightly Dump Transformed into a Kiver hront Park parts of the United States this method had been tried and it was being adopted altogether as the most economical. City governments were advised to allow none but experts to prune the shade trees. Mr. McFarland said that the time was not far distant when the ruth- less cutting of trees would be prevented by law. The management of trees should be in the hands of a competent person who could fight fungous and insect pests, and otherwise look after the best interests of these shade-pro- ducing, health-giving forms of plant Hfe. Views were shown of streets with trees trimmed in telegraph pole fashion, and contrasted with streets lined with shape- ly trees. Streets with poles on which were hundreds of wires were compared with streets where all wires were under- ground. It was mentioned that the easiest way to make he streets of any city 10 feet wider without widening the street was to remove the telegraph and telephone poles. Just as soon as the citizens said it must be done, and cut down the poles, the companies would find that it was possible, and would learn that it was in their own best interests. In illustrating and describing the signboard nuisances, the utter disregard of private rights in Boston and other cities was shown. Such nuisances to the eye should be as strongly objected to as foul odors or loud noises. Garden plots for school children were mentioned as worthy f attires of any school management. The dandelion and apple blossom children were much superior to those brought up in the gutter. Each city should provide some- thing better than dirty lanes and dreary school vards for the children. Parks were cheaper than policemen. If the children were to be allowed to become wild and reckless parks should not be sustained. In the winter the same parks could be used for curling and tobogganing. Mr. McFarland referred to the annual pilgrimage to Paris and to Rome to see the beauties of those cities. American cities could be made as great centres of attraction if the citizens submitted to spending money that would return tenfold because of the increased number of visitors. Besides there was the satis- faction of living in a beautiful city. In Harrisburg the housing problem, as well as walks, lawns, flowers, trees, etc., was being given thoughtful attention. Each city must be beautified in its own way. No two cities could be treated similarly. Nature unadorned proved to be most attractive. Harrisburg in four years had done great work. To- ronto or any other city could do as well or better if an earnest effort were made. The taxes had made no appreciable increase. In 1902 the rate for city purposes was 7^ mills, whereas in 1906 it was but 8 mills. Citizens had been assured that the increase would not be over three and a half mills; insteadjfit had increased only one-half mill. In return for this extra levy they had pure water and hence less disease: they had an excellent sewage system, beautiful streets, beautiful parks, and a general change for the better in and around the city. Mr. McFarland closed by saying he was proud of the development in his city, and hoped that the success follow- ing efforts put forth there would stimu- late other cities and towns to do likewise. The president of the society, Mr. Frankland, urged Toronto citizens to 88 T II K C A N A D 1 A N HO H T 1 C L L T L ii 1 S T Formal City Entrance at Harrisburg, Pa., as Improved by the American Civic Association— to be Dedicated April 20 begin earnest work along the lines re- ferred to by Mr. McFarland. For the present he said the society would labor with work it knew could be accomplished. He asked the co-operation of the citizens. A vote of thanks to Mr. McFarland was moved by Mr. R. J- Score, a director of the society, and seconded by Park Commissioner Chambers, who pointed out the excellent natural facilities that were afforded in and around Toronto for successful civic improvement work. A List and Description of Leading' Perennials HAVING received a number of letters from readers of The Horti- culturist enquiring about the most desirable perennials for all purposes, with the season of blooming, color and duration of bloom and height of the plants, I submit the following list for publication, that readers of The Hor- ticulturist may have a catalogue from which to select with some degree of intelligence. By the time the April issue appears it will be time to procure the desired specimens. Arabis alpina. Rock or Wall Cress, single white flowers, grand for the edge of a bed or border, also for the rockery. Grows to six inches high, spreading. Arabis alpina flore pleno, double white flowers, and begins to bloom after the single one is done, therefore plant time about with the single one to prolong the season of bloom, May and June. Lychnis plenissima semper florens, rose flowered, double, in bloom all sum- mer, grows 18 inches high. Lychnis viscaria splendens pleno, KodericK Cameron, Niagara Falls SoutK Lamp' Flower, double, red. Grows a foot high, blooms continually for six weeks. Tunica saxifraga, a pretty and use ful plant producing Hght pink flowers all summer, which resemble a small campanula, grows six inches high, good for the edge of the border and the rockery. Gypsophila paniculata. Baby's Breath, in bloom during July and August, height 18 inches, flowers white — in panicles. vSpiraea aruncus, Goat's Beard, in bloom June and July, flowers creamy white, three feet high. Spiraea Chinensis, light pink flowers, verv pretty, three feet high, bloom in July. Spiraa palmata, bright pink, flowers during July, two and a half to three feet high. Spirsea palmata alba, a pure white variety of the preceding, otherwise the same. Saxifrage umbrosa, London Pr de, pink, flowers during June and July, 18 inches high. Lythrum salicarium. Spiked Loose strife, purplish flowers, grows four feet high, in bloom July and August. Clematis David.ana, in bloom August and September, grows three feet high, flowers hght purple. Clematis recta, in bloom June 26 to July 15, flowers white Hke paniculata, height four feet. Anemone Japonica, Wind Flower, bright pink, and height two feet, in bloom from August to late fall. Anemone Japonica alba, a pure white one of the preceding, but six inches taller, in bloom the same time. Anemone, var ety Queen Charlotte, claret-colored flowers, otherwise like the last, blooms the same time. Anemone, variety Whirlwind, semi- double white flowers. This is the best variety, blooms at the same time as the others. Peonies can be got in a hundred differ- ent varieties, and in as many colors. THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 89 three feet high, blooming in June and July. The Tree Peony also can be procured in a number of varieties. I prefer the variety Moutan, light salmon in color, grows four feet high, woody or shrubby, blooms during June, tenderer than the herbaceous varieties. Bocconia cordata, Chinese Salendine, grows six feet, flowers creamy white on long terminal spikes, from July to September. I'apaver orientalis, scarlet, large llower, nine inches in diameter, three to four feet high, in bloom June and July. Papaver nudicaule, blooms all season, should be planted time about with the oriental to keep up a display during the season, two to two and a half feet high, color from creamy white to bright vellow. Dicentra eximia, purple flowers all summer, a foot to 15 inches high. Alyssum saxatile compactum, yellow flowers, 18 inches high, blooms in May and June. Boltonia latisquama, aster-like flowers, light pink, in bloom during September and October, height four to five feet. Stokesia cyanea, Stoke's Aster, large ])urple flowers, much like asters during .Vugust and September, 18 inches high, a good plant when climate and soil suits it. Inula ensifolia. Sword- Leaved Ele- campane, grows six inches high, flowers vellow like a small sunflower during July to frost. Coreopsis lanceolata grandiflora. Tick Seed, grows two to three feet, j-ellow flowers, large, from July to fall if the seeds are kept off. Coreopsis senifolia, grows three to four feet, flowers yellow, small, sweet scented, during August and Septem- ber. Helianthus multiflorus flore pleno. Double Flowered Sunflower, grows four feet, in bloom from the end of July to late fall, yellow. Helianthus sparsifolia, grows four to six feet, and is the best of the single flowered varieties, August and Sep- tember. Campanula persicifolia gigantea Moer- heimi, blooms large double white, during July and August, two feet and one of the very best perennials grown. Campanula lactiflora, milk flowered, grows two to three feet, blooms during end of June to August, also one of the best perennials. Platycodon grandiflora, in blue and white colored blooms, grows to three feet, in flower during July and August. This is also a grand plant of the campanula family. Statice latifolia. Sea Lavender, a grand plant to grow, in bloom from July to frost, flowers purplish, heath like, good to dry for winter bouquets. ?I^Veronica spicata, purple flowers, all summer and fall, grows two to three feet high. Veronica spicata rosea, the same as the last but rose flowered. Lvsimachia clethroides, white ter- minal spikes, from June to August, three feet high. Cephalaria Tartarica, grows four to eight feet, flowers during July and August, straw color, resembling a scabiosa. Rudbeckia triloba, also called Cah- fornica, in bloom August and September, flowers dark yellow, four feet high. Rudbeckia purpurea, purple flowered, in July and August to September, grows three feet high. Rudbeckia laciniata 'flore pleno. Gol- den Glow, grows six to eight feet, double yellow flowers in profusion from July to September. Achillea ptarmica, The Pearl, pro- duces double white daisy-like flowers in abundance during July to frost, grows two to three feet high. Achillea tomentosa, produces single vellow flowers, grows six inches high, a good edging plant, in bloom now and again all summer. Pj'rethrum maximum superbum, one of the best of the Ox Eye Daisies, grows three feet, large white flowers with yel- low centres, in bloom from June to frost. Pyrethrum uliginosum. Great Ox Eye Daisy, grows five feet high, making a grand display of white flowers from the end of August to the middle of October. Delphinium cashmerianum, and D. grandiflorum, the former dark blue, single, the other dark blue, double, flowering in July. After they are done blooming if they are cut back they bloom the second time in September; height anywhere from three to six feet. Liatris pycnostachya. Blazing Star, grows four feet, purple flowers, in Aug- ust and September. Helenium autumnale grandicephalum. Great Sneezewort, grows six feet high, flowers single, yellow, like an Ox Eye Daisy, blooms in abundance during August and September. Helenium grandicephalum striatum, flowers striped with brown, otherwise like the last, blooming at the same time. Chelone Lyoni, Red Turtlehead, grows four feet, in bloom August and Sep- tember. Chelone obliqua alba. White Turtle- head, blooms in August and September. Pentstemon barbatus Torreyi, Scarlet Beard Tongue, bloom scarlet, from the middle of June to fall, grows three feet high. Pentstemon ovatus, a white variety of the preceding, height three feet, in bloom June and July. Physostegia Virginiana, False Dragon Head, a native plant of Ontario, none better under good cultivation, grows four feet, flowers bright pink, in bloom August and September. Monarda didynia. Scarlet Bergamot, and Monarda purpurea, Purple Berga- mot, both very good and useful peren- nials, growing three feet, in bloom July and August. Mertensia Virginica, Virginian Cow- slip, a great favorite, blooming through May and the first of June, 18 inches high, blue flowers. Phlox, can be got in 100 varieties, any shade of color desired. Asclepias tuberosa. Pleurisy Root, grows two feet, flowers orange yellow during August and September. Alstroemeria Simsii, Chilian Lily. Where this plant thrives there is nothing prettier, flowers lily like, yellow with dark veining, in bloom during July and August, height two to three feet. Tritonia, formerly called Montbretia, can be procured in a half-dozen varieties yellowish flowers, resembling small glad- ioli, grows two to three feet, bloom in August and September. Gladiolus communis. This is the type, or wild one; it is quite hardy, and should be grown by all lovers of flowers, blooms much smaller than the present- day hybrids, in bloom in June, flowers reddish purple. Iris can be procured in a hundred varieties, but I prefer the Japanese and German varieties, Germans in bloom in June, Japanese in bloom in July, all shades. I would highly recommend the violas or tufted pansies to be grown more ex- tensively. They are nearly as large as the common pansies, and sweet scented like the violet, and in self colors. They can be secured in many named varieties, and bloom more freely than the pansy, Make the bed half leaf mould and the other half sandy loam with a good sprinkling of sharp sand, mix well, and sow the seeds thinly where they are to bloom in the spring. Every person wants to grow a few liliums. My choice in variety is Lilium candidum, Lilium Isabellinum, Lilium speciosum, var. alba, var. rubra are good. To grow them successfully they must be planted at the foot of a north sloping bank, shaded on the south side with trees, plant about one foot deep, never let the frost get at the bulbs, rather cover them with boards, tin or any material to turn the water from them in winter. Give the lily bed one or two inches of a mulch of leaf mould. Taking everything into consideration I am well satisfied with the steam spray- ing outfit used in my orchard. It is rather heavy, but with a good team of horses and wide tires does not cause much trouble. Compressed air outfits have to be loaded too often, and gaso- line are a little uncertain. I prefer the steam, but the gasoline may be so im- proved they will ultimately prove the best. (D. J. MacKinnon, Grimsby, Ont. Begonias and TKeir Culture BEGONIAS derive their name from a noted French patron of science, Michael B^gon, who lived between 1638 and 1710. They were first intro- duced into England in 1777. Are in- digenous to Asia, South Africa, Mexic(j, Central America and South America. There, are hun- dreds of species . known, of which about 150 have proved to be of value. In recent years there has been a great im- provement in many plants, but few have been im- proved so rapidly as the begonia. Many hundred varieties are known and ' are in cultivation, but the number worthy of general cultivation and dissemination does not exceed a few dozen. For horticultural pur- poses begonias are usually divid- ed into three gen- eral classes: (1) „ . „., ^ ^j' Begoma Fibrous-rooted, " or winter blooming; (2) Tuberous-root- ed, or summer blooming; (3) Rex, or ornamental leaved. FIBROUS-ROOTED The first class embraces the flowering begonias, so-called in florists' catalogs. The variety, brilUancy and beauty of their foliage, and their remarkable free- flowering quality during the winter, combine to make them one of the most desirable and most popular plants. As pot plants for the window, garden and conservatory they have few .equals. WTiile they are exacting in their re- quirements, these requirements are sim- ple and easily supplied. They respond very readily to intelligent treatment. Most varieties are rapid growers, a few months' — or at most a year's — growth will produce beautiful specimens from cuttings. They are among the most satisfactory plants for the living room. Among the most popular varieties that appear in florists' catalogs and in local greenhouses, are the follow- ing: Alba perfecta, Argentea guttata. Diadem, Metallica rubra, Sandersonii, Thurstonii, Vernon, etc., with new varieties of merit being added from year to year. One of the most valuable of the recent introductions is Begonia Templinii. By all who have seen it M. B. Templin, Calla. OHio it is acknowledged to be the most beauti ful. It is positively new and distinct in its class. The accompanying illus- tratiem, made from a photcjgraph. gives a fairly accurate idea of the character- istics of the plant. It is an upright, vigorous grower; leaves varying in length from six to ten inches, with wavy margins; glossy, metallic green, profusely and irregularly blotched and va- riegated with va- rious shades from creamy white to golden yellow, beautifully tinged and flushed with flesh-pink, deep- ening towards the edges to the rich- est crimson ; un- der side bright coppery crimson . It possesses the most remarkable combination and blending of colors ever found in a begonia or any other plant. The flowers area beau- tiful pink. As a bedder, when ex- posed to partial sun, it is wonderfully effective. Gloire de Lorraine is a grand and wonderfully profuse bloomer that is being illustrated and described in glow- ing terms in magazines and trade papers. Unfortunately, however, it does not give satisfaction under ordinary house cul- ture, being especially adapted for forc- ing in greenhouses and conservatories. Flowering begonias, as a class, are of very easy culture. A soil compost con- sisting of three of good loam to one of thoroughly rotted manure and one of sand, will produce excellent results in growth and flowers. Cuttings taken from a healthy growth will root readily in sand, if given bottom heat. With reasonable treatment as to light, mois- ture, fresh air, and repotting when needed, they soon become fine plants. TtJBEROUS-ROOTED The second class, tuberous begonias, were introduced about 35 years ago from the South American Andes. When first grown in the United States it was thought they would be a fitting com- panion for the geranium, but this was an error, as they would not withstand the dry atmosphere and hot sunshine. They require partial shade to come to perfection. During the past few years Templinii the improvement in size, texture and cf>loring of leaves, and the size and colors (jf the flowers, has been phenom- enal. The flowers are of enormous size, often five to six inches in diameter; the petals are thick and wax-like, and often creased and wrinkled most beauti- fully. In addition to the beauty of the flowers the foliage has been so im- proved that it is difficult to find two plants alike as to foliage. They bloom very freely all summer. They may be propagated from seed, but the most satisfactory way is to buy tubers from some reliable florist. Their culture is very simple, and they are exceptionally fine either for pot ' plants or for bedding, being easily raised and requiring but little care. The soil should be composed of rich loam, leaf- mould and sand, and should be kept moist, but not wet, and always well drained. They succeed best in a par- tially shaded situation well protectefi from strong winds. Tubers can hi procured in both single and double varieties, in shades of rose, red, yellow, and pure white. Start tubers froi: February to April. REX BEGONIAS Rex begonias are grown expressly for the beauty of their foUage. The original type, introduced from Asani, India, was first illustrated in Flore des Seres, published in Ghent, Netherlands, about 1857. From this type, by cross- ing with a few other species, and then from hybrid seedUngs from their prog- eny, they have been so improved as, in some instances, almost to have lost resemblance to the original, except as to habit of growth. In no other class of plants are the rich metalUc shades and various colors so satisfactorily blended, while the size, color, and form of the leaves are of the greatest variety. Some show bright - green, pure silver, bronze and velvety green ; others have a distinct zone of bright, rosy-plum color; and others a Rex Begonia THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 91 zone of light, dull red. As pot plants they have few equals, though their llowers are small and inconspicuous. They are propagated from either whole or segment-leaf cuttings, but do not root readily for the amateur. The culture of the Rex is simple. Soil should he similar to that for other bcgcjnias. They require a moist, but not wet, rather warm, shady situation, protected as much as possible from strong winds. I know of no other plant that affords more pleasure and satisfaction when grown as a pot plant under favorable conditions. Begonias, generally speaking, are in- jured by too much sunshine during the summer; they are benefited by all the sunshine they can get during the winter and spring months. Their cul- ture is simple and they are seldom at- tacked by insects. With fair treat- ment, they will always prove satis- factorv. WKat Can be Gro\vn on a Small City Lot Dr. Douglas G. Storms, Hamilton, Ont. M Y lot on which the numerous varie- ties of plants and flowers are grown is 91^ feet deep with 45^ close together the colors are I'ersians, white and arranged so that mixed. These include and lilac, also the cut- Digitalis and Canterbury Bells in Dr. Storms' Garden feet front facing the west. In the north-west corner 31 J by 25^ feet is taken up by the house. This leaves a block in the rear 46 by 45 J feet, and a strip along the south side of the house 25^ by 14 feet. The lot is shut in on the east by a large building, presenting a blank wall the whole width of the lot. This wall I have covered almost com pletely with Ampelopsis Veitchii. A bed runs the full width, 45^ feet by eight feet, filled along the wall with such hardy perennials as Anemone Jap onica, six varieties; aquilegias, 10 or 12 varieties; Coreopsis grandiflora, heli- :inthus, gaillardia, rudbeckia (Golden ; -■; -» - ■- ■'** r ~ One of Dr Storm's Rose Beds 92 THE CANADIAN 11 U Jl T J < ILTLKIST Centre Bed of Phlox Drummondi and Verbenas spectabilis, Showy Orchis, April to June; Uvularia perfoliata, Straw Bell, May and June; Erigeron annuus, Daisy Fleabane, May to November; Anemone quinquefolia, Wind Flower, April to June; Thalictrum dioicum, Early Mead- ow-Rue, April and May; Thalictrum polyganum, Tall Meadow Rue, July to September; Impatiens biflora. Jewel Weed, July to October; Eupatorium :igeratoides, White Snakeroot, July to November; Solidago speciosa, Show\ Golden Rod, August to October;. Solid ago ca-sia. Wreath (lolden Rod, August to October; Solidago bicolor. Silver Rod. |ul\- to September; Rudbeckia hirta. Illack eyed Susan, May to September; Aster patens, Purple Daisy, August to f)ctober. Along part of the west end is a bed of 21 varieties of Japan Iris, and on the north side of the plot south of the house a bed of digitalis and Canterbury Hells, one of the most charming beds in the garden. In the centre space a round bed 10 feet in diameter, filled with Phlox drummondi and verbenas, was made. This gives a wealth of bloom the whole season, and comes in nicely for cut- ting. In the strip beside the house, too. was a bed of strawberries be'ong-: ing to the boys. ' To be able to go into the garden and cut a bouquet of 56 varieties of roses, or six or eight varieties of lilacs, or anV number of perennials is a pleasure I, would be loath to be deprived of. Withi such collections as I have here referred to there is no dearth of flowers from, early spring until late fall. ' TKe City Vegetable Garden VEGETABLES fresh gathered from your own garden! No mean dream, is it? A few people in the crowded portions, and most people liv- ing on the fringes of a city, can success- fully grow vegetables, and, in the grow- ing of them, will develop good cheer, swift blood, muscle and refreshing sleep. They are few who cannot get very "Near to Nature's Heart" at small ex- pense and — a little trouble. There are many reasons whv some people do not make a success of the vegetable garden in the rear of a city house. When that house was built, the earth of the cellar excavation was used to level the lot surrounding the house. That earth is lifeless. To spade it, and sow seed means failure from the start. Trenching well, so as to bring the good soil to the top, the use of well- ripened stable manure, thorough spad- ing, good seed and continued cultiva- tion, spells success from the start. One prominent reason for failure is — poor seed. It pays to buy your seed from a reliable house. Many so-called seedsmen know very little about the lije of seeds, and keep them from year to year. These, when sown, fail to germinate, and consequently the ama- teur gardener is disappointed and dis- heartened. Let me repeat, it pays to buy your seed from a reliable house, and we have a number in Canada. Rev. P. C. L. Harris, GuelpK, Ont. If one has had no experience in grow- ing vegetables, it also pays to hunt up some one who has been successful and ask for pointers. Gardening is a very jriend- ly subject, and the novice will find even a professional always glad to give ad- vice. That pays. It will prevent many unnecessary failures. Do not sow what you do not like to eat. Some people can eat all varieties of vegetables. Others like only a few varieties. Do not sow a large bed of lettuce, when all you need is a couple of short rows. Plan your plot, be it large or small. It pays to measure. I measure for every row and all beds. Your garden will look the neater and you will be better pleased with your efforts. The neater the garden the greater the inspiration to engage in the labor the following year. Leave a little space for flowering plants. They will assist the interest. They will brighten your life. I have been cultivating a vacant lot for two seasons. For years before it was a dumping ground for old harvesters and — weeds, burdocks, this- tles and marsh mallows. It has not been a picnic, but I have come out on top, and it has paid. People have stopped to look at my garden. Last season we lived on vegetables and saved a meat bill. What shall I grow? Well, let us see. .\ few potatoes— Burpee's Extra Early, Rural New Yorker and the old Early Rose — good varieties. Corn!" — well, if you are after something choice and early, try Burpee's Golden Bantam. It's small but, oh, inyl There's no mistake about it. The Cory corn is another early variety, and succeeds well where the season is short. F'or main crop, try Stowell's Evergreen. For Peas — dwarf and early, try American Wonder and .Alaska; Burpee's Extra Pearly, 18 to 24 inches high, a grand pea. Stratagem is a fine pea of medium height, as is also ■Burpee's Profusion, three feet — one of the best peas to grow. It is a great mistake not to grow some of the taller varieties. Telephone, or its improve- ment— Boston Unrivalled, Champion of England and Laxton's Evolution. Use four feet wide chicken fence netting, or , alder brush, which is much more suit- able, if vou can get it. Yorkshire Hero is another fine pea. You do not know what peas are like until you have ai dish of these large peas on your table. Beets — Early Egyptian. Dark Stin- son. and the Long Smooth Blood-red. I like the dwarf beets, and. for summer use onlv. When small, served up with butter, pepper and salt, they are deli- cious. Carrots — ^^Early Scarlet Horn. Oxheart and Danver's Half Long. Do not wait until winter before using the carrots; try them when very young. Long Smooth or Hollow Crown parsnip THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 93 is as good a variety as you will want to grow. I would not advise any one, with a limited plot, to attempt either cabbage or cauliflower. What about beans? Well, of the dwarf varieties, try Early Yellow Six Weeks, and Burpee's Saddle Back Wax. If you want a dwarf bean quite orna- mental, as well as delicious, try Burpee's Blue-podded Butter Beans — tall grow- ing or climbing; White Creaseback — for eating or pickling, none better; White Dutch Case Knife — young pods for eating and beans excellent for shelling; Horticultural, and Lazy Wife's — of fine flavor and valuable for snapshorts. Lettuce— Grand Rapids, Tom Thumb, Hanson, and many others. Onions? Well, yes, try them, but first ask some one who is successful with them. Dan- ver's Yellow and Prizetaker are hard to beat. You will need a row of cress and mustard, and several rows of spinach — the Victoria being a good variety. If you have a rich mellow soil, try a few rows of salsify, or vegetable oyster. A few plants of Scotch Kale will give you fine greens after the frost has come. Cucumbers? Yes, Everbearing, Boston Pickling, Giant Pera and Fordhook White Spine. Emerald is also worth growing. If vou want a few squash, try Mammoth White Bush for summer use, and Hubbard for winter. Now for tomatoes. Buy well-estab- lished plants and give them the hottest spot in the garden. Work the ground well. If it is a heavy soil and you can easily get sand, mix quite a lot into the soil, with a liberal supply of manure. After the plants have been well estab- lished, put a coating of sand on the ground all around the plants. Use stakes or trellis wires to tie the plants to, and cut out all lateral branches be- low the fruit. Varieties? — Well, Spark's Earliana. Matchless, Acme and Golden Queen. Try a hundred or so of Paris Golden celery if you want to. The experiment will be interesting. The quantity of vegetables you can get off of a small plot will amaze vou. It is difiicult to tell you how to do it. I could shew you how. You will learn, best of all, by going at it yourself. It is an excellent tonic. HoAV to Start Ferns Thos. Manton, Eglinton How can Asiiaragus and Maiden Hair Ferns be best started? — (Mrs. A. P. H., Prince Edward Co. Asparagus Plumosus, generally called the Asparagus Fern, is best raised from seed. The seeds can be procured from any of the leading seedsmen. They germinate quickly if soaked for an hour in water as hot as the hand can be held in, and then sown in rich garden soil and placed in a warm window. As soon as the plants are large enough to handle, they should be potted each into a very small pot and kept in a warm, light place. As the pots fill with roots larger pots should be given and extra rich soil sup- plied. Maiden Hair Ferns are started from ripe spores gathered from strong, well-grown plants. KT^^*^*^ *< /1M%>^ ^~M%>. /IMT^^ nM%>> Uncovering Bulbs Wlial is the best time to uncover bulbs which liave been protected during the winter, and how should it be done?— (C. J. K., Picton. To give a definite date one cannot do so ; generally towards middle of April if weather continues good. After they have been uncovered for a few days should a frost come afterwards they will not be damaged. To uncover the bulbs remove the litter with a fork, taking care to avoid breaking shoots that are coming through the ground. Best Bvilboxis Plant Is there any bulbous plant more desirable for perennial borders than Lilium candidum. — (H. C, Orangeville. Lilium candidum has always done remarkably well in this climate. Others have done fairly well but do not increase as rapidly. Lilium auratum, Lilium speciosum, album, roseum, rubrum, punctatum, have been successful, and follow the Lilium candidum in their blooming period. Cutting Crocus in La-wn How long should crocus bulbs in the grass be left to ripen after flowering, before the lawn is mowed? — (H. G., Guelph. It seemingly makes no difference at what stage the tops are cut ofT, especial- ly if the bulbs are planted deep enough. They are more likely to increase than diminish if cut off early. Early Spring "WorK What work should be done with bulbs during April or early May? — (J. C, Simcoe. Very little work is necessary except to carefully remove the litter placed there in the fall. All the other work should have been done to the bed in the fall at time of planting. Bulbs A.fter Flowering Will you kindly tell me whether a tulip or hyacinth bed can be utilized after the bulbs are done flowering, for cannas, gladioli. Tub- erous Begonias, etc., without removing the bulbs ?— (A. R. B., Stirling. This depends very much on whether you have planted your tulips, hyacinths, etc., deep enough. If you have you may plant gladioli or Tuberous Begonias in the beds, but cannas had better not be as they root very deejily. They are apt to take too much nourishment from the soil for the bulbs to do well another season. As soon as the bulbs have bloomed and tops withered somewhat you can fork the bed lightly and dig some well-rotted manure or artificial fertilizer in the bed. With this treat- ment good results are assured. April. Planting Are there any bulbs that should be planted in April? — (S. A., BurHngton. Assuming this to be open air planting there are none that can be planted with safety. Seeding DoAvn a La"wn Prof. H. L. Hutt, O.A.C., Guelph 1 desire some advice in the matter of seeding down for a school lawn. The soil is very sandy but not l)arren sand. Garden crops do fairly well in it. Which is it more advisable, to sow the seed in the fall or in the spring? I have heard that if seeding is done in the fall, one bushel of rye per acre should be used with the lawn grass to serve as a foster crop. The rye would come up in the spring and help to form a sod. Would it help to scatter some commercial fertilizer and should it be applied with the seed in the fall, or could that be done as well in the spring? Would a top dressing of manure in the fall, if the seeding is done then, be of nmch advantage? 1 have used barley with fair suc- cess as a foster crop when seeding in the spring. — (J. W. G., Kingston. In seeding down a lawn, it is not advisable to use anything as a foster crop. Rye would grow so strong and rank as to nearly choke out the smaller grasses sown at the same time. The best way to get a well seeded lawn is to use a mixture of the hardy native grasses of fine growth. We have found Red Top, Blue Grass, and White Clover, equal parts by weight, make an excel- lent mixture. The best time to seed down for a lawn is early in the spring, as there is then sufficient moistu e to cause early germination of the seeds, and in a favorable season there should be no difficulty in getting a good green sward in a couple of months. The older it gets the thicker it becomes. When seeding is done in the fall the plants usually have not time for much growth, and a great number are de- stroyed in the winter. If fall sowing is resorted to, I would recommend giving the soil a Hberal dressing of well-rotted manure before winter comes. The coars- est of this can be raked ofT in the spring before the seed is sown. The seed should be raked into the soil, and in case of sandy soil in a dry season, it would be best to foil the land after seeding. If the ground is poor and the grass does not come up evenly, this can be remedied by occasional top dressings of well-rotted manure in the fall and raking in additional grass seed in the poorer spots in the spring. Fertilizing tKe MarKet Garden Prof. R. Harcourl, O.A.C.. Cuelph BlvKORE ihe market gardener can intelligently and economically use commercial fertilizers it is essential that he have, first, a clear couctjption of the needs of the soil under culiiva'- tion; second, a definite idea of the nature of the growth wanted, whether for large development of leaf and stem, or for seed and fruit, and how this may be forced ; and third, a knowledge of the function of the various constituents of a fertilizer, and the value of different forms of these constituents as found in the various bra:ids of fertilizers on the market. It is not an easy matter to express exactly what is meant by soil fertihty as so many conditions are involved, all of which have more or less influence. A fertile sail must contain, at least, a fair quantity of those constituents that are removed from the soil in maximum quantities by the crops grown. Ex- periments have demonstrated that plants require at least 10 chemical elements for normal growth and development. Each of thes;' substances has its own particular work to perform and no one can take ths place of another. For- tunately, most soils are abundantly supplied with all these essential con- stituehts, nearly all of which are held in such forms that they are not readily leached from the soil. Plknts, however, take up compar- atively large quantities of nitrogen, phosphoric acid, potash, and lime, and, as they are rem'ived with the crop, it must' follow that in tirrie the soil be- comes more or less depleted of these constituents. The organic matter of the soil is the source of nitnjgen to the majority of plants, and in its decay the nitrogen is converted into a soluble form which is quickly lost in the drain age water unless taken up by plants. Lime, also, as a result of the many chemical changes taking place in the soil, is continually being carried away in the soil water, lividence of this is seen in the fact that water collected from the soil or rock contains lime, or is "hard." These, then, are the four constituents which must receive the greatest amount of attention in the cultivation of the soil. But the presence of the chemical elements of fertility in themselves is not sufficient to insure fertility. To serve as food for plants they must be in a form available to the roots. Water is absolutely essential both for the solution of the fcK)d elements in the soil and for their distribution in the plant after they are acquired. As we understand soils, they are made up of particles of various sizes. When it is well drained, the water is held on the surface of these particles, and the inter- spaces are open, thus making it possible for the air to penetrate into the soils and supply the oxygen essential to the Hfe of the various types of micro-organ- isms busily engaged with the decom- position of the organic matter. The amount of water held on the surface of the particles depends on their size and shape ; the smaller and more irregular Where Vegetables are Forced These ereenhoust'S are otash and phosphoric acid is essential, but nitrogen is the constituent that should predominate. Owing to the wet fall and open winter and the consequent leaching away of nitrates, it is possible that nitrate of soda will give unusually good results this year, especially on crops sown in the early spring. XMiile nitro gen may be used freelv on some crops when maturity is required, as with the tomato, com, potato, sugar beet, etc., a soluble form of nitrogen, as nitrate of soda, may be used early in the season to insure a good start, but it should be withheld during the latter stages of growth in order that the ash constitu- THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 95 ents may have a chance to hasten maturity. Too much nitrogen, or nitro- gen applied late in the season, will cause a large growth of stem, and pre- vent the setting and development of fruit. Regarding the value of the various forms in which the different constitu- ents exist in mixed fertihzers, it may be said that m:)st soluble and active manures produce; their principal effect at once and are of little benefit to sub- sequent crops. .Vmmonium salts or nitrates give all their effects the first year. Sparingly soluble substances, and those that must suffer decomposition in the soil before they are of service to the plant, as coarse tankage, ground bone, and Thomas phosphate, will, on the contrary, continue to produce an effect over many years. Consequently, the soluble substances give the quickest returns for the money invested. It is hardly necessary to say that soluble manures, as nitrate of soda, should not be ^applied until planting time, and even then it is best to save part of the fertilizer and apply small portions at intervals of two or three weeks. \A.s the vegetable growers understand the true nature of the fertihzers and the needs of the soil and crop, the tend- ency will be to buy a fertilizer contain- ing a single constituent to supply the known deficiency of the soil or the element particularly required by the crop. At present, too frequently so- called complete fertilizers, which are specially recommended for certain crops, are purchased. These may or may not answer the purpose under the particular conditions. Fertilizers are too expen- sive to be applied at random. It is essential that a clear conception of what is required be formed and then that the constituents that will produce the required effect be purchased. To do this a gardener must study his soil and crops and understand the fertilizer or mixture of fertilizers he intends using. During the last three months we have received a number of requests to analyze mixed fertilizers. It does not seem to be generally known that according to a law enacted by the Dominion Govern- ment at Ottawa, no fertilizer selling at more than $10 a ton can legally be sold in Canada without a guarantee giving the percentage amount of the various constituents contained in it. While we are willing to do all we can to help the vegetable growers with their fertilizer problems, we must refer this i)ortion of the work to the Inland Revenue Department of Ottawa, and we would advise all purchasers to demand the results of the analysis made in that department.^ Guarantees alone will not, however, wholly protect the buyer. He must not only know the percentage com- position of the fertilizer and the nature of the materials from which it was prepared, but he must also be able to determine from the analysis whether there is a proper relation between the guarantee and the selling price. There appears to be a growing ten- dency on the part of the vegetable growers to use fertilizers. Before in- vesting much money in th6m let the grower study his conditions and study the fertilizer. There is a place for them when properly used, but when improperly applied, they fail to give results. They will not take the place of cultivation, and should be looked upon as adjuncts to good general manuring and cultivation. Gro-wing Cxicumbers "My cucumbers are started about April I in six inch pots," said Mr. Geo. Benner, of Burlington, to The Cana- dian Horticulturist recently. "They need very careful watching for the first three weeks, as too much water when the plants are young is sure to cause damping off. The plants should not be set out before May 24, because a slight cold snap so checks them that much time is needed by them to revive from the setback. When transplanted from the pots without disturbing the roots, the plants go right ahead. "I set them out in rows five feet apart and four feet apart in the row. When set in this way the runners can be turned to one side and cultivation be kept up longer one way. They need a rich soil of sandy loam that retains moisture well. "Early White Spine," continued Mr. Benner, "is the best all-round table cucumber. It holds its color well and suits the early market. Last year I let many of my cucumbers' ripen and sup- plied Ontario seedsmen with about 300 pounds of first-class seed." Fertilizer Formulae Frank T. Shutt, M.A., Chemist, Dominion Experimental Farms With rich garden loam, reinforced with well-rotted manure, there is seldom occasion to use fertilizers. In many instances, experiments alone can answer the question if fertilizers are necessary or will prove profitable. In many mar- ket gardens and orchards, however, the soil has become so depleted that special fertilizers are frequently used. Flower beds, and lawns, too, require special applications if satisfactory results are to be obtained. A careful study has shown that the use of the following mix- tures gives satisfactory returns. For general garden crops, including vegetables, small fruits, etc. : Bone meal, IJ parts: superphosphate of Hmc, IJ parts; sulphate of potash, 1 part. This should be applied at the rate of 800 to 1,500 pounds per acre, according to the condition of the soil. Thoroughly in- corporate with the surface soil at the opening of the season. After growth has commenced top dress with 100 pounds of nitrate of soda per acre. If the foliage is yellowish, or the growth lacks vigor, repeat the application of nitrate three weeks later. For flower beds : Bone meal, 4 parts ; sulphate of potash, 1 part. Work well into the soil at the rate of 4 pounds per square rod. During the early part of the season top dress with nitrate of soda at the rate of one-third to two-thirds of a pound per square rod. For lawns : Bone meal, 2 parts ; sup- erphosphate of lime, 2 parts; muriate of potash, 1 part. Apply at the rate of five pounds per square rod. At inter- vals of two to three weeks during the earlier part of the season top dress with nitrate of soda at the rate of half a pound per square rod. TKe Seed Control Act The question of guaranteed seeds is one of great interest to the market gardener. In some sections a few gar- deners beheve that the Seed Control Act passed by the Dominion Government in 1905 protects them against impure seeds, seeds that are not true to name or seeds that do not germinate. The Horticulturist recently wrote to Mr. G. H. Clark, seed commissioner for Canada, asking for particulars regard- ing this bill and its relation to market garden seeds. In return a copy of the Seed Control Act was sent. Section 3 reads: "Any seeds of cereals, grasses, clovers or forage plants," and section 4 refers to "timothy, red clover and alsike seeds," but no provision is made in the bill that will apply to the seeds of any kinds of crops that are gener- ally considered to come under the cate- gory of hoed crops. In answer to questions asked him. Seed Commissioner Clark wrote: "Judg- ing from the development of the guar- antee system in foreign countries, it would seem clear that as soon as there is a sufficiently strong demand on the part of gardeners for seeds of guaran- teed germination qualities, so soon will we have Canadian seed merchants rise to the occasion and cater to those de- mands. As to whether the seed user could secure conviction and damages against the seed merchant, on account of supph'ing seeds not true to name, would depend largely on the contract between them. Seed merchants, as a rule, take every precaution to guard themselves against liability because of such conditions." Spraying is becoming more popular every year and every fruit grower in this section will soon own a sprayer. — (C. P. Bailey. Coldbrook, N.S. !)() THE CANADIAN II () R T 1 C U L T L li 1 S T The Canadian Horlicullurisi Publiahed by The Horticultural PubliKhing Company^, Limited The Only Horticultural Magazine in the Dominion Official Organ of British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and Prince Edward Island Fruit Growers" Associations and of the Ontario Veg- etable Growers' Association H. Bronson Cowan, Editor and Business Manager J. Albert Hand, B.S.A., Associate Editor W. G. Rook, Advertising Manager A. B. CtrrriNO. B.S.A., .SjHiial Ccirnsiiondini I. The Canadian Horticulturist is published the first of every month. J. Subscription Price H.OOa year, strictly in advance. 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 con- tinue to receive The Horticvlturist 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. Change of Address — When a change of address is ordered, both the old and the new addresses must be given. 6. cAdvertising Rates quoted on application. Circu- lation 5,500. Copy received up to the 25th. Responsible representatives wanted in towns and cities. 7. oArticles and Illustrations for publication will be thankfully received by the editor. 8. tAll Communications should be addressed : THE CANADIAN HGRTICULTITRIST 507 and 508 Manning Chambers TORONTO. CANADA THE DOMINION CONFERENCE The t)ominion conference, together with Hon Mr. Fisher's promise to convene similar gather- ings at regular intervals in the future, has opened a new era for the fruit industry of Can- ada. It has injected a national spirit among the fruit growers in the different provinces that has been lacking sadly in the past. The very vastness of this country, of which every Canadian is so proud, has made it impossible for the fruit growers in the various sections of the Dominion to meet together for the consid- eration of matters relating to their interests, that have been of national importance. This has prevented their understanding each other's conditions as thoroughly as was desirable, and in many ways has retarded the development of the fruit industry. Now, all is changed. The recent conference not only brought representative delegations of growers from all parts of Canada into close touch with each other, but served to show them that the interests of the growers in the different provinces, instead of being inimical, are, in the main, identical. The friendly spirit that ani- mated the discussions proved that the dele- gates realized the identity of their interests. It means that in future many matters that hith- erto have been discussed from a sectional view- ixiint will be dealt with in a broader spirit, while the regular lecunence of these confer- ences will make possible more rapid improve- ments in matters i elating to the fruit interests of the Dominion as a whole, than has been the case in the past. So many matters of widespread importance were dealt with, it is impossible, even yet, to fully grasp the effects that will follow from the conference. Possibly the two most im- portant decisions reached were those relating to the adoption of a "fancy" grade for apples, and the defining of a No. 2 apple. The reso- lutions relating to crop reports, railway regu- lations, and the development of foreign mark- ets, however, are also of great importance. It is most unfortunate that [Jiovisjon was 111)1 made for the conference to last at least a full week. Even that time would not have l)ecn sufTicient to have f)etmitte,0()0 were subscrit)eele change^ and improvements, Rxcellent op|K>rtunitie- are offered for educating the |>cople to tin advantages of having streets and i>arks and lawns beautiful, to .say nothing of the wain and sewage systems. The influence for gooti on the children, of parks with their trees and flowers, and birds, cannot l)e overestimated As Mr, McFarland happily jnit it. Park-; cheai)er than i)olicemen." If any ])roof of the excellence of The C DiA.v HoRTicuLTiRisT as an advertising mediuii! is needed it is afforded by the frequent rerpiest- that are received for the [)remiums that an given to readers who buy from our advertisers Here are four received recently: Mr. Philii H. Gardner, of Mitchell, secured a $500 pian- from the Gerhard Heintzman Piano Co., one ol our advertisers; Mr, David M, Rf>ss Iwught S12,2.T worth of nurserv stock from the Smith & Reed Co,, of St. Catharines; .Mr, LeRoy Curtis, of Leamington, purchased $30.40 worth of fertilizers from W. A, Freeman & Co., of Hamilton, and Mr, J, C, Oilman, president of the New Brunswick Fruit Growers" .Association, bought S82 worth of goods from C. W, Van Duzer, of Cirimsby, Each of these gentlemen has been sent a dollar as a premium fcjr buying ', from our advertisers and for teUing thetti that ' they saw their advertisements in The HoRTi- CLLTt'RisT, With such evidences of direct results gained by advertisers who use our columns is it any wonder that our advertising ]5atronage has doubled every year for the last ; four vears!' The directors of the Ontario \egelable Grow- ers' .\s,sociation last month showed that they are wideawake to the interests of their members when they arranged to appoint twenty-five or more paid crop correspondents throughoii' the province, that they may is-sue regulai monthlv crop reports next summer Nothin:; they can do will be as much appreciated In their members as these reix)rts if they art managed properly. No iTian deserves as nuicli cred and well packed. The No. 2 grade has been found inferior. Perhaps a definition for a No. 2 would be a g<»d thing. Toronto Gro-wers* MontHly Meeting Increasing interest is being taken in each suc- cessive meeting held by the Toronto vegetable growers. At a sjiecial meeting on March 17, over 70 members were present. Celery grow- ing was taken up by Mr. Harris, the celery king, of Humber Bay. Messrs. Thos. Courtice, J. McKay, Joseph Rush and George Syme took part in the discussion that followed. The culti- vation of beets was dealt with by Mr. Albert Shuter. Mr. James Stevens, of Todmorden, gave an interesting talk on growing cabbage, and the shortcomings of the present tariff rates. The menjbership of the association has been increased until it is now nearing the 200 mark. This necessitated the election of two more members for the executive board of the pro- vincial association. Messrs. John McKay and Albert Shuter were unanimously chosen. The following corresiwndents were selected to furn- ish crpp reports during the coming season: Messrs. K. Gibbard for the east, Joseph Rush for the west, and Albert Shuter for the north. At the next meeting on April 7, Mr. H. Reid will discuss glass in its relation to outdoor work ; Mr. James Dandridge will take up the growing of early potatoes, and Mr. James Gibbard will deal with early tomato growing. Ne-w Fruit Gro-wers* Associa- tion in SoutHern Ontario A number of fruit growers of the Winona- Grimsby district met in February and organized an association, to be called the Southern Ontario Fruit Growers' Association. The purpose of the new organization is to promote the best cultural methods and, by united effort, to seek to/apply the principles of co-operation in the packing, sale and transportation of their prod- ucts. A resolution was passed to the effect that "the members of the Southern Ontario Fruit Growers' Association desire to express their appreciation of the work done by the Niagara Peninsula United Fruit Growers' Association, but as they realize the difiiculties that the members of that association in this district labor under in attending meetings at such a dis- tance, . they consider that an organization in this district, working in co-operation with the one in the east, would be in the interest of fruit growers in general." The following officers were appointed: Pres., Jonathan Carpenter, Winona; v.-pres., Geo. Awrey, East Hamilton; sec.-treas., E. M. Smith, Winona. It was decided to have as many directors as there shall be sub-organiza- tions having 10 paid rtiembers within its bound- aries for the first director; for the second direc- tor, 30 members; for third director, 60 members; for the fourth director, 100 meml>ers; for the fifth director, 150 members within the sub- organization, and by whom the directors shall Ix; elected. ■ M» wM Meetings have been held at Stoney Creek, Winona, Grimsby, lieamsville and elsewhere, and sub-organizations have been ff)rmed at each of the places. Other sections promise to do likewise l)efore long. The Southern Ont. Fruit Growers' Assn. bids fair tf( liecome one of the strongest and most useful organizations of its kind in Canada. — (A.B.C. claimed by C. W. VanDuzer that the fruit growers themselves were largely to blame for the inferior baskets that were being made. They did not want to jxiy high prices, and the manufacturers vied with each other in pri' ducing cheaj) baskets. TKe BasKet Situation The Hamilton branch of the Vegetable Grow- ers' Assn. held a meeting Sat., Mar. 10, and another on Sat., Mar. 17, to discuss the basket situation. It apjjears that all the basket nifrs. have combined for the purjXKe of advancing and maintaining a fixed price on baskets for the coming season. Prices have been received from most of the mfrs., and they are all the same, namely: 11 qt. fruit ba.skets with ajvers, $42 per M; without cover, $34; (i§ qt. grape baskets with cover, $36 \>er M; without covers, $28; l)erry boxes, $3.30 per M; 24 box crates, $11 per M; Lena covers, $10 per M; wood cov- ers, $G [jer M. These prices are considerably in advance of last year's. On 11 qt. baskets there is an advance of $7 per M, and on 6§ qt. baskets an advance of $4. This is a very serious matter, when consideration is given to the large number of baskets required by the members through this district. If the crop should be as large this season as it was last, the members will have to pay about $25,000 more for their baskets. The growers as yet do not know what to do, but it is expected they will decide to take legal action as against a combine should the manu- facturers not lower their prices. Important Questions Discussed The* newly formed Southern Ontario Fruit Growers' Assn. held an interesting meeting at Grimsby on Mar. 2, Cooperation, quotations by dealers and shippers, transportation facili- ties, and the telephone service were ably dis- cussed by leading members of the assn. In introducing the subject Cooperation in Packing, H. L. Roberts, said that 4 to 10 grow- ers should unite and have their fruit packed in a central packing house by competent men. Then it should be sold direct to the trade or to a local dealer. The telephone question was ably handled by W. H. Brand, H. L. Roberts and S. Culp. It was pointed out that another line is needed between Winona and Jordan, and a committee was appointed to interview the Bell Telephone Co. and see if something could not be done to give a better telephone service between Stoney Creek and Jordan Station. In deaUng with the question of quotations on the various fruit crops, J. A. Livingston pointed out that the fruit business is injured every year and the markets demoralized by dealers under-quoting each other. The gen- eral opinion of the meeting was that the dealers should arrange to give uniform quotations. A committee was appointed to interview the dealers regarding this proposal. Transporta- tion facilities were dealt with by E. D. Smith, M.P., who showed that the express rates are exorbitant, and the freight service practically useless. He compared the freight service given in Ont. with that in Eng. and showed that Canadian ry. cos. could give the Canadian growers much better service if they tried. The light and weak baskets, that are being supplied by most of the basket manufacturers also were referred to. It was pointed out that many baskets went to pieces during transportation, and he urged the members of the assn. to make arrangements with the basket fimis to supply them with better baskets, even though they had to pay a higher price. In reply, it was E-xperiments in Orchard Culture A bulletin on Exijeriments in Orchard Cullui' has l)een prejwred under the direction of Proi Vy. M. Munson, of the Maine Agricultural and Experiment Station. It contains a reiK)rt of wijrk done cm the farm of Mr. Cha.s. S. Popi Manchester, Me., and includes a discussion <' cultivation and mulching as methods of ireai ment for orchard lands; stable manure com pared with concentrated fertilizers; the Fisher formula, orchard renovation, top-grafting of orchards, and the effect of cultivation upon the keeping ([uality of apples. Results in the "renovation orchard" show plainly that with pro];er care and ff>od then need be no "off year," even with the Baldwin.'^ As might be expected, l)etter results were ob- tained from the application of a complete fer- tilizer than from the use of any one or two of its separate components. The severe winter of I904-O injured many trees, but where good cultivation and feeding are practised the trees are rapidly recovering Alx)ut 20 Ben Davis trees which were top- grafted two years ago to Baldwin, Sutton, Jonathan and Spitzenburg, have all made a remarkably strong growth and in some cases fruit buds are developing, but conclusions are not drawn from this work as yet Results of the keeping test indicate that while the color of the fruit from sfxJ -grown trees is unquestionably better than that from cultivated trees, there is very little difference in the actual keeping quality of such fruit. Bulletin 122, giving full details of the work in question, will be sent free upon application to the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station. In writing, please mention this paper. Presents for Our K.eaders Our readers will \x given their choice of the' following i)remiuras, when purchasing goods from our advertisers, if they will tell them that they saw their advertisement in The Canadian Horticulturist: 3 months renewal subscrip- tion to The Horticulturist; 1 Baby Rambler Rose; 1 Herbert Raspberry; 1 Boston Ivy; Book on Strawberry Culture; Collection of 6 Tuberous Begonias; Sweet-scented Calla Bulb; New Grape Vine; New^ Fern Nephrolepsis Pier- soni; Large Size Package " Helen Pierce" Sweet -Pea, new; New Dahlia "Mrs. Roosevelt," new; Book on Bulbs and Bulbous Plants; Book on FertiUzers; Book on Injurious Insects, Plant Diseases and their Remedies; Book on Onion Culture; Book on Tomato Culture ; Book, Your Plants, House and Garden ; Hydrangea panic- ulata grandiflora ; Collection of 3 Canna bulbs; Collection of 6 Garden Vegetable Seeds; Col- lection of 6 Garden Flower Seeds; Collection of 6 Gladioli Bulbs. To the reader purchasing goods to the greatest value from our advertisers in the April issue, we will give a $5 cash prize. It is no trouble to win a prize. Just tell the advertiser . when writing, that you saw their advertisement in The Horticulturist, and then make application at once to The Can.\dian Horticulturist for a premium. Write the Advertising Manager, The Canadian Hortt- cuLTtTRiST, 507-508 Manning Chambers. To- ronto, Ont I would canvass for The HoRTictJLTURisT for two reasons. First, because I believe it to be the best magazine on horticulture I have yet seen, and secondly because it is Canadian, "made in Canada," a text for which I always have a sermon.— (D. C. Crosby, Berwick, N.S. TKe Dominion Fruit Conference Mr. Chaplin, who represented firms in Great Britain interested in the auction sales system, stated it is impossible for British buyers to buy from Canadian dealers all XXX apples, as the Canadian dealers use their XXX apples to sell their inferior trades. When British dealers know that they can get all the XXX apples they want, they will be willing to buy f.o.b. but not until then. This ended the discussion at this point, Mr. Peart's resolution being referred to the resolu- tion committee, and afterwards reported and adopted as here published. THE FRUIT MARKS ACT The liveliest discussions of the conference took place in regard to the proposed amend- ments of the Fruit Marks Act. A resolution was submitted by the resolutions committee, favoring clause 4 in the Fruit Marks Act, being so amended as to require the markings on the packages to be made in letters of not less than a J^-inch in length. The resolution, which read as follows, was adopted: "Every person who by himself, or through the agency of another person, packs fruit in a closed package intended for sale, shall cause the package to be marked in a plain and in- delible manner, in letters not less than J^ an inch in length, before it is taken from the premises where it is packed, etc." The committee also reported in favor of clause C of the Fruit Marks Act being struck out and the following words substituted: "With a designation of the grade of fruit which shall include one of the following four marks: ' Fancv,' 'No. 1,' 'No. 2,' 'No. 3.'" The. effect of this would be to do away with the X, XX, and XXX marking that is now commonly used. Mr. Brodie stated that growers frequently marked their apples XX only to have the dealers mark an additional X on the barrel, after they buy it, without taking the growers' name off the barrel. This leaves the grower open to jjrose- cution for fraudulent marking. Mr. Fisher asked if the shippers would be likely to object to the use of only one grade mark, or if such a change would be likely to affect conditions im the markets to which the apples are shipped. Mr. Graham replied that the trade would tiuickly learn the change and no ill effects should follow. Mr. Parker said that Nova Scotia growers are strongly in favor of such a change. Mr. Fisher explained that when the Act was passed there were a considerable number of people in the habit of using the X marks, and they objected to the use of only one set of marks. It was claimed by Mr. Burrell that growers and dealers in the United States have run the X marks to death, until they mean Ijut little. He thought the time had come when Canadian XX 1 , 2, 3's should mean more than any X X marks that can be used. Mr. Manson reported from Manitoba and Mr. Starr from Nova Scotia that the 1, 2, 3 marks have been used in their jjrovinces for years with great satisfaction. The projjosed change was adopted unanimously. THE "Fancy" grade Another resolution reported by the resolu- tions committee recommended that iection 61 of the Fruit Marks Act, which describes XXX fruit, be amended as follows: "No persons shall sell, or offer, expose, or have in his posses- sion for sale, any fruit jjacked in a closed package, . upon which package is marked any designation which represents such fruit as of fancy quality unless such fruit consists of well-grown specimens of one variety, sound, of uniform size, andjof good color, for the variety, and of normal shape. This brought on a lively discussion, in opening which Mr. Burrell said that in British Columbia the growers feel stronglv that either the XXX (Continued from pag'e 82) grade should be made to consist of nearly per- fect fruit, or there should be a new class created to include such apples. Ontario growers seem afraid that were this done it would relegate practically all their XXX apples to theXX grade. While this might be the case in Ontario, it was not so in British Columbia where they can pro- duce a much larger proportion of perfect fruit. FANCY C.RADE Mr. Robert Hamilton, of the Department of Agriculture, reported that for years he had noticed packages of apples that contained fancy apples that had been packed in a lower grade of fruit. Mr. Eaton said that the Nova Scotia delegation was unanimously in favor of the establishrrent of a grade that would V)e above the usual XXX giade. They would favor calling it No. 1 extra, rather than fancy. Mr. Graham was willing to favor a fancy grade if the apples were to be of a larger size than the usual XXX. He was afraid that as there is not enough apples now, were fancy apples to be placed in a grade by themselves. A. McNeill, Ottawa Chk'fTof the I-niit Division, whose hard work had much to do with the success of the Fruit Conference there would not lie enough good apples left to make a strong XXX grade. Mr. Burrell: "In British Columbia we can put up thoiuands of barrels of what you call XXX apples, with this exception, that they are practically perfect. This being the case we feel that it is only right that we should have a grade for such apples, that we may be able to sell them for what they are worth." Mr. Fisher: "As 1 read the resolution, it means that 'fancy' must con.sist of practically perfect fruit, while the definition of XXX fruit requires that only 90 per cent, shall be perfect." Mr. Grant: "In the Western States, the fruit growers are the most progressive and enterprising in the world, and they force our growers in British Columbia to stay awake nights to study how best to compete with them. We may not be able to beat them, but we are able to hold them. We find we must try to reach perfection. We have thousands of boxes of perfect fruit, and we feel that we should get credit for such fruit, and that there should be a grade for it." Mr. Eaton: "In Nova Scotia we have been in the habit of packing an extra grade of fruit and of calling it No. 1 extra. Our best fruit has been picked out and used in this grade." Mr. Parker: "As I understand the matter, the British Columbia growers make two sizes of their No. 1 as we do in the east. Mr. Boies, the expert from British Columbia who visited Nova Scotia last fall, giaded the apples accord- ing to color and size. We have never gone into it as thoroughly as that, but believe we must if we are to keep up with the rest." Mr. Smith agreed with Mr. Graham that the question of size should be considered, and that fancy apples should be above the normal in size. Mr. Ross: "We Ontario growers appreciate the abihty of our British Columbia friends and their desire to put up a fancy article, but if such a grade is accepted they will practically have a corner on it. (Cries of "No! No!") They have thrown down the gauntlet to us and we are inclined to accept the challenge. (Applause). But if the definition of fancy as contained in the resolution is adopted, it will be a great hardship if a grower is fined because there may be a single apple in the box or barrel that is not fancy. It is practically impossible to pack a box of jjerfect fruit, where growers are troubled with apple scab and codling moth, as they are in Ontario. If I am correctly informed, British Columbia growers are not entirely free from these troubles, and there is no telling how soon their difficulties in this regard will be greatly increased." Mr. Burrell: "We from British Columbia appreciate the remarks of Mr. Ross, but we feel that it would be dangerous to start to lower the grade." (Applause). Mr. Fisher: "It strikes me it would not be wise to put such fancy apples in barrels and that they should be packed only in boxes." (Ap- plause). Mr. Graham: "Mr. Fisher's suggestion is an excellent one. I feel that our No. 1 is going to be our commercial apple, and that if we try to put up fancy apples in barrels they will conflict with our No. 1, but if they are put up in boxes it will be all right." Mr. E. D. Smith: "Were all the fancy apples to be packed in boxes, it would be a great hardship on the big shippers, as they would be forced to send boxes to every orchard they picked, as well as barrels, which would greatly increase the labor and exj^ense." It was pointed out by Mr. Sherrington that the system of having buyers send gangs to the orchards is one that should be discouraged, as all apples should be packed in central ware- houses, so that a unifonn grade can be secured. He was in favor of having fancy apples packed only in boxes, so as to prevent confusion in the minds of packers, many^of whom, even yet, do not know what constitutes a No. 1 grade. He favored the abolition of the auction sales system. Mr. Fisher: "There is no definition of the different grades, except No. 1. If we adopt a fancy grade we will have to define it." Mr. Bunting agreed with Mr. Fisher's sug- gestion regarding packing fancy fruit in boxes. He believed the time is coming when the bulk of the fruit of Ontario will be handled on the co-operative principle. While admiring the enterprise of the British Columbia growers, he doubted their ability to put up such a large proportion of perfect fruit. He believed Mr. Ross voiced the feeling of the Ontario growers, when he sounded a warning in regard to the difficulty of packing nothing but perfect speci- mens. While attending various exhibitions, such as the Pan-American, and the New York State Exhibition, he had carefully examined the fruit exhibited, and although it was sup- posed to be the best fruits the various Statts and Provinces could produce, he did not have much difficulty in finding numerotis specimens 100 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST thai would have dist|uahlif(l such fruits fioiii heiuK considerod as fancy. What is needed, lie thought, is a grade that will he inactical. and not one that will liar out the pnxlucers of Ontario and Quebec from atteinplinK to put on the market any considerable i>ro|)or- lion of fancy fruit. He felt there should lie some elasticity in the definition of fancy, and submitted the following amendment : "No |)erbon shall sell, olTer, exixjsc, or have in his [Kissession for sale any fruit (Kicked in a closed package upon which package is maiked any designatitm which re[iresenls such fruit as of fancy c|uality unless .such fruit consist of well-grown specimens of one variety, sound, of unifonnly large size and good color for the variety, of normal simile, and not less than 9,') i^er cent, free from ,sciib, wormholes, brui.ses and other defects, and proi)erly packed." Messrs. Brodie and Jack, from Quebec, agreed as to the difTicully o'f furnishing nothing but perfect fruil. Mr. l-'isher also referred to how nearly impossible it is to obtain fruit that is free from blemishes, and referred to the difficulty his Department has experienced in gathering such fruit for foreign exhibitions. He claimed, amidst laughter, that the same difficulty had been found even in British Columbia. He suggested that the definition of fancy grade be very strict, but that some very slight latitude be allowed in a general clause of the Act, that would relate to the application of the Act as regards the defin- ition of fancy. Mr. Burrell: "The growers in British Colum- bia are in accord with Mr. Fisher's suggestion. We do not think that we have reached perfec- tion, but we feel that if No. 1 is to have 10 per cent, of defective ajiples, it will not do to have anything less than perfect for fancy." Mr. Graham suggested that the words "in boxes" should be added to Mr. Bunting's amend- ment. Mr. Jones objected to this .suggestion and Mr. Brodie asked why he should be i)re- vented from jjacking fancy apples in barrels if his customers wanted them packed that way. Mr. Hunt claimed such an addition would be a hardship on the growers in provinces where boxes are dear. Mr. Smith said he was strongly opposed to any clause that would enforce grow- ers to pack their fancy fruit in boxes. Mr. McNeill said he had never seen a fancy apple go into a barrel and come out such, and were the inspectors to examine a barrel in which fancy apples are packed, they would have to condemn them, were they to find injured apples. Mr. Bunting consented to adding the words "in boxes" to his amendment, which was done. This ended the discussion Tuesday afternoon on this subject. On Wednesday morning, when the discussion was resumed, Mr. Bunting stated that as it was of the utmost importance that the greatest harmony should prevail, he felt disposed to withdraw his amendment. He was strongly of the opinion that there should be a saving clause somewhere, and he thought that Mr. Fisher's suggestion that this might be included in a clause relating to the enforcement of the Act would be sufficient. He favored fancy fruit being packed in boxes, and claimed that as the trade is likely to move in this direction, it would not be a hardship. He then withdrew his amendment and the original resolution as pre- sented by the resolutions committee was finally adopted with a slight amendment, so that it reads, "that fancy fruit shall consist of well- grown specimens of one variety, sound, of at least normal and uniform size and of good color for the variety, and of normal shape and prop- erly packed." NO. 1 APPLES Another clause in the report of the resolu- tions committee recommended that a sub-sec- tion A shall be added to section 6 of the Fruits Marks Act, as follows; "No person shall sell, or offer, expose or have in his possession for sale, any fruit packed in a closed package upon which package is marked any designation which represents such fruit as of No. 1 quality, unless such fruit consist of well-grown specimens of one \aiicty, .sound, of not less iliaii medium size and of gcunl color for the variety, of nonnal sha|)e and not less than ninety per cent, free from scab, worm-holes, bruises and other de- fects, and properly packed." This was adojited practically without discus sion. This is practically the same definition as has prevailed. NO. 2 APPLES A lively discus.sion took place over the defini tion of the No. 2 a|)ple, as submitted by the resolutions conmiittee and which read as follows: That a sub-section B lie adtled tr) section (>, as follows: "No person shall sell, or offer, or have in his (jossession for sale, any fruit jiacked in a closed ])ackage U|)on which package is marked any designation which represents such fruit as of No, 2 quality, unless such fruit consist of specimens of medium size for the variety, free from worm-holes, except at the blossom end, and free frotu such other defects as cause ma- terial waste, and properly packed." .Mr. l.ick |M>inted out that if any other words besides fancy. No. 1, No. 2, and No. .3, can be placed on packages, it might cause confusion. Harold Jones, Maitland, Ont. (.>nt of the Delegates to the Fruit Conference Mr. Burrell replied that the committee had con- sidered this point and had concluded that these grades would soon establish a position of their own. Were too many definitions placed in the Act, such restrictions would come dangerously near conflicting with private brands. Mr. Fisher: "It is an important question that has been raised by Mr. Lick. The reason the clause in the Act allowing other marks to be put on boxes was inserted was because many grow- ers have private brands for which they have created a demand. It would be a great hard- ship to them were they prevented from using these brands." Mr. Lick contended that it was more important that the interests of the major- ity of growers be protected than the interests of a few. Mr. Fisher pointed out that there is a clause in the Act stating that any marks placed on the packages must not be inconsistent with the standard mark, and that were this clause withdrawn, it would leave the door open for the insertion of private marks on the packages that would not be consistent with the grade of the fruit. Mr. Shepherd said he did not suppose there would be any objection to growers mark- ing the names of their orchards on the packages, and was informed there would not be. In discussing the definition of a No. 2 apple as submitted to the meeting, Mr. Fisher pointed out that there is a limit of 10 per cent, of defective fruit in the No. 1 grade, but no such limit was set in the definition of a Xu. 2. Mr. (,i..;, claimed that the definition of a No. 2 apple : cjuired such apples to fie of nearly as good qu:. ity as No. 1, and suggested that the limit oi defective fruit in the No. 2 grade should be defined and that No. 3 apples should not i exixjrted. It was contended by Mr. Brodie, that if .No ■i aijples could not tie exported, it might Ix- ii hardship on poor jieople who cannot afford to buy the l)est fruit. In reply, Mr. Graham sug- gestee suflTicient, as growers who desired com put their apples on the market as culls. Mr. Mansim: "In the past, we in Manito! have been Imying and paying No. 1 prices i cull apples. We are anxious that the definiti of a No. 2 shall be made more definite. Unii the definition we are considering, it will Ije p- sible for every apple to contain a worm move that not more than 20 i)er cent, shall defective, and that even the defective fruit sli lie well colored and ui good (juality." Mr. Parker: "No. 1 and No. 2 grades ;i- likely to be the standards for Nova Scotia i many years to come and I think it is well tli a more definite standard should be .set i No. 2."^ Mr. E. D. Smith: "I agree that there shoulii be a definition. As No. 1 and No. 2 apples have to be of uniform size, possibly a slightly smaller size, if i)erfecl in other respects, might be allowed. The words ' |)ermitting worm-hole^ in the definition are too comprehensive, think that the clause that permits some deft from fungous diseases, while not permitti: material waste, covers the question about well as possible." Mr. Parker: "We should keep up our ideal Scab develops after the apples are packed and causes trouble. One trouble is that apples may be O.K. when packed, and be«jome defec- tive afterwards." Mr. Manson: "When apples get to Winnipeg there is nothing small about the spot they con- tain." The ■ representative from Alberta claimed that the western buyers are not likely to buy apples that have any more than 20 per cent. of defective fruit. He claimed that some western dealers re|5ack Ontario apples in British Colum- bia boxes. A general discussion followed, in which the fruit inspectors took part, after which .Mr. Pettit moved an amendment to t' definition of the No. 2 apple. It was adoptc practically unanimously, and makes the detii tion of a No. 2 apple read as follows: "No. 2 shall consist of specimens of neai medium size for the variety, and not less tb 80 per cent, free from worm-holes, and fr from such other defects that cause mater: waste, and proiierly packed." ADULTERATION OF FOOD PRODUCTS Following the discussion of the Fruit Mar*.. Act, Tuesday afternoon, Mr. McGill, of the Inland Revenue Department, spoke of the adulteration of food products. He pointed out that the best known adulterants have come into use during the past 50 years, which accounts for the great increase that has taken place in the adulteration of food. He claimed that as man's recuperative power is limited, it is essential that his food shall be wholesome. Every man has the right to know what he is eating, and when food products are put up in packages, the packages should bear statements giving a printed analysis of their contents. Reference was made to the various adulterants commonly used in the manufacture of jams . and jellies, including glucose, and attention was drawn to the results of an investigation conducted by the Dept. during 1904-5, to find to what extent jams and jellies are adulterated. In 1904, 74 samples of jam and jelly were tested. THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 101 inpli»4ing 59 of jam and 15 of jelly. Glucose was found in 49 samples of jam and 6 of jelly; preservatives in 22 of jam and 5 of jelly, and (lyes in 34 of jam and 4 of jelly. In 1905, out of 55 samples tested, 12 were genuine, 43 contained glucose, 11 preservatives, and 18 (lyes. Mr. McGill claimed that adulterants are not lieing used as extensively as formerly and pointed out that whereas glucose was used in 74 per cent, of the samples tested in 1904, ihey were used in only 66 per cent, in 1905. In 1904 the percentage of preservatives used was 36, and in 1905 only 15 per cent. The percentage of dyes used in 1904 was 51 per cent., and in 1905 30 per cent. The results of these investigations are contained in Bulletins 96 and 104. It was stated that jams and jellies are successfully made without preserva- tives. Where they are not used it is a guarantee that nothing but fresh fruits have been used. A general discussion took place in which the view was freely expressed, that if nothing but pure fruits are used in the manufacture of jams and jelHes it will increase their con- sumption and benefit the fruit industry. Mr. McOill said that there is not a preserva- tive known that will not injure the digestion in Iiroportion to the (|uantity of it that is used. Phis ended the discussion, but on the following day the resolutions committee submitted the following resolution which was adopted: "Resolved, that whereas a large percentage of the jams and jellies labelled 'Genuine' or Pure ' that are offered for sale within the Dominion are adulterated; "Whereas the low prices quoted on these articles secure for them a ready sale, to the disadvantage of the pure article; "Whereas the interests of the manufacturers of pure goods, the fruit growers, and consumers are thereby impaired ; "Therefore, be it resolved, that this confer- ence urgently requests the Federal Govern- ment to secure the immediate enforcement of the 'Pure Foods Act,' and that the Act be so amended as to compel the manufacturers of jams and jellies to print their formulas on their labels." TUESDAY evening's SESSION. A public meeting was held Tuesday evening, at which the principal speakers were Hon. Sydney Fisher, who traced the work that has been done by the Dominion Experimental Farms, and what led up to the introduction and adop- tion of the Fruit Marks Act; Sir Frederick Borden, who dealt mainly with fruit conditions in his Province, Nova Scotia, where he has an orchard of 8,000 trees, and by Prof. Jas. W. Robertson, formerly Dominion Commis- sioner of Agriculture. All three speakers gave highly interesting addresses of a general nature. EXHIBITS OF FRUIT ABROAD The making of exhibits of fruit at foreign exhibitions was taken up at the Wednesday morning session, when the resolutions com- mittee submitted the following resolution, which was finally adopted : "Resolved, that the thanks of this conference he tendered to the Minister of Agriculture for aid received from his Department in past years in advertising our products in the United States and abroad, through displays at the various exhibitions that have been held from time to time. We would solicit further aid in continuance of this work, and would suggest that exhibits representing all of the provinces of the Dominion be held at the fall show of the Royal Horticultural Society, England, in 1906, and also at any other shows that may be held in the future, and that are considered of sufficient importance by the Minister of Agriculture. "We would suggest in this connection, that in future the fruit for exhibition pur]X)ses, particularly apples, be gathered in the orchards during the picking season, properly wrapped, packed and placed in cold storage, instead of making selections during the winter months from stock in storage; "And further, that part of each display be exhibited in the packages generally used in carrying such products to the markets." In the discussion of the resolution, Mr. Ross suggested that all exhibits be distinctly Canadian and shown as such. Mr. Fisher replied that this has always been done as it has been found that it causes confusion in the minds of sightseers when they see exhibits from different parts of Canada competing one against the other. They do not seem to realize that the fruit from each province is all a part of the DoiTiinion exhibit. Mr. Palmer: "Our British Columbia growers were very successful with their exhibit at the Royal Show in England. The fruit was picked in the orchards of our best growers. The ship- ment was made in the usual way and upon its arrival in England it had to be stored for 3 or 4 weeks. It was found that, in order to make the best show possible, it was necessary to dis- play the fruit both on plates and in packages. As we grow different kinds of fruit in the dif- ferent provinces of Canada, it seems necessary N. £. Jack, Chateauguay Basin, Que. One of the Delegates to the Fruit Conference that, if each section is to receive proper credit for its exhibits, they must be put up in such a way that sightseers will be able to distinguish what part of Canada they are from. Our growers do not fear competition from other parts of Canada, but we do fear that from the Western States, and we would like to have the people who see the exhibits know that we can grow as good fruit in British Columbia as they can in the Western States." Father Burke: ""How long should the fruit be picked before these exhibitions?" Mr. Fisher: '"About a month." Mr. Fisher explained that the reason the fruit for these exhibitions has not been gathered in the orchards in the past, has been because it was not decided to make the exhibits until after the fruit had been picked. This made it neces- sary for the department to gather the exhibits the best way it could. He promised that atten- tion would be paid to this point in future. EXPERIMENT STATION WORK The work being done by the Depts. of Agri., in the different provinces to encourage fruit production was dealt with at considerable length at the Wed. afternoon session. The subject was introduced by Mr. Tinus Woolverton, of Grimsby, the Sec'y of the Ontarip Fruit Expt. Stations. Mr. Woolverton stated that whereas Ont. had only 4 expt. stations in 1894, the number had increased to 13 in 1904. Ihe ex- penditure connected with these stations amounts to about $3,600 a year. The results of the ex- periments at these stations show what varieties of fruit are best adapted for each part of the province, both for commercial and domestic purposes. The experimenters have formulated black lists for various districts to prevent plant- ers from loss caused by the use of unsuitable varieties. The purchase of a central experi- mental fruit farm has been proposed where all new varieties can be tested. The speaker sug- gested the collation of information gained by the various provinces u]Jon nomenclature of fruits which ought to be uniform for all parts of Canada. Apples essentially the same had dif- ferent names in different provinces. Also as to identification of varieties, fruit growers would be glad of a central office to which they might appeal. The work in N.S. was dealt with by Prof. F. C. Sears. Twenty-eight model orchards have been established, the stock for which is furnished by the Govt. The farmers who look after these orchards furnish 2 acres of land and agree to manage the orchards tmder the direction of the Dept. for 10 years. The idea has been to intro- duce new methods rather than new varieties, although each experimenter is given one or two new varieties to experiment with. At Woif- ville, there is a plot of several acres that is de- voted to experimental work. The work on the whole has been very successful. " Much the same work has Vjeen done in N.B., an account of which was given by Mr. Peters, the de])uty minister of agri. The experiment stations are visited once or twice a year, that the DejJt. may know that its directions are be- ing carried out. In each model orchard, 10 varieties are tested. As a result of the work, one or two varieties that were tried at first have been discarded, including Ben Davis and Rhode Island Greening. The first suffered severely from the cold winters. The varieties that are giving the best results are the Fameuse, Mcin- tosh, Duchess, Wealthy, Milwaukee, Baxter, North Star, Canada Baldwin, Wolf River, and Alexander. The results have been fairly satis- factory. A statement is published each year showing the number of trees set in each section and how they have succeeded. In sections where farmers said it was imjxjssible to raise fruit successfully, these farmers having tried to raise fruit and failed, principally because they did not use the proper methods, these orchards have shown that fruit can be raised. This is likely to lead to a great increase in the amount of fruit produced in the province. A statement of the work done in P.E.I, was made by .Mr. J. C. Ready, sec'y of agri., who stated that in 1902, an experimental fruit or- chard had been established which comprised 7)^ acres. In the same year, 5 experiment sta- tions were established in different sections of the province, which number has since been in- creased to 9. The original intention had been to give instruction in the orchards each year, but this has not been done. This year some varieties of apples from Minnesota are being tried, to see if they will suit the Island con- ditions. For Quebec, a report was presented by Mr. J. C. Chapais, of St. Denis, who stated that ex- periments in fruit growing have been conducted during the past 10 years only. There are some 10 ex|)eriment stations which are doing splendid work in his section, where they used to think fruit could not be grown; they are raising 49 varieties of apples, 27 of jjlums and 12 of cherries.' Each station receives $100 from the Dept. of .Agri., and a report of its experiments is pub- lished by the Dept. The following resolution was submitted and adopted unanimously: "Resolved, that it would be in the best interests of the fruit growers of the Dominion that the horticulturist of the Central Experimental Fann, or other competent officer, should be authorized to collect informa- tion on fruit topics, from the work of the vari- 102 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST ous provinces, whether done by the i)r and it is only fair that the shippers should I . able to apply the same principle to the con. panics. A number of railways are not equipp< . with icing stations. Several pass Ihrou;; sections where apples are shipped in car 1nable cimditions in all bills of lading so that in case of loss through breakage or non-delivery of goods the shipper may recover easily such loss from the ship. "(d) That the Government should hold back part of such subsidy in order to indemnify shippers that may have suffered loss througii the failure of the steamship to sail within a reasonable time after the advertised date of sailing." MARITIME SHIPMENTS The second resolution read: "Resolved, that whereas the export of fruit from the Maritime provinces by sea is not sat- isfactory on account of the slow service pro- vided by the lines now sailing from Halifax to Great Britain, and "Whereas, these lines are subsidized by the Federal Government for amounts that should give a satisfactory service: "Therefore, be it resolved that we ask the Government to combine the two subsidies now paid to two lines in a subsidy to any one line that will give a 12 knot weekly service during the fruit shipping season." Discussion was lead by Mr. Ruddick, who showed what oversight is given by the Dept. to fruit shipments. He submitted copies of in- spectors' reports that showed that the inspect- ors have to report the date of inspection, the temperature of the fruit on the wharf, condi- tion of the apples, name of the shipper, etc This is done at Montreal and also in Gt. Britain after the receipt of the fruit. A sample report of a shipment made last Oct. by the steamship Bavarian, showed that she sailed Oct. 26, con- tained 28,000 bbls. of apples, that the temper- ature in the shed on the wharf had been 60 to 6.5 deg., that the temperature of the apples in the barrels before loading had been 70 to 80 deg. Of these apples 105 lots had been in- spected, of which 20 per cent, had been found to be in bad condition. Many of the apples were scalded, showed scab and were otherwise defective. The temperature in the hold of the ship during the first 3 days of the voyage was 62 deg., and gradually dropped to 51 deg. after the vessel had been out 7 days. At the end of the voyage the temperature was 57 deg. In the cold storage dept. the apples on loading, showed a temperature of 66 deg., which dropped to 40 deg. by the time the vessel 'reached Gt. Britain. Mr Ruddick was asked if reports were taken regarding the shipments from N.S. points, and was told that reports were received but that thermograph records were not kept. Mr. Rud- dick was asked if the Dept. has any control of the temperature maintained in the vessels, and replied that it has not, but that the records of the temperatures on the vessels are filed on the Board of Trade at Montreal, where the ship- pers are able to see them. Where improper temperatures have been maintained the com- panies find it difficult to obtain fiulher ship- ments. "Mr. Fisher was asked by Mr. Eaton if the Govt, intends to have thermographs put in every vessel, and was told that it does. Mr. Eaton asked if figures could be obtained showing the comparative temperatures on the deck and in the hold. This led to a long discussion, the re- sult of which was that the Govt, claimed that efforts on their part had shown that a satisfac- tory record of temperatures on deck cannot be secured. Mr. K. D. Smith wanted to know what guarantee the Govt, has that the cold stor- age machinery on the vessels is hot stopped during the course of the voyage. In reply Mr. Fisher stated that the thermograph records would show any variation in the temperature. In a discussion it was decided that 12 knots an hour would be a satisfactory rate of speed where low temperatures are maintained on the vessels. The resolutions were then carried. ICED CARS FOR FRUIT Mr. Graham submitted a resolution which claimed that as the Govt, furnishes ice for a cer- tain number of cars, used for the export of dairy produce, it should do the same for the fruit growers. He had frequently been told, when he wanted to use these ice cars for his fruit, ihat he could not have them as they were re- served for dairy produce. Mr. Parker rather mischievously said, that as the dairy commis- sioner has charge of the fruit division, he should be able to remedy this matter. A little further discussion resulted in Mr. Fisher promising to extend the same privileges in regard to iced cars to shippers of fruit for export, as are given to shippers of dairy produce. This announcement was heartily applauded . Mr E. D. Smith asked if this would include apples and was told that it would. Mr. Brandrith wanted to know if B.C. growers cannot obtain the same privileges for the inter-provincial trade, as they export but little fruit. Mr. Fisher replied, with a smile, that he would con- sider the matter. MARKS ON PACKAGES The following resolution caused a lively dis- cussion: "Resolved, that all the marks required by the provisions of section 4 of the Fruit Marks Act shall be placed on both ends of closed packages." Mr. Starr said that shippers place their mark on one and consignees on the other end. Were the shippers to be forced to place their marks on both ends it would cause con- fusion. Fruit Inspector Smith said he was in favor of such a resolution as he found that some shippers were not too scrupulous about putting their marks on the end. They would place part on the end and part on the side, making it diffi- cult to find it. When part of the package was removed, the marks disappeared. The resolu- tion finally carried, the word "either" being substituted for the word "both." LEGAL APPLE BOX The following resolution also was carried: "Resolved that the Act legalizing the apple box be so amended as to make the Act apply to internal as well as export trade, but to closed packages only." This was done at the request of the B.C. growers, who pointed out that while the growers in the other provinces conduct an export trade largely, theirs is an inter-provincial trade, and that it is just as important there should be uniformity in boxes for the inter-pro- vincial trade as for the export trade. Mr. Fisher said that such a proposal had been made when the discussion took place in the House of Commons, regarding the standard box, but it had not been adopted owing to the fact that it might interfere with growers who sell apples on their local markets in all sorts of boxes. It was pointed out that as the resolution referred to a closed package only, it would not interfere with this practice. STANDARD APPLE BARREL It looked at first as though it would be dif- ficult to reach an agreement in regard to a standard ajjple barrel, but it was finally decided, practically unanimously, to make the 28 in. barrel the standard for Canada. This action was taken by the adoption of the following resolution: "Whereas a large proportion of the fruits of the Dominion are bought and sold by the barrel, and whereas the size of the barrel varies in the different provinces, leading to con- fusion in price quotations; therefore be it re- solved, that the present barrel, described in Section 4, Chapter 26, Statutes 1901, be made the standard uniform barrel in Canada for ship- ment of fruit and that no other size of closed barrel be allowed after two years. "And further resolved, that this conference recommend the Department of Agriculture to strictly enforce the provisions of the Act relat- ing to the sale of certain commodities (sec. 4 and 5) relating to the size of and uniformity of packages." The description of the barrel as contained in the Act is as follows: "All apples packed in Canada for export for sale by the barrel in closed barrels shall be packed in good and strong barrels of seasoned wood having dimen- sions not less than the follo\ying, namely: 26J4 in, between the heads, inside measure, and a head diameter of 17 in., and a middle diameter of 18J^ ins., representing as nearly as pos-sible 06 (marts." 104 THE CANADIAN II ( ) R T I ( T L T U R I S T A lively discussion umk place regarding llus matter. Sample barrels were broiiglit in and used to illustrate tlie points raised. Telegrams from N.S. were read protesting against the 28 in. barrel being made the standard, although the members of the N.S, delegation were unitedly in favor of such action. Mr. Innis, of CUalliam, representing the largest manufacturers of apple barrels in Canada, spoke at considerable length. He claimed that the manufacturers can supply 28 in. staves more easily than 'M) in. and that the flour trade is changing to the use of 28 in. barrel. He also claimed that the 28 in. barrel is almost universally used in the U.S. Mr. Jack favored the smaller barrel because it more nearly represents the contents of 3 boxes. The Ont. representatives admitted that many grow- ers in Ont. are using a 30in. bbl., for the sake of uniformity, were willing to agree with the other delegations in favor of a standard bbl. of 28 in. Mr. Johnson and Mr. Ross said that the 28 in. bbl. is used almost. exclusively in Southern Ont. Messrs. E. D. Smith and M. S. Schell, both members of Parliament, objected to grow- ers being prevented from using the larger bbl. if they desired, but on a vote being taken on the resolution, it was carried practically unan- mously, only three voting against it. TARIFF ON SUGAR A discussion took place on a resolution in regard to a change in the tariff on sugar, but the resolution was finally withdrawn, when it was found it would likely create a controversy and take up considerable time. Mr. R. Ander- son, of Montreal, s[)oke at some length on this subject and claimed that the sugar manufac- turers in Canada, owing to the tariff protection they receive, make a profit of about $2,000,000 a year over and above a legitimate interest of 7H per cent. FRUIT BASKETS A resolution was introduced regarding the size of fruit baskets. The conference was asked to adopt the same sizes as were recently recom- mended by the growers of the Niagara district, who are the most interested in the matter. This resolution, owing to the lack of time for thorough discussion, was left on the table. THE GERMAN APPLE TRADE Mr. Chapin, of Toronto, read a paper showing the importance of the apple export trade that has developed during the past few years with Germany, and which is seriously threatened by the tariff on apples that will shortly go into force in Germany and which will practically stop the importation of Canadian apples. The delegates felt that the matter was an important one and were in favor of everything possible being done to reach an agreement with the German Govt. Mr. Fisher explained what has led up to the present difficulty and claimed that the Canadian Govt, is willing to consult on this matter with the German Govt, as soon as the latter shows a willingness to do so. FUTURE CONFERENCES A resolution recommending the establishment of a Dominion Pomological Society was adopted, but was later withdrawn when Hon. Mr. Fisher promiised to arrange for future conferences regularly, every two or three years. This promise was received with great enthusiasm. 1D0MINI0N3FRUITJDIVISI0N The only regrettable feature of the confer- ence occurred in connection with the matter of the Fruit Division being under the control of the Dominion Dairy Commissioner. It was caused by what many of those present looked on as a little sharp practice on the part of Hon. Sydney Fisher, who was acting as chair- man when this matter was raised. Ever since the fruit division was placed under the charge of the dairy commissioner the fruit growers of Canada have been dissatisfied, and on Ireiiui-m occasions have made ilieir dissatis- faction known. In spite of explanaliims that have been given by Mr. Fisher for his action, resolutions condemning the arrangement have been passed by several of the provincial fruit growers' associations as well as by numerotis local associations. Hardly had the convention convened before this question was raised privately amonij the delegates. It was known that Hon. .Vlr. I'isher was opposed to making any change, but the growers felt that the matter was of such ira- ])ortance that they should place themselves on record. They pointed out that as this is not a question of the officials now concerned, but one of principle, and that as it is felt the importance of the fruit industry will never be fully recognized until it is accorded a chief of its own, who will be directly responsible to the Minister of Agriculture only, their views on this matter should be made known at the conference. Owing to the many other subjects of im- portance that had to.be con.sidered this matter was not brought up until near the close of the final session, when a resolution was submitted, among several others, by the resolutions com- mittee This resolution read as follows: "Resolved that in the opinion of this con- ference the time has arrived when the horti- cultural interests of the Dominion should be represented ijy a separate division under a chief directly responsible to the Minister of Agriculture." The members of the resolutions committee that brought in this resolution represented all the provinces. It had been agreed quietly among the delegates, that should any discussion on the resolution arise, speakers from different provinces should get up and make the views of their growers known. Before reading this, which was among several other resolutions, Hon. Mr. Fisher announced that, to save time, those resolutions that could be passed without discussion, would be passed, and that any which required discussion would be set to one side and debated later. Several resolutions were passed, and one or two were set to one side for further consideration before this resolution was reached. On reading it to the convention, Hon. Mr. Fisher seemed a little surprised, and immediately set it to one side, among those to be taken up later, with the remark that he had something to say on the subject. These other resolutions were taken up in order and settled, but Mr. Fisher apparently overlooked this one, as instead of reading it he proceeded to bring the conven- tion to a clo.se, by thanking the delegates for their attendance and congratulating them on the success of the conference. This action on his part caused general surprise among the delegates, who had been waiting for this resolu- tion with considerable interest. Some thought that Mr. Fisher had over- looked the resolution unintentionally. It was then after 5 o'clock on the last day of the con- vention and a hasty debate between some of those who had agreed to support the resolution when it was submitted, led to its being decided to let the matter drop, the belief lieing that the resolution, as submitted by the resolutions committee, was sufficient to make their views known to the Dept. The unfortunate part of the incident lies in the fact that subsequent developments give strong reason to believe that the reso- lution was intentionally overlooked by Mr. Fisher, with the object of preventing the growers from having an opportunity to make their views known. This is shown by the fact that when Mr. Fisher handed this resolution to the official stenographer, and to the reporters present, it bore the words at the bottom, "laid on the table, S.F." The resolution was handed to the reporters just as the conference finally closed, and thus must have been noticed by Mr. Fisher. When he wrote on it, that it had been laid on the table, he wrote what was not the case, as the matter had not been dis- cussed liV lltc i-'Jiiivmicc. If the rcMtlulion is published in the official reixirt with these words attached, it will give the impressi(jn that the matter had been erly taken care of. ' It must be grown on sandy soil, well fertilized and built up with cover crops. The tree re- quires regular and systematic pruning; and, above all, the fruit must be well thinned." The ideas of Mr. W. D. Culp, Beamsville, an- other champion of the Longhurst, agree with those of Mr. Brennan, except that Mr. Culp has found better results from trees grown on soil somewhat heavier than sand. Mr. Culp said also: "The Longhurst yields annually, but is inclined to overbear; to get size and quality, it should be well pruned and the fruit thinned every year. The 'fuzz' objected to by most growers disappears as size is developed— a large sized Longhurst is comparatively clean in this respect." PLANTING SWEET CHERRIES. "Most growers use two-year old stock when planting sweet cherries," said Mr. W. H.' Brand, Jordan Station, "but, for an even stand, it is better to plant one-year old trees. On trees two years old, the fine root fibres are too far 106 rHK CANADIAN II OUT F T TILTH R I ST away fniin the crown, and when dug most of them arc cut off; on one-year old trees the fib- rous r(X)ts are close up and can 1)C siived. The l>uds on tree trunlfs of two years' growth have been lieveloped the previous season, and also the trees are too high; and as a consequence, there is no protection against sun scald and un- due evaixjration. The trunks of two-year old trees arc large and too tnuch of a tax on the bruised roots — this can be remedied only in part by pruning back. And furthermore, one- year old trees can be headed at any height de- sired while those of twice the age have heads already formed in the nursery." MELONS FOR MARKBT, Among the many different crops grown by fruit and vegetable men in the vicinity of Ham- ilton are melons, and musk melons in particu- lar. " It is not well for growers to depenTMOUTH BOCKS. The general pli of mating and selection practised by the Wo view Poultry Yards, of London, C)nt., ensuti satisfaction to those who purchase settifl from that source. A neat Ijooklet contain" a description of birds in each of the pens been printed. Matings are made to prodti general utility birds, exhibition males, exhit tion females, etc. Plans for a new horticultural building at Toronto exhibition have been submitted, will be in the form of a cross with a dome centre .50 ft. in diameter. The wings will be 220 ft from extremity to extremity. The four will accomodate respectively fruit, flowers, vege- tables and honey. The cost will be about $70,000. It is expected to have everything in readiness for the show of 1907. THE CANADIANHORTICULTURIST 107 Kr%*^ * He has spent considerable in getting the be> stock and is now being reimbursed by bcin able to sell stock and eggs at a high figuri These facts show that any one who will gii. attention to the details of poultry raisinj;. even in a city back yard, can be successful These exhibitors, and others not mentioned, won the honors over the heads of many oU; breeders hitherto considered invincible. Th; should induce some, who do not keep pure-bred- to secure some at once, and so more thorough!) enjoy poultry keeping. II TKe Herbert Raspberry The Earliest, Hardiest, Finest Flavored. Most Productive Red Raspberry. See Particulars in February Horticulturist. 40c. each; ft.OO dozen; £25.00 per 100 The RenfrewNurseries Company, Limited RENFREW, ONTARIO HOOD, big 'mealy' potatoes can not be produced without a liberal amount of Potash in the fertil- izer— not less than ten per cent. It must be in the form of Sulphate of Potash of highest quality. "Plant Food" and "Truck Farming" are two pnctical books which tell of the success- ful growing of potatoes and the other garden truck — sent free to those who write for them. Address, QERMAN KALI WORKS. 9.T Na.ssau Street, New York, Mortgage Lifting FERTILIZERS ' DO YOU KNOW I I THAT WORN-OUT 'l LANDS MAY BE MADE PRODUCTIVE AND PROFITABLE BY THE JUDICIOUS USE OF THE RIGHT KIND OF, FERTILIZER ? ; NOW IF YOU HAVE A PIE.CE OF LAND THAT WONT GROW ANYTHING I PUT WEEDS, TALK WITH US ABOUT IT AND LET US , ; SUGGEST ' THE RIGHT FERTILIZER: WE FEEL VERY SURE THAT , WE CAN SHOW YOU HOW TO I USE FERTILIZERS WITHOUT GREAT EXPENSE 50 YOUR LAND WILL PAY \ Consult us freely it is ) our business to know v enquiries freely answered ■ agents wamted for territory not taken up "^»tW.A.FREEMAN co. LiMiTCa HAMILTON ONTARIO THE Best are Alw^ays the Cheapest ■>to..'^llL_A_^ I If you want baskets or berry boxes that will carry your fruit safely to the consumer, send your order to C.W.VanDuzer BASKET tTMANUFACTURERi GRIMSBY THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 109 Potatoes $1,250 a Pound ; On account of the potato disease being so prevalent in Gieat Britain for many years, there has been an effort to produce a blight and disease proof potato, as well as a heavy crop- per. The result is the Eldorado, introduced by Mr. A. Findlay. It is owing to the won- derful cropping qualities of this potato, as well as it being a blight and disease resister, that caused the furore in Great Britain the past 3 years, and which has resulted in the highest prices — almost fabulous — ever paid, for any introduction, into the vegetable kingdom, in all time, $7,000 having been paid for 14 pounds in 1903. The Eldorado should be of interest to Cana- dian growers, to whom it is now offered for the first time by Smith Bros, at reasonable prices, considering the great value claimed for this potato. Take note of Smith Bros.' advertise- ment in this issue. LIGHTEN GARDEN WORK The wiidcrfui range uIus'liilneBS nl tii« Iron Aee Garden Imi ItrnienJBhas inadeitpossible t- avoid the b»cV breakintc labor of planting and cultivation a garden in the oldfashluufd way. Write for our MEW IKON AGE BOOK and Jejirn how much y u can liKhun Hie w. rk .-f K»rdeniii>r this year. This book fully Uluitrates and describes the IRON AGE IMPLEMENTS It will tell you how little they coat and how miirh they accomplish. The No. li Tool ihown will plant >nd cover need In hills or drills; woik as » douhle or •Ingle Wheel Hoe; roll. rake, plow or cultivat- ai'y crop in ai » way. Do not faiUo get mir NEW IKON AOE BOOK and learn more about these wonderlul tools. FREE on application. BATEMAN MFG. CO., Box 516, Grenloch, N.J. DrhhfJnd >iJV Toronto, Can. 8lnsle Wheel . iloe, lllll I •nd I>rlU I kHueder SPRAY, SPRAY, SPRAY your trees for the Codling Moth and All Leaf Eating Insects with the Best and Safest Poison which Is Swift's Arsenate of Lead IT WILL NOT BURN AND IT STICKS MADE ONLY BY THE Merrimac Chemical Co.^ 33 Broad St., Boston, Mass. I SELL Trees, Roses, Plants and Vines Evergreen Trees a Specialty Write for Price List A W.GRAHAM. St. Thomas. Ont. Transplanted Maple Trees For sale in quantity, from 10 to 14 ft. high, 1 in. to 2y^ in. in diameter, in large or small quantities. Price on Application. SCRIM'S Otta Ont. Write for tree booklet. INSIST OH HAVING SWIFT'S. MARCHMENTS Sure Growth COMPOST Supplied to all the largest nurserymen and fruit growers in Ontario. Shipments made by car or boat. Prices reasonable. S. W. MARCHMENT 19 QUEEN ST. EAST, TORONTO Telephone Main 2841 Residence Park 951 THERE MAY BE OTHER NURSERY STOCK JUST AS GOOD BUT THERE IS NONE SO GOOD FOR THE MONEY The Helderleigh Nursery stock is the standard of Canada, and our prices com- pare favorably with that asked for inferior stock of other nurseries. April is our busy month but your order will receive the prompt attention which has made our nurseries popular among the growers. Perfect stock, true to name. Prompt delivery. Fruit trees, shrubs for lawns, climbers, etc. Send today for catalogue. ^ Helderleigh Nurseries E. D. SMITH, WINONA, ONT. JAPANESE IRIS (IIRIS KAEMPFERI) These magnificent Iris are among the most beau- tiful of our summer flow- ering plants, and are be- comingmore popular every season. They com- mence blooming about the middle of June, and con- tinue for five or six weeks. Many of these flowers measure from 10 to 12 inches in diameter, and rival the Orchids in their rich colorings and mark- ings. While the Iris suc- ceeds in almost any soil and conditions, they de- light in a rich, deep, moist position and should be abundantly, supplied with manure and water Named Varieties— Price 20o each, 3 for 50c, doz. $2.00. Mixed Varieties — Strong roots 15c each, 3 for 40c, doz. $1.50 IRIS CERMANICA — German Irises are certainly unparalleled for beauty; nothing i crc;ition can vie with them unless the orchids from the tropics. Every shade of color may be foimd among them, and they will thrive in almost any soil without any care whatever. Strong roots 10c each. 3 for 25C. doz. 800. J. A. SIMMERS SEEDS TORONTO BULBS PLANTS ONTARIO Money Given Free to People who buy Goods from Advertisers in this Issue. See Notice in. Advertising Columns. 110 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST Items of Interest The indiscriniinate shipment of small, wormy and unstileahli- ai)i)lcs to ManitoUi has led the consumers to ask the health authorities of that province for protection against such fruit. It is proiXKcd that the same course he adopted in Manitolia that is in vogue in British ColumWa where fruit similar to much 6f that received in Manitoba is dumped into the river or the ocean. Bad weather jirevented a lar({e turnout of vegetable growers at the monthly meeting of the Toronto branch on Mar. 3. Prof. Harc-ourt, of the O.A.C., Guelph, was present and offered to cooperate with the growers around Toronto in carrying on experiments with different fertil- izers'for the different garden crops. Over 20 growers agreed to undertake experiments under the direction of Prof. Harcourt. As none of the regular speakers were present the discussion of the questions that were to be taken up was postponed until Mar. 17. A report of this meet- ing appears on another page. The members of the Brantford branch of the Ont. Vegetable Growers' Assn. was held on Mar. 15. An instructive paper on Cabbage Growing was given by R. J. Taylor, who discussed the best cultivation and the treatment of the various diseases. A general disciission followed. The question of selUng cabbage by the jjound was dealt with also, but nothing definite was out- lined. The executive will try to have one of the professors from the O.A.C. deliver an address at the next meeting. In some of the leading fruit sections of the U.S., where weather conditions are of vital im- portance to the fruit grower, the Weather Bureau is endeavoring to warn the growers as to the weather probabilities by means of whistle signals. The various conditions of temperature and of storms is to be signalled by a set code of long and short blasts on the whistle. The members of the Ont. Fruit Growers' Assn. are progressing favorably in their efforts to form cooperative assns. D. Johnson, of Forest, and Inspector Gifford, of Meaford, re- cently held meetings at Simcoe, IngersoU and Orillia. At each place they were successful in forming the nucleus of what promises to be a strong assn. At Simcoe, J. E. Johnson has taken up the work and the prospects are bright for a live assn. Organization work at IngersoU is being looked after by J. C. Harris, while J. Ryerson and R. A. Lehmann have charge of the work at OriUia. At the annual meeting of the Niagara District Fruit Growers' Stock Co., Ltd., held in Grimsby recently, the following biaard of directors were elected: R. Thompson, W. H. Bunting and J. H. Broderick, of St. Catharines; A. M. Hons- berger, of Jordan, and Murray Pettit, of Winona. Some of the members thought that the day of the company's usefulness in taking the place of commission merchants has passed and advised that the fruits be purchased in the orchard or at the railway station, and shipped on quota- tion to regular agents or dealers. The leading orchardists of Belleville District, after hearing A. E. Sherrington, of Walkerton, and P. J. Carey, of Toronto, explain the bene- fits to be derived from cooperative assns., at a meeting held on March 16, for the purpose of organizing, formed a strong organization and will handle the crop through this assn. this year. On March 8, the Fruit Division, Department of Agriculture, received word of the following convictions under the Fruit Marks Act: John Coyle and Robert Coyle, jr., of Colbome, plead- ed guilty to falsely marking 19 bbls. of apples "No. 1," the apples being inferior to that grade. They were fined $1 a bbl. and costs. Robert Coyle, jr., also pleaded guilty as packer of these apples and was fined $5 and costs. This is the fifth time that members of the firm of J. & R. Coyle have been convicted under the Fruit Marks Act. The following resolution was passed at a meet- ing held March 15, at Belleville: "Moved by F. S. Wallbridge and seconded by Henry Leav- ers that we, the members of the Belleville Dis- trict Fruit Growers' Assn. desire to express our conviction that it is in the best interests of tli<- Fruit Industry of Canada that the industry should be placed under a Fruit Commissiorer instead of, as at present, imder the Dairy Com- mis,sioner, as the Fruit Industry is of sufficient importance to have a Commissioner of its own." .Mr. T. Delworth, of Weston, has been endeav- oring lately to form branches of the Ont. Vege- table Growers' Assn. at Napanee, Kingston and Ottawa. It is exjiected strong assns. will be formed at each ix)int. Branches are likely to be foimed shortly at London and Strathroy. FARTHER NORTH. "U W the Kghteat aad ilran«eit kouie imiginible.' HALL & ROBINSON. MfMtmL P. Q. NORTH Tlw tdxot ud BM perfect greenhouse cMMtrudioD ytt attempted. Beit crop ot beautic* I ever hftd. J. K DUNLOP. Tamlft, Om. NEW EINCLAND. 'No ituile in my Dew Kotue, cxop it k record breaket.' ' J A. LONG. EAST. *So well pjea«ed with all points, we iolend to build more d them.' C. MATTHEWS. Ctmt Nak N. Y. CENTRAL 'Lichtest house on the pUce, strong as a bridge.' W. J. PAUPER kSON. Bii(.l«. N. Y. K TOKUWANIk*. N.T. TO«oivnx oiyT. CX). GREENHOUSE CX)NSTRlJCnON AND EOUIPMENT - WMTg ro« CATALOCmt U)D ntlCM Permanent structures best and cheapest to build, Venti.atins. heating and all other accessories for ffreenhouse equipment. For catalogues and iiarticulart apply to The King Construction Co. 32 Church Street, Toronto FAR WEST. •Ahes trip East la SM al coQslnictialu am ordering yours. Best in every way.* C K HOPKINI Kaal. WiA. WEST. *Tbey ase perfect in 9rtgj way." C F. MALER. DaHT.CUa. This TRADE-MARK Insures THE BURPEE QUALITY of s or Vines, send for our 1906 Catalogue — just out. THE DOMINION NURSERIES BSTABLISRBD i860 Tlie Smith & Reed Co. St. Catharines, Ont. ANNOUNCEMENT.— For the purpose of dem- onstrating the ability of "Target Brand Scale Destroyer" to kill San Jose Scale and yet do no damage to trees, I will furnish 2 gals, (enough for one 32 gal. bbl. of solution) f.o.b., Jordan Station, gratis to a limited number of applicants throughout Canada. I desire to have these tests made on infested trees not included in an area larger than can be thoroughly covered with one bbl. of mixture — want no other in- fested trees near by. Would be pleased to receive information regarding such spots from those who have sufficient interest in the ex- termination of this pest to see that these ap- plications are made as instructed. Guaranteed to do no damage to trees. Kills 99 per cent, of scale. "Target Brand Arsenate of Lead" beats all in extermination of codling moth and other insects, and remains in suspension, and stays on. W. H. Brand, Jordan Station, Ont., Canadian Distributor. FACTORY IN CANADA.— The Niagara Gas Sprayer Co. has made extensive sales in Canada during the past few years and has decided to establish a factory near St. Catharines to supply their Canadian customers. . The factory at Middleport, N.Y., recently has been running night and day. A carload of machines has been shipped to Portland, Oregon, and some of these will be forwarded to British Columbia. The Ont. Government has purchased one for experimental work. About 20 of the machines in use in Canada have been taken back to the factory and equipped with new fittings and made equal to the 1906 machines. THIRTY-SIXTH CATALOG.— The 1906 seed catalog issued by Wra. Ewing & Co., of Mon- treal, contains a full list of the leading varieties of seeds, plants, and bulbs used by florists, gardeners and farmers, as well as tools and other sundries handled by seedsmen. Direc- tions for growing the various garden crops, for making hot beds and other valuable informa- tion is given. Every gardener and fiower lover should secure a copy. The special collections offered are particularly good value for the money. IT BROUGHT RESULTS— Mr. W. H. Bunting, of St. Catharines, wrote us recently as follows: " Kindly withdraw my advertisement of the Gold Coin Potato, as I am all sold out. Orders came in with a rush a few days after the March number of The Horticulturist was out. I received many enquiries for my strawberry plants also. You may continue my strawberry advertisement. I consider The Horticulturist an excellent medium for reaching the best class of buyers. LARGE PURCHASES. -Recognizing the desir- able qualities of the crimson red canna, Mrs. Wm. F. Kasting, listed by Wm. F. Kasting, of Buffalo, Park Commissioner Chambers of To- ronto has secured a large quantity for use in Toronto parks this season. This brilliant canna stands almost 4 ft. high, and is very prolific. Florists prize it highly for conserva- tory decorations. At the World's Fair in 1904 it was awarded a gold medal. THOSE DESIRING GRAPE VINES and cur- rant bushes will find the stock supplied by Mr. Joseph Tweddle, of Fruitland, gives entire satisfaction. Mr. Tweddle has grown stock for some of the leading nurserymen for 28 years. Reports from the leading nurseries in the Niagara district indicate that the stock has wintered well. The Pelham Nursery Company intimate that never in the history of their business have the season's prospects been better than this year. Their agent reports very satis- factory sales from all districts, and their stock is in the very best condition. Classified Advertisemenls Advertisements under this heading will be inserted at the rate of ten cents per line, each insertion ; minimum charge fifty cents in advance. I ANDSCAPE GARDENING, PLANS FOR •'-' PARKS, cemeteries, public and private pleasiu-e grounds made. Drawings made to a scale, so that any gardener may carry them out. Correspondence solicited. Chas. Ernest Wooi,- VERTON, Landscape Designer, Grimsby. V^ANTED — Persons to grow Mushrooms for ** us in waste spaces or barns, in gardens, orchards or small farms. $15 to $25 per week. Send stamp for sixteen-page illustrated booklet on Mushroom Culture and full particulars. MoNTRBAi, Supply Co., Montreal. pOR SALE— Old estabhshed tree nursery. Large connection and profits. Easy terms. Best sandy loam. Apply Thompson, 17 Queen St., St. Catharines. Also profitable fruit farms for sale on easy terms. pHANCE OF A LIFETIME— Well-established ^^ Florist business. Greenhouses, House and Stable, for sale cheap. Apply 25 Triller Ave., Toronto. OVER TEN MmiON QRAPE VINES Are annually propagated at I'redonia, N.Y. The soil and climate here are such that better vines are pro- duced than anywhere else, and at less expense. I will mail two sample Vines for 10c. and an interesting and instructive pamphlet ''B) free. LEWIS ROESCH, Fredonia, N.Y. 152 PAGES— READY NOW FREE, Write or Call Vaughan's Seed Store 6^ S6ficrn M. FIRRY A CO., Wnndaor, Ont. A Best for Bntter Windsor Salt will make money for you in two ways. It makes better butter — richer, tastier. As it d solves quickly, and works in easily and evenly. It cuts down your salt bills, because it is absolutely pure, and requires LESS to properly season the butter. * The first trial will prove this. Your dealer has Windsor Salt or will get it for yon. Windsor SALTV Baby Rambler III bluoiii all •uiitiiici PLANTING TIME will soon be here. Have you placed your order forTrecs, Vines, Shrubs, t-tc? Do not delay. Kcmfmljer, we can sup- ply your wants at a rcasfmablc price. For street, lawn or orchard. See fret catalogue for verity and prices. Choice Seed Potatoes, etc. Bargains in Apple Trees for March. Write us 26th yenr. A. G. HULL ca, SON CENTRAL NURSERY, ST. CATHARINES, ONT. Jolin B. SmitK &" Sons Limited Cor, Strachan and Wellington Aves. TORONTO li JoiBSwiTti^SoNS, LIMITED. \ TORONTO /^ ) SASH BAR ( ALL WOODWORK. FOR GREENHOUSE \CONSTRUCTION/ Manufacturers . . of . . LUMBER |LATH SHINGLES DOORS SASH BLINDS SILOS, ETC. Clear Cypress for Greenhouse Work Northern Grown Trees , Apple. Pear, I'lum. Clierry. Peach. Nut and Or- namental Trees. SmalJ Fruits. Roses, Shrubs, cheap. Specialties: Wismer's Dessert Apple and Mammoth Prolific Dewberry. Send for Free Catalogue — it tells the whole story NURSERYMAN PORT ELGIN. ONT. J. H. WISMER, GET OUR CATALOGUE OF RUBBER STAMPS AND STENCILS THE SUPERIOR MFG. CO. 68 ADELAIDE ST. VU. TORONTO. THE UNDERWOOD The Underwood ^TT" Tried and True." Don't take our ^1 word for it. We arc prejudiced. Ji We can show you the Cnderwood, how it works and what it will do, but for the Most Convincing Argument you will have to ask any of the 5,500 users in Canada. More OnderwocKl Typewrffers are in use in Canada than all other makes Combined. We carry a large stock of rebuilt typewriters at very low prices. Send for Catalogue and List. Headquartbrs for Supplies UNITED TYPEWRITER CO. TORONTO, ONT. ■-"■"ed Baskets "V/c are Headquarters for all kinds of Splint Baskets VENEER supplied for the pro- tection of trees from mice during winter FRUIT PACKAGES A Specialty- SEND FOR OXJR PRICES THE OAKYILLE BASKET CO. OAKVILLE, ONTARIO Small Fruit Plants Gooseberry, Red, White — Currants, Red White, Black— Raspberry, Red, Yellow- Blackberries — Strawberry-Raspberry — Grapevines, Campbell's Early, Eaton, Worden, Moore's Early, [Salem, etc, all hardy sorts — Strawberry Plants — House Plants— Roses— Rhubarb and Asparagus Roots — Order early. WM. FLEMING NURSERYMAN P.O. Box 54 OWEN SOUND, ONT. Money Given Free to People who '.buy Goods from Advertisers in this Issue. See Notice in Advertising Column. The Canadian Horticultunst Vol. XXIX MAY, 1906 No. 6 Fruit Should be Consigned Direct to Retailers Now that' Canadian fruit growers are beginning to cooperate, more attention is being given to the marketing end of the fruit industry than ever before. The result is that growers are finding that there is a host of middle- men, both on this and on the other side of the Atlantic, who have been absorb- ing the greater part of the price paid for the fruit by the consumers. The re- turns that ultimately reach the growers are, after all, astonishingly small when compared with the price for which the fruit is finally sold in Great Britain. Growers should receive cash for their fruit before it leaves their hands. In- vestigation shows that the most foolish practice is the shipment of fruit to deal- ers in Great Britain to be sold on com- mission. While, probably, the great majority of the dealers are honest, many are not, and these men rob the growers right and left. Cases of this kind have come to light nearer home, at Winnipeg, for instance, and even in Toronto, the good. The various cooperative fruit growers' associations in Ontario have had no difficulty sclHng their fruit for cash f .o.b. Most of them could have sold several times the amount of apples they did had they had them. ' ' One buyer offered to purchase 50,000 barrels of apples from us last year," said Mr. D. Johnson, of the Forest Association, to The Horti- culturist, recently, "and we could have sold 100,000 barrels had we had them." Remarks to the same effect have been made to The Horticulturist by offi- cers of most of the other cooperative associations in the province. This shows that when growers cooperate and are able to offer fruit, properly graded, in considerable quantities, they will be able to sell it readily for cash and at satisfactory prices. The cooperative associations should now carry their work a step farther by eliminating the middlemen in Great Britain and selling direct to the retailers or groups of retailers. Not only are Canadian growers beginning to realize the need for action in this direction, but the British retailers are awaking to the fact that they can increase their profits greatly by dealing direct with the Can- adian producers. Evidenc of this is afforded by several letters that are in the possession of The Horticulturist that were sent to Mr. A. E- Sherrington, of Walkerton, the well-known manager of the Walkerton Fruit Growers' Asso- ciation, by leading retailers in different cities in Great Britain. One of these letters, from a fruiterer and florist in Liverpool, shows clearly how the British retailers are waking up and beginning to endeavor to order their fruit direct from the Canadian growers. This letter reads in part as follows: — "I think it would be much better if the grower could send his apples direct to the retail man, as I have sometimes paid 12 to 60 cents a barrel profit to the wholesale merchants in addition to the wholesale charges that they had to pay to the auctioneer. You will see, there- XKe Best Without being asked, I wish to state that I think the April number of The Canadian Horticulturist is the best edition of any horticul- tural paper that has ever been published in the Dominion of Canada. G. C. CrEELMAN, Pres. Ont. Agri. Coll., Guelph. fore, that there is a lot of profit made out of the fruit between the time it leaves the grower and the time it reaches the retailer. I ordered only 40 boxes from you but I am using about 30 barrels a week. I have bought this morning XXX Greenings from Brighton, Ont., for which I had to pay four dollars each. Barrels of Baldwins also cost four dol- lars, while some barrels of Kings cost five dollars and fifty cents. How do these prices compare with those the Canadian growers probably received for this fruit? I fee! sure that if I can get the apples direct so much cheaper, a big demand will be created for them and I shall be only too pleased to do busi- ness with you whenever vou can get the right quaUty of stuff." Another letter is from a firm in an in land city in England asking for 200 bar- rels of XXX Baldwins, subject to gov- ernment inspection. A third letter was written by a firm in Leicester and reads as follows: — - "Will you please quote me for 25, 50, 100 and 200 barrels of apples f.o.b., and rate to Liverpool. I want to induce our local retail fruiterers' association to buy direct from the growers. I will place your reply before the committee as soon as I receive it." These letters show what a splendid opening there is for our fruit growers to deal direct with the retailers in Great Britain, if they will only recognize their opportunity. In regard to the first let- ter, growers will realize that if the apples sold for four dollars a barrel to the re- tailers in Great Britain, the middlemen must have pocketed $1.25 to $1.50 on each barrel, as the prices paid the grow- ers this year for XXX fruit ranged from $1.25 to $1.50 a barrel. If to this is added $1.25 for railway, shipping and similar charges, and that is a reasonable allowance, there is left $1.25 to $1.50 a barrel. Most, if not all, of this could be saved were our growers to ship direct to the retailers. unsatisfactory features Last fall Mr. Sherrington spent a number of weeks in Great Britain, dur- ing which period he made it a point to watch the manner in which Canadian fruit is handled and to talk with retail- ers in regard to direct shipments. His trip has convinced him that Canadian fruit growers lose large sums of money every year by having their fruit sold on commission. He is of the opinion, also, that were a representative of the grow- ers to visit the retailers he could work up a demand sufficient to absorb all the XXX fruit packed in Ontario. In a recent letter to The Canadian Horticulturist, Mr. Sherrington speaks olainly on a number of these points. After referring to the many benefits that would follow were our fruit growers to sell their fruit through local cooperative associations, Mr. Sherrington says: — "Last, but by no means least, the fruit should be sold f.o.b. at the packing house, for why, in the name of common sense, should fruit growers send their fruit to anv man, or firm of men, to dis- pose of as he or they please? Are there any other products of the farm that are 114 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST marketed or treated in the same man- ner as the products of our orchards? "What we need is more cooperaticjn among Canadian growers and the retail merchants and the consumers in Kurope. If the retail merchants of lutrope were interviewed, a large trade could be worked up direct between the growers and the retailers and consumers. It is c()m])uled that Canadian apple growers are p.aying away unnecessarily, on the other side, in market dues, tolls, port- erage, cartage and cataloguing 5500,000 to $750,000 yearly, and not only un- necessarily, but for the privilege of sending our goods to one or two centres only for distributicm, to their disadvan- tage. The time is not far distant, how- ever, when the growers will wake up to this fact, and, also, to the fact that there may be other and better methods of distribution all ready to their hand be- side the auction channels of London and Liverpool. "Who are the customers of the auc- tioneers in these cities? Why cannot we ship our goods to them direct? These are questions that growers everywhere in Canada, and in other countries too, are asking themselves. The selling of fruit by auction has a great many attendant evils where there are competing firms, imless one of them has the monopoly of the article sold, which is possible sorae- limes, or the exclusive right to the at- tendance of buyers, which is never pos- sible. The fruit auctioneer, like every other human being who has to work for liis living, is naturally looking out for himself, first and last, and in his hurry to get rich he is not always the far-see- ing and wise individual he might be. vSometimes he injures the very people he would protect, did he but stop to think for a moment. Kor instance, I am told the following is a common practice amongst certain fruit auctioneers. When one has got to sell 3,000 barrels of Can adian apples on a certain day, and noti fies his clients of the fact by printed bill, and by notice on a large slate placed near his auction stand, a rival firm, who desire to lower their op]X)nent's prices, also advertises a like quantity, although they may not have any to sell. In this way buyers arc drawn away from the real .sale who are given plausible ex- cuses by the second firm when they find it has no apples to sell. In this way the price of the fruit is kept down and a man does not need to be told what this means to the grower. Such work as this leads to retaliation by the first firm and the injury to the trade is thus extended. "The apple crop of Canada is fast as- suming enormous proportions. Our Cooperation in tKe Annapolis Valley* James H. Tvipper, Round HiU, N.S. THE only way fruit can be handled satisfactorily is by cooperation. The cooperative movement is bound to result in great financial gain to or- chardists. The fruit industry naturally divides into two parts or sections: First, that of production, and second, that of market- ing. It is one thing to grow fruit suc- cessfully, but it is another to market it successfully. Production has to do with planting the trees, caring for the orchard and picking the fruit; market- ing has to do with preparing for the market, carriage to the market, and selling in the market. We can suc- cessfully deal with the former individ- ually, but not so the latter. Every farmer can attend to his own orchard, and with the information he can get from agricultural colleges, ex- perimental farms, agricultural papers, model orchards and successful orchard- ists, he should be able to produce the best fruit at the least cost. Each man can cultivate, fertilize, prune and spray his orchard separately and in a certain sense independent of his neighbor, but he should cooperate with his brother farmers to obtain a uniform package, the best and cheapest transportation ♦Read at -the last annual convention of the Nova Scotia Fruit Growers' Association. service and the best method of dis- posing of his stock. Cooperation among fruit growers should have three aims or objects — cooperation in transportation, in pack- ing, and in selling. To cooperate in transportation the fruit would have to be collected from the growers, loaded on steamers and delivered at the point of shipment. Each operation would need to be done in the most systematic and business-like way. To do this would require organization, and to organize properly we should commence at the inside and build outward. If we are to cooperate successfully in Nova Scotia, it will be necessary to have the whole Annapolis Valley, or as much of it as possible, organized. It is better, for purposes of interior econ- omy, that this organization should con- sist of a number of smaller societies working independently bilt under one general management, rather than to have one large association covering the whole district. The plan already fol- lowed is to form a branch society at each shipping point, or in each locality where it is thought best, and to elect officers consisting of a president, sec- retary and treasurer. The duties of the secretary and the treasurer would be to record the min- utes of the meetings and receive any monies for fees or collections that might be made. The duties of the president would be to look after the apples in that district, notify the farmers when to ship, order cars, attend to the load- ing and billing of the same, and per- form duties similar to the middlemen or shippers of to-day. Delegates could be appointed from these branches to - choose a manager. The presidents would form a directing committee to assist and advise the manager in the general direction of the business. The duty of the manager would be to receive the apples at the point of shipment, take all necessary precau- tions against frost, look after loading and consigning, and attend to the business generally at his end of the line. He would be expected also to g^ve the members all the information he could in respect to markets, crops and prices, to make the best sales pos- sible, receive and hand the orders over to the presidents, and work entirely for the interests of the grower. Each association would be incorjX)r- ated and empowered to make rules and by-laws governing its members. The line of responsibility would run from the grower to the manager. The pres- ident would hold each member in his population is not increasing with suflfi cient rapiditj' to be able to consume the fruit, and consequently the British mar- ket must receive each year much in- creased quantities. The jjroblem we have to face is how to market the fruit to the best advantage. There are signs that growers arc becoming more keenlv alive to their interests, and that thev have a desire to get into more direct touch with the consumer and thus secure for themselves more economic distrihu tion than the present wasteful auction systems of London and Liverpecies as well, as the bacteria may be carried from tree to tree by bees and other insects. Con- stant care and watchfulness are essential, and the fruit grower whose trees are af- lected should lose no time and spare no pains in instituting vigorous measures for the eradication of the disease. Hardy Wild Flow^ers for tKe Garden WE are now at the time of the year when flower lovers gravitate to the woods, to visit the haunts of the hepatica, the blood-root, the spring beauty, the trillium, and others. How delightful is this annual pilgrimage to look on these early "earth-born blos- soms," in the midst of their native surroundings, and see the annual mir- acle of awakening plant life! With what loving tenderness and admiration we gaze on them when found! How carefully we pick a few of these earliest of the wonderful train which will A. yVIexander, Hamilton, Ont. stretch through the coming months, so that those at home may also see and admire! The desire to have these beauties around our homes is therefore natural, and in the case of many of them, it is quite feasible and will yield genuine delight for years. The right time to transfer these wild lings from their native woods to the garden is not when they are in bloom, but when their year's growth is perfected, which, in the case of those named in this article, will be near the end of July. Of course, care will be taken bv all in- Hr. Alexander's Specimens of Hepatica triloba telligeni Iomi^ ui wild lloucis, inji in be reckless in digging up so many as to practically exterminate them in an) one locality, where they have been known and looked for, bvold and young, for generations. Nevertheless, all who have room in their gardens should, by all means, tr> a few of these harbingers of spring and early summer, for in our homes there is always one or more not able to go to the woods to see them. Most of these beauties delight in a soil with plenty of rotted leaves or humus in it, and nearly all of them ike a partial shade. The accompanying illustrations arc from photographs of plants growing in my garden last spring and summer. HEP.VTICA triloba The first of these that I would recom- mend is the well-known, hepatica, He- patica triloba, or the Anemone Hepatica of some botanists. This, I consider, is the earliest flower, after the skunk cabbage, to turn its face heavenward. This plant is found in the woods of Can- ada throughout a very wide area. .A.mong dead leaves and undergrowth, of the past year, it forms dense patches with its own rusty lookiiig leaves which have remained over the winter, I sup- pose as a protection to the young and bold 'flower buds. The new leaves are not formed imtil later; in fact, not until the flowers are all gone. Hence the wisdom of not moving the plant until this leaf growth is completed. Its flowers are faintly fragrant and are blue, pink, white or purple in color. ^Although, necessarily, the hepaticas must lose some of their charm when taken awaj' from their woodland retreat THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 119 Trillium Grandiflorum in Mr. Alexander's Garden they are still excellent in cultivation, and their foliage is attractive at all times. It is best to plant them in groups of from 6 to 10 plants if possible, where they will not be disturbed. SANGUINARIA CANADENSIS , The next plant I would commend, as deserving a place in the garden, is the blood-root, Sanguinaria Cana- densis. This flower has the purest white color of any plant known. Each flower comes out of the cold, moist earth wrapped securely in its own pale green leaf, and this leaf is not unrolled until the flower is strong enough to bear the light and winds. The flower falls apart so easily that when in full bloom it will scarcely hear Iransporta tion, but with a touch the stem stands naked — a bare, gold-tipped sceptre, amid drifts of snow. It is one of the most shy of wild plants, easily banished from its locality by any invasion, but it takes to the garden with the most perfect readiness, doubles its size, blos- soms earlier, repudiates its love of water I 1 ..M « -'9m' ' * 1. Anemone Pennsylvanica and flaunts its great leaves in its unnatural confinement. I have two colonies of this flower in my garden, planted about 15 years ago, and it has increased both by ordinary increase of the roots, and by seed, and in a dry and sandy soil, the very opposite of that in which it seems to thrive best in a wild state. It seems throughout a con- tradiction, the purest white flower, from a root so bloody red, that the Indians use it for staining their baskets; and it was used in old times for staining their faces. CLAYTONIA VIRGINICA The wild flower I would next speak of is the spring beauty, Claytonia Vtr- ginica. This plant has a tenderness and delicacy of expression that is very charming. It is very delicate, and as soon as picked it fades. I have had it blooming in a shady nook of a rockery for years. It rises from the ground by a stem like a thread, connected with a tuber about the size of a pea several inches below the surface. The color of the flower is a pale pink with deeper colored veins. It is the Indian Mis- kodecd, and was said to have been left behind when mighty Peboan, the Win ter, was melted by the breath of Spring. Unlike most of the early wild flowers it bears its blossoms in clusters, and opens in succession each white and pink- veined bell. It grows in moist places, and prolongs its career from the middle of April to the end of May. TRILUUM GRANDIFLORUM The white trillium, sometimes called the wood lily, is so well known that little need be said about it. Too much can- not, however, be said about its peculiar adaptability to the perennial flower border. If the tubers are dug up in late summer, or early fall, and planted in soil as recommended above, a good crop of flowers will delight you. The next spring, and year after year, they will increase in number and size. A single tuber planted many years ago near a cedar hedge has so increased that last year there was a dense cluster of 10 flowers. All these early wild flowers are most satisfactory when several are planted in a group. In a circular space of, say, two feet in diam- eter, 10 or 12 tubers might be planted. In a few years these would appear as shown in the illustration, which is reproduced from one of several groups in the garden. ANEMONE THALICTROIDES Another very sweet little flower is the Rue anemone, which is found growing around the roots of large trees in open woods, and often in com- pany with the wood anemone or wind, flower. Anemone nemorosa. Unlike its companion which bears only one flower, the Rue Anemone has a cluster of flowers at the top of a slender stem, with a whorl of leaves under them like the leaves of meadow rue. Its root is a cluster of small tubers, and looks like a very miniature dahlia root. ANEMONE PENNSYLVANICA The Fennsylvanian anemone is a very common one, and is found growing at the borders of woods, and on the sides of railway embankments and ditches. It is usually found in patches, and forms a very showy addition to the hardy garden. It spreads by underground runners, and if allowed will soon mon- opolize .the surrounding area. It con- tinues to bloom for two or three weeks, and is a very striking object. The cut represents only a section of the mass, all from a single root planted a few years ago. It requires no looking after except to keep it within due bounds. All the above, if planted as indicated, will be a source of pleasure for years to those interested, and will be admired bv all flower lovers. It is not diflScult to start them and very Httle work is en- tailed in looking after them. Spring Beauty Charming' Display TKrougKout the Season FOR a succession of bloom from early spring until late fall it would be diflicult to obtain a better efTect than appears in the beautiful garden of Mr. M. vSpencer Case, (jf Hamilton. Dili- gent and intelligent work throughout the year results in an attractive lloral pan- orama from March 15 until October, livery inch of space is made use of, and by studying the season of bulbs and various perennials a perfect succession is maintained from the time the snow- drops and crocuses appear until Jack Frost nips off the hardiest perennials in the fall. "In early spring," said Mr. Case to a representative of The Horticulturist who called on him, "snowdrops arc the first to appear. Then Scilla Siberica comes along. After these about 2,500 crocuses of different color make a bril- liant display. Over 400 hyacinths are done blooming by the end of May. Narcissus and tulips, too, are in evi- dence from late April until early June. ' ' Perennials of different kinds, includ- ing columbines, oriental poppies, globe flowers and Lilium candidum come in during June. Altogether, there are about 450 varieties of roses, many of which have been imported from Ire- land. Climbers decorate the fences and verandas. The crimson rambler and many kinds of clematis produce a bril- liant effect during June. In July gladi- oli of all shades and Lilium aratum are most in evidence. Lilium speciosum and a second crop of gladioli brighten the garden in August. I make four plantings of the gladiolus bulbs, the first early in May, and the succeeding plantings at intervals of 15 days. They are put in amongst the shrubbery and roses about four inches deep, wherever a space as large as a silver dollar is left, and in this way bloom is had from the last of July until the middle of October. "1 do not pay attention to annuals," continued Mr. Case, "because they die down too frequently and leave too many bare places. The perennials, when estab- lished, are there to stay. If I had more space I might have some of the annuals as well." CULTURAL METHODS "In the fall," remarked Mr. Case, "I apply a mulch of straw about six inches deep as soon as the ground freezes. I have tried many kinds of mulch but prefer the straw to leaves, manure or other mulches frequently used. The objection to many mulches is that they mat down closely after heavy rains and hold the heat that is being given off by the earth, so that the bulbs are induced to grow. When growth is started prematurely the bulbs die again underneath the mulch and become blanched. I have seen beds of bulbs that were covered with leaves, where growth was induced in this way, and when the mulch was removed early in March, new leaves four inches long were lying flat along the ground. With Mr. Case's Tulip and Hyacinth Display last May the straw this growth pushes its way straight up, and when the mulch is re- moved growth continues. Manure, be- sides being t(x; heating, is objectionable on account of the unsightly appearance and disagreeable odors. "When the straw mulch is removed in March I put on a sprinkhngof pow- dered sheep manure and bone meal. A surface dressing is all that can be given, because the bulbs are so close together that no digging can be practised. The sheep manure and bone meal contain nitrogen and phosphates, and the rains wash these fertiUzing substances into the soil readily. In April I fork around the rose bushes and loosen the earth wherever I can. When the foliage ap- pears in May I look out for the rose caterpillar which is very troublesome in my garden. The only way to con- quer it is to pick it off. The aphis can be held in check by spraying with nico- tine and whale-oil soap. If the fight is begun in time three sprayings suffice for the season. I use about a table- spoonful of nicotine and one-quarter pound of whale-oil soap to three gallons of water. As the aphis have to be killed by contact, special care must be taken to apply it to the under sides of the leaves where the aphis collect. Paris green is liable to kill the foliage on roses. Helebore is the best poisc«i to use for those insects which eat the leaves. It is just as effective as Paris green and does not do any damage to the plants. "Mildew appears now and again, the date of first appearance depending on the season. It^ sometimes attacks the rose bushes in July, while other seasons it does not appear until much later. Pow- dered sulphur dusted on the plants gives satisfactory results. If the mildew has not obtained too firm a footing it will at least check the disease. In case this fungus is w-ell established it is advisable to cut off the branches that are most affected and bum them. The condi- tions that result in rapid development of this trouble are cold, damp weather with sudden changes to warmer tem- perature. During July and August there is not much to look after except watering and keeping the weeds and other objection- able growths from amongst the flowers. In September, Lilium candidum should be planted. In October crocuses, tulips, hyacinths, etc., should be put in. These bulbs can be secured from any reUable seed house, and may be planted around the edges of the beds or under the shrubbery. A rich soil is not required, because sufficient food is stored in the bulb to support it until it is matured. Lilium aratum does not thrive well in a strong soil. This bulb is a failure 130 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 121 with many growers because they treat it too well, It seems to grow quickly until about 8 or 10 inches high when it _is in rich soil, but then the leaves die "iown before any bloom is given. Most pf the other lihums, however, do well moderately rich soil. "Bulbs should not be covered too irly in the fall. I generally put on a lulch about November 20, or after the round is frozen hard enough to carry person. If covered before the frost fs in the ground growth starts and the tops become heated. When this occurs they do not mature satisfactorily." SPARROWS DESTROY CROCUS "Sparrows," said Mr. Case, "seem to be very fond of yellow crocuses, but they do not attack those of any other color. I have experimented by sprink- ling bitter aloes on the bloom, and this has worked to perfection. The spar- rows would pick at the bloom, but then step back and shake their heads and wipe their bills and fly away. Before I appHed this remedy they had destroy- ed the petals of many of my best speci- mens. They seemed to want to get at the very heart of the flower. I Hke to harbor sparrows around my place, be- cause they pick up many insects on the roses and other plants, but Hke many other beneficial animals, they have their faults. A mere sprinkling of powdered aloes on the petals of the Roses and Lilies in the same garden in July crocuses, however, prevents them from doing any damage to these plants. The aloes can be applied readily with a small blower." The accompanying illustrations of Mr. Case's garden give but a faint idea of what can be done with flowers by an in- dustrious business man who has suffi- cient love for nature's beauties to spend a short time each day in his garden. Hew to Succeed wtK Roses No collection of shrubs and flowers is complete without a few roses. Many gardeners plant a few of the common varieties, but lack of care and want of proper soil and attention results in a poor showing after they are in the garden a very few years. The rose-bed must be specially prepared, and the soil should be rich and mellow. Many of the varie- ties are tender, and will not thrive in northerly latitudes. Some of the half- hardy specimens can be grown with success if special protection is given to Ihcm during the winter. Special care, however, must be exercised in selecting varieties for planting in the different localities. At Tillsonburg, Mr. Geo. W. Tillson has had a fine display of roses for many years. "In preparing a place for planting my roses," said Mr. Tillson to The Canadian Horticulturist, "I dug a bed 12 or 14 inches deep and carted the soil away. This was filled with a mixture of one- third cow manure, one-third rich soil from underneath a rich sod pasture, and one-third rich sandy soil from an old garden. In this way a permanent bed was made, and the quality of the roses can be maintained for many years. Fresh fertiUzers are not required every season. I had a circular bed eight feet in diameter, and a rectangular one 40 by 4 feet. The roses did well in these beds for four years. A dressing of coarse manure from the horse stable was put on each fall. "With the average grower hybrid roses give the greatest satisfaction. They do not need so much manure, and will give better results with less atten- tion. Tea roses require liquid manure, and soon play out. The hardy per- petuals run out in four to six years, and if planted in rich, well-prepared soil, they will last for that length of time without any special fertiHzer. When they begin to deteriorate the bushes should be torn out and burned. No rose grower should be without some of the ramblers. Both the yellow and the crimson do well, but the yellow varieties need more protection from the cold. In cold sections it would be as well to confine the selection to crimson rambler and some of the best hardy perpctuals. La France is one of the most beautiful hybrid tea roses, and will endure more cold than most others of that class. "In bu3dng a collection, unless special care is taken in the selection, and unless the purchasers know what varieties will succeed well in that locality, it will be found that almost 50% will be lost dur- ing the winter. For this reason it is well to buy in large lots and get a few more than are required to fill the space. They should be secured from some reputable greenhouse man who under- stands the propagation and handling of roses. I bought most of mine from The Webster Floral Co., of Hamilton, and was well satisfied. I would not recom- mend amateurs to try propagating them at home, because this work should be left to an expert, and an amateur would not save enough to repay him for his labor. Hardy perpetuals average only about 75 cents for a good bush, while the teas and hybrid teas can be had at 10 to 25 cents each, according to age. The ramblers can be had at even a lower rate." PRUNING AND PROTECTION "In pruning," remarked Mr. Tillson, "my plan has been to cut oflf close in the fall, and cover the bed with light, strawv manure. I usually cut off the canes to about 12 to 16 inches long after 122 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST Roses as Grown in the Garden of Mr. W. G. Black, of Ottawa the first hard frost conies. When trim- med in this way the tip always dies back about four to six inches. Tea roses have withstood the temperatures of mild win- ters without any protection, and have come out in the spring in good condi- tion. These and the ramblers require pruning only to give shapely appear- ance. The ramblers, as a rule, cease to give number one bloom after two years, but it is such a strong grower that plenty of new wood comes each year to allow the old wood to be cut out. In this way the best of the new wood can be left each season . ' ' With the tea roses a vigorous growth of wood and foliage cannot be produced without causing an abundance of bloom. For this reason the plants belonging to this class require an enormous amount of fertilizers. In some of my beds I have made a small trench around each bush, and applied about a pint of liquid manure each day. If well fed in this way both the quality and the color of the bloom are much improved. "For protecting tea roses the bushes should be set 12 to 14 inches apart. In the fall the beds should be boarded around with boards about 12 inches wide. Straw should be put in around the plants and also over the top of slats placed over the top to prevent the snow from weighing down too heavily on the roses. itThe slats also keep the straw from ■ being packed down tightly. I usually fill in the straw even with the lop of the boards. All "of the best blofjmers suitable for garden culture will stand the average Canadian winter with such protection. This mulch should be removed in the spring after the heavy frosts are over. I usually take the cov ering off about the time garden opera- tions commence. It is not wise to un cover the bushes too early." ROSE ENEMIES ' ' Roses," continued Mr. Tillson, huvi some insect enemies that are verj' difh cult to fight. The rose chaffer and th( aphis, or green fly, are very troublesome every season. In my garden I have no trouble with fungous diseases. For the chaffer nothing but hand picking is effective. They attack only the bios som, and would spoil a bloom before a poison had taken effect, even if the strongest poison were used in great quantities. I frequently have picked a pint or more of these pests at noon, and by six o'clock as many more had ap peared on the bushes. They do not bother roses that are not fragrant. Thi more perfume a rose gives the more serious is the trouble from these pests. I have never seen these insects on the rambler roses. The aphis can be suc- cessfully combatted with kerosene emul- sion or with tobacco water." Horticultural Societies and tKe Children HORTICULTURAL societies can make their efforts count for much in beautifying the town or city home surroundings, but for engendering a love for plants and flowers no more v-alu- able step can be taken than to distribute seeds and plants among the school children. Several societies in Ontario have done this during recent years, and many purpose doing so for 1906. Through the children the parents and friends are interested. Pleasure given the child, gives pleasure to the parent; and although it may appear that the labor and trouble along these lines with young people may not be resulting in as much good as we think they should, in the majority of cases it is time well spent for the society as well as for the children. Some of the best ways of accomplish- ing this work have been outlined for The Horticulturist by Mr. Wm. Hunt, of the Ontario Agricultural Col- lege, Guelpli, who has started and helped many horticultural societies in this work. ' First of all try to interest the govern- • ing bodies of the city, town or munici- pality and school boards in the work," writes Mr. Hunt. "Above all, get the school teachers interested. I have never yet seen a failure in an}- class or school where the teacher or teachers were in- terested. No better medium for this purpose can be found than by a few enthusiastic and tactical members of horticultural societies getting in touch with the teachers and securing them as members of the local society. This done, the remaining work is compara- tively easy as they will cooperate with the members of the society and bring all their persuasive influence to bear on the members of the school board so as to get united and interested action. "With the introduction of nature study, school gardening, etc., in the curriculum of our schools as at present decided, by the way, an introduction that should have the endorsation of every true Canadian who has the truest and best future interests of our grand country at heart — it should be no dif- ficult matter to interest school boards and school teachers in this work. While lecturing to classes of school teachers from all parts of the Dominion, who are taking a course in nature study, school- gardening, etc., on the culture of plants and flowers, I have been more than de- lighted at the close interest shown in the lectures' and in the practical demon- strations. Those who wish to begin in this good work, should confine them selves at first to something simple and easy of whatever form it may take, so that the young plant grower can attain some degree of success at the first at- tempt. 'Nothing succeeds like success,' and b}' giving the young people some-#j thing to do that they can succeed with,*' it will encourage and stimulate them to attempt still greater achievements, whilst on the other hand the attempting of anything too elaborate might end only in disappointment, failure, and perhaps disheartenment. "Another point is to endeavor to issue with the seeds, plants, etc., dis tributed, a printed bulletin or paper, giving implicit and detailed instructions THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 123 as to culture and care of ihe same. This method intensifies the interest and awakens in the scholar the idea of being closely obser- ant as to results, one of e principal factors neces- ^ry to success, and one that helps materially from all points of view. Ksai brantford's good work Excellent work of this nature has been done by the society at Brantford, Ont. It is described in a recent letter t.o The Horti- cuLTURisTby Sec. R.Walter Brooks, whose letter reads as follows : ' ' Our society, in 1903, held an exhibition of fruit, flowers and vege- tables which was a failure, financially. "In 1905 we distributed about 6,000 packages of seeds, including asters, scabiosa, verbena, salpig- lossis and Phlox drum- mondi. A package of each was given toanypupildesiringthem. The exhibition took place in the fall, when we distributed about 125 plants and 500 hyacinths as prizes. Every exhibitor who did not get a plant was given a bulb. It was one of the most success- ful exhibitions ever held here, although we made no charge for anything. "This year we are starting out on the same lines, but more extended. The seeds selected are asters, scabiosa, verbena, zinnia and nasturtium. We did not consider that the children were successful with phlox and salpiglossis, hence the change. We have 8,775 packages ready for distribution this year. These include one-ounce of asters, 150 packets with 100 seeds per package; one ounce of verbenas, 220 packets with 60 seeds per package; one ounce of scabiosa, 200 packets with 25 seeds per package; one pound of nasturtium, 355 packets with 10 seeds per package; one punce of zinnia, 140 packets with 25 seeds per package. "Papers have been distributed to the public and separate schools asking for the names of all those desiring seeds. I have 1,407 names from the public schools. The separate schools have not returned theirs yet. The officers and teachers of the schools render us all the assistance possible in getting the names and distributing the seeds." siMCOE children interested In the town of vSimcoe. Ont., the hor- ticultural society considers its work among the school children about the most valuable it undertakes. The chair- man of the committee having charge of this work, Mr. Henry Johnson, has written The Horticulturist as fol- Returns from One Season's Work with School Children lows: "We commenced giving seeds to the children of our public schools in 1904, giving them that year, asters, nasturtiums and pansies. In the fall we had an exhibition, but did not offer prizes. There were 125 entries. The understanding was that only flowers grown from seeds given by- the society should be shown. "Last year we distributed the same kinds of seeds, but the children were told that flowers grown from any other seeds might compete as well. Our show was held in September and was a great success. There were 440 entries made by about 125 pupils. We had as high as 30 entries in a section, and judging was quite a task. Prizes to the value of $50 or $60 were awarded. They con- sisted of bulbs, seeds, plants a'nd garden literature, donated by some of our mem- bers. Prizes were won by 54 children, some of them getting several. "This year we gave them asters, phlox, verbenas and zinnias. About 230 of the pupils of the public school asked for seeds and we gave them about 650 packets. We bought only the best seed, got it at wholesale and put it in packets ourselves. The direct benefits from the distribution of seeds to the children in this way are apparent." Tomatoes on Sod Land W. C. McCalla, St. Catharines We are considering planting tomatoes on a' piece of new ground, sandy loam, which has not been plowed for 15 years. Will tomatoes do well on such land, if it is ])lowed early and cul- tivated?—(Subscriber, Collingwood. 1 would advise you not to attempt to grow tomatoes this year on such land. Had the old sod been plowed last fall, a large amount of work this spring with disk and drag harrows might put it into fair shape for to- matoes. I would, however, much pre- fer to give a heavy dressing of manure, plant corn this year, and it would then be in fine condition for tomatoes in 1907. I BULB DEPARTMENT | ^^ Questions ans-wered by W* V Mr. Herman Simmers w oa|^ nM%>« OM%>« /-M%>> />.4'^|>> Bulbs for Spring Planting' What common bulbs should be planted in the spring? What soil conditions are most desir- able, and at what time of the season should they be planted? In what month or months do spring-planted bulbs bloom? — Subscriber, Owen Sound. There are a number under this head. We will include cornis, rhizomes, tubers, etc., in case Subscriber may not be aware of the exact term. All the bulb- ous appearing plants when dry have the appearance of bulbs, and this leads many people to think they are actually bulbs, whereas the actual botanical dif- ference is very great, although the results are somewhat the same. To answer this question I will simply call them all bulbs, as is the usual custom. The list includes: Tuberous rooted begonias, double and single flowering, amarylHs.cannas, dahlias, gladioli, liliums, caladiums, callas, gloxinias, hyacinths, candicans, tuberoses, oxalis, tigridias. In most cases the soil conditions are a well enriched sandy loam. The time of planting should be April and May. The flowering period continues from lulv until frost takes them ofT. Eastern Ontario Vegetable Groovers Organize HAVING spent a fiw days among market gardeners in some of the leading vegetable growing sections of Ivastcm Ontario for the ])urpose of organizing branches of the Ontario Vegetable Growers' Association, a brief outline of my trip may be of interest. Associations were formed at Ottawa, Kingston and Napanee. I arrived at Napanee on March 23 and hunted up the vegetable growers. There are not many market gardeners here, but there are a large number of farmers engaged in growing vegetables for the canning factory. These men I found to be nursing a very sore griev- ance. The canning factory has been running only one season, and I was in- formed that about the middle of the tomato season, at the heaviest picking, the factory refused to accept deUvery. These growers had no other outlet for their crop. One grower told me he turned his cows into his tomato patch; others allowed them to rot on the ground. I believe the factory people claim that since it was their first season their plant was in a partly unfinished state, and the crop came in faster than they could handle it. This year, with a completed plant and better equip- ment, they expect no trouble. How- ever, the loss last year seems to have fallen entirely on the growers (as usual), their contracts with the factory appar- ently allowing them no redress, and it is not surprising that some of them are feeling disgusted. I met a number of the growers at the town hall, and after talking matters over and explaining the objects of the Ontario Vegetable Growers' Association, they organized a branch and elected Mr. Vandebogart president; Mr. Thompson vice-president, and E. M. Sherman secretary-treasurer. At Kingston I found that several were engaged in market gardening, growing vegetables for the Kingston market. Almost all decided to come in with us. I held two meetings to discuss the matter with them. At the second, for which Mayor Mowat, of Kingston, very kindly permitted us the use of his private office in the city build- ings, a branch association was formed, with Robt. Bushell, of Wilhamsburg, president; Richard Baiden, of Ports- mouth, vice-president, and C. H. Adair, of Cataraqui, secretary-treasurer. Ottawa came next in order for organ- ization. The growers have plenty of greenhouses. I visited several of them, including those of Robt. Bailey and H. C. Fentteman, of Ottawa South, and Frank Williams, of Billings Bridge. Mr. Fentteman was cutting cucumbers. White Spine, March 29. He showed me an arrangement of angle iron on his Thomas Del-worth, "Weston. Ontario greenhouse plate for the bottom pane of glass to butt against, preventing splitting by ice, that 1 consider an ex- cellent device. At Mr. Williams' I saw the largest greenhouse devoted to growing lettuce I had seen since leaving Toronto. He has a large house, 40 x 150 feet, and two others slightly smaller. The large house and one of the smaller ones are in lettuce, and the other devoted to bedding plants. The lettuce is Grand Rapids grown, mostly on solid benches, producing a first-class article. Mr. Williams is a noted grower of the famous Montreal Nutmeg melon — that aristocrat among melons that so many have tried in vain to produce satisfactorily. He kindly explained to me his system of handling them ; first starting the plants in berry boxes in the greenhouse, then setting them out in the field and putting cold frames over them until settled warm weather, then removing the frames and letting them run. Some of these melons are sold in Ottawa and some shipped to the U.S., and some to Toronto, selUng for about four times the price of our local-grown melons. I am not an expert melon grower, but my own impression is that the extraordinary quality in flavor for which these melons are so famous is more a matter of soil and location than variety or method of culture, though the latter probably have something to do with it. Before leaving Ottawa we held a meeting in the Market Hall, at which a branch association was formed, with Mr. Williams president; Mr. Fentteman vice-president, and T. Mockett, of Billings Bridge, secretary-treasurer. From Ottawa I went to Montreal, Mr. Williams, the newly-elected presi- dent of th^ Ottawa branch, accompany- ing me. While in Ottawa I met Mr. Monk, M.P. for Jacques Cartier, who, with his usual kindness and courtesy, gave me a letter of introduction to Mr. Camille L€gar6, Cote des Neiges, Mon- treal, one of the largest growers of greenhouse vegetables in Canada. His greenhouses were a revelation. I had heard of them at home, but "the half had not been told." Mr. L^gar6 was away when we arrived, but his son showed us around the place. The first range of houses we entered comprised 13, each 20 by 125 feet, built en bloc. The outside walls were about seven feet high, centre gutters about the same from the ground, allow- ing free and open passage from house to house, \}4 inch pipe puriins and supports, and one inch pipe cross-ties connected with the purHns by Ts, and drawn together in the centre by R and H couplings, preventing spreading and J avoiding the necessity of ridge supports. Hot water heating, overhead flow, prin- cipally 3}4 and 4 inch is used, with underbench returns mostly two inch. Ventilators at the ridge are mostly King apparatus. Two of these houses were filled with parsley; two were devoted to flowers, chiefly carnations; one or two were filled' with watercress, radish, etc. The rest, or fully half the range, were in lettuce, .some on raised and some on solid benches. Everything looked fine. The next range, comprising two houses, 50 by 200 feet, and 50 by 250 feet, re- spectively, was entirely devoted to let- tuce, all grown on solid benches or, more correctly speaking, no benches at all. The crop was simply planted on the J level ground. These immense houses are built end to end, allowing them to be detached at the sides, the walls being built high enough to allow of a row of sash ventilators being built in them. A row of large ventilators at the ridge completed the ventilating arrangements, those at the ridge being operated by an apparatus worked by an endless wire cable. The lettuce grown in these houses is Grand Rapids, planted about seven inches apart. Some of it was being cut and packed while we were there. It was about 15 or 16 inches high, with large, heavy heads, quality excellent in every way, selling, I believe, for 60 to 80 cents per dozen wholesale in Mon- treal. As we were finishing our inspection Mr. L^gard returned and gave us a very cordial welcome. The main object of our visit to Montreal was to induce the Montreal and Quebec growers to form an association for themselves on some- what the same lines as ours in Ontario. We discussed the matter with Mr. L^- gar6 at length, and he was confident that something can be done in the matter about September. Getting back to general discussion again, Mr. L^gar^ informed us that he planned to erect about 25,000 feet more glass this summer, and as Mr. Williams is planning a new range of houses, too. we were very soon all knee deep in a discussion of different methods of con- struction. The concensus of opinion seems to be that while raised benches mav suit very well for winter months, yet, to produce a first-class article of head let- tuce, even of the Grand Rapids variety, solid ones are much the best. At each of the points I visited the growers showed great interest in the work that is being done by the Ontario Vegetable Growers' Association, and were surprised to hear what the association already has accomplished. THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 125 Ornamental Beds of Hardy Grasses HAVING had several letters from readers of The Horticulturist, enquiring as to the best varieties )f hardy grasses to plant in beds on the wn and the position in which they ould be placed, I submit the follow- ing: The varieties mentioned should be planted in circles, one around the other, and having a common centre, the whole making a round bed. Num- bering the circles from the outer edge, or grass margin, the distances apart for large or small gardens for good results would be as follows: No. one is six inches from the grass margin and planted thick to form a mat. No. two is eight inches from No. one and planted six inches apart in the row. No. three is eight inches from No. two and planted six to eight inches asunder in the row. No. four is 10 inches from No. three and planted six to eight inches apart in the row. No. five is 12 inches from No. four and planted eight inches apart in the row. The centre plant will cover two feet in diameter. Thymus vulgaris coccinius may be planted in No. one. This plant forms into a dense mat or cushion, and is covered with scarlet sweet-scented flowers during the summer. It holds its foliage during the winter, and turns to a beautiful bronze purple color on the approach of cold weather. The second row I would make almost white. To get this color plant it with Poa trivalis alba vittata, a beautiful, hardy, variegated grass that grows about four inches high. Clip the flower stalk off. The third row or ring plant with Armeria, va. ccESpitosa sea (Pink,Thrift). It forms dense cushions of green or grass-like leaves, and throws up numer- ous wiry stems all summer, producing bright rose-colored flowers. The fourth row or circle I would plant with Festuca glauca, Fescue Grass. This is often grown as an ornamental grass in conservatories, and few know what a grand bedding plant it is. It is as hardy as an oak tree, and has bluish- green leaves. It grows about six inches high. The fifth row plant with Arrenathe- rum bulbosum folia variegata. It is a pretty, bright, variegated grass, grow- ing in tufts, one to two feet high, and quite hardy; not common. The sixth, or centre, should be planted with Eulalia Japonica zebrina (zebra grass), named zebra on account of the yellow stripes or bars across the leaves. This plant grows to five feet high, and is the best of the Eulalias, of which there are a number of varieties, natives of Japan. The above arrangement makes a verv ornamental bed. Vegetable Diseases THE CANADIAN HORTICUL- TURIST has obtained the follow- ing information from Professor Lochhead, of Guelph.in regard to several jjoints debated at recent meetings of the Toronto Branch of The Ontario Vegetable Growers' Association. ONION SMUT This is one of the most widespread diseases of onions, and every year does a great deal of damage. In every case it is well to practise a rotation of crops, for smut spores may live several years in the ground. Where possible and practicable the transplanting of the seedlings of onions will bring about a crop that is smut-free. It has been found that the young plants are at- tacked during the early part of their seedling stage soon after they germinate, and if the seedlings can be grown in soil that is smut-free there is very little risk of their being inoculated after being trans- planted. Many growers of onions, however, object to the transplanting idea and maintain that it would not pay. Never- theless, some of the New York onion growers have taken to transplanting and find that it does pay in bigger yields and in little smut. The New York Experiment Station obtained very successful results by spraying a mixture of sulphur and air-slaked lime in the drills with the seeds. They used 100 pounds of sulphur and 50 pounds of air- slaked lime per acre. This material was sprinkled in the rows along with the seed and very successful results were secured. CORN SMUT Corn smut may remain for several years in the soil and when present is liable to infect young corn plants. It differs from the smuts of wheat, rye and oats in that any portion of the young corn plant can be inoculated at any age where growing tissues are present. While it may be of advantage to treat seed corn with formalin before planting, such treatment will not prevent the smutting of corn. As it is impossible to spray the young corn plants for the prevention of this, the only thing left to the grower is to remove the boils of smut as they ap- pear, and destroy them. Careful atten- tion along this line from year to year, and a rotation of crops will do much to lessen the ravages of this trouble. THE BLACK SPOT ON BEANS Bean anthracnose appears first as small dark spots usually bordered by a line of purple. The spots gradually in- crease in size, run together, and form large irregular blotches, that produce depressions in the pod. It sometimes attacks the stems. The method that has been adopted on a large scale with considerable success is to soak the seed in formalin solution for an hour and a half, (this solution is made by dissolv- ing one-half pint of formalin in 15 gallons of water) and when the plants are two or three inches high, to spray with the regular Bordeaux mixture, 4-4-40 formula. The spraying should be repeated twice or three times at in- tervals of 10 or 12 days. ASPARAGUS RUST It is interesting to observe the opin- ions of different experimenters regard- ing the treatment of Asparagus Rust. The Germans recommend the burning of the affected asparagus plants late in the autumn after the plant has laid its stock of food for the season. The Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Jersey Station experimenters recommend the same treatment. A Rhode Island experimenter later ques- tioned the advisability of burning the brush in late summer. As late as 1900 an Iowa experimenter recommended burning as undoubtedly the best method of preventing the rust. Whatever views we may hold regarding the importance of this treatment, asparagus plants should be carefully cut and burned at the end of the season. It is possible, however, that at this time many of the spores have fallen from the plants. Good results were secured on a large asparagus plantation in New York State by spraying with the Resin- Bor- deaux mixture. The sprayings were made August 5 and 17, and September 1. The Resin-Bordeaux mixture was prepared by first making the Bordeaux mixture in the usual way, and adding two gallons of stock solution of resin for every barrel of the Bordeaux. The stock resin solution was prepared ac- cording to the following formula: resin 5 pounds, potash lye 1 pint, fish oil 1 pint, and water 15 gallons. The whole should be boiled until the solution will mix with cold water, forming an amber- colored solution. Celery Blight is due to a fungous disease that can be controlled by spray- ing with Bordeaux mixture. At the Central Experimental Farm we have had excellent results by keeping the plants covered with Bordeaux mixture from the time they are set out until autumn. Most injury occurs in dry weather. The usual formula for Bor- deaux mixture is 4 pounds sulphate of copper, 4 pounds lime and 40 gallons of water. This should be applied in a fine spray. — W. T. Macoun, Ottawa. 12fi THE CANADIAN HORTICTTT.T FRIST The Canadian Horlicullurisi Published by The Horticultural Publiihini CompanK", Limited The Only* Horticultural Magazine in the Dominion Official Organ of British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and Prince Edward Island Fruit Growers' Associations and of the Ontario Veg- etable Growers' Association H. Bronson Cowan, Editor and Business Manager J. Albgkt Hand, B.S.A., Associate Editor W. G. Rook, Advertising Manager A. B. COTTINO. B.S.A., Special Correspondent 1. The Canadian Horticulturist is published the first of every month. 2. Subscription Price JSI.OO a year, strictly in advance. Tor 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 con- tinue to receive The HoRTictrLTtJRiST until the publishers are notified by letter to discontinue, when all arrearages inust^ be paid. Societies should send in their revised lists in January; otherwise it will be taken for granted all will continue members. 5. Change of Address — When a change of address is ordered, both the old and the new addresses must be given. 6. oAdvertising Rates quoted on application. Circu- lation ,5,500. Copy received up to the 25th. Responsible representatives wanted in towns and cities. 7. (Articles and Illustrations for publication will be tbankftilly received by the editor. 8. cAll Communications should be addressed: THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 507 and 508 Manning Chambers TORONTO, CANADA THE FRUIT DIVISION In view of the action Hon. Sydney Fisher considered it expedient to take at the recent Dominion Fruit Conference, to avoid giving an explanation of his reasons for placing the Dominion Fruit Division under the control of the Dairy Commissioner, it is well that the views of the fruit growers in regard to this mat- ter shall be made known more fully than has yet been done. At the outset it may be well to repeat that the discussion of this matter does not bear on the capabilities of the present dairy commissioner nor of the chief of the fruit divi- sion, but only on the principle that is involved. Tlie main reasons that have been advanced by Hon, Mr. Fisher for the present arrange- ment are that the problems relating to the fruit industry that can be handled by the Dominion Department of Agriculture, bear practically en- tirely on the marketing and transportation of fruit, and as the markets and cold storage di- visions of the department have always been under Mr. Ruddick, it is, therefore, a matter of convenience in the department that the fruit division, also, shall be under his charge. It has been claimed, also, that as the fruit division had previously been under Prof. Jas. W. Rob- ertson, practically no change was made in its status by leaving it under the dairy commis- sioner. Dealing with this last contention first, it can be stated positively that the cases are not analogous. Prof. Robertson was not known as the dairy commissioner, but as the "Com- missioner of Agriculture," in which capacity he was in charge of not only the dairy and fruit divisions, but of the live stock, seed and mar- keting divisions as well. To all intents and purposes he acted in the capacity of the Deputv Minister of Agriculture. When he retired the live stock division was continued under an in- dependent commissioner. An independent com- missioner was appointed for the seed division. This was the case, although the complexity of the questions relatinrr to that division are not to be compared \rith |):ose connected with the fruit industry. The fruit division, however, was placed under the dairy commis.sioner, a man who knows practically nothing about the growing and handling of fruits. By this arrangement the chief of the fruit division, no matter how capable he may be, is forced to submit everything of importance re- lating to his work to a man who (being a dairy- man by inclination and training) is naturally more interested in dairying than in fruit grow- ing and who, as already .stated, knows practi- cally nothing al)out fruit growing. Should the dairy commissioner not give his approval to the prosecution of any certain line of work that settles it, as the chief of the fruit division has no right to confer direct with the Minister of Agri- culture. In other words, the fruit growers, through their recognized representative in the department, are cut off from conferring direct with the minister. By this arrangement the minister gives reason for the belief that he considers the fruit division of very minor im- ]X5rtance That this is his opinion is further indicated by his claim that the only questions relating to the fruit industry that his department can handle properly are those concerning the mar- keting and transportation of fruit. This con- tention on his part shows how little he appre- ciates the importance of the fruit industry. The result of the recent fruit conference should have enlightened him somewhat on this point. There is no reason why the work of the fruit division should not develop until it becomes one of the most important branches of the department of agriculture. In the first place the staff of fruit inspectors needs to be considerably enlarged and the Fruit Marks Act enforced more stringently than it has been. A monthly and, during the sum- mer and fall months, a semi-monthly crop re- port should be issued that would deal with crop conditions not only in Canada, but in the Unit- ed vStates and Europe as well. If necessary, a special clerk should be placed in charge of this work. The cooperative growing and mar- keting of fruit is only in its infancy, and is a matter that properly falls under the control of the Dominion Department of Agriculture. To en.sure our fruit being marketed in better con- dition more of these associations should be formed and they should be assisted, in various wavs, in finding a market for their fruit both at home and abroad. In Nova Scotia, Ontario and British Columbia efforts in this direction have been more or less successful. Each prov- ince could learn by the experience of the others, but almost nothing has been done bv the fruit division to nromote this work. No better men to undertake it could be found than the fruit inspectors who might be utilized during the seasons when their work is slack. The package question is a serious one. Each province has certain packages, and the lack of uniformity is injurious to the trade. The bar- rel question has been settled in part, but it is only one branch of the subject. There should be more harmony in this matter, and the fruit division should set to work to bring it about. The development of interprovindal trade, the inspection of conditions relating to the sale of fruit on commission, the insfiection of nurs- ery stock and numerous other matters require to be undertaken by the Dominion Fruit Di- vision. They wil! not be pushed with the necessarv' vi^or until the fruit division has at its head a fruit commissioner responsible to the Minister of Agriculture only. As it is now, no matter how excellent the work done by the chief of the fruit division may be, the credit for such ?oes to the chief of the dairy division, who is the recosmized head of both divisions. This, in itself, is certain to hamper and dis- couraee the extension of this wort. The HorTiculTitrisT is not making a threat when it states that as far as the fruit growers are concerned this is a matter that will not down. The present agitation will continue until the desires of the growers are met. Hon. Sydney Fisher at the recent conference showed himself to be anxious to do what he could to promote the fruit industry. It is hoped that he will recognize the strength of the feeling that exists in regard to this matter, and that he will make the desired change at the enrlirst op- portunity HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES' ACT The new act governing horticultural socie- ties, recently passed by the Ontario Legisla- ture, places the horticultural s were doing was not taken into consideration. The effect of this, in many cases, was t • create enmity between the officers of the a;.'i ; cuhural and horticultural sodeties. In manv counties the influence of the officers of the agricultural societies was sufficient to block the formation of horticultural societies in cen- tres where they were greatly needed. In other cases, where the oflRcers of an agricultural so- ciety were afraid, a horticultural society might be established, and the government grant • the agricultural society thereby reduced, few of them formed themselves into a dummy horticultural society, drew the grant to the horticultural society, and turned it into the funds of the agricultural society. Under the new act, which Will come into force tbe first of next year, this is all changed. Horticultural societies have been placed on a ba,sis of their own and, anticipating that there will be an increase in their number, the govern- ment grant has been increased from about S6,400 to $8,000. In future societies will re- ceive their grants in proportion to the amounts they expend for horticultural purposes. This will lead to a reduction in the grants of a few sodeties that have been receiving grants that were above the average, while sodeties like the one at St. Catharines, which last year expended ten dollars for every dollar it received from the government, will be assisted. The formation of dummy scxieties to help agricultural sodeties will not be possible. A dtv society will not receive a grant exceeding $500, a town sodety one exceeding $200, and an incorporated village sodety a grant exceed- ing $],')0. Diversity of work by the sodeties is assured by a regulation which prevcnt<: n society from expending more than one-third of its total receipts for any one line of work A special grant of $800 is made to as.sist the societies in Ottawa, Toronto, Hamilton and London. The Toronto and London sodeties will benefit most bv this arrangement as their grants under the old act were small. The main features of the act were endorsed by the mem- bers of the Ontario Horticultural Association nt thdr convention in Toronto last November. The act should greatly benefit our horticul tural~sodeties. Have any of the readers of The Horticul- turist any back copies to sell' Since the pur- chase of The HoRTicn,TtTKisT from the On- tario Fruit Growers' Assodation. we have been endeavoring to secure a complete file of The HoRTicuLTT'RisT since its establishment in 1,878, to date. We have nearly succeeded, but not quite. The following issues are still lacking: September, 1878; January, February and Sep- tember, 1880: May 1882: March, '1886; No- vember, 1891; and February, 1900. Should any of our readers have these numbers, we will be willing to purchase them. Should they not have these copies unbound, but have them in a bound volume, we would gladly btiv these THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 127 bound volumes. It is very desirable that the publishers of a magazine should have the bound volumes of the magazine from its establishment, and we trust our readers will be able to help j^us by furnishing the missing copies needed to amplete our file. TKe New Bill Governing Horticultural Societies We have informed our readers on several Occasions that it is our desire to make The ;anadi.\n Horticulturist the best horticul- tural publication on the continent. That we iire succeeding is indicated by letters we re- i:eive from our readers, including the following one from I.uke Brothers, Nurserymen, of Mon- treal, Que. : Enclosed find our subscription 'for another year. We take this opportunity of expressing our appreciation of the valuable magazine you are producing. We get horti- cultural magazines from all parts of the con- tinent, and may say that there is none which gives us greater pleasure, or greater profit than The C.^n.\dian . Horticulturist. We wish vou continued success. Fruit growers who have followed the debates in the House of Commons regarding the now famous shipment of apples made by E. D. Smith, M.P., to the old country, and which was so unfavorably commented on by one of the Canadian commercial agents, will feel con- siderable sympathy for Mr. Smith. There is no reason to believe that this shipment was made with any intention to deceive, and as it did not receive his personal supervision, it is unfortunate that Mr. Smith, whose reputation as a shipper is well known, should have been given such unpleasant notoriety in a matter of this kind. Horticultural societies that have not already interested school children in the growing of flowers shoi;ld do so at once. This line of work does not call for a great expenditure of funds, and it has the effect of gaining the interest of the children at a time in their lives when they are likely to be most benefited thereby. Some excellent suggestions are contained in the article in this issue dealing with this work. It is not too late for societies that have not arranged already to do so to undertake work of this nature this year. *» It was recently annotinced through the press that a certain well-known firm of apple shippers had been convicted for the fifth time of in- fractions of the Fruit Marks Act. As the law stands, such firms cannot be fined more than a small sum. The profits they are able to make by breaking the law are greater than the fine they are likely to incur when detected. It is time the law was amended, so that crime of this nature can be prevented. Preventing Slumps in Prices A. B. Cutting, B.S.A., Guelph One of the crying needs of our fruit industry is for a system of distribution that will insure a greater demand for our produce and, as a consequence, better prices. Just how to es- tablish a well -organized system of distribution is a difficult problem to solve. It is a notice- able fact, however, that when slumps occur in the markets of our larger towns and cities, often there are small towns where fruit cannot be bought at any price. The keynote of the problem seetns to lie in co-operation. Some co-operative arrangement with dealers in small towns, by which they may communicate their needs direct to the growing centre, or indirectly through the larger dealers of the cities, would tend to lessen the difficulty. By this means the empty and full markets could be located and shipments con- signed accordingly. The Horticulturist is getting better and more interesting all the time. — John Spence, Henrysbnri;, Qw. THE revision of the Agricultljre and Arts Act including the new bill governing horticul- tural societies introduced into the Ontario Legislature by Hon. Nelson Monteith, and which has been passed, entails several changes that will completely alter the basis for which the horticultural societies of Ont. will receive their government grants. The new bill will take effect in Feb., 1907. The sections that are of most interest to horticultural society members read as follows: 7. — ^The mode of organization shall be as fol- lows : (a) A declaration, in the form of Schedule " A " to this act, shall be signed by those persons (residents of the municipality in which the society is organized) desiring to organize a society under this act. In the case of a city having a population of 30,000 or over, the number of such persons shall be at least 12.'); in the case of a city with a population of less than 30,000 the number shall be at least 75. Societies organized in towns having a population of 2.000 or over, shall have at least 60 members, and in the case of an incorporated village the number shall be at least 50. (c) The first meeting of the horticultural society shall be held during the second week in January next ensuing, of which meeting at least two weeks' public notice shall be given by ad- vertising in one or more newspapers published in the district. (g) At the said first meeting there shall be elected a pres., a 1st v.-pres., a 2nd v.-pres., and not more than nine other directors, all of whom must be members of the society in good standing, or who must become so within 14 days after their election, who, together shall form the board of directors, a majority of which board shall reside in the municipality in which the society is organized. At the said first meeting the society shall appoint two auditors for the en- suing year. (Ii) The hoard of directors, from among them- selves or otherwise, shall appoint a sec. and a treas., or a sec.-treas., who shall remain in office during pleasure. The sec. or the sec.-treas., bv virtue of his office, shall be a member of each committee appointed and shall have the power of managing director, acting imder the contro and with the approval of the board of directors. 9. — (1> The objects of horticultural societies shall be to encottrage improvement in horti- culture. (a) By holding meetincrs for discussion and for hearing lectures on subjects connected with the theory and practice of improved horticulture. (h) By holding exhibitions and awarding premiums for the production of vegetables, plants, flowers, fruits, trees and shrubs. (c) By the distribution of seeds, plants, bulbs, flowers, shrubs and trees in ways calculated to create an interest in horticulture. (d) Bv promoting the circulation of horticul- tural periodicals. (e) By encouraging the improvement of home and public grounds, bv the planting of trees, shrubs and flowers, and by otherwise pro- moting outdoor art and public beauty. (Note — This is a new clause. — Ed.) (f) By offering prizes for essays on questions relating to hortictilture. ■ (g) By improving and otherwise procuring and distributinfr seeds, plants, .shrubs, of new and of valuable kinds. (2) A society shall not expend more than one-third of its total receipts in anv one of the lines of work mentioned. (Note— A new clause --Ed.) No societv shall hold .in exhibition, or offer premiums, in connection with the exhibition of any agricultural society or societies. fNote — A new clause. — Rd.) A city society shall not receive a grant ex ceeding ^500, a town societv a ?rant exceeding !<20n, and an incorporated village societv a grant exceeding $150. A newly formed society the first year of its existence shall receive a grant on the same membership basis as other societies, but in regard to the amounts expended for horticultural purposes it shall receive a grant equal to the average grant paid during the preceding year to the other societies in its municipal class. (Note — An entirely new clause. — Ed.) 10. — (1) The annual meetings of the several societies shall be held during the third week in January of each year at such time and place as the board of directors may determine. At any such meeting those members only who have paid their suliscriptions for the enstiring year shall be entitled to vote. 17. — (a) On or liefore the first day of May, of each year, the officers of every .society shall send to the Department an affidavit, that may be sworn to before any justice of the peace, in the form of schedule "B" annexed to this act, stating, on forms to be provided by the Depart- ment, the exact financial transactions of the society during the previous year. This state- ment shall set forth plainly the number of members in good standing that belong to the society, the amounts paid in prizes for horticul- tural productions, and the amounts expended for each of the jjurposes defined in section 9 of this act. This statement also shall set forth the amounts ejcpended for officers' salaries and expenses, and for the defrayment of all other expenses legitimately incurred by the society in its work. Such moneys shall be considered as having been expended for horticultural purposes. (h) Should it be found, within one year after the receipt by the Department of a society's annual statement, that an officer or officers of the societv had wilfully made false returns with an intention to deceive, such officer or officers shall be liable upon .summary conviction before a justice of the peace, to a fine not exceeding SlOO, or less than S20, or imprisonment in the .common gaol of the county for a period not ' exceeding six months or less than two weeks. 19. \n amount not exceeding 88,000 shall be subject to division among all the horticultural societies of the province as follows: * < (a) S2,400 shall be subject to division among all the societies in proportion to the total number of members of each society in the preceding year. (h) $4,800 shall he subject to division among all the societies in proportion to the total amount expended by each society during the jireceding year for horticultural purposes, as shown by their sworn statement provided for in sec. 17. (c) In addition to the above, $800 shall he subject to division among the horticultural .societies in cities having a population of .30,000 or over in proportion to the number of members in the current year, as shown by their sworn statement provided for in sec. 17. LARGE AKD AB0WDAIfT CROPS are usually obtained liy the grower who uses his intelli- gence in cultivating the soil. Intelligence and hard work count for but little unless they are combined with good tools. By using Iron Age Implements hard work is dispensed with, and larger crops are assured. A card mailed to- day to Messrs. J. A. Simmers will bring a Cata- log telling you why these goods are better than other kinds If any of our readers would like to purchase bound volumes of The Horticulturist for 1905, we have a limited .supply on hand which we can supply for $1.25 per volume. When bound. The Horticulturist is a neat and attractive hook, well worth keeping. ThbTCanadian Horticulturist has grown larger and has much improved since I was last a subscriber.-— Charlotte Carrnll The Fruit Men Meet tKe Government THAT was a most interesting scene which greeted the visitor to the Privy Council Chamber, when on the 23rd ult. Sir Wilfrid Lauricr and his cabinet met the large dele- gation from the Fruit Growers' Convention, which had been appointed to carry the resolu- tion relative to tlie express companies before the Government. The committee, whose names will be foimd to the memorial below, was en- forced by 20 or 30 other delegates and mem- bers of Parliament. All were ushered into the Premier's presence by his secretary, and Hon. Mr. Fisher who was to introduce them to him, being delayed a moment in his office, the in- troduction was made by the chairman, Rev. Father Burke, of P.E.I., who is well known to Sir Wilfrid, and well acquainted with every member present. Chairs as far as they could be secured having been taken. Father Burke said he was pleased to introduce this important delegation. It had come to make the very moderate demand that express companies be subject to the Railway Commission, so that redress might be had when injustices were in- flicted. In his country they had only one company so far, the Canadian Express Com- pany. He hoped for the admission of others in the interest of improved rates. He read the memorial prepared by a sub-committee com- posed of Messrs. Bunting, Smith and Johnson, and approved by all, and called on gentlemen from the different provinces to express their views. The memorial was as follows: To the Rt. Honourable Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Prime Minister of Canada, and Honourable members of the Government: Honourable Gentlemen, — We, the Com- mittee appointed by the Conference of Domin- ion Fruit Growers, assembled at Ottawa, at the request of the Honourable Minister of Agricul- ture, for the purpose of considering questions of national importance relating to the fruit in- dustry of Canada, desire, under instruction from the Conference, to lay before you a me- morial which has for its object the enactment of legislation bv your Government that will, we believe, be of great advantage to the fruit grow- ers of the various provinces, as well as to the public at large. There is a large area of the very best land of the Dominion devoted to the growth and pro- duction of fruit; and, inasmuch as fruit is a perishable article, it is of the very greatest im- portance that it be placed in the hands of the consumer with the utmost possible despatch, and under the very best conditions. In order to do this successfully, the express companies operating over the railroads of Canada are made use of to a very large extent. It has been found that there are many difficulties in the way of making the best use of this ser- vice, one of the chief of which isthe high rates charged for transporting fruit in this manner. Relief has been sought from time to time from the companies directly, and with very poor success. Inasmuch as your Government in its wisdom has instituted a Board of Railway Commis- sioners for the purpose of adjusting matters of difference relating to the question of transport- ation, and ina.smuch as the express companies operating in Canada have not as yet been placed under the control of the Railway Commission, we desire to make an urgent request that such legislation be enacted at this .session of Parlia- ment as will result in bringing the express companies under such control, thus providing a speedv and effective means whereby differ- ences arising between these companies and the general public may be adju.sted properly. And as in duty bound your petitioners will ever pray. A. F. Burke, chairman; Martin Burrell, Wm. H. Buiiting, D. Johnson, Ralph S. Eaton, J. E. Armstrong, Muit Marks Act in mark- ing barrels and boxes? — Apple Shipper. Answer — The Fruit Marks .'Vet requires that the name and address of the packer, the variety of the fruit and the grade of it shall be marked in "a plain and indelible manner" on all closed packages. A lead-pencil is usuaUy not "indel- ible," and is very seldom "plain." While it would be wrong to infer that a pencil could not under certain circumstances be used it is mucli better, quite apart from the Fruit Marks Act, to mark every box and barrel of fruit with u stencil, or, in some cases, with a rubber stamp. A tag is so easily detached that it could not be accepted as marking the package in an "in- dehble" manner. The marks nmst be placed on the package itself with a stencil, or in some way so as to make them permanent. The Province of the Proposed Experimental Fruit Farm^ IN the course of my interviews with fruil growers during tlie past few months I have had occasion to seciu'e many expres- sions of opinion on the matter of an experi- mental fruit farm or horticultural college for tlie Niagara district. Ninety per cent, of the growers are anxious to see an experimental farm established somewhere in the Niagara peninsula and established soon. Opinions differ as to the proper location; some think that the industry is of sufficient importance to warrant the establishing of a fully-equipped, combined horticultural college and farm ; an infinitesimal few express the other extreme and contend that neither a college nor a farm is necessary as they know it all now. A few brief notes on a few of the many expressions of opinions that 1 have recorded may indicate the feehng of growers in general. ' ' We require a fruit experiment station owned and managed by the government," said Major F. M. Carpenter, Fruitland, "and it should be large enough to test varieties on an extensive commercial scale. Varieties should be grown in quantity so that the consuming public may pronounce upon merits of variety from their viewpoint. Among other things, an effort should be made to produce better shipping varieties of black grapes. Standard varieties, like Concord and Worden, are thin skinned and crack in the basket, and black Rogers are im- productive. There is room for improvement in grapes for long distance shipping." Mr. J. W. Smith, Winona; "We need an ex- perimental fruit farm in the Niagara district, and it should be located in a section extending from the flat of the mountain to the lake, where different types of soil can be secured. The Dominion Government should bear part of the expense. Experts should be employed to de- vote their whole time and attention to the work. We feel that the horticultural department at the O.A.C., Guelph, is of little beneht to growers in this district. For this reason a fully equipped horticultural college might be established at a later date in connection with the farm here." Mr. J. G. Nash, Stoney Creek; "An experi- mental farm would be of immense value, par- ticiUarly in the origination of new varieties. Thorough investigation should be conducted along the lines of winter protection for tender frtiit trees. I believe that peach buds are often killed long before most people think. They are more often killed in late fall rather than during warm spells in early spring, as is the general opinion. Many varieties of peach buds do not fully matiue in the fall, and the first hard frost gets them. Experimental research would teach us how to meet this difficulty." Mr. F. B. Harvey, Stoney Creek, offered the suggestion that the work of a farm of this nature should not include apples. Experimental work with apples can be carried on at the fruit stations in other parts of the province. By such an arrangement more area, time and expense can be given to the tender fruits that are adapted only to this district. Mr. A. B. Foran, Winona: "The Department of Agricultiu'e cannot do anything that will meet with such approval amongst fruit growers as the establishing of an experimental fruit farm in the Niagara district. It would benefit not only the grower, but the consumer as well. Growers are annually sinking thousands of dol- lars experimenting with varieties, most of which are worthless. This work should be done by the Government, and done in a fruit section and by capable men. The experimental work in fruits at Guelph is one of no value to Niagara growers." Mr. W. W. Beamer, Beamsville, and others, favor the establishing of a horticultural college in connection with the farm. Horticultiu^l ♦These interviews were secured by A. B. Cutting, B.S.A.. while visiting the fruit growers in the Niagara district in the interest of The Hortictji.turist during J^uary and Febrtiary. Lack of space has prevented their publication at an earlier date. education, both in practice and science, is neces- sary to insure progress in fruit growing. We should consider the probable requirements of posterity. Mr. J. W. Brennan, Secretary Grimsby Horti- cultural Society: "An experimental farm should lest the value and action of all kinds of commer- cial fertilizers on the various types of fruits and fruit soils. Many growers annually spend a lot of money on fertilizers, and oftentimes we do not know whether it pays or not." Mr. E. L. Jemmett, Beamsville: "An experi- mental farm in the Niagara district should be located near good transiKirtation facilities for two reasons; first, so that growers and others may visit the farm and observe the operations thereon with the least possible trouble and cost, and second, so that it will be convenient for investigation of transportation problems." Mr. Jas. H. Walker, Beamsville: "Among the many problems for an experimental fruit farm is the one of packing and packages. We need more definite knowledge along these lines. An experimental farm would be of great value to new settlers in this district, particularly to those who come here unacquainted with our condi- tions and the practice of fruit growing. It would attract the most desirable class of land buyers, and thereby assist in building up our country. The Guelph institution, from a fruit- growing standpoint, is of little or no value to growers in this district." Messrs. W. B. Rittenhouse, E. Hippie, J. H. Rittenhouse, and others in Vineland, claimed that growers have to exjjeriment personally with new varieties and new methods that should first be thoroughly tested at the expense of the Government. An experimental farm could test the novelties offered by nurserymen, and thereby save money to the individual grower. Mr. C. M. Honsberger, Jordan Station, ex- President Niagara Peninsula Fruit Growers' Association, said: "The fruit industry of the Niagara district is of sufficient imiwrtance to warrant the establishing of an exi»erimental fruit farm on a large scale. We need new vari- eties of fruits for shipiiing, particularly in - peaches and grapes. We need new grapes of ' the Rogers type, but self-fertile and tietter bunches. We must have a farm of this nature established as soon as possible. At Guelph it seems that nothing is being done for the l)enefit of fruit growers except indirectly; the Iiorticul tural interests are neglected. We fruit growers would like to know what they are doing at Guelph in horticultural work. This year, as in the past, circulars from tliat department were sent out offering fruits for cooperative experi- menting, but some of the varieties offered have been worked with and experimented with for 50 years. It is only a waste of time to ex[)eri- ment with Concord grapes and Greening apples: these are standard and reliable varieties, and already known by everybody. We want to hear of something that we do not know; we want something new; we want a horticultural depart- ment established along up-to-date lines and established in the Niagara peninsula." Planting and Pruning Currants A. "W. Peart. Burlington, Ont. CURRANTS thrive on a wide range of soils, but have, however, a preference for a rich, damp, but not wet one. For commercial purposes as well as domestic, the following varieties of red currants seem to fairly well cover the season: Victoria, Wilder, Cherry, Foy's Prolific, North Star, and Prince Albert. The first four mentioned ripen from early to medium; the North Star medium to late, and the last one from late to very late. Unless the soil is thoroughly drained I prefer spring to fall planting. Often on damp or low soils the young plants, when set in the fall, are heaved out by the alternate process of thawing and freezing in April. It is more satisfactory to plant in the spring as soon as the land is dry enough to work — when there is life in the soil, and its texture is granular. They should never be puddled in as it stunts them. The plants should be set five or six feet apart each way. A great deal of hard work is saved by ploughing one way a deep furrow in which to place them. They should, however, line each way for cultivation purposes. Plant fairly deep, pruning the young bush so that it will grow into the bush, not the tree form. In other words, a young currant bush should have four or five stems springing from the roots, not one. Should there be only one, and the borer gets in, the entire plant is destroyed Growth is accelerated by cutting away the bruised, torn portions of the root. The richest soil should be placed directly on the young roots, and the poorer at the surface. In filling in the soil tramp it reasonably well, leaving a depression of two or three inches around the plant. Cultivation will gradually fill this in and kill young weeds at the same time. The top of the young plant should be cut back to a few buds to balance the root. Pruning may be done any time after the crop is harvested and before vegetation starts the succeeding spring. Adult bushes should be severely thinned; those stems approaching the ground should be removed, and those making an abnormal growth cut back to give the bush symmetry. The bushes should be ploughed in the fall for drainage purposes, and the cultivator started in the spring as soon as the soil is dry. This levels the ground, kills weeds and retains moist- ure. Cultivate both ways and repeat the process every two or three weeks until the crop is ready to be harvested. Currants are heavy feeders and will quickly respond to careful cultivation and Uberal man- uring. Well-rotted stable manure supplies not only the sort of food wanted, but also humus as well, which is so desirable in most fruit plantations. BLACK AND WHITE VARIETIES Black currants differ but Uttle from red in the mode of handling. As a rule the bushes grow larger and should be planted at least a foot farther apart. The leading black varieties for commercial purposes are: Saunders, Lee's Prolific, Naples, Black Victoria, Collins Pro- lific and Champion. In white currants the Grape and Imperial take first place. GOOD TOOLS to culUvate the soil are as necessary for a good crop as good seeds. Many growers are using the same implements their fathers used. To these men we would suggest the use of Iron Age Tools as a means of in- creasing the value of their crops. Messrs. J. A. Simmers, of Toronto, Ont., will mail you a Catalog containing full information regarding these modem implements if you send them a post card. NOW IS YOUR CHANCE— The Canadian- Horticulturist will be sent to any address in Canada or the United States for four months for twenty-five cents. Send your name in at once and tell your friends of this offer. I wish to be retained on your mailing Ust as one who greatly prizes The Horticulturist. I enclose the name of a new subscriber and will try and send another in a day or so. — S. P. Rowell, Montreal, Que. 132 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 133 Fruit Conditions in Ontario are Favorable IK FECIAL reports received by ThE Cana- k^ DiAN Horticulturist from correspond- P ents in different parts of Ont. indicate f that fruit trees and bushes have come brough the winter in excellent condition. Simi- kr reports have been received from the Mari- ime Provinces. The reports from Ont. are as follows : EASTERN ONTARIO Harold Jones, Maitland — "The winter has been favorable to all tree and bush fruits. Ap- ples are coming out in a bright, healthy condi- tion, with fruit buds well developed, giving promise of a full bloom. Plums and cherries promise well, but may suffer by sudden change to a low temperature. Strawberries are look- ing well, but the acreage is below normal." W. T. Macoun, C.E.F., Ottawa— "Apple trees apparently have come through the winter well, and promise a medium to good crop, judging by fruit buds. Pears, plums and r-herries are not grown to any extent. Cur- ants, raspberries and gooseberries came through ihe winter well, but strawberries were badly injured, and will be a light crop. Grape vines are still covered. "There is no special boom in planting, and no large plantations are being made. The Mc- intosh and Wealthy apples are the popular varieties." Elmer Lick, Oshawa — "Indications point to a good crop of fruit of all kinds in Ontario county. No winter-killing. Plenty of fruit buds on apple trees. There has been a very large increase in oyster shell back louse in many orchards. There do not seem to be very many new plantations of any varieties of fruit." NIAGARA DISTRICT A. W. Peart, Burlington^" Indications are that fruit plantations generally have come through the winter in good condition. With the possible exception of a few of the more tender varieties of peaches and Japan plums, fruit buds appear to be sound and normal. On low, undrained ground strawberries have been damaged by heaving. The prospects are for at least an average crop of fruits. "Some planting will be done chiefly along the lines of strawberries, pears and cherries. Increased attention is being given to spraying and the better care of orchards." Linus Woolverton, Grimsby — "The fruit buds give a fair promise of an average crop. Peaches were a heavy crop last year, but nevertheless give a fair promise for this season. Apples will be a full crop. Pears and plums will be above the average. Raspberries show well, but the acreage has been lessened on account of low prices. People here are annually planting a large additional acreage of grapes, peaches, pears and small fruits. Plums are not being planted because of low prices. Very few Japan plums are planted, because of their itiferior quality." ESSEX COUNTY The outlook is for a full crop of cherries, plums, pears, apples, and every peach tree of bearing age is full of fruit buds, and if weather conditions are favorable, there will be an abundant supply. The fruit growers are very busy spraying for fungous diseases, San Jose Scale, etc., using the lime sulphur wash. — E. E Adams, Leamington. Vegetable Conditions THrovigKout Ontario REPORTS received from the correspond- ents of the Ontario Vegetable Growers' Association, located in different parts of Ontario, show that there has been a marked increase lately in the amount of vege- tables grown under glass, and that the acreage in several lines of vegetables this year will be considerably increased. The association is anx- ious to secure more correspondents in the prin- cipal vegetable producing sections and is willing to pay for short monthly reports. The help of growers in making these reports valuable is asked. The following reports were written be- tween April 20 and 24: "Cabbage and other winter stock are a drug on the market. Radish and lettuce sell for 40c. for first quality, and seconds about 25c. per doz., and market pretty well supplied. Strawberries badly winter-killed. Weather cold again and no planting or sowing done yet." — F. Williams. " No outside work has been done. March was a very bad month for hotbeds. Everything is backward, but favorable weather will soon 1 liange that. The general plans seem to be for the usual crop, but much also depends on the f)lanting season. The market is overdone with lettuce, as supplies are being shipped in and the local hotbed crop, also, is ready. Quantities i)f local green onions are on hand; also radish ind rhubarb, the supply exceeding the demand. There has been very little change in the amount r)f vegetables grown under glass during the winter, but the quantity of glass u.sed for the spring crop has more than doubled." — T. Mockett. NAPANER "From data obtained from the canning fac- tory the vegetable crops in this section will be about as follows: Tomatoes, 200 acres; sweet corn, 160 acres; peas, 60 acres; beans, 47 acres." — E. M. Sherman. TORONTO "It is too soon to report the prospects, as we have scarcely started to plant, and we cannot even guess at what we are going to have. With regard to the greenhouse work, I may say there has been a marked increase in greenhouse work. Within about half a mile of me, about 10,000 feet of new glass has been erected this year and a great deal more farther afield. Lettuce, I believe, is the principal crop grown in the new houses, but the demand seems to increase with the increased production, as there has been a ready sale right through the season." — C. Gib- bard, Doncaster. NIAGARA FALLS SOUTH "Asparagus, green onions and rhubarb about a week or 10 days ahead of last year; first out- door grown sold this week. Planting of early potatoes and peas general. Sowing of onions, carrots, beets, and other seeds in full swing. The ground is dry and works up nicely. Lettuce and cabbage are being transplanted outside ex- tensively. All tender vegetables under glass owing to the open vrinter about 10 days ahead of last year. Tomatoes and onions will be less freely planted than last year by at least 25%. Several new greenhouses have been erected. All greenhouse stufT selling well and in good de- mand. Commercial fertilizers are more ex- tensively used than ever before." — Thomas R. Stokes. ESSEX COUNTY "Tomatoes are growing very well under glass Apparently there will be an increase of 25 % in the plantings. Some of the larger shippers are increasing their acreage, and some new men are starting in a small way, while some who grew them last season are out of it. Early cabbage is being planted in the fields; an increase of about 25 % in this crop is likely. Wax beans will be in small supply. Red and green peppers will be grown in about the usual quantity, which Classified Adverlisements Advertisements under this heading will be inserted at the rate of ten cents per line, each insertion; 7«inimiini charge fifty cents in advance. I ANDSCAPE GARDENING, PLANS FOR '-' PARKS, cemeteries, pubhc and private pleasure grounds made. Drawings made to a scale, so that any gardener may carry them out. Correspondence solicited. Chas. Ernest Wool- verton, Landscape Designer, Grimsby. WANTED — Persons to grow Mushrooms for us in waste spaces or barns, in gardens, orchards or small farms. $15 to $25 per week. Send stamp for sixteen-page illustrated booklet on Mushroom Culture and full particulars. Montreal Supply Co., Montreal. FOR SALE — Old established tree nursery. Large connection and profits. Easy terms. Best sandy loam. Apply Thompson, 17 Queen St., St. Catharines. Also profitable fruit farms for sale on easy terms. pHANCE OF A LIFETIME— Well-established ^ Florist business. Greenhouses, House and Stable, for sale cheap. Apply 25 Triller Ave., Toronto. HARDY PERENNIALS delivered prepaid by Mail or Express. Send 5 cents for descrip- tive catalog to the Specialty Nursery Co., Grimsby, Ont. FOR SALE OR RENT— Two Greenhouses. Good condirion, 300 x 23 ft. Terms Easy. F. E. and H. M. Richardson, Littleton, N.H. POR SALE — One of the best business chances ^ in Western Ontario, one acre of land with cottage, 2 large greenhouses, newly built, everything in first-class condition; in a city with about twenty thousand inhabitants. This is a fine opening for a wide-awake man to make money easily. Good reasons for selling. For particulars apply to J. P. Pitcher, Real Estate, Brantford. p H. KINGSLEY-B.-VILLIE, F.R.H.S. (Quali- ^' fied Fellow of The Royal Horticultural Society of England), Consulting Landscape Architect. Plans, Drawings and Specifications prepared for the development of large and small properties both in town and country. Address: Winona, Ont. ■yjT/ANTED— Young man with a few years' prac- " tical experience in a Canadian or Ameri- can nursery. State particulars. Steady work and good opportunity for advancement to man capable with ornamental stock. The WebsTER Tloral Company, Ltd., Hamilton, OnT. TRANSPLANTED MAPLE TREES For sale in quantity, from 10 to 14 ft. high, 1 in. to 2,''z in. in diameter, in large or small quantities. Price on Application SCRIM'S OTTAWA. ONT. Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing 134 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST is not large. Musk melons will be in good sup- ply, as they usually are; the main crop will be Extra Early Hackensack, Osage, Paul Rose and Rocky Ford. Only a very few acres of sweet corn will be grown. Ten or 12 new greenhouses were erected last fall and winter, most of them Iwing small. Some of the larger growers have insl.illcd hot water and steam heating plants. Mr. J. t,. Hilborn using hot water and [. D, Kraser and E. R. Adams steam. Some ex- perimental work has been done during the pa.st winter in growing lettuce, with good results; more will be grown next winter. Messrs. Hilborn and Fraser are planting a considerable quantity of tomatoes and cucumbers under glass for early spring market." — E. E. Adams, Leamington. KENT COUNTY "The growing of vegetables in this district is not confined to the market gardener, but, to a considerable extent, is done by the farmers. Benefits of Organization A. McMeans, of Brantford Mr. McMeans is the v.-pres. of the Ont. Vegetable ^ w" A^^~^^tf°J>. and has recently been appointed H T H^«"*! ?l *^ vegetable department, under Prof. H. L. Hutt, at the Ont. Agricultural College, at Guelph rhls IS a department that has received but sUght atten- tion in the past, and which is to be considerably extended fromnow on under Mr.McMeans'direction. At fherequest of the Vegetable Growers' Association, the department has sent Mr. McMeans to N.Y., Mass., ind other of ?he eastern states to ascertam what work is being done there to .^courage vegetable growing, and to visit the placel of some of the leadmg vegetable growers. He is a ^tS% L """l' ^^i ^°' y^a" ^"^ managed his own vegetable establishment at Brantford. In his new position he should do excellent work. Most of the potatoes produced are grown in Chatham township, but for several seasons the crop has suffered severely from blight. This year, however, the acreage will be largely in- creased and there should be some for export Onions are grown only in Umited quantities' an acre bemg considered a large patch The acreage is about as usual. There is a disposi- tion to go more extensively into early tomatoes and an effort will be made to find an outside market. A number of our gardeners are grow- ing tobacco, and repoit larger profits than from vegetables. The acreage in tcbacco will be large."— Fred Collins, Chatham SARNIA "Gardeners have not done much planting or sowing, the season being backward. The acre- age in vegetables promises to be above the aver- age and prospects for a good season are bright. There seems tc be a feeling that early potatoes are the best to grow. T would not be .siu-prised to see an increased acreage of 25 % However, some farmers arc going to grow sugar beets, and this may lessen the quantity of early potatoes grown by them." — ^W. A. B. AT a meeting of the Toronto branch of the Vegetable Growers' Association last win- ter Mr. Thos. Dclworth, of Weston, out- lined the benefits to l)e derived by organization and by becoming a member of the Ontario Vegetable Growers' Association. The purchasing of supplies such as boxes, twine, Paris green, and greenhouse fittings were men- tioned as being worthy of consideration. Boxes cost 14 cents each, or mf)re, whereas a few years ago they could be had for $1.00 a dozen, with an extra 1k)x thrown in. It was suggested that a committee be appointed to go to the box manufacturers and see what reduc- tion could be had if the members of the local as,sociation would agree to purchase their sup- plies from that factory. The association does not projx)se to buy these supplies but expects that an arrangement could be made so that by showing the membership card a reduction would be given on the regular prices. Each grower would be required to pay cash for what he pur- chased. The average grower in this section has to buy 50 to 75 or 80 boxes each sea.son. It is not known where these boxes go, but through loss and breakages many new Ixjxes have to be purchased each season. The same was true in twine. The value of a single ball of twine was not very much, but the purchases of a sea.son amounted to a consider- able sum. During the past few years many growers in the vicinity of Toronto have erected greenhouses. Many instances were known where growers had gone to the firms that supplied boiler fittings and when the clerk found out that the prospective customer was not a regular dealer at that place, they either claimed that they had not the required line in stock, or if they sold them, three or four prices were charged. Something should be done whereby this injus- tice would be put to an end. The glass for these greenhouses should also be obtained at lower rates than at present. By co-operation in getting supplies in these different requirements much could be done to lessen the expense to the individual grower. This is the practical way to show the growers that it is profitable to dealers to become mem- bers of the Vegetable Growers' Association. As regards purchasing seeds, Mr. Delworth pointed out that it would not be satisfactory for the members to club together to purchase their seeds from any one house. Most growers have certain lines of seeds which they buy fiom certain firms each year, and it is difficult to get them to change and buy seeds from another seedsman. The gardeners w"ere advised never to purchase cheap seeds. The only safe way is to buy the best seeds and those which are recommended. Then if the crop is a failure something sliould be done to make the firm who' ' supplied the seeds make up the lf)ss, unless the fault lies with the grower. Occasionally seeds are bought which are not true to name and in- stances are known when seed purchased as beet seed turned out to be mangels. The memljers of the a.ssociation should unite to see that an example is made of such instances. Regarding the crop reports which it has been decided to have published during the summer, Mr. Delworth pointed out that those who grow onions extensively would have saved considerable money last fall if they had known the exact condition of the crop in the different parts of the province. Many growers disposed of their crop at 85 cents because they believed there was a heavy crop throughout Ontario. Such was not the case, and as a consequence prices have soared to f 1.15. Other crops cannot be held over as can onions, but the fact that a few- crops can be held over is sufficient to war- rant the growers in pressing for regular reports from all sections to be circulated to the members of the association. Mr. Delworth suggested that these reports be tabulated and sent out monthly through The Canadian HoRTict;LTiTRisT, and by circular letter every two weeks. More Experiments Needed Ed. The Canadian Horticulturist: In looking over the February number of The Horticulturist, I notice on page 38, that a gentleman from Hamilton asks a question re- garding the production of vegetables in glass houses, and is replied to by Mr. Macoun of Ottawa. The reply is, as you will note, some- what vague as to results. The matter of ex- pense appears to be against their general production. INSURANCE The very best kind of Insurance — i.e., provision for the future as well as the present, is a Savings Account in SOVEREIGN BANK OF CANADA Interest paid four times a year. $ 1 .00 wall open an account. Put you money in a place where you can get it when you want it 57 BRANCHES THROUGHOUT THE DOMINION Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing. THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST I do not believe that that question of expense i? the whole thing. I am of the impression that 'iiir markets might be supphed to some extent I luring the off season, or ccSld months, providing (lur growers, commercial or otherwise, could obtain some reliable, honest facts as to the cost of production, the labor attached to such pro- duction, and the gross or net results of a season's work. Facts could be given also concerning [ireparation of the soil for greenhouse benches, how to prepare it, what kind would be prefer- able for different vegetables, what kind of fer- tilizers should be used for certain vegetables, and why certain fertilizers are used, etc. The field is a large one and a good one for ex- ploration. I have been doing something in it for my own satisfaction, and the idea suggests itself to me that after reading your editorial on page 40, also in this month's Horticulturist, regarding the Quelph college work along these lines, that something should be done to further the general information on this subject for the benefit or profit of those who are in the business. Why should not this work be carried on as well as other experimental work, in connection with farm questions in general? I see no reason whatever for further delay, as life is short enough for most of us, and the sooner we get a move on, and give out something for the betterment of the world, the better. As to the Guelph results, I am, along with almost, if not all, the growers here, completely in the dark as to what is going on. It may be possible that a lot of good work is being done, but for some reason or other we do not get a trace of it, which possibly may be our own fault. However, we have The Horti- culturist, and if anything is doing, apparently the results might be published in it, and a great many of those who are interested could then see for themselves what has been done. — E. E. Adams, Leamington, Ont. I congratulate you on the recent changes and improvements in your valuable paper, The Canadian - HoRTicuLTtJRisT. — C. D. Jarvis, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. Fruit Experiment Station While it has not been officially announced, it is generally understood that the fruit experi- mental farm the Ont. government purposes establishing in the Niagara district will be located on 50 acres of ground that has been offered to the government free of cost by Mr. M. F. Rittenhouse. This ground is located near Jordan. Mr. Rittenhouse is a well- known millionaire of Chicago, formerly of the N'iagara district, who already has given a fine schoolhouse and public library to his old school secticm near Jordan. It is imderstood that the government ap- pointed a committee to inspect the soils, and see if this land would be suitable for the pur- poses of the farm, and that this committee has reported favorably. It is understood also tliat more land can be bought immediately adjoining at a reasonable price. Presents for Our Readers Our readers will be given their choice of the following premiums, when purchasing goods from our advertisers, if they tell them that they .saw their advertisement in The Canadian Horticulturist: 3 months' renewal subscrip- tion to The Horticulturist; 1 Baby Rambler Rose; 1 Herbert Raspberry; 1 Boston Ivy; Book on Strawberry Culture; Collection of 6 Tuberous Begonias; Sweet-scented Calla Bulb; Xew Grape Vine; New Fern Nephrolepsis Pier- soni; Large Size Package "Helen Pierce" Sweet Pea, new; New Dahlia "Mrs. Roosevelt," new; Book on Bulbs and Bulbous Plants; Book ori Fertilizers; Book on Injurious Insects; Plant Diseases and their Remedies; Book on Onion Culture; Book on Tomato Culture; Book, Your Plants, House and Garden; Hydrangea panic- ulata grandiflora; Collection of 3 Canna Bulbs; Collection of 6 Garden Vegetable Seeds; Col- lection of 6 Garden Flower Seeds; Collection of (i Gladioli Bulbs. No premium given to those whose purchase amounts to less than $1.00. To the reader purchasing goods to the greatest value from our advertisers in the May issue, we will give a $5 cash prize. It is no trouble to win a prize. Just tell the advertiser, when writing, that you saw their advertisement in The Horticulturist, and then make applica- tion to The Canadian Horticulturist for a premium. Write the Advertising Manager, The Canadian Horticulturist, 507-508 Man- ning Chambers, Toronto. Ont. Items of Interest The illustration of an apple tree in bloom, shown on the front cover of this issue of The Horticulturist, is that of an old Fall Pippin tree. Is is located on the lawn of Mr. C. Ernest Woolverton, at Grimsby, and was planted in 1798 by Mr. Jonathan Woolverton, the great- grandfather of Mr. Linus Woolverton, the former editor of The Canadian Horticul- turist. The photograph was taken by Mr. Chas. Saunders, of Ottawa. The Ont. government is considering the ad- visability of estabh.sliing experiment stations in Essex County. If a satisfactory location can be seciu-ed, experiments will be conducted in vegetables, fruits and tobacco. This move was recommended by the board of control of the fruit experiment stations at a meeting some time ago. That it is becoming popular to advertise in The Canadian Horticulturist, is shown by the steady increase in our list of advertisers and by the increased space our old adver- tisers are taking. New advertisers in this issue are the Sovereign Bank and the Dominion Steamship Co. of Montreal. The Robt. Reford Steamship Co., of Montreal, and the Gerhard Heintzman Co., of Toronto, have each doubled their advertising space in this issue. How is that as a sign of progress? I have been taking The Canadian Horti- CULT-URIST for a number of years, and I must say it is very much improved of late. — Robt. Mitchell, Coleman, Ont. MAY TIME IS THE RIGHT TIME In ■which to plant many of the beautiful shrubs and vines that MAKE THE HOUSE ATTRACTIVE Our beautiful catalogue gives a large list from which the most par- ticular planters can make a com- plete selection. We ship anywhere in Canada and you may know when ordering from us you will receive just what you order. Stock the Best Prices Right We Helderleigh Nurseries E. D. SMITH, WINONA, ONT. Mention The Caiiiidian llortkulturist when writiuK. Eldorado Potato so PERFECTLY BLIGHT DISEASE PROOF, SUCH AN ENORMOUS CROPPER OF HIGH- EST QUALITY, IT HAS CREATED THE GREATEST SENSATION OF ALL TIME "Even so recently as September last, when Mr. G. Massey sold 14 lbs. of Eldorados for £20 ($100) iKople were amazed and incredulous; yet three months later the same gentleman received a check for £1,400 ($7,000) for 14 pounds of same variety." FREE PRESS (London, Eng.), Jan. 19th, 1904 "Last April pot grown plants of the Eldorado potato sold at $52.50 each, one grower selling over $2,000 worth at this price." RURAL NEW YORKER. New York, Aug. 24, 1904 "The yield of the Eldorado potato, the kind that brought the record price, is reported to run from 1 50 to 300 lbs. from one pound of seed tubers." RURAL NEW YORKER, New York, Jan. 14, 1905 PRICE $1 PER POUND List containing history, photos of potatoes, checks paid, press opinions of 81 papers, etc., mailed on receipt of address. ELDORADO doubles your crop, and every potato a sound one. Last opportunity to secure some for this season. Don't buy Fruit Plants until you see our list, greatest assortment, lowest prices, and highest quaUty. SMITH BROS. ^ Beachville. Ont. MEMBERS CANADIAN SEED GROWERS' ASSOCIATION Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing. Money Given Free to People who buy Goods from Advertisers in this Issue. See Notice in Advertising Columns, 136 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST The Woodview Poultry Yards BARRED PLYMOUTH ROCKS EXCLUSIVELY LONDON ONTARIO At tile great "(Ontario" ■WOODV Show at Guclph, December Utli to 15th. IE.-W PULLETS WON 1 90S First in class open to the world; Special for best Darred Plymouth Rock female at the show; and the Canadian Barred Plymouth Rock Club's St)ecial for best Pullet. At the Ijnternational Show at DeUoit, January 6th to Ilth, 1906 -WOODVIfW BIRDS AGAIN WON In comr>ctition open to the world. — First pullet; Second cockerel; Second cock; and Special for the best shaped male at the show. OUR MALES ARE BRIGHT STRAIN FEMALES LATHAM STRAIN the best obtainable. EGGS FOR HATCHING. »2.00 PER SETTING UP. MATING LIST MAILED FREE UPON RHQUBST CORRESPONDENCE SOLICITED Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing. JoHn Prin^le, Prop. Creigkton Poultry Yards OTTAWA, ONTARIO CAREFUL breeding has produced in our yards a very high-class strain of barred Plymouth Rocks, and White Wyandottes. The best for exhibitions or home use. Eggs for hatching $2.00 for 13. High percentage of fertility proved. S. SHORT, Proprietor Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing. GLEN FARM White Plymouth Rocks Bred for winter egg production, meat produc- tion, and also winners at Canada's largest shows EGGS, »2.0C PER FIFTEEN GEO. A. ROBINSON, St. Catharines, Ont. Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing. FLOWER POTS T MApt f^OSTER'S ^ STANDARD POT Now is the time to order them for Spring trade. We have a large stock of all sizes on hand and can make prompt ship- ments. Drop us a post card for Catalogue and Price List. THE FOSTER POTTERY CO. Limited MAIN STREET WEST HAMILTON Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing. Baby R&mbler In bloom all summer PLANTING TIME will soon be here. Have you placed your order for Trees, VineStShrubs, etc.? Do not delay. Remember, we can sup- ply your wants at a reasonable price. For street, lawn or orchard. See free catalogue for verity and prices. Choice Seed Potatoes, etc. Bargains in Apple Trees for March. Write us. 26th year. A. G. HULL CBi. SON CENTRAL NURSERY, ST. CATHARINES, ONT- Have You Received One of flie Premiums "The Canadian Horticultur- ist" offers to readers who purchase goods from advertisers in this issue? See page 135. LYNNWOOD POULTRY YARDS Barred Plymouth Rocka Excluslvaly By careful attention and breeding pure imported stock year by year, I have produced in the "Lynn- wood '\ strain that which is as near the standard as it is possible to get. Eggs from double mating: Pen No. 1, for Cockerels, $3.00 per 15. Pen No. 2, for Pullets, $3.00 per 15 or $5.00 per 30. The above Pens are special exhibition matings. Pens No. 3 and 4 are for exhibition Cockerels, $2.00 per 15. Pen No. 5 for utility, $1.00 per 15. A few Cockereb for sale. Satisfactio.v Guaranteed Special Price on Incubator Eggs S. £. LINDABURY Simcoe, Ontario Member Canadian Barred Plymouth Rock Club Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing. TREES AND ROSES I have a surplus in Hardy Roses, Apple, Pear and Plum Tiees, Flowering Shrubs, Gladiolus, Cuthbert Raspberries, and Caro- lina Poplar that I will sell now at give away prices. Write your wants. A. W. GRAHAM St. Thomas, Ont. Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing. MARCHMENT'S Sure Growth COMPOST Supplied to all the largest nurserymen and fruit growers in Ontario. Shipments made by car or boat. Prices reasonable. S. W. MARCHMENT 19 QUEEN ST. EAST, TORONTO Telephone Main 2841 Residence Park 95: Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing Best For Ckeese Making. Pure, uniform crystal. Dissolves slowly. Stays in the curd — not carried away in the whey. Makes a smooth, firm, delicious cheese that keeps perfectly. indsor SALT Salting the curd is the most Important part of cheese making. Start right, with Windsor Salt. Yonr dealer has "WINDSOR SAX(T, or will get it for you. Will Build a PacKing House In a letter to The Horticitlturist recently, Mr. W. D. A. Ross, manager of the Chalham Fruit Growers' Ass'n, discussed the benefits to be derived by forming a stock company. For the past four seasons this organization has been very successful in handling the fruit crops of its members. "We had no warehouse," wrote Mr. Ross, "and wished to raise atx)Ut S-5,00(J for the pur- pose of buying a site and putting up a building large enough to accommodate our business, which has largely increased in the Ia.st four years. We incorporated under the Cooperative Cold Storage Act, and are disposing of 200 shares at $2.5 each to raise necessary funds. Tlie stock can be held only by fruit growers, and no one can hold more than 10 shares. Every member must hold at least one share. The management remains the same as it was. We simply incorporated without any other change, and with scarcely an exception the members have taken from 1 to 10 shares. "We expect to make dividends by uang our own culls instead of handing them over to an evaporator, and by handling fruit from out- siders. At the modest capital we are raising it will not require a great deal to give a sub- stantial dividend. We have purchased another power sprayer, and will keep two in full opera- tion if the crop prospects warrant us in doing so. We have secured a verj' good site, and in- tend building at once if there is a prospect of a fair crop." i POULTRY DEPT. i T^ Oor\cl\icted by W P S. Short, Otta-sva ^ To be successful in hatching chicks either by natural or by artificial incubation strict carie must to taken to start aright with the eggs. All the careful supervision and perfection of detail will count for nothing unless the eggs are well fertilized and contain healthy, normal germs. Nowadays, when the pure-breeds have pretty generally taken the place of the mon- grel, more intelligence is given to the proper mating of the breeding pens and it is possible to get eggs, at a reasonable figure, from pens so mated. For utility purposes the male should not be related to the females. Such relation impairs the vigor of the progeny. This will be shown by the germs developing until the 14th da\ and then dying. The majority of those whi< mature will be undersized. It is well, before purchasing from any breeder, to ask for infor- mation on those points. CARE OF THE CHICKS In May, after the chicks are 12 hrs. old, pla< • them with the hen in a coop at least 2 x 2 x , ft. with slatted front 2 in. between slats. Paint inside of the coop with coal oil or liquid lice exterminator an hour or two before placing in the hen. The latter should be dusted with insect powder. Give the hen a good meal before placing her in the coop, and she will 1 less fussy in her new quarters. The floor i the coop should be sprinkled with dry sand, coarse sand preferred. Add chick grit, fine ground oyster shells, or broken egg shells. This provides the chicks with gizzard material, and prevents bowel trouble. The best position for the coop is on the south side of a building or fence. I arrange my own at the back of the lawn, and the chicks have the benefit of running over and picking at the tender grass shoots. The coop should never be placed, nor the chicks fed, with the old fowl, for the other hens ^vill fight the mother hen and trample and pick, sometimes fatally, the chicks. The coop should be rainproof, and on very cold nights may be protected with THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 137 sacking or pieces of old carpet. It is wise not to give more than 10 chickens to one hen. It lessens the danger of the hen trampling them to death or of the weakly chickens being crowd- ed out and chilled during the night. Renew the material on the floors of the coops at least weekly, and mix with it after the first week a little flower of sulphur. After the first day the hen may be liberated about 5 o'clock in the evening, and she will at once seek a place to dust herself, and after an hour's exercise will return to the coop for the night. FEEDING The first food given is stale bread moistened with milk and finely chopped onion added. The onion prevents bowel disease. Rolled oats may be given not more than twice daily. After the second day Puritan chick meal may be used as the chief diet, and the first men- tioned food given occasionally. The Puritan meal seems to be a well-balanced food, and the chicks like it. It is expensive, but the chickens do so well that it is the best and cheapest in the end. After the first week small grains should be fed for the last meal. After four or five weeks the expensive special foods may gradually be discarded for the ordinary diet, unless the chickens are being forced for the fall shows, when it will be better to continue the food that produces the fastest develop- ment. Size is necessary to win. Skim milk may be used to advantage as drink, and also to moisten the meal fed both to the chickens and the other fowl. FRUIT GROWING AND POULTRY If it can possibly be arranged, the poultry should have the run of the apple and other orchards. The fowl catch the injurious in- sects. They eat all worm-eaten fruit, thereby destroying maggots that would eventually have developed into parent insects. Their constant scratching is a good form of cultiva- tion, and the droppings are valuable fertil- izers. When the main crop of fruit is about ripe the fowl must be shut off from the orchard. Fowl may be enclosed in the raspberry patch with similar benefits to both. Raspberries be- gin to ripen about July 1, and finish ripenmg about Aug. 15. Between those dates the fowl will have to be removed for they relish ripe raspberries. In the runs on a town lot black currants may be grown successfully. Fowl will not eat black currants until the currants are over-ripe. This gives an opportunity for the crop to be harvested before being eaten, which saves the trouble of removing the hens from the runs. Items of Interest At a meeting of the Burlington Horticul- tural Association on Mar. 31, the following res- olution was drafted and forwarded to the auth- orities: "That this Association respectfully urges the Dominion government to use every effort to make such arrangements with the government of Germany as will admit of Cana- dian fruit, both green and dried, entering the German market on as favorable terms as the fruit of the United States, and that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Hon. Sydney Fisher, J. E. Armstrong, M.P., and D. Hender- son, M.P." Amalgamation with the Southern Ontario Fruit Growers' Association was con- sidered, and a resolution was passed to join that association on the basis of one representa- tive. D. Johnson, of Forest, and A. Gifford, of Meaford, gave interesting and instructive addresses. Extensive work is being planned by the executive of the Grimsby (Ont.) Horticultural Society for this season. A civic improvement committee comprising H. K. Griffith, J. A. Livingston, John Brennan and Dr. Smith, ap- pointed some time ago, have been doing ener- getic work in an attempt to get the citizens and the managers of the railway companies to assist in beautifying the streets and public S0,000 aiAINT PAINSIES Selected German and American strains. 35c. per dozen, 4 dozen $1.00. Special Prices for Larger Quantities. Also DAISIES and FORGET-ME-NOTS, 40c. per dozen. Orders Booked Now. F. H. MILLER. Fairbank P.O., Ont. Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing. NO MORE BLIND HORSES Sore Eyes. BARKY CO.. Iowa City, Iowa, have a cure. For Speclflc Ophtkalinla, Moon Blindness autl other QATHER YOUR CHERRIES WITH THE ONLY Successful Cherry Picker The cherry is not (.ouched or bniised by the hand. The Ions, unsightly Btero is severed and moat of it is left on the tree; hence the friilt looks much more attractive in the box or basket. It also keeps much better and the fruit buds for the next year's crop are not injured. It is held in one hand and operated easily and rapidly. The other hand is free to hold the twigs, etc. Every cherry that is clipped poea into the cupand ia secured. The picker liaa been thorough- ly tested and gave gocd satisfaction. Sent postpaid on receipt of 75 cents. Two for tl.26. Send fiir circular. BLWOOD TATUM, W— t Branch, Iowa, U.S. FARTHER NORTH. Iikihe Bghtett and strongest home imaginable.' HALL & ROBINSON. MMtrod. P. Q. NORTH. The lightest and most peifex^t greenhouse constnictioa yet attempted.. Beit crop of beauties 1 ever had. J. H. DUNLOP. Tonata. Ok. NEW ENGLAND. "No shade in my new house, crop is a recced breaker.' J. A. LONG. Ejal Hafen. Gmn. EAST. 'So well pleaded with all points, we intend to build mwe o( them." C. MATTHEWS. GfMi N«a. N. Y. CENTRAL 'Lightest house on the place, strong as a bridge.' W. J. PALMER kSON. BulTdo. N. Y. li T0N4WANIU. (IT. TOaONKK orrr. GREENHOUSE CONSTRUCnON AND EQUIPMENT Permanent structures best and cheapest to build Ventilating, heating and all other accessories for greenhouse equipment. The King Construction Co. 248 Wellington Street, Toronto Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing FAR WEST. 'After making a trip East to see aQ constructions a m ordering yours. Best in tvcry way." C H. HOPKINS. WEST. ■Thqrare petfect in every way," C F. MALER, DM««r. Colo. BRUCE'S SWEET PEAS We have a magnificent collection of these beautiful flowers, over 60 of the newest and best varieties; we offer: Royal Nosegay Collection- — 1 pkt. each 10 superb varieties; each separate and named for 25c., postpaid. Novelty Colection—l pkt. each 6 of latest sorts ; each separate and named for 25c., postpaid Brute's Finest Mixed — Mixed from named sorts by ourselves; pkt. 5c., oz. 10c. , i lb. 20c., i lb. 35c., 1 lb. 65c., postpaid. Grand Collection — 1 oz. each of 20 distinct varieties; each separate and named for $1.00, postpaid Latest Novelties — Helen Pierce, bright blue mottled on white ground; Gladys Unwin, finest pink, each 10c. per pkt. ASTERS Empire Collection — Six superb distinct varieties, named, each separate, mixed colors, for 25c. postpaid. Bruce's Superb Mixed— -10c. packet. NASTURTIUMS Peerless Collection Tall Sorts — Eight grand distinct colors, named, each separate for 25c. postpaid. Peerless Collection Dwarf Sorts — Eight splendid distinct colors, named, each separate, for 25c. postpaid. Send for our neur 06 pagre Catalosue of Se«dB, Plants, Implements, Poultry SuppUes, etc. FREE to all Applicants. JoKn A. Bruce &' Co. ESTABLISHED 1850 HAMILTON, ONT. Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing. A Handsome Premium will be GiTen Free to all Reader* who Buy Goods from Adrertisera. 138 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST THESE ILLUSTRATE THE Horse Power Spramotor For Vineyard, OrcKard and Potato Spraying THEY are fitted with new Patented Auto- matic Regulator that relieves the horses of fully one-half the usual load and greatly pro- longs the life of the machine. The entire machine is high grade throughout. All are fitted with Patent Nozzle Adjuster and will be fitted with our new Nozzle Protect- or, and when so fitted, all the adjustment as to ''"'k '« height and position of the nozzles may be made by the driver while the machine is in motion. Fig. 69 is arranged for vineyard work with 4 nozzles on each side. Fig. 63 is the same sprayer show- ing the combination sprayer arranged for sur face spraying. The change can be _, made in a minute's I time. Fi . 66 Fig. 62 shows the bottom and top Potato Sprayer, 10 nozzles going at one time at 100 pounds pressure, and it's easy work for one horse. Will be fitted for two horses when so ordered. Guaranteed for one year against faulty construction or material. Has a capacity of 12 nozzles at 100 pounds pressure in continuous work. It is the latest and best yet. Two types of Spramotor Hand Machines are here shown. Fig. 70 is placed as per cut, or on cask. It is our standard machine. It was awarded first place at the Government Spraying' Con- test and the Gold Medal at the Pan-American. Its sales are doubling each year, made in 3 sizes, of 2, 4 and 6 nozzle capacity, in all brass or brass working parts. Fig. 64 is the new Horizontal Duplex Spramotor, is used on its own base or upon the tank. Is fitted with [ Du- plex valves and automatic self -packing plungers. It's the only motor made with central valve chambers and two opposed cylinders. It is arranged for hand, horse power and gasoline power. ,^^^^^' Capacity 8 to 30 nozzles. "f / ^>«^ Fig. 62 Fig. 70 Full particulars application. on SPRAMOTOR COMPANY 68-70 King St.. LONDON, ONT. 107-109 Erie St., BUFFALO, N.Y. Fig. 6J Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing Premituns Given Free to People^who Buy Goods from AdvertUen in this Isiue. See.Notice In Reading Column. THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 139 SPRAY, SPRAY, SPRAY your trees for the Codling Moth and All Leaf Eating insects with the Best and Safest Poison which Is Swift's Arsenate of Lead IT WILL NOT BURN AND IT STICKS MADE ONLY BY THE Merrimac Chemical Co., 33 Broad St., Boston, Mass. Write for Iree booklet. iMSiST out HAVIMQ SWiFT'S. Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing. JoKn B. SmitK &" Sons Limited Cor. Strachan and Wellington Aves. TORONTO JoiBSlTfl^SONS LIMITED. TORONTO Z' SASH BAR ( ALL WOODWORK. FOR GREENHOUSE INSTRUCTION/' Clear Cypress for GreetiKouse Work Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing. Manufacturers . . of . . LUMBER LATH SHINGLES DOORS SASH BLINDS SILOS, ETC. ^El^T WORTH POTTERY j JOHN CRANSTON 1 &. SON WENTWORTH POTTERY standard Flower Pots, Fern Pans, HanKine Baskets. Cut Flower Jars and all Florists' Supplies. Mail Orders eiven Prompt Attention. John Cranston O. Son HAMILTON, CANADA Mjption The Canadian Horticulturist when writing. places as well as the private lots. The com- mittee will make regular tours of inspection to draw the attention of the citizens to small neglected spots on their properties, and to suggest a way of beautifying these places. It is proposed that a subscription list be opened, asking for donations of money, plants, flowers, bulbs, seeds, etc., to be used in brightening up the several public places that need it. An at- tempt will be made also to interest the teachers and children in the public schools of Grimsby and vicinity in the work. The Corby Park at Belleville is to be re- modelled and made more attractive. A Mon- treal landscape architect has looked over the park, and will prepare plans for ornamentation that will make it more creditable to the city. A delegation of fruit growers from the townships of Clinton and Louth" in the Niagara district waited on Hon. Nelson Monteith re- cently and asked that the new experimental fruit farm, which it is expected will be estab- lished in the Niagara peninsula, be located be- tween Beamsville and Jordan. The members of the delegation were: A. H. Culp, W. S. Dun- can, Wm. Fretz, J. Bennett and D. Moyer. A report in the weekly Trade and Commerce report of April 9 from Commercial Agent J. B. Jackson, of Leeds and Hull, stated that there was a good demand for Canadian canned to- matoes. Fresh tomatoes are now extensively used in England. These are imported prin- cipally from the continent and the Canary Islands. They are much smaller and lack the flavor of the Canadian fruit; they are packed in oblong boxes, each tomato rolled in tissue paper; the boxes have a layer or covering of paper at the top and bottom. Each box gen- erally contains 14 or 15 lbs. of fruit. For ship- ment purposes four boxes are always nailed together with thin laths. Mr. Jackson thinks that tomatoes could be shipped there from Can- ada in the autumn, and arrive in good condi- tion. If so, they would bring the highest price in the market, and would easily sell at $4 per bush. A company with $40,000 capital has been formed at Belleville for manufacturing sweet cider, cider vinegar, pickles, jams, and jelUes. The directors are Sir Mackenzie Bowell, Messrs. R. J. Grahatn, W. J. Magrath, S. Burrows, and W. C. Springer. The directors elected the following officers: Pres., R. J. Graham; vice- pres., W. J. Magrath; sec.-tr'eas., E. P. Fred- erick. The factory will be fitted up at once. The large- increase in the membership of the Western Horticultural Society in Man. during the past year, and the greater attention now being given to horticultural work has led the members to decide to hold a horticultural ex- hibition in Winnipeg. The attempt under the auspices of this society threfe years ago was most creditable The display of fruits, flowers and vegetables was excellent, and many were the expressions of surprise heard from visitors, to the effect that they did not think such things could be grown in Man. Many of the exhibits were purchased to send away to the United States or elsewhere, where they were used with telling effect for immigration purposes. The exhibition, however, was a financial failiu-e, lERMANEN T meadows should have an annual 1 dressing of 500 pounds per acre of a fertilizer contain- ing eleven per cent. Potash and ten per cent, available phosphoric acid. This will gradually force out sour grasses and mosses from the meadows, and bring good grasses and clovers; thus in- creasing the quality as well as the quantity of the hay. Our practical book, "Farmer's Guide," gives valuable facts for every sort of crop- raising. It is one of a number of books on successful fertilization which we send on re- quest, free of any cost or obligation, to any farmer who will write us for thean. Address. GERA'AN KALI WORKS. 93 Nassau Street. New York. Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing. Special Glass for Greenhouses GOOD QUALITY, FLAT, EVEN THICKNESS AND WELL CUT PLATE MIRROR PLATE WIRE GLASS PRISMATIC GLASS And all other kinds o{ Glass used for building purposes Pilkington Brothers MONTREAL Limited TORONTO VANCOUVER WINNIPEG Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing. Baskets We are Headquarters for all kinds of Splint Baskets VENEER supplied for the pro- tection of trees from mice during winter FRUIT PACKAGES A Specialty-- SEND FOR OUR PRICES THE OAKYILLE BASKET CO. OAKVILLE, ONTARIO Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing Premiums Q iven Free to People who Buy Goods from Advertisers in this Issue. See Notice in Reading Columns. 140 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST THE Best are Always the Cheapest o i." K ! If you want baskets or berry boxes that will carry your fruit safely to the consumer, send your order to C.W.VanDuzer BASKET cTMANUFACTURERj GRIMSBY Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing. and left the society very much embarrassed. It is hoped that the efforts this time will be crowned with success. Probably the higliest prices ever paid for California cherries were realized in Philadelphia, April 22, at a local commission merchant's es- tablishment, where a box of fruit was sold at auction for $2,440, the funds to be devoted in aid of the earthquake sutTer'crs in California. Each cherry was offered for sale singly, the first one selling for $105, and the others for amoimts ranging from $100 down to 50 cts. The revised copy of the report of the recent Dominion fruit conference recently held in Ot- tawa, is in the hands of the printer and will soon be ready for distribution. Copies may be had by writing to the Fruit Division, Dept. of Agri , Ottawa. Mr. A. McMeans, of Brantford, vice-pres. of the Ont. Veg. Growers' Assn., assisted by some of the members of Parliament from the leading vegetable growing sections, had an interview with the Minister of Customs last month, regard- ing having an appraiser appointed to appraise the value of vegetables shipped to Canada from the U.S. Vegetables are often imported at ridiculously low valuations, and it is felt some- thing should be done to protect Canadian vege- table growers. The interview lasted over an hour, and while Uttle hope was held out that such an official would be appointed, it was intimated that it is the Government's intention to have a speci- fic tariff in the near future which will be even inore satisfactory to the growers. Two more fruit dealers have been prosecuted recently under the Fruit Marks Act. They are Geo. Vipond, a Montreal merchant, who was convicted of violating Section VI, and was fined 25 cts. a package for all incorrectly stamped and G. A. AUseybrook, of Burford, Ont., who was convicted April 14 for fraudulent packing, and was assessed $1 per bbl. Mortgage Lifting FERTILIZERS DO YOU KNOW THAT WORN-OUT LANDS MAY BE MADE PRODUCTIVE AND PROFITABLe BY THE JUDICIOUS USE OF THE RIGHT KIND OF FERTILIZER ? NOW IF YOU HAVE A PILCE OF LAND THAT WONT GROW ANYTHING I BUT WEEDS, TALK WITH US ABOUT rr and let us SUGGEST . THE RIGHT FERTILIZER WE FEEL VERY SURE THAT WE CAN SHOW YOU HOW TO USE FERTILIZERS WITHOUT GREAT EXPENSE SO YOUR LAND WILL PAY Consult us freely it is OUR BUSINESS to KNOW ENQUIRIES FREELY ANSWERED AGENTS WANTED FOP TERRITORY NOT TAKEN UP THE W.A. FREEMAN co- limited HAMILTON ONTARIO Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing. Allan Lines of Royal Mail Steamskips 1906— SUMMER SEASON— 1906 The only Line having Turbine Ships on the St. Lawrence route WEEKLY SAILINGS MONTREAL to LTVERPOOL The Turbine Steamers VIRGINIAN and VICTOIOAN and the Twin Screw Steamers TUNISIAN and IONIAN Every Thursday morning, commenc- ing May 10th, calling at Quebec. WEEKLY SAILINGS MONTREAL to GLASGOW Every Wednesday morning commenc- ing May 0th. The ships on this route are— KUMIDIAN, PRETORIAN SICILIAN, CORINTHIAW MONGOLIAN WEEKLY SAILINGS MONTREAL to LONDON Every Saturday morning, commencing May 6th. This service is supplied by the steamers— ONTARIAN SARMATIAN, HIBERNIAN SARDINIAN, HUNGARIAN POMERANIAN Fortnightlj^ Sailings MONTREAL to HAVRE Commencing with the S.S. Sarmatian, Saturday, May 12th, and fortnightly thereafter. flAU steamers of the Allan Line are specially equipped to carry perishable traffic. Refrigerators, Cool Air Chambers and Sirocco Fans are of the most modern type. H. & A. ALLAN, Agents MONTREAL, QUE. Toronto Office: 77 Yonge St. See Folders for rates of passage, etc. Mention The Canadian Horticulturist ^vhen writing. The Canadian Horticulturist Vol. XXIX JUNE, 1906 No. 6 Bearing vs. Non-Bearing Wood for Propagation FORj several years trouble has been experienced by many orchardists be- cause their fruit trees fail to set good crops of fruit, and even in the case of a light crop, they may have a failure as to color and quality. The Northern Spy is, perhaps, the most common example of this. In most cases it fails to bear for 15 or 20 years, and then only responds with light crops of overgrown, colorless, punky specimens, without keeping qual- ity. Other trees, and sometimes parts of Spy orchards, frequently come into bearing at six or eight years of age and bear regularly from that time on, pro- ducing medium-sized, sound, well-col- ored fruit, of excellent keeping quality. Some orchards of Spy trees have been procured, part from one nursery, and part from another, and after coming to maturity have presented these two ex- tremes of bearing qualities, thus pre- senting a problem to the grower as to the cause of this great variation. Never- theless, with the light of recent develop- ments in the science of propagation, the solving of this problem is not such a difficult task. Experiments have shown that in top working young trees with scions taken from Spy trees of the heavy bear- ing type, crops of good, sound, highly- colored fruit have been produced in a very few years, and the trees have con- tinued to bear regularly. This clearly indicates the source of the trouble with these non-bearing orchards. The prac- tice of so many nurserymen in propa- gating their trees from block to block in the nursery, taking the wood from the older blocks and grafting or budding the young trees year after year, probably in some cases without a break for 20, 30, 40, and even 50 years, is nothing more nor less than a perfect method of breeding non-bearing trees. It must be patent to the ordinary observer that this is the source of the trouble. Not only is this tendency devel- oped in the Spy apple, but, also, in all the moderate bearing varieties, such as Baldwin, Greening, Russet, and others. It is also true with the moderate bear- ing varieties of plums, peaches, pears, cherries, and even currants, especially the good old Black Naples, all of which come from the same source. The Black . JosepK T-weddlo, Fruitland, Ont. Naples currant is perhaps the most notable example of this. The country has been flooded with plantations of great, strong growing, barren plants of this variety, and after being cared for by years of patient toil, they have been found to be useless and had to be de- stroyed. Here and there, however, plant- ations of this variety are to be seen showing variations in productiveness, all the way from prodigious to medium, poor crops, and perfect failures. The source of this, too, is not hard to find. This splendid variety when first disseminated was in great demand, on To tKe Forefront "I feel impelled to say that ThB Horticulturist has rapidly sprung to the forefront as the best all-round periodical devoted en- tirely to horticulture which I receive; and I get them all. Fol- low out that aim and Canada cannot help being proud of you." A. E. Burke, Pres. F.G.A. of P.E.I. account of its all round excellent qual- ities and was procured at high prices, but in Hmited quantities, by the leading nurserymen. These were planted out in rank growing soil for propagating pur- poses only. These plants are known as stools, and the wood is cut off from year to year near the ground, so close that no fruit can be borne. This permits the energies of the bush to be expended in wood growing only. Woo'd is cut in this way from year to year, continuing in some cases for many years and the wood used for propagating. Is it any wonder that we have the present conditions from such methods? Let us look at it more definitely. Is it not reasonable to conclude that these stools would naturally produce planta- tions less and less productive until entirely run out? Further, if these various plantations are the source of propagation of other plantations, would they not produce the same degree of unproductiveness as they themselves 141 show? It was the writer's experience, several years ago, to have to purchase 1,000 Black Naples bushes from a reliable United States firm. They were guaranteed true to name, or money refunded. These plants were used to fill orders from growers. In due time they returned and demanded the refund of their money, as they all turned out to be this same worthless, non-bearing stock. Of course we were compelled to pony up, but on application to the producer, the head of the firm replied that this could not be, as he bought the original stocks from the introducer and had ever since propagated from the original stools. Since they were used exclusively for wood production, they must be true to name, but I was just as convinced that they were as untrue to the original type as possible. Another nurseryman told me he cut 20,000 cut- tings from a row 20 rods long. We must conclude that this is an easy way to get wood for propagation, but to the grower, an impossible way to get fruit. Would it not be well that a series of experiments be entered into and con- ducted by the Ontario Government with a view to the final and definite solving of the problem in its minutest detail? We do not think that the nurserymen are entirely to blame. Trees grown for years in succession from wood pro- cured from nursery blocks, are much straighter and thriftier than those pro- duced from scions taken from heavy bearing trees of the original type, and in nine cases out of 10 the grower will select the straight trees grown from the nursery wood and refuse the less thrifty looking trees, produced from wood ofT bearing trees. There is little encouragement for the nurserymen to take the proper course. Millions of dollars would be saved to Canadian fruit growers by a complete change of methods. In the Ozarks region of Missouri and Arkansas if appks fail to bear at four or five years of age the foremost growers are resorting to the method of girdhng the trees in June when the sap is thick- ening. A strip of bark two inches wide is peeled from the trees, girdling them just below the branches where it is most shaded from the sun. In 10 davs or so 143 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST the thickening sap forms a new bark, but during this period the returning sap is by this means forced into fruit bud development for the next year's crop. When the new bark is formed the tree carries on its natural process till the end of the season. This has a tend- ency to age the tree and throw it into regular bearing. They are following this process from year to year, and the highest authorities claim that they are getting the best results. Although it shortens the life of the tree, they get their profits in a shorter time with much less expense. It might be worthy of trial to test this on a small scale in these barren orchards, especially of Spy apples. It might be well to girdle a branch or two before going any further. Various causes bring occasional fail- ures under good care but not continu- ously with good bearing trees. Sufli- cient attention is not given to proper selection by the nurseryman when propagating, and the grower when pur- chasing must remember that the straight- est tree may not be the most productive. A Glimpse at tKe Cranberry Situation' PREVIOUS to last season, the last six or seven years have been full of discouragements and disappoint- ments to our cranberry growers, so much so that very little eflfort has been made during this period either in the planting of new bogs, or keep- ing in repair the old ones. How- ever, those who were not wholly dis- couraged were at the front last year with a snug crop of berries of most ex- cellent quahty. About 2,000 barrels of this fruit were packed and put on the market, where it met with a ready sale for from five to six dollars a barrel. The failure of the vines to give a crop began with the coming of the fire worm. We were several years learning how to handle this pest. By the time this trouble was fairly under control we experienced a succession of frosty sea- sons, that either destroyed our prospect of fruit by kilUng the buds just before coming into flower, or chilUng the ber- ries early in September before they had attained a sufficient degree of hardness to withstand the cold that later would have helped to ripen them. In the fall of 1902 we had every prospect of a good crop of berries up to within about 10 days of picking, when the sharp frost of September 6 nearly ruined them, so instead of a crop of 3,000 barrels or more, scarcely 300 came to maturity. Almost the same condition prevailed the following year. Since then we have discovered a practical method of protecting the crop from early fall frosts, by covering lightly with coarse hay or straw. Hay is preferable, it causing less litter. About one and one-half tons to the acre is suSicient. This covering can be applied to the vines just before a frost is expected and allowed to stay during the remainder of the season. The berries then will continue to grow and ripen for three weeks or longer, thus extending the time of picking, besides giving a larger and much better quality of fruit. This method was put in practice by many of our growers last season and was the means largely of saving the crop. ♦A paper read at the last Annual Convention of the Nova Scotia Fruit Growers' Association. J. S. BisHop, Nova Scotia Another very important idea has come to us of late in the way of gather- ing the fruit. The principle was first discovered by the Cape Cod cranberry growers three or four years ago, and is now in common use there. By the means of a large scoop the berries can be picked quickly, and at a cost of not over 10 cents a bushel, whereas by the old way of picking by hand the cost is from one to one and a half cents a quart. The vines are trimmed and fitted for the picking the previous fall, with an instrument something Uke a hand rake, with sickle-shaped knives in place of teeth. By drawing this in the same direction all over the bog, the cross laterals are cut, admitting the easy working of the picker or scoop in the same direction. This scoop, with its long wooden teeth fixed side by side, gathers the berries in a clean and satis- factory way, and with most astonishing rapidity. On a good, clean bog, where there is a full crop of berries, a man can gather 10 to 25 barrels a day. This pruning of the bog is, also, of great benefit in removing a part of the old growth of vines and giving place to the new. BOGS IN POOR CONDITION Not one-third of our cranberry bogs are in anything Hke proper condition for giving a crop of berries. Bushes, grass, weeds, and shrubbery are to be seen on nearly all of them, and only occasion- ally a bog can be found that does not need a coat of sand. About half an inch of sand every two or three years is necessary to keep the bog in good bearing condition. A bog that is pro- perly sanded rarely suffers from fall frosts, as the sand retains the heat of the sun, causing the vines to bloom earlier and maturing the fruit more rapidly than when no sand has been apphed. The old idea that you cannot have land too poor for cranberry culture has given way long since to the more reason- able view, that a crop of fruit of any kind cannot be expected from land year after year without giving the trees or plants something on which to feed. It is a thoroughly demonstrated fact that a bearing bog is greatly benefited by a yearly application of any of the com- mercial fertilizers that are used for raising p>otatoes. This fertiUzer can be applied to the best advantage early in June. It should be sown broadcast when the vines are dry, using about 500 pounds per acre. The question has been raised of late whether or not we were making a mistake in attempting to grow cran- berries in Nova Scotia. In face of frosts and insect pests it has been asked if it would not be more profitable to turn our attention to something that would give a more sure return. May I ask what will give a more sure return ? There are apple orchards along the centre of this valley that for the past three or four years, on account of frosts, have been as unproductive as the cranberry bogs. We are slowly waking up to the fact that our bogs need a little care year after year, just as surely as our orchards do; and that a httle intelligent atten- tion will give about as good residts on a bog as it will in an orchard. In view of the increasing demand for this fruit and the prevailing high prices, our neighbors over the line are preparing to plant larger acreage to cranberries this year. It is also time we opened our eyes to the fact that all over the Cana- dian North-West there are cities spring- ing up that will call for a supply of cranberries. Last fall we had orders from Winnipeg for several carloads that we could not fill because we had not the fruit. There are still problems to work out and much to learn regarding this industry. Every cranberry growing country known is subject to frost. Insect pests are no worse with us than they are in other places. We have the land to grow the fruit and the market within our own Dominion. If the culture of this fruit has brought $10,000 into the pockets of our people this season alone, shall we pull up the vines and call a halt? Growers should ascertain what crops their soil is especially adapted to, and then make a specialty of those crops. — H. E. Reid, Toronto. A Closely Planted Wealthy Apple Orchard "W. T. Macoun, Horticultvirist, Central experimental Farm, Otta-wa CONSIDERABLE interest has been shown in the results obtained from a small, closely planted Wealthy apple orchard at the Central Experi- mental Farm. There are 129 trees in this orchard, occupying about one-third of an acre, and planted in the spring of 1896. The trees were originally 10 by 10 feet apart, but a few have died. Full details regarding the returns from this orchard were published in the annual report for 1904. In that report it was shown that the average net profit per acre from the time of planting was $54.13, and from the time of fruiting, $106.19. There was a heavy crop in the orchard in 1904, and the crop in 1905 was medium. The total crop produced was 1,247 gallons, of which 631 was picked fruit and 616 windfalls. Part of the windfalls were sold in baskets as they were good apples, and they brought fair prices. These receipts and expenditures are estimated from about one-third of an acre (40-121) and the estimated figures per acre are given on the assumption that the percentage of sales in boxes and baskets would be the same from a full acre. A record is kept of the time actually spent in caring for this orchard and the other expenses incurred. Labor is valued at 15 cents an hour. There was no expense for cultivating since 1902, as the trees being close cultivation back were much larger than on the is impossible. The grass that grows is others, and while the crop was reduced left to die down and rot. somewhat, the greater percentage of As the trees were beginning to inter- marketable fruit compensated to a lace, about half of them were severely considerable extent for the loss of crop, headed back in the spring of 1905, and The orchard received a heavy applica- the remainder were thus treated this tion of barnyard manure in December, spring. The apples on the trees headed 1904. Sale of Fruit from Closely Planted Wealthy Orchard, 1905 Estimated Per Acre Sold, 203 baskets at 17J^c $ 35 52 $107 45 " 22 baskets at 20c 4 40 13 31 " 2 bags at 25c 0 50 151 " 42 boxes (Glasgow) at $1 .46 61 32 185 49 $101 74 $307 76 EXPENSES, 1905 - —i-— — i-ai-.^— 225 baskets and covers at $5.25 per 100 $ 11 81 $ 35 73 42 boxes at UJ^c 6 09 18 42 Freight on boxes 14 94 45 19 Commission on sales 6 92 20 93 Rent of land 0 99 3 00 Spraying 2 49 7 53 Picking fruit 9 00 27 22 Grading and packing fruit 8 41 25 44 Barnyard manure (8 tons at 50c.) 4 00 12 10 Pruning 3 00 9 07 $67 65 $204 63 Net Profit, 1905 34 09 103 13 Average net profit per acre per year, 1896-1905 59 03 Average net profit per acre per year, 1899-1905 105 75 Pruning Plums and PeacHes "My system of pruning plums and peaches," said Mr. Jos. Tweddle, of Fruitland, "is to head in vigorously and thin out. While this system is more expensive than the ordinary sys- tem of thinning, without heading, I find it well repays the extra expense by the increase in the size of the fruit. "This system has doubled the size of my plums and peaches especially, when the trees have been low in vitality. I also practise this on pears and apples, where trees are below the normal vital- ity. It invigorates the trees and brings them back into increased growth. Five years' experience has con\'inced me of the value of this method." Closely Planted Apple Trees in Fruit at Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa (Photograph by Prof. F. T. Shutt.) 143 Apples must be grown successfully before much can be accomplished in selling. The greatest difficulty is ex- perienced with growers who have 30 to 50 barrels, and who do not spray or care for their orchards. — D. Johnson, Forest. Harvesting and MarKeting Stra^wberries MANY fruit growers who can pro- duce excellent crops do not make as much profit as they should be- cause of improper methods of harvesting and marketing. Some growers are care- less, others do not know. With straw- berries this lack of care and want of business methods is most disastrous. The sooner strawberry growers dismiss the idea that a gang of pickers, con- sisting chiefly of boys and girls with little or no experience, can attend to the harvesting the sooner will higher prices be obtained for their fruit. Personal supervision by those who understand the stage of maturity at which the fruit should be picked to reach the market that is being catered to, in proper condition, is essential. The consuming pubHc is constantly becoming more critical and a fruit of high quality is demanded. Growers who put up uniformly good fruit can find a ready market at all times and obtain the highest prices. If strict care is taken to see that the fruit is graded and the boxes filled and placed on the market in satisfactory condition, no worry will be caused because of low prices. To ensure that he shall receive due credit for the extra care, the grower should have his name or his brand or both clearly stamped on the box. The method of disposing of the fruit will be regulated largely by existing con- ditions. If satisfactory help can be secured and a city is not too far distant it may pay best to make direct sales. If, however, transportation facilities are good and help is scarce the most advis- able method of disposing of it would be through a commission house. The price obtained from the commission merchants may not at first be as high, but once a reputation for supplying high grade goods is established the price will be raised. In a recent letter to The Horticul- turist, Mr. W. G. Horn, a successful strawberry grower of Clarkson, Ont., wrote as follows: "In gathering the strawberry crop all growers have to contend with more or less trouble in getting them picked properly. I believe I am within the mark in saying 25 per cent, of the strawberry crop is picked in a premature state on account of the pickers being more anxious to fill the boxes than to pick the berries properly. To have the berries at their best they should be pick- ed every third day. "In disposing of them we like to get them off our hands as quickly as possible on account of their perishable nature, and to have them looking as fresh as possible when placed on the market. We depend largely on the commission merchant for handling what we produce. Sometimes buyers are at the stations and buy them there for cash. It is almost impossible for the growers to market their strawberries individually. SUMMER CUI/riVATION "It is difficult to have land on which strawberries are grown in too high a state of cultivation. Then it is impor- tant to keep the patch well cultivated and free from weeds before the runners make a start. The runners should not be allowed to become too thick in the rows or the rows to become too wide. A row 18 inches wide with strong, vigor- ous plants is the ideal one. "If the patch has been a good one the first yiear, and the plants are vigor- ous, we keep it over almost invariably and occasionally a third year, but very seldom. The treatment for the same is to clean it thoroughly from weeds and mulch it with short, well-rotted manure during the winter. Long manure an- swers better on the new patch." NOVA SCOTIA METHODS In discussing strawberry growing in its different phases before the students at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Mr. J. C. Black, of Truro, one of the most successful strawberry culturists in Can- ada, dealt with the harvesting and marketing end. His address was in part as follows : "I am a strong believer in intensive farming. There is no crop that will respond better to intensive cultivation than the strawberry. Those who are better acquainted with the productive- ness of potatoes than they are of straw- berries may be somewhat surprised to hear that an acre of land will produce as many bushels of strawberries as it will potatoes. I have grown 9,000 quarts per acre. The average, however, ranges from 3,000 to 6,000 quarts. The differ- ence results from the condition of the land and the amount of attention given to the crop during the first season. Strawberries have been grown in many places to far exceed the above figures. " In old land that is more or less over- run with grass or weeds it does not pay to keep the patch for a second crop, but on land that is clean a second crop may be gathered. As soon as the crop is harvested the land should be plowed and everything turned under and some crop put in to be plowed down in the fall. If the matted row system is adopted a new patch should be set out every spring and the old one plowed down. "In har^'esting the crop we pay, by the box, from one to two cents according to the state of the crop, and always try to get the most careful pickers. Some- times one careless picker destroys more than he is worth. "In marketing your fruit bear in mind that the market is never glutted with a good article. It is always the inferior fruit that spoils sales. If you have the best fruit and let people know it you can always get the highest prices and secure the best class of customers. Be sure always to have the best. It is a good plan to have your name stamp- ed on the boxes. Do not use old and soiled boxes; let the other fellow have them. Insist on the pickers filling the boxes. Nothing disgusts a customer more than to see a dirty box only two thirds full of half-ripe fruit or soft and mussy looking. " There is no cause for alarm about a market for a first-class fruit properly picked and boxed. The more good strawberries people eat the more they want. If the local demand is not likely to be great enough you can always find some other town that is not supplied. If large enough quantities can be grown i in any locality to make the venture J worth while there is no reason why they ] may not be shipped to Montreal or even to Boston, as strawberries are scarce] in those markets when our fruit is in its| prime." No Non-SucKerin^ RaspberryJ Do you know of a red raspberry that is a tip! plant — one that will not sucker? I know the Columbian, but I refer to varieties producing red berries. — John Deegan, Meaford There is no good non-suckering red raspberry' known to me. The tip varie- ties are either black or purple, the latter being hybrids between the red rasp- berry and blackcap. — W. T. Macoun, Horticulturist, C.E.F., Ottawa. There is no red raspberry that roots at the tip. They all sucker more or ess. The only garden raspberries that root at the tip are the blackcaps and hybrids between the reds and the black- caps, like Schaeffer, Columbian, etc. — R. B. Whyte, Ottawa. "I always apply fertilizer to the small fruit plantation in the spring. I use muriate of potash on my grapes because it stimulates fruit grow-th. Currants do not need so much potash. Nitrate of soda and barnyard manure give best results." — A. W. Peart, Bur- lington. Russetting of the fruit is frequently caused in the early part of the season by two or three fine days following the spraying and then a rain coming.*? WTien the fruit becomes more mature no harm results. — N. Jack, Chateauguay Basin, Que. " Do not stir the soil under or about gooseberries, currants and Shaffer and Columbia raspberries. The former will drop their fruit, and the berries will fall off in yield if the soil is stirred. Mulch gives a full crop every time. — Stanley Spillett, Nantyr, Ont. ' II TKe Fruit Grcwer and tKe Robin WITH the approach of the cherry season each year many fruit grow- ers begin to worry over the devas- tation that may be wrought among the fruits by the robin. Some orchardists go so far as to assert that every robin should be killed; others look on this cherry lover with a more kindly eye and consider that the benefit derived from the same bird's destruction of in- sects more than repays them for the cherries he takes. Statistics from bird enthusiasts who have analysed the con- tents of robins' stomachs, show that only a small percentage of this bird's diet consists of cultivated fruits. It is natural for living beings to prefer a mixed diet. The robin, being no ex- ception to this law of nature, selects fruit to mix with his animal or insect diet. Cherries are ripe about the right time to furnish an appetizing food for the fully fledged spring brood, and if no other fruit is supplied he takes the cherry. If that fruit is to be found in great supply and of good quality it is but natural for him to break from his customary insect diet for a few days. At all times, however, it will be found that insects comprise the major portion of the food consumed. Since the bird is a benefit to fruit men in so far as he devours the more destruct- ive fruit enemies, the insects in various stages, should not something be done whereby robins can be kept in our orchards? Why not supply him with mulberries or wild cherries, or some such fruits, to satisfy his appetite for the fruit crop? A few trees near the groves or shrubberies which the birds frequent would do much to prevent them from taking the marketable crop. The Horticulturist has received expressions of opinions from fruit grow- ers in different sections of Ontario, as well as from Dr. Fletcher, of Ottawa. A few of them are as follows : Dr. James Fletcher, of the Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, who has given this subject much attention, writes: "I would most decidedly oppose any action on the part of fruit growers tending towards the destruction of the American robin, on the ground that these birds are beneficial, a considera- tion which affects the whole community. The only evidence against them is from fruit growers in the vicinity of towns. Such a question would have to be de- cided on the evidence of specialists who have studied the food habits of these birds, and not from the statements of any one class of the community who had been disappointed bv the destruc tion of even the best specimens of one of their crops, unless these statements were backed up by proved facts con- cerning the food habits. "Prof. F. E. L. Real. Assistant Fi- ologist of the United States Depart- ment of Agriculture, in discussing How Birds Affect the Orchard, says, 'The robin has often brought itself into un- enviable notoriety by its depredations upon small fruits. Sometimes people who grow a few choice cherries do not get even a sample of the fruit, and those who raise fine strawberries for family use secure only a few boxes. On the other hand thousands of fruit raisers in various parts of the country are never troubled by robins, although these birds may be just as abundant in their vicinity as elsewhere. 'An examination of the stomachs of 500 robins collected in various parts of the country shows that cultivated fruit forms less than eight per cent, of their diet, and that practically all of this is eaten in June and July, while wild fruits form more than 43 per cent, of the year's food. Complaints have come from locali- ties that lack those wild fruits which the robins evidently prefer — near cities, where such fruits have been destroyed, and in the prairie regions where they rarely grow, except in restricted areas along rivers.' "Prof. S. A. Forbes, of Illinois, who made a careful investigation of the food of this bird some years ago, found that enormous numbers of injurious insects were destroyed by robins. He found that the total percentage of injurious insects eaten was February, 18; May, 37; March, 37; April, 39; May, 55; June, 24; July, 10; August, 3 1 ; September, 7 ; while the percentages of fruits and seeds eaten were June, 58 ; July, 79 ; August, 56; Septemljer, 70; October, 56. In June cherries formed 47 per cent, of the food. "Mr. A. W. Butler, Ornithologist to the Geological Survey of Indiana, sums up this matter as follows: 'It is safe to say that noxious insects comprise more than one-third of the robin's food. Vegetable food was found to be nearly 58 per cent, of that eaten, wild fruits forming 47 per cent., and varieties that were possibly cultivated a little more than four per cent. They ate 25 percent, of cultivated fruit in June and July. Wild fruit was eaten every month in the year. Small fruits and cherries that ripen early are almost the only fruits that are eateii to any extent. By July, and after that, there is an abundance of wild fruits that are more to its taste. The robin takes 10 times as much wild as cultivated fruit. The wild plants upon which it feeds most are not those gathered by man or adopt- ed by him for cultivation. It would be well to plant a few extra plants or trees for the birds, or to plant a few of some such trees as the Russian Mulberry, to the fruit of which robins are particularly partial.' "The above facts," concludes Dr. Fletcher, "are only a few of many that 14S will have to be investigated by fruit growers who consider the robin an in- jurious bird." AGAINST THE ROBIN "Personally, I have no love for the robin," writes Mr. Chris. Firth, of Dur- ham. "There are scores of other in- sectivorous birds that never touch fruits, and are never mentioned by writers on the subject. These birds are seldom seen chiefly because their nesting- places are destroyed. They are not driven away by the English sparrows, as most writers try to make out. There is no bird more libelled than this same little brownie, but he still lives, and probably will for some time to come. "About 20 years ago, when I bought the place on which I live, it was a com- mons and one of the worst, not a tree on the part where I built my house. When the house was up I planted trees and shrubs all around where I thought they would be most effective as shelter, shade and ornament. Some evergreens are now nearly 30 feet high, and some of the isolated ones are beauties. They are mostly natives, such as balsams, spruce and pines. I still continue to plant. The consequence is a great variet}' of birds nest around my home. For 17 years I have permitted English sparrows to build in the roof of my house, just above my bedroom window, and on no occasion have I known them to interfere with other birds, some of which build within five yards of the house. These birds include warblers, chipping and song sparrows, catbird, kingbird, and others. The scarlet tan- ager I have not seen for years. The Baltimore oriole and rose-breasted gros- beak I seldom see. "These are all more or less insectivor- ous birds. Their absence is due to the same cause — nesting places are destroy- ed. There is also another cause — the domestic cat. I don't keep them, and kill every one I find prowling around. Then there is the man with the gun who likes to be called a sport. If read- ers of The Horticulturist, and others, will plant more trees and shrubs, and then plant a few' more, a great many of the birds would return and be of in- calculable benefit to the fruit growers." Mr. W. M. Robson, Lindsay: "It is easy to forget and forgive old feuds and depredations. If opinions were received from small fruit growers during the months of July and August, I fear the verdict would be against the robin. He does not possess compen- sating qualities equivalent to the de- struction and damage done by him. He has a voracious appetite for cher ries, strawberries, red currants, white currants, raspberries, peas and grapes. I am sorry to present such an indict- ment against one of the feathered tribe 146 THE CANADIAN HOR^TICULTURIST which I would fain protect. If it is our business to loop off and prune out all that is detrimental, the robin must be restricted, and more valuable birds pro- tected and encouraged, that the balance may be maintained." Top Grafts on Tolman S-weet W. T. Macoun, Ottawa I planted out a young orchard of 70 Tolman Sweet apple trees last spring, with the intention of working them into Spys. They made a splendid growth last season. How long from the time of setting in the orchard till they would be ready to work over? Which do you consider the best way of changing them, grafting or bud- ding? If by grafting, what way would be best, cleft, whip, or root grafting on the branches. Spys being my object, would it pay to mix some other varieties, and of what kind, for the sake of pollenation? — Subscriber, Northumber- land. As the trees made such a good growth last year they might be grafted with success this spring, but we should advise waiting for another year before doing the work, as success would be more assured and a larger proportion of the grafts be hkely to take. For young trees such as these whip-grafting should give the most satisfactory results, and as this work would be done in the spring, buds could be inserted on all branches where the grafts had failed in the following summer. As budding gives just as satisfactory results as whip- grafting, budding could be done this summer and the grafting done next spring, where it was certain that the buds failed. It would be necessary to have some other variety to pollenize the Spys, as isolated orchards of this variety do not produce much fruit. The Tolman Sweet would be an excellent variety for pollen- izing the Spy, as it blooms about the same time, and it would not be amiss to leave a branch of the Tolman on each tree for this purpose. We believe that one reason the Tolman is such a good stock for the Spy is that it is a late bloomer, like the Spy, and thus en- sures a good crop of fruit. There are few varieties that bloom as late as the Spy, but some of these are Cranberry Pippin, Canada Red, Westfield, Seek No Further and Grimes' Golden. In the Niagara district the area de- voted to grapes is rapidly increasing. It will not be many years until the already large plantings will have in- creased three or four fold. The Concord is still our favorite,, probably three- fifths of all vineyards planted being of this variety, with Niagara second, and Vergennes, Rogers 9 and 15 following. Campbell's Early is promising, but seems to be exacting as to soil condi- tions. Large areas of heavy land a few years ago not considered suitable for the production of grapes have of late years proved to be the very best when properly drained and cultivated. — W. H. Bunting, St. Catharines. A.n Increase of Forty Per Cent. THAT reports regarding the develop- ment of the fruit industry in British Columbia have not been exagger- ated is shown by figures sent by Mr. A. McNeill, chief of the fruit division, to The Canadian Horticulturist. In comparing the crops of 1904 and 1905, it is stated that the crop of the past season has been nnicli heavier, and higher prices have been obtained. The total fruit crop in 1904 was $600,000, whereas an increase of 40 per cent is noted for 1905, giving a total value of $1,000,000. The fruit grown in the western prov- ince is being regarded with increased favor from year to year, and a good market has been worked up in Alberta. For early apples the grower netted $1.00 a box. Early in December the price had advanced to $1.25. An increasing de- mand has resulted in a further advance and the producers have received $1.50 a box. As a rule the strict laws regard- ing packing and shipping have been scrupulously obeyed. The shippers have shown intelligence in their methods, and honesty in their dealings, and this ac- counts in part for the great increase in their trade. Tall Gro"wing Ornamental Grasses RodericK Cameron, Niagara Falls SoutK, Ont. IN last issue some of the grasses of dwarf-growing habit were referred to. They were suitable only for small beds or borders. In this issue I will describe a few of the best and hardiest of the robust growers. These can be used to advantage if put in large beds with broken outlines and set so that the plants of various heights will show a broken sky-line. The more irregular the outline of the bed and the more uneven the plants the better. The one will 'show off the other to advantage. We will suppose we have a crescent- shaped bed to deal with. In the centre of the bed I would place a group of Bambusa aurea, the Golden Bamboo of Japan. On account of the bareness of its stems at the bottom, plant Bambusa metake. Variety aurea grows six to. eight feet high, and metake, a dwarf grower, covers the lower part of the stem and the ground. I tried both of these outside last winter. Metake seems to be hardy, while aurea is perennial. The roots live and the tops die down. I would advise taking up the plants in late fall, and placing them in a cool cellar where they will vrinter in fine condition and be green for the following spring's planting. Half-way between the centre of the bed and the end plant a group of Arundo Donax, the Great Reed of Europe. This plant grows 10 to 12 feet high. Along with it may be planted Arundo Donax glauca, a dwarf variety, growing only four feet high, with bluish-green leaves and stouter stems. Arundo Do- nax versicolor is about the same height as the last, but variegated vrith white. It is a very pretty plant, and should be put on the points of the crescent, leaving room for a border. All of the Arundos are hardy here, and should be farther north, particularly if protected. The best protection I find for them is to cut their own stems off about eight or nine inches from the ground and lay them across the bed. This and the stubs left will leave an air space over the crowns of the plants ; over all put some coarse barnyard manure. To give a finish to this bed, and to fill up all the spaces, we have four varieties of eulalias. Eulalia Japonica is the type. It is green, and grows five or six '■, feet high, and is probably hardier than the others. Eulalia Japonica zebrina is the tallest grower and has yellow bars across the leaves, giving it a striking appearance in any position. Eulalia Japonica variegata has stripes of wliite and green running lengthwse with the leaves, making it also a much sought after variety. Eulalia Japonica gracil- lima is the dwarfest of the four, growing about four feet high. Its leaves are much narrower, with a white stripe running lengthwise with the mid-rib. All of them should be hardy farther north, particularly if protected as recom- mended for the Arundos. A foot from the grass margin a border of Pennisetum longistylum should be planted. The Pennisetum may be grown from seeds each year, but I prefer taking up a few plants and stor- ing them in the cellar until March, when they may be taken up and divided into many plants. All these specimens look well if planted isolated in the grass near a path, beside a building, or in the hardy perennial border. They may be planted also in groups of one of each, or they make good centre specimens for a bed of other plants. An excellent effect is produced lay planting these beside a lily pond. Pennisetum longistylum makes a grand border for a canna bed. All produce their Pamphas-like plumes of flowers during the fall months, and are ver\' desirable for dry-ing and using for decorating the house during the winter. Setting Out the Bedding Plants WITH the arrival of June weather the temperature generally has I become sufficiently high to per- knit of the majority of bedding plants peing planted in the open. The main object in filling the beds should be to produce an effect that will be pleasing to the passer-by. The tastes of those in charge of planting vary so much that no two, perhaps, would make the same selections. Besides, the opportunities for preparing the plants will, to a certain extent, control the specimens used. If a greenhouse is at hand in which to propagate plants of all kinds, more variety can be had than if the plants are to be purchased in the spring. In a recent interview with a represent- ative of The Canadian Horticultur- ist, Mr. E. F. Collins, of the Allan Gardens, Toronto, discussed the most satisfactory plants for bedding pur- poses and the cultural conditions that produce the best results. The propa- gation of some of the plants commonly used for this purpose was dealt with by Mr. Collins in the January number of The Horticulturist. Those who have greenhouses will have a supply of bedding stock on hand, while those who have to secure their supply from a florist will be benefited by a review of his experiences. "For bedding purposes on the average lawn," said Mr. Collins, "geraniums rank highest. For best effect they should be planted one to every square foot in the bed. A circular bed 10 feet in diameter would require about 75. The silver-leaved geranium, Madame Saleroi, makes suitable edging for a geranium bed. They should be set about 10 or 12 inches apart. Asters, phlox and petunias also are very desir- able on account of the great display that can be made by using them, as well as on account of their cheapness. These plants should never be set closer than 15 inches apart. They soon spread to cover the whole space. Cannas, too, are excellent for bedding purposes. They can be placed two feet apart if the plants are strong, and will present a grand display of both foliage and bloom. "Nasturtiums fill an important place in the average garden. They are rapid growers and produce a good effect. Except for geometric beds the coleus is being discarded. By using the different varieties a brilliant color effect can be produced, but a late frost gives them a ragged appearance that requires several weeks to overcome, and later in the season the mealy bug frequently be- comes troublesome, and the plants are practically destroyed in many cases. The leaves often fall off and the bare stocks present a repulsive appearance. This insect pest cannot be kept down after the plants are set in the open. The woolly covering which nature has provided so protepts the insect that any treatment that will destroy it also kills the plant. Irisenes, too, are suitable for color designs and patterns, but are not very commonly used. They are strong growers and free from insect pests. When set in the open they grow so rapidly that no damage is done by insects which are usually found on such plants. "Begonias," continued Mr. Collins, "are very desirable for bedding pur- poses. When a bed is planted with some of the better varieties and edged with a plant of low growing and spread- ing habit, such as the sweet alyssum, the effect is very pleasing. The alyssum seems to have something that blends well with the begonias. Centaurea and such plants are not so suitable for edging beds of begonias. Beautiful effects can be produced on a large open space by planting a bed with yellow coleuses and blue ageratum. The plants should be set alternately with two coleuses to one ageratum. No matter how hot the weather the display is always attractive. Madame Saleroi geranium and the ager- atum produce a similar effect. The plants should be set about one foot apart. RIBBON BORDERS "In making ribbon borders," said Mr. Collins, "the main point is to select colors that blend well. There is nothing better than pink, white and blue. Two rows of pink geraniums along the centre Station Improvement Along the Line of The Canadian Pacific Railway The Floral Department of the Canadian Pacific Railway, under Mr. N. S. Dunlop, is doing excellent work improving tlic appearance of the railway stations along the line of tile railway from the Atlantic to the Pacific. This illustration is from a photograph of the station at Markdale, Ont. Mr. J. Caesar is the agent. 148 THE CANADIAN li () R T I C U L T I HI S T . of tlif bed, with one row of blue ager- atuni on either side, and outside rows of Madame Saleroi geranium or sweet alyssuin makes an elegant display. The whole object of the planter should Ijc to present a pleasing effect from a distance, and not to have it merely satisfactory to those who are alongside the flowers. A most repulsive effect is produced by some gardeners planting bright red or scarlet geraniums against a red brick wall. If it is necessary to Ribbon Border in Allan Gardens have plants near the wall, caladiums or some such foliage plants should be planted, and then the scarlet geraniums will look well in front of the green. "The plants used and the number of rows of each kind will depend largely on the size of the bed. Small beds with geraniums in the centre and one row of smaller plants around the edge is satisfactory. Beds larger than 12 feet in diameter should have two rows of edging plants. Cannas, caladiums and such plants should never be used in small beds. If thtre are no large beds in which to put them they will show up to better advantage if set next the house or some wall or fence. PREPARING THE SOII< "A bed that has stood all winter, and was left in good shape in the fall, re- quires no special fertilizer in the spring. If, however, tulips or hyacinths were planted, the bed will require a heavy coat of well-rotted manure before the bedding plants are put in. Cannas, Caladium asculentum, dahlias and such plants are heavy feeders, and need an extra supply of manure. The best results from dahlias are obtained by digging a hole about a foot deep, placing in three inches of well-rotted manure, and filling up with rich soil. The bulbs when planted in this soil develop rapidly, and the roots do not come in contact with the manure until they require it. Hydrangeas do well with this treatment. "For most bedding plants a medium heavy loam is best. Light, sandy soils require too much watering. The heav- ier soil retains the moisture for a longer time. Nothing is better than an appli- cation of coal ashes. The soil is kept cool and moist in hot weather, and although they do not supply a great deal of plant food, there are very few plants that do not thrive well in soil with a coat of ashes added. Before planting the soil should be forked over deeply. If given a rest during the win- ter and spring it has regained much of the desirable qualities. Green manure should never be used, as the ground is hot enough during the summer, and the action of the green manure during fermentation develops more heat and cause it to dry out. "Plants requiring support should be staked when they are set out. If the stakes are not put in when the plants are set there is danger of injuring the roots or bulblets later on. The plants should be tied to these supports fr<- quently as growth develops. ' I.NSECT ENEMIES "There are numerous troublesome insects," continued Mr. Collins, "that have to be combatted by every gardener. « The rusty leaves commonly seen on 9 geraniums are generally due to attacks by the red spider. It is common on dry, sandy soil. This pest can be kept in check by thorough applications of cold water with the hose in the evening. On the ageratum, thrip is frequently „ found. Syringing with cold water or tobacco water destroys it. Perennials ' are often attacked by the black fly. A thorough treatment with tobacco w-ater for two or three mornings in succession, immediately after they are seen will keep them down. "The nicotianas and mignonette have the common potato bug as an enemy. If this insect is not watched it will com- pletely strip the foUage off the plant. Dry Paris green or syringing with Paris green and water is effective. The Paris green and water is more satisfacto v because it leaves less stain on the foliage. If they are treated as soon as they make an appearance they can easily be kept in check. "On roses green fly is the most serious pest. Tobacco water is the most effect- ive remedy, but if it is not used, con- stant syringing every day with cold water will destroy the flies and prevent ;: others from coming. The cold water bath is specially efficient during hot sunnv weather." Flo-wer Boxes for tKe Windo^vs DURING the hot sultry days of summer nothing in the form of plant life is more desirable for brightening the home than well-pre- pared and well-cared-for window boxes. If rich soil is used and the boxes are not made too narrow and too shallow, a brilliant display can be had during the greater part of the summer. The chief essential is that plants thai re- tain their green and do not shed their leaves are used. Liberal watering is demanded every day. The enthusiastic amateur can do all the work successfully, but for the aver- age citizen it is advisable to secure the services of a local florist. Com- petition is keen, and there is little dan- ger of exorbitant charges. Proper soil and suitable plants are sure to be sup- plied, because this department of the florist's trade is becoming extensive, and he is anxious to hold what he has and get his share of those who make a start each season. Those who do not care to leave the selection of specimens to the florist can secure whatever they require. There are scores of plants that give good effect, but coleuses, geraniums and nasturtiums are per- haps as commonly used as, any. The effect of nicely decorated win- dows on one residence on a street is to cause others to copy the idea. The result is the whole street is given a more pleasing and a more attractive appearance. An example of what can be done by means of such decorations is to be found at the beautiful home of Dr. Dryden, of Guelph. In a letter to The Hor- ticulturist the doctor wrote: "Window boxes are easily grown and require so little care that the results in the improvement of many homes are greater and more satisfactory than can be obtained for the same expense in any other method of culture, especially for those who have a small plot of ground at their disposal. The price is- comparatively reasonable, and will run about one dollar per 41,^2 foot box con- taining a good variety of plants. That is 20 to 25 cents per foot. "The*boxes should be of good size, and the depth and width at least six, or better, seven inches, and filled with a loose rich mould that will take up and retain a lot of water. They will do better on a west or north window, as the heat from the sun is very hard on them on a southerly or easterly- ex- posure. With the proper selection of plants they will give good results on the latter as well. "The great object is to select plants that will retain their foliage and keep green or flower all through the season. The great and only secret in their care is plenty of water and applied every day. as they dry out so quickly from ex- posure to the sun and wind. THE CANADIANHORTICULTU Ril S T . 149 Toronto Factory made Beautiful with Vines and Window Boxes "In selecting specimens I would suggest for bloom semi-double crimson geraniums, one to each foot in length ; bright colored foliage plants, half as many as geraniums; two nasturtiums in a four foot box ; in the front part of the box, for trailing or climbing, Cobsea scandens is the best vine, but the miranda is very good — say one of each. Many other plants might be suggested, but in our experience boxes filled with these have given much the best satis- faction. "Boxes can be made of ordinary inch pine, and if painted a nice color, emptied out in the fall and put awav in a dry place for the winter, they will last for years. Any one can make them as well as a carpenter. "Our boxes are mostly sent to the florists about May 1 and the plants filled in, after which they are left in the greenhouse until May. 20 or 24. Then they are safe from the spring frosts, and may be put up on the win- dows, and the warmth and protection from the nearness to the house keeps them green long after most of plants in the open are frozen. "Any person who will take the trou- ble can easily choose the plants and fill the boxes himself, but it does not pay to do this in Guelph, as the florists do it very reasonably." Give the children a flower bed to take care of. They will learn to love pretty things, and have implanted in their minds the ideas of order which time can never efface. — N. S. Dunlop, Kloral Dcpt. C.P.R., Montreal. "Was Not Coffee Frank Veal, C.S.I., of Bombay, India My attention was called to an arti- cle in )'our valuable paper for March, headed "Coffee in Glengarry," in which a Mr. Gamble claims to have some coffee plants growing and bearing berries. This is utter nonsense, as coffee trees take three years to mature and to pro- duce the berries known as coffee beans. Coffee will not grow in Canada, as it is a tropical plant and will not grow nor bear fruit in this country unless in a hot house. The plant that is being grown by Mr. Gamble probably is the one know^n under the commercial name of Gram, the seed of which is roasted with coffee and used very largely for adulterating and flavoring coffee. Most people call it chicory. If Mr. Gamble were to read Wm. Crashley on coffee cultivation in the Brazils, he would find that the coffee plant is a tree which often attains the height of 10 feet. It is not a vine. I have seen the trees growing in a small way in India, and they are much higher than four feet, and have branches the same as other trees. The pods of the real coffee contains only two beans, but sometimes there are three. I came out from India to Canada to see if tea could be grown in this coun- try, but find the chmate would not suit. Jt was also my intention to grow coffee, cochineal and alloas, but none of these would be suitable. I have ex- amined the ground carefully and find the soil also is not good enough. Fving'vis on Wild Rose W. T. Macoun, Ottawa Is the black fungus growth on wild rose bushes the same as black knot of plum and cherry? The wild roses on my premises are covered with it. It is several years since it attacked the fruit trees. — C. W. B., Prescott. The fungus on the wild rose bushes is known as the Rose Phragmidium and is distinct from the black knot. To eradicate this disease, which is a diffi- cult one to deal with, it is necessary to destroy as many of the knots as possible, and then spray the bushes and the ground about the bushes, early in the spring before the leaves open, with copper sulphate in the proportion of one pound of copper' sulphate to 25 gallons of water. The bushes should be kept sprayed until the middle of summer with Bordeaux mixture or ammoniacal copper carbonate. Palms from Seed A Toronto subscriber to The Horti- culturist wrote asking for information regarding how to obtain palms from date stones. The enquiry was forward- ed to Mr. Walter T. Ross, of Picton, who has had great success with tropical plants of different kinds. In reply to questions regarding the time required to develop and general cultural methods required, Mr. Ross wrote as follows: "The seed takes about nine months to start, but if cut or soaked in warm water, it will sprout more quickly. The plant afterwards requires only the ordinary care of a palm. The roots go deeply. I had pots made specially for palms, not so wide as the ordinary pot but much deeper to give the roots a chance. This proved to be a great advantage." Sowing Aster Seed. — I have learned a lesson this spring about sowing aster seeds. We sow our seed too early in the season. I sowed mine the first of March, and before it was time to set them out the plants either grew too large or became stunted. They were in the house, and the necessary handhng resulted in many of them being stunted and not doing well. The growth was very uneven. I believe that the first of April is plenty of time, and I am going to follow that rule in future. — C. F. Coleman, Burlington, Ont. I prefer roses grafted on their own roots because those struck on wild roots sometimes die back, and when growth comes the wild shoots are the stronger, and the amateur is sure to keep one of the sort that is no use. — Edwin Utley, Toronto. TKe BacK Yard Beaxitiful How many citizens of villages, othtr slops are thnjwn. I'"ur sanitary towns and cities keep their front reasons, if for nothing else, flowers lawns in a presentable condition, should be grown. Think of the differ but utterly neglect the back yard Iln encc between the air coming from a No. 1 Before the Flowers were Planted man nature seems to like to make a display for the public eye. Places, however, that are hidden from the view of the citizens at large are neglected, and, in many cases, are a disgrace to the owners. The reason for such ne- glect can be attributed to nothing else than laziness. The expense is so tri- fling that it needs no consideration, while the necessary labor can be done in'ythe evenings. I^The flower enthusiast ma)- select some costly specimens for curiosity merely to have something different from his neighbor, but for the average back yard such plants as nasturtiums, sweet peas, Virginia creepers, wild cu- cumbers, etc., for covering bare walls and fences and columbines, larkspurs, peonies, the different varieties of lilies, phlox, alyssum and many other plants for planting in front of the climbers can be made to fill the bill admirably. The number of plants suitable for this pur- pose is legion. Even the common sun- flower or hollyhocks and poppies would brighten things up and make it appear as if the place was inhabited by twen- tieth century citizens. All who have the welfare of their families at heart should see that the back yard is as clean as the front lawn. In fact, more attention is demanded. As before stated, it is not necessary to go to any great expense. Anything, however, is better than the slimy, bare ground on which dish water and garden bordered with vines and creep- ers, and dotted with annuals and per- ennials, or covered with fresh green grass, and that coming from many of the yards. The educational value, too, must not be overlooked. Every member of ever\ family should know more or less ab(jii: plant life. The association and a^ quaintanceship with such forms of n ture have an influence for gwxl tli cannot be measured. The children a easily made to take an interest. 1' experiment, buy a few nasturliun. seeds, or sweet peas or sunflowers if you will; plant them, and the average chiM of very tender years will do the resi with very little coaching. Not much instruction is required to have th< children do all the work, and the result will be a delight to every member ci the family as well as to the ncighbfjr^ "I want no bare ground on my lot said Mr. Edwin Utley, of Linden strtt Toronto, to a representative of Tr Horticulturist, who visited his plai recently. "My favorite plant for back yard display is sweet peas. I alwa\s put a 5x4 scantUng next the wall cr fence and stretch fine poultry nettii about five feet wide along for the pt to climb over. I frequently have them grow six or seven feet high. This year I have about 61 varieties. I have also used nasturtiums to good effect. "Perennials, too," continued Mr. l le}-, "can be used to advantage \t^ planting taller specimens, such as rud beckias, larkspurs, columbines, trito mas, cannas, lilies, gladioli, and others, at the back and lower growing one-- near the front. Sweet alyssum make - an excellent plant for the front row It is essential that the amateur gar dener keep everything carefully labelled No. 2 -The Change a Few Plants Have Made THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 151 all so that he can tell his friends the cor- rect names. This year I have several new specimens, including hypericum, geum, galega and others. They are all hardy, and promise to be desirable ditions." The accompanying illustrations are ■om photographs taken in Mr. Utley's lack yard. No. 1 was taken in the spring before growth had begun. No. 2 shows the same view during the sum- mer. As far back as the tree had been sodded. In the spring the space be- hind the tree was seeded down to grass consisting of equal parts white clover, Kentucky blue grass and red top, and in two months a perfect mat had formed. A narrow path along the board fence on the right is hidden by sunflowers. At the back nasturtiums are supported by wire netting. At the front on the left a brilliant effect was presented by sweet peas on the wire netting, cannas, salvias and ger- aniums next, and a row of ageratum and one of sweet alyssum along the front. Here and there on the lawn behind the tree, dahlias were planted. Holes one foot square and 18 inches deep were made and filled with a mix- ture composed of equal parts of sandy soil, rich loam and well-rotted manure. One of the dahlias, Madame Vander Dael, produced bloom 83^2 inches in diameter. In the foreground is a No. 3 — One of Mr. Utley's Fine Clumps caladium in pot. No. 3 shows the clump that appears in the left hand corner of No. 2. The sweet peas have not attained full growth, and do not cover the netting. The tall clump in the extreme right hand corner is rud- beckia, golden glow; Mr. Utley is stand- ing on the steps. Preserving' tKe Beaiaty of tKe Lawn THE members of the Toronto;Horti- cultural Society who attended the monthly meeting in St. George's Hall on May 8 to hear Mr. Wm. Hunt's address, received many valuable hints. The only regrettable feature of the meeting was that more did not turn out. President Frankland was in the chair. Before the address resolutions were passed deploring the mutilation of trees by telephone and telegraph com- panies. A ladies' committee, compris- ing ladies who are horticulturists, will be formed to aid in the work of the society. Mr. Hunt complimented the executive and members on the resolutions passed and the steps taken to bring before the proper authorities the matter of the indiscriminate butchering and mutila- tion of shade trees in cities and towns by the employees of the telegraph and telephone companies. He hoped that every horticultural society in the prov- ince would assist in this matter. The spirit of civic improvement and the beautifying of public grounds and streets, as well as of home surroundings, had taken a great hold on our people, and it was oftentimes very discouraging that the scenic and landscape beauties of our streets .should be marred and destroyed as they sometimes are from the causes mentioned. Often the civic authorities were, to a great .extent, powerless in the matter. In dealing with the subject of his address, "Among the Plants and Flow- ers in Spring-time," Mr. Hunt proved himself at home, and gave much useful and seasonable information. As a remedy for the prevention of trespassing and cutting across corner- lot lawns, the speaker suggested a rockery built diagonally from the inter- secting points of the sidewalks to a point far enough from the sidewalk to prevent trespassing. A single plain wire could be stretched along over the top of the centre of the rockery, the two forming a most effective barrier to the too common and destructive practice of cutting corners by pedes- trians. The rockery could be planted with ferns or creeping plants, such as vincas, nasturtiums, etc., and a few tulips and other bulbs could be planted in the fall to help brighten up the rockery in spring-time. Where the rock- ery had been tried as a barrier to tres- passers it had proved most effective, as well as adding to the attractiveness of its surroundings. Another point in the spring care of lawns was the difficulty in getting a lawn roller. The roller is an indis- pensable article in making and keeping a good lawn. The speaker recommend- ed a flat pounder about eight or ten inches square, made of two-inch plank- ing with a long handle, as a substitute. This pounder for a small lawn would be found as effective as a roller if properly used. The old-fashioned lawn mower with roller attachments was of great service. For a small lawn a mower with roller attachment, especially where it was difficult to obtain an ordinary lawn roller, was recommended. A lawn rake and a long-handled weed- spud were also indispensable articles in the care of. a lawn. A good weed-spud could easily be made by attaching an ordinary broom handle to an old socket- handle carpenter's chisel. A lawn rake was useful in many ways, where an ordinary garden rake would not answer. It was useful for dragging over the lawn in the spring to remove creeping weeds, moss, etc., as well as to drag up the roots of noxious weeds, such as dande- Hons and plantains, when the roots had been loosened with the weed-spud. These implements saved backaches and made this usually troublesome feature of lawn-keeping a pleasure rather than a laborious task, as is the case when these weeds have to be removed with an ordinarv knife. The lawn rake was 152 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST A Prize Winning Deseronto Garden Many members of horticultural societies and readers of The Horticulturist retain a professional gardener to attend to the lawns and plants. This illustration shows the grounds <)f Mrs. T. B. Gaylord, of Deseronto. In the competition of the society in that town this lawn was awarded first place. also useful for removing the buds of the dandelion flowers, thus oftentimes preventing the necessity of mowing them, as well as removing them before there was any danger of their having flowered or seeded. It was only a duplicate of the old English daisy rake, an implement seen on every well-kept lawn in England, where good lawns are one of the greatest features of the grand landscape beauty so noticeable there. A good spring fertilizer for lawns was that recommended by Mr. Alexander, of Hamilton, made by mixing four or five pounds of bone meal with one pound of muriate of potash and sowing it thinly over the lawn. The quantity mentioned was sufficient for a lawn eight or ten feet square. If an equal quantity of dry fine earth could be added to the above mixture it would add a little substance and aid in the more even distribution. The soil must, however, be dry so as to mix thoroughly before using with the fertilizer. The best mulch for autumn applica- tion on a lawn, the speaker considered, was a mixture of equal parts of well- rotted barnyard manure and some fairly good loamy, friable soil. This was the mulch used very commonly in England, and gave not only the fertilizing prop- erty of a mulch, but also added a permanent substance to the lawn. It not only helped to enrich, but also filled hollows in the surface of the lawn and furnished material for any lawn seeds sown in spring to germinate ancj grow in. The mulch of long manure, as sometimes applied in fall, was un- sightly and frequently produced a big crop of weeds. The earth mulch men- tioned could be applied early in spring, also, very effectively. Mr. Hunt also gave very many useful hints as to the care of window plants. etc., during summer, care of spring flowering bulbs, etc., pruning and care of roses, flowering shrubs, and many other seasonable matters. Numerous ques- tions were asked the speaker, and answered satisfactorily. The speaker was tendered a hearty vote of thanks. At the next meeting, June 5, Professor Hutt, of Guelph, will discuss "Improvement of Home Sur- roundings." *<^|**^ *<^%*^tf "<'%^^ ><^^*«^ '<'^|*^L' I BULB DEPARTMENT l w Nfr. Herman Simmers \^ OMf^^ /l%4%>t nM%>) /~)M%>« OM^^^ Gladioli Planting When should gladioli be planted? How can ; have a succession of bloom ? How deep should the bulbs be planted i" — H. O. S , Simcoe. The time of planting is in May, and the blooming period from August to October. I have experimented planting gladioli as late as the end of June, and in almost every case they have bloomed in October with every success. The greatest difficulty in planting in late June is that the corm does not have such a good opportunity to make suffi- cient development to preserve it thor- oughly for the following spring. The flowering, however, is just as good as if planted early, and perhaps if new bulbs were purchased each season, better re- sults in blooming would be the result, with less chance of deterioration than when the bulbs are preserved for another season. When the leaves of the trees are beginning to come out, is a good in- dication that nature is ready to go ahead and similar growth for the gladi- olus will take place. Planting would be as well to be made two to three weeks apart to have a succession of bloom. Hy culling ihe sU-iii when tin- hot torn flower has opened and placing it in water the spike will produce flower^ three to four times as long as if allowc-i' to bkxjin altogether on the plant. Plan the bulbs three inches below the surfac of the ground, or if planted shallower hoe the earth up to give better cIkhk i for plant development. ScotcK XKistle on tHe La"wn The accompanying illustration repre sents a specimen of Scotch Thistle grown on the lawn of Mr. Philip Love, of I'arrie. When fully matured it stood 10 feet high and was 7^ feet in diam- eter. Some of the leaves were 4 or 5 feet long and 18 to 20 inches wide. This fine specimen was a centre of at- traction in Barrie. In a letter to The Horticulturist Mr. Love says this plant is very slow to grow. Reing a biennial, it requires two years to mature. Seed planted one season comes up the next, and the plant makes 18 or 24 inches growth. In the fall this dies, and when growth comes A Huge Scotch Thistle, next spring it again grows and reaches maturitv before winter comes. Thus, to have large specimens continually, young plants must be kept each year. Very rich soil is required, and liberal watering should be given. This ab- normal specimen was grown where an old water-closet had stood. In making the lawn Mr. Love levelled the ground and planted the thistle seed which de- veloped into, what he terms, "the best Scotchman ever grown in Canada." As the root goes almost straight down, plentv of plant food considerably below the surface soil is required. Applica- tions of manure water are practically worthless. It should not be planted in a shady place. Vegetable Gro^ng' in Ne^w YorK and MassacKusetts A. McMeans, Agricultural College, GuelpH S a result of the request made some time ago by the Ontario Vegetable Growers' Association, that the Department of Agriculture Ihould send some person to investigate le work being done by the experiment Itations, and to visit also a few of the eading commercial establishments in lew York and some of the New Eng- land states, I was recently sent by The )epartment on such a trip. I left Guelph April 12, and was away for one week. During my absence I visited the New York Experiment Station, at (jcneva, N.Y.; the Cornell Agricultural College, at Ithaca, N.Y.; the Hatch I^xperiment Station and Massachusetts Agricultural College at Amherst, Mass., and leading vegetable growers in the \ icinitv of Boston, Mass., and Rochester, N'.Y. While indirectly the agricultural col leges and experiment stations at these points have been of great value to vege table growers, none of them, excepting ])Ossibly the experiment station in Mass- ■ achusetts, have devoted special atten- tion to experimental work for the bene- fit of vegetable growers. They all real- ize, however, the need for more work of this nature and are asking for in- creased grants to enable them to under- take it. The practical fruit growers, whose places I visited, are conducting their work on a scale of such magnitude as to be undreamed of by the growers n Canada and they are still enlarging their plants. Canadian growers who are thinking of raising vegetables under glass on an extensive scale, would find it a most profitable trip could thev visit their greenhouses. WORK IN NEW YORK STATE The New York Experimental Station is situated on a nice slope, about a little over a mile from the City of Geneva. The soil is a clay loam. I met Dr. Jordan, who handed me over to Prof. Hedrick, who is the horticulturist, and whose work has been devoted chiefly to fruit. There are two houses, about 20 x 50 feet each, devoted to vegetables. The houses are old and they are asking for new ones. One house is devoted to head lettuce, of which 32 varieties were tried this season. Mills seedling is about the best, but they are not nearly satisfied yet. Leaf turn has caused considerable trou- ble. The other house is devoted to cucumbers, grown from seed, without handling or transplanting. The test is not proving satisfactory. They took off a crop of tomatoes from this house early in the season. The average weight per plant of 148 plants was 11 pounds; variety Lorillard. About two acres are devoted to a garden which is used chiefly to supply vegetables to the directors and others connected with the station. THE MASSACHUSETTS STATION At Amherst, Mass., Prof. Brooks in- troduced me to Prof. Stone, who took me in charge, with the excuse that they are not doing the work they should, as their houses are old and they are asking for an appropriation of $15,000 to re- build at the experiment station and col- lege. At the station there are three houses devoted to experimental work, chiefly in vegetables, especially toma- toes and cucumbers. Experiments have been conducted in sub-irrigation, sterilizing the soil, and in the applica- tion of electricity through the soil, and in charging the air. Electrodes in the soil proved beneficial on lettuce and radish. Sterilization of the soil proved of benefit to lettuce. Sub-irrigation was good for both lettuce and tomatoes. At the Agricultural College, I met Prof. Waugh. Everything is on a com- mercial scale, flowers, fruit, vegetables and nursery. The students do the ma- jority of the work at 121/2 cents per hour. Thousands of vegetable plants were for sale. The houses at the col- lege are devoted chiefly to flowers. Everything is sold and prices rule very high. Some oppo4tion has been raised by the local trade to commercialism on the part of the college. WORK AT CORNELL At Cornell College, situated on a hill overlooking the City of Ithaca, N.Y., I found Prof. John Craig, an old Canadian, who took me in charge. The soil is a very heavy cliy and unfitted for the carrying on of experiments with vege- tables outdoors. The result is that they do their experimental work with the commercial men, in some suitable loca- tion. When growers are having trouble with their crops and write the college a member of the staff visits the grower's place and gives all the assistance pos- sible, remaining for several days when necessary. They have been carrying on some ex- periments with acetylene gas, using it for lighting purposes and running it at night to watch its effects on vegetables, chiefly beans, under glass. The results this year have not been satisfactory. They have a very nice setting of fruit, with their tomatoes, and find Lester's Prolific and Climax to have done the best. The best object lesson I received on my trip was in the commercial centre, near Boston. The magnitude of the industry and the number and size of the 153 vegetable forcing houses at Arlington, Belmont and other suburbs of Boston, is almost beyond belief. The largest of the Rawson greenhouses, at Arlington, attains to the great size of 50 x 400 feet, with frames of glass 20 x 30 inches. Hittinger Bros., at Belmont, among others, have one house 40 x 600 feet. There are many other establishments in the vicinity with houses nearly as ex- tensive. Among others, I might men- tion Wyman Bros., Allen's, Tappan and Scane. These people grow acres of lettuce, cucumbers, radishes, etc., in the winter, and exchange this product for bank accounts. Now, just a word as to why these men have been successful, and why it cannot very well be duplicated in Ontario. In so far as I could see, the element of success with the Yankee lies in his thoroughness. Nothing is too great for him to undertake, nothing is too small for him to neglect. To give an instance of detail: Hittinger Bro.'s large house, the one I just mentioned, was planted to cucumbers, trained to single stem. All laterals and tendrils were removed every other day. It is just a little thing, but it spelt success. The Massachusetts type of house is what is known as the three-quarter span, running east and west, about five feet high on the south or long side, 15 feet to the ridge and about 10 feet of wall on the north side. Ground beds are used exclusively. The general plan is to grow two or three crops of lettuce, fol- lowed by cucumbers. The Boston let- tuce grower begins operations in his forcing house on the following general plan. He first prepares his ground by watering thoroughly and digging into it about three inches of well-rotted horse manure. Then he sets out transplanted lettuce plants about eight inches apart. Should the beds become very dry, they are watered with a hose with no nozzle, giving a gentle stream of water. They try to place the water between the plants, keeping the lettuce itself as dry as possible. As soon as the lettuce covers the soil, all water is withheld until about two days before cutting, when it is watered freely to add increased weight and texture. After the lettuce begins to head the temperature at night is kept down to 40°. During the day it often runs up to 60°, but plenty of air is given. After cutting, the house is thoroughly fumigated, the soil saturated with water, and the process repeated. A leaf from Mr. Rawson's note book, as I copied it from the wall of a green- house, regarding one house, may not be amiss: Lettuce, first crop set Oct. II, 1902; second crop set Dec. 20, 1902; cucumbers set March 7, 1903. For i:.4 T HE C A N A 1) I A N H O R T I C 1 L T U R I S T tadi ol llic two crups of letliirc grown, a very heavy coal of well-rotted manure is used so that when the time comes for cucumbers, the soil is well supplied with plant food. But this is not enough. Trenches about a foot wide and 18 inches deep, are dug from end to end of the house. Fermenting manure, to the depth of 10 inches, is then firmly packed in the trench, after the manner of hot beds. Soil, to the depth of eight inches, is placed on the manure and the general level restored. Cucumbers from six inch pots are then planted from three to four feet apart in these trenches, and are trained on trellises. The trel- lises are made by using A-shaped trusses of iron or wood (V-shaped at the row, but A-shaped as to the way the trusses or supports are constructed) reaching from the bed to nearly the glass, with wires eight inches apart running length- wise of the house. The vines grow with great rapidity and are tied to the wires with string or rafHia. When the work is well done, the fruit can be gathered from the underside without difficulty. Anybody who will put their love in the work, who will take the pains and trouble, study conditions and be as thorough in their work as the easterner, should be able to duplicate their success. For the past five years I have been a convert to the ground bed, but after what I saw east, if I had any doubts, they were expelled, for I feel firmly con- vinced that for the growing of lettuce to produce a superior article, the raised bench is a thing of the past. .\ HIG INDUSTRY In the vicinity of Irondequoit, a suburb of Rochester, I should say there are over 100 different greenhouse plants, ranging from 1,000 to 500,000 feet in each plant, used exclusively for lettuce and cucumbers. It is all Boston Head lettuce which is followed by cucumbers. The majority train their cucumbers to single stems and let no fruit set until they reach a height of six or seven feet. They are planted three by about seven eet apart and trained, on twine, until they reach the desired height, when they are allowed to run overhead. All later- als and tendrils are removed. They use a cross of White Spine and Telegraph. As a result of my trip I was able to gather much valuable information that I believe can be made of value to the vegetable growers of Ontario. To fight blight successfully potatoes should be planted wider apart than thev require to be when there is no danger of this disease.— Jas. Dandridge, Humber Bay. In growing vegetables under glass it is not sufficient merely to keep the plants from freezing; thev must be kept grow- ing or loss will be the result.— H. E. Reid, Toronto. Home Made Cement Tile Oi'TIvXTIMIiS when fruit or vege- table soils need underdraining. the work is neglected on account of the cost of tile. Many undrained soils would be drained if tile could be made at home. Ordinary six-inch tile costs about $45 per 1,000, and even at that high price they can scarcely be had. Brickmakers say they are not convenient to make as they take up too much space when drying. These tiles can be made at home at odd times in winter and spring. Such work is a good means of profitably em- ploying labor in the slack season, and of retaining skilled help that otherwise might be lost. Mr. C. E. Secord, of St. Catharines, makes his own tiles and makes them of cement, at the low cost of $15 per 1,000. During a recent in- terview he showed the writer the ap- paratus, and explained how the w^ork is done. THE APPARATUS The bottom of the apparatus is a 3 -inch plank about 12 in. wide and any length desired, say 18 ft. A heavy plank is used so that there will be no "spring" or "give" when weighted with the tiles. On this plank is placed a number of circular pieces of sheet iron (the bottom of the moulds), 8 in. in diameter, with a small hole in the centre sitting on a pin, or brad, driven into the plank 12 in. apart, and pro- truding upwards about 2 in. Around this sheet iron disc are a number of stout wire brads driven into the plank to hold the mould in place. The mould consists of an outer "shell," made of two pieces of common sheet iron, 12 by 15 in. each, and a central "core" of solid wood, a cylinder 6 in. in diameter and 15 in. long. Such a mould will turn out a '6-inch tile with an outside diameter of 8 in. and 12 in. in length. The outer "shells" are bent in half circles, overlapping, and ' placed at the bottom, within the circle of brads on the plank. At the top they are held in place by an inch board with holes cut 8 in. in diameter and properly spaced, that is. 12 in. apart from centre to centre. The holes in this board fit over the upper ends of the "shells." Within each shell is placed a "core," the bottom end of which, being bored, sits over the cen- tral pin on the plank. The core protrudes 3 in. above the mould for ease in hand- ling, and so that it can be twisted occasionally to make the inside of the tile smooth. THE PROCESS The mixture is made up of equal parts of fine sand and gravel about the size of wheat kernels, and one-sixth Portland cement. This is mixed in the ordinary way, but not too wet. ' When the mixture is prepared it is put ' in the moulds until they are about half full, then "tamped" or pounded well Then the remainder is added, "tamped again, and the top levelled off and smoothed. The moulds are allowed to "set" for about 24 hrs., after which they are removed, dried and stored until ready for use. — A. B. C. THe Fertilizers Act Users of fertilizers are protects 1 against fraud if they care to take ad vantage of an act passed bv the Federal Parliament. Manufacturers are re- quired to guarantee their product and any person that sells, offers or exposes for sale at a higher price than SIO per ton, a fertiUzer containing less than eight per cent, available phosphoric acid, or four per cent, of ammonia or its equivalent in nitrogen or nitric acid, or when both phosphoric acid and am- monia are present, at least five per cent, of available phosphoric acid and two per cent, of ammonia or its equivalent in nitrogen or nitric acid shall be liable in each case to a penalty not exceeding $50 for the first offence and $100 for each subsequent offence, and in either case forfeiture of the fertilizer. A deficiency of one per cent, is not considered as evidence of fraudulent intent. Fertilizers sent to the Inland Revenue Department, Ottawa, will be analyzed on payment of an established fee of $3.00. Tomato Blig'Ht Prof. W. Lochhead, Guelph, Ont. The term blight is sometimes popular- ly applied to a bacterial disease causing the wilting of the stems and the foliage, and for an entirelv different disease called the Black Rot of the fruit. The Tomato Black Rot most frequently attacks the fruit and reveals itself as large, black, sunken disease spots. In the real blight, however, it is the foliage that wilts, and at a later stage produces a discoloration of the stems and death results. With regard to the Rot, it has been; prevented by spraying with Bordeaux when the disease first appears, especial- ly if the spraying is repeated at intervals of 10 or 15 days. In the case of the Blight, it is probably transmitted fre- quently by the potato beetle. If the flea beetles and potato beetles are kept in check there is less liability of the spread of the disease. It is always wise to remove the diseased plants as soon as the wilting shows itself. The crops should be rotated as much as possible. THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 155 FigHtin^ Onion Milde-w I ONION growers in various sections are seriously troubled with Onion Mildew, and frequently whole patches are destroyed. Several means of combatting the disease have been advised, but in most cases the ravage is not materially checked. ■ Last year, Mr. W. J. Justice, of Barrie, succeeded in saving a large patch of onions grown from sets. In a recent letter to The Horticulturist, Mr. Justice wrote: "In fighting the Onion Mildew I u.sed lime and sulphur, dry. A few sprayings with Bordeaux mixture were given, but I don't think it is of any use for the purpose. I had been using lime and sulphur for two or three weeks before I wrote to the Ontario Agricul- tural College for advice, but was not succeeding as I thought 1 should. I wrote to the College and asked for a remedy, and found that for once I had guessed right. The onions affected were not seed onions; they were sets. "A package containing specimens of affected onions were sent the College when I asked for the best treatment for the trouble. Professor Lochhead's re- ply was as follows: ' Onion Mildew is a destructive para- sitic disease. As a rule the bulb is not affected, but if the trouble appears early the bulbs remain very small. After the fungus has secured an entrance into the onions it is difficult to cure. All we can hope to do is prevent it from spread- ing. In the early stages it can be check- ed by dusting with powdered quicklime and sulphur — twice as much lime as sulphur. This is best applied with a bellows when the plants are damp. Sulphide of potassium may be used one- quarter ounce to a gallon of water. "Prevention rather than cure should be aimed at, and this can be assured if the known means are thoroughly car- ried out. The first appearance of the disease depends on resting spores of the fungus, and they are produced on leaves previously killed by the fungus. There- fore, it is necessary to collect and burn all diseased leaves. If they are allowed to rot on the ground, the resting spores are set free in the soil, and as they retain their vitality for at least two years, there is a constant and certain danger of the disease breaking out afresh. If practi- cable onions should not be grown on the same land more than once in three years. At the end of that time all resting spores are dead. Damp and shaded situations favor the spread of the summer form of the disease." Growing tKe Celery Crop I AT the monthly meetings held by the Toronto vegetable growers during the winter months celery growing in its various phases was fully discussed. Several gardeners belonging to the Toronto branch association have had many years' experience with this crop, and are looked on as authorities. The celery king of Huniber Bay, Mr. Wm. Harris, said that on good celery . ground the plants might be set outside about May 24, but much depended on the season. The earlier they were set out the better would be the crop of celery, as greater growth was made during the long days of summer. Later in the season, when the nights became longer, blight is caused if the soil is not well adapted to this crop. On heavier soil the plants should not be set out until June. Some gardeners recommended setting the plants in rows 2}/> feet apart, but Mr. Harris claimed the best celery is obtained when the rows are three or i]/2 feet apart. He preferred planting them in double rows with a four-inch space and eight inches apart, because it saved hnnber when the plants were being bleached. If the ground is dry more space can be given between the plants so that enough moisture will be fvirnished. He advised mulching with manure after the plants are six or seven inches high. In the best celery land the less cultivation given the better after the plants have reached that height, as black muck drys out freely when stirred. Besides, cultivation on such soil after the plants are about seven inches high, frequently causes blight. He claimed that this trouble- some disease remains in the ground, and said that patches on which refuse from tanneries had been used as a fertilizer produced good celery free from blight. It was thought that the salt in this refuse had something to do with the absence of the trouble. Last year celery planted in double rows was affected more by blight than was that in the single rows. It was claimed by Mr. Harris that black heart is found only on soil that is not adapted to celery growing. He had found it in his crop in odd places where the soil was not deep. Kxperience had shown him that celerv cannot be grown on shallow soil, and that the deeper the soil the better the crop. Paris Golden Yellow is the variety best suited to his soil, and most sought after on the mar- ket. Some growers had said that it had a poor heart, but his experience showed that no other variety filled out as well as does the Paris Golden. Mr. Courtice said that the supplying of a suitable market until late in the season is as important as the production of an ideal crop. Black swamp soils are suitable for producing celery for the early market, but if celery is wanted to keep late in the season it should be planted on a moderate grade on higher, well-drained soil. This soil must be kept continually cultivated. Celery of better keeping quality can be produced from planting in single rows than by the double row system. It should not be planted too early in the season. The secret in producing long-keeping quality is to have the crop out as late as possible in the fall. He preferred not to take it in before November 10, and said that every three days it is left out after that time meant three weeks in the keeping quality and also makes it more edible. The aim of celery growers should be to produce a first-class article. With such it is not hard to hold the trade. Mr. Courtice said he always took his celery to the customers in boxes well lined with paper, and instructed these customers not to leave it loose in the boxes and exposed to the air. If care- fully handled and kept away from the air it will keep crisp for a week or longer. The best keeping celery that he has grown is Evans' Triumph. It has a whole heart and the stocks are crisp. Paris Golden Yellow was much sought after on the market, but it has not as good a heart, and is seldom found free from strings. The length of time that celery can be kept depends on the season. He has kept it as late as March. It was pointed out by Mr. Joseph Rush that Canadian celery growers have lost the art of keeping that crop. He said that when he first came to Canada he opened a pit on May 17, and sold it as late as June 10. This lot had been stored in a pit with sand in the bottom. That the market demands a blanched celery, was referred to by Mr. J. McKay. The blanched sorts, he said, do not keep, and the green supply does not sell. If the customers would buy green celery Ontario growers could supply them, and one stick of it would be worth more than half a dozen of the goods now im- ported from California. Budding is best performed when there is still sufficient sap beneath the bark to pe'rniit of the latter being easily raised with a knife. On the other hand, if the work is done when the tree is still grow- ing vigorously the bud is liable to be "drowned out," or in . other words, forced out by reason of too much sap and growth of the stock.— W: T. Macoun, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa. 156 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST The Canadian HorUculturisl Publiihed by The Horticultural Publiahing Company^, Limited The Only Horticultural Magazine in the Dominion Offlcial Organ of Britiah Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and Prince Edward Island Fruit Qrowera* AsBociationa and of the Ontario Veg- etable Growers* Association H. Bronson Cowan, Editor and Business Manager J. Albbrt Hand, B.S.A., Associate Editor W. G. Rook, Advertisiog Manager A. B. Cm-riNO. B.S.A., Special Correspondent W. WiCKiiAM. Wellington Chambers. l.oner of cars they have severally handled since April 1, and find it reaches the astonish- ing number of 170 cars of fruit and vegetables, ind by vegetables I do not include potatoes nd that kind of thing shipjx;d in from provin- cial points, but ])ie plant, tomatoes, and new- cabbage from the south. About 40 of these cars were bananas, then conies oranges, and all the other varieties of fruit that are in season at this time of the year. One carload of apples cost on arrival here $1,632. There is, also, one car of strawberries in the lot. In commenting on this state of affairs the eastern men can judge for themselves whether or not it is worth their while to try to capture the bulk of this trade, Ijut I wish to draw their attention to one or two points, which are very ajjparent to me, and in doing so I shall "Nothing extenuate, nor set ought down in malice." The charge has frequently been made that the Winnipeg jjeople are not willing to ])ay a fair price for a good article. This is manifest- ly unfair, and can easily be proven to be incor- rect, but one must discriminate. There is a vast difference between a disposition to pay a fair price for a first-rate article, and a refusal to be held up for a big price for something that is worth i)erhaps but little more than the freight. In writing these letters it is to be distinctly understood that I am voicing nobody's senti- ments but my own, and I am writing ex-officio at that. The press reports an extraordinary good show for peaches at Leamington. If this is correct, now is the time to perfect the plans to get them to this market, and not wait till the week they are to be shipped. This is a ticklish subject to touch, but with- out wishing to give ofi'ence, one cannot but dep- recate the sad want of self-reliance that is apparent in the actions of the fruit growers. They have the Railway Commission at their disposal to hell) them lick the transportation companies into line, and that is a great advan- tage compared with the conditions that used to obtain in years past. The prospects for a great and successful busi- ness the present season are better than ever before, but it is only by being prepared and Montreal Frxiit Trade Letter E. H. Wartman, D.F.I. Several steamers have left this port for England, but I have heard of no apples going forward on any of them. Usually a few consignments are sent on the first steamers out in May The reason for none going this year is that number one Spies are worth $7 a barrel here with no risk to run. The only new fruit coming in is strawberries. Those from North Carolina are in good condition. The boxes contain full imperial quarts, 32 to the crate. Although they are selling cheap for so early, 11 to 13 cts., the demand is not keen The weather early in May was too cool. If berries can be landed in Montreal from Florida and North Carolina in perfect condition, what about our early apples that ripen in July and August, and arrive on our markets in rotten condition? If they were packed in cool storage buildings, instead of outdoors and in heated buildings, and shipped in well-iced cars, they, also, would arrive in good condition. If our numerous apple houses, which are generally close to lakes and rivers, had ice houses to hold a sufficient quantity, not only to cool the packing rooms, but to ice the cars when ready to load, this would help to remedy matters. There could be tanks at proper distances apart in these packing houses to hold about one ton of ice each. If this were done and the building closed, in a few hours the temperature would be low enough to commence work. There would be plenty of men glad to take a contract to put in ice to fill these houses at. 25 to 35 cts. per ton. If apples are put up at a temperature of 70 to SO degrees and never cooled, what could we expect but disaster? When fruit can be cooled so cheaply it never pays to run any risk. Sometimes even in the middle of October a few hot days come. Hot weather at this time frequently does untold harm and results in heavy loss to the fruit shippers. Ovir Nova Scotia Letter G. H. Vroom, D.F.L The spring in N.S. has been cold and wet. The rains have been frequent and heavy. North and east winds have helped to retard the work of cultivation and cause vegetation to come along slowly. The past week has been better and the fruit trees are showing considerable life. On some early varieties of apples the bloom is beginning to show. All kinds of fruit will bloom full, and the pros- pect for an average crop is exceedingly good Spraying is being carried on extensively, par- ticularly in the counties of Kings and Hants. 'Die power-spraying outfit is doing good work in Falmouth and giving general satisfaction. The tent caterpillar is very troublesome in this locality as well as the other [jests orchardists have to contend with, and the fruit growers are awake and will i)rofit by the demonstrations given this season with the power outfit. SKippin^ Green Melons W. A. Emory, Aldershot The foolish practice of growers shipping green melons is hurting the melon trade more than anything else. Green melons are fit for nothing else than feeding to hogs. A consumer who buys a green melon never wants another. We had a good trade in melons in Montreal, but lost it because growers insi.sted on ship- ping green melons. We cannot get nearly as higli iJrices as we used to. The fruit inspec- tors do not seem to know anything about melons or thev would stop this practice. Practical Pointers from Practical Persons PicKed up and Penned by A. D. Cutting, B.S.A., Special Correspondent of The Horliculturist, who is vi9itin{{ th« homes of fruit gro-wcrs in the Niagara District THE work of the Dominion fruit ins|Kcl- ors in conjunction with tlit Fruit Division at ( )ttawa is highly commended by every progressive person connected with the fruit industry. Our country is so large, and the business of fruit growing is so extensive, it is gratifying to contemplate the amount of good work done in the comparatively short time since the Canadian I'ruit Marks Act became law. Although i)ast and present results give us reason to appreciate what has already been done, there is room for more inspectors and for more work in this direction thrt)ughout all parts of the Dominion. Among the districts that feel the need of more rigid inspection, par- ticularly in the matter of tender fruits, is the Niagara peninsula. Among dealers and ship- pers, and all honest growers, there is a general desire for the appointment of a special insix'ctor for that district during the tender fruit season. Such an appointment would not only insure more uniform and honest packing, correct style and size of packages, etc., but it also would lie a material boon to the growers themselves. Such a system of rigid inspection would make it easier for the buyer to pay the producer more money for his fruit; for the buyer could then buy almost on a guarantee basis. wanted: an inspector ok tender fruits Mr. E. L. Jennett, of Beamsville, expressed himself on this matter somewhat as follows: "The growers in this district who sell to the dealer are not so particular in the matter of packing as they were when selling on commis- sion. From Jordan west, most of the fruit is sold at the point of shipment, and the principal ambition of the grower seems to be to get it on the hands of the dealer. Under this arrange- ment, the grower does not seem to care whether the fruit is honestly put up or not. He knows that the dealer hasn't time to inspect every basket of peaches or grapes that he buys on rush days. Then, when the fruit is shipped and turns out wrong, there is no way to trace the original packer or grower. The growers cannot bring their fruit to the shipping house until the last minute, then it has to be rushed oil. We have fruit inspectors now, but they cannot be everywhere at once. Yet, what is the good of having inspectors at all if the dealer himself has to do the inspecting? We need a permanent inspector for this district, and one man could cover the whole Niagara peninsula. The inspection should be done at the point of shipment, not at the other end. The dealers themselves would gladly put the insi)ector wise to any suspicious cases. And the grower would soon see that dishonest methods in packing and packages do not pay. If the growers knew that at any day or hour the inspector is apt til be on the shipping platform there would soon be a marked improvement in these things. The dealers themselves could afford to increase the buying price if they could buy with a feeling of security." "We need a regular inspector for the Niagara district," said Mr. S. M. Gulp, Beamsville, "be- caiise it is impossible for dealers to inspect fruit during the rush season. Last season I bought a carload of strawberries and shipped them to the Maritime provinces. They turned out to be mostly trash. They came in to me in a hurry and I had not time to inspect them. I depended on the honesty of the growers and, of course, got all the blame from the consignees in the east. The appointment of a special in- spector for this district would do away with cases of this kind. Under existing conditions fraudulent packers get as much money for their fruit as honest ones. The lack of a permanent inspector down here puts a premium on frsiud. We need an ins|)tctor, and also, I Ix-lieve, we should have legislation to compel growers to use a number, or their name, on all open packages — the number, if such is used, to be designated by the buyer. By the use of such nuinliers dishonestly packed packages could lie traced to the man who originally put them up." STRAWBERRIES In the Burlington district the strawberry prospects are not very promising. Many i)lan- tations have been more or less injured by the exceptional conditions of the jiast winter. Gen- erally speaking, those patches thai were cov- ered with some protective material, such as straw or coarse manure, have come through in good shape; while CO ]3er cent, of those uncov- ered are injured. Among varieties, the Wil- liams seems to have suffered most, as it is not as hardy as some others. Many illustrations of the value of mulching for winter protection are to be found in the locality. "I mulched all my patch but a small corner," said Mr. J. A. Lindley, Burlington, "and the result is that those mulched came through in good condition; the unmulched cor- ner is badly killed and going back every day, and probably will do so until picking time." A few general pointers on strawberries were given the writer by Mr. Wm. F. W. Fisher, one of the best informed strawberry men in the district. He emphasizes the importance, when harvesting, of keeping the rows picked clean, and also of keeping the picked fruit in the shade as far as possible. He said also that it is best never to put more than one variety in the same crate. Two or more kinds in a crate hurt the appearance of the package when placed on the market. For the sake of appearance, also, the top layer of berries may be placed with the hulls or calyx end down, but in a rush this cannot always be done; still, when it is done and done honestly — not "topping off" with large berries — the basket will often bring two cents more than those in which the berries are thrown in a haphazard fashion. The writer has observed, and Mr. Fisher agrees with him, that those varieties of straw- berries that are the most acid or tart in flavor are usually the best shippers and longest keep- ers. For example, Williams, Lovett, and Leader possess a degree of acidity beyond most others, and it is well known that they are among the best, if not the best, for shipping purposes. Others again, particularly early varieties, like Michel's, that are sweet, but not acid, seldom are good keepers and shippers. We call attention to this point as it mav be of value, one way or another, in the selection of shipping varieties and in the manner of market- ing varieties already on hand. CULTIVATING LOW-HEADED TREES The advantages of maintaining low-headed trees in a peach orchard have already been mentioned many times in the columns of The Horticulturist, yet there are many grow&rs who object to this practice on the ground of extra labor at the time of cultivating. Mr. Willis T. Mann, Barker, N.Y., in the course of an address in the Niagara district this spring, pointed out a simple method of overcoming this difficulty. His plan in low-headed orchards is to plow in spring as close to the trees as possible, and then use an ordinary low spring tooth harrow to level this down and to loosen up the soil near the trees that cannot be reached with the plow. A harrow must be used that has two sections, and these sections should be extended or separated by means of a wide "evener" or "spreader" fastened between them. iss The width of the spreader will dciwnd upon tl distance f>etween the plowed area and tl trunks of the trees. On very light soils a smool I ing harrow may be used instead, if adjusted m a similar manner. QUINCE TREES REQUIRE ATTENTION Success with quinces is not so general as with j most other fruits. Some of the Ijcst to be found in our markets are grown by Mr. C. ^ Pettit, Fruitland. These are from trees planti on a black clay loam incumbent upon a heav clay subsoil. The trees are well cultivatci sprayed and pruned. The pruning consists • regularly thinning out the branches with si> ficient heading back to correct growth. Tl two leading varieties are grown, viz., Oran, and Champion. The former is the larger, bi. it is more apt to crack and break open than Champion. THE PEAR PSYLLA. "The pear psylla is as bad a pest on [lear particularly on Barllett's, as the San Jose Sea; is on peaches. It is very difficult to comba Growers should be on the watch for it as it ; becoming mpre prevalent every year," said W Jos. Tweddle, of Fruitland. He recomraem: for treatment the lime and sulphur wash, applii thoroughly in early spring. For best resuli> the trees should be sprayed four times, going east and west and spraying both sides; then north and south both sides. GOVERNMENT INSPECTION Mr. W. E. Biggar, San Jose Scale inspector for township of Saltfleet, Ontario, told the writer that he finds his territory almost free from scale as compared with the situation three or four years ago. The growers have learned that the scale can be controlled by the lime and sulphur wash, and are taking advantage of that fact Orchards known to be infected are watched and neighboring orchards are protected. "I knr •■ of a particular orchard," said Mr. Biggar, ":: orchard of 100 acres that three years ago w, badly infected in parts with scale. The owni being determined to stamp it out, used the Ume and sulphur wash with persistence and thorough- ness, and now you would need more than an ordinary microscope to find a live scale in the orchard." Mr. Biggar said also that black knot was practically wiped out of the township, bi fears the spread of "little peach," a new diseaM in this country, which has recently made its appearance, and which is akin in character to peach rosette. SPRAYING MIXTURE Mr. Thos Beattie, San Jose Scale inspector for city of St. Catharines, has used all mixtures yet recommended and finds Carlson's mixture to be more practical and more satisfactory than any other. "It is the only treatment for scale that I can honestly recommend. It is the easiest and cleanest to apply, the easiest on harness and machine, and it is the cheapest in the long run. I can cover as many trees with one barrel of Carlson's as with three barrels of lime and sul- phur It is the best for city lots as it does not destroy paint nor discolor buildings like lime and sulphur." In St. Catharines the scale is very prevalent in all grounds where no treatment has been applied. I have found it on all kinds of fruit trees except apricot and sour cherries. Also on mountain ash, on Japan quince, on thorns of all kinds, on privet and ver)' bad on Ulacs." SPRAY AT THE RIGHT TIME. "Spraying pays," said Mr. Gabriel Overholt, of Jordan, "but one spraying at the right time is worth half a dozen at the wrong time." This THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 159 view is held also by Mr. G. C. Caston, of Craig- hurst, who contends that should growers find time for only one spraying in a season, that one should be with copper sulphate, three pounds m 40 gallons of water, and done early m spring r when trees are dormant. A Large Crop of Fruit Probable Prizes for Celery Growers At a meeting of the Executive Committee of fehe Ont. Vegetable Growers' Assn., held in foronto May 22, it was decided to recommend Jto the branch associations throughout the ■province that prizes be offered this year for [the best crops of celery; judges to be sent Taround to inspect the different crops. As submitted to the branch associations for their approval, it is proposed that the competition shall be conducted as follows: That there shall be two classes, one for growers with 1,000 to 10,000 plants, and one for growers with 10,000 plants or over, competitors to enter their whole crop. Five prizes will be offered in each class of $25, S20, $15, SIO, and $5 each. Competitors must be members of the assn., and must send their entries to the secretary of the provincial assn. by July 10, accompanied by an entry fee of $1. Judging will start Aug. 1, and will be completed by Aug. 15. The committee reserves the right to make such alterations in the regulations governing the competition as later may seem desirable. Should either class have less than six entries, the committee reserves the right to cancel any or all the prizes in such class. Each competitor will be required to furnish full information in regard to his method of growing his crop and the completeness and value of the information thus furnished will be taken into consideration by the judges in awarding the prizes, and later will be published in the annual report of the assn. The sec.-treas. was authorized to watch the bulletins issued by the various U.S. expt. stations and to purchase extra copies for the members of the assn. when same are likely to be of value and can be bought at reasonable prices. It was decided to correspond with the Ont. Fruit Growers' As.sn. favoring joint action in approaching the Dominion Minister of Agri. to request that the next census figures shall be so arranged as to separate the figures showing the total production of vegetables and fruit which hitherto, in some important sections, have been lumped together. Otta-wa Horticultural Society Some new features will l)e introduced by the Ottawa Horticultural Se de- sirable to have settled, but it is only when an actual customer in a foreign land marks them out as real hindrances to trade that the full force of the arguments in favor of these re- forms comes home to the Canadian fruit grower. Fruit Gro-win^ in BritisH Columbia J. C. Cooper, Brampton, Ont Probably no industry of British Columbia has been so full of surprising results as fruit grow- ing. ' By leaps and bounds it has emerged from comparative insignificance until now tons upon tons of delicious fruits are shipped annually to the prairie districts as far east as Winnipeg, netting the growers handsome i)rofits. The observing traveller, steaming along the beautiful mountain lakes, although overwhelmed with the grandeur of the scenery, finds it hard to understand where any fruit could grow. A short distance up from the lake, however, there are large tracts of level, fertile soil. The lux- uriant growth of the trees and the choice qual- ity of the fruit convince the sightseer of the adaptabiUty of these tracts for fruit culture. The soil is kept very rich and constantly moist- ened by the little mountain springs trickling down from the higher parts. It was my good fortune to be at Nelson dur- ing the annual fruit show, and examine a large quantity of fine specimens from these orchards. Apples, peaches, plums and pears, as well as a large display of excellent vegetables, were in splendid assortmeht from the various districts, and as the president pointed out the results from each I was struck by the magnitude and unlimited |X)ssibilities of this productive ter- ritory. Several boxes of fruit packed ready for ship- ment were on exhibition, and were a great credit to the growers. They make a specialty of this department, and a large portion of their success is due to this fact. Many Ontario growers might well profit by their example. Remembering that this industry is of very recent development, we may hope to see it yet eclipse even the mining and lumbering re- sources. Great Britain's Demands While in Toronto last fall Mr. Thos. Russell one of Glasgow's leading fruit dealers, in an interview with The Horticulturist, said: "There has been a great improvement in the packing of Canadian fruit during the past few years, and the eight-hooped barrel is far ahead of the one with only six hoops. Noth- ing but the very best fruit should be sent to Glasgow in boxes. Even No. 1 should be sent in limited quantities, as only a small supply is wanted for first-class customers. "The Canadian Government should have a more definite standard for number two fruit. Very frequently apples are sent to us marked XX when the fruit is not at all uniform, and sometimes nothing but trash. Canadian grow- ers should not attempt to export number three fruit. \\'e like to see frtiit nicely packe^. The finer the packing the more money is made, whereas poor packing means low profit or per- haps none." The life histories of the common insects found on vegetables, fruit and shade trees in Ontario are outUned in the report of the ento- mologist and botanist of the Central Experi- mental Farm, Ottawa. Interesting' Bulletins and Reports EVERAL of the colleges and fruit esperi- ment stations have been more liberal than usual this season in supplying valu- able information to the fruit growers ly means of bulletins. In addition to those tlined in recent issues of The Horticul- RIST, the following bulletins and reports will found of interest to those engaged in horti- Itural pursuits: ONTARIO FRUIT GROWERS The work done by the Fruit Growers' Asso- ation of Ontario is outlined in the 37th annual port of that association. This volume in- udes the discussion that took place regarding ;he revision of the constitution, as well as the iddresses given by the leading speakers at the Various sessions and the discussions that fol- lowed. Reports from fruit growers in Algoma regarding fruits that are hardy in northern sections, and from Prof. H. L. Hutt, of the O.A.C., and Mr. W. T. Macoun, of Ottawa, regarding new fruits that promise to be of value, are contained. Spraying, cover crops, cooperation and other subjects of vital interest to orchardists, are carefully discussed by com- petent horticulturists. This report can be had by applying to the Dept. of Agri., Toronto. SPRAYING FOR SCALE Bulletin 273 of the N.Y. Expt. Sta., Geneva, N'.Y., contains an outline of tests of spraying mixtures made in treating San Jose scale. These tests confirm the results of previous experiments that the sulphur washes applied in the fall are effective. No advantage was shown by the addition of salt to the sulphur wash. The self-boiled mixtures did not give as satisfactory results as those boiled by fire or steam. The experiments indicated that kerosene-lime sprays were not as efficient nor IS uniform in their effects as the sulphur wash. .\mong the soluble oils, Scalecide was satis- factory, and was said to be promising as a dormant-season treatment for the scale. Spring ' ])plications, however, retarded the develop - _ lent of buds, while the summer spraying caused severe injury. The results of the tests did not lead the officials at the station to advise the abandonment of the well-known standard sprajTS. SPRAYING AT NEW JERSEY STATION '' ■* A valuable compilation of information regard- ing spraying with the different insecticides and fungicides in treating the enemies of the different crops, and a description of spray pumps is given in bulletin 194 of the N.J. Expt. Sta., New Brunswick, N.J. The crops are arranged alpha- betically, and the improved methods of treating each pest carefully outlined. The merits of the various insecticides and fungicides, including formalin, carbon bisulphide and hydrocyanic acid gas, are fully discussed. Spray pumps recommended for small gardens and orchards, well as power sprayers and the nozzles that most satisfactory, are described. A DELAWARE BULLETIN The results of experiments conducted at Del. College Expt. Sta., Newark, Del., to show the effects of different strengths of kerosene lime emulsion on San Jose scale are given in bulletin 73. It is pointed out that the principal causes of non-success were improper preparation of the mixture and incomplete sprajring. Two thorough sprayings, one in late spring and the other in late fall, it is said, should be the minimum. It is claimed that if there is any one best time it is late Oct. or eariy Nov., as the insects at that time have not glued their scaly covering to the bark and the remedy reaches the tender body beneath the scale very easily. Besides, the trees have ripened their wood and can endure a moderately strong insecticide. The preparation of the kerosene lime IS outlined as follows: Stir the kerosene and hme in a barrel thoroughly; add 10 to 20 gals, of water, and stir to loosen the kerosene aoi cat and lime from the bottom and sides of the barrel; pour in water until the barrel is more than three-fourths full, then with a hoe splash and pound the mixture for 4 or 5 mins. to emulsify it, and fill the barrel with water. Where carefully made and thoroughly applied it is claimed that this mixture is equal to any of the standard remedies. The 20% mixture, which consisted of 10 gals, kerosene, 40 lbs. lime and 381^ gals, water, was more effective than lime, sulphur and salt, or kerosene emul- sion. As a general rule nothing stronger than 25% strength is advocated, but in spring, when the trees are crusted with the scale, it is said to be more economical to use 30% on peach trees and 30 to 35 % on other trees. The 25% K.-L. mixture is composed of 121/^ gals, kerosene, 50 lbs, lime and 34^4 gals, water, while the 30% mixture consists of 15 gals, kerosene, 60 lbs. lime and 30^ gals, water. MAINE ORCHARD NOTES Bulletin 128 of the Me. Expt. Sta., Orono, Me., contains notes on spraying for scale insects, caterpillars, apple scab and pink rot, results of unbalanced ration on fruit, winter injury from freezing and from mice, and suggestions regard- ing handling fruit and pruning. A canvass of the orchards in Wayne and Orleans counties showed that 66 sprayed orchards, representing 626 acres, yielded at the rate of 280 bus. per acre m 1903, while 107 unsprayed orchards, representing 673 acres, yielded at the rate of 253 bus. per acre. For the sprayed fruit the average price was $2.02 per bbl., while the unsprayed fruit brought only $1.80. The value of spraying is cleariy shown by the following figures: Trees unsprayed, average income per acre, $103; trees sprayed once, average income, $139; trees sprayed twice, average income, $143; trees sprayed three times, average income, $184; trees sprayed four times, average income, $211. In spraying for the apple scab it was clearly demonstrated that even in a bad season there was a difference of 50 % in the amount of fruit on sprayed and unsprayed trees. The best results were obtained from the use of Bordeaux mixture. When there was no crop of fruit the increased vigor of the trees, resulting from clean, healthy foliage, more than repaid the cost of spraying. Applications just before the buds burst and immediately after the blossoms fall give the best results. On a wet season at least four treatments, at intervals of two or three weeks, are recommended. HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY REPORT A report of the 51st annual meeting of the Western N. Y. Horticultural Society contains much that is of interest to fruit growers. Among the subjects discussed are: "The Formation of Fruit Buds," "The Blight Canker of Apple and Pear Trees," "Relation of Tillage to Improve- ment of Orchards," and "The Prospect for Education in Horticulture." Garden vegetables, shrubs, flowers and bedding plants also are dis- cussed. These subjects are handled by such horticultural authorities as Prof. L. H. Bailey, of Cornell; G. T. Powell, of Ghent, N.Y.; W H Jordan, of the N. Y. Expt. Sta., and others. A copy of the report can be had bv writing to Jno. Hall, Sec, Rochester, N.Y. BULLETIN ON CRANBERRIES Varieties of cranberries, cultural methods, insect pests, grasses usually troublesome in cranberry bogs, and various other information of interest to those engaged in growing cran- berries is to be found in bulletin 119 of the Agri. Expt. Sta., Madison, Wis. Flooding, and other means of preventing frost, are fully out- lined. Various methods of planting, the care of the young plants, and the methods of har- vesting adopted in the leading cranberry dis- tricts, are described. Those interested in the cultivation of cranberries should secure this valuable bulletin 163 SPRAYING FOR POTATO BLIGHT Results of experiments conducted in spraying for potato blight during the season of 1905, are given in bulletin 236 of the Mich. Agri. Expt. Sta. Correspondence with potato growers throughout the state showed that a large num- ber did not know what Bordeaux mixture was, and most of them believed the blight to be in- curable. The reasons for so few growers spray- ing were attributed to: (1) Ignorance as to the cause of the disease, (2) Not knowing there is anything that will prevent it, and (3) A belief that the results will not repay for the time and trouble required to do the spraying. The bul- letin attempts to set the growers right on these points. After outlining the cause of the disease and describing it fully, the results of numerous experiments conducted at the college are given. Unsprayed potatoes gave a gross gain of $20.50 per acre; those sprayed with lime water every four days, from July 22, netted $26.25; those sprayed with Bordeaux mixture (4 lbs. copper sulphate, 4 lbs. lime, 50 gals, water) netted $34.40; those sprayed with Bordeaux mixture every 15 days netted $36.75; those sprayed with Bordeaux mixture every 10 days netted $40.25; and those sprayed with Bordeaux mix- ture every four days netted J40.75. The cost per acre per application was found to be about 72 cts., but it would be much less on large field operations. It is claimed that two acres or more could be sprayed thoroughly at a total outlay of 55 cts. per acre. ONTARIO VEGETABLE GROWERS The first annual report of the Ont. Vegetable Growers' Assn. contains the history of the forma- tion of the assn. and an account of the valuable work done during the short time since its organization. The report of the first annual convention includes the following addresses: Truck Farming in Delaware, by A. N. Brown; Growing Vegetables at Guelph, by H. S. Peart, B.S.A. ; Fertilizers for the Vegetable Grower, by Prof. R. Harcourt; Growing Vegetables under Glass, by J. L. Hilborn; Experiments in Potato Growing, by Prof. C. A. Zavitz; Injuri- ous Insects and Fungii of the Garden Crops and How to Combat Them, by T. D. Jarvis, B.S.A. ; The Growing and Marketing of Cauliflower, by A. McMeans; and Experiments in Vegetable Growing at the Central Expt. Farm, by W. T. Macoun. Many interesting discussions, also, are included. The OvitlooK in the "West J. J. Philp, Winnipeg, Man. To one standing on the high ground in the centre of the continent and looking toward the east and the west, and then withdraw- ing his gaze for a look at his more immed- iate surroundings, those surroundings being the city of Winnipeg, there must come a feeling of intense satisfaction at the prospect for this season's business. And to no line of business activity is the prospect more encour- aging than to the fruit interests of Ontario fruit growers. Meeting at the Dominion Fruit Conference in Ottawa, as we did, the principal men from the several provinces, one could not help but admire the unlimited optimism and the ex- hilarating breeziness of the B.C. contingent. Granting, however, all they claim that they can grow fruit without spot or blemish, there is this to be remembered that the western provinces are becoming populated with such rapidity that it will take the B.C. growers all their time to attend to the wants of those nearer home than is Man. As a result of the labors of the convention and the improved legislation in connection with the Fruit Marks Act. This act in the future, will take higher ground than it has ever done in the past. One may search in vain during the course of an extended trip, as I did, 164 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST and not find any one who objects to the prin- ciples or operations of the act. In none of a number of large cities in the U.S. and Canada that I visited while on my way to the conference did I find the same im- pulses to business or the same impetuous rush as in Winnipeg. One has but to pause and consider for a moment the causes that are to- day contributing these impulses and this rush, to feel that it is all legitimate, and to a very considerable extent lasting. These causes are threefold: immigration, railroad building and the hope and prospect of a bounteous harvest. But what has all this to do with the fruit business? Very much indeed. I rejoice to know that the Ontario fruit growers are awaken- ing to the immense possibilities of this cotmtry as a market for their fruit, as well as to know that there is being aroused a feeling that they are able to compete, and they are going to com- pete with any or all other fruit growing sec- tions for the supremacy in this market. But out of all this there arises a great dan- ger, the danger that many will allow their hopefulness and desire for large returns to get the better of their good judgment, and thus be led into the mistake of letting everything go. This will prove a very grave mistake. Care in selecting and attention to methods will always pay, and the greater the care and at- tention the greater will be the satisfaction at- tending the results of yoiu- ventures. More care and attention in the future will be exacted from the rank and file of the average apple packer. The Long'hurst PeacH J. W. Brennan, Grimsby, Ont. The Longhurst is what I would call the best commercial peach grown. When I say best, I mean best in quality. This statement is con- firmed by the canners, and there also appears to be a growing demand by the domestic can- ners of the household. It is surprising to read over the list of peaches recommended by the Board of Control of the Experiment Stations, and find that the Longhurst is not in the Ust of commercial peaches. Is it because some growers make a lamentable failure of this peach? If it is, it is a very lame excuse. I once had the impression that it was a poor, useless, ugly, forsaken looking peach, but my convictions have turned. Two years ago I shipped a customer a few baskets of nice Long- hurst peaches, and I presume it was the first of that variety he had received. His custom- ers found them all that could be desired. Last season I received the same customer's order for peaches, but for no specified variety. Un- fortunately for myself as well as for his cus- tomers he did not receive any Longhursts. In a short time I received a letter from him say- ing his customers were complaining that the peaches were not of as good quaUty as those sent the year before. This is only one of many instances that could be given, but it shows that the Longhurst is a commercial peach. If Longhurst peaches are planted money can be made out of this crop, but you must attend to business and give them attention; in return they give standard oil dividends. They must be pruned severely and thinned rigorously. If you prune as thin as you should, you will have a feeling of compunction that you are over- doing the thing. Never mind that; go ahead and you will look brighter in the autumn. Plenty of nourishment, too, is demanded. Ex- periments conducted at the N.Y. Expt. Sta. showed that it required much more than El- berta. The recommendations made by that station are: Longhurst, 90 lbs. nitrogen and 85 lbs. potash per acre; and Elberta requires 56 lbs. nitrogen and 50 lbs. potash per acre. It is owing to its high feeding propensities that it is such a rich fleshed peach of beautiful color when canned, and sweet and delicious. If you are prepared to give the Longhurst the attention which any good thing requires, you will be amply repaid by a crop of the best com- mercial peach grown. Impressions of tKe Fruit Conference FRUIT growers from the different provinces have settled down to business after the Wa; conference at Ottawa. That much benefit was derived by the delegates, and that the fruit industry in Canada has received a mighty boost is the opinion of all who know anything about the business done and the questions discussed. Expressions of opinion have been received by The HoRTictTLTURisT from several of the dele- gates regarding the most important matters attended to. A BRITISH COLUMBIA UELEOATE A communication from Mr. Martin Burrell, of Grand Forks, B.C., read: ."What I consid- ered most important at the conference may be summed up thus: (1) The desire, so largely carried into effect, of creating a uniform sys- tem of packages for the Dominion; (2) The evident determination on the part of those present to simplify the grading and branding of packages, which must have a most bene- ficial effect on our export trade; (3) The em- phatic opinion expressed that the size of the fruit industry now warrants the most system- atic and comprehensive work along statistical lines; (4) The soundness of the contention that express companies should be placed under the control of the Railway Commission. "In addition to these definite accomplish- ments, the mere fact of representatives of the industry from all over the Dominion meeting in such a way to co-operate in all matters which make for the advancement of horticulture in Canada has done, both in a direct and indirect way, an immense amount of good." WHAT NEW BRUNSWICK THINKS Mr. J. C. Oilman, of Fredericton, N.B., ex- pressed his satisfaction with the results of the conference as follows: "It was pleasing to note, at the late fruit conference, that the pre- vailing sentiment was Dominion interests first. Provincial or local afterward. It was also en- couraging to the provinces where fruit culture is yet in its infancy, to learn that sections where fruit growing has become well established, still recognize the importance of missionary work in the form of object les.sons practically given on each part of the fruit growers' work, from the setting of the tree to the closing of the package of well-^aded fruit ready for market. "The suggestion that fruit inspectors and others capable of such work, should continue to visit as many fruit growing sections as pos- sible, to instruct and encourage farmers in adopting tlie best, methods to ensure success, was a good one. Cooperation gives a good account of itself, in grading and packing and selling, showing the advantage and need of more skill for this part of the work than the average farmer can hope to bring to it, with such help as he can employ, for the rest of his farm and orchard work. The uniform grade, and such quantities of each variety, as will at- tract the attention of buyers, must be a strong argument in favor of co-operation for this end of the work, where enough fruit can be fur- nished to make a central packing and storage hou.se a paying enterprise Some future con- ference will find it necessary to deal with the introduction of new fruits, to restrict, to some extent, the multiplying of varieties, many of them of little value, while those considered by some competent and recognized authority as worthy of cultivation, shall be properly catalogued as such for the guide of planters." HOW NOVA SCOTIA GROWERS FELT Mr. S. C. Parker, of Berwick, N.S., wrote: "A very interesting feature of the gathering was the comradeship established, almost from the beginning, between the delegations from B.C. and N.S. By a happy coincidence they met at the same liotel, and before the confer- ence formally opened, these delegations were bosom friends. Living at the same table; vic- ing with each other in telling big stories of both fish and fruit; united for offensive and defen- sive work at the conference. "Perhaps it is local prejudice, but it seemed to me that the N.S. contingent had a fuller idea of the situation and understood the ques- tions better than our colleagues from the other provinces. The continuous threshing of the topics in the Fruit Growers' Assn. had given our .men a thorough understanding of all the questions coming before the conference, and a complete grasp of the details. R. S. Eaton made a big score by suggesting an interview with the Minister of Agriculture regarding an experimental orchard in the AnnapoUs Valley." INSURANCE The very best kind of Insurance — i.e., provision for the future as well as the present, is a Savings Account in SOVEREIGN BANK OF CANADA Interest paid four times a year. $ 1 .00 will open an account. Put your money in a place where you can get it when you want it 57 BRANCHES THROUGHOUT THE DOMINION Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing. THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 165 Horticultxirist BooKs for Sale The following books relating to flowers, fruit and vegetables may be purchased through The , Canadian Horticulturist for the prices given. I Or, for every new subscription you send us for The Horticulturist at one dollar a year, we will allow you 50 cts. on the price of any book you select: ^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^^ insects Injurious to Fruit, Saunders $2.00 Principles of Fruit Growing, Prof. Bailey 1.25 ,The A.B.C. of Strawberry Culture, T. B. ; Terry 50 The Orchard, Fruit & Garden, E. P. Powell Fungi & Fungicides, C. M. Weed 1 .00 Insects & Insecticides, C. M. Weed 1 .50 Plums & Plum Culture, Prof. F. A. Waugh 1.50 Systematic Pomology, Prof. Waugh 1 . 00 Successful Fruit Culture, S. T. Maynard.. . 1.00 1 Fruit Harvesting, Storing and Marketing, Prof. Waugh 1 .00 Spraying Crops, C. M. Weed 50 Irrigation for Farm, Garden and Orchard, Henry Stewart 1 .00 Field Notes on Apple Culture 75 Practical Fruit Grower, S. R. Maynard 50 Peach Culture, J. A. Fulton 1 .00 Grape Culturist, A. S. Fuller 1 . 50 Charlton's Grape Grower's Guide, Wm. Charlton 75 Pear Culture, for Profit, P. T. Quinn 1.00 FOR FLOWER LOVERS Prize Gardening, G. P. B. Fiske 1 .00 Bulbs & Tuberous Rooted Plants, C. L. Allen •. 1.50 Garden Making, Prof. L. H. Bailey 1 .00 House Plants & How to Succeed with Them, Lizzie P. Hillhouse 1 .00 The Rose, its Cultivation and Varieties, H. B. Ellwanger 1.25 Home Floriculture, E. E. Rexford 1 .00 Hedges, Windbreaks, Shelters, etc., E. P. Powell 50 Gardening for Pleasure, P. T. Quinn 1 .00 Gardening for Profit, P. Henderson 1.50 Window Flower Garden, J. J. Heinrich. . .50 BOOKS ON VEGETABLES Cabbage, Cauliflowers, C. L. Allen 50 Mushrooms and How to Grow Them, Wm. Falconer 1 . 00 New Onion Culture, T. Grenier 50 Asparagus, F. M. Hexamer 50 New Rhubarb Culture, J. E. Morse 50 Greenhouse Management, Prof. Taft 1 .50 Greenhouse Construction, Prof. Taft 1 .50 Asparagus Culture, Barnes & Robinson ... .55 Market Gardening, Burnett Landreth 1 . 00 GENERAL Ginseng, M. G. Kains .50 Landscape Gardening, Prof. Waugh 50 Nut Culturist, A. S. Fuller 1 . 50 Fumigation Methods, W. G. Johnson 1.00 Cranberry Culture, J. J. White 1 .00 Plant Breeding Horticulturists who are interested in the production of new forms of plant life will find much that is interesting and of value to them in their work in Prof. L. H. Bailey's book en- titled "Plant Breeding." Variation in its dif- ferent phases is outlined. The influence of physical environment, food supply, climate, etc., are fully discussed. The production of new varieties and the most approved methods to be adopted in acquiring the qualities desired are fully taken up. To more clearly explain the principles and discussions, concrete examples of work done with dewberries, blackberries, apples, beans, and cannas, are outlined. "There is nothing mysterious about the subject," says the pro- fessor, "so far as the cultivator is concerned. He simply sets his ideal, makes sure that it does not contradict any of the fundamental laws of the development of the plant with which he is to work, then patiently and per- sistently keeps at his task. He must have good judgment, skill, and inspiration, but he does not need genius." This book can be procured from The Canadian Horticulturist. Classified Adverlisemenls Advertisements under this heading will be inserted at the rate of ten cents per line, each insertion ; minimtun charge fifty cents in advance. I ANDSCAPE GARDENING, PLANS FOR *-* PARKS, cemeteries, publicorprivate grounds. Drawings made to scale. Any gardener may carry them out. Correspondence solicited. Chas. E. WooLVERTON, Landscape Designer, Grimsby. ■W/ ANTED — Persons to grow Mushrooms for "^ us in waste spaces or barns, in gardens, orchards or small farms. $15 to $25yper week. Send stamp for sixteen-page illustratedjbooklet on Mushroom Culture and full particulars. Montreal Supply Co., Montreal. p H. KINGSLEY-BAILLIE, F.R.H.S. (Quali- ^' fied Fellow of The Royal Horticultural Society of England), Consulting Landscape Architect. Plans, Drawings and Specifications prepared for the development of large and small properties both in town and country. Address: Winona, Ont. r-HANCE OF A LIFETIME— Well-established ^-^ Florist business. Greenhouses, House and Stable, for sale cheap. Apply 25 Triller Ave., Toronto. LJARDY PERENNIALS deUvered prepaid by Mail or Express. Send 5 cents for descrip- tive catalog to the Specialty Nursery Co., Grimsby, Ont. pOR SALE— Old established tree nursery. * Large connection and profits. Easy terms. Best sandy loam. Apply Thompson, 17 Queen St., St. Catharines. Also profitable fruit farms for sale on easy terms. TO INSURE SUCCESS IN THE PLANTING OF NURSERY STOCK, SHRUBS, VINES, Etc. You should make sure to obtain your stock from a reliable nur- sery firm. Order what you want, and we will send what you order. . . . Our prices are only what are necessary we should obtain for first-class work. We Helderleigh Nurseries E. D. SMITH, WINONA, ONT. Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing. BOOKS ON Horticulture •g^TEE list published in )& this issue. If you would like any books not mentioned write us for prices. j» jfi ^ j» ^ The Horticultural Publishing Co. 507-508 Manning Chambers Toronto, Ont Limited Premiums Given Free to People who buy Goods from Advertisers in this Issue. See Notice in Reading Columns. 186 THE CANAiUAN HORTICULTURIST i POULTRY DEPT. | T Oonduc:t«ci by Tf J S. Short, Oltawu ^ oM'^^ oa%>« oo^^ oa%>) ^ia^>t Poultry can be kept with profit by any person who has a small garden. Three runs should be supplied so that they will not be too closely confined. Apple and plum trees and black currants may be planted in two of the runs for shade purposes, and the third run may be used to grow early vegetables. The fowl may be kept in the two runs con- taining the fruit trees until just before the fruit ripens, when thep may be changed to the run which has grown the early vegetables, for the fowls are fond of ripe fruit. In this way the land produces fruit and vegetables, as well as furnishing a run for the poultry. I have kept fowl in this way for years. The hens and the garden work in harmony and benefit one another. A sensible breed of fowl must be kept, that is a breed that can be easily managed, and one that is hardy and does well in confinement. In the poultry world there are varieties and colors to suit all tastes. The best breeds for a subur- ban home are the Plymouth Rocks, Wyandottes or Orpingtons. These combine laying and table qualities. Fowl of the breeds mentioned will seldom fly over a fence five feet high, made by a bottom board a foot high and four-foot poultry netting stretched between posts. Hens in a garden do considerable damage in a very short time. If at liberty they go at once to wherever the ground has been freshly dug to scratch and dust themselves, They eat half-grown gooseberries and red currants, rasp- berries and strawberries, but not black currants. They deUght in picking holes in the tomatoes just as the latter are coloring, they walk over freshly painted verandah floors and go into sheds and upset things if you let them. But there is a place for everything, and the hens should be confined in their runs during the summer. Early in the spring, before vegetation starts, they may be allowed their liberty and will scratch up and devour many a cut worm, pine beetle and other destructive grubs that do much damage later on. After cultivation begins'they may be i..(iwed to run through the garden half an hour bel .re roosting time, and they will net stop to scratch, but dart through the birry patch catching bugs, worms and inserts that are just coming out from the ground p.t dark for their nightly prowl, a fact well known to the hens. Darkness drives the hens to roost, and you have only to shut the gate to the run before going in for the night. Another benefit is derived by xmfining in a portable coop, placed in the gardjn, a hen with a brood of chickens. The hen cannot get out, but the chicks can, and being too small to scratch, they roam through the garden picking insects from the leaves and stems of plants, thus doing good. I always put chickens in this way among my asters, and have no trouble with the aster beetle. Lastly, a valuable fertilizer is obtained from the poultry which gives excel- lent results when applied properly. Overripe com, peas, tomatoes and other vege- tables can be fed to the fowls and much reduce the cost of their food. Hens treated in this way lay well, keep in good condition for table, and the chicks grow rapidly. If hens are kept, by all means keep pure breeds, for as flowers, fruits and vegetables are exhibited, so may pure bred fowl be exhibited, and the showing^ prove just as interesting, and in many cases just as exciting, as the exhibiting of any other line of agricultural production. PROFIT ON A CITY LOT A reader of The Horticulturist en(|uires as follows: "Can hens be kept profitably on a city property where they have a run of j.bout 30 X 6 ft., and how many fowl could be kept properly on such a space?" Not more than eight females and one male, nine in all, should be kept in a run of the above size. That number, with ordinary and regu- lar care, would do exceedingly well the first year, so well perhaps, that the temptation would arise to increase the number, which would be a fatal mistake. As the first crop of fruit or vegetables from new ground is always the heaviest and largest, so will fowl always do better the first year in new quarters. Any of the utility fowl would answer. If the soil is sandy or porous, white birds would look well, but if the soil is heavy or clayey dark plumaged birds are better, becavise they would CREIGHTON POULTRY YARDS Barred Plymouth Rocks and White Wyandottes Three pens of laying stock for sale, $15.00, each consisting: of eig^hl females and one male; two pens barred Rocks and one pen of white Wyandottes. A gfood opportun- ity to acquire a handsome pen for a sum- mer home. Eggfs $2.00 per setting-. Mention the Canadian Horticulturist when writing MARCHMENTS Sure Growth COMPOST Supplied to the largest nurserymen and fruit growers in Ontario. Shipments by car at reasonable prices. S. W. MARCHMENT 19 QUEEN ST. EAST, TORONTO Telephone Main 2841 Residence Park 951 LONDON ONTARIO The Woodview Poultry Yards BARRED PLYMOUTH ROCKS EXCLUSIVELY At the great "Ontario" .Show at Guelph, December Ilth to 15th, 1905 — !— AVOODVIE-W PULLETS WON First in class open to the world; Special for best Barred Plymouth Rock ^ciiia.e at the show: and the Canadian Barred Plymouth Rock Club's Special for best Pullet. At the International Show at Detroit, January 6th to 11th, 1906 WOODVIE-W BIRDS AGAIN "WON In competition open to the world. — First pullet; Second cockerel; Second cock; and Special for the best shaped male at the show. OUK MALE.S ARE. BRIGHT STRAIN FEMALES LATHAM STRAIN the best obtainable. EGGS FOR HATCHIKG, $2.00 PER SETTING UP. MATING LIST MAILED FREE UPON REQUEST CORRESPONDENCE SOLICITBD Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing. JoKn Prin^le, Prop. not show the mud or dirt that would inevit- ably stick to their feathers. Also, if the soil is heavy, a dust bath must be provided. Kept in such small quarters, grit and lime must be supplied. An excellent plan is to get a load of broken plaster from the ruins of a dwelling house that has been pulled down. This ma- terial may be had usually for the expense of carting, and is a combination of grit and lime. The fowl spend most of their time as near the entrance to the pen as they can get, and this part of the enclosure rapidly becomes coated with droppings. These should l)e dug under at the first indication of that fact. I would not recommend trying to raise chickens in this pen in addition to keeping the layers, and would suggest that early pullets tje secured from some breeder who has raised them on grass runs, for reared that way the birds have usually a much stronger constitution than those raised in cramped quarters. COST OF BXTILDING Another question: "What would a building cost to prot)erly house the fowl kept in such an enclosure?" The cost would depend on the kind of house built, and which is the best kind is a much de- bated question. The trouble most breeders have to contend with is to keep the frost from forming on the walls inside. There are three wavs of building to prevent this. The first and chear>est is a building with walls of one inch matched lumber, and windows hinged at the top so that they may be opened on the insi.ie every dav. Hou.ses of this description have been used with success where the temperature does not go helow zero. Thev are cold but drv. Another form of building with walls two inches thick is made of inch boards and matched lum- ber with paper between. Large window frames with strong grey cotton neatly stretched over instead of glass, are hinged at the top so that tl'cv may be opened from within. This gives perfect ventilation. In each of these houses the roosts are put in the warmest comer and enclosed with tight boards on three sides and the front closed at night bv dropping a curtain. The third wav of gettine good ventilation is to build warmlv, use double \vindows, put in a chimnev and use artificial heat. If the tem- perature is above freezing, the frost will not form on the walls, and any moisture in the at- mosphere will pass off through the stove or furnace. Fowls have done well in houses built in the manner described in the first plan. Thev were allowed to eat snow and had to rough it gen- erallv. Thev did well under these conditions in the States of Connecticut and Rhode Island. The second plan would, T think, be better for the colder parts of Ontario, and the third is the method most used bv the professional poultrv men, who keep Leghorns for the pro- duction of eggs in winter. 'When building, allow at least six sq. ft. for each bird, and the lower the roof the warmer the pen. The shape of the building mav be regulated, for the sake of convenience, to the position in which it has to be placed. Boiling' tV»«» Lime S\ilpK\ir WasK En. Canapian HoRTicrT-TtrRisT: I notice the article referrine to lime and sulphur used in this section and the diversitv of opinion among erowers. The criticism is a little misleading. There is not as much difference as would aptJear first as to boiling with steam and bv the action of the lime alone. All agree that it is possible to boil bv action of lime heat, if Hme i-: zood and ever\ihinc; works rieht, but if something happens vou cannot add more heat, as can be done bv the steam, and therefore we feel that it is not safe to encourage the grower to take anv chances with having a bad batch, as ore tank full of mixture not up to standard will leave from 40 to 60 trees with scale not' killed to breed for another season. The new beginner THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 167 always wants the easiest plan naturally, and learns later, to his sorrow, that he had better have taken the advice of some older grower. Then the lime and sulphur is very hard on the hose, hands and the eyes, and the grower thinks that it may be too strong, and if he Ihears anyone or reads of someone saying that jless sulphur and lime can be used, he at once vants to use less material. Now, the way to arrive at the results and quantities most in use lis to take the results of our representative Igrowers for two seasons. A committee appoint- pd by the Niagara Peninsula F. G. Assn., after reful examination, and after comparing ^results, reported that 18 lbs. of sulphur and i 20 lbs. of lime to the bbl. gave the best results. A bbl. holds 45 to 48 imp. gals. Less than this is not safe to use; more, I believe, will not do any harm. The mixture should be boiled until it begins to turn a greenish color. When this has been applied thoroughly in every instance, examinations later in the season have shown that nearly all the scale has been killed A little extra trouble or cost in preparation is time and money well spent. We cannot be too careful in spraying. — Robt. Thompson, St. Catharines. Ho^w to Gro-w Ginseng An excellent book for those interested in growing ginseng has been published by Mr. M. G. Kains. A short accoimt of the history and botany of this plant precedes the direc- tions for cultivation, har-^ccting and market- ing. In discussing the methods of starting the crop Mr. Kains says: "The easiest way to commence ginseng cultivation is to collect the plants in the neighborhood and transplant them. Dig them either early in the spring, as new growth begins to appear, or in the fall when the tops are dying. It is better to transplant in the fall, because the roots are more easily found and are not so easily injured. Always take the greatest care to preserve the bud at the crown of the root." If it is decided to start from seeds they should be gathered while the pulp is still soft, after they are fully ripe and before they become dry. The seed can be sown at once, or stored over until spring. If sowed at once no more trouble is entailed, but 18 months must elapse before it can be made to sprout, and there is much risk because the seed bed may become dry. and the seed thus be rendered worthless. The best way to store the seed is to stratify it. Put a mixture of leaf mould, sand and loam in the bottom of a box and scatter the seed in layers not more than one seed deep. with at least half an inch of earth between the layers. The boxes can be stored in a cellar or buried where there is no danger of them be- coming wet, but where they will always be moist enough to prevent drying out. Frost improves their germinating qualities and does not injure the seed. Friable loam, light rather than heavy, clear of stones, chips and other obstructions, and well supplied with decayed vegetable matter, is recommended as the best soil. Those interested in growing ginseng can procure a copy of this book from The Cana- dian HORTICtn^TURIST. FARTHER NORTH. "It U the Bghteat and ttrongeat house iinagicable.' HALL & ROBrNSON, Mnurul P. Q. NORTH. The lighlMt sud moit perfect greenhouse coiutnictioQ yet attempted.. Beit crop at beauties 1 ever had. J. H. DUNLOP. Toraoto. Ont. NEW ENGLAND. "No shade bi my new house, crop is a record breakei.* J. A. LONG. EaK Haven. Codb. EAST. 'So well pleased with all points, we intend to build more of them." C. MATTHEWS. Crut Nak. N. Y. CENTRAL "Lightest house on the place, strong as a bridge." W. J. PALMER «cSON. Buiilo. N. Y. li TOMAWAMM. TOBONTft ONT. OREENHOUSE CONSTRUCTION AND EQUIPMENT Permanent structures best and cheapest to build Ventilatine. heating and all other accessories for ereenhouse eauipment. The King Construction Co. 248 Wellington Street. Toronto Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing "^ FAR WEST. 'After nuticoig a trip East to tee aO coDstrucdotu a m ordertDg yours. Best ID every way." C. H. HOPKINS. KeatWuh. WEST. "They are perfect in every way." C F. MAL£a Denver. Cole. THE Bi:ST Canadian Grown Trees ARE THOSE GROWN BV Brown Brothers Company, Nurserymen, Limited P.O. Brown's Nurseries, Ontario FULL LINE OF LEADING SORTS APPLES PLUMS CHERRIES PEARS GRAPES ' CURRANTS GOOSEBERRIES BLACKBERRIES IN ORNAMENTALS OUR STOCK IS THE LARGEST IN CANADA We Planted Last Year Over 750,000 Apples SEND FOR OUR ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUES The Baby Rambler Rose is the most recent production in the rose line and a perpetual bloomer. Brown's Nurseries, Ontario Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writinn. Will Buy Your Fruit XF you send your fruit to the same market as do all your neighbors, the result is — a glut, and you take the loss. At the same time there are hundreds of grocers in all parts of Canada who could handle that fruit at good prices if they had it. To come to the point if you get a con- nection with good buyers scattered over the country you will be independent of gluts and will be assured of good prices for all your crop. You can get in touch with these buyers by placing a small advertisement in The Canadian Grocer which reaches the wholesale and retail hand- lers of fruit in all parts of Canada. Write for a sample copy and advertising rates. THE CANADIAN GROCER WE WILL PREPARE THE MATTER FOR YOUR ADVERTISEMENT AVITHOUT EXTRA COST lO FRONT STREET EAST, TORONTO Mention The Canadian Horliciilturist when writing. 168 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST Fruit OutlooK in Niagara District FKUIT prospects throughout the Niagara district are promising. The season is later than usual, but no reports of serious damage to any crop aie heard. Every- thing, at this date, indicates that crops in all lines will be a full average. The following re- ports from leading centres in the district speak for themselves: ST. CATHARINES Never in my recollection has the coimtry looked- better than at present. This, possibly, is due to the fact that all varieties of fruit ap- peared to come into bloom at nearly the same time, and what came in first hung on the trees well. We have had favorable weather for the setting. On the nights of May 19 and 20 we had a close call from frost. The thermometer registered 30°, making 2° of frost, but no injury of any kind was caused and the weather has again turned warm. Early tomatoes are planted out in many in- stances and looking well, and the late plants are coming along finely. Strawberries just com- NO MORE BLIND HORSES J,-;;„'g;SlS'u.;i"r/S Sure Kyo«, RAKKY CO.. iDwa flty, lovm. h«»ett<-r aiid the fruit budi for th« next yeara crop are not Injured. It is held In one band and oi>frated eiuflly and rapidly. The other hand la free to hold the twins, etc Kvery cherry that Is clipped (foes Into the cup and la aecured. 'I'he plcter baa been thcroughly tested and gave j,'ood satisfaction. Sent [wiBtpaid on receipt of 75c. Two for H.2o. Money refunded If not lalUfactory ELWOOD TATUM, Box C A* WEST BRANCH, IOWA Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing. RE-BUILT TYPEWRITERS PRE-INVENTORY SALE THE UNDCRWgOO The following typewriters are thoroughly re-built by expert workinen. They are fully guaranteed. Caligraphs $12.50 Yosts, No. 1 22.50 Yosts, No. 2 25.00 Yosts, later models 30.00 Remington, No. 2 35.00 Jewetts 40.00 Smith Premiers : 40.00 Empires (slightly used) 45.00 Underwoods, No. 1 70.00 SoleAgents VISIBLE UNDERWOOD VISIBLE EMPIRE Catalogties and terms on request. TYPEWRITERS UNITED nPEWRITER CO. LIMITED - TORONTO, ONT. Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing. Announcement theSj ^ |HC HOTO- 1 NG RAVERS LIMITED. BEG TO ANNOUNCE THAT THEY HAVE RECENTLY OPENED A STUDIO AND EQUIPPED AN ENGRAVING SHOP AT 10 JOHNSTON' LANE, BETWEEN ADELAIDE STREET AND YE KING'S HIGHWAY, WHERE, WITH EFFICIENT ARTISTS AND CRAFTSMEN, THEY ARE PREPARED TO EXECUTE ALL MANNER OF DESIGNS, AND ENGRAVE PLATES IN ALL KNOWN PROCESSES FOR REPRODUCTION ON YE PRINTING PRESSE. THE o fFTc HOTO- InGR AVERS LIMITED. TELEPHONE MAIN 5251 Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing A Nice Premium will be given Free to all Readers who Buy Goods from Advertisers. See Notice in this Issue. THE CANADIAN HORTICUtLTURIST. 169 I WE CAN HANDLE YOUR CONSIGNMENTS whether large or small, to the best advantage on Toronto Market. Stamps and pad furnished. We will gladly answer any correspond- ence. THE DAWSON COMMISSION CO. TORONTO LIMITED Mention the Canadian Horticulturist when writing. niLl. THE -WE-EDS AND GRASS that deface your walks and drives with FAIRMOUNT'S WEED KILLER and do it effectively and thoroughly at small cost. Imitations are not cheap. No failures in 1 1 years of severe test. LIST OF PRICES (F.O.B. PHILADELPHIA) % gal. in tin (makes 25 gals, treating liquid), 75 cts.; 1 gal. tin (makes50 gals, treating liquid), $1.25; 5 gal. keg (makes 250 gals, treating liquid), $6; 10 gal. keg 'makes 500 gals, treating liquid), $11; So gal. bbl. (makes 2,500 gals, treating liquid), $45. Can You Hoe Out Weeds for the Same Money? Send orders to dealers or direct to The Fairmount Chemical Laboratories Only Makers. N.-W. Cor. Broad & Fairmount Ave. PHILADELPHIA, PA., U.S.A. JoKn B, Smitli & Sons Limited Cor. StracKan and Wellington Aves. TORONTO JOiBSMlTil^SONS. LIMITED. \ TORONTO / \ SASH BAR ( ALL WOODWORK. FOR GREENHOUSE XCONSTRUCTION/ Manufacturers . . of . . LUMBER LATH SHINGLES DOORS SASH BLINDS SILOS, ETC. Clear Cypress for Greenhouse Work Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing. USE FOSTER'S POTS STRONG DURABLE LIGHT "*t BEST MAOt 1 FOSTER'S J STANDARD POT POROUS AND SMOOTH Drop us a post card for Catalogue and Price Ust. The Foster Pottery Co., Limited HAMILTON - ONTARIO car. This pays in the saving of ice alone, be- sides its 'advantage in extending the keeping period of the fruit. For best results, fruit should be wrapped and the paper for wrapping I should be lighter than newspaper and heavier than tissue paper. Shippers should use uni- form packages for ease in loading cars, and for appearance on the market, to say nothing of increasing the selling price. Only the higher grades of fruit should be shipped to the west. Airways the Same Standard A. McNeill, Fruit Division, Ottawa In reply to a complaint that certain apples were not good enough for the No. 1 grade, though thus marked, a grower says: "I sup- posed the year would have quite a lot to do with governing the trade. If the strict letter of the law is put in force with regard to No. 1 apples there will be very few in this neighbor- hood." It cannot be too generally impressed upon packers and growers that the description of a No. 1 apple never varies. Our export apples reach many persons who have no idea of the crop conditions in Canada, and this export trade could never be built up except by maintaining a uniform quality in our No. 1 grade. A No. 1 apple in any year is an apple practically with- out blemish and of good size and color. PicKing' Cherries for Market The cherry, unhke most other fruits, does not separate readily from the stem or tree. If pulled it is liable to be bruised or torn. The common way is to catch the stem with the thumb and finger and tear the fruit from the tree with others in the same cluster, and put them in quart boxes or half bushel baskets for the market. In recent years, however, there has been an increasing demand for "clipped cherries." There are several reasons why dealers prefer them to those that are pulled. The buyer wants fruit and not stems, Long stems and clusters occupy too much space in the box, and with the dried brown calyx they do not present the bright, pleasing appearance of the "chpped" fruit. Some growers claim that the trees from which the cherries have been clipped are in better condition for a crop the next year than those from which the fruit has been pulled. In puUing, many buds, small twigs and fruit spurs are injured, bark stripped, etc. There are several methods of clipping. Some use shears in one hand and try to catch the fruit in the other. This is not satisfactory because the hand is too small to hold many, and some fall to the ground. Some spread sheets under the trees and shear off the cherries and let them fall into it. The sheets are more or less in the way of the ladders and pickers, and the fruit must all be gathered up and separated from leaves and twigs that fall and are, consequently, sometimes bruised. An instrument has been devised that will shear and catch the fruit and at the same time is easily managed with one hand and not too ERMANENT meadows should have an annijal dressing of 500 pounds per acre of a fertilizer contain- ing eleven per cent. Potash and ten per cent, available phosphoric acid. This will gradually force out sour grasses and mosses from the meadows, and bring good grasses and clovers; thus in- creasing the quality as well as the quantity of the hay. Our practical book, "Farmer's Guide," gives valuable facts for every sort of crop- raising. It is one of a number of books on successful fertilization which we send on re- quest, free of any cost or obligation, to any farmer who will write us for them. Address, QERMAN KALI WORKS. 93 Nassau Street. New York. Mention The Canadian Horticulttirist when writing. Special Glass for Greenhouses GOOD QUALITY, FLAT. EVEN THICKNESS AND WELL CUT PLATE MIRROR PLATE WIRE GLASS PRISiMATIC GLASS And all other kinds of Glass used for Duilding purposes Pilkington Brothers MONTREAL Limited TORONTO VANCOUVER WINNIPEG Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing. Baskets We are Headquarters for all kinds of Splint Baskets VENEER supplied for the pro- tection of trees from mice during winter FRUIT PACKAGES A Specialty^ SEND FOR OtIR PRICES THE OAKVILLE BASKET CO. OAKVILLE, ONTARIO Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing. A Nice Premium will be given Free to all Readers who Buy Goods from Advertisers. See Notice in this Issue. 170 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST THE Best are Always the Cheapest If you want baskets or berry boxes that will carry your fruit safely to the consumer, send your order to C.W.VanDuzer BASKET cTMANUFACTURERj GRIMSBY Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing large to be handy among the limbs of the tree. The other hand remains free to hold the twigs and bend in the Hmbs or steady the operator. The maker says tliat he got the idea from the rabliit's mouth, with the incisors for cutting and the cheeks to retain. Necessary modifications were made to adapt it to the work that it was expected to accomjiUsh. The cutting edges rass like shears, and are about 1J4 in- wide. The attached tin cup holds about a pint, and is easily emptied into a basket or nest of boxes hung in the tree or on the ladder. The few leaves and faulty fruit can be thrown out as it is emptied. This device can al.so be used to advantage in gathering currants. It is claimed that one oi)erator can gather 150 to 200 lbs. per day. For particulars see advertisement in this issue, or write Elwood Tatum, West Branch, Iowa, for testimonials. distributed. While the Toronto market may be overwhelmed with supplies, there are scores of towns and villages throughout Canada where a good, fair price could be had for this fruit if the buyers and sellers could be got together There are fruit growers in Ontario who have developed along this line and have no trouble in disposing of all the fruit they can grow or buy in this manner, never touching the big centres. TKe Disastrous Glut Nothing is more trying to the hard-working fruit grower, after having overcome the on- slaughts of the insect world, and escaped the terrors of the late frost, the driving hail-storm or the ruinous wind, and having brought to perfection a fine crop of fruit, to find that all his care has been in vain, for the fact that all his neighbors have been equally successful and the market is glutted. To see his fruit rot under his trees or sold for next to nothing at the auction block, is a bitter pill. The remedy, however, is not far to seek. The fruit grower must not depend on fortune and follow in the wake of the crowd. He must do as other producers, other manufacturers do — seek out new markets for himself. It is a well-grounded fict that there is not more than enough fruit produced in Canada every year to meet our requirements if properly PRACTICE WITH SCIKINCE ALWAYS A FULL CROP — WHEN YOU USE - ARNOTT'S Complete Fertilisers ANALYSIS GUARANTEED Special Manures for Vegetable Growers, Fruit Growers and Florists M.\SUr.\CTUREIJ O.N'LV BY I^ ARNOTT CHEMICAL CO. AGRICULTURAL CUBKISTS AND FERTILISER EXPERTS 114 VICTORIA ST. - TORONTO ESTABLISHED IN GREAT BRITAIN IN 1853 Write us for anything you want. Our Manager has had thirty years' worldwide expcnence ill the Manuring of Crops for Profit. Mention The Canadia Horticulturist when writing. Allan Lines of Royal Mail Steamsliips 1906— SUMMER SEASON The only Line having Turbine Ships on the St. Lawrence route WEEKLY SAILINGS MONTREAL to LIVERPOOL The Turbine Steamers VIRGINLAN and VICTORIAN and the Twin Screw Steamers TUNISLAN and lONLAN Every Thursday morning, calling at Quebec. WEEKLY SAILINGS MONTREAL to GLASGOW Every Wednesday morning. The ships on this route are injMIDIAN, PRETORIAJT SICILIAN, CORINTHIAN MONGOLIAN 1906 WEEKLY SAILINGS MONTREAL to LONDON Every Saturday morning. This service is supplied by the steamers — ONTARIAN SARMATIAN, HIBERNIAN SARDINIAN, HUNGAIUAN POMERANIAN Fortnightly' Sailings MONTREAL to HAVRE qAll steamers of the Allan Line are specially equipped to carry perishable traffic. Refrigerators, Cool Air Cham- bers and Sirocco Fans are of the most modern type. H. & A. ALLAN, Agents MONTREAL, QUE. Toronto Office: 77 Yonge St. See Folders for rates of passage, etc. A Nice Premitun will be given Free to all Readers who Buy Goods from Advertisers. See Notice in this Issue. iThe Canadian Horticulturist ^ol. XXIX JULY, 1906 No. 7 TKe Ne-w Experiment Station in tKe Niag'ara District THE establishment of the new fruit and vegetable experiment station in the Niagara district marks an epoch in the horticultural development of Canada. It should become the most important station of its kind in the Do- minion, and ultimately one of the best on the continent. The older stations have done good work, but have been handicapped by their locations and, therefore, greater things may be ex- pected from the new one. It is located near Jordan in the centre of the best fruit district in Canada. It will be of value, not only to the Niagara dis- trict, where it is located, but it should be an important factor in the advance- ment of fruit matters all over the Do- minion, but particularly to portions of British Columbia where conditions are closely similar to those in Southern Ontario. The ground for the new station com- prises about 90 acres, and has been given to the Ontario government by Mr. M. F. Rittenhouse, of Chicago, who was born and brought up near Jordan. While otherwise well suited to its pur- pose, it has two defects: it lacks the protection of the mountain, only two and a half miles away, and as a conse- quence, its crops are a week late in season; and, in the judgment of a rep- resentative of The Horticulturist who thoroughly examined the soil, it lacks a sufficient quantity of light soil to be ideal for experimental work with peaches and other tender fruits. This latter objection can be overcome by the purchase of additional land of that character. It is understood that Mr. Rittenhouse has given the gov- ernment an option on an excellent farm of this type, across the road from the farms already donated. Except, as already stated, that it lacks the protection of the mountain, the farm otherwise is ideally situated, being almost in the centre of the Niag- ara fruit district. It is located on the extreme north-east comer of the town- ship of Clinton in the county of Lin- coln. The farm faces on the line be- tween Clinton and Louth townships, and has a shore line on Lake Ontario of about one-quarter of a mile. It is about 12 miles from St. Cathar- ines and 24 miles from Hamilton, or about midway between Hamilton and the Niagara river. Although, at pres- ent, somewhat difficult of access, there being no railway station within three miles, it is expected a station will be established where the railway tracks pass the farm about half a mile away. The projected electric railway line from Toronto to Niagara Falls, also, probably will pass near the farm. It is interesting to note that the town line between Louth and Clinton, if extended across the lake, would run directly up Yonge street, Toronto. In other words, the new station will be directlv across the lake from the citv. STRONG AND PROGRESSIVE I congratulate you on the very interesting and profitable horti- cultural journal you are publish- ing in The Canadian Horticul- turist. I prize it as highly as any periodical coming to my desk. You deserve the patronage of every progressive citizen of Can- ada. Few people appreciate as they ought the value of a paper that is as progressive and so strong and forceful as is The Can- adian Horticulturist. — A. N. Brown, Middleport, N.Y. In the vicinity of the Rittenhouse farm are a number of excellent fruit farms, worth from §150 to $250 an acre. The land for the station con- sists of two farms that were given to the government by Mr. Rittenhouse, in two instalments. AREA OF the station The original offer comprised some 46 acres of land, after deducting the lots for the school and school gardens and a strip along the road required for road purposes. In the second gift, known as the Harris farm, there was originally about 50 acres, but the lake has worn away a small portion of it, causing the shore road to encroach slightly upon the original area; this, together with a strip required to widen the road to 66 feet on the east side, lessens the area to about 44 acres. Together, the two farms comprise about 90 acres. When Mr. Rittenhouse's first offer was made, he agreed also to give the government an option on an 88-acre farm, owned by Mr. A. H. Culp, Jor- dan Harbor, and located just across the road from the original Rittenhouse farm. Mr. Rittenhouse had obtained an option on the farm from Mr. Culp at SI 50 an acre, and agreed to turn it over to the government at $100 an acre, any time within the next three years. Mr. Culp's farm is sandy in character, and is one of the best fruit farms in the locality. When the first 50 acres, given by Mr. Rittenhouse, were being examined by Mr. C. C. James, Deputy Minister of Agriculture; President Creelman of the O.A.C., and others, it was suggested by some one that it would be much more convenient to have the land for the experimental farm in a block extending from the Rittenhouse school to the lake. After Mr. Rittenhouse returned to Chicago he thought likewise. With Mr. Rit- tenhouse, whose generosity is unbound- ed, to think is to act. A few days later he visited St. Catharines and bought the Harris farm for $4,500, and pre- sented it to the government. contour and soil On the first farm of 46 acres, the contour of the surface is uneven. There is a variety of soils. In the south-east corner, by the school, are about two and a half acres of light sandy loam about two feet deep. This is the best soil on the farm, and it is to be re- gretted that there is not more of it. There is, also, a sandy loam strip of about six and a half acres running through the farm, from north-east to south-west, on the north-west side of the ravine. This strip, although sandy in character and excellent for peaches and small fruits, is rather shallow, being onlv about one foot deep on the average, and it rests upon hard pan. In the ravine, there are about four acres of black muck, rich bottom land, and valuable for experimental work in vegetables. West of the ravine there are one and a half acres of bush. In the north-west corner of the farm there are about four and a half acres of stiff 174 tin; f \.\aj>ian horticulturist Mr. M. F. Rittenhouse \\'hose name stands for generosity and l>cr:cvolence in his native county of Lincoln. red clay. The remainder of this farm is composed of clay loam, some 27 acres, incumbent upon a heavier sub- soil about 15 inches deep. The contour of the Harris farm of 44 acres is more level, in fact, almost all level, with an occasional knoll. On this farm there is also about four acres of red clay. The largest part of the surface, however, is clay loam, about 30 acres, but it is shal- low and lies mostly on a red clay subsoil at an average depth of nine inches. There are about 10 acres of sandv loam, six acres of which is more or less in a block, and four acres scat- tered over the farm in sandy knolls. The light soil averages 15 inches deep, and is incumbent upon a clayey subsoil. The character of the soil on the two farms, as examined and estimated by a representative of The Horticul- TtTRiST, may be summed up as follows: Sandy loam, in blocks 8^ acres Sandy loam, scattered 10 j Clay loam 57 Red clay 8i Black muck, clayey 4 Bush land IJ 90 acres From this it will be seen that clav loam constitutes 65 per cent, of the soil, and sandy loam a little over 20 per cent. While the farm, as a whole, is an ex- cellent one for experimental purposes, yet the percentage of light soil for the culture of peaches, English cherries, small fruits, etc., is too small. This de- fect can be obviated by the purchase of the land across the road, on which Mr. Rittenhouse has given the govern- ment an option, where there is at least 75 acres of excellent light sandy soil, from one foot to three feet in depth, and lying upon a subsoil also sandy, although slightly heavier in texture. Since the acceptance by the govern- ment of these farms, for the purposes of the station, several deputations of practical fruit growers have visited the jilace, and have expressed themselves as being, on the whole, well satisfied with the property. OTHER ADVANTAGES Immediately adjoining it is the Rit- tenhouse school and school grounds, which are models of their kind. Across the road is "Victoria Hall," splendidlv equipped and built for public meetings and entertainments. Both these hand- some structures have been donated to the section by Mr. Rittenhouse. On one side of the hall are large, well-built sheds for horses and carriages. There is an excellent system of waterworks in connection. The buildings are light- ed with acetylene gas. The grounds around and about the hall and school- house are well laid out and planted with trees, shrubberv and flowers. Nearby is also a small public park for the use of picnic parties, and others who de- sire it. Mr. Rittenhouse has agreed to give the farm the use of \'ictoria Hall for meetings, classes, etc. The pumping station will supply water to the farm and buildings at cost price. It is un- derstood that Mr, Rittenhouse intends to macadamize the road on the town line from the lake to the stone road under the mountain; and probably he will lav a cement walk from the lake to the'G.T.R. tracks. PRESENT EQUIPMENT There is now growing on these farms a few small plantations of various fruits. On the first farm that was given there are about one acre of grapes, two acres of apple orchard, one and one-half acres of pear orchard, and a couple of acres of plum trees, the latter of no value. On the Harris farm there are two acres of grapes, nine acres of apple orchard and about one acre of peach trees. The buildings now on the place Plan of a Portion of the New Experiment Station This diagram is a fair representation of the contour of the first farm given to the Ontario Government by Mr. M. F. Rittenhouse, of Chicago, for an experiment station in the Niagara district. It was drawn before Thb Horticulturist examined the premises as reported in this issue. We believe that a close examination will show that the area marked sandy loam in the diagram, is largely clay loam instead. The area of red clay is 4 or 5 acres, not 4005 acres, and in the left upper comer the word "South" should be "Louth.' THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 173 consist of two houses and two barns. Thev are old and of little value. All that will be done this year will be to put the farm in shape for experi- mental work. This will require a lot of cleaning, fencing, and drainin'g. The farm is run down, and careful work will have to be done to put it in order. This year it is proposed to put a good fence around the entire farm. The farm will be cleaned up, old and worth- less trees will be removed, some sum- mer fallowing will be done. Probably a man from the Ontario Agricultural College will be put in charge for this summer. Next year experimental work will be taken up and planting will be commenced. APPOINTME-XT OF THE DIRECTOR The government has stated that it intends to take plenty of time to select a competent man for the position of director. Not until such a man is found will the appointment be made. The future of the undertaking will rest largely with the man who is appointed to superintend the work. It is not likely that any class rooms will be built on the farm just now. The farm will be attached to the O. A. College, Guelph, and the director made an additional professor of hor- ticulture. Probably the specialists in horticulture at Guelph will be required to take considerable practical training on this farm. In time, perhaps a sep- arate institution for students of hor- ticulture will be established on the farm. Adjoining the farm, as already stated, is the Rittenhouse school. This school is splendidly equipped with a library, museum and other accessories necessary for work in natural science and nature study, and has beautiful grounds and a school garden. This it- self might be developed into a school of horticulture. Public school teachers could take courses in nature study right on the farm as well as at Guelph. VEGET.\BLE EXPERIMENTS Experiments in growing vegetables will likely be given equal importance with fruit. At Guelph the work with hardy vegetables and with vegetables under glass will be carried on ; while at the new place, investigations will be con- ducted in the growing of early market vegetables under glass and in vegetables for canning. Within three and a half miles of the farm is being erected E. D. Smith's can- ning factory, a big plant, which will tend to stimulate the work of growing fruits and vegetables for canning pur- poses. This factory, in conjunction with the farm, will greatly increase the value of farms in the neighborhood. While primarily the farm is to bene- fit the Niagara district, other sections of Ontario are alive to the fact that the province as a whole will have to pay for the equipment and for keeping it up, and not the Niagara district alone. For this reason it will be so managed as to be of benefit to the en- tire province, and necessarily to the whole Dominion. Ontario Fruit Gro^wer's Opinion of BritisK Columbia D' URING a recent trip to British Columbia in the interests of farmers' institute meetings in the fruit districts, I had an excellent chance to size up the situation and compare the conditions of the fruit grower of that western province with those of Ontario growers, more par- ticularly those in the Niagara district. In some sections the possibilities in the fruit business are exceedingly great, but there is a large market in the prairie provinces which the production of the immediate future in British Columbia orchards cannot hope to fill. When I arrived at Victoria on March 5, I found the peach and apricot trees in bloom, and the pears well out. One week later they had four degrees of frost that caused considerable damage to early fruits. On Vancouver Island e fruit grower is sadly handicapped, ing to the long distance from market ^nd a lack of enough growers in one locality to make up car lots. As soon as they form cooperative associations and make up car lots they will be able to ship to some of the northern coast markets. In the lower country and along the Eraser delta they have to do a great deal of spraying, and fruit growing is not increasing very rapidly. In the upper country valleys, however, you ^lear fruit talked of everywhere. The iruit industry bids fair to be the largest cultivated crop in the province. I3x- cursions are run in from Winnipeg to the Okanagan valley, and land is being sold in many places at $40 to $200 an acre unimproved. In many places the xo Robert THompson, St. CatHarines. Ont. land is sold in 10 and 20 acre lots. The greatest boom is from Enderby to Vernon, and down the shores of the Okanagan lake to Peachland and Sum- merland. Around Salmon Arm there appears to be a large area suitable for apples for sale at reasonable prices. In the Kootenays there are some places where it is claimed that apples and berries will do better than in the Okanagan. The Kamloops district is too dry without irrigation, and I do not look on this section as likely to be a heavy fruit pro- ducing section. Erom 800,000 to 1,- 000,000 trees were planted last spring, but as a conservative estimate not one-fourth of them will ever produce fruit. .Many unsuitable varieties are purchased. Peaches and Japan plums are planted where the frost will kill the bloom. In British Columbia, trees should be planted not over one year old, but the people persist in buying trees two or three years old. Others plant them in wheat fields and in mead- ows, where they stand for one, two or even three years, and have made little, if any, headway. Nevertheless, Ontario fruit growers need not be jealous of their western brethren, as the growth of the Terri- tories will absorb all the fruit produced by them for many years. The apple trees bear very young; in fact, too young, as it checks their growth if the orchard is not well cared for. In many sections the blight is very bad on the pear trees. Our fruit growers think that they have a hard time fighting in- sect pests, and suppose that our west- ern friends have no troubles, but I found it was only the wideawake, active grower, who cultivated, pruned and sprayed, who was making a suc- cess of his business. The climate is ideal, and possibly in some sections too dry in summer, but where they can get a sufficient water supply irrigation takes the place of the rain. The packing is nearly all done after the western states style in boxes. Grapes will never be a great success, owing to the cool nights. The people are whole-souled, generous and hos- pitable, very ready to give information, and as ready to learn and adopt any- thing that they consider may benefit them in any way. British Columbia is sharing in the boom of the Northwest, as many of the older settlers in the prairie provinces are selling out and moving west. Many English and Scotch settlers are coming in and settling on fruit lands. After seeing the country and the conditions under which the fruit grower has to produce the fruit in the west, and comparing our lot in the Niagara district with theirs, I have no hesita- tion in saying that we have as good a chance to succeed here. We have no more drawbacks than our western friends, and we have a larger and more varied market. Canada is a great country. We think we have the Gar- den of Eden in our section, and our western friends are also justified in thinking that they have it in a dozen places in their many valleys. Summer Treatment of OrcKards ORCHARDISTS in the leading fruit sections are adopting clean culti- vation and cover crops in late summer more commonly as the years go by. There are a few fruit growers who do not consider the benefits derived from such system sufficient to cause them to go to the extra labor and ex- pense, and so prefer to leave the fruiting land in grass. The experiences of many of the most successful growers and the results of experiments al colleges and stations, however, have shown that in most cases, for successive crops of good fruit, it is advisable to practise clean cultivation. most successful orchardists have been obtained by Tmc Horticilturist. "My orchard," wrote Mr. F. G. Stewart, of Homer, "is so very stony that I cannot cultivate it as I would wish. I keep it in s(xl, cut the crop, let it lie on the land and feed it one year with ashes, 50 to 60 bushels an acre, and the next year with tankage 400 to 500 lbs. an acre. Prior to 1905 I had eight successive crops. Ivast year I had but very few. "If I could cultivate the orchard, I should put in a cover crop of mammoth clover. I intend to do this with my plum and cherry orchards as soon as the The Work that Generally Results in Large Crops view of a quarter mile row of Gravenstein and King apples in Hillcrest Orchards, KentWUe, N.S., showing re- versible extension disc harrow, sulky gang plow, and two low wagons with lOO-gallon hogsheads used for spraying. If cultivation is kept up until late in the season, tree growth continues, and the wood is not ripened when heavy frosts come. The result is that many trees are ruined. In recent years or- chardists have adopted the planting of cover crops to overcome this feature. Many kinds can be used to advantage, but it has been learned that the locality and the climatic conditions regulate to a certain extent the cover crop that will give best results. The general benefits are numerous. In most cases some of the leguminous crops, such as clovers or vetches, are used, because considerable nitrogen is incorporated with the soil. In any case, humus is added and the plant food rend- ered more available. Rains and snows are held until they have time to soak into the ground ; and, in spring, the evaporation through the leaves causes the land to dry and be in fit condition for cultivation earlier than in orchards where no crop is grown. The experiences of some of Ontario's crop is picked. I have tried rape, but although it makes plenty of humus, I do not find it adds enough nitrogen. Clover does both." "In the St. Lawrence valley, east of Kingston, wrote Mr. Harold Jones, of Maitland, "my experience has been a clean cultivation during the summer, with a cover crop sown as late as August 1 or 15, produces a late succulent growth of green wood, not sufficiently ripened to withstand our winter. Taking these conditions into consideration, I should advise that clean cultivation practised up to and not later than July I, and then sowing thickly with red clover, say at the rate of 10 or 12 lbs. to the acre, gives our trees every chance for rapid and vigorous growth in the early summer, as well as rapidly developed fruit. Then a heavy seeding of clover has a tendency to check growth sufficiently to have the twigs well-ripened before winter sets in, besides giving us a clean sod for the fruit that falls. "In heavy, strong soils, where wood growth is very vigorous at the expense of fruit buds, I have found it advisable to let the orchard remain in clover sod without cultiv'ation for one or even two years. This treatment gives a very noticeable increase in blossom buds. "Among the cover crops used gener- ally throughout Ontario, the common red clover is found the most desirable for the St. Lawrence valley. Crimson clover is not hardy and will very seldom or never pass the winter alive. Soy beans, or Soja beans, and vetches are valuable in their fertilizing quaHties, but are difficult to move among, and wet in the mornings for the pickers. "The most serious losses from winter kilhng during the past four years have been in orchards under clean cultivation, and the fewest losses in orchards in sod. But, we must bear in mind the value of our orchards under the several treat- ments from a commercial standpoint, and it is up to us, as fruit growers, to bring our orchards into the highest state of fertility and productiveness, keeping in mind the importance of getting our wood growth thoroughly ripened be- fore winter sets in." PRIZE-WINNIXG FRUIT ON SOD That some orchardists produce excel- lent fruit without cultivating is shown by the record made by Mr. C. W. Chal- land, of Marbourg. Last fall, at To- ronto, he had seven entries and carried away five first prizes. In 1904, three first prizes were awarded for three en- tries. Last fall his sales amounted to S675, while scarcely another grower in the neighborhood had saleable fruit. In a recent letter to The Horticul- turist, Mr. Challand wrote: "The or- chard has been in sod for 14 years, pastured by sheep and divided into parts in order to give fresh pasture. It is eaten off much more evenly than when the whole run is given at once. Last spring I plowed the orchard because so much manure had been added around the trees that the grass grew so long and so wiry that the sheep would not eat it. After about two years I shall seed it down again. During July, I in- tend sowing rye, and it will be plowed under next spring. The soil is clay loam. "For the last eight years half the trees each year had a dressing of barn- vard manure at the rate of about one • load to four trees, according to size of trees, spread out nearly as far as the branches reach. The last two years no ashes have been used. During the four, years previous about 1,200 bushels of ashes were used at the rate of one to two bushels per tree, according to size of tree, scattered around about as far out as the top reaches. • '"In 1896 T purchased a sprayer and. THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 175 used the Bordeaux mixture with J^4 lb. Paris green added to each barrel. The last two years I have used a mixture I like much better. The mixture I use now for one barrel is : Blue vitriol, four pounds; fresh lime, 16 lbs. ; Paris green, }^lb.; white arsenic, }^ lb. The white arsenic is prepared by boiling one pound white arsenic with two pounds of sal soda for 45 minutes in an iron kettle Improving a CKild's Playground EHE views here shown were taken bv Mr. W. A. Code, of 327 Waverley St., Ottawa, showing his yard in „ List of last year, and while Mr. Code primarily intended the photographs to display his handiwork, as evidenced bv thrown back a very strong glare and heat, and all round an uninviting board fence the same vines were strug- gling for supremacy with the result seen in the photos. The strip, termed a garden, also A Screen of Vines and Perennials ie little cabinet he had just com- pleted for his daughter of five, he has reproduced them with a view- of show- ing, in a small way, what a Httle trouble will accompHsh toward improving un- attractive surroundings. Having inherited a sUght taste for gardening, Mr. Code, when first he took up his residence at his present address, some seven years ago, at- tempted growing vegetables of differ- ent kinds in a small plot in the rear of his premises, but the soil, not being good, and his little daughter requiring a play-ground, he levelled off the whole plot — an L-shaped space about 45 feet long by 33 feet wide at the rear half — and sowed grass seed thereon. His desire, however, for some sort of garden was too strong, and accordingly a nar- row strip of one and a half to two and a half feet was encroached upon all the way round the yard, and this plot prepared with a cart load or two of sand and loam, which was mixed with the original soil. Morning glory, wild cucumber and scarlet runner vines were soon grow- ing up the side of a neighbor's back kitchen, which on hot afternoons had lent its quota, for therein, as may be seen, flourished golden-glow, gerani- with two gallons of soft water. Apply with a good sprayer that has a good agitator and don't be afraid that your barrel will be empty too soon for your pocket book. ums and a variety of other plants not easily discernible. Having put so lit- tle effort into the undertaking, Mr. Code naturally felt amply repaid and encouraged over the result. The same returns might be obtained by others of our readers as a reward for the expend- iture of a Httle energy and a few cents. The influence such pleasant sur- roundings have on the children is an important consideration. Destroying Cut "Worms T. D. Jarvis, B.S.A., Guelph What is the best remedy for the cut worm on tomatoes and peppers? The worms assume the color of the soil in which they work, and burrow themselves under the plants they cut off. — W. C, Burlington. The larvse of cut worms are about l}/4 inches long, smooth and naked, presenting a greasy appearance. The colors are generally some shade of green, grey, brown or black. Most of them are night feeders. The natural home of the cut worm is on sod land, and it is well to avoid planting tomatoes and peppers and other crops specially liable to their attacks after grass. Poisoned baits, such as small bunches of clover or cabbage leaves dipped in Paris green solution (one pound Paris green to 100 gallons of water) and placed near the attacked plants, may be used to advantage. The cut worms feed on these and are destroyed. Pois- oned bran, sweetened with a little molasses and made mto moist balls the size of plums, has given excellent results. A Child's Playground Beautified 170 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST A Montreal Vine-Clad Home The hoiiR- of Mr. J. Mtndi.rs.)ii, siip- irintendent of Mount Royal Park, Mon- treal, is shown in these two illustra- tions. The grounds in the foreground matured, or it might be that at the lime the flower was starting to come the bulb had not sufficient nourishment to develop its florets. The Chinese select three grades of bulbs, first, sec- ond and third. The thirds are very inferior, and verv seldom flower. Sec- onds will flower 'very well. Firsts will give satisfaction to any person. I do not think it is any fault on the A Beautiful Vine Clad Home are beautifully planned and planted. The grand old vine on the residence is the common \'irginia creeper, Ampehpsis qiiinquejolii. It is at least 30 years old, and climbs on wires fastened to the brick walls. A house is seldom beautiful without climbers to add a touch of color and to relieve the bare- ness of the walls. The old-fashioned Virginia creeper is one of the most popular for the purpose. Luxuriant part of the grower with the exception that a little ammonia in the water might have helped the bulb to de- velop its florets. It is more than likely that the bulb was such a small size, it had not sufficient nourishment to de- velop the perfect plant. Be sure to have a large bulb another time, and I think you will have no difficulty in securing flowers. — Herman Siniincrs. Wild Flowers for the Hardy Herbaceous Border A. Alexander, Hamilton, Ont. A Virginia Creeper in Montreal in its cool, dark green growth in sum- mer, and dying off in resplendent hues in autumn, it rightly deserves its pop- ularity. The Virginia creeper is one of the hardiest of hardy climbers. It is easily propagated and easily grown. It is best for the amateur to buy the plants from some reliable nurseryman, as they are not expensive, and a year's time will be saved. The vine is increased by cuttings of moderately ripened shoots, which should be taken in late fall and stored until spring, or where facilities are available, the cuttings may be started in a house or in a cold frame. By the following autumn these cut- tings, under ordinary treatment, will make good plants. CHinese Lilies Some Chinese lily bulbs that I put in water grew well but failed to produce bloom. What might have been the cause? — C.B., Ottawa. This might be due to two causes. It may be that the bulbs 'used Avere not IN the April number of The Hokti- ciLTURisT, a few of the earlier plants native to our woods and fields were named as having been satisfactory additions to the hardy garden. In this short article we will name a few more desirable subjects for the same use. The first we w^ould call attention to is Phlox divaricata. It is found growing plentifuUv in many of our woods and shadv places. It is a very attractive plant of a fine light lilac color, the loosely flowered panicles growing to a height of nine inches or a foot. It flowers for four or live weeks during May and June. A partial shade is preferred, though I have had it thrive in the open border, among its sun-harderied new acquaint- ances. Geranium maculatum is another na- tive that always gives satisfaction. After being planted it will increase in size and profuseness of bloom from year to year. Mv specimen has been in the saine spot for at least 10 years, and has been blooming all through June and was conspicuous during part of May. The flowers are light purple. Smilacina racemosa. False Solomon's Seal, is quite an acquisition to any garden. It is found growing in rich woods. With its very graceful, bending stems and its terminal plume of creamy white flowers, it is a thing of beauty. It is also fragrant and the flower is succeed cd by a cluster of pale red berries, spot- ted with purple. Why it should be called false Solomon's Seal I am at a loss to know, unless it be that it is very often found in close companionship with Solomon's Seal. It surely has originality enough to have a name to itself. There is a little flower, a favorite of mine, Tiarella cordifolia, the foam flower, or False Mitrewort, which I in- tended to have referred to in my last talk of the wild flowers, is a beautiful little gem and fragrant. The leaves are very persistent, and are often richly colored in the fall. Those who have room should have some members of the aristocratic orchid family, especially the Cypripediums, or Ladies' Slippers. They arc still to be found in many shady woods and dells- The easiest of cultivation are Cypripe- dium pubescens and C. spectabile. I have had the former of the two for many vears. It is yellow and responds to good treatment in the shape of good soil and favorable locality. The only other plant I would refer to is Actaea spicata rubra (Baneberry). It has a spike of white flowers early in the season. These are succeeded by clusters of cherry-red berries, which are verv beautiful. Actaea Spicata, Baneberry False Solomon's Seal .Summer Treatment of Plants for Winter Beauty RptO grow plants and flowers success- I fully during the balmy days of sum- ■ mer is easy for the most amateur thusiast who is willing to devote a little time and to exercise common sense in the treatment accorded. Suc- cess during the dull cold days of change- able weather common in Canada dur- ing the winter months is, however, a more difficult proposition. Too many who have beautiful gardens in summer forget that plants cannot maintain their cheering beauty for 12 months of the year unless they are given special treat- ment, care and attention. Professional florists, with every facility for control- ling heat and moisture conditions, do not, as a rule, attempt to induce bloom continuously. How, then, can the ama- teur with ordinary house temperatures and conditions such as they are ,in the average living room hope to do so? The plants must be prevented from produc- ing bloom in summer if they are wanted for brightening up the windows of the home during the dreary days of win- ter. If this is done and care taken to maintain a temperature sufficiently high and to give the proper amount of water, plants put in fresh potting soil will re- pay the owner with a liberal supply of bloom in the winter season. There are many plants that can be used to advantage. Of the flowering plants, geraniums are perhaps most fre- quently used. Begonias and fuschias and the ever-flowering member of the balsam family, Impatiens Sultani, too, are common. Although these produce bloom of better quality in the warmer season, they are worth having for win- dow culture in winter. Many horticul- turists, however, prefer the non-flower- ing plants such as ferns, palms, rubber plants, etc., for decorating the living room in the cold months. The Canadian Horticulturist re- cently obtained the opinions of success- ful growers, who have had lengthy ex- perience, regarding the best treatment of the diff'ercnt plants during summer and fall to have a brilliant display of tige or bloom in winter. POT DURING JULY Where there is no gas and no coal ■es," said Mr. Thos. Manton, of Eglinton, "lovely window plants can be had by potting geraniums early in the summer n four or six inch pots, and plunging them outside until fall. The plants make a stout and rugged growth, and if the flower buds arc nipped off during the summer an abundance of bloom will be produced during the dull months of winter, provided the air is pure and the temperature not lower than 50 degrees. Plants are like persons. If thev are left outside in the fresh air, where they get plenty of sun, they become strong and able to stand the hardships of winter. ' ' Boston ferns, too, should be plunged outside in pots the same as geraniums. If given plenty of water they grow rapidly, and although they may be hard lookers in the fall, they go into the house healthy and strong, and present an attractive appearance all winter. "The rubber plant is an old favorite. It, too, should be plunged outside. In a healthy plant the roots are located chiefly around the edge of the receptacle. When plunged these roots do not be- come scorched, and the plant becomes '^■y^ •ft*"^ i&' Geranium Maculatum strong and robust and in fit condition to endure the conditions to which it must be subjected during the winter months. "Winter flowering begonias are much sought after by flower lovers. By plunging the pots outside during the warm months, a desirable short-joint- ed growth results, and the plants are ready for bloom almost immediately after being taken in. Begonia mani- cata aurea is one of the most beautiful plants for winter culture. Besides, there are the desirable varieties: Be- gonia incarnata. Begonia fuchsioides. Begonia multiflora, and many others." "Ferns are the most satisfactory plants for window decoration during winter in the. private house," said Mr. A. Houston, head gardener at the Par- liament Buildings, Toronto. "Tulips and hyacinths, however, give the best returns for the labor that is required in attending to them. For this reason many amateur flower growers prefer them to any other plant for window decoration during the winter months. Palms arc excellent house plants. The members of the Kentia familv are most desirable. Care must be taken, how- ever, not to give them too much water. The average amateur is too lavish in supplying water to his window plants. In many cases a saucer is kept under- neath and water kept in the saucer. No plant can be expected to thrive under such conditions. WINTER TREATMENT "It is a difficult matter to have con- tinual success in inducing plants to bloom during the winter months in the temperatures that are found in ordin- ary living rooms. It is too much of a strain on the vitality of the plants. In greenhouses the temperature can be kept more uniform and better returns repay the grower for his labors. The Nephrolepsis ferns can be made to present an attractive appearance, but they do not make the growth that is common under greenhouse cultivation. With window conditions, in the aver- age dwelHng, the plants can be kept alive over winter, but usually the re- sults arc not very encouraging. "Among the bulbous plants, for forc- ing in winter, hyacinths are the most satisfactory. Tulips also are good. The former frequently do fairly well in glasses of water, but the results are much better when soil is used. The best plan is to purchase the bulbs in October, and bury them in the cellar until February. Some of the tulips may be taken up in Janjjary. In some instances the bulbs are buried in ashes outside with success. The time of taking them up depends on the amount of roots in the pots. While the bulbs are lying dormant roots develop. They are not injured if the temperature goes a few degrees below freezing. When uncovered they must be kept for a few days where the atmosphere is about the freezing point. The temperature can be raised gradually to 45 or 50 de- grees, under which conditions they do best. GERANIUMS "Geraniums are common plants for window culture. To induce bloom dur- ing the dull months of winter it is neces- sary to keep the flowering buds pinched off during the summer. The pots should be plunged outside about June, and the plants left there until vSeptem-, ber, at which time they should be shifted to larger pots, in which they can be left until spring, Flossoms will come in a very short time, but they will not be so good as those that appear in the summer. The addition of liquid manure helps to make the bloom of better qualtiy. "Impatiens Sultani is a marvel for bloom. If treated much the same as recommended for geraniums, a pleas- 178 THE CANADIAN 11 O U i" 1 C U L T U R 1 S T ing flfci I will be produced throughout the wiiiUr. It is very ditricull to in- duce fuschias to bloom copiously dur- iiji; the cold months. ' ' Most house plants should be plunged outside. The objection to setting them out of the pots is that in taking them up again in the fall the roots are muti- lated. Under outdoor conditions the moisture is more uniform. A handful of cinders should be placed under- neath each pot to ensure perfect drain- age. In September the pots should be lifted. If they can be put in a cold frame and left there until October, better results will be had in winter. Care mu.st be taken not to have too much moisture around the plants. Never allow water to lie at the roots. It is much better to have the plants too dry than too wet." In a recent interview with Mr. O. Grainger, of Deer Park, he stated that geraniums are the staple plant for window decoration in private houses during winter. "For best results," said Mr. Grainger, "new soil must be given every year. The growth made during the winter months exhausts the earth in the pots. In the spring the best plan is to take the plants out of the pots and set them in the garden. Stout, strong growth is made during the sum- mer, and before frosts come in the fall the plants can be taken up, put in fresh potting soil, and set in a sunny window. If the plants are cut back and the shoots taken oiT, young growth is induced, and in a short time flower buds appear. ' ■ Begonias, too, are excellent for winter window decorations. If kept outside all summer the same as geran- iums, they will do well throughout the winter. The tuberous-rooted speci- mens cannot be treated in this way be- cause they die down in the fall and must have a rest until spring. Rex begonias are very desirable for winter use, while the tuberous begonias should be cultivated for spring decoration in the spring. "Fuschias, if bedded outside during summer, and put into pots when taken up in the fall, are very desirable. They immediately shed their leaves, but if carefully attended to and kept moist new growth soon appears, and an abundance of blossoms burst open late in the winter or early spring. "Impatiens Sultani is almost a per- petual bloomer, and should be found in every collection of window plants. If well attended to and given suitable soil, this plant will present a pleasing appearance all through the winter. "Petunias are of httle value for the window collection during winter. With most specimens new plants have to be raised each spring, and by fall they have become too large. Some of the double varieties can be propagated from young shoots, and arc used in windows for winter decoration. "There are a few plants that can be used to advantage in winter by sowing seed late in the summer or early in the fall. Cinerarias, if sown in the latter part of July or early in August, will come into bloom about March 1. The seed should be placed in pans, and as soon as the seedlings are large enough to handle they should be transj)lanted into flats. In a short time they can be placed in small pots. After a few weeks, a final shift can be made to pots large enough for them to flower in. Calceolarias are not usually a success under winter conditions. They re- quire high temperature. If the seed is sown in August and favorable con- ditions are maintained throughout the winter, these plants make a brilliant display in May. As soon as the warm summer weather comes they .make vig- orous growth and give lots of bloom. "^ I Hints for City Gardens During July WATER, water, water is the cry from the garden during the hot days of July, and your success with your plants will depend on how you answer it. Every garden makes a special demand upon some method of watering or irrigation. There are vari- ous ways of watering the garden, each best adapted to certain conditions un- der which the gardener works. Those favored with a city water supply are to be envied. It is better to give plenty of water every few days, than a little each day. The surface is kept moist by the latter method, and the roots rise for the moist- ure, and thus are easily injured by the heat of the following day by being near the surface. Enough water should be given to wash the leaves and sink deep. The best time for amateurs to water is at night. Then the moisture has a chance to do its best work before evap- oration begins under the hot sun the next day. Scarcely any amateur gardener will go to the trouble and bother of pre- paring a supply of liquid manure at frequent intervals. This may be done easily and simply, in the following man- ner: Hunt up any old paint or oil barrel. Half a hogshead will do if available, or even a large packing case, although the barrel is better, as it has no corners and is more watertight. Sus- pend a half empty sack in the top of barrel, as shown in the illustration, fastening the sacking to an old iron hoop, caught over the top edge of the barrel, or to sticks placed across the top Fill this sack with fresh cow manure --->r- ■ IT -■iF:: ^'itMi^Mii A Simple Method of Mixing Your Liquid Fertilizer and suspend it in the barrel as shown. Nearly fill the barrel with water, put the cover on, and in a short time the liquid will be ready for use. A spigot, fastened at the bottom of barrel, will be found a handy means to dra.w off the liquid for use in the gar- den. Several refillings of the barrel with water may be made before the sack of manure has to be refilled. Bv suspending the manure in the sack, no sediment will form at the spigot to stop the drawing off of the water for use. One of the most expensive habits of most gardeners is the wasting of time between crops. Many think as soon as September comes, that the garden is about over for the year. Waste no days in the garden. There are at least 11 vegetables that can be planted in July: beans, early peas, corn, beets, carrots, cucumbers, let- tuce, radishes, okra, cress, and white French turnip. As fast as crops ma- ture, put in something else. Don't let your garden run out the first of September or October. Use your land for "all it's worth" till the cold weather won't let you use it any more. Don't supply your men with poor ; tools and expect them to get the best -' crops in the neighborhood. You can get more work out of a man and bet- ter results by giving him a good wheel hoe, than letting him shift for any old thing to hoe with. Plenty of manure water for young celery plants will amply repay for trouble in maintaining a supply con- stantly on hand. It is hard to over- feed or over- water celery plants. Don't let the tomato vines run glori- T HE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST. 179 oiisly to vines. Cut out the manj' spindly, weak shoots, which only take I he strength and vitality of the plant from the larger branches. Get larger and better tomatoes by letting in some of God's sunlight and daylight. Draw up the earth carefully around the leeks to blanch them well. You will get enough more for your crop to pay for the little extra labor. Onions should not be hilled up as they naturally grow on the surface of the ground. If you have a vacant spot in the garden in some corner, where nothing has been planted, utilize it by setting out late cabbages in July. iShould the midsummer bring with it the pretty little white butterflies, whose young are so destructive to your cabbage, they can be turned out of your domain by dusting with hellebore or some special preparation used for such pur- poses. When the lima beans have reached the limit of their supports, they should be topped off, to throw their strength into the pod and beans proper. No amount of care will produce good, tender vegetables, should they once get a check in their growth. Hot weather is bound to check them un- less they are given plenty of water. A good way to look after this is to keep in the ground the moisture already in it. It is not pleasant to hoe the gar- den in the scalding sunshine, with the thermometer at 90 deg. or more. Get a little wheel hoe and go out in the early morning or after sunset, and note the difference in the garden and your- self as well. An Inexpensive Shade for Your Lettuce Plants During July Black seeded varieties of lettuce are much the best for hot weather. At the hottest period of summer, the let- tuce will become bitter and run to seed. Screen the lettuce with an inexpensive home-made affair like the one shown in the illustration. Cheesecloth is used to stretch over the frame, made but roughly out of available sticks around every one's place, and such a screen, stretched over the lettuce bed suffi- ciently far above the plants to allow a circulation of air, will help out won- derfully. The summer crop might be planted in that shady corner you were wondering what you would use for earlier in the season. Keep surface soil well loosened around the maturing beets, or their growth will be checked. Keep them well thinned. The runners of the squash and melon vines are making growth while the sun shines, and are using up all the good moisture for themselves, while the fruits are thirsting for a drink. Cut off these beggars and throw the growth into the melons and squashes. Give the vines plenty of manure water, which will satisfy tkeir hunger as well as their thirst at the same time. Pinch out the ends of the main vines, and stop the lateral shoots, making your fruit sweeter, and of better flavor as the sun gets at it, and who or what is not better for the sunshine? MaKing tKe Most from tKe MarKet Garden VEGETABLE growers in the vicinity of Toronto are forced to make the most out of their land. Property is valuable and taxes are high; market gardeners, therefore, cannot be satisfied with obtaining one crop in a season. Everything possible has to be done to make the land yield returns through- out the growing season. Various ways are tried by different growers with the object of obtaining maximum profits. A representative of The Canadia.v Horticulturist, who visited Mr. Geo. Syme, Jr., of Carleton West, president of the Toronto branch of the Vegetable Growers' Association, was much interested in the methods adopted on the Syme farm, which com- prises about 30 acres. The farm is in excellent condition. Part of it com- fmses some flat, low land, of black, Oamy soil, and the remainder is higher land and more of a sandy loam. This gives an excellent chance to grow the various garden crops, and have them coming in at different seasons. The lower part of the farm is specially adapted to celery growing. On ac- count of its location it is naturally in- clined to be wet, but a thorough sys- tem of drainage, with tile drains about 15 yards apart, has remedied that de- fect. vSix inch sewer pipes of second grade are used in the main drains, j while in some of the laterals ordinary two inch tile are used. The small pipes, however, do not give entire satisfaction as they frequently become plugged. "Authorities," said Mr. Syme, "claim that a rotation of crops should be prac- tised. On part of our farm, celery has been grown every year for 30 years, and last year's crop has been as good as any that has been grown there. In fact, the celery seems to be better every year. Every year we put on as much manure as can be plowed under. Within certain limits vegetable growing pays in proportion to the amount of manure added to the soil. Some growers say that black loam adapted to celery growing requires no manure, but this is not so. In the spring, as soon as the ground can be worked, it is plowed and harrowed. Then a coat of fertil- izer is used, and the harrow again run over it. The young plants are then put in, and as soon as they become established, more fertilizer is scattered between the double rows. We use Bradley's Fertilizer at the rate of about 800 to 1,000 pounds per acre. In apply- ing it, however, special care must be taken not to let any of it touch the leaves of the plants as it is very strong and burns them. "In setting the early crop of celery, I prefer planting in double rows, be- cause more can be grown to the acre, and the bleaching can be done more easily. The inside of the rows is bleached by their own shade, and by- placing boards on either side, the bleaching can be completed in 10 to 14 days. If the ground is not rich, how- eyer, the plants should be set in single rows. The first planting is done about May 10, and frequent plantings are made until July 1. Then, for a very late crop, more is put in as late as August in soil from which potatoes have been taken. Before planting it is wise to pack the soil firmly where the plants are to be placed. Each plant is planted by hand, the roots being placed over the ball of the thumb and pressed under the surface of the soil. In this way the work can be done very quickly. One man can easily plant over 1,000 in an hour. (One of Mr. Syme's men was planting while the representative of TiiK Hor- ticulturist was there. He took out his watch and timed the planter with- out his knowing it. Twenty-seven plants were put in in one minute.) "The double rows are placed three and a half to four feet apart and a space of six inches left between the rows with the plants 12 inches apart, those of one row being opposite the spaces of the other. Careful cultiva- tion is necessary, and it is essential that the weeds be kept down. In the early part of the season, shallow horse 180 T UK CANADIAN H O 11 T I C U L T U R 1 S T ciUivalion can be practised, but the roots of celery plants forage widely, and after about two months horse cultivation must be discarded. After that t me it is not safe to hoe deeply. It is much better to pull the weeds by hand. Where the ground is not com- paratively clean, single rows should be planted. "Within the past few years we have changed ojr methods of planting cel- ery. At one time it was thought that a good crop could not be produced unless a trench were dug and three or four inches of manure placed in the bottom of it, soil put on the top and the plants set in this soil. It was found, however, that when the roots reached the manure they went no farther. The result was that the root system was partially destroyed, and soon the top became blighted as well. "The place of planting late celery is regulated by the nature of the sea- son. If there has been little rain single rows are planted between the double rows that were put in for an early crop, because celery would not thrive on higher land of a more sandy nature in such a season. If, however, there has been plenty of rain, the late crop is planted on the high ground from which an early crop of potatoes has been taken. It can be put in as late as August. Single rows are preferred because it must be placed by banking with clay. If an attempt were made to bleach double rpws by boards late in the sea- son, the celery would be seriously dam- aged by frost. In fact, more injurv would result to celery with boards around it than if it were standing naked. I have left the crop out as late as November 15. BLEACHING CELERY "In bleaching celery care must be taken not to have more of the early crop boarded in than will be sold within two we?ks. It is better to have it too green when rriarketed than to have it overbleached. The difference is so great that some customers think that there is a difference in the soil. The main essential, however, is to regulate the bleaching to suit the sales. Late celery should never be put on low, wet ground, because the fall rains cause the ground to become wet and cold, and the roots are injured, making the plants susceptible to blight. "Many schemes are adopted to avoid wasting ground or let it go idle. Let- tuce can be planted about May 24, and in the latter part of June single rows of celery can be placed between these. The lettuce will be done in time to allow banking up the celery. Early cabbage can be set out as soon as the ground is fit for cultivation, and Brus- sels' sprouts set between these about the middle of June. When the ground is kept busy the weeds are more easily kept in check. Onion sets are put in early in the spring in rows about 15 inches apart. Then about June 15, cauliflowers are planted in every second space. Beets, carrots, onions, etc., are planted in rows 14 or 15 inches apart. Silver skin onions are planted exten- sively because there is no difficulty in cleaning them. "An early crop of peas can be pro- duced by sowing the peas between onions from California sets. These sets are planted about the last of August, or as soon as the onions of the previous season have ripened their sets suffi ciently for use. They are planted in rows about three feet apart and kept well cultiv^ated until late fall. As soon as the snow has gone in the spring they arc ready for market. A few are kept to produce sets for planting the follow- ing August. Early in the spring the scuffler is run between these rows and peas planted there. Knott's Excelsior is the most satisfactory for early pro- duction. There are dwarf growers that are well podded with peas of good quality. This year the first was taken to market on June 19 and brought $2 a bushel. CAULIFLOWERS "A sandy loam suits cauhflowers well, but the early crop cannot be grown suc- cessfully in such soil on account of the maggot. When the plants are set in stiffer soil the damage due to this in- sect is very slight, while if the plants were put in a sandy loam almost all of them would be destroyed. About July I the pest ceases to work, and very few plants set out after that date are lost. With the early crop all that can be done is to set new plants in places where the maggots have played havoc. In this way a full stand is had by early * July. This suits for marketing, as the - crop does not all come in at once, but 1 the grower hates to have to plant a second time. "The green cabbage worm sometimes makes inroads on the cabbage and cauli- flower patches, but it is easily kept in check either by hellebore or Paris green. The best plan is to mix these ingredients with land plaster or lime and dust a little in the heart of each plant. The hellebore is most satisfac- tory because it destroys every insect it touches, while the Paris green must be eaten before the pests are killed." TRANSPLANTING POTATOES An experiment has been tried in transplanting potatoes from the green- T house. The tops are large and healthv, but the tubers are not as large as those in a patch planted early in the ordin- ary way. Transplanting was done about May 10, while the field planting was done as soon as the ground could be worked. The potato bugs are kept down by frequent sprayings of Paris green. Mr. Synie claims that it is not essential to have force supplied by means of a pump. The plan he has adopted is to place a barrel in a high dump cart. Sufficient pressure is supplied by siphon system to spray the potatoes. Lines of hose extend from the bottom of the barrel far enough to reach the potato vines. On the end of each hose is a rosette to form a spray. All that is necessary is to start the flow, and it continues as long as the rosette is not raised above the level of the mixture in the barrel. Spraying can be done rapidly. This system has given thor- ough satisfaction. Troublesome Diseases of Deans BEAN growers of Canada will be greatly interested in a bulletin re- cently issued by Prof. H. H. Whet- zel, of Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., in which is given a description, life his- tory and effective treatment for the three most disastrous diseases of the bean crop. After discussing how these dis- eases are confused by growers. Bulletin 239 says in part: "In order to combat them success- fully it is necessary that the grower have some idea of the differences in these troubles, or at least that he apply the correct name so that he may intelligentlv consult bulletins or books dealing with them. The following key will enable you to determine this with considerable certainty: 1. Rusty brown or black spots on stems, pods or leaves. These spots occur on the seed leaves of plants just UP. On the leaves of older planst they blacken and kill the veins on the underside. Diseased seeds show red- dish brown or black spots and are often! shrunken or shrivelled. This disease is] the Anthracnose. 2. Leaves at first with large watery? brown patches which shortly become dry and brittle. The diseaseJ leaves curl more or less and look as though they had been scorched. Affected pods show "watery" spots, which do not be- come black as in the case of anthracnose. Entire pod may become soft and rotten. This disease is the Blight. THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 181 3. Leaves usually remaining green or in severe cases becoming of a sickly yellowish color. Spots on the under- side of the leaf very small, rusty brown or black. Sometimes showing on the upper surface of the leaf as black spots with yellow borders, seldom occurring on the stems or pods. This is the true Rust. BEAN ANTHRACNOSE "The anthracnose is the most com- mon and destructive disease of beans. It is very probably the disease that is destroying your crop. Its most appar- ent injury is on the pods, where it forms large dark rusty brown or black spots. It is on this account frequently known as "pod spot." The disease may and usually does occur, however, on all parts of the plant except the roots. It is caused by a fungus known to botan- ists as CoUctotrichum lindcmuthianuw , which lives as a parasite in the tissues of the bean. "The disease makes its first appear- ance on the bean seedlings, as they come up. It may then be detected, on at least some of the young plants, as brown discolored sunken spots or cankers on the seed-leaves or the stem. This early appearance of the disease is due to the fact that the fungus is usually carried over winter in the seed and so is already in the bean when it is planted. "From the spots on stem and seed- leaves of the seedlings the spores find their way to the large leaves and branches ?f the rapidly growing plants. The irge veins of the leaf are frequently laten through and killed by the fungus, ^nd holes or cracks with blackened largins appear in the blade. While this may not kill the leaf, it greatly lessens its efficiency as a starch maker, *and so indirectly but effectively reduces the yield of seed. "It is from the attack of the disease on the pods that the most direct and apparent damage to the crop results. During the time of blossoming and pre- vious, the fungus has been spreading and becoming established on the stems and leaves, and it now attacks the young and succulent pods. With their tender growing tissue full of water and food materials, these pods offer the best con- ditions for the growth and development of the parasite. Spores from the spots on the leaves and stems fall on the pods where, in the presence of moisture and the high summer temperature, they germinate, forming a little sprout or germ tube, which penetrates the tender skin of the pod and, branching in the juicy tissues, gives rise to an anthrac- nose canker. These first appear as little brown or rusty spots, which enlarge and darken until nearly or quite black. The dead tissue dries and settles, leaving a sunken place in the pod. The spores may be scattered by the cultivator, the pickers, by animals, or by the wind in damp or rainy weather. As the threads or mycehum of the fungus penetrate deeper into the pod they finally reach the seed within. Unless the seed is destroyed by the fungus, it ripens and the enclosed mycelium becomes dormant. The presence of the fungus in the seed may usually be detected by the brown or yellowish discoloration of the seed- coat. When the seeds are badly affect- ed, they become more or less shrivelled as well as discolored. It is thus easy to tell with considerable certainty whether seed to be planted is affected with anthracnose. When the seed is planted in the spring the enclosed but dormant fungus is planted with it. In the soft and fleshy seed-leaves in which it is imbedded the mycelium finds an abundance of food and grows rapidly, soon forming a spot or canker and produc- ing spores which at once begin again to spread the disease to neighboring healthy plants. TREATMENT OF ANTHRACNOSE "Soaking the seed in formahn, cor- rosive sublimate and other poisons, and in hot water, have been tried by differ- ent experimenters with varying results. So far no one has been able to prevent the disease entirely by such treatment. The fungus mycelium is imbedded in the bean itself. Any poison that will penetrate sufficiently to kill the fungus will usually kill the seed. There are also other objections : that soaked seeds can- not be conveniently handled in the planter and if allowed to dry, many will 'shp' their coats; the reduction in 'stand' and consequent necessity of planting a larger quantity of seed is also another objection. On the whole, seed treatment cannot yet be recommended. "Selection of clean seed is of first im- portance in growing a clean crop. All beans to be planted should be most carefully "hand picked" and all beans showing discolorations, wrinkles or blis- ters should be discarded. It has been found that in some cases where 95% of the beans were marketable, only one per cent, was fit jar seed. As soon as the bean plants are well through the ground, they should be carefully examined and all diseased seedlings pulled up, carried jrom the field in a sack, and burned. This is the second step in the contest with the anthracnose and it is important, since even the most expert will overlook some of the diseased seeds in sorting. SPRAYING WITH BORDEAUX "As soon as the plants are well up, and the first pair of true leaves begins to unfold, spray thoroughly with Bor- deaux mixture. Probably the best form- ula to use is five pounds copper sulphate, and four pounds of stone lime to 50 gal- lons of water. A stronger solution has been found to dwarf the plants, while the weaker solution is eru'ally as effective in preventing the anthracnose. This should be so thoroughly applied that every plant above ground will be completely covered. In about 10 days or two weeks the plants should have a second spray- ing, using the same strength of mixture. This application should be as thorough as the first to cover and protect the new growth of leaves and branches. Unless excessive rains wash the mixture off, it will not be necessary to spray again until the pods are forming, shortly after blossoming. A third appHcation of the same strength and thoroughness should now be made. The nozzles should be so arranged that the pods as well as stems and leaves will be thoroughly coated. "In most cases three sprayings will be sufficient. If the seed was badly diseased and if the plants show an abundance of the anthracnose, more sprayings will probably be necessary to insure a clean crop. The effect of heavy rains in washing off the mixture may be overcome by adding to the Bordeaux mixture the following: two pounds resin, one pound sal soda, one gallon of water. Boil together until of a clear brown color. Add one-half this amount to each barrel of the Bordeaux. An extra spraying between the second and third, and another after the third when the pods are nearly full grown, will be sufficient in the worst cases. "The removal and destruction of dis- eased pods and stalks is also a matter not to be overlooked. While the disease is most commonly carried over in the seed, it has also been demonstrated that dis- eased pods and stems thrown on the fields in which beans are to be planted will result in a marked increase of the disease the next season. For this rea- son all diseased pods and stalks should be burned, or, if they go into the manure pile, the manure should not be put on fields in which beans are to be planted. "Cultivating or working in tfie beans when wet should be avoided as much as possible. SUSCEPTinilJTY OF VARIETIES "Certain varieties are more susceptible than others to this disease. This is not- ably true of the common 'Wax' varieties. Numerous 'Rust Proof varieties have been placed on the market, but while some of them are more or less resistant, probably all will spot under conditions most favorable to the fungus. Depend- ence, therefore, should not be placed on the resistance ability of any variety. All should be thoroughly sprayed if im- munity to the disease is to be expected. No record has been discovered of an- thracnose on Lima beans. If the vegetable grower wishes to obtain the maximum profit from grow- ing vegetables under glass he must pay strict attention to details from the time the seed is sown until the crop is marketed, and then immediately put another crop in its place. — H. E. Reid, Toronto. 182 THE CANADIAN II () R I 1 C L L T U R 1 S T The Canadian Horticulturist Published by The Horticultural Publishing Companj^, Limited The Only Horticultural Magazine in the Dominion Official Organ of British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and Prince Edward Island Fruit GrQwers' Associations and of the Ontai io Veg- etable Growers' Association H. BrOmsun Cowan. Editor and Business Manager A. B. CirrriNO, B.S.A., Associate Bditor W. G. Rook, Advertising Manager W. WiCKHAM, Wellington Chambers. London Hridge.S.E., British Representative 1. The Canadian Horticulturist is published the first of every month. 2. Subscription Price $1.00 a year, strictly in advance. For all countries except Canada, United States and Oreat Britain add 50c. lor postage. 3. Remittances should be made by I*ost OflSce or Money Express Order, or Registered Letter. Postage Stamps accepted for amounts less than $1.00. 4. Discontinuances— Responsible subscribers will con- tinue to receive The Horticdltdrist until the publishers are notified by letter to discontinue, when all arrearages must be paid. 5. Change of Address — When a change uf address is ordered, both the old and the new addresses must be triven. 6. ^Advertising Rates quoted on application. Circu- lation 5.500. Copy received up to the 23rd. Responsible representatives wanted in towtis and cities. 7. (.Articles and Illustrations for publication will be thankfully received by the editor. 8. tAll Communications should be addressed: THE CA.NADIAN HORTICULTURIST 507 and 5U8 Manning Chambers TORONTO. CANADA THE NEW EXPERIMENT STATION While the new experiment station in the Ni- agara district is not ideal in soil and climate, yet, in view of the facts that it is centrally located and that it was presented free to the province, the government could not very well have done otherwise than accept it. The re- port:; of the officials sent by the Department of Agriculture to investigate the conditions and also the statements of many practical fruit growers who visited the farm, are, in the most instance:^ favorable towards the choice. It is to be recognized, also, that it would be prac- tically impossible to obtain a site against which no objection could be raised. The two fundamental defects of the farm are those of climate and of soil. Both these de- fects, we believe, can be remedied. The climatic defect is in the matter of earli- ness in season. The chosen farm, lying as it does on the lake shore, like other farms in the Niagara district similarly situated, is about a week later than farms located under the moun- tain. This means that there is more danger of frost at the lake, and it also may mean the buning out of certain varieties that require long seasons for maturity. This climatic det- riment can be mitigated later on, if found neces- sary, by the purchase of a few acres directly under the mountain two miles away, where in- vestigations could be carried on with any classes and varieties of fruits that experience may show cannot be grown so successfully at the lake. The soil detriment lies in the fact that the percentage of light soil, as compared with the ((uantity of clay and clay loam, is too small. An experimental farm for best work with fruits and vegetables should have at least fifty per cent, of soil that is sandy in char- acter. The new experiment station has very little over twenty per cent. ; this is to be regret- ted. The defect, however, can be remedied by the purchase of the farm, or a portion of it, across the road from the station, upon which Mr. Rittenhouse has an option, and which he will turn over to the government at $100 an acre. Since it is iK>s.siblc to eliminate these two objections, the whole fruit growing com- munity should unite in a whole-hearted effort to make this cxi)erinient station one of the most important on the continent. Although |>each soil on the farm is in the minority, there is a great variety of soils for work with other fruits and vegetables. The fact, that the nature of the stjil varies from black iTuick and clay to clay loam and a certain amount of sandy loam, is imjxirtant. It will make ixjssible the carrying on of the wide range of experiments that the work will Ije expected to cover. This diversity of soil is of even greater import to the vegetable than the fruit interests. While not much has been said on this point, it must not be foigotten that the vegetable growers of Ontario are keenly alive to the value of the work that can be carried on at the sta- tion, and that they are determined to see that their interests are not neglected. This diver- sity of soil will permit the growing of not only grapes, pears and plums on the heavier land, but the production of peaches and other stnall fruits on the lighter soil; and it also affords ex- cellent op[)ortunity for wo;k with the different clas.ses of vegetables. The fjtiestion of geo- graphical position is the next mo:;t vital con- sideration. In this connection we have only to consider the howl that wotild have been rai.sed had the land selected been at any con- siderable distance to the east or west of the point chosen, to conclude that not much fault can be found on this score. It is unfortunate that the farm is not nearer a railway station. There is reason, however, to believe that this drawback is likely to be largely overcome. While the generotts donor is not the stamp of man who is looking for praise, he is deserving of the gratitude of the growers of not only the Niagara district, btit of Canada, because if the station fulfils its mission, it should become the most important one of the kind in the Do- minion. The comparative number of varieties of fruit and vegetables that can be grown suc- cessfully at Guelph and Ottawa, and at the experimental jxjints in the Northwest, Quebec and the Maritime Provinces, is so limited as to leave a vast field of research work open for exploration at the new station. It is not often we see a Canadian who has made his fortune in another country, so loyal to the land of his birth and boyhood, that he welcomes an opportunity to expend the riches gained among the people of another nation for the upbuilding of his own. Would we had more like him. A word or two in regard to the man who will have charge of the station. He must be a big man in every sense of the word, or with the possibilities of becoming one plainly evident. The success of the work will depend on the man who has it in charge. A mistake in his selection must not be made. The fact that the station is to be allied with the Guelph Agri- cultural College sets a limit to the salary that can be paid, but it should not be less than $2,000 a year and a free house. The plans for future work will be made as soon as the superintendent is appointed. There should be no plans or proportioning of the land for the different fruits that will require radical changes at a later date. Hence, it is important that more sandy soil be bought before the appointment. The director will then know what he has to work with, and better plans will be laid out accordingly. In the meantime Hon. Mr. Monteith is to be congratulated on the proof he has given that his department is alive to the needs of the Niagara district. The in- terest he has shown in this matter is sufficient to warrant the belief that it is the intention of the department to make the conditions at the new experiment station as nearly ideal as possible. During the past two years we have greatly improved The Canadian Horticulturist, and now feel that the paper compares favorably with any of the other fruit pai)ers published on the continent. What we want now is a larger circulation. We feel t hal many more fruit grow - ers should be taking the paj>er, than aie. This has led us to make the vciy generous offer which appears in this is,sue, to give Sl,200 to any tme who obtains 1,0(X) new subscribers for the pa;xri . There are numerous sections in Canada where it should not l>e difficult to obtain this numbei of subscribers. Our readers can do a great deal to help us obtain new subr^ciiptions by lecom mending The HORTicuuTtRisT to their friends A. few timely words by oiu subscribers anions their neighlxirs would be of material as-'istanct- to us in helping us increase our substTiption list. It is to be hoped that the csial)lishmenl of a large experiment station in the Niagara District will not be the cause, for some time to come, of doing away with any of the .smaller stations, now well established. Although conducted for some years, the variety tests on the small stations a,e just now proving of practical value to fruit growers. Varieties of grapes and tree fniits cannot be grown in a day. It takes the fruiting of more than one year to show up the character- istics that mark one variety distinct from another, whether the distinctions are for better or for worse. The government will do well to continue the sub-stations for a few years, at least until the new exjjeriment station is in a position to give results. The Canadian Horticulturist congratulates the fruit and vegetable growers of the various provinces on the fact that the express com- panies, operating in Canada, are to be under the control of the Railway Commission at Ottawa. The various fruit growers' associations of Canada repeatedly have urged the Federal Gov- ernment to pass legislative measures to bring about this important condition of affairs. It is gratifying to know that, at last, their efforts have been rewarded. Ontario Horticultxiral ExKibition Believing that the Ont. horticultural exhibi- tion has been established on a permanent basis, the directors have taken hold this year in a manner which indicates that the exhibition next Nov. will far surpass the past two attempts. The Toronto city council has accepted an in- vitation to appoint three members of the city council to act on the board of directors. This means that the city will take a greater interest in the exhibition this year than ever before. Already this year, several meetings of the board of directors have been held, whereas up to this djite last year only one had been held. At the last meeting it was reported that half rates had been obtained over the railroads, and that it was probable that the railways will take hold of the exhibition and advertise it extensively along their lines, with the object of inducing a large attendance. The prize lists will be ready for distribution early in July. They were not ready until October last year, which shows how much more energy is being put into the exhibition this year than before. Several new features will be added this year which it is calculated will draw a large attendance. Every grower on any considerable scale should get a connection with dealers in various parts of the country so they may be able to consign their fruit where it will bring the best price under the conditions. If this method of seUing should become the rule, the glut would become a thing of the past. Kindly do not remove my name from the mailing list for The Canadian HoRTict ltirIsT. The magazine is too interesting and I cotjld not do without it. — R. S. Hood, Gait, Ont THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 183 Prince Ed-ward Island Letter Rev. Father Burke Cold, wet spring that it is, exfoliation has Ijeen very slow; indeed, at present writing, the apple leaves are not more than half expanded. This, however, while it will make the harvest late of necessity, may not be adverse to a good fruit crop. There are blossom buds in abund- ance, and as the cold and wet weather must i;ow, of necessity, be over, we may anticipate 1 s])lendid period of pollination and the setting of an excellent crop of apples at least. The cherr)' show is also encouraging. Under suitable circumstances there will be a full crop. We have not had many cherries for two years now. The plums are the only trees on which fruit buds are not noticeable in great quantity. Last year when everything else was slack the plum trees Ijore well. There can only be a very moderate crop at best this season. The second, spraying is just in progress. Many more are interested in it than previously. It is, however, a very disagreeable job at best, and if some means of procuring a skilled sprayer with good materials and appliances could be produced when wanted, we are sure but few would bother with the work themselves. The pulilic sprayer is at work elsewhere; we hope lie may not long be an unknown quantity here. The Federal Government have sent their [lower sprayers hither and thither over Canada to meet this need, and help out systematic or- rliarding; we cannot get them to come here. Too small a country they think, we presume. Still, we have our rights even if the privileges are to be withheld, and must defend them. The power sprayer would find much to do this spring. The orchard meetings, late as they were and held often in undesirable quarters, have created in many [)laces mucli interest. Our Secretary of Agriculture, Mr. John C. Ready, has resigned; Theodore Ross, B.A., the locum tenens, went about with Mr. Richard Burke, the inspector, and as both are patriotic islanders, with deep faith in island horticulture, a good deal of en- thusiasm was engendered. Inspector Burke should be employed permanently, and have a free hand in these instruction tours. Official- dom can't do it all — and often it has designs of its own to prosecute. The Dominion Exhibition of 1906 is billed for Halifax, Nova Scotia, and that veteran manager, Mr. Bigelow, of Wolf ville, has charge of the horticultural exhibit. He is working it up even now, as is meet and proper. The date, Septem- ber, will however find all kinds of late fruits green and immature in Western Canada PacKing and MarKeting Fruit J. J. Philp, Winnipeg, Man. The way in which a grower packs his fruit is a very good index of that man's character. Into no other operation does a grower's in- dividuality enter so largely as it does into the manner in which he prepares for the market the produce he raises. How to impress this upon the growers as a body and force the truth home to the betterment both of the man liiniself and his |K>cket -bcxjk is the problem. With the various object lessons before our eyes as to the success of others known to be the most careful packers or of the methods which have won precedence in the general market for the most carefully packed western fruit, it is indeed strange that so much of Ontario fruit bears an evil reputation. To what cause must we assign the condition? Is it because of shiftlessness, carelessness, lack of proper pride in the occupation we follow, a desire to get a price we want for an article we liave not for sale, or what is it ? The individual offender is really the only one who can truth- fully answer the question, and he will probably dodge it. When we think of all the Ontario peaches that came to Winnipeg last season, and how nearly impossible it was to get a single basket of uni- formly good fruit, we began to believe that something is rotten, not so nmch in Denmark, as in Ontario. And in what does this condition result? Just this — Ontario fruit is viewed with disfavor wherever it appears and is handled with a wide margin of safety; and until that prov- ince learns to label the bottom of its fruit by the top, she will not enjoy the favor of the buying public that naturally belongs to her fruits. The first requisite in packing fruit is to get fruit that is fit to be packed. Many growers think they are selling the package instead of the fruit. Try as we may, our best efforts will not bring us entire crops of wholly perfect fruit. Some will always be deformed, off -color or under- sized. A large proportion of this fruit has no legitimate place in the general market. It is all of value but should be consigned to its proper place in the cannery. Not more than 3 grades of peaches should ever be found on the stand or in the store — fancy, number one, and a family grade. In the case of apples and pears, I see no place usually for more than 2 grades. Small fruits ought to be handled with as much care and caution as to grades and uniformity of packing, although handled differently from orchard fruits. It pays with an average crop of grapes to |)ack in two grades. When expert packers advise growers regarding the packing to u.se and the essential points to be observed in grading, ])acking and shipjjing, the average producer says all this means extra work, a variety of packages, loss of time, and added expense in many ways. The buyer's first answer is that it affords him great pleasure and satisfaction to put fruit on the market in this way. He knows it is the same quality from top to bottom; that the purchaser gets equal value all the way through the package; and, in the main, that he is well satisfied to buy from him again. He is sure of the top jjrice all sea- son. Some one says this is not bread and butter, only sentiment. That is true, but it would be much better for the Ontario fruit interests if some wholesome, healthy sentiment should permeate more thoroughly the rank and file of the growers. Close grading of our fruit and care- ful packing pays in money returns, and the ex- penditure in time and extra cost of packages is a good investment. I recommend a thorough, persistent trial of the plan to those who have never tried it, and feel assured that in the end it will be found a good working plan Prizes for Veg'etables The vegetable section will be one of the most important features of the Ontario Horticultural Exhibition to be held in Toronto Nov, 6-10, next. The prize list this year has been considerably extended, and special efforts will be made to obtain exhibits from all parts of the province. One of the rules requires that all roots exhibited must be washed. The prize list will be issued- some time during July, First, second and third prizes of $2, $1, and 50 cts. will be given for artichoke, red, 12; artichoke, white, 12; beet, long, 6 roots; beet, round or flat, 6 roots; parsley, 6 bunches; radish, winter, 6 roots each, red, white, black; radish, forcing, 3 bunches of 12, Three prizes of $2, $1,50 and $1, will be given for borecole, or kale, 1 tub; brussels sprouts, 3 stalks; cabbage, red, 3 heads; cabbage. Savoy, 3 heads; cabbage, pointed, 3 heads; cabbage, flat, 3 heads; cabbage Danish, baldhead, 3 heads; carrots, oxheart, 12 roots; carrot, inter- mediate or pointed, rooted, 12 roots; cucumber, greenhouse, 2; citron, large preserving, 2; egg plants, 3; endive, 6 heads; kohl rabbi, green, 3 roots; kohl rabbi, purple, 3 rts; leek, 6; lettuce, Grand Rapids, 3 heads; lettuce head, 3 heads; onion, white globe, 12; onion, yellow G. Danvcrs, 12; onion. Red Wethersfield, 12; onion. Red Globe, 12; onion. Prize Taker, 12; onion, Rocca, 2; onion, white pickling, quart; onion, yellow pickled, quart; parsnips, (i roots; tomato, 12, any variety; jjotatoes, red Ohio, 12; potato, white, 12; potato, any other variety, 12; turnip, table, white, 6; turnip, table, Swede, 6; salsify, 12 roots. Prizes of $3, $2, and $1 are offered for cauli- flower, Erfurt, 3 heads; cauliflower. Snowball 3 heads; celery. White Plume, 6 heads; celery! Paris Golden, 6 heads; celery, red, 6 heads celery, winter, 6 heads; mushrooms, 1 fb. onion, best string (not to exceed 3 ft.) ; peppers, 12 large red; squash, Hubbard, table green, 2 squash, yellow, table; vegetable marrow, bush or English; herbs, collection not to exceed 12 varieties. For the best collection of onions, 8 varieties, 5 of each, a cup donated by Cruickshank Wagon Co., of Weston, Ont., valued at $10, is offered for first prize; second prize, $5; third prize, $3. For the best collection of vegetables grown in York County, not to exceed 25 varieties, 3 of each variety; 3 prizes of $12, $8, and $5 are offered by the York County Council, Fruit Prize List Several important additions have been made this year to the fruit prize list for the Ontario Horticultural Exhibition, to be held in Massey Hall, Toronto, Nov, 6-10. All prize-winning packages become the property of the Associa- tion except in class 9. The prize list is as follows: APPLES Class 1. — -Export or foreign market varieties. Barrels ready for shipment. Prizes of $8, $7, and $6 are offered for Baldwin, Ben Davis, Golden Russet, Greening (Rhode Island), King, Spy, and Stark. Standard boxes ready for shipment (fruit unwrapped). Prizes of $5, $4, and $3 for Bald- win, Fameuse, Golden Russet, Greening (Rhode Island), King. Mcintosh, and Sp)', Standard boxes readv for shipment (fruit wrapped) . Prizes of $5, '$4, and $3 for Fameuse, Gravenstein, King, Mcintosh, Spy, and Wealthy. Class 2. — Domestic or home market varieties. Barrels ready for shipment. Prizes of $6, $5, and $4 for Blenheim, Gravenstein, Ontario, Tolman, Roxberry Russet, and any other de- sirable variety not included in class 1. Standard boxes ready for shipment (fruit unwrapped). Prizes of $4, $3, and $2 for Blenheim, Gravenstein, Ontario, Ribston, St. Lawrence, and for any other desirable variety not included in class 1. Class 3. — Dessert varieties. For plates of five, prizes of $1.50, $1, and 75 cts, are offered for Fameuse, Golden Russet, King, Mcintosh, Wealthy, Spy, Spitzenburg, or any other desirable variety named and for any desirable seedling. Class 4. — Cooking varieties. For plates of 5, prizes of $1.50, $1, and 75 cts. are offered for Alexander, Baldwin, Blenheim, Cayuga, Greening (Rhode Island), King, Rib- ston, Spy, or any other desirable variety named, and any desirable seedling. Class 5. — Pyramids of fruit. For pyramids with a circular base of 17 in. diameter, or barrel hoop size, prizes of $3, $2, and $1 are offered for Ben Davis, Baldwin, Blenheim, Gravenstein, Fallawater, Fameuse, King, Mcintosh, Ontario, Scarlet Pippin, Spy. and Wolf River. PEARS Class 6. — Plate exhibits. For plates of 5, prizes of $1.50 and 75 cts. are offered for Anjou, Bosc, Clairgeau, Diel, Duchess, Hardy, Howell, Kieffer, Lawrence, Winter Nelis, and any other desirable variety, correctly named. Class 7. — Export varieties. For boxes ready for shipmeiH (fruit wrapped), prizes of $3, $2, and $1 are offered for Anjou, Bosc, Clairgeau, Duchess, Winter Nelis, Kieffer, 184 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST Lawrence, uiid any other desirable variety, cor- rectly named. GRAPBS Class 8. Prizes of SIM, $1, and 75 cts. are offered for Agawain, Concord, I.indley, Niagara, Vergennes, Wilder, and any other desirable variety. Prizes of $2, $1.50 and $1 are offered fi>r black graiies, best 9 lb. basket ; red grajjcs, best 9 II). basket, and white grapes, best 9 lb, basket. Prizes of $3, $2.50, and $1.50 arc offered for black grapes, best fancy package; red grapes, best fancy package; white grapes, best fancy package. DISPLAY FRUIT Class 9. Prizes of $25, $20, $10, $S, and $5. are offered for best display of fruit in commercial i)ackages exhibited by an agricultural or horticultural S(K:iety, or fruit growers' association; table sjjace limited to 30 S(| ft. for each exhibit. Prizes of $12, $8, S.'i, $4, and $3, are offered for best display of fruit not in commercial packages exhibited by an agricultural or horticul- tural society or fruit growers' association; table space limited to 30 sq. ft. for each exhibit. Vegetable Gro-wers are PusKing Matters Class 10. PRESERVED FRUIT Prizes of $2.50, $1.50, and $1, are offered for best quart sealer of canned fruit of each of the following: Hlackberries, Cherries black or red. Cherries white or yellow. Gooseberries, Grai)es black or red. Grapes white. Peaches white fleshed. Peaches yellow fleshed. Pears, Plums blue or red. Plums green or white, Ras])berries red, Rasp- berries black, and Strawberries. Prizes of $2.50, $1.50, and $1 are offered for best pint of jam of each of the following: Cur- rant black, Gooseberry, Grape, Peach, Pear, Plum, Raspberry, and Strawberry. Prizes of $1.50, $1, and 75 cts. are offered for best half-pint jar of jelly of each of the following: Apple, Crab Apple, Currant red. Grape, Quince, and Raspberry red. Prizes of $3, $2, and $1 are offered for Gra[)e Juice, imfermented. best 1 qt. bottle The MarKeting of Vegetables J. W. Rush, Humber Bay, Ont. One of the secrets of success in the market- ing of vegetables is to have the right thing at the right time, put up in the right way. The Ontario Vegetable Growers' Association is fair- ly well organized, and it has adopted The Can- adian Horticulturist as its official organ. It would be a good plan for our association to arrange a system of bunching for early vege- tables. For early beets six in a bunch, nicely graded, might do. Let the large ones be put in bunches and the smaller ones in bunches in- stead of mixed together as we so often see them. Radishes, three-quarters to one inch in diam- eter, 10 in a bunch. In the smaller ones 12 to 14 would make a nice saleable bunch. Carrots, very early and of nice size, one inch in diameter, might go six in a bunch, and very early onions 12 in a bunch. Later on, when the onions are larger, six in a bunch might do. Other vege- tables could be bunched in the same way. If bunches of regular sizes were adopted by our association, we would know when we see market prices quoted, what was meant. Bunches Of the size mentioned would sell for 40c. per dozen, and retail for five cents per bunch. I give these suggestions to set the ball roll- ing, and would like to hear from others on the bunching question. A Warning. — The Horticulturist has re- ceived word that some fruit growers and farmers in different parts of Canada are using as a remedy for insects, certain substances placed in a hole bored in the trees. Although the folly of this practice has been exposed many times in our columns. The Horticulturist again directs the attention of fruit growers to the fact that remedies of this kind are absolutely useless. MANY" im|xjrtant matters were discussed at a meeting of the directors of the Ontario Vegetable Growers' Assn. held in Toronto June 21. It was re|K>rted that the assn. has branches at CHtawa, Kinpton, Napanee, Toronto, Hamilton, St. Catharines, Brantford, Sarnia, Tecumseh, and Chatham, with a total membership of 426. Directors were present from most of these branches, those in attendance being Messrs. !•'. F. Reeves, the pres. of the assn. ; Jos. Rush, R. Lankin, Geo. Syme, T. Dellworth and A. W. Shuter, of the Toronto branch; T. Mock- ett, of Ottawa ; W. A. Broughton, of Sarnia; D. Rocheau, of Tecumseh; \V, A. Emory, of Ham- ilton; A. McMeans, of Guelph; and the sec'y. H. B. Cowan. It was decided not to hold the celery com- [wtition that had been pro|)osed. A letter was read from the Kingston l)ranch asking what by-laws are in force in the different cities to |>revent the purchase of vegetables on the mar- ket before a certain hour in the morning. The meeting decided to gain this information from the different cities and to make it public. On the tariff question it was decided that as the assn. has already laid its views before the government, nothing further lan be done imlil the government informs the House of Commons what its intentions in this matter are, when, if it is necessary, a special meeting of the directors will be called to discuss the government's in- tentions and to decide on the taking of such action as may be deemed necessary. The representatives from the different branches repf)rted on what has been done by their branches so far this year. These re|X)rts were very en- couraging. Several of the branches have pur- chased goods for their members at greatly reduc- ed prices, interesting meetings have been held, at which discussions on vegetable growing have taken place, and some of the branches are arranging to hold picnics during the summer. On motion of Mr. Rocheau it was decided to have copies of the constitution printed in French, as it is believed several branches of the assn. can be formed in French sections. Methods of im- proving the crop reports, which are obtained monthly by the assn., were considered. It was decided to make a grant of $150. to the vegetable section of the Ont. Horticultural Ex- hibition, and in addition to pay the express charges on all exhibits sent in from points outside of Toronto. Prize-winning exhibits, and exhibits on which the express charges have been paid, will become the property of the assn. after the exhibition. It was decided to offer 3 prizes <■: $12, $«, and $.5, or a total of $125, for the bt"-i essays on the growing of each of the following varieties of vegetables: jKrtatoes, cauliflower, celery, tomatoes, and onions. Comjxjtitors must be memtiers of the assn. and the essays must deal with the soil and its preparation, varieties, planting, cultivation, harvesting and storing. Essays must not exceed 1,000 words. The best essay will be read at the annual con- vention and published in the annual rejxjrt. Mr. McMeans was asked to explain what work is being done at the Guelph Agri. College, for the benefit of vegetable growers. He re- ported that the college is conducting vaiicly tests in 55 kinds of onions, 28 of carrots, 55 o! beets, 10 of salsify, 68 of radishes, 88 of toma toes, 3() of cauliflower, and al)out 80 of lettuce. Many of the varieties are practically the same. The college is investigating also the germinalini; power of the seed, and will publish a report on this, giving the names of the seedsmen. This latter announcement was heard with much approval. Mr. Rush stated that he had lieen at the college recently, and found that the college was raising the same insect pests on their vegetables as the growers. Mr. McMeans was asked what was being done at the college to find remedies for these fjests. He reported that work along that line is lieing conducted by the entomologist . On motion of Mr. Mockett, seconded by Mr. Broughton, a committee, comjxjsed of Messrs. Rush, Dellworth, and McCalla, was appointed to visit Guelph and investigate the woik being done there on behalf of the vegetable growers, and in the combatting of vegetable insect pests. The committee was instructed to prepare sug- gestions for new lines of work that might be taken up at the college, and to report on the work now being done there, the result of their investigation to be made known by Sept. 1. It was decided to have a representative of the King- ston branch, and two from the Ottawa branch visit the Central Expt. Farm at Ottawa for the same purpose. It is decided to hold the annual convention of the assn. Nov. 8 and 9, at the time of the Ont. Horticultural Exhibition, and to hold a directors' meeting on .Nov. 7. The secy, was instructed to endeavor to make arrangements to have a capable s[)eaker attend meetings of the branch assns. during Oct. Con- siderable enthusiasm was manifested at the meet- ing, the belief being freely expressed that the assn. will soon grow to much larger proportions. Spraying E-xperiments at Meaford T. B. Rivett. B.S.A. THE Ont. Dept. of Agri. is conducting e::- periments near Meaford with Bordeaux mixture to demonstrate the practical value of spraying to check the ravages of the apple scab. Previously this trouble has been so great as to render the greater amount of apples in this township unsaleable. Last year the results were not as satisfactory as expected, so, in arranging this year's work, fewer orchards were chosen, and these were the pick of last year's experimentation. They are 8 in number, containing about 1,400 trees, and situated within a radius of 5 miles of Meaford and on 3 different concession roads, thereby easily enabling the farmers in the township to watch the result. It is the intention to spray 3 times and should the scab develop to any degree a fourth application will be given. Poisoned Bordeaux is being used in all spray- ings. The formula adopted is as follows: blue stone, 4 lbs.; lime, 5 lbs,; Paris green, 8 ozs. ; water, 40 gallons. The first spraying was ap- plied in the early part of May, and was completed before blossom; the second immediately after bloom had fallen, and the third will be applied in July. ■I I We are testing, also, the value of lead acetate as compared with Paris green as a poison. Two blocks, side by side, were chosen, 1 being sprayed with the above-mentioned formula, and the other with two bbls. of lead acetate as a substitute for 4 ozs. Paris green. The lead acetate is some- what harder to dissolve, but will stay in solution longer. It spreads through the solution more easily, and offers less obstruction in the nozzles. The iKiisoning quality, however, will not be ^ definitely ascertained until the fruit is mature. " Owing to some trouble occurring last year with regard to the russetting of apples, test trees have been left in every orchard, and a strict record is being kept of the climatic conditions, so as to observe the relation between atmospheric conditions, spraying and russetting. The machine used in this series of experiments is a gas power machine, and is giving very fair results, the power costing from $1.50 to $2 a day. We consider The Canadian Horticulturist the leading horticultural magazine for our province. All success to it. — M. S. Middleton, Vernon, B.C. lU Vegetable Crop OutlooK in Ontario ALTHOUGH rather backward in season, the vegetable crop in Ontario is looking well. The prospects are bright for large crops of most vegetables, and the Iruling prices promise to be slightly higher this eason than last. In some sections, considerable Idamage is being done by insect and fungous Fpests. The following reports by crop corre- |Spondents of the Ont. Vegetable Growers' Assn. show the situation in the various districts: OTTAWA The acreage imder vegetables is about the me as usual. Early cabbage is almost double he usual crop. Cauliflower is a fair crop. Beans are a little heavier than other years, tomatoes and peas about the same, and com fnearly double. A pretty heavy crop of celery "s being put in now, too much I consider, for the lateness of the season and size of the plants, to produce good celery in the fall. The weather conditions for celery are very unfavorable Some days extreme heat, others very cold, causing a peculiar soft growth, and rendering all plants liable to disease and grubs. Some of our tomato growers are complaining of a black dry spot on the blossom end of the tomato showing through the crop. Slugs and snails are going to be bad pests this season. Trans- planted onions seem to be about double the tisual crop, seed onions about the same as usual. The last few hot days are causing a rank, quick growth both of onion and weeds which may hurt the crop, for it is impossible to get on the ground yet. The prices on the market re about as follows: good lettuce, 15c. to 20c. doz. heads; beets, 50c. a doz. bchs. of 4 each; rhubarb, 20c. to 30c. a doz., accordingto quality; asparagus, 80c. to $1 a doz. bchs.; spinach, 25c. a bush.; onions, 15c. to 20c. a doz. bchs. ; radish, 15c. to 20c. a doz. bchs. — T. Mockett, June 20. XAPANEE The weather has been quite favorable; no injury from frost. The maggot has troubled onions considerably, some patches being en- tirely gone; still, I think the crop will compare very favorably with last year. Tomatoes are doing fine, and promise an extra good crop. Beans, potatoes, lettuce, etc., are a splendid crop; no noticeable increase in either. Potatoes (old) are $1.25 a bag of 90 lbs , and scarce at that. — E. M. Sherman, June 20. BURLINGTON All that is required is warm weather with a few occasional showers to make the crops very fine, both in the growth of cabbage, cauliflower, onions, etc., and the ripening of tomatoes. Strawberries are now in full swing. Aspara- gus and rhubarb are about finished. Onions, both seed and transplanted, are doing excep- tionally well, and imless the maggot begins destructive work, the crop will be 25% above last year. Cabbage, also, has made rapid growth, and cutting has commenced with some growers; the maggot has been rather destructive in some sections. Early cauliflowers are very scarce; some patches have been cleaned out by the maggot; the cutting with one or two of the growers has just commenced. Tomatoes, both early and late, are doing well, although in some places the cut worm has been very destructive. The early tomatoes have set fruit more plentifully than usual. Melons, egg plants and peppers have been planted to about the same extent as last season. The early planted melons suffered a good deal from cold weather, while later planted ones have done very fine. Peppers have been planted rather more exten- sively than last season. Commercial fertilizers have been u=ed rather freely by a great many of the growers, but up to the present the effect is not noticeable. Celery is doing very nicely. — J. A. Tjndley, June 20. HAMILTON The acreage of vegetables has increased about 10% during the last year or two, owing to the increased population of Hamilton. Old pota- toes are bringing $1.00 to SI. 35 a bag. New potatoes are just coming in and selling at 90c. to $1.10 a 11 qt. bskt. New arrivals are also beets and carrots, and are worth 25c. and 35c. respectively. Green peas are coming in larger quantities, price from 30c. to 45c. a 11 qt. bskt., according to size. Beans have not put in an appearance yet. New cabbage, while quite small, are bringing 75c. to $1 a doz. heads. The tomato outlook is not so promising as earlier in season. The plants in many instances are very small, and some long and slender, and not having been planted quite so early as usual, will have a tendency to lessen the usual yield. The acreage is not so large this year as contract price is only 25c. a bush., while last year about 60,000 bushels were contracted for, through the efforts of assn., at 30c. a bush. The annual average yield in this district is about 150,000 bush, to 175,000; besides, several thousands are annually shipped to all points in Canada.- — Jas. A. Stevens, June 21. NIAGARA FALLS SOUTH All hardy vegetables look well after the recent rains and are growing nicely. The frosts on the nights of June 10 and 11 injured all tender vegetables. On low ground, melons and cucumbers were in some cases killed completely. Beans were also severely affected. Corn shows its tips frozen to a pale straw color. Squash, pumpkin and tomatoes seem to have escaped injury. Cabbage maggot has been very de- structive this season; whole patches of early cabbage have been destroyed. Onion maggot has also been very prevalent; it has reduced the crop in many cases. Early peas and beans made their first appearance on the local market on June 16. Old potatoes are in great demand for planting, and are selling for $1 a bush. The following prices were obtained on local market June 15 to 20: new beets, .50c. a doz. bchs.; peas, 40c. a pkt.; beans, 50c. a pkt.; radish, 20c. a doz. bchs. ; onions, green, 20c. a doz. bchs. ; head lettuce, 20c. a doz.; asparagus, 50c. a doz. bchs.; rhubarb, 30c. a doz. bchs.; strawberries, $1.50 to $2.50 a crate of 24 qts.— Thos. R. Stokes, June 21. CHATHAM Vegetable crops were badly damaged by the recent cyclone. Tomatoes suffered most, and the supply of early ones will be materially reduced. The later ones will pick up; a good demand is anticipated, as another canning fac- tory has started. Onions were badly injured in the path of the storm, but these are recover- ing and may prove to be a fair crop. Trans- planted beets made their first appearance on June 2 and found a very ready sale; seed beets also are coming in. Melons and cucumbers are backward, owing to the cool weather. Potatoes are looking well, and digging will soon commence. Celery and cabbage look promising on account of the frequent showers. Strawberries are a great crop this season. — Fred. Collins, June 19. LEAMINGTON Tomatoes, cabbage, wax beans, cucumbers, peas and melons are doing very well, considering the weather conditions during the last few weeks. Early cabbage is commencing to move, but is not up to the average in size, owing to too much rain and cool weather. It is being sold at $2 a }/2 bush, crate, F.O.B. here. Cucumbers are all under glass, and are selling at $1.20 a 11 qt. bskt. Peas, 50c. a 11 qt. bskl. Wax beans will be on in about 2 weeks. Tomatoes have set well on the vines in some places, and in others very thinly. The prospect is that there will he small shipments of them made in July; but during Aug. there will lie an abimd- ance. In general, there is likely an increase of 25% in the crops, as compared with last season.— E. E. Adams, June 19. SAJtNIA All kinds of vegetables are looking well. AA'e have had some complaints of loss caused by too much moisture. Abotit the usual acreage in vegetables, except early potatoes, which are above the average in acreage, but, I think about a week later, and showing every indication for a good crop. Some late potatoes have been hurt by the wet weather, and may be replanted. There is a fair demand for vegetables in Sarnia, and prices are steady, bunch stuff coming in freelv, and cabbage will be readv in a week. — W. A. Broughton, Tune 20. HuMBER Bav. — More potatoes and corn have been planted this year than usual Onions, not such large patches sown as in other years. The seed has germinated very poorly, not more than half a crop; not many maggots yet. Beets are good, and large quantities are going to market. Parsnips are a very thin crop gener- ally. Carrots good, about the usual quantity sown. Early cabbage are coming on rather slowly; the maggots are working on the light soils. Cauliflowers are just heading; small lots planted so far. Early peas just ready, selling at $1.50 a bush., 50c. to 65c. a bskt; no large lot sown. Celery is growing slo^yly, about the usual c)uantity has been set out. None ready for market. Mr. J. Gourley, of Deer Park, had 2,000 on the market last week, very small, sold at $15 a 1,000. Spinach is very good, sells fairly well. Radishes have been very plentiful, are selling much better than other years, about 12c. to 15c. a doz. bchs., 12 in a bch. Rhubarb, good crop, but not so much on the market as in other years. Beans are doing well, about the same patches as other years. Tomatoes are looking very well, having had no setback so far; no very large lots planted — no more than other years. Asparagus will soon be over for this season; has been poor and light cutting gener- ally. The cut worms are numerous this year. I notice tlie little grev birds are on their tracks, and the robin also will do his part to help clear them until the cherries are ripe. It is likely the slug will be bad on the cabbage. Fresh slacked lime dusted on them is sure death to the slugs, and is good for the cabbage. Try it. — J. W. Rush, June 21. Bracond.^lE. — There is an enormous amount of transplanted beets this season, readily selling at 20c. and 25c. a doz bchs. Seed beets and carrots, also peas, are ready for market. The crop will be about as usual. Early cabbage are coming along splendidly, some already cut- ting at 60c. doz. The early tomatoes are looking well, the first blossom having set nicelv, but the later blossom is falling, owing to the wet weather. We are busy planting celery, late cabbage and cauliflower. The acreage will be about as usual. Potatoes are in blossom. Crops are doing nicely, with the excention of the tomatoes, the second bloom of which will be a failure. — A. W. Shuter, June 19. DONCASTER. — Crops are looking well Yel- low Danver onions have come rather thin with most of the growers which, with rather a smaller quantity sown, will make the crop lighter than last year. Other crops are being grown in about the usual quantities. Tomatoes from greenhouses are coming in in small qtiantities, and selling readily at 15c. a lb. — C. Gibbard, June 21. SCOTLAND The wet weather has kept the grower from working in the onions, and as the weeds have got the best of some, a number of acres will have to be plowed up. The maggot also is work- ing very fast. The 1st planting of cucumbers have been all frozen, and they are planting them again this week. Strawberries are only about half a crop. — E. G. Malcolm, June 19. PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY Potatoes look well, but the blight has made its appearance in some places. Early peas are looking fine and promi.sc a good crop. Tomatoes and corn are doing well. The berry crop will be light. — Stephen Lake. Fruit Prospects on tKe WKole are Encouraging THK reports from crop correspondents this month show that for most varieties of fniit, prospects are encouraging, I'lumsare going to be a very light crop everywhere. Cherries, also, will !)e below the average. Along the north shore of Lake Ontario and in Kastern Ontario the frequent rains have caused damage by fungous diseases. Winter killing of grapes and small fruits is reiKjrted. The following refxji ts will give a good idea of the situation' SOUTH-WESTERN ONTARIO Kent County.— The fruit crop with the ex- ception of peaches and Japan plums, which are almost a failure, l(X)ks quite promising. Siinmicr and fall apples promise a full crop. Winter apples of many varieties are loaded, but some varieties that bore heavily last season are light. Pears promise a fairly good crop, although perhaps not an extra heavy one. The plum cro[) here, like the peaches, is only a small one at best, and the Japanese varieties had their fruit buds winter killed. The recent storm did much damage in spots to fruit and other trees, up- rooting a great many, and where hail accom- panied it the fruit is somewhat marked and iiruised. The apples appear to be free from scab so far, whether on account of the season or as a result of spraying, I cannot say. — W. D. A. Ross. Lambton County. — Fruit prospects are for a fair crop. Apples have set well and promise to be a large crop in orchards that have received proper attention, but have not set very well in neglected orchards. On the whole it will be twice as large as last year. Plums and peaches are practically a failure. — D. Johnson. NIAGARA DISTRICT Fruit land. — Apples bloomed on about 50% of the trees, and have set well, and are free from insect and fungus damage, but twig blight is seriously prevalent, especially on Greening. It seems to have a special phase of attack on the fruit spurs, and more especially on the heaviest loaded trees, in many cases fully 4-5ths of the crop being destroyed. The attack must have occurred while in bloom. Many trees are still dying from winter freeze of 1903-04, and from the effects of the past wet seasons. Still the crop from present indications will run an average or as good as last pear Pears are heavy and healthy looking, with some little fire-blight appearing. Some pear psylla, but seems to have been destroyed by the storm. Plums are the lightest crop for years, with a Ught attack of curculio the past few days, being much later than usual. Sweet cherries have fallen heavily the past few days, and only show a light crop remaining. Sour cherries are much better, being a good average and free from curculio. Peaches a good crop and looking well, with no curl leaf even where not sprayed. Currants, both black and red, more than an average crop, but with bad attack of aphis on blacks, which now seems to be disappearing. All kinds of berries seem to be looking well, the cool, showery weather being especially favorable for strawberry development. Oyster shell bark louse on sickly Baldwin apple very prevalent last season seems to have been largely parasitized, and will not be so bad this year. The present showery weather will demand thorough spraying now to save the apple crop from fungus. Spraying is much more general than ever before, and is being much better done. There is another promising and beautiful crop and healthy growth of Whitesmith goose- berries, perfectly free from mildew by one application of lime and sulphur as buds were swelling. I think this will mean the successful culture of the English varieties in this country. Some of ours are so heavily laden that they are lying on the ground at present writing with fruit nearly an inch in diameter, and this without other manure than hairy vetches plowed down. — Joseph Tweddle. Grimsby. — On the whole we have an encourag- ing prospect for fruit. Strawl>erries are re- remarkably fine owing to the frequent showers. Cherries, especially the pie cherries, have set a very abundant crop; and the same may be said of some kinds of sweet cherries. But with the latter you never know what you have until after the harvest, for such quantities are lost with cherry rot. Plums are very jKJOr. There are no Japan plums, and very few English plums. Peaches are fine; the "June Drop" is on them at present, and large quantities are falling; but the result is a whole- some thinning of the crop, otherwise too heavy. Pears are. fine, abundant, clean, and growing rapidly. Apples have set very well; but the Baldwins and Greenings, which were heavy last year, are very light. Spys show well, but Cran- berry and some other varieties are suffering from leaf blight. — Linus Woolverton. ST. CATHARINES The earlier predictions of a generous crop of nearly all kinds of fruit seem in a fair way of being carried out; everything looks very prom- ising. The strawl:)erry acreage is not large, but the weather is favorable for large berries, and an extra yield. Raspberries are looking extremely well Peaches, pears, plums and apples, generally speaking, will be abundant. Grapes are looking exceptionally fine; but, in some cases, the leaf is showing slight symptoms of the dreaded black rot. Timely spraying with the Bordeaux mixture will prove almost a specific if followed up at regular intervals. The questions of suitable packages, and of the rapid and careful transportation of our fruits to the rapidly-increasing markets of our coun- try, are such as will be found to be of vital im- portance this year. — Wm. H. Bunting. H.\MII,TON Owing to the continuous excessive rains, strawberries are not ripening very rapidly, which will prolong the season. The acreage grown this season is much less than 1905, owing to the scarcity of plants last vear. The open winter killed the plants to a great extent, and, therefore, the prices of berries will remain firm. The canning factories are paying $1.25 a crate of 24 boxes, having made contracts early in the year, and as the grower gets his crates and boxes back this is considered a good price, and is equal to $1.45 shipping. The market price varies according to quality from $1.50 for Beder Wood, Micliael's Early and Crescent, and other soft varieties to $1.75 and $2 for V\'illiams, Brandywine and Dunlop, which are the l>est commercial berries for ship- ping and preserving purposes; the average low- est price will l)e about $1..50 a crate. Cherries will follow strawberries, and will Ije an abund- ; ant crop, particularly Early Richmond and Montmorency, which are the two l)est varieties for preserving. They are coloring nicely, but should the present rains continue, rotting is to be feared; the price will run about 75c. a 11 qt. bskt. The acreage of cherries is on the increase. Raspberries will be an abundant crop with the exception of early varieties, w hich are not show- ing up very well. Marlljoro', an early variety, and Cuthbert for late, are the preferred sorts. Price contracted by canning factories is $1.00 a crate of 24; acreage is a little on the increase — ^Jas. A. Stevens. NORTHERN ONTARIO Clarksburg. — The south shore of Georgian Bay promises a very good crop of apples. Nearly all varieties well represented except Baldwins, which are rather Ught. Greenings are unusually heavy. Both Ben Davis and Spy are full crop. Pears were showing to better advantage a week ago, but are still very fair, and not likely to drop much more. Cherries appear to be full crop and quality better than usual. Pliuiis are a complete failure, but probably on account of trees all being old, and no new" plantations being made lately. On the whole the situation is most encouraging. — J. G. Mitchell. EASTERN ONTARIO Durham County. — The fruit crops should be about as follows: Apples of all kinds very good, equal to or better than last year. Pears a liglit crop. Cherries, sweet varieties a complete failure; Montmorency and other sour varieties a medium crop. Plums of all kinds are a com- plete failure. Grapes are nearly all killed to the ground. Currants and gooseberries a good crop. Raspberries and blackberries only me- dium. Strawberries good, but not many plant- ed. I think the unusuallv mild winter caused INSURANCE The very best kind of Insurance — i.e., provision for the future as well as the present, is a Savings Account in We SOVEREIGN BANK OF CANADA Interest paid four times a year. $ 1 .00 will open an account Put your money in a place where you can get it when you want it 57 BRANCHES THROUGHOUT THE DOMINION Jlentioii The Canadian Horticulturist when writing. THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST IT IS LAUNCHED THE NIAGARA DISTRICT Horticultural Exhibition WILL BE HELD AT St. Ca^arines, Sept. 14-15/06 UNDER THE AUSPICES OF The Niagara Peninsula Fruit Growers' Association The Southern Ontario Fruit Growers' Association St. Catharines Horticultural Society Niagara Falls Horticultural Society Grimsby Horticultural Society Hamilton Horticultural Society Burlington Horticultural Association Jordan Station Fruit and Vegetable Growers' Association Township of Grantham Vegetable Growers' Association Hamilton Vegetable Growers' Association Ontario Fruit Growers' Association, and the Ontario Vegetable Growers' Association UNDER THE DIRECTION OF The Ontario Department of Agriculture LIBERAL PRIZES WILL BE OFFERED $400 " ^r Fruit $250 - ^r Flowers $ 1 50 '" ^r Vegetables numerous special prizes FOR PRIZE LISTS AND OTHER INFORMATION WRITE TO MISS M. M. TASKER (Secretaiy) W. B. BURGOYNE (President) ST. CATHARINES, ONT. ST. CATHARINES, ONT. Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writiiiE. 188 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST the blossom buds to start, iiiul being follinvcii by a very coUi dip, many of the l)lossonis were killed. — E. C. Beenian, Northumberland County. — Strawberries are a light crop. There was considerable winter killing where not protected by covering. Raspberries were also killed back to a more or less extent. Currants are fairly good. Goose- berries are very light, and mildewing some. Grapes that were not laid down for the winter and covered, are dead to the ground, including even the wine grapes that stood the winter of two years ago, and are sprouting from the root. Plums and cherries are practically a failure. Only -a few Richmonds and the common red cherries have any fruit on. The others had a good show of blossom but they never opened out, and seemed to prevent the leaf bud from coming out for some time. The buds were all killed on peach trees that were loaded last year and are sending out fictitious buds. There are no Bartlett, Anjous or Bosc pears, and other varieties are very light. Duchess apples are a fair crop; Snow medium; practically no Baldwins or Greenings. Spy, Ontario and Stark are medium. Russets bloomed heavily; Classified Adverlisements Advertisements under this heading will be inserted at the rate of ten cents per Une, each insertion ; itiinimiiTn charge fifty cents in advance. I ANDSCAPE GARDENING, PLANS FOR '-' PARKS, cemeteries, public orprivate grounds. Drawings made to scale. Any gardener may carry them out. Correspondence solicited. Chas. E. WooLVERTON, Landscape Designer, Grimsby. V^ANTED — Persons to grow Mushrooms for us in waste spaces or bams, in gardens, orchards or small farms. $15 to $25 per week. Send stamp for sixteen-page illustrated booklet on Mushroom Culture and full particulars. Montreal Supply Co., Montreal. pOR SALE— Old established tree nursery. Large connection and profits. Easy terms. Best sandy loam. Apply Thompson, 17 Queen St., St. Catharines. Also profitable fruit farms for sale on easy terms. r^HANCE OF A LIFETIME— Well-estabhshed ^^ Florist business. Greenhouses, House and Stable, for sale cheap. Apply 25 Triller ; Ave., Toronto. LIARDY PERENNIALS deUvered prepaid by Mail or Express. Send 5 cents for descrip- tive catalog to the Specialty Nursery Co., Grimsby, Ont. POR SALE OR RENT— Two Greenhouses. * Good condition, 300 x 23 ft. Terms Easy. F. E. and H. M. Richardson, Littleton, N.H. pOR SALE- — One of the best business chances in Western Ontario, one acre of land with cottage, 2 large greenhouses, newly built, everything in first-class condition ; in a city with about twenty thousand inhabitants. This is a fine opening for a wide-awake man to make money easily. Good reasons for selling. For particulars apply to J. P. Pitcher, Real Estate, Brantford. It Pays to Advertise in the Horticulturist Ben bus is only a medium crop of bloom and liave sol a fair crop. Insects are on the increase this year. Bud Moth was very injurious. The green worm that eats the fruit has done more damage this year than usual. Canker worm is on the increase. Oyster shell bark louse seemed to be far more numerous than usual; some trees were practically covered with them. Fungus developed very rapidly during the warm foggy days that we have had lately, also fungus has appeared on the foliage. The leaves are turn- ing yellow and dropping. There has been far more spraying done this year with the Bordeaux mixture than usual. — W. H. Dempsey. Prince Edward County. — The apple crop will not be nearly as heavy as at first thought, on account of the continued wet weather. The bloom was very heavy but did not set well, and the June drop will be very heavy, so that I do not look for any more apples than we had last year, if we have as many. Duchess are a full crop, other fall apples only fair. Ben Davis and Stark are much lighter than last year, while Russets, Spys and Greenings are better than last year. The price of apple barrels will be about the same as last year. — Harry Dempsey. Dundas County. — Owing to the lack of snow during the winter and to some very mild weather when the frost was nearly all out of the ground, followed by extremely cold weather, several varieties of our tender fruits were injured. Straw- berries, except in favored places, are a very light crop, being injured by the winter and the first blossoms by late frosts. Currants and goose- berries a light crop. Raspberries almost a failure. Early apples, as Duchess, are a good crop, while others, as Mcintosh Red, Fameuse, etc., will be a light crop. Cherries and pimns a failure. — A. D. Harkness. western QUEBEC Westmount. — Apples in my immediate vicin- ity promise to be a large crop, especially early varieties. Pears a good crop, principally Flemish Beauty. Plums, of the European varieties, a total failure; trees badly winter killed. It was a very severe winter on straw- berry and raspberry plantations, there being very little snow protection. Everything is growing well, especially the weeds. Labor is very scarce, and $1.75 a' day for weeders is more than we can get out of the crops. — R. Brodie NOVA SCOTIA Sbelburne County — The weather has lieen extremely cold and wet, but we have had an SUBSCRIBERS! QRE VOU receiving your copies of The Canadian Horticulturist regu- larly ? If you are not, write and tell us about it. It may be our fault ; it may be the printers' fault ; it may be the postmaster's fault. 1. you will write us we will find out who is to blame and rectify matters. H' if i0 i^ i^ Small Fruit Plants Gooseberry, Red, White — Currants, Red, White, Black — Raspberry, Red. Yellow — Blackberries — Strawberry- Raspberry — Grapevines, Campbell's Early, Eaton, Worden, Moore s Early, Salem, etc., all hardy sorts — Strawberry Plants — House Plants— Roses — Rhubarb and Asparagus Roots — Order early. WM. FLEMING NURSERYMAN P.O. Box 54 OWEN SOUND, ONT. FARTHER NORTH. It it il» Eghteal aad ttraii«eat houM HAU. & ROBINSON. P.Q. NORTH TTie Igfatot od oat pcnect |{RCBiicaM conlracbDO yd toti^Ati. Bctf OOP est and cheapeat to build Ventilating, heating and all other accessories for greenhouse eauipment. The King Construction Co. 248 Wellington Street, Toronto Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing FAR VIXST. 'Aho trip East to tee aS coastnictiaii am orderiDg youn. Best ID every way.' C H HOPKJNS. WEST. •TKeyaie petfect Id evefy way." C F. MALER D«>«r.CetB. A Nice Premium will be given Free to all Readers who"Buy Goods from Advertisers. THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 189 abundance of apple bloom which seems to be setting fairly well. Pears bloomed nicely, but the heavy frost the last of May injured them, as they about all have fallen. Plums seem to be setting well. Gooseberries are a full crop and are about out of danger. Red currants, also, are a full crop. Strawberries were winter killed in some places. Outside of that they are looking well, but they are late. The caterpillar pest seems worse than usual. — J. Lewis McKay. Kings County. — The prospect for a good crop of apples never looked more promising. The weather conditions have been very favorable. Fruit growers generally have given more than ordinary care to the orchards, pruning, culti- vating and especially spraying thoroughly. The third spraying is now about finished. The orchards blossomed exceptionally full, and appear to be setting well. The "black spot" has not made its appearance to any extent yet. Many insects made their appearance, but were eflFectually stamped out by those who persist- ently sprayed. It looks as though we will have a full crop of Gravensteins, which have been a partial failure for the past four or five years. Kings, Blenheims, Russets and Baldwins prom- ise well.— J. Howe Cox. The Great Success of our past season's business can be attributed to the extra care we take in sending only the best Trees, Shrubs Vines, etc. to our thousands of customers. All we ask is that you give our stock fair treatment, and the results will please us both. We Helderleigh Nurseries E. D. SMITH, W^INONA, ONT. ■ Farm Laborers May be obtained free of cost by writing to The C.\n.\di.\n Horticulturist. We have a man at the Union Station, Toronto, who is engaging laborers, for our readers, from among the immi- grants as they arrive. Write us for particulars. Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing. THE BEST Canadian Grown Trees ARE THOSE GROWN BY Brown Brothers Company, Nurserymen, Limited P.O. Brown's Nurseries, Ontario FULL LINE OF LEADING SORTS APPLES PLUMS CHERRIES PEARS GRAPES CURRANTS GOOSEBERRIES BLACKBERRIES IN ORNAMENTALS OUR STOCK IS THE LARGEST IN CANADA We Planted Last Year Over 750,000 Apples SEND FOR OUR ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUES The Baby Rambler Rose is the moat recent production in the rose line and a perpetual bloomer. Brown's Nurseries, Ontario Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing. Going to Have a Big —Crop of Fruit— ^^^HAT will mean a good thing for you ^.X provided you can sell it all at good figures. There's the trouble. A big crop often means a glutted market, low prices and loss to the grower. Why not work up a sure market of your own? There are scores of grocers and fruit dealers throughout Canada who would be glad to take your fruit at good figures if you can supply them regularly with first-class freshly picked fruit. You can get to know these people by running a'small advertisement in the Fruit Dept. of The Canadian Grocer 10 FRONT ST. EAST, TORONTO WRITE FOR A SAMPLE COPY FREE Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing A Nice Premium will be given Free to all Readers who Buy Goods from Advertisers. 190 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST D.C Fruit Gro-wers' A.ssociation W. J. Brandrith, Sec.-Treas., Ladner, B.C The regular quarterly nieetiiig of the B.C. F. G. Assn. convened in the Agri. Hall, Dun- can's, on June 22. There was a fair attendance considering the busy time of year. Great inter- est was manifested in the subjects of the vari- ous speakers. The prcs., Thos. A. Brydon, of Victoria, called on J. C. Metcalfe, of Hammond, for an address on small fruit. Mr. Metcalfe's remarks were more on the cultivation of the strawberry, and as it was well known that he had made a success of this, what he said carried weight. Henry Kipp, of Chilliwack, described his methods of planting and pruning. Maxwell Smith, Dom. Frtiit Inspector, explained the workings of the "Act Respecting the Sale of Certain Commodities." An interesting discus- sion followed. A resolution calling on the Prov. Govt, not to do away with the inspection of citrus fruit was carried unanimously. The assn. has arranged for meetings to be held as follows: Kelso, July 4; Nelson, July 5; Creston, July C; Cranbrook, July 7; Revelstoke, July 1(V — the meetings to be addressed by Thos. A. Brydon, on "Planting and Pruning"; by J. C. Metcalfe, on "Small Fruits," and by Maxwell Smith on "Orchard Cultivation." Another ser- ies of meetings will be held at Fairvicw on July 3; Keremeos, July 4; Penticton, July 5; Summer- land, July 6; Armstrong and Enderby, July 7; Salmon Arm, July 9; Revelstoke, July 10. The s|>eakers and topics will be as follows: R. M. Palmer on "Tran8p T U R I S T THE Best are Always the Cheapest If you want baskets or berry boxes that will carry your fruit safely to the consumer, send your order to C.W.VanDuzer BASKET cTWANUFACTURERj GRIMSBY Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing Niagara District Exhibition The horticultural exhibition for the Niagara district, which last year was held in Hamilton, will be held this year in St, Catharines, Sept. 14-15. Although still early in the season, in- dications are that it will 1)« a great success, as marked interest is being shown in the event. At an enthu.siastic meeting held in St. Cathar- ines, June 26, all the preliminary arrangements were made. It was announced that the govt, had given a grant of $.500, the city council one of '$2(K), and the county council one of $100, making $80(X all of wh'ich will l)e devoted to the prize list. It was decided to give $400 in prizes for fruit, $250 for llowers and $1.50 for vegetables. The following organizations will be invited to appoint 2 representatives each on the board of management: the Niagara District Peninsula Fruit Growers' Assn., Southern Ont. Fruit Growers' Assn., Jordan Station Fruit and Vegetable Growers' Assn., the Hamilton, Niag- ara Falls, Grimsby and Burlington horticul- tural societies, and the township of Grantham and the Hamilton Vegetal)le Growers' Assns. The Ont. Fruit and Vegetable Growers' Assns will be represented by P. W. Hodgetts and H. B. Cowan, of Toronto, who will also represent the Ont. Dept. of Agri. Several of the organiza- tions mentioned have already appointed their representatives. The St. Catharines soc. will have 7 representatives. Jt was decided to pay the expenses of one representative from each of the foregoing organizations when attending board meetings, it being understood that the exi.)enses of the other representative would l)e paid by the soc. or organization interested. Committees were appointed to draft the fruit, flower and vegetable prize lists, which will Ije ready for distribution early in July. Committees were appointed as follows; For advertising, and printing, finances and transportation. Mr. \V. B. Burgoyne, ex- mayor of St. Catharines, was appointed pres. ; Messrs. C. M. Honsljerger, of Jordan Station; R. Cameron, of Niagara Falls South, and Jonathan Car|>enter, of Winona, vice-presidents; C. A. Hesson, of St. Catharines, treas., and Miss M. M. Tasker, of St. Catharines, sec. All these parties, with the exception of Mr. Carpeniii, were present. l^RACTICE WITH SCieiNCK ALWAYS A FULL CROP — WHEN YOU USE ARNOTT'S Complete Fertilizers AN.\LVSIS Gt ARANTHED Special Manures for Vegetable Growers, Fruit Growers and Florists M.\NUI-ACTUREL» ONLY BY I^ ARNOTT CHEMICAL CO. AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTS AND FERTILIZER EXPERTS 114 VICTORIA ST. - TORONTO ESTABLISHED IN GREAT BRITAIN IN* 1853 Write us for anything you want. Our Manager has had thirty yeaiv' world-wide experience in the Manuring of Crops for Profit. Mention The Canadian Horticultunst when writing. Allan Lines of Royal Mail Steamships 1906— SUMMER SEASON— 1906 wt:ekly sailings The only Line having Turbine Ships on the St. Lawrence route WEEKLY SAILINGS MONTREAL to LIVERPOOL The Turbine Steamers VIRGINIAN and VICTORIAN and the Twin Screw Steamers TUNISL^ and IONIAN Every Thursday morning, calling at Quebec. WEEKLY SAILINGS MONTREAL to GLASGOW Every Wednesday morning. The ships on this route are HUMIDIAH, PRETORIAir SldLIAN, CORIHTHIAK MONGOLIAH MONTREAL to LONDON Every Saturday morning. This service is supplied by the steamers — ONTARIAH CARTHAGINIAN, HIBERIHAH SARDINIAlf, HUNGARIAN POMERANIAN Fortnightly" Sailings MONTREAL to HAVRE flAll steamers of the Allan Line are specially equipped to carry perishable traffic. Refrigerators, Cool Air Cham- bers and Sirocco Fans are of the most modern type. H. & A. ALLAN, Agents MONTREAL, QUE. Toronto Office : 77 Yonge St. See Folders for rates of passage, etc. A Nice Premium will be given Free to all Readers who Buy Goods from Advertisers. The Canadian Horticulturist rol XXIX AUGUST, 1906 No. 8 Our Fruit Trade WitK Great Britain THERE are possibilities for an im- mense development of our fruit trade with Great Britain. The conditions under which our fruit is handled by the steamship companies while in transit are, on the whole, very satisfactory. The great bulk of Canadian fru.t shipped to Great Britain is sold by auc- tion in the large cities under circum- stances that do not permit of our fruit growers being defrauded to any marked extent. There is one great defect in the auction sale system of selling fruit. The fruit is sold as fast as it arrives. If several steamers with fruit discharge about the same time the market is glutted and much of the fruit is sacrificed, to the great loss of the Canadian growers. A few days later the market may be al- most bare and prices for fruit high. Some arrangement should be made by which the quantity of fruit placed on the market each day can be regulated. While there are a few firms in London that receive fruit by direct consignment for auction sale that are honest, there are many that are very dishonest. These latter firms defraud Canadian growers right and left. Their reputa- tion for crooked work is so well known around Covent Garden that The Cana- dian Horticulturist has refused to publish advertisements from them, solic- iting consignments of Canadian fruit, although they offered to pay for their advertisements in advance. Canadian growers shauld have a representative in London at least, just before and during the fruit season, to act as their agent and look after the dis- posal of their fruit. This agent could arrange to keep the fruit in cold storage, so that it may be sold when the market was most favorable. Owing to the fact that a few years ago large quantities of fraudulently packed Canadian fruit were sent to Great Britain (a considerable amount of bad packing is still being done), many large wholesale firms in Great Britain, that would like to buy fruit direct from our growers, are afraid to make the venture. They prefer to buy by auction where they can have a chance to examine the goods before purchase. Were these firms sure they could depend on the quality and packing of the fruit they ordered, they would be willing to buy direct from Canadian growers, thus saving the mid- dlemen's profits that now go into the hands of the commission -dealers and auctioneers on the other side. It should be possible to greatly develop this trade so that, ultimately, the bulk of our fruit could be placed directly in the hands of the wholesale and retail buyers. Canadian fruit, as far as quality is concerned, when compared with the fruit from other countries, stands high in Great Britain. Properly handled, London alone could consume all the fruit Canada is now exporting. There is great need for improvement in the packing of our fruit and in certain conditions connected with its sale in Great Britain. The first and most necessary step towards improvement BENEFITS THE INDUSTRY I appreciate highly the merits of The Canadian Horticulturist in fostering the fruit industry all over Canada. I try to profit by the lessons given so liberally. — Auguste Dupuis, Director Quebec Fruit Experiment Stations, Village des Anlnaies, Que. is the placing of a man in London to represent Canadian growers. This man should be appointed either by the Do- minion Government or by the co-oper- ative fruit growers' associations and the larger apple shippers now doing business in Canada. OUR investigations These facts have become evident to The Horticulturist as a result of the trip to Great Britain made this summer by a staff representative of the paper, with the object of gaining all the inform- ation possible, concerning the transport- ation of our fruit and of the conditions governing its sale in the Old Country. Our representative was in Great Brit- ain slightly over one month. During this period he spent considerable time in London, Bristol, Liverpool, Man- chester and Newcastle, in England ; and in Glasgow, Leith, and Edinburgh, in Scotland. The auction salesroorns were visited and sales of fruits from other countries watched. The large dealers, the auctioneers, the buyers, and even the grocers handling Canadian fruit were interviewed. Each and all were asked for criticisms and suggestions. Enough information of interest to our Canadian growers was gathered to fill several issues of The Canadian Horti- culturist. Owing to the importance of this information we have decided to impart it to our readers in a series of articles that will extend over several months. The subjects of the main articles will be : The Auction Sales Sys- tem of Selling Fruit in Great Britain;, Direct Consignments of Fruit to Private Firms ; and Suggestions for the Improve- ment of our Fruit Trade with Greats Britain. WHY OUR man went The reason The Canadian Horti^ CULTURIST sent its representative to, Great Britain to gain this information was because it realizes the vast import: ance of our fruit trade with the mother country, and the need for protecting the interests of Canadian shippers. There has long been a great demand for- reliable and complete information con-, cerning our export trade in fruits. While the splendid work that has been done by the Dominion Department of Agriculture, through the initiative of Prof. Jas. W. Robertson, in improving the shipping facilities for fruit in the adoption of uniform boxes and in pass-, ing the Fruit Marks Act is recognized, there is a strong feeling that an im^ provement is needed on the other side, in regard to the manner in which the fruit is disposed of after its arrival. Complaints of fraud have been made again and again in regard to the sale of fruit. It has been claimed that our fruit is not sufficiently advertised, and that there are far too many middlemen handHng the goods for the benefit of our growers. To answer these and other statements of a similar nature there has been a sad lack of reliable, definite information. The commercial agents at intervals have made reports, but often it has happened that these reports have conflicted one with the other. Again it has been felt that these agents, with one or two exceptions, have not been 194 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST well informed on fruit matters in Canada, and consequently were not in a jxjsition to make an intelligent report. In ad- dition, they are supposed to look after so many other matters that fruit can be only a side line with them. Tor these reasons the spasmodic reports of the commercial agents have not carried much weight with tlie growers. This has given rise to the feeling that in many respects the interests of our fruit growers are not being pushed the way they should. The industry, it is felt, is not being advertised, both at home and abroad, as it might. The Dominion Dairy Commissioner, who is also the Dominion Fruit Commissioner, visited Great Britain last vear. He has made a report concerning the cheese and butter trade, but, so far as we have heard, he has had nothing to say regard- ing the export fruit trade. Why were the fruit interests overlooked? It was with the object of gaining in- formation on these and similar points that we arranged to have our representa- tive visit Great Britain. We hope that the information that has been gained will be of value and importance to Canadian fruit growers and that it may lead to much needed improvements being made. While some of the con- clusions we have reached may be open to correction, we believe, in the main, that they are well founded. There fs one thing, however, on which we are more convinced than ever. That is that the fruit interests of Canada will never receive the attention they need and deserve, at the hands of the Dominion Department of Agriculture, until they have an independent fruit commissioner of their own who will not be forced, when it comes to introducing new lines of work, to first gain the approval of the dairy commissioner or the head of any other branch of the government service. The first of the reports by our represent- ative will be published in our next issue. It will deal with the conditions under which perishable products are handled by the steamship companies. The reports to be published in subsequent issues will deal with questions of similar importance. PicKing and PacKing PeacKes THE opinion is held by manv grow- ers that peaches should be picked on the green side of maturity to eiisure the best keeping quality. Investi- gations show this opinion to be erroneous. Experience teaches that peaches keep best when picked fully mature, yet not ripe. The proper stage of maturity is when the peach is well colored, full grown, but yet firm, and when the ground color takes on a faint yellowish tinge. After green peaches are picked, the process of ripening proceeds more quick- more quickly than the latter. Further- more, peaches that are picked too green will shrink rather than ripen; poorly colored, shrivelled peaches bring the lowest price; they do not attract the customer; they never acquire that fine quahty, or that aroma that is character- istic of highly colored, well-matured specimens. Last season, peaches that were altogether too green were shipped to Winnipeg. Oftentimes we see peaches, originally high grade, showing the effects of bad A Crate of Select Georgia Peaches A six-basket carrier of Elbertas. showing a 2-1 pack. The photo was taken in the great Hale Orchards, of Fort Valley. Ga.. by Mr. G. Harold Powell. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. ly than in the case of more mature speci- mens of the same variety, and the chemical changes that are constantly taking place within the fruit progress rapidly. Green picked fruit, therefore, reaches the end of its life in storage or in the refrigerator car as quickly, or even handling. This condition may be due to poor methods of picking or to subse- quent rough handling in the packing- house or on the market stand. When picking peaches, the picker must be careful not to grasp them too tightly, or he will bruise them and cause them to become discolored. Peaches should be placed in the picking basket with much more care than is usually practised. Fruits of all kinds, should be touched by the hands as little as possible, for every evidence of such handling detracts from both their shipping and market value. GRADING AND PACKI.NG The successful transportation of peaches depends largely upon the man- ner in which they have been sorted and packed. Pressure of space forbids more than a passing mention of some ideas on these points. A word in particular for the benefit of those, and there are many, who practise packing peaches an end. This system of packing is almost universal in our peach districts. The point or apex of the peach is the most tender part of the fruit, as it ripens first. When peaches are packed on end, they are apt, almost sure, to be- come crushed through pressure of the upper layers and, when the baskets are piled, by the weight of the upper tiers. This bruising of the tender end of the peach hastens decay and is one reason why promising, well-selected specimens sometimes fail to reach their destina- tion in good condition. Peaches should be packed on their sides and packed firmly to prevent change of position and bruising while in transit. The rosy cheek of the peach should be placed uppermost, and all the peaches in the package should point the same way. Some growers may contend that peaches cannot be packed on their sides in the 11 -quart basket. Even so, it is not the fault of the peach ; it is the fault of the basket. THE CLIMAX BASKET The Climax basket is a satisfactory package for some kinds and grades of fruit, but for all classes and grades that require systematic packing, or "laying up" as some persons call it, it is not to be compared with some of the styles of packages used in the United States A Useful Branch of the Service in the British Columbia Fruit Industry (Photo furnished by Mr Maxwell Smith, Dominion Fruit Inspector, Vancouver.) ■ P The unsuitableness of the Chmax basket for fancy packing is, probably, one of the reasons why peaches are usually packed on end. The sides and handles are not sufficiently rigid to admit of any- pack other than what would be termed in Georgia or California a straight 4-4, three layer pack. This is the simplest of all the peach packs, and, apparently, is the only one known to many of the packers in the Niagara district. The cause is easily found. While a score of different packs can be put in the Climax basket, the fore- going is the only one that can be reason- ably expected to keep its place. The practice of spreading the handle when the cover is put on, loosens the fruit and, as a consequence, a fancy pack would be spoiled. Even the customary 4-4 pack often reaches its destination in a disordered state. The Climax basket is [objectionable also, in the fact that the imsy leno cover permits tampering with the fruit. It also allows dust and dirt to enter. Still, the Climax basket is the accepted package, and it rests with the fruit grower to make the best of it. The time will come in Ontario, how- ever, as it has in nearly all the States across the line, -when better packing and a better package will be demanded for the best class of peach trade. Person- ally the writer would recommend the adoption of the six-basket carrier, shown in the accompanying illustration. THE SIX BASKET CARRIER It is light and strong, holds three- quarters of a bushel, gives good ventila- tion, is neat in appearance, and with the divider, six baskets and cover, the cost is not great. It is put together with strong wire staples, well clinched on the inside. The panel heads afford a sure grip to the hands, and damage from breakages rarely occurs. When loaded • in cars, the shape of the package permits a perfect fit ; the tiers are separated for ventilation by means of inch slats tacked across the ends of the package. The Horticulturist would hke to hear the opinion of peach growers regarding this package as a substitute for the Climax basket. Bud OrcKard Trees in August The usual time • for budding is in August, although it may be done any time during the growing season, when the bark peels easily. Top budding is an important operation in the secondary cure of orchards. Varieties that have been planted and found not suited to local and climatic conditions, or to the demand of the market, may be worked over by means of budding with some variety of desired merits. It may be employed to reform the tops of trees that have been found not true to name. The process is not a difficult one. Buds of the desired variety are taken from vigorous growing, healthy shoots of this season's growth. If selected from bearing trees of known worth, so much the better; there is less danger from degeneration — purity being en- sured— as such a practice tends to breed up rather than down. The upper buds on the shoot usually are discarded, as are those at the lower end. The re- maining portion of the shoot is termed a "stick." The leaf blades on this stick are then removed, but the petioles are left to serve as a handle for the buds, which are located always in the axils of the leaves. When the sticks are thus prepared, they should be placed, butts down, in a bucket of water, and covered so as to keep them fresh. They should be used as soon as possible. The budder takes a shield-shaped bud from the stick, and inserts it in a T- shaped incision which he has previously made on a limb of the tree that is to be budded. A ligature of string or raffia is then applied, with moderate pressure, to hold the bark firmly over the bud. . In about .two weeks the buds should be united, and the bandage may be re- moved. The buds should remain dor- mant over winter. In spring, as soon as the buds show signs of growth, the top of the stock must be cut back close to the bud. By this means, a new and profitable top may be secured in a com- paratively short time. Very few apples are being planted in this district. It is claimed that this section is better adapted to the more tender fruits, and that the apple section will be found more largely in the northern and eastern counties in the near future, if not already there. — W. H. Bunting, St. Catharines. We have set out several acres of orchard during the past few years. In purchasing the stock we had nothing to do with agents, we found greater satis- faction from dealing direct with reliable nurserymen. — W. H. Crews, Trenton. 196 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST Handling Apples for Export^ K. AV. ShepKerd, Montreal, Que. IN Quebec the leading and most prof- itable apples arc Fameusc, Mcin- tosh Red and other highly colored and highly flavored varieties that are of delicate texture. They are too deli- cate to be handled in a blundering, slip- shod fashion, if the best prices are to be realized. The way the finest p-ameuse apples are handled from the time they are picked until they are shipped, would cause one to think the fruit was as hard as a Ben Davis or Lawver, instead of being an apple with the thinnest of skins and the most delicate texture of flesh. The picker's baskets should be lined with burlap or something similar, and the pickers should be taught to handle the fruit like eggs. Packing tables with coverings of canvas, instead of boards, should always be used and the full baskets emptied carefully. The sort- ing and packing is best done in the or- chard, as by that means the fruit gets less handHng and is less knocked about. There are occasions when it is expedient to put fruit intended for boxes into barrels (with a little hay or straw in the bottom of each barrel) and the barrels can be carried in a spring wagon to the fruit house to be packed in boxes the next day or on wet days. The best plan is to put Fameuse apples in the export packages as soon as possible after picking. When the packing is done, it is ad- visable to store the packages without delay in some cool place for a week or 10 days. My plan is to put all packages, whether cases, boxes, or barrels, in cold storage for a few days before shipping. This is one of the principal essentials to successful and profitable exportation of the finest Quebec apples. Frequently we have warm days in the month of October, when the thermometer runs 70 to 75 degrees. How can apples reach the other side of the Atlantic in good order if they are picked and packed in a temperature of 70 degrees, kept in a warm shed for a week or two, and then put into the warm holds of vessels to be kept there for 10 or 12 days? If the fruit is thoroughly cooled before shipping, it will arrive at the EngUsh market in fine condition. It is most important that the fruit should be in good condition when it leaves. It costs money to put it in cold storage, but it pays to do so. It pays to do it most years even with No. 2 Fameuse packed in barrels. I have proved it repeatedly. Last season No. 2 Fameuse and Wealthv, sent to Que- bec market, realized $2.00 a barrel; but the same fruit, after having been *A paper read at the annual convention of the Pomological and Fruit Growing Society of the Province of Quebec, held last December. 10 days in cold-storage and shipped to Glasgow realized 15 to 16 shillings a barrel, which is equal, after paying all expenses, to $1.10 to $1.25 over the net prices on the Quebec market. Hun- dreds of barrels of No. 2 Fameuse were shipped last season from Montreal to England and Scotland to be sold at three to six shillings a barrel. This is shown by the market reports. This great loss was caused by the fruit being carelessly handled, carelessly packed and shipped in a heated condition. The fact that prices on the other side are high, as they were the past season, is no reason why blunders should be made in this foolish fashion. Nothing but loss can follow such practice, whereas, if a little more care and intelligence were exercised, the results would have been a handsome profit. The use of cold-storage prior to ship- ping apples is not advocated because I pack a barrel of No. 2 apples as a bar- rel of No. 1. Canadians use great in- telligence in handling and packing bacon, cheese and butter, but, with few exceptions, the same careful attention is not paid to our apples. The Shepherd Apple Case am interested, either directly or in- directly, in any cold-storage company, butbecauseof practical experience, which has shown the advantages derived from thoroughly cooling fruit before sending it to England. With apples of hard texture (winter apples) this precaution is not so necessary. Many large ex- porters say that the trouble and expense is too great and that in many cases it is utterly impracticable. My experience has proved that apples cannot be shipped year after year without the shipper noticing the advantages de- rived when fruit arrives on the other side in good condition. The commission men soon let you know if the barrels are wet, slack or damaged in any way. Wet condition is caused by shipping the fruit in a heated state; slackness may arise from bad packing or because of some of the fruit becoming bad, causing a shrinkage, which makes the fruit move in the barrel. Apples that are not handpicked and sound should not be shipped in a No. 2 barrel; in fact, as much care should be taken to Rodt Prvining Fruit Trees There are times when root pruning is of value in the successful culture of fruit. When the trees are growing lux- uriantly and producing wood at the ' expense of fruit, the practice of root pruning will tend to check growth and promote fruitfulness. The operation is not difficult, nor dangerous when rightly done, but the beginner should start on a small scale or employ an experienced • man to do the work for him. The operation consists in digging a trench around the trees at a distance of three to eight feet, according to the size of the trees, and chopping off most of the large roots. Good judgment is re- quired in the work. Too much mutila- tion of the roots might give disappointing results. Enough should be done, how- ever, to check vitality. The trench should be refilled, and, if convenient, with poorer soil than was taken out. The best time for root pruning is in August. It may be done earlier in the season, but the object of root pruning — the change from wood buds to fruit buds — is effected better at this time than any other. Root pruning may be prac- tised, also, on trees, even shrubs and bushes that are susceptible to frost and winter injury. By checking the growth, they will endure severe weather without iniurv. Prune Raspberries in August W. G. Home, Clarkson Ont. The raspberry, when planted on well- adapted soil, is, perhaps, as remunera- tive as any fruit we grow. With ordin- ary cultivation, and manuring every second year, a patch, once established, may stand twenty years or more. I have one that has been picked 16 years and this year it is fruiting as well as ever. Many growers neglect their raspberry patches. After the crop has been gath- ered the bushes are left often without care until the next spring. , On this year's canes is borne next year's crop. Cleaning out the old canes only when convenient is not good practice. The old canes should be pruned out as soon as possible after the picking. They are far easier to cut at that time and it is better for the new cane. Topping off the canes had better be done in the spring than early fall. Young shoots that grow from fall top- ping generally winter-kill. Raspberries are being planted more and more each year. The best all-round variety is the Cuthbert. Geraniums for Winter Bloom in House or Office ■W. T. Macoun. Horticulturist, Central £xperimental Farm, Ottawa I ("'HERE are few plants which can be I made to give greater satisfaction *■ during the winter months than e geranium, for if the plants are prop- cily cared for and the conditions of temperature, hght and sunshine are favorable, abundant bloom may be obtained from early in the winter until Geraniums in Bloom ^iThis photo was taken from the outside of the Horti- ctllturist's Office. C. E. F., Ottawa, and shows the appearance of the bloom to the passer-by. (Photo by P. T. Shutt, C.E.P., Ottawa) it is time for bedding out in the spring. The geranium suffers less from insects and fungous diseases than most house plants, which is another inducement to cultivate this beautiful flower. Anyone who has a suitable window in his house or office can obtain abundant winter bloom if the following treatment is given : This method refers only to old plants that have been in the house all winter, or in the bed all summer, and is recom- mended for those who do not wish to take time to care for the plants in pots. Plants that have been blooming all summer are usually too large for trans- planting into pots in the autumn, or if not too large are too "leggy" from being gjrown close together in beds. But, for the average person, these are the most available, and they may be treated in such a manner that good results will follow. In order to make the plants stocky and of good shape, and capable of producing abundant bloom, they should be pruned back to within six inches or less of the ground about a month before the plants are likely to be killed by frost. If they are not well headed back they will be leggy, as buds will only break from the upper parts of the stems. By the time there is frost, shoots will have broken along the old stems and the plants will bloom sooner than if the prun- ing is left until they are put in pots. We have had the best results from the use of rather large pots, six inch giving good satisfaction. While bloom may be obtained a little earlier by using smaller pots, the plants have to remain in them so long —from September to May — that they become pot bound, and are not satisfactory or sightly in late winter and early spring when flowers are much appreciated. The soil for the pots should not be very rich, as plants will make vigorous growth in comparatively poor soil, and will bloom sooner. The mistake is too often made of using rich soil, resulting in a large amount of sappy growth, with few or no flowers. It is from the firm or partially ripened wood that the best bloom is produced. Good loamy soil with enough sand mixed with it to make it rather open will be found quite satis- factory. It should not be of such a char- acter that it will bake, for after watering for several months, unless the soil is of the right texture, the surface becomes hard and the plants do not thrive well. When the plants are dug it is usually necessary to reduce their size so that they will go nicely into the pots. The roots, also, may be shortened in, so that they will not be crowded in the pot and so that the plant may be set well down ; as the lower it is in the pot, the less leggy the plant is likely to be if the shoots do not come from the lower part of the stem. The soil is made firm about the plant, and the pot filled with soil to within about half an inch of the One of the greatest mistakes made by many who grow plants in houses is that too much watering is done. The ger- aniums will not make much growth for several weeks after planting, and during this time they should be given compar- atively little water — just enough in fact to prevent them from becoming dry. At no time should the soil be soaked, as much water will tend to make sappy growth with few flowers. Each pot should be treated individually, when watering, and the plant watered only when it needs it. Too often all the plants are watered at the same time, and at regular intervals without regard to the needs of the individual plants. Some plants do not need as much moisture as others, as they are not making as thrifty a growth and do not transpire so much moisture. Plants should not be watered until the surface of soil has become dry. It will be necessary to do some judici- ous pinching back of the new growth early in the winter when the plants are growing thriftily, to induce them to throw out additional shoots, as the more shoots there are, the more bloom there will be later on. , One should sacri- fice some of the earlier blooms rather than neglect pinching back, as a plant well covered with bloom is so much more Geraniums in Bloom, inside view, Horticulturist's Office, C.E.F., Ottawa (Photo by F. T. Shutt, C.E.F., Ottawa) top. The plants should now be well watered and put in the shade for a few days, after which they may be placed in the window where they are to remain, and here it may be said that Hght and sunshine are absolutely essential if satis- factory results are to be obtained, hence a southern window should be chosen and the plants put as near the glass as pos- sible. A cool room is much better than a warm one for geraniums. In a warm room the plants grow beyond bounds and do not bloom well. 197 satisfactory than one with only one or two trusses, even though obtained earlier. The time when the geraniums begin to bloom will depend very much on the time when they are cut back the previous summer and on the variety, but if judi- ciously planned there should be bloom from January until May. Some of the most satisfactory varieties for wijfiter bloom are: Jacquerie, Cardi, Phyllis, Lilian Duff, Dryden,Severin, Gettysburg, although there are many others which succeed, almost equally as well. 198 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST TKree Good Begonias for Han^in^ BasKets A. yVlexander, Hamilton IN this large genus of greenhouse plants, the three, of which illustra- tions are given, have been found very satisfactory for hanging baskets in an amateur's greenhouse. They are grf)wing Begonia, "Mary" in wire baskets about 18 inches in di- ameter. The baskets are lined with sphagnum moss, and they are growing in a soil composed of equal parts of loam, rotted leaves and decayed hot- bed material and a few handfuls of . -^-\ Begonia Manicata clean beach sand, the whole put through a fine sieve. They were in bloom, as shown in the photos, from the middle of April to the beginning of June, and made a very fine display in the house. I am not quite sure if "Mary" is the correct name of the one so called. Its leaves are nearly round, of a rich olive green on the upper side and reddish underneath. It sends up an immense number of slender, delicate pink col- ored flower stems, each with great numbers of rosy pink blooms. "Manicata," whose foliage is not so striking as its cousin "Manicata aurea," is a more profuse bloomer. Its habit and color of stem and flower is very similar to "Mary." "Paul Bruant," which, when young has some tendency to adopt the up- right habit, when growing in a basket seems to know what is expected of it, and gracefully leans over the sides with its very elegant foliage so beautifully cut and sends out its heavy bunches of bloom, which are beautiful in every stage of their development. After blooming, these plants are hung outside under the shade of an as near Toronto as Holland Landin; and Bradford. "The best success can be had witi these plants by collecting them imme diately after they are done flowering, said Mr. Manton, "or by marking th' spots where the plants were located, am digging after October 1. Spectabil and acaule do not thrive under ordin ary house culture. For forcing it i advisable to dig them in October an( plant them in pans as close togethe as the crowns can be placed, or in pot well drained and containing an abund ance of sphagnum moss. They shouh be put in cold frames where they cai be got at when wanted. By puttinj them in the greenhouse two month: before Easter, bloom can be had al most equal to the tropical orchids. "These wild specimens do exceed ingly well in the open garden if the) are given plenty of moisture and leaf y.-M ■ 1 ! I ■^ J K^^il l^v*^H "/(s 1 t'*^^B Begonia, Paul Bruant apple tree during summer. About the beginning of September some fresh soil is added, and they are again hung in the greenhouse. The plants shown have been in the same baskets for two vears. "Wild OrcHids of Canada "Orchids can be found in Canada by the thousands," said Mr. Thos. Manton, of Eglinton, recently to a representa- tive of The Canadian Horticulturist. "Cypripedium spectabile, Cypripedium acaule, Cypripedium pubescens, and Cypripedium parviflorum," said Mr. Manton, "are very common in the val- leys of the Trent river, in Muskoka, in the lagoon between Port Arthur and Winnipeg, in New Brunswick, and in Northern Quebec. They can be found soil or sphagnum. It is advisable tc have them shaded from the afternoon sun, but they need full light. Nearly every hardy plant nurseryman in Eng- land and in other European countries catalogs Cypripedium spectabile and Cypripedium spectabile alba, and offei them at prices that prove they can be grown successfully. Almost all col- lections of herbaceous plants in Eng- land contain specimens of these." The Canadian Horticulturist would like to receive photographs of unusually pretty window boxes, flower gardens, oi plants and shrubs of unusual size cov- ered with bloom. If you have any favorite spot in your garden that h Worth photographing give The Hor Ticulturist a chance to enjoy it. La^wn and Garden Notes for A.ugust IN the home garden and on the lawn during August many bad weeds will be trying to go to seed. When a weed matures seed, it produces a lot of them. Many thousand seeds may come into existence from one plant. Weeds are constantly trying, not to out- wit, but to outwork the amateur gar- dener. They are determined workers, persistent and indefatigable. They are, however, not invincible. Constant clip- ping or spudding on the lawn, and hoe- ing in the garden, will keep them within bounds. TESTS FOR MELONS Melon time is coming.' The person who buys a muskmelon or a watermelon should know how to choose a good one. The first point in judging a muskmelon is the weight. A heavy melon is a good melon, but it also must be ripe. One of the best tests for ripeness is the odor. A ripe melon is tempting, fragrant and spicy. A sound, sweet melon usually has a rough surface and deep furrows. The color between the furrows should not be too green, or it will be under- ripe, nor too yellow, as it will be soft and mushy. A watermelon also should be heavy. A ripe watermelon will sound hollow- when thumped with the knuckle, but this is only practicable in the early morning, for the same resonance is noticeable in a large, unripe melon dur- ing the heat of mid-day sun. If the "belly, "_ or lower surface, is yellow and blistered the melon is ripe. Pressure on the melon to hear it crack within is objectionable, as it injures those that are ripe as well as those that are green. THE KITCHEN GARDEN Nearly all seedsmen issue special sum- 1 mer catalogs. Why not send for one I and see what can be sown in the garden in August, so as to have fresh vegetables for the table as late as October and November? String beans, early maturing peas, flat early turnips, radishes and other quick growing vegetables may yet be I sown. If sown at once, in southern Ontario, there is still time to grow small cucumbers for pickles. These are al- ways a delight to the thrifty house-wife, and are more than relished during the cold winter. Try some this year. As the seasons for greens is about over, why not force the season and plant beets for autimin greens? Select some good variety of quick maturing qualities. Young beet leaves will be relished late injthe season. Blanch the early crop of celery, which now should be well matured. Corn Salad is something everyone , should grow for salad next March and ! April. Sow about the first of September j in drills half an inch deep, and six inches apart, in rich ground. As the plants are for cutting when young, the seed may be sown pretty thin, liefore the cold weather sets in, protect with ciean straw. It is cut during early spring for salads, and as such is most excellent. If sown in August and left undisturbed till spring, salsify will be twice its ordin- ary size. The culture and care given it should be about the same as that given carrots. Before sowing, soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water. Lettuce may be sown for growing in hotbeds or cold frames for Thanksgiving. If the weather is fine it may be grown in the open, but late lettuce is safer in the cold frame. Sow seed in the open and transplant later. Make a cold frame if you haven't one. Experiment with it, and get nearer to Nature. It is an easy method of secur- ing home-grown vegetables in late fall when they are too expensive to buy in the markets, and unobtainable in any other way. Lettuce, spinach, radishes, and many things may be grown. Give The Horticulturist the benefit of your experience later, and also send along a few photographs. Chevril is a vegetable unknown to many of our readers. It is a very rich herb, similar in growth and flavor to parsley, and should be found in every kitchen garden. It is sown and treated like parsley. Sown in late August, the seeds lie dormant till the following spring. The roots are boiled or eaten in stews, much like carrots, but of a vastly different flavor. Plant now; do not delay until next spring. The seeds, when kept dry over the winter, sprout very poorly, or not at all. If you have too many onions In Aug- ust from spring sowing, the small bulbs may be harvested and kept until next spring as sets for early planting. Welsh onions being grown for their leaves only, should be sown in August or September for salad or seasoning in early spring. If the weather is hot during August keep the soil in the vegetable garden well stirred to prevent evaporation of moisture. Add water frequently and cultivate as soon afterwards as the soil can be worked. .\UGUST work with INDOOR PLANTS What would be nicer than to have Bermuda lily blooms at Christmas time? Long look ahead. Better start them now and you will not regret it. Roman hyacinths and paper-white narcissi also are grown easily for Christmas. Pot the bulbs in August, water once, and plunge them in a frame or in the cellar. Cover with coal ashes and see that frost does not reach them. In about six weeks they may be brought into the light. The season of bloom may be lengthened by bringing only a few pots into the light at one time. If early flowering freesias are wanted, plant a few bulbs about the last of Aug- ust. Put four or five bulbs in a four inch pot. Use ordinary good potting soil. Water thoroughly the first time and repeat only when the soil requires it. Keep the pots outside in semi-shade until the middle of September, then re- move them to the house. Sow primroses, cinerarias and calce- olarias now. These will repay your trouble and expense by giving a pro- fusion of bright-tinted flowers. If young plants of coleus, heliotrope and geraniums are wanted for the winter now is a good time to strike the cuttings. Petunias for winter bloom may be had from those outside by cutting them back to within a few inches of the roots. Two weeks later pqt them into small sized pots. ASTERS Early asters bloom in August. Seeds that were planted in Toronto this year in March produced bloom on July 10, These were given a rich mellow soil which produces large flowers on long slender stems. Asters will grow fairly "well on rather light soil, even if not very rich. Should rust attack the plants spray with ammoniacal carbonate of copper. If the weather is very dry during August, flowering asters should be well watered. Why not transplant some of the wild species of asters to the perennial bor- ders in your garden? These conspicu- ous blossoms in the woodlands and fields are boon companions to golden rods in form and color, but surpass them in brilliancy. When transferred to the garden border they become par- ticularly attractive and the flowers grow much larger and more profusely. They can be transplanted with safety either in fall or early spring, and will establish themselves to their new surroundings with little care. PARASOLS FOR PEONIES To protect peonies from the scorching sun of August, an amateur we know gives each a small Japanese parasol, the handle of which is pushed into the ground near the root of the plant. This shades the plant during the middle of the day, and can be taken away at night ; in the early morning it can be replaced over the plant. TO REVIVE CUT FLOWERS Cut flowers are constantly sent by express and through the mails, but sel- dom in such a fashion as to preserve their bloom and freshness. To revive them, put them into warm salt water, to which has been added a fow drops of sulphate of ammonia. RENEW PANSY PLANTS IN AUGUST An excellent way to keep up the stock of any good varieties of pansies is by ^00 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST taking the old ])laiits during August and cutting off the- young shoots wliicfi arc around tlie base, many of which you will lind already supplied with roots. Plant them in a small prepared plot of rather sandy soil in a shady place. Keep them well sprinkled, and they will soon root and make vigorous plants to put in winter quarters, ready for ne.xl spring. Pansics may be grown from seed. For April bloom, sow now in cold frames. Bellis, or English Daisy, may be grown similarly. CUTTING FLOWERS KOR EXHIBITION Flowers cut for exhibition purposes should be immediately placed in a pail or large jug of water and put away in a part. I'ood for the day is sup])lied by sulphate of ammonia, a few dro])s of which should be added to the water put in the vase. At night put the Howers into some dark cool place - say a pantry, as it is not good cither for the flowers or for the household that they should remain all the time in the living rooms. BUDDING ROSES The tops of undesirable rose bushes may be changed by budding. August is the best time to do the work. At this j)eriod the bark of nearly all vari eties peels with greater facility, making it easy to insert the bud. Near the base of the new growth make a T-shaped incision. Into this insert a shield- '^\^?.>.--.f,r.l ,'irf«|vl' ^tr^i^0^ h}^'^*^" w, n^'fi «■ * ■ " '■ • iMh- fl'^^IF'fCili^i V-^^ 5 / " f i. f*':r4*y^ 'Wtk Wm^W^ A Chinese Wistaria in Hamilton cool place until taken to the exhibition. Cut them early in the morning on the day of the show, before the sun shines on them very much. KEEPING CUT FLOWERS FRESH Cut flowers, when properly treated, can be made to look fresh for three or four weeks. Every night take them out of the water and thoroughly rinse the stalks under a faucet, removing with the fingers any decomposed matter. Then put them to bed for the night in a basin of strong soapsuds, but be careful not to allow any water to touch the blossoms. The soapsuds supplv a cer- tain amount of nourishment. In the morning rinse the stalks under the water again, and as each blossom is arranged for the day in the vase of fresh water, snip off a tiny portion of the stalk with a pair of scissors. Al- ways carefully trim away any faded shaped bud cut from a new shoot of the ■ desired variety. Tie the bud with string or raffia. In two or three weeks the raffia should be cut. The bud re- mains dormant during winter. In early spring the stock should be cut imme- diately over the bud, so that the flow of sap will be thrown into the bud and force its growth as rapidly as possible. THE PURPLE BEECH If your newly-planted blood-leaved beech fails to put on its darkest hue the firgt season, do not blame the nursery- man for net selling the proper kind. The first leaves of the purple beech, after transplanting, are a light copper color. It is only after it is well estab- lished that the full dark purple color comes. PLANTING EVERGREENS IN AUGUST Many expert gardeners believe that more evergreens are injured by summer heat than by winter cold. Spring plant ing is the customary practice, but if followed by a summer drought it is often disastrous. Planting in late fall is not advisable, because the evergreens do not become firmly established before winter. The best time to plant is, per haps, in August, but see that the roots are well protected from exposure to sun and wind. The evergreens will have plenty of time to become settled before winter, and you will avoid the annoy- ance of spring delays. I'REPARE FOR FALL MULCHING Lawns should be mulched in the fall, and now is the time to prepare the ma terial. The common practice of using coarse stable manure is objectionable; it is unsightly, foul-odored. and intro- duces weed seeds. A more effective and lasting mulch for lawns is one recom- mended by Wni. Hunt, O.A.C., Gueljih. It is an earth mulch, composed of e(|;ial parts of good clean soil and well-rotted stable manure. The materials should be obtained in August and turned over occasionally until October, then spread on the lawn. W^istaria CKinensis In August and September, depending on the locahiy, the Chinese wistaria produces a wealth of bloom and pri sents a lovely picture to the passer-by. The one in the illustration is to be seen at the residence of .Mr. R. A. Lucas, of Hamilton, Ont. It is Wistaria Chinensis carulea, and is over 20 yiars old. With its graceful racemes of lavender flowers hanging in profusion from the almost leafless branches, no climber is more tender in color or more beautiful. It is one of the few vines that will twine around large supports, pillars of ver- andas or arbors. At one time Mr. Lucas' wistaria used to grow close to the wall of the house, but the sun burning the voung leaves and tendrils, it did not thrive. It is now on a trellis, 10 inches from the wall, and is growing vigorously. The wistaria, illustrated, blooms profusely for about two weeks. The length of the season of bloom depends on the weather; when the days are bright, dry and calm, the bloom is more last- ing. A warm soil and a sunny jxjsi- tion are the conditions most desirable for the production of flowers. A severe pruning when dormant, cutting back the previous season's growth to about two buds, except where vacant places require filling, is necessary also to en- sure freedom of bloom the next season. There is nothing more graceful than the silky blooms of the single poppies nodding on the apex of their long wiry stocks like some tropical butterflies that a passing zephyr might waft from their airv perches. — N. S. Dunlop, Floral De'pt. C.P.R., Montreal. Vegetables for ExKibition Purposes" ' I 'HE culture of vegetables, at all ^^1 times a most interesting study, ^^r becomes more so when the object ^K the exhibition table. As exhibitions ^^K which vegetables figure prominently ■Qre held principally in the fall, I shall confine these few remarks mainly to those varieties that are in season at that time of the year. Now we will say the (.xhibitor wishes to take a collection of 12 varieties which is ample to test any person's skill. The following is a good selection for a dozen varieties: Celery, leeks, onions, potatoes, carrots, beets, cauliflower, jiarsnips, turnips, tomatoes, brussels sprouts, lettuce, or, should string beans, peas, sweet corn, or egg plant be available they would give a larger selection. The varieties chosen should be good types of their respective sorts. I do not care much for the squash family as ex- hibition vegetables. They represent no extra amount of skill in their cultiva- tion. Anyone caa grow squash if they have a manure heap. The same ap plies to other kinds that do not repre- sent much skill. The different sorts of spinach, including Swiss chard, which I do not suppose one person in a dozen would eat if anything else were available, also salsify and Jerusalem artichokes, do not figure very high as exhibition vegetables. I have placed celery at the head of my list of 12 varieties. There is no vcge- K calls for more skilful cultiva- IN July, The Horticulturist published a portion of a bulletin f)n bean diseases recently issued by Prof. H. H. Whetzel, of Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., Bean Anthracnose was thoroughly discussed. The following extracts on bean blight I^^Bid bean rust, taken from the same ^^^fcUetin, also contain valuable informa- ^^^B)n for bean growers. tion than first-class celery. It should be large, without being pithy, or hollow, have a good-sized heart, be well bleached and free from rust and blemishes. A good time to sow seed for the produce to be in good shape late in October is in early May. I prefer to sow in boxes and place in a greenhouse in gentle heat. When ready, prick out into cold frames or anywhere in four or five inches of soil on a hard bottom where water is handy, as th,ey require lots of it. The plants will be ready for the open ground by June 15, and no opportunity of a showery day or so should be lost in getting them out. If the weather is drv, water must be given in abundance if good results are expected. Large onions and leeks are exhibition vegetables and the culture is practically identical, except that the leeks require earthing up to blanch them. Onions and leeks cannot be too large for show purposes, and to produce large roots very early sowing is indispensable. Februarv is none too soon to sow in heat in a greenhouse. They must be pricked off into boxes when large enough to handle and kept growing on, gradu- ally hardening off and planted out in very rich soil in the garden in May. These i^lants are very gross feeders and must have very high cultivation to bring them to a high state of perfection. Potatoes for exhibition should be of medium size, clear in the skin and have shallow eyes. Very large specimens are more than likely to be hollow in the middle. Carrots and parsnips must be large and have very clean skins and uniform tapering roots. Beet roots and turnips should be of medium size, in- clining to small rather than large, as big specimens of these are useless unless it is for cattle feeding. Cauliflower should be of medium size with very close and clean white heads. Tomatoes must be of medium size and very round, not corrugated, and should be ripened on the plant. Brussels sprouts, a very telling vegetable when good, should be large and solid, not open and ragged. Lettuce also must be large and very solid. Needless to re- mark, the whole collection should be presented on the exhibition table as fresh as possible and no pains should be spared to keep them so, for if wilted or stale in any way, it would go strongly against them. Now as to manner of staging. The collection should be made as artistic as possible, not merely a dish of each kind placed on a bare table in straight lines. This method does not appeal to me. Instead, a background should be formed of the larger kinds and the smaller grouped in front of them ; no receptacles such as dishes, etc., are necessary. The group should be nicely trimmed off with fresh parsley. It is surprising, with the exercise of a little ingenuity in arrange ment, what a beautiful effect can be pro- duced even with a collection of vegetables. Bean Blig'Kt and Bean Rust BEAN BMCHT "The blight is a bacterial disease. It fccaused by a minute parasitic plant Jacferium phascoli) in form and habits of life quite unlike the anthracnose fungus. These tiny bacteria have no mycelial threads and no spores. Ivach little cell is a plant in itself. The first evidence is usuallv to be observed in the leaves. These show large brown dead patches, often spreading through the entire leaf. When wet, the spot is soft nnd watery, but when dry, becomes *Exlracts from an address read before the Morris Co, (iardcners' .Society, New Jersey, I'y John Hceremans, papery and brittle. On a badly bhghted patch the leaves become dry and curled, as if scorched. Judging from some ob- servations made last season, it seems likely that insects are in most cases the agents by which this disease is car- ried from plant to plant. "Through wounds or by way of the stein the bacteria find their way into the pods which, if young, may shrivel and die. In the larger pods they produce spreading watery spots which finally become more or less discolored but never sunken and black as in the case of the anthracnose. TKl'ATMICNT oK lJl.Ii;HT "No method of treating the seed to prevent the blight has yet Ijcen proposed and properly tested. Professor Barlow, of the Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph, has demonstrated that the bac- teria are readily killed by exposure for 10 minutes to water heated to 122 de grees Fahrenheit, while dry beans can endure such a temperature for some lime, without injury. While this gives some promise of success the treatment . is open to many of the objections raised in the case of the anthracnose. "The sorting of seed affected with blight is very questionable. Owing to the fact that blight-affected seeds are often not discolored, it is manifestly impossible to sort them from the healthy ones. The safest method is to discard all seed known to have come from fields that showed the disease. "In regard to destruction of diseased tops and rotation, Professor Barlow says: 'A field where beans have sickened with this disease is unfit for growing beans for at least one season, as the germ lives over at least one winter in the stems and leaves left on the ground. How long such a field may remain infected is un- known, for we do not yet know whether the germ can live and increase in the soil where no beans are growing, although this is probable. Bean straw from in- fected fields tnav be burned. If it is fed to animals or used in bedding, the 202 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST manure should be returned lo the field on which the beans grew, and not spread on fields free from the disease.' SPRAYING "At the New Jersey Experiment Sta- tion, Dr. Halsted has experimented for a number of years with several spray mixtures for the prevention of bean blight. The Bordeaux mixture of the strength recommended for the anthrac- nose has been found to be very satisfac- tory. • Probably a larger number of ap- plications will be necessary for the bhght than for the anthracnose. HKAN KUST "The true rust of beans is, Hke the anthracnose, a fungus disease. It dif- fers from the anthracnose, however, in many important respects. The most important difference from the grower's point of view is that it is a much less common and destructive disease. It occurs only on the leaves of the bean, rarely on the stems and pods. Except in very severe cases, it does not materi- ally injure the leaves. TREATMENT OF RUST "While this disease is not common and is rarely destructive, jxt it is desir- able that it should not become well es- tablished on a farm. Under very favor- able conditions it might become suffi- ciently abundant materially to injure the crop. Therefore, it is well to learn to know it and so be able to stamp it out whenever it appears. Since the disease winters only in the diseased tops. it is readily exterminated by burning all diseased plants after the beans are har- vested. When beans are sprayed for anthracnose this disease will also be controlled." MusKmelons W. G. Home, Clarkson, Ont. In a recent issue of The Horti- culturist, Mr. Emory, of Aldershot, complained of the shipping of green melons to market. The Toronto melon market has been almost killed through the sending of melons that were hardly fit for pigs to eat. To grow good melons, the land must be rich, warm and sandy. Cultivate well as long as growth of the vines will permit; after that, don't interfere with the vines. When gathering the crop, avoid tramping on the vines. The fresher the vines the better the flavor of the fruit. Many people do not know when a melon is ripe. When ripe, a crack will form around the stem, which will cause the melon to fall away when the stem is touched. For long distance shipping, melons may be pulled as soon as the crack around the stem is visible. When pulled then, however, a little of the flavor is lost. Melons won't ripen off the vines; they will turn yellow, but tasteless. The favorite melon is the Rocky Ford. Gro-win^ DutcK Set Onions J. "W. Rush. Humber Buy, Ont. THE plan I adopt for growing Dutch set onions is as follows: I select a very rich pieceof ground, that had grown beets last season, as land suited for early beets is suited for Dutch set onions. Then I apply a light dressing of well-rotted manure at the rate of 50 tons per acre. Plow this under seven inches, then harrow with the Acme har- row, which both levels and crushes the soil into tilth and puts it in good shape for planting. I mark out the rows 18 inches apart and sow sage seed in the rows. Then I plant the onion sets in a double row one inch apart each way. Cover two inches deep and tramp well. Two weeks after planting the onions and weeds will be showing nicely. Then I plow the ground and sow about June 20 long blood beets for winter. This leaves the land ready for onions in the spring. Ashes as a Fertilizer Prof. F. T. Shutt, M.A., Ottawa How much wood ashes should be applied at a time on a vegetable garden ? How are they best applied? — Market Gardener, Humber Bay. Fifty to 75 bushels of hardwood ashes per acre constitutes a fair applica- tion. Some market gardeners use more than 100 bushels per acre, but before using such a large quantity it should be ascertained, by experiment on a small area, if the return justifies the expenditure. Much depends on the Dutch^ SettOnions as Grown near Toronto Where land is valuable and taxes high, as near a large city like Toronto, vegetable growers must practise intensive methods in the growing of their crops. Every square foot of land must be kept buy every day during the season of gro>yth There must be no idle loom. This illustration gives an idea of inter cropping and double cropping, as Practised on the truck fa-m of Mr. J. W. Rush, Humber Bay. Ont. Spinach is shown and onions, and in the rows with the onions sage is grown. take an iron rake and rake lightly across the rows of onions; this takes some of the soil off the top of the onions and upsets the weeds. I have a pony 12 hands high, and a boy 12 years old, and a harrow cultivator, and away they go twice a week up and down the rows. The result is shown in the accompany- ing illustration. I planted 500 lbs. on half an acre this spring and started bunching on May 24. I pull the largest three times a week, and put 12 onions in a bunch, selling at 40 cents per dozen bunches. After the onions are sold, the sage is nicely up, and if taken care of ought to be a good crop. I have followed this plan for many years. I also prepare the land for spinach the same wav as for onions. After the spinach is sold nature of the soil and its past history as regards manures and crops. The ashes may be spread broadcast on the plowed land in the spring and well harrowed in. This will ensure their thorough incorporation with the soil before planting, and at the same time leave the available plant food within easy reach of the voung rootlets. Market gardeners can reap a hand- some profit early in the season by selling wholesale, but later on when the glut comes it is better to retail from the wagon. — H. E. Reid, Toronto. I change the ground for each crop every year if possible. — Jas. Gibbard, Doncaster, Ont. '-c%c^ '■<%r*^ '<%rKf *<%jt^* '^^t^ »<-%^Lf »<%w> '^■^'ii/ '<§iJt^ '-c^r*' »«%f^Lf <<^«^Lf *<%jc^Lf^ OUR QUESTION AND ANSWER DEPARTMENT Readers of The Horticulturist are invited to submit Questions on any pKase of Horticultural -worK nM'%^>> ^T%*%>. *TM%>i ^TO^^ nMf%>> nM%>> n>Jfi§J>> Da%->> nMf^>< ^T»a%>. ^Ta%>> oo^^ no^^ /^M%>^^ W^Kite Stra-wberries I am sending a few white strawberries, with plants, for examination. About two years ago I found the original plants growing wild, and am now cultivating them. What is your opin- ion of them? — T.A.C., Baltimore, Ont. The white strawberry received is a representative of the alpine or perpetual class (Fragaria vesca). The stems are erect and strong, and the leaves are thinner and lighter in color than those of other types. The berries when re- ceived by The Horticulturist were very ripe and soft, but larger in size than is usually seen in wild specimens, due probably to the influence of the two years' cultivation. The seeds of this class are very prominent, not sunken in !he flesh. The samples were too ripe to determine the firmness and quality. Cultivated forms of alpine strawber- ries are rarely seen in this country. They are grown extensively in Europe, and the writer has seen them growing to l)erl"ection in vSouth America. Under cultivation they attain above medium size, and the quality is high. They are deserving of more attention in home i;ardens, but are not hkely, in competi- tion with reliable red berries, to prove of commercial value in this country. It would be well, however, for Mr. Chap- man to follow up the work he has already begun. Good cultivation and careful selection of plants when trans- planting will bring about a marked im- l^rovement. Stra-wberry Leaf Spot I am sending to The Hokticui^turist for ixamination some strawberry leaves that are ■ liseased. What is the matter with them? — Alex. G., Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. The Strawberry leaves are affected with what is commonly called the straw- 'jerry leaf spot. This is a fungous dis- ise that is widely distributed, but does ;)mparatively httle injury on planta- ins that are fruited only one year, old patches it does considerable image. When the leaves are badlv seased, the crop of fruit is materially !ected ; the plant is weakened in growth and made almost worthless for the fol lowing season. For badly rusted beds, lieroic measures must be adopted. Soon after the fruit is gathered the beds should be mowed, and the tops covered with straw or the old mulching and the whole burned. For plantations that are not badly affected, the disease may be kept in check by spraying with Pordeaux mixture. The spraying should com- mence in the spring as soon as the leaves unfold, and be repeated iintil the bios som appears. Gooseberries and Currants Can gooseberries and red currants be shipped successfully to Winnipeg? — F.W.G., Grimsby. With ordinary care in harvesting before too ripe, these fruits can safely be shipped long distances. It is advisable, however, to ship red currants in the crate of 24 quart baskets rather than in larger bulk. Planting Cedar Hedges I planted a cedar hedge last spring, and al- thoiigli most of it has done nicely, a small pro- portion of the trees have died. I proposed re- placing the dead ones with new shrubs this montii, but have been advised that the month of June is the only month in which they can be planted witli assurance of growth. I write to The Horticulturist for advice, and also take this opportunity of congratulating you on the excellence of your splendid magazine. It is worthy of the supjiort of every Canadian. — Mrs. J. G., Smith's FaHs, Ont. Cedars can be planted any time be- tween spring and fall. I have planted them in August with good success. May or June, when growth is just starting, is, perhaps, the safest and best season. The important point is to plant them when there is no danger of the roots drying out. The roots of evergreens are more or less resinous ; when exposed to the air this hardens, chokes up the cells, and the trees die from suffocation. When transplanting, keep the roots from drying and thoroughly water and shade for a few days. It is advisable, also, to puddle the roots by dipping them in thick mud ; by so doing, they will stand almost any hardships. The reason that the cedar hedge at Smith's Falls died out is due, probably, to exposure of roots before planting. Without appearing so the trees may have been half dead before they were planted. Cedars Near Apple Trees The cedar tree is said to be injurious to apple orchards. Please explain. — E.M.C., Picton. There is serious objection to the use of red cedar as a wind break for apple orchards, on account of its being one of the two host plants of a fungous disease which produces what are commonly known as "apple rust" on the apple and "cedar apples" on the cedar. Troublesome "Wandering' Je-w What is the cause of the leaves of Wandering jew turning black when cut from the plant and put in a vase of water? I have several sprigs placed in a vase of water, and the ends of the sprays have begun to turn black and wither. Plenty of water is in the vase, and no sunlight strikes the leaves. — M.C.R, servers who have seen Canadian apples handled on the Liver])ool docks emphasize the necessity of ■ strong barrels, well bound with hoops. Ex- perts uniformly advise the use of the eight- iioop barrel. \\'hile the barrel meets the cus- tomary demands of the trade, there is also a market for fancy apples packed in boxes. By packing high grade apples in boxes a direct api)eal is made to the more select retail trade of the kingdom. Wrapping such apples singly with paper adds to the appearance and increases the probable returns. Successful commerce in fruits depends, also, upon the nature and efficiency of the means at hand for transportation. ()ccan transporta- tion involves two questions: the ciuestion the public. Throughout Canada and the United States, the Niagara district of Ontario is noted for the fruits and product of its soil. The Niagara THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 205 District Horticultural Exhibition, to be held at St. Catharines on Sept 14-15, should be made to bear out this reputation. It should be made representative of the entire district, so as lo advertize, in a comprehensive and striking ^ anner, the extent and character of its resources lid possibilities. St. Catharines, on those dates, hould be a rallying place for fruit, vegetable ttd flower growers, far and wide. The best hat can be produced in the district should be shibited, with the idea of bringing out the iucational features that are so necessary to the uccess and purpose of horticultural exhibitions. fhe management is showing commendable nterprise and their efforts should be heartily iipported by the growers, as it is for the benefit f the growers that the exhibition is to be held. Prince Cd-ward Island Letter Journalism has its compensations. During he past month The Horticulturist has been he fortunate recipient of various donations of nit. Mr. R. H. Lewis, of Hamilton, kindly emembered our failing and favored us with a asket of luscious cherries, which, in the absence the editor, unfortunate occurrence, were Sevoured by members of the staff. Mr, Robert Thompson, of St. Catharines, was so generous ~as to send us a crate of prime strawberries— about the liest we have ever seen; and from Helderleigh, the famous fruit farm and nurseries of E. D. Smith, M.P., Winona, we received a large basket of Black Tartarian cherries. How nice it is to have friends among the fruit growers! ITlf An international conference on plant breeding is being held in London, England, July 30 to August 3. Since 1899, two conferences jof this nature have taken place, one in London and one in New York. To the third in London, |)lanl-breeding s])ecialists from all parts of the world have been invited to attend. Every effort has been made by the council of the Royal Horticultural Society, under whose auspices Uic conference is taking place, to make the event ,1 pleasant and profitable (me. There is no ubjecl associated witli the care and develop- icnl of plants respecting which there is so much ed of greater knowledge, as that of the pro- ction of new varieties and new forms. In- ternational plant breeding conferences will do nuich to solve some of the difficulties, and to iroaden the ordinary conception of these ings. The former associate editor of The Horti- tuiAt'RiST, Mr. J. Albert Hand, B.S.A., resigned recently to accept a po.sition with E. D. Smith, M.I'., of Winona. The best wishes of The HoRTict'LTURiST follow him in his new work. Items >f In\ r rest Mr. J. W. Bigelow, supt. t the hort. dept. of the Dominion exhiViition to e held in Hali- ,x this fall, writes us that th prize list was epared largely in the interesi of (Jnt. fruit owers. Large prizes will be gi n for grapes, aches and other fruits not g\ wn in N.S. t. growers will find it to the. interest to hibit. Special prizes are offei^d also for impetition between the various provinces of le Dominion. The Orillia Co-operative Fruit Assn. has been formed recently. The members intend to pack their apples in a central packing house, and to ship by refrigerator car to Winnipeg. The .Ulcers are: Pres., J. Ryerson, M.A.; v.-pres., V.'m. Bacon; sec.-treas. and manager, R. A. I.chmann; additional directors, Alex. Cuppage and R. B. Anderson. In the govt, spraying ex]«?riments at Mea- ford, Borfleaux mixture was used in the pro- l)ortions of 4 lbs. blue stone, 5 lbs. lime, 4 ozs. Paris green, to 40 gals, water; instead of 8 ozs. Paris green, as mentioned in the July issue of The Horticulturist. Also, lead arsenate was used, not lead acetate. The mistake occurred in the copy, and was not due to any error on ,the part of The Horticueturist. Rev. Father Eurke, Alberton THE orchard meetings which, late as they were, covered the ])rovince in their ex- tension, in the month of June, were not as well attended as one could have de- sired; but because of the places in which they were held for the most part, and the extra busy season, can be said to have been fairly suc- cessful. Instructor Burke, nobody doubts, un- derstands thoroughly his business. It is to be regretted that the dept. at Ottawa has so far refused to make his position permanent, and thereby contribute in the only sane way to effective horticultural instruction amongst us. We had at the outset, through Dr. Jas. Rob- ertson, a yearly engagement with our inspect- or; that was done away with when he retired. We are sure that there is no one around the agri. dept. at Ottawa who claims to know P. E. I. needs better than the late commissioner, no one more sincerely desirous of helping the agricultural interests with us to the place they must attain when an enlightened and vigorous policy brings lo us the prosjierity which we need and is ours by right. Only the other day we remonstrated on this instructor business; only the other day the new- sec, of agri. for this province urged on the powers this great need, and by the looks of things there is no very proximate intention with the dept. of meeting the well-expressed and urgently pressed wishes of the people. The inspectors of B.C., Ont., and M.S., have annual engagements and are helping out very materi- ally the instrucli(m propaganda in their respec- tive ])rovinces. We have a circular (No. 7) issued by Mr. Maxwell Smith in B.C., which is or ought to be invaluable to horticulture there, giving as it does the result of his experience in planting varieties suitable to that country. Eastern inspector-instructors have not attemjit- ed anything of the sort that we know of. They might well do so. And P.E.I, could most profit- ably employ Mr. Burke all the year around in this work. No one understands it better. Will the minister not harken to our petition in the matter? parliament and the apple barrel Senator Ferguson, of this province, by far the best authority on fruit matters in the sen- ate of Canada, made some judicious remarks when the act to amend the Marks Act was up for consideration. He thoroughly agreed with the opinion expressed by us in this column be- fore, that "No. 1" should be our best brand of apples and as near perfection as "Fancy" now exacts. He did not like the definition of No. 2, but accepted it as coming from the confer- ence of eminent Canadian horticulturists that met at Ottawa. It permits two varieties of fruit in a package, and that was undesirable. ■Sir Richard Cartwright, who had charge of the bill, agreed with Senator Ferguson; but as No. 2 was a grade not likely to ever -see the other side of the ocean the bill was passed as origin- ally drafted by the conference. It has since received the assent of Go v. -General Grey, and is law. What has become of the barrel ques- tion? Questioned by Senator Ferguson in the senate as to whether the Dominion conference decided on the 96 qt. bbl.. Leader Scott said that he knew nothing of it, and had consulted the minister of agri., who also knew nothing of it. Strange! The apple outlook is good; that is, the early and fall apples have fixed well. There was a wet, cold period when late varieties were in bloom, and as that period is only over, there might be danger in saying that the later fruit has fixed as well as the early. We hope that it has, however. Cherries arc abundant and so are small fruits. Plums look very shy. In- sect enemies are much in evidence. The North^vest Fruit Trade for TKis Season J. J. Philp, Winnipeg HAVING dealt with the question of pack- ing and packages very fully in the last issue of The Horticulturist, and which referred principally to small package fruits, I will now discuss the pack- ing of the apple cro]). First of all, however, a few words on the prospect for a demand for Ont. apples. I have taken pains to secure all the information possible, and am now in a much lx;tter jMjsition to write with confidence than I was a month ago. In dealing with this subject there are several features to be taken into consideration. What is the quantity available for shipment at the place of growth, what is the quahty of the fruit, and what is tlie |)robablc cost going to be? The reports secured are almost unanimous that the several conditions affecting these factors are very favorable. At this end we need to find the purchasing capacity of the market to which these goods are to be consigned. Here, too, the conditions are very favorable. Indeed, to such an extent is this true, it is going to tax the ability of Ont. to supply the demand, provided always that the fruit is put up in a jjroper manner; viz., well selected, properly graded, nicely marked, and last, but not least, honestly packed. There is the danger of one or more of the markets liecoming congested, through the con- signing of too great a number of apples at once. This is a danger that is always to be faced by the man who consigns his fruit ; more especially when it is taken into cimsideration that it is in this class of fruit that the greatest laxity as to methods and care in grading prevails. Let no man say, therefore, that he has been misled by any optimistic reports of the writer; if, under such circumstances, he is up against it when he comes to receive his returns. The danger of such a state of affairs is con- fined almost entirely to early apples, peaches, plums, pears, and grapes. One reason why it occurs less frequently in the fall and winter apples, is owing to the fact that they are of a more durable nature. If they do not meet with an immediate sale they can be held for the market to clear. It is beyond the power of any one to correctly compute the purchasing capacity of this market. It is bound to be large. For this reason the acreage is largely increased. Crops as a whole never looked better, and the number of con- sumers also is very much greater than they ever were at any time in the history of this country. There will be no difficulty from lack of funds. Lastly, let me urge upon everyone (and don't forget that this means you), to whom is entrusted the duty of packing any fruits for any market, to guard well the responsibility that is placed upon you. Remember that your character is written on every package more indelibly than it could be with any ])encil. Thus it shall be in the future. Instead of the execration and con- tempt that has been heaped on the packers of the past, your praises will be sung by thou- sands to whom you are unknown, and the truth of the proverb 'te illustrated: " By their works shall ye know them." 206 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST Fruit Crop Conditions in Quebec Augugte Dupuis, Village des Aulnaies EAST of the city of Queljec the ai)i>le crop will be much less than last year. Many thousands of bushels were sold last year, by orchardists of the counties of Rouville, Ver- cheres and Chateauguay, at nearly all stations on the I.C.R. from Levis to Canipbellton, X.H. The apples were in bulk, varieties mixed, wind falls and bruised to fair apples. They .sold for 50 to 75 els. a busli. Several thousand bbls. R.I. Greening; Baldwin and Spy also were brought from Montreal to all towns and villages; Levis, St. Charles, Montmagny, Kamouraska, Riviere du Loup, Trois Pistoles and Riniouski taking the largest quantity. Most of these apples came from Ont.; none were first grade, all No. 2 or below. More will be needed this year, and more of belter quality. Merchants prefer to deal directly with Ont. growers rather than buy through a middleman. APPLES This year's prospect for apples in Quebec, by varieties, is as follows Red Astrakan, light; Tetofsky, fine; Duclicss, extra good; Wealthy, good on yoimg trees, light on old ones; St. Law- rence, very light; E. Golden Russet, very light; Wolfe River, very Hght; Fameuse, medium, scab in some trees; Roxbury Russet, medium; Alexander, light; Y. liellelleur, medium; Y. Transparent, good; Transjiarent de Croncels, good; and Iowa Beauty, light. CHERRIES AND PLUMS On both shores of the St. Lawrence, east of Quebec city, the cherry crop is a failure and the plum crop very light. L'Islet, Kamouraska and Montmagny counties have a suflicient crop of Damson, Reine Claude and other European plums to supply the Quebec market and the villages east. Lombard, very light crop, except on young trees; Bradshaw, medium, fruit very large and fine; Grand Duke, good; Pond's Seedling, good; Washington, Hght; Green Gage, The Trade in Early Apples A. McNeill, Chief, Fruit Division, Ottawa The prospects for a fair crop of early apples in Canada are good. This fruit, in years gone by, has never been considered as profitable commercially as the winter fruit. There is an old adage that every dog has its day. To my mind, the day of the early Canadian apple is at hand. Two markets are opening for which large quantities of early apples are required, namely our Canadian western provinces, and the markets of Gt. Britain. As far as the fruit grower is concerned, they may be considered together. Both markets will require a careful cooling of the fruit before the time of shipment in refrigerator cars, and in the case of Gt. Britain cold storage on shipboard. The people of the west are buying early ap- ples in increased quantities, and the demand this year will be even greater than usual, owing to the shortage of small fruits, not to speak of the most extraordinary increase of population during the last 2 or 3 years. I predict that the west will soon take all the early apples that we are now growing, and will take them at even a higher price than will be paid for the winter varieties. A careful inquiry has shown me that the orchardists of Canada have been planting very few early varieties for the last 15 years. The demand has been increasing very rapidly these last 2 or 3 years, and consequently, higher prices are being paid by the consumer than formerly. The English fruit crop for early apples is only middling. Even if it were better, there would still be a demand for Canadian apples. The comparative regularity of our packing none; Gueii, light; Favorite hative, medium; Y. Egg, good; Prune d'Agen, extra heavy; Mira- Ijelle, good; Early Red, medium; Moore's Arctic, light, except on young trees; Hudson River Purple, fair; Quackenboss, medium; Coe's Golden Drop, medium. Small fruits: Strawberries, garden and wild, good crop; raspberries, good; gooselxjrries, good. INSECTS AND DISEASES 4^Aphids are plentiful. Trees in i,_nurseries, growing luxuriantly, afford abundant food. Aphids are destroyed easily with tobacco solu- tion, sprayed often. Codling moth and cater- pillars are not numerous. Curculios seem to have been destroyed in 1903-4. Rose bugs have given much trouble, on light soil, every- where. I am surprised at their absence on rose bushes, on loamy or clayey soil, separated from the former by only a few acres. Cherries are attacked by a small black insect living on tender twigs; small red ants keep them company. Worms are appearing on pear leaves. No apple worms this year. Blight appeared on dwarf pears; defoliation, burning the leaves and l)runing lightly had a good effect. Scab is afi'ecting Transcendent crabs. ANOTHER REPORT The following notes were taken from a letter written by Mr. D. L. House, Stanstead Co. : "There is only a fair prospect for apples. In exposed localities, on the hills, the crop is light. The plum crop is a failure, also cherries." WESTMOUNT, MONTREAL Mr. R. Brodie: On the Island of Montreal Fameuse apples will be about half a crop; they are free from spot and large in size. Duchess, Alexander, Montreal Peach, and Montreal Straw- berry promise a full crop; Wealthy and Mcin- tosh Red, one-third of a crop. Montreal melons and tomatoes, a good crop. and grading, and the fact that they are handled in large quantities through regular dealers in the large centres, give them a preference over home-grown fruit in the EngUsh markets; which, perhaps, the intrinsic quality of the fruit would not justify. We can hope, there- fore, to do a large business with Gt. Britain, as well as with our western provinces in early apples. This trade in early fruit is essentially a box trade. The sooner our orchardists learn the art of box packing, the better it will be for them. This fruit cannot be handled in bbls. profitably. Baskets may be used for local mar- kets, but are not a proper package for long distance shipment. The co-operative assns., and large dealers who are prepared to handle this fruit through central packing houses, will reap a rich reward as a result of their forethought. Ont. is not taking advantage of her chances with reference to the western trade. There was a splendid opening this year for small fruits, and had the Ont. growers been prepared to ship in carload lots, they could have captured the market, and in all probability would have held it. We have the opportunity now for early apples, but they must be grown clean and be properly packed. Nova Scotia Notes G. H. Vroom, D.F.I. The weather for the past few weeks has been fine and dry. Since June 10, there has been very little rain. The fruit crop has suffered slightly, but not seriously as has been reported. There will be an average crop. The continued fine dry weather has been in favor of clean fruit. Notwithstanding that "spot" is quite prevalent in][someJ^sections, the fruit in general is fairly good in quality. Gravensteins are inferior anil old Ben Davis is scabby, Baldwin, Blenheim, King, Nonpareil, Falawater, Stark and Ribston are looking well. Under favorable circunj stances, N. S. should ejcjjort 400,000 bbls. ol good apples this season. In Aug., one can Ixi ter estimate the crop. In well-sprayed orchards the fruit is tn quality; yet, I am continually meeting fn growers who do not believe that sjjraying di any good. One of the worst i)ests we havi N. S. is the "green apple worm." This woi:., eats a hole in the side of the young apple, some- times as far in as the core. It ruins a lot of the best fruit. It is a common thing for one worm to siKjil a dozen apples. The pest is light green in color, has five white lines running Icngtiiwise on its body, and, when full grown, is IJ'4 inches long. The tent caterpillar also did considerable damage; fruit growers must reckon on this pest next year. Barrel and Box Supply To ascertain the opinion of manufacturer^ boxes and bbls. on the relative value of these packages for the shipment of apples. The Hor- TICULTLRIST wrote to several well-known firms. A few replies were received in time for men- tion in this issue. For publication in the Sept. issue. The Horticulturist invites letters on this subject, not only from manufacturers, but also from growers and shipijers. In a letter to The Horticulturist, the \\ R. Thompson Co., Teeswater, Ont., wrote: "Bbls. are jireferred to boxes. We anticipate no shortage of either. Ruling prices are about 35 cts. for bbls., and proportionate for boxes." The Sutherland Innes Co., Ltd., Chatham, Ont.: "The demand this year for apple barrel stock is greater than it has been for 3 years. We have not made a single carload of box shooks for apples this year, and there does not seem to be any inquiry for them in Canada or the eastern states. As far as we can learn from the fruit packers, the box has not been a success for the export trade, not so much on account of the cost, but the apples do not ar- rive at their destination in goml condition. In B.C. and Cal. boxes are used extensively for packing apples, but we do not reach this trade, so we do not know how the ]jercentage of bbls. and boxes will usually run. We understand, however, from a great many of the fruit packers, that the boxes are principally used for both domestic and export trade, but at considerable expense and principally for fancy fruit. "All of the eastern shippers have learned by experience that the bbl. is the best package for apples, in fact, some of them have had very costly experience trying to ship apples in boxes. "The packers are demanding a very good bbl. this year, some of them even going to the extent of using flour bbls. for apples, which is unnecessary, as a good, first-class package, suitable for carrying fruit, can be made out of selected No. 2 staves or "mill run ' stock, with 1st class hoops. The principal thing in making a satisfactory package is to use good, heavy- staves made out of straight grain stock with good sound heading, and the very l^est hoops. "The prices for bbls. this year are governed by the locality and quality. A good apjile bbl. can be bought in Toronto and neighborhood at 35c. to 38c., according to whether it is a 6 or 8 hoop bbl. This will give an idea of the standard price for .50 miles around Toronto. The bbls. cost more where they are made further away from the source of the supply." A letter from Taylor & White, St. John, N.B., said in part: "There is no demand for boxes for packing purposes. The prevailing price for bbls. is 24 cts." Enclosed find SI for my subscription to The Canadian Horticulturist Having read a copy of the paper, I consider it most interesting and up-to-date, as w-ell as instructive to gar- deners, amateurs or professionals. — ^John Kirby, Vancouver, B.C. Good A.verage Canadian Fmait Crop FROM present indications, the fruit crop of Canada may be regarded as a good aver- age. In Ont., the plum crop is a failure; pears promise a medium crop; peaches, average. Cherries are practically done. Fall apple indications point towards a good crop; winter apples, only medium. Small fruits are producing large yields. The grape outlook, also, is promising. In Que., a fair crop of early and fall apples is expected. Cherries are a failure and plums very light. Small fruits are yielding well. In P.E.I, the apple outlook is fair; plums are shy; small fruits, abundant. The reports of Ont. crop correspondents for The Horticulturist, show the situation in the various counties. Further reports of the outlook in N.S., P.E.I. , Que., and the West, are published in this issue under separate headings. ESSEX COUNTY Leamington. — Shipping of early peaches will begin Aug. 1. Cherries are done. Grapes promise a good crop; no rot yet developed. Plums and pears, also, look well. The apple crop will be a good one.— E. E. Adams. KENT COUNTY Chatham. — There is little change in fruit prospects since last report. Apples and pears look well. There will be a few peaches. There has been some dropping in apples, but not enough to thin them materially. — W. D. A. Ro.ss. LAMBTON COUNTY Forest. — ^The winter apple crop promises to ' be medium to light. Orchards, properly cared for and sprayed, have a good crop of clean fruit, but the uncared for ones, which are in the majority, are poor. Our association will have a good crop of fine quality, the result of a by- law that requires all members to spray at least four times. Fall apples promise a good crop, but as winter varieties are grown almost entirely, fall fruit will have little effect on the trade. — D. Johnson. WENTWORTH COUNTY Fruitland. — Raspberries are at their best, both red and black are a good crop; quality and size never better. Cherries are done. Black and red currants are a good crop, above the average, and the quality is very fine. Kitta- tinny blackberries promise a large yield of good fruit. Plums are few and far between; accord- ing to the acreage, the crop is almost a failure. So far, the rot has not been serious. Peaches, fine in quality and a good average crop. Pears will be an average crop. Grapes promise a good crop; no rot so far; if it does not appear, and nothing else attacks them, grapes will be a paying crop this year. — C. C. Pettit. HALTON COUNTY. Burlington. — Raspberry crop is good; ex- cept old patches, hurt by frost. Cherries have been a full crop. Red currants, less than aver- age. Black currants are a full crop. The sam- ple is extra good in all these fruits. Plums con- tinue to drop, scarcely any left on trees. Peaches are light. Apples, free from spot, sample good. Greening and Baldwin, average crop; Spy and Mann, full crop. Ribston, Ontario, King, light. Early Harvest, Astrachan, Transparent, full crop. Pears will be an average crop. — W. V. Hopkins. PEEL COUNTY Clarkson. — Early apples have dropped badly; winter apples, not a full crop. Strawberries were two-thirds of a crop; prices were highest we have known for many years, more than mak- ing up for shortage in crop. — W. G. Home. SIMCOE COUNTY Craighurst. — Early apples, especially Duchess, will be a full crop. Fall apples are promising. Winter apples promise only a medium crop. The fruit so far is clean. Raspberries are al- most a total failure; canes killed to the ground. Blackberries are slightly better. Cherries and plums, a total failure. Altogether, a very dis- couraging year. — G. C. Caston. HASTINGS COUNTY Belleville. — Winter apples promise a medium crop. Summer and fall varieties are more plentiful.— F. S. Wallbridge. GREY COUNTY Clarksburg. — In general, Georgian Bay or- chards have been neglected; where well cared for, there is a fine crop. Winter apples will be a medium crop and promise good quality. Fall apples will be medium or better, where" 'well cared for. Pears, light, not half a crop. Plums and peaches, a total failure. Cherries are a full crop; quality excellent. Small fruits, sufficient I INSURANCE The very best kind of Insurance — i.e., provision for the future as well as the present, is a Savings Account in SOVEREIGN BANK OF CANADA Interest paid four times a year. $ 1 .00 will open an account. Put your money in a place where you can get it when you want it 57 BRANCHES THROUGHOUT THE DOMINION Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing. for local demand. Grapes, badly winter killed, will be a poor crop. — J. G. Mitchell. GRENVILLE COUNTY Maitland. — The apple crop will be on the Ught side this year. Fameuse, the principal variety grown, continues to give promise of a medium yield; the fruit is growing rapidly and taking on color. There was some injury in June by the tussock moth. There has been very little development of "spot" and, with favorable weather, prospects promise a crop of good to first-class quality. In 190.5, the orchards were free of spot until the .3rd week in Aug., when it R. & W. Davidson GLASGOW, SCOTLAND Fruit and Produce Exporters Invite correspondence regarding Canadian Apples in boxes for shipment during the coining season. Sales made direct by private bargain. No sales made by auction. Satisfactory references to Ontario shippers. H. Beckett & Sons. Hamilton. Ont. W. F. W. Fisher. Burlington, Ont. Geo. E. Fisher. Burlington, Ont. R. C. Fowler, Burlington, Ont. Albert Pain, Hamilton, Ont. A. Pettit & son. Grimsby, Ont. Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing -TO- Apple SHippers BUDGETT, JAMES CS. CO. LIMITED Trxiit BroKers and Importers BRISTOL, ENGLAND Charges Moderate. Correspondence Solicited. Cable Addiess — " Landscape," Bristol Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing CABLES : "PANKHURST, LONDON" A. B.C. CODE 4TH EDITION D. D. PANKHURST FRUIT BROKER AND AUCTIONEER Covent Garden Market, London Consignments Solicited Apples a Specialty- Top Market Prices bankers: LONDON » COUNTY LTD.. COVCNT GARDEN Mention Canadian Horticulturist when writing Furness, Withy Of Co. I.IIIITED Steamship c^gents and Brokers MONTREAL MANCHESTER LINERS, LTD. 8'°rv*?lfF"/m Montreal to Manchester Canada — South Africa, Joint Service Monthly Sailings Montreal to South African Ports Mention Canadian Horticulturist when writing 207 -208 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST developed at a terrific rate, destroying the qual- ity of 90% of the fruit, in some orchards that had not been sprayed. We should profit by past experience and spray all Fameuse orchards at least once more this year to insure perfect fruit. A clean crop of Kaineu.se always gives profit to the grower, while a "spotted" crop is absolutely worthless. — Harold Jones. PRINCE EDW.\RD ISLAND The prospects for a full apple crop here are not quite so bright. The cold, wet, sunless weather which continued through the period of pollination for late varieties has had its effect. There arp very few Spys, and the whole range of winter keepers will be short. They may show up better when they come to maturity. Early and autumn varieties are already bending the boughs. Plums will be scarce; the trees have had a hard time somehow. Cherries are not plentiful. Strawlierries are yielding well. Rasp- berries and blackberries promise a fair crop. ■ Currants and gooseberries are in abundance. We never had more pests in prominence, both insect and fungus. All the sprayings should be •carefully made. — A. E. Burke, July 23. Niagara District ExKibition The vigor with which the arrangements for 'the Horticultural exhibition to be held in St. Catharines, Sept. 14-15, are being pushed, augurs well for the success of the show. There have been several meetings of the committee of management and of special committees during »the past month, and all the important arrange- ments have been completed. The prize lists for fruit, flowers and vegetables have been ar- ranged, and are being printed. Liberal prizes are offered in each class. Copies of the list may be obtained from the secretary. Miss M. M. Tasker, of St. Catharines. Members of affiliated societies can exhibit free; any person can join his local •society by payment of SI to the secretary. A big convention of Odd Fellows, from all parts of the world, will take (jlaee in St. Cath- arines, at the time of the exhibition. The mem- bers are to be admitted at a si)ecial rate, and it is expected they will be present in a body. With the object of securing a large attendance from all parts of the Niagara district, it is intended to arrange for a special train service, from Hamil- ton, at least, and possibly from Oakville. A number of educational features, similar to those conducted at the Hamilton exhibition last fall, are being arranged. Committees have been at work for some time, obtaining special prizes. A large number have been secured. The following is a list of them; Peaches and pears are to be exhibited in II qt. bskts., heaped and covered with leno; grapes to be packed in 6 qt. bskts., heaped and covered with leno. Fruit, winning prizes, in all cases to become the projjerty of the donor of the prizes. $5 will be given for the best 5 bskts. of grapes, 1 each of Concord, Worden, Niagara, Lindley, and Brighton; best 3 bskts., 1 each of Globe peaches, Bartlett pears, and Delaware grapes; best 2 bskts. of peaches, 1 each of late Crawfords, and Elbertas. A special prize of $5 worth of nursery stock for the best 3 bskts. of grapes, 1 each, of Concord, Niagara and Worden. Special prize of S2.50 for the best 2 bskts., 1 each, of Howell pears and Niagara grapes. Special prize of $3 for best basket of early Craw- ford peaches; $2 for best 2 bskts. of grapes, 1 each, of Niagara and Worden. $2 for best bskt. of Reine Claude plums. Special prizes of $3 for the best bskt., each, of the following peaches: Late Crawford, Elberta, Reeves, Globe, Yellow and White peaches. Special prize of 1 year's subscription to the daily St. Catharines Journal for the best bskt. of Fitzgerald peaches; special prize of 1 year's subscription to the daily St. Catharines Standard for best bskt. of Rareripe peaches. Special prizes of $3 for the best bskt., each, of Duchess, Bartlett and Bosc pears. Special prize of piece of china, worth $2.50, for best bskt. of Louise Bonne pears. Cash prize of $2 for best bskt., each, of Seckcl, Bartlett and Sheldon pears. Si^ecial prize of $3 for best 3 bskts. of grapes, 1 each, of Wilder, Niagara, and Lindley; $2 for best 2 bskts., 1 each, of Worden, and Moore's Diamond; $2 for best bskt., 1 each, of black and white grapes; $2 for best bskt., 1 each, red and white grapes; $2 for best bskt. of Dela wares. Special prize of S3 for best box white peaches, packed and wrapped; S3 for liest box yellow peaches, packed and wrapped; $3 for best box St. Lawrence apples, packed and wrapped. Special prize, rug, valued at $5, for best box Gravenstein apples, wrapped and packed. Among amateur gardeners in Ottawa ki' . interest is being taken in the Lady Grey Gar- den awards. H. H. & S. Budgett & Co., Ltd. BRISTOL, ENGLAND Importers of Canadian Apples, liberal allowances made to reputable shijJiwrs. on bills of lading at Montreal, Write at orxe for further particulars regarding our method of disposing, and payment for first-class Canadian Fruit. Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing WE CAN HANDLE YOUR CONSIGNMENTS whether large or small, to the best advantage on Toronto Market. Stamps and pad furnished. We will gladly answer any correspond- ence. THE DAWSON COMMISSION CO. TORONTO LIMITED Mention the Canadian Horticulturist when writing. Wall P s ace rower oprayers HIT THE TARGET SQUARELY EVERY TIME SWEEPING IMPROVEMENTS MADE THIS YEAR RE now ahead of anything obtainable in their line. We have all styles and sizes and can suit every want. If you have San Jose Scale, Oyster Shell Bark Louse or any other like pest, YOU will be putting money in your own pocket by giving me an early order for a machine and a supply of "Target Brand" Scale Destroyer and give them a thorough dose in Oct. or Nov. while the young are yet without their winter shell. I have the Best Remedy and the Best Machines to use in its application, and the above named time is the most advantageous. Results are guaranteed. Both have been thoroughly tried by many growers and here are a couple of samples of the reports we get: "It did very well indeed and we had no delays or anything go wrong . . . We used 28 tanks of mixture. Mr. Carey (a government inspector under the Fruit Marks Act I was here one afternoon when we were working. He was much pleaded with the WallaCK and said 'it is all right.' We are well satisfied with the Wallace and feel confident that the results of the thorough spraying which we have i;iven cur orchards will amply repay in one season the cost of the machine, and I am glad we chose the Wallace in pz-eference to the ... or any other power sprayer.'" — W. H, GIBSO.N. President Newcastle Fruit and Forwarding Association. "Dead as a stone and trees looking fine. "— KNOS FISHER, Jordan Harbor. Write at once for any information you desire regarding either of these lines of goods and don't wait until "the last dog has been hung" before giving me your order. The demand for both is very heavy and we cannot guarantee to have your wants supplied in time if you do not give us a chance to do it. Remember that freights are slow. REOIATIJUO IN U. 8. PATeNT O^FIO* W. H. BRAND CANADIAN REPRESENTATIVE AND SALESMAN Jordan Station, Ontario WILL BE AT THE W^ESTERN FAIR (LONDON), AND THE ONTARIO HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITION (TORONTO) Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST '^"" COME AND SEE THE NIAGARA DISTRICT Horticultural Exhibition TO BE HELD AT St. Ca^arines, Sept 14-15, 06 UNDER THE AUSPICES OF CThe Niagara Peninsula Fruit Growers' Association, The Southern Ontario Fruit Growers' Association, St. Catharines Horticultural Society, Niagara Falls Horticultural Society, Grimsby Horticultural Society, Hamilton Horti- cultural Society, Burlington Horticultural Association, Jordan Station Fruit and Vegetable Growers' Association, Township of Grantham Vegetable Growers' Association, Hamilton Vegetable Growers' Association, Ontario Fruit Growers' Association, and the Ontario Vegetable Growers' Association UNDER THE DIRECTION OF The Ontario Department of Agriculture The Band of the XIX Regiment will furnish music each day. Special Rates on Railways. Hon. Nelson Monteith, Minister of Agriculture, and the Deputy Minister of Agriculture for Ontario, have been invited to attend. The largest display of Fruit, Flowers and Vegetables ever held in the Niagara District. LIBERAL PRIZES WILL BE OFFERED $400 - ^or Fruit— $230 '" ^r Flowers $ 150'" ^r Vegetables numerous special prizes 1 FOR PRIZE LISTS AND OTHER INFORMATION WRITE TO i MISS M. M. TASKER (Secretary) W. B. BURGOYNE (President) ST. CATHARINES, ONT. ST. CATHARINES, ONT. ^"" Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing. ^™ Condition of Veg'etable Crops in Ontario EXCEPT in the case of beans, which arc a failure, the condition of the vegetable crops of Ont. is good. The report in The Horticulturist for July has been borne out since then by the growth of the crop. Beans have been seriously injured by blight and anthracnose. Onions, in spite of the maggot scare one month ago, have managed to pull through a fair crop. Celery, also, in most sec- tions, is only fair. Potatoes on low land, are slightly affected by rot; in case of continued rain, the crop may be considerably damaged; early blight, also, is prevalent in some localities. Other classes of vegetables are producing large crops. Tomatoes, although rather backward in season, are exceptionally good and the acreage is large. The following reports by crop corres- pondents of the Ont. Veg. Grs. Assn. show the situation in the various districts: OTTAWA Early cabbage is flooding the market; also wax beans, cucumbers and bunch roots. Onions, usual acreage, have made excellent growth. Transplanted onion, to bunch, are a glut on the market. Tomatoes are coming in for $3.00 a bu. ; there is a big crop. Early potatoes, a good crop. Early cauliflower, good. — T. Mock- ett, July 21. KINGSTON Onions are a victim to the blight; the crop is ruined. Celery is making slow growth. Pota- toes, early, are yielding fairly well, no signs of decay. Those planted in early June show a slender growth and a poor crop. Beans are affected with anthracnose, which makes them useless for the table. — Chas. F. Adair, July 20. TORONTO DISTRICT Bracondale. — Crops are looking well. Beans are almost a complete failure on account of bUght. We started to market tomatoes on June 20; they promise a large crop later. Late cauliflower and cabbage are in a healthy con- dition; also onions, but in small quantities. Potatoes, early varieties, are all marketed. Celery is doing well. — A. W. Shuter, July 21. Humber Bay. — Crops are looking well. Onions that looked poor a month ago, have overcome the maggot and promise a heavy crop. Early potatoes are very good; prices, $1.25 a bu. until July 20, then 75c. a bu. Rot has made its ap- pearance in some places. Peas are very scarce. Butter beans are a good crop, but badly spotted and worthless. Green beans are good, no spot 75c. a bu. Cabbage, very good, 40c. a doz. Vegetable marrow, good crop, 50 to 75c. a doz. Outside cucumbers, good, 30c. a doz. Green house long cucumbers, SI a doz. Cauliflowers, better than last year, 7.5c to $1.50 a doz. To- matoes, a good crop, but late. Celery looks very well; early, 75c. a doz. Beets and carrots are very plentiful; low price, 10c. a doz. White turnips not good. Prizetaker onions are on, 15c. to 20c. a doz. bnchs of 3. I took a long drive west of here this week and was surprised to see the quantity of vegetables the farmers are growing for the Toronto market. Lots of them have from 5 to 15 acres of vegetables, such as onions, tomatoes, cabbage, parsnips, carrots, beets, turnips, squash, cucumbers and celery. The vegetable growers must grow early crops or it is a poor lookout for them. — J. W. Rush, July 21. Doncaster. — Onions promise better than at the beginning of the season. Early celery is doing well, some nearly ready for market. Early potatoes coming in slowly, selling at $1.25 a bu. Potato blight is prevalent. Beans are a failure, being all spotted. Prices are very good. Cab- bage, 25c to 40c.. a doz.; potatoes, $1 a bu.; Ixets and carrots, 15c. a doz. bnchs of 3 each; beans, $1 a bu.; lettuce, 15c. a doz.; greenhouse tomatoes, 10c. to 12)^c. a lb.— C. Gibbard, July 20. J. CLARKSON i Early potatoes are looking well. Onions are doing fine; they have escaped the maggot to far. Sweet corn is doing well.- — W. G. Home, July 22. ^1^ BURLINGTON | The crops never looked better, with, possibly, the exception of the late tomatoes. Early cab- bage and cauliflowers are done; prices have been above the average. Melons, egg plants and peppers are doing fairly well; pepjiers, large green, promise a larger yield than last year. Onions are doing remarkably well and promiic a large yield. A severe hailstorm on July 10 was very destructive to tomato, melon and cucumber vines. — ^J. A. Lindley, July 23. SCOTLAND Vegetation is behind last season. Frost des- troyed the first planting of cucumbers; the second planting is showing well for a good crop. Early potatoes are fairly good and ready for market. Tomatoes are not producing good vines. Cabbages are making fair progress. Onions are good, but the acreage will be small. Raspberries are a fair crop, but the acreage is small; prices all higher. The acreage of late potatoes and turnips is larger this season than last.— E. G. Malcolm, July 21. ST. CATHARINES DISTRICT Tomatoes, both early and late, are looking well and setting fruit freely. Early tomatoes are ripening, but there is not as large an acreage as last season. In factor)' tomatoes, the acreage is larger. Peas, grown largely for factory, at« MANY OF THE TREES WHICH ARE GIVING ABUNDANT CROPS to the growers this fall, were the product of our Nurseries. A visit to our Nurseries at this season of the year will convince you that stock sent out, bearing our trade mark, is in every way rehable THE HELDERLEIGH NURSERIES E. D. SMITH, WINONA, ONT. Metiticn The Canadian Horticulturist when writing YOUR APPLES Woodall & Company Liverpool, England The Pioneer Receivers from this Continent. Boyd, Barrow CS, Co. Glasgow, Scotland M. Isaacs & Sons, Ltd. London, England and Firms in Bristol, Man- chester and Hull. ONLY THE BEST HOUSES REPRESENTED Reliable information. Returns day of sale. Crop and cable market reports free. EBEN JAMES CANADIAN AGENT Phone M. 5735 103 Union Station, Toronto Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 211 in excellent crop. Beans are doing well. In ::anning beets, a larger acreage has been sown 3Ut the yield will not be up to the average. Sweet corn is doing well. The usual acreage of anions was planted, but poor seed and lack of lelp has decreased it. The acreage remaining s looking fairly well, with the onions bottoming ather slowly. Squash is grown for shipping ind canning; a larger acreage; plants doing xtra well. Carrots doing well but a less acreage. iarly potatoes, an excellent crop, with acreage ibove the average; the late crop doing well. iJugs not troublesome. Early cabbage, a good -rop; late, was planted freely. — Robt. Thomp- on, July 23. NIAGARA FALLS SOUTH Vegetables are maturing before the average ■"le. Melons, peppers, egg plants, cucumbers, atoes and squash have made luxuriant vth, and promise a record yield. Early atoes are ripening fast, the vines still grow- :ind setting fruit — a sure sign of an enormous '. Late tomatoes promise a big crop. Com 'oking grand, the extra early varieties just I iiring ; second early and evergreen, growing fast and a fine color. Beans, offered in i: quantities, are a drug on market. Second \- potatoes, cabbage, peas, squash, beets and uce are very plentiful. Onions, good, pro- ' an average crop. Planting of late cabbage celery completed; acreage less than last Sowing of fall turnips and spinage now regress. Prices: Beans, wax or green, 12c. :l1c. a pk. ; beets, onions, carrots, radish, 1.5c. ;0c. a doz. bnchs. ; cabbage, 30c. to .50c. a ; cucumber, 4.5c. a doz; corn, 15c. to 20c. ■ z.; lettuce, head, 15c. to 20c. a doz.; peas, to 80c. a bu. ; squash, 30c. to 60c. a doz. ; itoes, new, SI a bu.; tomatoes, $1 to S1.25 iskt.; raspberries, $2 to $2.25 per 24 qt. lite. — ^Thos. R. Stokes. CHATHAM Onions promise a large crop, more than suflfi- ( nt for home consumption. Tomatoes are growing well, but the early fruit is a poor sample. Potatoes, good; in some sections injured by bugs. Early cabbage, very plentiful, market glutted. — Fred Collins, July 19 {LEAMINGTON Early cabbage is about all shipped. Prices have been good, selling now at $1 a half bbl. crate. Wax beans have been a poor crop.owing to blight; prices have been satisfactory, at pres- ent 50c, a bskt. Early cucumbers, a lighter crop than usual; aphids have been bad. Cucum- bers grown under glass have been fair. Toma- toes are ripening well; the demand is excellent; prices $1.25 a bskt. wholesale, $1.40 retail. The outlook is for good sales throughout the season. Earliana, the leading tomato grown, is not as productive as some other varieties being tested. Early celery is now coming in. Melons are doing well, but not up to the standard. Those started under glass are doing nicely with some growers. Seed sown in the field has not done well; weather has not been favorable. The crop will be later than usual. Sweet corn also is late. Green peppers are being shipped at 75c. a bskt. New potatoes, $1 a bu.— E. E. Adams, July 20. SARNIA Early potatoes, a good crop, 90c. a bu., are over-stocking the market; blight is showing slightly. Late potatoes are looking well. Early cabbage, good, but not plentiful on account of the maggot; prices 60c. a doz. Late cabbage, below the average in acreage, but looking well. Tomatoes are growing well, but late. Onion maggot has done considerable damage. Celery and cauliflower not grown extensively. — W. A. Broughton, July 22. especially adapted for apples, not only on ac- count of the speed of these vessels, but, also, because of the modem equipment which has been placed in the ships to suit the Canadian trade. The Glasgow vessels are sailing direct and being a passenger service, shippers can de- pend on the boats sailing on time. The carry- ing qualities of these ships are well known to the Canadian trade. The Allan Line berth at the Surrey Commercial Docks, London, lends itself admirably for quick delivery to the different fruit markets, such as HEADING I have 80,030 setts of Basswood and Hard- wood Headine^ to turn up for apple barrel trade. First-class dry kiln in connection with plant. Parties requiring car lots or less should ask prices. F. O. B, cars at Brussels or Blyth. JOHN Mcdonald ■ SAWMILLER, - -WALTON P. O., ONTARIO Mention Canadian Horticulturist when writing. Good Service XKis Season The Allan Line service for the season 1906, is perhaps the best the shippers of Canadian per- ishables have ever had via the St. Lawrence route. The fast steamers to Liverpool are Apples for Export REPRESENTING Thomas Russell, Glasgow J. & H. Goodwin, Manchester J. C. Houghton & Co., Liverpool and London will be pleased to keep you advised regarding the condition of the E'.iropean Markets. If you have any Apples for export call or write FRED. BARKER 25 CHURCH ST. TORONTO, CAN. Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing Choice Apples in Boxes Will Pay BUT you must be VERY CAREFUL in your packing, and you will need OUR AD- JUSTABLE BOX PRESS (which is operated by a screw, no lever) in order to know just when you have pressed them RIGHT. This Press is STRONG, QUICK, EASY TO OPERATE and INEXPENSIVE. WE DEAL IN PACKERS' SUPPLIES OF A.LL KINDS rhe Biggs Utility Fruit Case Packers' Hatchets Tuck's Improved Packing Table The Burlington Barrel Press with Steel Circle or Wood Head Block Jorrugated Paper Lace Paper, Etc. THE BIGGS FRIIIT AND PRODUCE CO., LIMITED BURLINGTON, ONT. Apple Barrel Stock We prepare STOCK SPECIALLY FOR EX- PORT APPLE BAR- RELS, ensuring GOOD PACKAGES ON AR- RIVAL AT DESTIN- ATION. Write us for Prices, ii* Jl* A* The Sutherland Innes Co., Limited CHATHAM, ONTARIO Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writine. 212 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST Covenl Garden, Spilalfields, the Monument, and also the Borough markets. The new warehouse, equipped especially for the Allan I-ine at this dock, is said to be the finest in the world and deliveries cannot be surpassed. As evidence of the satisfactory deliveries made, attention is drawn to the following letter from London, dated Sept. 9, 1905. "We beg to tender you best thanks for the attention given to the discharge and delivery of the Californian fruit ex SS Hibernian. You will be glad to learn that the fruit was landed in magnificent condition, and that it made the best prices obtained this season. You may assured that if we can influence any consign- ments by your line we sluill do so as the care bestowed is fully in accordance with what Mr. Simons, of Glasgow, told us with respect to the sliipments made by your line to that port. — Sgnd Garcia, Jacobs & Co." We would draw the attention of our readers to the advertisement in this issue from Mr. J. Balme, of Mexico City, Mexico. He has a large business and is thoroughly reliable in every way. FARTHER NORTH "Ii i. ihe Kgfatetf tad itranee*! house ■ni^able.' HALL & ROBINSON. MonttraL P. Q. NORTH The lighlett lad moil perfect greenhoute coQitniciion y Manufacturers . . of . . LUMBER LATH SHINGLES DOORS SASH BLINDS SILOS, ETC. Clear Cypress for Greenhouse Work Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing Classified Advertisements Advertisements under this heading will be inserted at the rate of ten cents per line, each insertion ; minimum charge fifty cents in advance. 1 ANDSCAPE GARDENING, PLANS FOR *-' PARKS, cemeteries, public orprivate grounds. Drawings made to scale. Any gardener may carry them out. Correspondence solicited . Chas. E. WooLVERTON, Landscape Designer, Grimsby. VY/ ANTED — Persons to grow Mushrooms for " us in waste spaces or barns, in gardens, orchards or small farms. $15 to $25 per week. Send stamp for sixteen-page illustrated booklet on Mushroom Culture and full particulars. Montreal Supply Co., Montreal. PROPERTY FOR SALE— Situated in Lundy's •^ Lane, Township of Stamford, about one mile from city of Niagara Falls. It contains twenty acres, garden and fruit in bearing, in good cultivation. Possession in December. Ap- ply for any information to Mrs, E. J. Law, Niagara Falls South. CITUATION WANTED— Competent and ex- *^ perienced gardener, for greenhouse or out- side, desires permanent employment. Situation on private estate preferred. Good references. Address A. G., care of the Horticulturist, Toronto, Ont. Small Fruit Plants Gooseberry, Red, White — Currants, Red, White, Black— Raspberry, Red, Yellow- Blackberries — Strawberry- Raspberry — Grapevines, Campbell's Early, Eaton, Worden, Moore's Early, Salem, etc., all hardy sorts — Strawberry Plants— House Plants — Roses — Rhubarb and Asparagus Roots — Order early. WM. FLEMING NURSERYMAN P.O. Box 54 OWEN SOUND, ONT. The fourth annual meeting of the American Apple Growers' Congress will be held at St. Louis, Mo., Aug. 14, 1.5. Among the speakers is noticed the name of Mr. Alex. McNeUl, Chief Fruit Divis'on, Ottawa. ■ For the Asking The best table salt costs no more than the poorest — and can be had for the ask'ing. Windsor SALT i is sold in practically every grocery store in Canada — and is the best. Ask for it. '■' H For Specifiit Ophthalmia, Moon BllndiMBd and other Sore Eyes. BAKRY CO., Iowa City, Iowa, have a cure. NO MORE BLIND HORSES CREIGHTON POULTRY YARDS Barred Plymouth Rocks and White Wyandottes Three pens of laying stock for sale, $15.(HJ, each consisting of eight females and one male; two pens barred Rocks and one pen of white Wyandottes. A good opportun- ity to acquire a handsome pen for a sum- mer home. High-class young stock for sale. Write for description and |>rices. S. SHORT, Proprietor - OTTAWA,, ONT. Mention the Canadian Horticulturist when writing NURSERYMAN 160 acres fine land on Vancouver I^sland, 1 mile from Station on C.P.I!., 10 acres iinproved, 4 acres orchard, large glass house and nursery, fi room house, barns, stock, implements. A going concern. Price $6,500. BEAUMONT BOGGS; Victoria. B.C. BULB LAND Vancouver Island, near Victoria, will be the ■ "Holland" of Canada— Land suitable for the ropagation of bulbs. Price J300 per acre. "rite for list to BEAUMONT BOGGS, Victoria, B.C. ^\ USE FOSTER'S POTS STRONG DURABLE LIGHT POROUS AND SMOOTH fOSTEB'S ' STANDARD , POT Drop us a post card for Catalogue and Price I-ist. The Foster Pottery Co., Limited HAMILTON - ONTARIO Baskets We are Headquarters for all kinds of Splint Baskets VENEER supplied for the pro- tection of trees from mice during winter FRUIT PACKAGES A Specialty- SEND FOR OUR PRICES THE OAKVILLE BASKET CO. OAKVILLE, ONTARIO ■NU-iitinn Tile Can.uli.ui I h-i tli:»lttiii: A. ALLAN, Montreal. . TORONTO OFFICE: 77 Yonge St. A Nice Premimn will be given Free to all Readers who Buy Goods from Advertisers. The Canadian Horticulturist bl. XXIX SEPTEMBER, 1906 No. 9 TKe Ontario Cooperative Fruit Groovers* Association A PROVINCIAL organization of cooperative fruit associations was inaugurated on August 14, in the office of The Canadian Horti- culturist. It is to be called The On- tario Cooperative Fruit Growers' As- sociation. The following officers were elected : President, A. E. Sherrington, Walkerton; first vice-president, D. John- son, Forest; second vice-president, W. H. Dempsey, Trenton; third vice-presi- dent, Robt. Thompson, St. Catharines; secretary-treasurer, A. B. Cutting, 507 Manning Chambers, Toronto. The associations that were repre- sented by delegates are located in vari- ous parts of the province; thus the meeting was a representative one. The names of the delegates and of their respective associations are ; A. E. Sher-' rington, Walkerton; W. H. Gibson. Newcastle; W. H. Dempsey, Trenton: Wm. Leary, Parkhill; Robt. Thomp- son, St. Catharines; \V. A. D. Ross, Chatham; D. Johnson, Forest; W. R. Davis and W. H. MacNeil, Oakville; Elmer Lick, Oshawa; J. E. Johnson, Simcoe; and Dr. J. D. Hamill, Meaford. Several associations, not represented, including Ingersoll, Ilderton, Belleville, and Orillia, sent word expressing them- selves in hearty accord with the movement. Others present were : P. W. Hodgetts, Sec. Ontario Fruit Growers' Association, Toronto ; P. J. Carey, Do minion Fruit Inspector, Toronto, and H. B. Cowan . Toronto, who called and acted as secretary at the meeting. OBJECTS AND PURPOSE The objects of the association are of a wholly commercial nature, and are designed to assist the various local co- operative fruit growers' associations: A. — By acquiring and furnishing re- liable information regarding fruit con- ditions and prospects throughout Can- ada, the United States and Europe. B. — By assisting the various local as- sociations to market their fruit to the best possible advantage. I. By placing agents in the leading local and foreign markets. 2. Bv bringing the local as- sociations in close touch with leading buyers. 3. By acquiring and dissem- inating reliable information in regard to prices paid in the case of actual sales. 4 By assisting local associa- tions to procure satisfactory accom- modation for the storage of their fruit, and cars for the shipping of same. 5. By cooperating in the purchase of sup- plies at the best possible prices. c. — By cooperating with the On- tario Fruit Growers' Association in the formation of additional local coopera- tive fruit growers' associations, and in such other educational work as will be in the best interests of the fruit growers of the province. D. — By taking steps that will tend to bring about more uniform grades in the pack of the fruit of the province. Already, following the purpose of this clause, the Dominion Fruit Division has been petitioned to provide that the local cooperative fruit growers' asso- ciations be specially inspected and A Leader I am pleased with the great improvement that has been made in The Canadian Horti- culturist. It is one of the leading horticultural journals that comes to my office. — W. N. Hutt, State HorticuUurist, Maryland Experiment Station, College Park, Md. specially protected ; it has been request- ed that a fruit inspector call, at fre- quent intervals throughout the packing season, at the various cooperative fruit houses, so as to guarantee a high standard of character and pack in the fruit sold by the associations. The Fniit Division has been asked, also, to hold special meetings in those locali- ties where cooperative fruit growers' associations are situated, to demon- strate the best and most approved methods of packing fruit, particularly apples, in boxes and barrels. In reply to these requests, Mr. Alex. McNeill, Chief of the Fruit Division, promises to assist the newly organized associa- tion in every way possible ; special pro- tection will be afforded and arrange- ments already have been made for an expert packer to visit the cooperative fruit houses and give demonstrations in correct packing. membership Membership in the Provincial Asso- ciation shall be confined to the local cooperative fruit growers' associations of Ontario that have charge of the grad- ing, packing and sale of the fruit of their members. Each affiliated asso- ciation shall have the right to appoint one representative to act as a director of the Provincial Association. The membership fee shall be $5.00 a year. In case it be required to meet further obligations of the Provincial Associa- tion, a small levy per barrel will be made on the affiliated associations. HOW IT happened The need for united action on the part of the cooperative fruit growers' associations in the province has be- come apparent during the past few years, and is a result of the great in- crease in the number of these organ- izations. The meeting that culminated in the organization of The Ontario Co- operative Fruit Growers' Association was called by The Canadian Horti- culturist. It was the outcome of considerable correspondence on the ques- tion between this journal and coopera- tive associations, in different parts of the province, that resulted from the trip of the representative of The Hor- ticulturist this summer to Great Brit- ain. The associations desired that our representative should place them in touch with leading and reliable firms in the Old Country willing to handle Canadian fruit. They asked, also, for certain important information relating to the British fruit markets. The idea of calHng this meeting met with the enthusiastic approval of such leaders in the movement for the cooperative handling of fruit as Messrs. A. E. Sher- rington, of Walkerton; W. A. D. Ross, of Chatham; Robt. Thompson, of St. Catharines, and D. Johnson, of Forest, who have long recognized the fact that the time was coming when the local co- operative associations should be united through a central organization. The newly-formed Ontario Coopera- tive Fruit Growers' Association will pro- ceed along conservative' lines. Too 216 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST nuich will not be attempted the first year. In the past, several local asso- ciations have sent agents tf> the north- west and other markets. It is possible that next year the Provincial Associa- tion will appoint agents to represent all the local ones. In the meantime, the officers will be acquiring informa- tion regarding the possibilities. LEADING BUYERS AND GROWERS MEET A( the close of the meeting a number of leading buyers and shippers, and a representative of leading steamship lines, including some from Great Brit- ain, met the growers and discussed matters pertaining to crop prospects and sales. Their names are as follows: R. J. Graham, of Belleville; Eben James, Toronto, representing Woodall &Co., Liverpool, Boyd Barrow & Co., Glasgow, M. Isaacs & Sons, Limited, IvOndon; P'rank Hamilton, of Frank Hamilton &Co., Liverpool; A. S. Chapin, Toronto, representing Thompson & Mathieson, Glasgow, Henry Levi, Lon don, D. Crossley & Sons, Liverpcxjl and Manchester, and North of England Fruit Brokers, Manchester; Fl T. Bo- land, Toronto, representing The Robert Reford Co., Limited, of the Thomson Line, the Donaldson Line, Lord Line, etc.; Fred. Barker, Toronto, represent- ing J. C. Houghton & Co., Liverpool and London, Thomas Russell, Glas gow, J. and H. Goodwin, Manchester; and A. E. W. Peterson. Toronto, repre- senting Jas. Adam, Son & Co., Liverpool, Jas. Lindsay & Son. Limited, Glasgow, Northard & Lowe, London, and Man- chester Fruit Brokers, Limited, .Man- (iliester. The fact that an organization of this kind has been formed, and that the members were met by leading men in the trade at the initial meeting, is an imp(jrtant step in the direction of placing the fruit trade of Canada on a much more satisfactory basis. The various local cooperative associations have done good work, but have been handicapped somewhat by lack of unity and, therefore, much may be expected from their combined efforts through a provincial association. It will be of value, not only to the affiliated asso- ciations and to the province of On- tario, but it will have, also, a marked effect on the progress of fruit matters all over the'Dominion. A.pples on Sandy Soil THE following communication was received by The Horticulturist from Mr. Newton Cossitt, Grimsby, Ont.: "I have an apple orchard that does not bear fruit. Eight years ago it produced a very good crop, but little or none before or since. The trees are 20 years old, are Spys, Baldwins, and R.I. Greenings, in about equal proportions, and are planted on sandy soil. The trees blossom|profuselv, but fail to set fruit. "I have tried various schemes to in- duce fruitfulness. The land has been liberally treated with manure, including 20 bushels of wood ashes per acre. I have plowed down four crops of clover within the past eight years. Some years the orchard is left in sod, and other years kept under cultivation. The trees have been well pruned, some times in winter and other times in June. I was told to girdle the trees, and tried it on one. It died. Some person advised me to severelv head back. Two years ago I did this with five trees; as yet there are no results. A neighbor suggested that I prune the trees off close to the ground, and I have almost con- cluded this is the best scheme. However, I decided to ask The Canadian Horti- culturist or its readers for a less heroic solution of the problem." The question resolves itself into this: Canfapple trees be grown successfully on sandy land? In reply to the question Mr. W. T. Macoun, horticulturist at the Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, wrote as follows: "Some of the best apples and best crops of apples are produced on sandy soils, although the Baldwins succeed better on heavier land. Occa- sionally a tree will bloom and not set fruit from some apparently physiological cause even when the tree is making good growth. 'There are three causes of unfruitful- ness in trees that bloom profusely but do not set fruit. First — Lack of proper pollenation. Some varieties of apples are self-sterile or nearly self-sterile, and need the pollen of some other variety blooming at the same time to pollenize it and cause fruit to set. In the present case we should have concluded that the unfruitfulness was due to lack of proper pollenation if there had been only one variety, and that the Spy, as this variety is practically self-sterile, and being a late bloomer requires a late blooming variety blooming near it, for the best results. An isolated orchard of Spy trees we know of bore little or no fruit on this very account. Even in the present case we should not expect much fruit from the Spy unless there are some later blooming kinds than Baldwins or Green- ing near it. "Second ^Injury from frost or other weather conditions. It is not, however, likely that these have affected the flowers at GrinTsby. "Third — Injury from the insects known as the Eve-Spotted Bud Moth, and the Cigar and Pistol Case Bearers. The injury from these insects is often very great, and it is done at a time when one is not usually looking for it, namely, just when the buds are opening. This is the most probable cause of unfruit- fulness. A tree may bloom profusely and yet a large proportion of the flowers' may have been rendered useless for setting fruit by the Bud Moth which cuts through the buds and destroys the essential part of the flower. "In the various experiments which have been tried to produce fruitfidness, no mention is made of spraying, and we should strongly advise as a last resource, if this has not already been done, the thorough spraying of the trees with Bordeaux mixture and Paris green, as there is probably injury from the Black Spot fungus as well. The two most important sprayings are just when the leaf buds are opening and shortly before the blossoms open. A third spraying should be given soon after the flowers fall." A NOVA SCOTIA OPINION The matter was also referred to Mr. R. W. Starr of Wolfville, X.S., one of the successful orchardists in that prov- ince. He replied as follows: "It is impossible to say why these trees do not bear fruit. It would seem strange to us in this part of Nova Scotia to find an orchard in the condition in which Mr. Cossitt claims his to be, con- tinuously refusing to bear. Possibly overproduction of wood growth, in- duced by excess of nitrogen, and severe pruning may be the main cause; or the soil being sandy may lack p)otash, lime, or phosphates. Experiments with these on different portions of the orchard may solve the question. At the same time I would withhold barn manure and prune no more than was absolutely necessary. "As to the question of successfully growing orchards on sandy land : If he can grow strong, healthy trees, there should be no soil reason why they should not bear fruit. If they do not, we must look further for cause — probably to some climatic influence, such as cold, wet weather or frost, during the time of blossoming, sufficient to injure the pollen, or prevent its distribution by insects or wind. All fruit blossoms require a certain amount of heat and dryness of atmosphere at the season THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 217 ¥ The New Cooperative Fruit Movement A group, taken after the meeting, when many of the delegates had left to catch their trains. Only about one-half the immber of delegates and others are to be seen in the cut. Their names are as follows : I. A. K, Sherrington, Walkerton, President; 2. D. John'-on, Korest, 1st Vice-President ; 3. W. H. Dempsey, Trenton, 2nd Vice-President: 4. A. B. Cutting. Toronto, Sec.-Treas. 5. W. A. D. Ross, Chatham: 6. Wm. Leary, Parkhill; 7. W. R. Davis, Oakville; 8. W. H. MacNeil, Oakville; '). H. B. Cow an. Toronto; 10. A. S. Chapin, Toronto; 1 1. Fred Barker Toronto; 12. A. E. W. Peterson, Toronto; and 1.1, E. T. Boland, Toronto. when the pollen is ripe and the ])istil is ready to receive it, and make fertiliza- tion successful. Possibly the orchard may be ex- posed to cold winds. If so, he must plant wind breaks of quick growing trees to protect it. Perhaps it is situat- ed in a low spot subject to frost. For that, I know of no protection except a strong smudge of smoke on the wind- ward side during the cold nights when the trees are in bloom. "I have been growing apples all my life, but I have never had such an ex- perience in orcharding as that described by your correspondent. Consequently I am not in a position to do other than make suggestions, which may be alto- gether astray from the case, as I know so little of the real facts and conditions of the orchard. If it were mine I should try a great many things, and make many experiments before I tried the last resort, pruning close to the ground." E^xpert Opinions on PeacK Problems THEKE are some prominent defects in the methods of handling and marketing peaches in this coun- try. A few of them were mentioned in the last issue of The Horticul- turist. That peaches should not be picked green, nor handled roughly, nor packed on end, as is the custom in most orchards in our peach districts, is the opinion of those who are in close touch with the industry and with the trade. Thr Horticulturist is in re- ceipt of various letters that discuss these questions in more or less detail GREEN PEACHES IN TORO.\TO MARKET The following article, taken from The Canadian Grocer, shows the effect, on the trade, of green peaches and of pack- ing peaches dishonestly: "If the grocer who usually supplies a prominent Toronto financier with peaches could have seen him one Satur- day recently, on the Niagara wharf, buying half a dozen baskets of 50-cent early Clingstones at a dollar a basket because the top layers were large and he thought they were Crawfords, he would have regarded it as a huge joke. It il- lustrates the unsatisfactory basis of the fruit trade in Ontario. The millionaire had a perfect right to buy them and to cart them home. The probability is he blames the grower and will buy his next peaches at the grocer's. "That is but one instance. A work ing man with his wife and family were standing at a fruit stall in Toronto. They were on their way to Island Park for an afternoon out and husband and wife were debating whether or not to buy a basket of early peaches. They were 35 cents. '"We can't afford it,' said the little woman. "'Oh, it's only 35 cents and we don't go often. You can can what are left to-night. I'll help you,' replied the good-natured man. "They got the peaches and got on the boat and the children danced around an- ticipating a treat. It was agreed they 218 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST might have two each. The wife took out one, it was green ; another and it was green, and in a minute or two they knew they had been gulled. "That kind of thing hurts trade and until a more systematic basis is estab- lished for the fruit trade of Ontario, there will continue a good deal of dis- satisfaction and ill-will. There is no reason why dealers should not buy On- tario peaches with the same sense of security they buy oranges or any other kind of California fruit. They ask for a certain size at a certain price and get it. What a boon it would be to the gfrocery trade if peaches were packed of a uniform size throughout the package and they could be ordered according to size! The consumer would gain, too, and first-class peaches would be less expensive because they would not then, as now, have to make up the losses caused by poor and unsystematic methods. Of course, the remedy is in the grocer's hands, but if the grocers had a strong provincial organization they could do much to accelerate the movement." COOL PE.\CHES BEFORE SHIPPING To place peaches on distant markets in good condition, it is necessary that they be placed in refrigerator cars and cooled quickly. Quick refrigeration is essen- tial to prevent the spread of Monilia (brown rot) in the car, which can do so much damage in 24 hours. No refriger- ator car yet constructed can give quick refrigeration. For this reason, it is advisable, when possible, to have the fruit cooled before it enters the car. The following letter on this point was received recently from Mr. Alex. Mc Neill, Chief, Fruit Division, Ottawa: "Canadian shippers of fruit are not the only ones who are experiencing the evil effects of loading on cars without first cooling the fruit. This season, ac- cording to The Packer, of New York, very serious complaints were made con- Caught in the Act Mr. W. M. Orr, one of Ontario's successful fruit growers,L picking peaches in his orchard at Fruilland ,,^.«; ceming the condition of the Georgia peach crop, which condition would have been in all respects satisfactory had the fruit been cooled before being shipped in. the cars. The Packer writes as follows: '"If the Georgia shipping points could have a storage to cool off the peaches before loading them into the cars, it would mean a great deal more to the shippers in advanced prices than the e.xpenditure.'" J. H. HALE ON PEACH TOPICS The Horticulturist has received the following letter from Mr. J. H. Hale, of Connecticut and Georgia. It expresses expert opinion on various topics of interest to peach growers: "The article on peach packing in the August issue of The Canadian Hor- ticulturist covers the situation in an admirable way. There is no ques- tion that, if fruit can be handled in refrigerator cars or through cold stor- age, it will keep longer after it is allowed to come up to full maturity on the trees, rather than picked in a half green state, and also be much better for consumption. The packing of peaches on end is all wrong, both for best display of the fruit and for safety in transportation. "There is probably no package yet invented that is proving so universally 1 satisfactory as the six-basket Georgia ^ carrier. Next to that, the 20-pound California boxes. Both are somewhat costly, however. People who are look- ing for cheap packages, and have only a low grade market to supply, can do as well perhaps by using the inferior Climax basket, or other packages of similar construction. "Rainy weather in har\'est season hurt the Georgia peach business this year. We have a fine crop in Connect- icut, but cloudy, damp weather all through July put them on the ragged edge. The sun is out now, and if we have favorable weather through August and September, we ought to have the finest crop on record." Fire BligKt and Hoav to Uno^v It MANY fruit growers are of the opin- ion that blight on the apple and blight on the pear are two differ- ent diseases. This idea is erroneous. They are identical in character. Mr. Barlow, Demonstrator in Bacteriology, O.A.C., writes: " Bacterium amylovorium is a spe- cies of bacteria which causes a disease of the pear, quince, apple, mountain ash, and sometimes the plum. The disease is called by several popular names, as fire blight, pear blight, and twig bUght, but the germ which causes it is the same and the disease spreads from any one of these trees to any other. It is very destructive to the pear and quince, often kilhng the whole plant. It diminishes the apple crop by infecting the blossoms and killing the fruit spurs, and it some- times kills branches, or even whole trees of the apple." For the benefit of the readers of The Horticulturist, Mr. Barlow also out- B. Barlow, O. A. C, Guelph lined a simple method of determining whether or not fruit trees are affected by the disease : ' ' Any fruit grower can readily determine whether or not his trees are affected with pear bhght. Fix a needle firmly in a wooden handle such as a penholder, burn the needle clean in the flame of a candle and use it to tear out a fibre of the inner bark from a newly blighted twig, or thrust the needle into a recently blighted young fruit of apple or pear. Now thrust the disease- bearing needle into a sound, health v green fruit growing on the tree. Then burn the needle clean again in the candle flame. In two to four days the blight appears and spreads steadily from the needle puncture, at length killing all tis- sue of the green fruit. A bacterial growth pours out from the puncture as a pearly, viscid, bead-like drop. This may be so copious as to flow down the side of the pear. Other similar bead like drops often exude through the skin of the pear at a distance from the punc- ture. The twig bearing the inoculated fruit should be broken off after three or four days and placed in water, so that the further progress of the disease can be obser\^ed without danger of infecting the tree. It is but the work of a few hours to test many trees from the same, or from different orchards, whether ap pies, pears, or quinces. It is, of course, necessary to burn the needle clean eac' time before beginning a new test, an it is well to make controls by thnistin: the clean needle into green pear fruit \o disease will develop in this case. Ai the end of the test the diseased pea: should be burned. We do not kno any cure for pear blight, but disea: branches mav be cut out and burned Remove the crop remnants as soon the crop is done. TKe Joint StocK Company Plan J. G. Mitchell, ClarKsburg, Ont. FRUIT growers in this district tried several times to form asso- ciations, but always failed. Not being discouraged, however, a few of them decided to cooperate on the joint stock company plan. Five growers got together, subscribed $500 each, and formed a company for the purpose of dealing, wholesale and retail, in all kinds of fruit; to build and own fruit houses, cold storage plants and to own and operate evaporators, canning fac- tories, cider and pulp mills, factories for the making of barrels, boxes, crates and any other packages required in the hand- ling of fruit. The name of the com- pany is the Georgian Bay Fruit Growers', Limited, share capital $25,000, divided into 1,000 shares of $25 each. The the year round ; complete independence. The fruit is gathered and stored for higher prices; that is, put on the best markets of the world in the best possible way; the last cent is secured, less the cost of getting the fruit to market. A storage fee is charged to members of at least three cents a barrel up to 100 barrels a share; on over 100 barrels a share at least five cents ; to non-members, at least 10 cents. The total fees are returned as a dividend on the investment. When there are more than enough to pay 6% the balance is placed in the bank as reserve against a light year. The stor- age capacity of the building is 10,000 barrels and, being situated on the main switch of the G.T.R., it gives the very best facilities for shipping. A Fruit House Built by Enterprising Growers and liuilt to Last head office is at Thornbury, in the county of Grey. The directors are J. G. Mitchell, Geo. Mitchell, John Veitch, Wra. Reekie and Albert Moore. The company applied for a charter under the Ontario Act for all the above, which was granted. Observe that $500 is one-fifth of $2,500, which is 10% of the amount necessary to capitaUze at $25,000. The subscribed $500 gave each of the charter members 20 shares, which was afterwards sold and trans- ferred to others. The provisional stock is all sold and also some of the general stock. This provides funds to carry on building operations. There are about 125 shareholders, holding stock from $25 to $125 each. The advantage of this plan over the loose association is obvious. It is limit- ed liability and a financial interest all The fruit is all graded and packed in the fruit house by experienced men, and so well is it being done, the company is already outselling some of the old ship- pers. The company has a banking by- law, whereby warehouse receipts can be issued on the security of the apples and advances can be made to our members as soon as the fruit is brought in. The members do not have to wait until the fruit is sold before realizing on it. This helps the members out while the apples are held in storage. Everything is working satisfactory. There are already behind the company enough orchards to produce in a good year 25,000 to 30,000 barrels. The total capital stock is offered for the purpose of building more apple houses, cooper shops, cold storage, an evaporator, etc. The desired object is to have the whole district in one big company with several fruit houses under one head office, to do business on a big scale and thus reduce expense of management. Already bar- rels are cut from 50 to 30 cents each. When a member brings in a load of apples he receives a ticket for the same. A duplicate, which the company keeps, is entered in the ledger to his credit. When the fruit is packed, he is again credited with the amount of No. I's and No. 2's which his apples graded, also the culls, if any. The average sell- ing price on each variety and grade is the price which all receive. I think the joint stock company plan is far ahead of associations that have no place for winter storage. Associa- tions are obliged to ship in the fall, when apples are cheap. A joint stock company can keep its fruit till February or March, if necessary. Our company has no trouble in selling shares, as there are people inquiring about it nearly every day. A great many who had no ap- ples last year are with us now. Judg- ing by the experience I had in the past trying to organize fruit growers' asso- ciations, and by the success we are having with the joint stock plan, I will have nothing more to do with associa- tions whatever. We have a large amount of stock sold in other districts, besides Thornbury, where branch houses will be built very shortly. Soon, this company will be, if not already, one of the strongest apple combinations in the world, work- ing on the cooperative plan. Business was commenced only a year ago, August, 1905; now, everything is working satis- factorily, and the prices realized are the highest of 'any shippersjto the Brit- ish market. Fruit Graders. — In answer to a request from The Canadian Horticui^turist for information regarding mechanical fruit graders, Prof. W. N. Hutt, State Horticulturist, Maryland Experiment Station, writes: "Some of the larger peach growers in Maryland make use of machine graders, but the greater pro- portion of the crop is packed by hand. The most satisfactory machine grader I have seen in operation is that made by Heach & Dromgold, of York, Pa. This machine will sort perfectly as to size. It does not bruise the fruit. The decayed or defective specimens are re- moved by hand as the fruits are roll- ing slowly down the chutes. This machine grades much more rapidly and accurately than can be done by hand. One of our largest shippers uses this machine, and says it gives the best satisfaction." Spring Flowering Bulbs Planted in tKe A\it\iinn W. T. Mocoun, Horticulturist, Central E^xperimental Farm. Olta-wa SEPTHMHHR is the month in which to plan a. 1(1 plant for next spring. The best plants to furnish attractive and abundant bloom in the garden at that time are the spring flowering bulbs, the ■ most useful of which are the snowdrops, crocuses, scillas, hyacinths, narcissi, and tulips. A judiciously chosen selec- tion of these will give bhxam from the time the snow goes until the month of June. A spring flowering bulb may be de- scribed as a fleshy, underground bud, from which roots develop in the autumn and leaves and flowers in the spring. The plant grows rapidly in spring, pro- duces leaves and flowers and dies down ; the roots wither up and the bulb then becomes dormant until new roots are made in early autumn. During this period of growth the flowers for the next season are formed in the bulb, and sufficient food and energy are stored up in it to cause rapid development when the proper time and conditions come. With this knowledge of the character of bulbs and that the flowers are already formed in them before they are planted, it can be easily understood that large, well-developed bulbs are more likely to give better results than small ones; when buying this should be taken into consideration. Bulbs do best in loamy, well-drained soil. They will rot in soil not well -drain- ed in a wet summer. A sandy loam is better than a clay loam . The soil should be dug to a depth of 1 2 to 15 inches and well-rotted manure worked thoroughly into it the previous spring, if possible. If applied in the fall, the manure should be buried below where the bulbs will be after planting, as when pure manure comes in contact with the bulbs they are liable to rot or become diseased. While the bulb contains the future flower and considerable energy, this energy will not be exerted to the full unless the bulb is well rooted before winter sets in. For this reason the bulb should be planted early enough to have a good root system before winter. Very often the cause of poor flowers in the spring is lack of roots. If planted during the latter part of September or early in October, bulbs will have ample time to get well rooted before winter. If through any cause planting is delayed until late in October or November, the soil should be heavily mulched with straw, strawy manure or leaves, to pre- vent the soil from freezing early, and thus give the bulbs a chance to make roots for some time longer than they would if not mulched, but late planting is seldom satisfactory. The depth of planting and distance apart oi the bulbs will depend on the size of the bulb. Tulips, narcissi and hyacinths should be planted from four to six inches deep, measuring to the bottom of the bulb, and about the same distance apart. Snowdrops, crocuses, squills or scillas, should be planted from two to three inches deep and about two inches apart. If the soil is clayey or if there is manure not well mixed with it, it is ad- visable to put a little sand under each bulb to prevent rotting. Bulbs are more effective in masses or clumps than in single rows. While tuHps and hyacinths are usually planted in beds (their place to be taken by annuals later on), and are most effective when used in this way, they may be used with good effect in small clumps dotted through the perennial border. By this method of planting there need be no large bare places in the border without bloom after the bulbs have done flower- ing. In addition to its value in keeping out frost while roots are developing in the early part of winter, a mulch is verv beneficial in affording the bulbs some protection from the changes of temper- ature in winter and is especially useful when there is no snow on the ground. As soon as the snow goes in spring the mulch should be gradually removed, as tulips especially make early and rapid growth and may be broken if left to grow through the mulch. VARIETIES RECOMMENDED There are so many fine-named varieties of tulips, narcissi and hyacinths that it is rather difficult to choose a few to recommend which will combine all the desired characteristics and be cheap enough to be bought by the average person. The following fist, however, is a good one: TULIPS — EARLY SINGLE Chrysolora, height 11 inches, golden yellow; Keizerskroon, 14 inches, crim- son-scarlet, with broad yellow margin; Joost Van Vondel, 10 inches, crimson, flaked with white, flowers large; Joost Van Vondel (white), 10 inches, pure white, large flowers; Proserpine, 12 inches, rich rosy carmine; Vermilion Brilliant, 10 inches, bright vermilion : Couleur de Cardinal, 1 1 inches, bronze scarlet ; 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. TULIPS — LATE SINGLE Retroflexa,mediumheight, pure yellow, reflexed petals, graceful; Macrospila, medium height, brilliant scarlet, wit^ black and yellow base, sweet scentecl ; P'ulgens, tall, crimson-scarlet with yel- low base ; Golden Crown, medium height , golden yellow, edged with crimson ; Snowdon (Le Candeur), medium height, pure white, becoming suffused with pink ; Parisian Yellow, tall, bright yellow, pointed petals, graceful: La Panachee, medium height, cherry crimson, flaked with white, variegated foliage; Picotee, tall, waxy white, with faint pink edge ; Goldflake, tall, bright orange scarlet, flaked with yellow, sweet scented ; .Spa- thulata, tall, rich crimson-scarlet, blue black base; Maid of Holland, medium height, cherry red, striped with yellow, sweet scented; York and Lancaster, (Shandon Bells), medium height, white with a deep margin of rose. TULIPS — EARLY DOUBLE Maxima, medium height, pure Couronne d'Or, medium height, yellow; Helianthus, medium red and yellow; Imperator Rub- medium height, crimsfjn-scarlet ; , medium height, blush pink; Crown, medium height, purplish Alba white ; orange height, rorum, Murillo Purple red. TULIPS — LATE DOUBLE Mariage de ma Fille, tall, white, feath- ered with cherry crimson ; Rose Pompon, medium height, pale yellow, well flaked with pink; Yellow Rose, medium height, golden yellow, sweet scented ; Pasony Rose, medium height, scarlet; Over- winner (Belle Alhance), medium height, blue violet, feathered with white; Ad- miral Kinsbergen, medium height, brownish violet. TULIPS — PARROT Cramoisie BrilHant, medium height, deep crimson; Lutea Major, medium height, golden yellow ; Perfecta, medium height, yellow„ feathered with scarlet. Darwin Tulips, mixed. Bizarres, mixed. Byblooms, mixed. NARCISSI Emperor, large trumpet, yellow; Horsefieldi, white perianth and yellow trumpet; Sir Watkin, sulphur yellow petals, large yellow cup. tinged with orange, sweet scented : Barri Conspicua, pale yellow petals, cup orange scarlet, sweet scented ; Poeticus Omatus, peri- anth pure white, cup margined w-ith scarlet, sweet scented ; Poeticus, perianth pure white, cup orange scarlet. Other good varieties are: Bicolor Grandis, Albicans, Wm. P. Milner, Minnie Hume. The following varieties are less hardy, and need to be replaced from time to time. They are, however, cheaper, and owing to their great beauty are well worthv of cultivation : Obvallaris, Golden THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 221 Sion (double), Spur, Princeps, Van Sulphur Phoenix. HYACINTHS — SINGLE PINK AND ROSE Charles Dickens, rosy pink ; Gigantea, blush pink, large spike; Norma, fine rosy pink, large bells; Sarah Bernhardt, deep rose. HYACINTHS — SINGLE RED General Pelissier, deep crimson ; Lord Macaulay, rose with carmine stripes. SNOWDROPS AND CROCUSES The snowdrops are the first flowers of spring, and usually bloom before all the snow has left the ground. The species known as Galanthus Elwessii is the most satisfactory. A good plan is to plant the snowdrops where the snow melts early so as to obtain flowers at the ear- liest possible date. Crocuses bloom shortly after the snowdrops and are very showv little Spring Flowering Bulbs Planted with Perennials in Border, C. E. F., Ottawa HYACINTHS — SINGLE WHITE Alba Superbissima, pure white, large spike; La Grandesse, pure white, the best white; Queen Victoria, pure white. HYACINTHS — SINGLE BLUE La Peyrouse, fine porcelain blue; Grand Maitre, deep porcelain blue ; King of the Blues, deep glossy blue. flowers. They should be planted in masses in the border or around shrubs or trees. They are also effective in the lawn and are planted by cutting and raising a small piece of sod and planting the bulb in the soil and replacing sod. MISCELLANEOUS The scillas, or squills, are bright blue in color, and very striking in early spring. Scilla Sibirica is the most satisfactory. Scilla campanulata, which blooms late in May, is useful as it comes when most of the bulbs are over. Chianodoxa, or Glory of the Snow, is another blue flower which is also satisfactory. Chianodoxa LucilicE is the one usually planted, but the flowers of C. gigantea are larger. Grape Hyacinths are also daintv little flowers which succeed well. The fritil- larias are interesting spring flowering bulbs, the Crown Imperial being a very rapid growing and striking looking plant in early spring. The Guinea-hen flower, or common fritillaria, is also attractive. -A. Rose tKat Blooms X"wice Mrs. Arch Thomson, Erin, Ont. I have a rose bush that produced two crops of bloom during 1905. I got it from Washington state three years ago. It is a house rose, I was told. In the house I managed only to keep it alive. Two years ago I put it in the garden, as I understood they are cultivated out of doors in Wash- ington. Friends told me that I would lose it, but I thought I would try the experiment. Last summer it bloomed at the same time as other roses, about July 1. The flowers were pink, quite large and double. About August 15 it budded again, and bloomed early in Septem- ber. The flowers were just as large and perfect as those of the previous blooming. It is planted on the south- east side of a picket fence, and gets just the same attention as other rose bushes. Last January, when the big thaw came, I wrapped it and other rose bushes with some old canvas. This spring it budded again, and bloomed about the last of June or July 1. The flowers that opened were perfect, but some of the buds were stung and did not open. The bush again bloomed in August. rio-wer Notes Always keep house plants clean. Remove every dying leaf on house plants as soon as seen. Turn the plants in the window garden at least once a week. Plant growing by those who simply grow plants because their friends have them, is likely to be a failure. To develop the beauty of their color, most flowering plants require a good deal of sunshine. Many people keep their rooms too warm for the health of both plants and persons. Treat your house plants to a draught of fresh air on every fine day, by opening a window or door some distance from them. Lawn and Garden Notes for September THE early frosts of fall arc due about the middle of this month. If tender atid sensitive plants are protected, they may yet flourish for the Indian summer. When frost is ex- pected, it is well to water the plants and the ground thoroughly. The water should be appHed just at nightfall. Covering the plants with cloth or paper will accomplish the same pur- pose. A little work at the right time will be amply repaid by a longer season of bloom and beauty in the garden. THE HOME VEGETABLE GARDEN At the first sharp touch of cold, gather all the remaining fruits from the tomato and squash vines. Tomatoes will ripen in a dry cellar. Squash should be stored in a dry atmosphere and at a cool tem- perature. They should be laid on shelves one tier deep, and never piled, if it is desired to keep them long. It is a good custom in the home garden to dig potatoes as soon as matured, and place them in cellar. Potatoes seldom rot when so treated, provided that all injured tubers are carefully culled out. By the early harvesting you prevent the scab and save your potatoes from white grubs and mice. The potatoes keep ad- mirably, if not piled so as to become heated. Look them over for any that are injured, for should there be such, they will ferment, acidity set in and of course rot; if in contact with others, they too will become diseased and great damage ensue. The rhubarb plant is a gross feeder, and it is well to mulch the bed with a heavy coat of rotted manure. Continue to earth up the celery, or blanch with boards. For late autumn use, it is probably best to bleach the plants with earth, as it also protects from frost and is much cheaper than bleaching with boards. Winter varieties of radish may be sown early in September, harvested be- fore severe frosts, and stored in sand in a cool cellar. Just before using, if thrown into cold water for a short time, they will regain their crispness. Spinach for cutting early in spring should be sown this month. Protect by frames or other means through the severe winter. Why not plant a few Egyptian tree- onions, or winter top sets, this fall? They start so early in the spring that they are ready for use long before any other onion can be had. Plant before the middle of September. The tuberous chervil is much esteemed by those who know its value. It is per- fectly hardy and like the parsnip, the better for frosts. The seed may be sown in September. Try a packet. ''"'Why not try to grow a few mush- rooms this fall? You may not succeed the first time, but what's the difference? The novelty of the experiment is worth the trouble. THE FRUIT GARDEN After raspberries and blackberries are harvested, the old canes that bore fruit may be removed. Whether or not the tops should be cut back in fall depends largely on the locality. It is safer to leave this operation until spring. Should they have been injured by winter-kill- ing in the meantime, they can then be cut back to sound wood. Currants and gooseberry bushes are very hardy, and may be pruned any time in fall or winter. New plants may be planted in the autumn. Make cut- tings as soon as the leaves fall, store for a short time, and plant later in the season. BULBS FOR HOUSE CULTURE Dutch bulbs for winter flowering should be potted in September. If you have not ordered them, do so at once. Then immediately set about getting ready a compost in which to plant them on their arrival. Equal parts of garden loam, sand, and well-rotted cow manure make a good soil. Mix the compost well. It is well to grow several bulbs in one pot, instead of single specimens. In a six-inch pot, may be put three tulips, hyacinths or daffodils; or six crocuses or snowdrops. The crowns of tulips and daffodils should be about one inch below the surface of the soil. Hya- cinths should project slightly above the surface. Provide drainage. As soon as potted, water the bulbs well. Then set the pots in the cellar or any place that is cool and dark. They will then make roots without start- ing to grow at the top. A bulb with strong roots, before putting forth leaves, is in a condition to produce good bloom. Leave the bulbs in the cellar for six weeks from potting. By that time they will have made good root growth. By bringing only a portion of them to the window at a time, a succession of bloom may be had. It is best to delay bringing to a warm room. Do it grad- ually. Place first in an intermediate temperature. HANGING BASKETS Many persons fail to grow plants suc- cessfully in baskets. The reason is usually found in lack of moisture at the roots. Basket-plants should be watered often enough to keep the soil moist. Tradescantia is a good basket plant, provided it is given a soil that is not too rich. A rather poor soil will cause the joints to form closer together ; therefore the plant will have foliage enough to produce a good effect. Pinching back occasionally will cause it to branch freely. Sweet alyssum makes a good basket plant for winter. If prevented from ripening seed, it will bl(ji water sup plied should be regulated according to the rainfall of the country from which specimen came. If their native country was one having a long rainy season the plants will need liberal watering. "Most of the orchids are parasitic on trees or grow on rocks, and so do not thrive in ordinary potting soil, as such soil retains too much moisture around the roots. The watering given, too, must depend pn the weather conditions and on conditions in the house. Gen- erally speaking, orchids need less fre- quent watering than other plants. They do not need so much water as do ferns. "Some varieties thrive well in house culture. Frequent spraying would be required to make the conditions more congenial, as they do best when there is moisture in the surrounding atmosphere. They absorb considerable quantities through the leaves. Those species that are terrestrial naturally require more root watering. They will stand hard- ships and neglect but like other plants, do not thrive under adverse conditions. Special attention after a period of neg- lect soon brings them into thrifty con- dition again. The Cypripedium is the most common and is most easily grown in an ordinary living room. Cattleya and Oncidium also arc plentiful. THE VALUE OF ORCHIDS "The fact that they are slow growers makes them costly. Members of the Cattleya family retail in Canadian stores at $2.50 to SIO.OO each, according to the size and the number of leaves. Ex- tra large healthy specimens realize as high as $25. Rare varieties have sold at fabulous prices, even by auction. In England $4,600 was realized for a single specimen. When the plants be- come established, and blossoms appear, however, the successful grower makes handsome returns. Single blooms sell at 50 cents to $1.00 each, while Oncid- ium and others with few blooms in a cluster easily bring $1.00 to $2.50 a spray. Some varieties produce sprays with 15 to 150 blossoms on a stem." No window collection should be with- out a few specimens of these beautiful plants. Their rare delicacy merits extra care and attention, and if once estab- lished thev will never be discarded. Seasonable W^orK in tKe -Amateur GreenKouse IF you have a greenhouse or a piazza conservatory, repair the benches and heating apparatus, and put it in good condition before the end' of the month. There is always some- thing to do, and the amateur florist, who is enthusiastic, never tires of do- ing it. Lilium Harrisii, the Bermuda Easter lily, may be potted now. When pot- ting, throw a handful of sand under the bulb. Place the pots in a shady place, until they make roots. Lilium longiflorum, the Japan Easter lily, is an excellent type for spring flowering. It is easier grown than the Bermuda lily, and is freer from disease. A limited quantity of freesias are use- ful for cut bloom, and should be potted at once. They may also be grown along the edge of the benches. The foliage being small, they do not inter- fere with another crop grown on the same bench. FERNS Ferns may be successfully grown in the amateur greenhouse. Fern dishes are filled to replace on the table the garden bouquet of the summer. A good ^supply of these useful plants should be obtained now. Seedlings in flats"^will do, if of a fair size, or buy small ones in pots. Keep in a par- tially 'shaded part of the house and never allow to become dry. Moisture, and a temperature of about 65 degrees, is 'about all the special care they re- quire. Do not place them on a bench where the heat from the pipes is near the bottom. This often causes them to dry up at the roots, while the sur- face would indicate plenty of moisture. CALCEOLARIA AND CINERARIA Seeds of calceolaria and cineraria may be sown any time this month. These plants are grown to best advantage in a cool temperature. The coolest place in the greenhouse should be selected in which to place the pans. Calceolaria seeds are so small that they should not be covered when sown. Press the soil firmly and water from the bottom to prevent washing the seeds out. Cin- eraria seed should be covered with finely sifted leaf mould. Do not sow thickly. After the seedlings are up, keep in full light. Give as much air and keep as cool as possible. STOCKS FOR WINTER BLOOM Seeds of stocks should be sown at once. Princess Alice has been found to give the best results. Sow the seeds broadcast in a flat. When the seed leaves have developed, transplant into two-inch pots, afterwards shift into four-inch pots, in which they may be flowered. When the first bloom is forming the plants may be transplanted to the bench to remain for the season. By waiting until the flowers are form- ing, the doubles can be selected and the single plants discarded. SWEET PEAS FOR CHRISTMAS Sow the pink Christmas and the white Miss Florence Denzer sweet peas in the first part of September, three to five seeds to one square foot in the bench. If not room ready this time, sow in four-inch pots outdoors, but never allow to become {jot bound. When three or four inches high, plant inside one square foot apart, in good comjxjst soil. Keep moist steady. Give as much air as possible. The temperature should be 45 to 50 degrees at night, 55 to 68 in the daytime. These sweet peas, if attended well, will bloqm from Christ- mas to late in spring. CARNATIONS We would not advise amateurs to undertake the culture of carnations, either in the house or the amateur greenhouse. The results usually are unsatisfactory^ and disappoint pi ent fol- lows. Some enthusiasts, however, are occasionally successful. Carnations that have been outside all summer should be potted the first of the month. Use small pots, pot firmly, water well, and shade. Spray the foliage until the plants become well established;, then give plenty of sun and spray every sunny day. Water the plants only when the soil shows the need of it. Shower the plants occasionally to keep off the red spider. Few plants do well in a north window. But palms, the aspidistra and ferns will flourish there, if particular attention is given to watering. THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 225 THe Cut-leaved DircH "W. T. Macoun, C.E.r., Ottawa THE cu I leaved birch is one of the most handsome and graceful of orna- mental trees. .It is perfectly hardy, and appears to succeed equally as well in the province of Quebec, along the lower St. Lawrence, as in Ontario. Even in Manitoba it thrives well, and may be seen on many a lawn in the city of Win- nipeg. It is especially desirable owing to its rapidity of growth, there being few hardy ornamental trees which equal it in this respect. It is of Very grace- ful habit, the pendulous branches giv- ing the tree a soft outline, both in sum- mer and winter. The leaves are deeply cut and attractive in appearance, and begin to develop very early in the spring, a few warm days bringing them to view. It does not live as long as most trees, but its beauty may usually be enjoyed for 30 or 40 years, or longer. The tree at the Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, from which the accom- panying photo was taken, was planted in 1889, when only six feet high. It is now 40 feet in height. A Grand Lone Specimen of Cut-leaved Birch Repr'xhicetl from a photograph by Mr. I'. L. Shutt taken at the Central Experimental Karm. Ottawa BrancHing a Rubber Plant How should ;i rubber plant be treated to branch it and uiake it grow tree-shaped?— M. B., Whitby, Ont. A tree-shaped rubber plant may be produced by heading back the main shoot at any desired height while it is in a free growing condition. The best shaped plants, htjwever, are obtained only by natural branching. The way to induce rubber plants to branch, without the intervention of topping, is to rest them. In the spring keep the plants dry for about two or three months and then plant them in the open or re-pot them. Give lots of fertilizer and plenty of water. When the plants start into growth they will commence to "break"; i.e., pro- duce branches naturallv from the axils of the leaves. The Castor Oil Plant In beds for tropical effect on the lawn, there is no plant that excels the ricinus, or castor oil plant, for rapidity of growth and grace of foliage. Used either as a specimen plant, with cannas, Castor Oil Plants in Woodstock caladiums, or in masses, or as a screen, it gives satisfactory results. Its im- mense leaves have a rich metallic lus- tre, and gives the plant a stately ap- pearance. The castor oil plants in the illustra- tion were grown last year on the beau- tiful grounds of Mr. J. D. Patterson, of Woodstock, Ont. According to Mr. Thos. Shrimpton, the gardener in charge, the plants came from seeds of Zanzi- barensis and Borboniensis mixed. The seeds were started the first week in April, and transplanted about June 10 to the south side of the residence. In preparing the bed it was dug about four feet deep, and made up of good rich earth and cow manure. It was watered every evening with a copious supply, and about once a week with manure water. The plants grew eight inches after the photo was taken. A.nimal and Plant Diseases Francis Wayland Glen. Brooklyn, N.Y. Some readers may think that my theory that there is an intimate rela- tion between the contagious diseases which attack man and animals and those which attack plants and trees is chimerical, but there are scientists in Europe and America who have been seeking for years for some cure for can- cer in mankind, and one of them, in Sweden, found on a cabbage plant a structure exactly like the cancerous growth on man. He at once inoculated some mice with it and produced cancer in the mice, from which they died in due time. Other animals were inocu- lated and the same result followed. A ^Zid T H K C A N A D I A N H O R T 1 C U L T U R I S T toxin has been discovered that will cure the mice, and it is anticipated thai the toxin can be so adjusted as to cure cancer in human beings. These and other experiments of a similar nature show that diseases in man, animals, plants and trees are intimately connect- ed and related. My mother said to me when a lad working in the garden : ' 'You cannot cheat a cow, hen, hill of corn, or a fruit tree." Sh-? said that there was a law common to aninials and plants. The roots of a tree are its stomach, where it takes in food and digests it. The leaves are its lungs, where it takes in that which gives life to its sap or blood. The tree must have healthy leaves just as a man must have healthy lungs. The trees in our streets are gradually dying because insects destroy their leaves by midsummer. They have less and less vitality each year, and finally die as a person, with consumption, or are winter killed because too feeble to resist the cold. The doctors will organize a new pro- fession and can render most beneficent service to the lover of trees, fruits and vegetables. We must learn to treat young trees and plants like children, study their habits, likes and dislikes, temperament, needs, appetites and ail- ments, and find remedies for their ill- nesses. They are more human than manv of us realize. A Day AvitK MarKet Gardeners EARIvY in August, an editorial rep- resentative of The Canadian Horticulturist accompanied Prof. R. Harcourt, of the Ontario Agri- cultural College, Guelph, on a short trip to the market gardens of Hum- ber Bay and Weston, near Toronto. The main purpose of the trip was to observe the behavior of certain fer- tilizers, sent early in the season by Pro- fessor Harcourt to different vegetable growers for experimental work with various kinds of vegetables. In a later issue of The Horticulturist these and subsequent observations on fertilizer experiments will be published. At the time of the trip, it was too early to record results sufficiently accurate for publication. The scope of the cooperative ex- periments with fertilizers, as conducted by Professor Harcourt, embraces work with various fertilizers on tomatoes, potatoes, onions, celery and other crops. Should results show that fertilizers can be used profitably as a partial substi- tute for barnyard manure, the work will be valuable. On the other hand, should the application of these fertil- izers show no results of value, the ex- periments will be considered by grow- ers as failures. One of the growers visited has had, so far, no results. Already he is con- demning the use of fertilizers, going so far as to say that fertilizers are no good, and that he would not paj' a penny a pound for them. This man is a skilful gardener; the general ap- pearance of his crops show it. Yet, he is condemning fertilizers as vo good. There is a reason for it. The long-continued use of large quan- tities of stable manure on market gar- dens near large cities, has made the soil unresponsive to the action of nitro- genous fertilizers. In the Humber Bay district, manure is used at the rate of 75 to 100 tons an acre. The soil is excessively rich in organic matter and in nitrogenous constituents. A soil over rich in nitrogen does not require a commercial nitrogenous fertilizer. Such is the condition of affairs on the gar- dens of Humber Bay. the use of fertilizers Before a market gardener can eco- nomically invest much money in fer- tilizers, and before he can intelligently apply such to his soil, it is essential that he consider the value and use of fertilizers from all viewpoints. Soils vary widely in their demand for fer- tilizers. Gardeners cannot afford to use commercial fertilizers at random ; it is time they knew the reason why. Artificial fertiHzers, rightly used, are a potent means of restoring the fer- tility of soils deficient in one or more elements. They are of value also to start off the plants quickly in the spring. The plant food is available, and acts at once. For general use, it is usually ad- visable to use one of the so-called complete fertilizers. If a luxuriant growth of stalk and foliage is wanted rather than roots and fruit, an appli- cation of nitrogen in some form usually is advisable. On the other hand, if a soil is producing stem and leaves at the expense of fruit, nitrogenous fer- tilizers should be used sparingly and supplemented with potash and phos- phoric acid. On some of the gardens visited by Professor Harcourt, tomatoes were go- ing too much to vine ; the crop of fruit not only is lessened but also it is re- tarded in ripening. Rapid growth of vine, due to an over-supply of nitro- genous manures, such as that from the stable, retards the maturity of the crop and, as a result, the advantage of an early-market price is sometimes lost. Further experiments will be con- ducted by Professor Harcourt to de- termine the practical value of this well-known theory. A pointer on beets Besides the fertilizer question, other items of interest to gardeners were noted by the representative of The Horticulturist. On the grounds of Mr. T- W. Rush, Humber Bay, who kindly drove Professor Harcourt and The Horticulturist man from one farm to another, a method of growing beets was noted that mav be worth more general practice. Instead of thin- ning out the beets to five or six inches apart, as is often done, they are sown thickly and not thinned at all. By so doing they grow more tender and smooth. Continual cropping is scarce- ly perceptible, as the growth of the beets fills up the spaces made by the removals. By this means an enor- mous quantity of beets can be har- vested from an acre. It should be noted, however, that this method can be followed only on very rich soil. PLANTING early POTATOES Early potatoes are planted by Mr. Rush on the level. They are planted as soon as the weather is settled, about April 15 to May 1. By planting them onlv one and a half inches deep, larger and earlier potatoes are secured. WHEN TO PLANT CAULIFLOWERS It was pointed out by one of the gardeners visited that cauliflowers should not be planted too early. Experience shows that cauliflowers planted about Mav 1 are ver\- unsatisfacton.- in growth; about May 15, only fair; while those planted about June 1 are always the best. For prime heads, the plants should grow quickly, but the heads should form slowly. When heading, best results are secured when the weather is cool. ONIONS Many fine onion beds were seen. Mr. Wm. Harris, Mr. Aymer and others have large crops of good quality. The ground is light, well pulverized, well cultivated and rich. The leading varie- ties are grown, such as Prize Taker, Yellow Globe Danvers, vSouthport White Globe, Dutch Sets, Barletta. etc. Speaking of marketing onions. Mr. Rush said that there should be a defi- nite trade bunch in all parts of the country. Bunches of six each would be better than bunches of three. Such a trade bunch, universally adopted, would do away with confusion that now exists in market reports from the different onion districts. SOME MARKET GARDEN TROUBLES Garden crops are subject to the dep- redations of many insect and fungous * THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 227 pests. Every year a certain amount , of damage is done, and in occasional years, serious loss. A very trouble- some insect in Humber Bay and vicin- ity is the cabbage-maggot. It is diffi- cult to deal with Cabbage some- times overcome the attack; cauliflower never. Many remedies have been rec- ommended, but none are certain. The maggot is best controlled by prevent - 1 ing the laying of the eggs by means of a repellant. Preventatives in the form of mechanical obstructions, the plac- ing of tobacco dust about the stem of the plant, the application of an emul- sion of crude carbolic acid and others have been suggested, but where these crops are grown on a large scale, they have not proved practicable. There is work along this line for our experiment stations. The onion-maggot is another dreaded enemy of garden crops. It is a near relation of the cabbage-maggot, and works similarly. Up to the present time no efficacious remedy has been discovered. Dusting hellebore or lime, and spraying with soap washes, kero- sene emulsion and other insecticides have been tried, but the maggot usu- ally wins out. Here again is a chance for further investigation. A Michigan farmer states the fol- lowing experience: "I have found a practical and effective method to get rid of onion maggots. It is to sow bone black fertilizer broadcast over the onions every seven or eight days until the little thrips or green flies leave. The fertihzer does not kill the flies but simply is obnoxious to them and causes them to discontinue their visits to the onions. The writer has not been bothered with this pest since he began using this remedy in 1901. Besides preventing the destructive work of the maggots the fertihzer more than pays for the trouble and expense of applying it in producing a better yield of onions." Blight on the celery and on onion is quite prevalent in vegetable districts. The latter is difficult to combat. Many growers near Toronto have tried vari- ous remedies, notably Bordeaux mix- ture, with disappointing results. In some cases onions sprayed with Bor- deaux are badly affected, while patches immediately adjoining and unspraved are comparatively free from the disease. FORCING RADISHES On the truck farm of Mr. Thos. Del- worth, of Weston, an interesting dis- cussion took place on the methods of forcing radishes in greenhouses. It was pointed out that the seed should be sifted and only the largest used. The seed will come quicker and more even. Manv small seeds may produce as good radish at maturity as the others, but they take a longer time to grow. Orown inside, they are apt to become spindly. It is important to have all the radishes attain marketable size at the same time. This can be accomplished only by having the seed even in size. And, to hasten maturity, only large seed should be used. Reject all seeds that will pass through a sieve with a mesh one-twelfth of an inch in diameter. Most gardeners sow the seed in drills thickly and afterwards thin to the de- sired distance. Mr. Rush practises an- other method that he claims is better. It produces a more even crop, and tends to prevent mildew and other diseases. Holes for the seeds are made every three inches in rows the same distance apart. Three or four seeds are dropped at each of these points. No thinning is necessary. SOMB PROPOSED EXPERIMENTS To demonstrate the action of fer- tilizing elements, singly and in' com- bination with each other, on radishes. Professor Harcourt purposes to under- take some experiments. The work will be conducted, not for the purpose of presenting anything new, but simply to ser^'e as object lessons. Many gar- deners hear and read about the action of the various elements on different parts of a plant, and are not convinced. It was suggested to the professor that a bulletin or pamphlet on this subject, dealing with actual experiments at Guelph, and well illustrated with cuts showing the results, would be of great value to market gardeners, experienced men and novices alike. It would be convincing. Seeing is beheving. Should the experiments result in the discov- ery of anything new, respecting the action of fertilizers, their value will be still greater. We shall follow the work with interest. MUSHROOMS In the minds of some persons the cul- ture of mushrooms is surrounded with mystery. Mushrooms can be grown, they think, only by the man who knows the secrets and possesses the charm. The business is not for the ordinary gardener. These ideas of the growing of mushrooms are wrong. They are the result of failures on the part of some men who have made the attempt; and they are due, also, to a certain amount of quackery that is practised by some of the men who have been more or less successful. One grower we know, who lives not far from To- ronto, told a dozen pcrsDiis this season that his success with mushrooms is due to a chemical he uses, and which was suggested to him by a tramp. These are some of the reasons for the degree of mystery that enshrouds the very idea of producing mushrooms. But, when the situation is examined, the mystery vanishes. While the cul- tivation of mushrooms is often attended with uncertainty, there is no secret about it, nothing more than the secret of careful attention to details, the ex- ercise of skill and good judgment. Among the men who grow mush- rooms successfully, and who have no methods in obscurity, is Mr. Delworth. He grows the mushrooms under the benches of his lettuce house. Recently Mr. Delworth harvested, at one cutting, llj pounds off of 280 square feet of bed. The manure for the bed is se- lected with care. It must be good, neither fire-fanged nor rotten. Before using, it is turned every day for eight or nine days. Fire-fanged manure will produce no mushrooms. The prepared manure is mixed with soil and packed by layers into beds, 9 or 10 inches deep, evenly and firmly and left smooth on the surface. When the temperature falls to about 85 de- grees, pieces of brick spawn- are put in about two inches deep and 10 inches apart. The surface, again, is firmed and smoothed. MvisKmelons for MarKet W. G. Home, Clarkson There are two varieties of melon that, if grown and put on the market in the right condition, would be as much sought after for dessert or eating from the hand as the Early Crawford peach — ■ they are the Rocky Ford and Paul Rose. The conditions in which they should be placed on the market are: first, never ship a melon until it has properly ripen- ed; second, never ship a melon that has ripened on a dead or injured vine; third, ship them in a proper protective package, one that will stand being pitched about like so much stove wood. No discrim- ination is shown in handling packages by the express companies, whether the contents are of a tender and soft nature, or hard. Follow these directions and you will be surprised at the market that can be made, and a paying one, too, by growing melons in the right way. Veg'etable Notes Study the pecuHarities of the market. The squash bug dislikes clean culture. Mineral fertilizers are unfavorable to insects, and to some they are deadly. When marketing vegetables, no in- dividual of inferior value should be bunched or put up. A compost heap, which should be started now, is hke a penny savings bank. Every little helps to increase the aggregate. I prefer solid to raised benches in the greenhouse because it does not take very long to run away with much of the profit from the crop if new benches have to be made frequently. Lumber is very expensive. — H. E. Reid, Toronto. Directions for Preserving Fruits and Vegetables THE proper preservation of fruits and vegetables for winter use is an important question for the housekeeper. A bulletin on this sub- ject, recently issued by the Wisconsin Kxperimcnt Station, contains many useful recipes and suggestions. While the recipes were worked out largely with native fruits, they will apply equally as well for preserving the domestic varieties of Canada. The following ex- tracts may be of value to the lady readers of The Horticulturist; It is important that the fruit intended for canning should be in the right stage of ripeness; it should be firm, having attained its full size and normal color. It should be free from all kinds of blem- ishes, such as scab, rust, rot, and all forms of insect life. Fruit intended for canning in any way should be utilized as soon as possible after it is picked. If left standing for hours, even if the fruit is not over-ripe, the fine flavor is lost and the keeping qualities greatly im- paired. SELECTION AND PREPARATION In selecting fruit for canning, it is advisable not to mix the different vari- eties together; for example, if plum preserves are made, each lot should be made from a distinct variety, or a com- bination of flavor will be the result, besides some varieties require more heat than others, thus giving the preserved product a lack of uniformity. To in- sure success in putting up fruit, a few precautions must be observed ; namely, fresh perfect fruit, absolute sterilization of all utensils, the best grade of sugar, and other materials used. NOTES ON MAKING PRESERVES When fruit is put up by the oven method, either cover the oven with heavy asbestos paper and cover the jars with the same paper, or place the jars in a dripping pan with a little cold water in the pan, and place a pan over the jars, as the fruit cooks faster in the top and may turn a little dark if not cov- ered. In making preserves, different fruits require different amounts of sugar; if a heavy syrup is wanted and no syrup gauge is at hand, use just enough water to liquify the sugar and heat very slowly as sugar often crystallizes in the bottom of the jar, if boiled rapidly, and the fruit will not be sweet enough. In mak- ing syrup, when it begins to boil, run a wet cloth carefully around the edge of the pan, to tak-e out the impurities in the sugar, leaving the syrup clear. A good way to prevent moulding and improving the general keeping qualities of preserves is to cut out circular pieces of paper to fit over the preserves. Be- fore placing it over the preserves dip in melted paraffin and on top of this paper pour melted paraffin, making a layer an eighth of an inch in thickness. ParafTin may be obtained at any drug store and is both cheap and effective. DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING JELLY Fruit for jelly is best gathered a little unripe. Jelly made from fruit gathered after a heavy rain will require a greater amount of boiling, and in some cases will not "jell" at all, owing to the lack of the starchy properties contained in fruit. This, however, may be put into jars and sealed and used for mince meat. Great care should be used in skimming jelly. The juice should not be stirred, but the scum skimmed off carefully. If allowed to boil over, the jelly will not be clear. In putting the jelly into glasses, ster- ihze the glasses, and drain them thor- oughly; otherwise, air bubbles are apt to be in the jelly. When filling, fill each glass full before attempting to fill the next, as jelly will slide off in layers when turned out if put in a little at a time. Boil only a small amount of juice at one lime, and use a shallow pan, as the water evaporates faster in a shallow pan, allow- ing the juice to "jell" in less time. Some people think that fruit that is not fit to can or preserve is all right for jelly, but this is not true. Perfect fruit is more essential for jelly than any other way of caring for fruit. Soft ripe fruit may be used for jams or marmalades. Fruits such as strawberries, raspber- ries, peaches, which will not jell easily, make beautiful jelly if one-third rhu- barb juice is used and the flavor is not harmed by such addition. NEW WAY OF MAKING PLUM JELLY A new way to make plum and other jellies, is to place the fruit dry in jars. Two-quart jars are good. Either place the jars in the oven in asbestos paper or in a fruit steamer and cook till fruit is tender. Take out and strain through a flannel bag. Add as much sugar as juice, and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Place on the back of the stove and heat slowly until it forms jelly drops on the spoon. During boiling skim carefully. It will take but a little boiling as this is pure juice. This process produces the clearest and finest plum jelly. The pulp may be used for jams or butter by straining through a sieve and adding equal amount of sugar and heat- ing slowly till thick enough. Place in jars and seal as usual. MAKING APPLE JELLY Cut the apples into quarters. They should not be cored or peeled. Cover with water and cook till tender and strain. Let stand an hour or more and strain through a flannel bag. Measure out the same amount of sugar as juiei , boil the juice fifteen minutes before putting in the sugar. .Stir until the sugar is dissolved and boil slowly till it jellies in a spoon. Plum juice may be added if a plum flavor is desired. Apple jelly often lacks a decided flavor and this can be enhanced by adding a small quantity of plum juice. CURRANT JELLY Wash and mash the fruit well, let stand a little while and strain. Put the juice in a stone jar and place in the coolest part of the cellar for 24 hours. Then remove the scum which will form on top, strain through a flannel bag and measure f)ound for pound of sugar and juice and stir till the sugar is dissolved. Put in glasses and seal. In 24 hours you will have a perfectly transparent jelly. No heat is required. MAKING PLUM PRESERVES Plums are always nicer peeled and it is easily done by placing the fruit in boiling water for a minute or two, then pouring on cold water. The skins will then slip off easily. If plums are to be canned with the skin on, either prick each plum with a darning needle or cut one side to the stone so that they will stay whole. Some varieties require more sugar than others. CANNED PLUMS Make a syrup by using pound for pound of fruit and sugar, or less sugar if not so rich a sauce is wanted. When the syrup is boiling add the fruit. Cook till tender, and carefully remove the fruit and place in jars. Fill up with the syrup and seal. BAKED PLUMS Sort the fruit, wash and let dn.-, then put the fruit into sterilized jars and place the same in the oven which should be lined with asbestos paper. Cook till the fruit looks clear, not soft. Open the oven door carefully so as not to let the cool air in suddenly as it may break the jars. Lift the jars out, place the rubbers on, fill with the boihng syrup and seal hot. STEAMED PLUMS Treat the fruit the same as in the foregoing recipe, only place the jars in a steamer and steam till tender, fill with hot syrup and seal. (Continued next issue) To see your hands in a basin of water at frequent inter^^als when peeling fruit for canning or preserving is a sign that you have your share of that which is next to godliness. OUR QUESTION AND ANSWER DEPARTMENT Readers of THo Horticulturist are invited to submit Questions on any pKase of Horticultural worK 5^^k*^>^ n».r^>> /w^>< /T**^>> nM%>> no^a^ *TM%>> no^ MarKing Apple Barrels In the recent amendments to the Fruit Marks Act, were the XXX, XX and X marks done away with? — D. H. W., Trenton, Ont. No. Any number of X's may still be put on a barrel, but the No. 1, No. 2, or No. 3 mark has been made obligatory. It is absolutely necessary that one of these marks or "Fancy," which has been defined, be placed on the package of fruit. Fall Planting of Strawberries Do you ' advise planting strawberries in the fall?— R. A. B., Renfrew, Ont. No. Strawberries planted in the fall do not make enough new plants to pro- duce even a normal crop the next year. Plant strawberries in the spring, remove all blossoms that season, and in one year from planting an abundant crop may be expected. Deer's Late PeacH Is Beer's Late a profitable peach for market purposes? — M.W.F., Essex, Ont. Beer's Late is practically the same as Crawford's Late, which is well known as a fair commercial peach, but not grown so much now as formerly. Crimson Ramblers I have a Crimson Rambler that has grown very ugly. There are two long limbs with a few leaves at the top. The few flowers that come are insignificant, not larger than a button. Can it be made healthy and vigorous? — M. N., Toronto. When a rambler becomes as unruly as this, probably the best treatment is to cut it out and replace with a new vine. A less heroic measure, however, would be to prune back the limbs to within a few inches of the ground. Do this next .Vpril, just before the buds start. This fall apply a heavy mulch of manure and ^fci the spring dig it in. During the sum- ^^faer months, a rambler needs a lot of ^Kater, overhead and at the foot. As ^Ku approaches the waterings should be ^Hopped gradually, thus bringing about ■F normal and thorough-going process of ^Kpening. ^B Rose Insects Kindly advise what remedy to use for the little insects that are eating the leaves of my rose bushes? The vitality of the bushes seems to be much impaired. — J. McK., York Co., Ont. Two kinds of insects are prevalent on roses in this country; the rose chafer and the rose leaf-hopper. The rose chafer is difficult to combat. The best treatment is to gather them daily by hand, tossing them into a vessel con- taining a little coal-oil ; or jar them off the plants into a funnel-shaped collector so made as to roll them through the centre into a pail containing kerosene. The arsenical poisons are too slow in their action, and contact remedies must be appHed too strong for the plants to kill the insects. The leaf-hopper may be kept off the bushes by a forceful spray of clear water applied early in the day or again at even- ing. Those without the facihties for spraying with water may use kerosene emulsion, applied with an old broom, or insect powder dusted on the plants when they are wet. TussocK MotK on Trees A caterpillar is ruining my horse-chestnut trees. Is it the Tussock Moth? Please describe it, give its habits, and suggest remedies. — Mrs. M. N., Toronto. The larva of the common Tussock Moth {Notolophus leucostigma) is one of the worst enemies of horse-chestnut, basswood, and other shade trees. In Toronto, the species is very destructive. The caterpillar, about one inch long, is easily identified by the following mark- ings i^ Bright red head, resembling seal- ing wax, just behind which is a con- spicuous coral red mark; and yellow body, bearing four white brush-like tufts, and a wide black band on the back, two long black plumes near the head and one at the anal end. The most important points of eco- nomic importance in the life-history of this moth is that the female is absolutely incapable of flight ; the insect winters in the egg stage ; no eggs can be laid upon a tree until a caterpillar has first made its way upon it, and has changed to a female moth. Herein lies the sugges- tion for a remedy. During winter remove all the egg masses, which are easily found, and destroy them. In Toronto, it lies alto- gether with the civic authorities to stamp out the pest. Professor Loch- head suggests that bonuses be offered to children for every egg cluster collected. Second, prevent the caterpillars from crawling up the tree from surrounding points by means of a bandage around the trees. Any substance, sticky or otherwise, that will arrest the march of the caterpillar, will answer the purpose. in winter with special treatment. Spring and summer is the proper season for fuchsias to flower. They should be rested, or kept dormant in a cool room or cellar, during winter, in a temperature of about 40 degrees; then brought out about April, and re-potted as soon as they show signs of growth. — Answered by W. Hunt, O.A.C., Guelph. FvjcHsias for Winter Is the fuchsia a good house plant for winter? — R. M. A., Barrie, Ont. Fuchsias are not good winter plants for the house. One or two varieties, notably speciosa, will succeed fairly well "White Grub in La-wn The grass on my lawn is turning brown in spots. In taking up the sod, it comes up in sheets, the roots being eaten off.- What is the best course to pursue? — E. F. W., Amherst, N.S. The trouble is due to the larva of the May beetle or June bug. Many lawns are ruined by this pest. Robins are fond of the grubs. If a part of the sod is turned every few days, robins will devour many of the grubs. It is said that an application of a fertilizer (kainite, 3 lbs. ; nitrate of soda, 1 ft., to sq. rod) will make the soil distasteful to the pests. Re- seeding may be necessary. This may be done in September, but spring is the best time. ^ snipping Tomatoes Has any attempt been made to ship tomatoes to Great Britain, and if so, what were the results? — M. J. L., Prince Edward Co., Ont. The only attempt of this kind that we know of was made some years ago by Mr. A. W. Peart, of Burlington, Ont., who made trial shipments for three years in succession. Each year Mr. Peart sent four boxes that held two 12 qt. baskets each. The first year he obtained $1.44 a box, on which the total trans- portation and other charges amounted to about 60 cents, thus netting him a nice margin of profit. The second year the tomatoes were decayed when they reached the consignee, and the shipment was a failure. The third season, the tomatoes were in a yellow condition when they reached their destination, and sold for 48 cents. The results of the two last years' shipments were so disappointing that Mr. Peart became discouraged and decided not to make further shipments until the cold storage and transporting facilities were better adapted for the shipping of these fruits such a distance. The variety shipped by Mr. Peart was the Honor Bright. There has been such improvement during the past few years in the cold storage facilities for shipping perishables of this nature that the time seems ripe for fur- ther experiments. Use lime water for worms in potted soil. 230 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST The Canadian Horticulturisl Published by The Horticulturftl Publishins Company^, Limited The Only" Horticultural Magazine in the Dominion Official Orsan of British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and Prince Edward Island Fruit Growers' Associations and of the Ontario Veg- etable Grov/ers* Association H. Bronson Cowan, Editor and Business Manager A. B. Cdttino. B.S.A., Associate Editor W. G. Rook. Advertising Manager GREAT BRITAIN Prank Fletcher, 135 Henrietta Street. Old Trafford. Manchester, Eng., Advertising and Circulation Manager 1. The Canadian Horticulturist is published the first of every month. i. Subscription Price 50 cents a year, three years $1 .20, strictly in advance. Kor all countries except Canada, United States and Great Britain add 50c. for postage for each one year subscription. 3. Remittances should be made by Post Office or Money Express Order, or Registered Letter. Postage Stamps accepted for amounts less than $1.00. 4. Discontinuances— Responsible subscribers will con- tinue to receive The Horticulturist until the publishers are notified by letter to discontinue, when all arrearages must be paid. 5. Change of Address — When a change of address is ordered, both the old and the new addresses must be given. 6. cAdvertising Rates quoted on application. Circu- lation 5,500. Copy received up to the 23rd. Responsible representatives wanted in towns and cities. 7. c.ArticIes and Illustrations for publication will be thankfully received by the editor. 8. cAU Communications should be addressed: THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 507 and 508 Manning Chambers TORONTO, CANADA A GREAT NATIONAL ORGAN In pursuance of our declared intention to make The Canadian HoRTictn-TURisT a paper of national influence and of international renown, we hereby announce an important change in policy. In future the regular sub- scription price will be 50 cents a year instead of one dollar a year. New or renewal subscrip- tions will be accepted for periods of three years for $1.20. This means that our regular price for yearly subscriptions has been cut in half, and that the reduction, in the case of three year subscriptions, is even greater. In spite of this great drop, it is our intention to not only maintain the present standard of the magazine, but to further improve it in several important respects. The decision to lower the price of subscrip- tion was reached unanimously at a meeting of the shareholders of the Horticultural Pub- lishing Company held early in August. It was the feeling of all present that it would be better to obtain a circulation of 10,000 to 12,000, within the next couple of years, at the 50 cent subscription rate, than to have a circulation of 5,000 to 6,000 at the one dollar rate. The facts are these: Most of the leading fruit, fJower and vegetable growers of Canada are already subscribers for The Canadian Hor- ticulturist. These men have not hesitated to pay one dollar a year for the magazine, and have considered it cheap at the price. On the other hand, there are thousands of people in Canada who are interested in horticultural mat- ters in only a small way. These include thou- sands of farmers with three to ten or more acres of apple orchards as well as many people in cities, towns and villages who are growing flowers on an amateur scale. But few of this class of people are now taking the paper. We desire to reach them also. Experience has demonstrated the fact that these people will not pay one dollar a year for a magazine that is published only once a month. It is necessary, therefore, if their subscriptions are to be gained and retained: first, that we shall offer The Horticulturist to them at a price that will lead them to subscribe, and, second, that the quality of the paper be such that they will be glad to renew their subscrip- tions when they expire. It is this that we intend to accomplish. In adopting these new subscription rates we are following a ix)licy that has proved success- ful with the leading fruit pai>ers of the United States. The Western Fruit Grower and the National Fruit Grower, both of which are monthly fruit papers, having a circulation each of over 35,000, both built up their subscription lists by accepting subscriptions at the rate of 50 cents a year and at still lower prices for long term subscriptions. The Southern Fruit Grower and American I'ruits, two other well- known United States publications, are circu- lated on the same basis. We have decided, therefore, that The Canadian Horticul- turist shall not be outdone by the fruit papers in the United States. Instead, its circulation will be pushed on the new basis from one end of the Dominion to the other, until we have built up a subscription list that will make the magazine not only a decided financial success but one of great influence and power. The growth of The Canadian Horticul- turist during the past five years has been phenomenal. No other magazine in the Do- minion has made more rapid progress. Not only has it been doubled in size, but for five years in succession its receipts from advertis- ing have doubled each year. This progress has been most gratifying to the management. The only fX)int in which improvement has been slow has been in that of circulation. On the new subscription basis it is believed that the solution of this difficulty has been found. A bright future for the magazine, therefore, is anticipated. At the shareholders' meeting it was decided that to enable the making of further improve- ments in The Horticulturist, and to permit of an energetic subscription campaign, it would be well to issue $10,000 more stock. A con- siderable portion of this stock was subscribed at the meeting. The remainder will be reserved for one month to give the present shareholders an opportunity to increase their holdings, after which the balance, if any, may be off^ered to our readers. The fruit industry of Canada, during the past few years, has shown phenomenal development. The next few years promise to show even greater progress. New markets are opening in the west with great rapidity. The in-rush of popu- lation is so immense that the consuming capa- city of our eastern centres is showing a marked increase. The better standing of our fruit in the British markets, and the improved cold storage arrangements on our railway and steamship lines, will greatly extend the Euro- pean outlet. All this means that Canada needs a live, aggressive paper dealing with horticul- tural matters, and it is our aim to fill this need by means of The Canadian Horticulturist. A NEW COOPERATIA^ MOVEMENT The organization of an Ontario Cooperative Fruit Growers' Association is an event of more than ordinary import. It marks another step in the movement that is helping to obtain for the growers full value for their crops. Being founded on a strictly commercial basis, it will assist the local cooperative associations to eliminate many of the evils that beset the Cana- dian fruit trade. One of the greatest of these evils is the irre- sponsible buyer. Every year many growers are defrauded by sharpers. They sell their fruit to men who have carefully and deliberately laid plans to rob them. These men buy as many barrels as they can secure, making only a small advance payment, ship them to the Old Country, and go back to the grower with tales of disaster, injury in transit, a glutted market and others equally false. The grower is forced to accept whatever he can get, because, unfortunately, he can get no redress. The buyer is irresponsible; he has no property in the .section by which the grower can obtain recompense. The buyer, rejoicing in the ease with which it was done, moves ofl the next year in search of a new field to exploit. Tliere are me of these middlemen should be eliminated. These are some of the evils that cooperation is helping to overcome. Cooperative asso- ciations, usually, have large quantities of fruit at their disposal. This enables them to store their fruit when it is advisable to do so, to sell direct to responsible firms and to demand cash for every sale made. They are in a position to put up and offer a uniform pack, and to ask a high price for it. The cooperative movement in Ontario is of recent origin, but it has shown wonderful ad- I vancement. This year one-tenth of the crop J of the province will be handled by the co- operative associations; five years ago, it is doubtful if 5,000 barrels were put up in this way. The increased interest is due to the soundness of the principle having been demon- strated by the larger profits that have been realized on fruit thus handled. A number of the cooperative associations in Ontario have been eminently successful. At first they found no difficulty in disposing of their crops. More recently, through lack of cooperation between them, their salesmen have competed against each other, and prices thereby have been affected injuriously. This has shown the need for still another and a more advanced step in the cooperative movement' namely, cooperation among the cooperative associations. This now has been accomplished. In future, instead of several associations send- ing salesmen to the west or to Great Britain, and where possibly they might compete with each other, the central organization will be able to send one man, who thus will be able to maintain prices. In the past the local asso- ciations have had no means of knowing what the other associations were asking for their crops, or the prices being paid in the different sections. Through the new provincial organ- ization each association in future will be kept informed in regard to the prices prevailing in the other parts of the province. Through the influence of the newly organized Provincial Association, the larger associations now will be able to help the smaller, and therefore, weaker, organizations. The value of the Ontario Cooperative Fruit Growers' Association will be far-reaching. Other provinces may fall in line. British Col- umbia, for example, has a number of local associations. It is probable that she will follow the example of Ontario and organize a provincial organization. Thus will be welded THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 231 another link in the chain that ultimately will bind, as one, the fruit growers of Canada from the Atlantic to the Pacific. A CHANGE NEEDED The feeling is growing that the constitution of the Ontario Fruit Growers' Association should be revised. It is felt by many repres,entative growers that the present method of electing the board of directors is not altogether satisfactory. They desire to see some arrangements made by which the fruit growers in the different parts of the province will have more say in the election of the officers that are supposed to represent their districts. As this is a matter that, prob- ably, will be discussed at the annual convention next November, a few words at this time should be in order. In the first place objection is taken to the directors all being elected at the annual conven- tion. The expenses of the directors, while at- tending the convention, are paid by the associa- tion. This enables them to re-elect themselves into office year after year, practically without opposition, as concerted action by the other fruit growers present is difficult. As a rule the number of fruit growers who attend the annual convention from outlying points is limited; the result is that the rank and file of the growers in the different sections of the province have no say in the election of the directors on the board of the Ontario Fruit Growers' Association who are supposed to represent their districts. The fact is, there are very few fruit growers in Ontario who know who is their representative on the board. Some years ago, when the horticultural socie- ties of the province and the fruit growers' asso- ciation were affiliated, provision was made by which the horticultural societies were to be represented on the board of the fruit growers' association. This arrangement is still in force, although all connection between the association and the societies has been severed. The directors of the fruit growers' association include some first-class men, who, however, represent the horticultural societies more than they do the fruit growers of the province. Now that there is an Ontario Horticultural Association, representing the horticultural societies, it would seem as if these men would be in a position to do better and more valuable work were they identi- fied with the latter organization rather than with the fruit growers' association. At the last convention of the association, the constitution was so amended as to provide for the affiliation of the members of the local co- operative fruit growers' associations with the Ontario Association. This year the members who attend the convention will not be far astray if they go one step further by doing away with the present method of electing directors and giv- ing the various fruit growers' associations throughout the province, having a certain num- ber of members, the right to appoint one director each. This would give the fruit growers, in the sections where these local associations have been organized, the right to elect their own directors on the board of the provincial associa- tion. As these associations have been estab- lished in all the leading fruit sections of the province a board so elected would be even more representative of the province than is the case now. The directors appointed in this way would be men who are actively connected with the production and sale of fruit and, therefore, thoroughly competent and peculiarly well fitted for positions on the board of the Ontario Asso- ciation. Such an arrangement would be on the same lines as those that are proving so signally successful with the Ontario Vegetable Growers' Association. The latter association, although drawing a government grant of only $600, has 150 more members than the fruit growers' asso- ciation, with a grant of $1,800. We believe that the present officers of the Ontario Fruit Growers' Association are thor- oughly competent men, who have accomplished much valuable work for the fruit interests of the province. The fault is not with them, but with the system under which they are elected. The change we suggest would not necessarily lead to any very great change in the personnel of the board. Of the present directors Messrs. W. H. Bunting, Murray Pettit, A. E. Sherrington, W. H. Dempsey and Elmer Lick are connected with cooperative associations that would be able to re-elect them to positions on the provincial board. This suggestion is not made with the object of driving any of the present directors off the board, but in the hope that some change \vill be made in the constitution of the associa- tion that will bring the association into more direct touch with the fruit growers of the prov- ince and thus add to its power and usefulness. RELIABLE BRITISH FIRMS In the July issue of The Canadian Horti- culturist, we directed attention to the fact that in London, England, there are many firms that receive fruit by direct consignment that are dishonest. The reputation of some of these firms for crooked work is so well known that our representative, while in Great Britain, refused to accept advertisements from them. Every precaution is taken to see that only re- liable firms advertise in The Canadian Hor- TicuLTURisT. When in England our staff rep- resentative took pains to investigate the re- liability of all firms that desired to advertise in our columns. For this reason we can, with confidence, recommend to the Canadian apple producer and shipper, those British firms that solicit consignments of fruit in this and sub- sequent issues of The Horticulturist. We have reason to believe that these firms are re- liable, and that they will pay top prices for high-grade fruit. It behooves the Canadian grower to exercise particular care in packing and shipping. No British firm can be expected to make satisfactory returns for fruit that does not arrive true to name and grade, honestly packed and in marketable condition. When disappointing returns are received by Canadian growers, some of them complain that they were unfairly dealt with. This may or may not be the case. It is the purpose of The Canadian Horticulturist . to assist both buyer and seller to determine the authenticity of such complaints. We are pleased to an- nounce, therefore, that Mr. W. A. McKiimon, Canadian Commercial Agent, Bristol, has kindly agreed to act as arbitrator at that point. Any Canadian shipper may secure the services of Mr. McKinnon at any time that a consignment arrives at Bristol. Mr. McKinnon will exam- ine and report the condition of the fruit when sold, and the shipper may compare such with the report from the consignees. This will tend to eliminate some of the obstacles in the way of reputable dealing. We hope to be able to secure the services of similar impartial referees at other leading British importing centres. This, however, is a work that properly belongs to the Dominion Fruit Division under the dairy commissioner. A COMPLIMENTARY LETTER The following letter from Mr. Alex. McNeill, Chief, Fruit Division, Ottawa, was addressed to the members of the newly-organized Ontario Cooperative Fruit Growers' Association: "Let me congratulate you upon organizing the Ontario Cooperative Fruit Growers' Asso- ciation. While we made some attempt last year to secure a union of the cooperative asso- ciations, the occasion was not ripe; neverthe- less, we foresaw that very quickly all the evils of competition would again be felt almost as keenly as among individuals if there were no cooperation among the associations themselves. I am pleased to note that you are making the commercial side of the association the chief one. There is no reason why the Ontario Fruit Grow- ers' Association should not take up all other lines of work, but experience has shown that when it comes to the purely commercial side, even the Provincial Association falls down. The new association will find ample work for itself in taking up the purely commercial side. "You may rest assured that the Fruit Divi- sion will assist the cooperative associations in any way possible. Any information we have with reference to crop reports and sales is at your disposal; and we will also be glad to have your assistance in securing unifonn grades in the packing of fruit in the province. "I note what you say with reference to a fruit inspector visiting the associations fre- quently. This is only fair. The local asso- ciations are practically working along the same lines as the Fruit Division, to secure a good and an honest pack, and the Fruit Division, as far as it lies in its power, will not only impart all the information which it has, but will pro- tect the good name of the associations by watching carefully the ' weaker brethren ' to see that they do not lower the standard or other- wise injure the good name that the cooperative associations have been able to make. "You will be pleased to note with reference to your second request that arrangements have already been made for an expert packer from the Pacific Coast to give demonstrations in box packing. He will visit nearly, if not all the associations of your membership in the near future. Full particulars of these demon- strations will be forwarded to you within a few days." TORONTO HORT'L SOCIETY The Toronto Hort. Soc. has organized a woman's branch to help further the interest already taken in the work by members in g:eneral. The interchanging of ideas, sugges- tions, etc., that will prove helpful in the home, will be of value to the ladies. The society pur- poses holding frequent meetings, with prac- tical talks. Demonstrations will be made in the tasteful arrangement of flowers. A plan will be instituted, commencing in a small way, to help those who cannot afford plants and shrubs. The poor sections of the city will be made more attractive and bright. The offi- cers of the woman's branch are: Chairman, Miss M. E. Blacklock; sec, Mrs. F. Abbott. Owing to pressure of space in the last issue of The Horticulturist, we were unable to re- port that the Toronto Hort. Soc. held its annual excursion to Niagara Falls in July, and spent a most enjoyable day. The chief interest cen- tered in Queen Victoria Park, over which Supt. R. Cameron escorted the visitors, who were thus afforded an opportunity of gaining much valuable information regarding the splendid collection of annuals, perennials, etc., which Mr. Cameron has under his care. A week be- fore the excursion the soc. had the pleasure, by invitation of the pres., Mr. H. R. Frank- land, of visiting his home, where they were shown over the "old plantation" and after- wards spent a very pleasant evening listening to, the excellent music provided by an orchestra while Mrs. Frankland, assisted by her daugh- ters, served dainty refreshments. That the Essex peninsula can grow high-class muskmelons — the kind that are tempting, fra- grant and delicious — has been proven to Th8 Horticulturist in a very practical way. We received a basket of nice ones from "Peach Bluflf Farm," the large fruit and vegetable estab- lishment of Messrs. Hilbom and Atkin, of Leamington. Many thanks. We are offering The Canadian Horti- culturist during September for a mere song. A postal note to the tune of $1.00 will pay for 4 new subscriptions for a year. 232 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST MarKetin^ Early Apples J. F. Scriver, D.F.I. Montreal, Que. There are almost enough early apples raised on the Island of Montreal now to supply the local market and growers living outside a radius of 10 miles of the city must look elsewhere for a market. It has been shown in the last three years that these apples can be marketed in Great Britain at paying prices. Pick the Duchess when fairly well colored, and not when they are small and green. On the other hand do not allow them to become too ripe, as they will not carry well then. Pack them in boxes, and guard against them becom- ing heat.ed. It would be better to ship them to one of the cold storage warehouses in Mon- treal and allow them to remain there a few days to become thoroughly cooled. Ship in cold storage on steamer, and you will receive satisfactory returns. I would advise stiipping to Glasgow if packed in boxes. Wealthies and Alexanders should be handled in the same way, although these apples have brought good returns packed in iDarrels. However, the extra price received would more than pay the extra expense. I would never advise shipping St. Lawrence apples to the old country market. They do not seem to want them there, and often very low prices are secured. The Winnipeg market is the place for them. Pick them on the green side, cool thoroughly before loading, and ship in refrigerator cars. There are two rules that must be observed in exporting early apples. The first is, do not allow the apples to become ripe before picking; gather when on the green side just when well colored; the second and most important rule is never to allow fruit to become heated. Ship only when well cooled, and if you cannot ship in this condition, it is better to allow them to rot on the ground, be- cause it will result in heavy loss. Enterprising Fruit Gro-wers At the annual meeting of the St. Catharines Cold Storage and Forwarding Co., of St. Cath- arines, a committee was named to act with the directors in making shipments of fruit to the Northwest during the present season. This committee has made arrangements for the work. With the experience of the shipments of last year and the advice of Robt. Thompson, the president of the company, who spent some six weeks last spring in the fruit districts of B.C., studying their methods and consulting with the wholesale houses in Calgary, Moosejaw, Regina, Brandon and Winnipeg, they feel that they can look forward to some degree of success. They have adopted a set of rules to govern all shippers and every man is required to sign them. The rules or regulations in brief, are: That each shipper agrees to fill a certain space in each car or give 5 days' notice of inabiUty so that the committee can procure suitable fruit to fill same; that two cars be forwarded each week, un- less lessened by order of majority of committee; that uniform packages be used, also a uniform system of branding names of shipper, varieties and grades on all boxes. A carload of apple, pear, pliun, peach and tomato boxes have been ordered from New Westminster, B.C. A trade brand has been adopted for the western shipments and can be used only when approved of by the committee. All fruit in these boxes is to be packed according to directions and is subject to inspection by a sub-committee to guarantee uniformity. All grapes with brand on have to weigh a standard weight per bskt. All fruit has to be delivered at the cold storage building on the day previous to shipment to enable it to be chilled before going into the refrigerator car. The railway companies are to be consulted so as to ensure a supply of cars and quick despatch. Arrange- ments are being made to ship to the Ottawa Fruit Exchange in Winnipeg and to wholesale men in the west. The shippers who sent the bulk of the 30 cars last season are making pre- parations to pack in boxes and wrap a portion of the fruit. Some of the shippers have sent a few crates of strawberries and cherries by ex- press to a few of the western towns to see if they will carry successfully. Prince Ed-ward Island Letter Rev. Father Burke, Alberton Concerning the work in horticultural instruc- tion, undertaken in early spring, Inspector Burke writes as follows: " Horticultural meetings were discontinued for a time during the hay- making season. I do not know whether these will be resumed this season or not. "The prospect is fairly good for the apple crop, but the quantity of fruit set is not so large as was promised. Plums and pears will be a light crop. Cherries were a good crop; small fruits abundant." The view of the instructor, who has gone over the province, agrees with our own with respect to the crop. It will not be as abundant as first indications promised. Small fruits are now- being picked. They are in abundance, but apart from strawberries, there is no regular profitable market for the quantities grown. We have but a couple of local jam factories, and they are only on a small scale. There should be a big preserving concern here. The best jams and pickles could be profitably put up. Proximity to the maritime markets should secure good sales for pure products. There is no word of the elevation of the Fruit Division to a commissionership yet; indeed, the live stock commissionership is now taken away and made an appendage to the Health of Animals Department. Queer things happen sometimes before people get back to their senses. What has the health of animals to do with formal organized stock' breeding? And what has but- ter and cheese in common with fruit? There is complaint in New Brunswick, too, because their inspector is not a permanent ofBcer and employed in instruction, as the inspectors elsewhere. Our inspector has only a temporary mandate, although he should be on the regular staff, and we must agitate till he is. Fruit Notes from Montreal E. H. Wartman, D.F.I. The Island of Montreal, noted for Fameuse apples, will come far short of a full crop this season ; about 50 % clean, and of good size. This variety comprises 75 % of the fruit pro- duction of the island. The market for raspberries of all kinds lias been firm. The uniformity of baskets in size is quite noticeable, and largely accounts for the good condition fruit has arrived in this season. A uniform berry crate would now be in order so as to pile snugly in cars, to prevent oscillation and to insure good condition at distant points. Early apples, Duchess, E. Harvest, Astrachans, have been arriving in large quantities in II qt. bskts. and have sold well. Bbls. of same varie- ties are coming in slowly. The grading of peaches, showing honest face, is becoming very satisfactory to the trade. Fruit men, in general, are making money on account of satisfactory packages and grading of fruit. The banana trade is increasing annually. One firm received 7 cars in 1 day, 2,.500 bunches, which would aggregate $3,000 in cash. The Can. Express Co.'s method of handHng large quantities of fruits should be commended. When morning express arrives, fruit cars are shunted alongside their commodious shed. Lat- tice gates are used for ventilating. These are locked; no one but consignees are allowed in until each man's lot is piled and checked. Then buyers are let in. Many sales are made through the grating, so that when shed is open to public, one-half of consignments are sold. Then comes the double checking. Every man who has any packages to bring out has to have a check bear- ing the number of packages. Men at doors col- lect these checks, which, when added, should make up the sum total. The hot weather has commenced to show on early peaches and tomatoes. When skin is broken, juice soon ferments and goods soon be- come unsaleable. It is hoped that western shipijers will continue to ship in the same good style which has been a characteristic of the past few weeks, and they will be handsomely re- munerated. Peaches for NortK-AVest "Peach growers have not yet solved the prob- lems of picking and packing for the Northwest," remarked Mr. F. B. Henry, formerly of Winona, who has spent many seasons on the ground and closely in touch with the western fruit trade, to a representative of The Horticulturist. "Asa rule, Ontario growers pick their jxraches too green. This is a mistake. Peaches for long distance shipping should lie fully mature, but not ripe. In all cases that came under my notice, peaches well matured kept better than those picked on the green side of maturity; and also such brought at least 20 per cent, higher price." Some varieties of peaches will ship farther than others. Crawford can be shipped with safety only as far as Winni|)eg, while Elberta can be laid down in good condition in Brandon, and even farther. At present, most all our peaches in the West are sold for dessert pur- poses. The canning season is over there when Elberta arrives. We need an early peach that vrill carry to that market. This is work for the new Niagara Experimental Fruit Farm. By originating such a variety, the Government will aid the Ontario grower to compete favor- ably with growers from across the line. Vegetables in Cold Storage "I tried some experiments keeping vegetables in cold storage last season," said Mr. J. W. Rush, of Humber Bay, to a representative of The Horticulturist, "but the results were not altogether satisfactory. Thirty cases of caul- flower, 20 barrels of spinach, 300 roots of celery and a quantity of cabbage were placed in cold storage for two or three months. "The spinach and cabbage kept fairly well, but the green outside leaves of the caulifiower and the green of the celery turned brown. The temperature was probably not kept low enough. Three or four degrees of frost will not hurt cauli- flower. If celery can be kept satisfactorily it will mean much for our market gardeners, as Canadian celery is of better flavor and sells bet- ter than the celery that is imported." When in Reading, England, recently, the staff representative of The C.\nadian Horticot^ TURisT had the pleasure of being conducted over the large seed warehouses and trial grounds of Messrs. Sutton & Sons, a name that is well and favorably known throughout the British Empire. The Horticulturist had a previous acquaint- ance \vith this firm through their catalogues. A personal visit to their place of business was considered a treat, and proved to be a surprise. No one, who has not been over their premises, has any conception of the pains this firm takes to ensure only pure seeds being sent to their customers. For their foreign trade, they take extra trouble to protect their seeds from mois- ture during the ocean voyage. The seeds are placed in ordinary packages bearing a Sutton seal. Afterwards, they are placed in a tinfoil covering with the ends melted together, then into an air-tight tin with a screw cap and this is soldered. If the order is sufficiently large these packages are placed in an hermetically sealed steel tank. These are but a few examples of the trouble taken to give customers pure seeds. I have always valued The C.\n.\dian Horti- culturist and look forward to its artival each month. — Jas. Kay, Aberdeen, Scotland. I Handling and SKipping Fruit via Montreal The Second of a Series of Articles by the Staff Representative of the Canadian Horticxilturist, ^«rho this S\»n»mer Visited Great Britain in the Interests of Canadian Fruit Gro-wers and of this Paper THE conditions under which Canadian fruit is handled by the steamship com- panies while in transit are, on the whole, very satisfactory. It is gratifying to find that this is the case, as the proper transport - Unloading on Wharf from Teams ation of fruit from the orchard in Canada to the salesrooms of Great Britain, is an important factor in the development of our export trade. On the manner of transportation largely rests the ultimate profit or loss of the venture. It should be such that the same care is taken as in the production of the fruit, but, until coin- paratively recent years the reverse has been in evidence. One of the chief objects we had in view in visiting Great Britain was to ascertain the con- ditions under which perishable products are handled by the steamship companies. It was unfortunate that business arrangements neces- sitated the trip being taken at a .season when fruit was not being exported. On the other hand large quantities of cheese and butter were being handled in the cold storage compartments of the vessel. The care given these articles gave us a good idea of the manner in which our fruit exports would be handled later in the season. We all know, as has been shown repeatedly in The Canadian Horticulturist, that on this side of the Atlantic much of our fruit is not picked at the proper stage of maturity, that often it is left in piles in the orchard at the mercy of the weather, and that frequently it reaches the steamer in a condition unfit for safe carriage. The Markets Division of the Dominion Department of Agriculture, established by Prof. Jas. W. Robertson, and now ably managed by Mr. W. W. Moore, has done and is doing ex- cellent work towards bringing about an improve- ment in everything connected with the shipping of fruit. Naturally, however, when we have not reached perfection in our methods on this side, we cannot say much if we find some points to criticize in the handling of our products by the steamship companies, and by those who are responsible for its care after it reaches the wharves in Great Britain. In anything we may say on this subject, how- ever, we are perfectly well aware that "one swallow does not make a summer," and that it would not be safe to draw any sweeping con- clusions after accompanying and watching the handling of only one steamship load of produce. On the other hand we feel that what we saw during our trip was sufficient to give a general idea of the manner in which much of our fruit is handled, and to enable us to draw some con- clusions therefrom. On the whole we were very favorably impressed with the manner in which the steamship company cared for its load and with the treatment accorded to the perishable products of which it consisted after it reached London. There is room, however, for great improvement in the care given our produce at other ports, such as Liver- pool, Manchester and Glasgow. An important factor in successful transportation is to keep the fruit at a uniform temperature from the time it is picked until it is sold. This has been demonstrated to the sorrow of some of our growers in western Ontario, in shipping fruit via New York. At that port the fruit is transferred from the freight sheds to the steamer on the decks of small boats. On these it is exposed to the sun and weather and then placed in the hold at a temperature often of 75 degrees. Having been picked and shipped at a temperature much lower, the rise and subsequent fall in temperature on board has a very damaging effect. Although a lower freight rate may have been secured, it seldom compensated for the loss occasioned in marketing by the inferior condition of the fruit; it did not net the shipper as much as had it been shipped by the all Canadian route. Apples shipped via Lowering Apples into Hold Montreal are delivered in the cars direct to the wharf, and can be unloaded, under cover of the steamship company's shed, immediately into. the hold of the vessel. They thus experience but slight change in temperature and are spared all unnecessary handling. That as ac- curate an idea as possible might be obtained of the care given perishable products by the steamship compan- ies, arrangements were made to sail on one of the large freight boats of the Thomson Line, of which the Robt. Reford Co., of Montreal, are the agents in Canada. It thus was possible to watch the loading of the vessel, to check the temperatures maintained in the hold during the voyage, and to observe the unload- ing and handling on the wharves in Great Britain. In this connection mention might be drawn to the careful supervision that is given to these matters by the officials of the Markets Division of the Department of Agriculture. Not only do they obtain the temperatures of much of the produce before it is loaded on the vessels and note the condition of the packages and produce, but this year they are placing thermographs in the holds of every steamer leaving Montreal for Great Britain. These thermographs keep an accurate, automatic record of the temperatures maintained each day of the voyage. In Great Britain, inspectors of the department again inspect the cargoes as they are unloaded, test the temperature of the produce and record the percentage of broken boxes and damaged fruit. This work has had a far-reaching effect, as shown by the great im- provements that have been made in recent years in the methods of handling and shipping perish- able products. .j,jjg THOMSON LINE Not being an expert in cold storage matters, some points may have escaped our attention that an expert would have caught, but we feel free to say that we were most favorably im- pressed by the careful manner in' which the officials of the Thomson Line handled and looked after the cargo of the vessel on which we sailed. This care was given, not only to the products while being loaded, but during the course of the voyage and throughout the process of unloading on the other side. This line, in fact, appears to have brought these matters very near to the point of perfection. From information gained, not only from officials of the company, but from exporters in Canada and importers in Great Bri- tain, the Thomson Steamship Co. are said to have been the pioneers in every forward movement made to enable the Canadian shippers to land their pro- duce in Great Britain in satisfactory condition. They are said to carry more fruit from Canada than any other com- pany, and have the name of being the most careful, the quickest and most obliging company in the Canadian trade to London. The company has the exclusive right to discharge the cargoes of its vessels into the new Can- adian Produce Warehouses (West) at Surrey Commercial docks. These ware- houses are the liest equipped in Great Britain. The accompanying illustrations, se- cured last year, give a good idea of the manner in which the fruit is un- loaded from the drays to the wharf, and the barrels lowered into the hold. It will be seen that large mattresses are used on which to land the barrels, so that the fruit will not be bruised or injured in any way when loading or unloading. The vessel is divided into compartments in Apple Storage Room Aboard Ship 234 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST. which temperatures of various degrees can be maintained. The compartments are provided with ventilating shafts. Sirocco fans arc used to draw off any foul air or gas that may accumu- late. During the hot weather these chambers are cooled by means of cold air. The tempera- ture can be kept at about 40 degs. Some cham- bers are insulated and cooled by the brine jnpe system, and can be cooled to zero if necessary. Shippers should do everything ix>ssible to see that the fruit reaches the ship in proper condi- tion. Poorly selected and ixx)rly packed fruit cannot be expected to reach London in satisfac- tory condition. The quality of such and the prices .obtained are not as good as is the case where proper care is taken to deliver it to the boat in good condition and at a right tem- P"**-""*- ON THE OCEAN 9i ': During the voyage the refrigerating machin- ery was placed in charge of the 4th engineer, who took the temperatures 6 times each day. This was done by means of a thermometer, on a string, placed at the bottom of an iron tube leading to the various chambers. These lubes had an open- ing on the deck through which the thermometers were drawn up that the readings might be re- corded. We were given the privilege of verify- ing these records, and took advantage of it many times during the voyage. Great care was taken to ensure an even tem- perature in the hold. This usually is accom- plished, as the records on the thermographs that are placed in each compartment by the Dominion Government inspectors in Montreal show. Con- ditions on the wharves at London and other British ports will be described in our next issue. Our Apple Trade in France A. McMeill Fruit Division, Ottawa The fruit division is in receipt of a letter from Mr. Proust, of Roscoff, P'rance, who has done considerable business in Canadian apples delivered in Havre. Mr. Proust says that at the time of writing, the latter part of June, the prospects for a crop in France were fair, but that they could not speak positively of the actual quantity until about the end of July. Whether the crop in France is good or not, he says there will always be a trade for a large quantity of Canadian Roxbury Russets. These apples should not be too large. Mr. Proust gives the size of 22 centimeters in circumfer- ence, or about 8M in., carefully packed in bbls. These apples should be delivered at Havre about the end of Oct. or middle of Nov., in sufficient quantities to impress the market. Mr. Proust states that should there be a shortage in the French crop, there will be a large market not only for Roxbury Russets, but for Golden Russets, Ben Davis, Stark and apples of that type. This corresponds with the experience of the last two or three years in the French trade. Our Canadian buy- ers were somewhat astonished last year to find that the French buyers in Canada refused Northern Spies, but would take all the well- grown Ben Davis that were available. Independent XelepKones An independent telephone movement center- ing at Jordan Station has taken place recently. A large number of growers in Beamsville, Vine- land, and Jordan have formed a co-operative company to be called the Niagara District In- dependent Telephone Co., Ltd., with a capital of $10,000. The shares are $25 each; any man taldng three shares gets his phone rental for $10; less than three shares, including non-sub- scribers, $12. The stock is limited to six shares and no subscriber can transfer his stock without the consent of the company. Already 100 phones are contracted for, and over $6,000 in stock subscribed. The provisional directors are: Pres., C. Wismer, Jordan; sec.-treas., Levi Moyer, Beamsville; Alvin Culp, Alex. Tromp, and Elvin Werner. i POULTRY DEPT. 4 •J Oonducteci by "J ^ S. SKort, Ott*-wa ^ oa|^ oa|^ OMI%>> /l%«%^ n*>¥^^ The growing demand for first -class eggs and poultry is awakening a keener interest in [xiultry production both among ex])erienced breeders and also among intelligent young men and women who are attracted to poultry raising as a means of livelihood. Better prices are prev.iiling now than ever before. Year after year sees an upward tendency in the prices of eggs, both in summer and winter. It must be borne in mind, however, that this is caused partly by the in- crease in the prices of all i)oultry foods and lumber for building, and in hired help. I may fairly say that the prices are not yet so high as to give more than only a fair profit to those who exercise care and economy in their business. The magnitude of the poultry interests and its value to the country is being fully recognized by the Ont. Government, which gives generous grants to the leading poultry assns., as well as maintaining a dept. for poultry at the Guelph Agri. College. An evidence of the good work done there is the bringing together of all the leading experts in poultry matters, both Ameri- can and Canadian, at the first poultry institute held at Guelph in March last. DRY FEEDING At that meeting many valuable lectures were given, all of which have been incorporated in a report published by the Dept. of Agri., Toronto, and which can be had by making application through the mail. One of the most interesting of these lectures was delivered by Mr. A. F. Hunter, West Roxbury, Mass., on "Dry Feed- ing." It contains practical and common sense suggestions and changes of a radical nature in feeding with a view to the improvement of the birds and a saving of time. Pressure of space forbids the pubUcation in these columns of the entire lecture. The following extracts, how- ever, will give an idea of Mr. Hunter's views: "That quite a good deal of the trouble we have been having with our flocks was due to the defects in methods of feeding, has come to be the opinion of many observers, and of late the feeUng has t>een gaining ground that the feeding of a cooked mash is a serious mistake. One reason for this is found in the fact lliat the fowls gobble the food down too quickly, far too quickly for the digestive organs to perform their allotted tasks, and the results have appeared in the form of indigestion, looseness of the bowels and other symptoms of the birds Ix'ing out of condition. Not infrequently the birds become over-fat, the organs Ijecome engorged, a blood vessel bursts, and a fowl is found dead under the roost in the morning. The explana- tion of this is that feeding a cooked masli is 'forcing' the birds beyond their ability to digest and assimilate; it is analogous to 'forcing' for rapid growth of tender, delicate flesh for market, and the process is all right for chickens that are to be early killed for the table; for that definite purpose the quicker the growth, the greater the profit, but for birds that are to endure the strain of persistent egg-production, and are to be the parents of strong, vigorous, boimd-to-live offspring, the 'forcing' process invites disaster, because it induces and continues a condition of tenderness that is exactly opposite from the hardiness so desirable for the best results. "The pith of the argument for dry feeding Hes in eating slowly a bit at a time — first a mouthful of dry mash, then a bit of grain or a seed or two, and then a snip at a clover-leaf or head — then to the drinking fountain for a sip of water. It does not take us long to discover that this is exactly the way the fowl or chick eats when running wild and finding its food bit by bit — it is 'Nature's way' for a bird to feed, and if we but do our part in supplying the essential food elements so the birds can take what they want and as they want it, the con- ditions seem to be right for them to eat in the natural way, and they will eat no more than they want, and eat it in the way their systems can best appreciate it." Empress Eugene is the hardiest of the Duke cherries — the only one that has fruited at Ottawa. — W. T. Macoun, Horticulturist, C.E.F. A great offer: The Canadian Horticul- turist 1 year for 50 cents, or 3 yrs. for $1.20. 'Four new subscriptions, 1 yr. for $1.00. INSURANCE The very best kind of Insurance — i.e., provision for the future as well as the present, is a Savings Account in SOVEREIGN BANK OF CANADA Interest paid four times a year. $1.00 will open an account. Put your money in a place where you can fget it when you want it 57 BRANCHES THROUGHOUT THE DOMINION Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writinc !l THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 235 — 5000 — NEW READERS That is what we want for The Canadian Horticul- turist, and what we are out to obtain. More than that — we intend to have that number by the 1st of May, 1907. With that object we have decided to offer The Canadian Horticulturist at prices at which people who are inter- ested in fruit, flowers or vegetables will have to subscribe. From now on we will accept subscriptions for The Canadian Horticulturist at the following REDUCED SUBSCRIPTION RATES A I -Year New or Renewal Subscription lor 5flc A 3-Year New or Renewal Subscription lor $ 1 .20 This means that we will accept yearly new or renewal subscriptions at just half what the regular price of sub- scription for this paper has been during the past 28 years, while new or renewal subscriptions for three vears will be taken for LESS THAN HALF PRICE. In spite of this great reduction it is our intention to make the paper better in every way than ever. To inau- gurate our subscription campaign we have decided to make a still greater, but only a limited term subscription offer. During the month of September we will accept Clubs of Pour New Full Year Subscriptions for The Canadian Horticulturist for only $1 , or at the rate of 25c. each. We hope our readers will help us, not only by renewing their own subscriptions at our greatly reduced rates, but that they will get up clubs for The Horticulturist among their friends and neighbors, and thus help us to make this the Greatest Hotticultu st Paper in the World. We are wondering who among our readers will be first to send us some of these clubs. Our object in making this great offer is explained in the editorial columns of this issue. These club rates apply only to bona fide new sub- scriptions and do not refer to subscriptions that were ordered or that expired on or before August 31, 1906. Such subscribers will be able to renew their subscrip- tions next year at the reduced rate. ■WTBITE FOR SAMPLE COPIES OR FURTHER PARTICULARS TO The Canadian Horticulturist Rooms 507-508 Manning Chambers TORONTO ONTARIO BritisH Columbia Letter C. P. Metcalfe, Hammond Weather conditions for July and Aug. have been favorable. Raspberries and blackberries are an average crop. Prices good. Plums generally are a heavy crop, Italian prunes es- pecially. Early apples are about over, and the prospects for a heavy crop of fall and winter apples are good. Pears are somewhat less than a medium crop. Manufacturers and small fruit growers have been getting rid of their surplus stock of small fruit boxes, and will be in a position to use the legal land f qt. bxs. next year. I think most likely the * qt. box will be used for strawberries and the j qt. for raspberries. Plums and prunes are in now, and will be moved out in carload lots next week and after until finished. The Provincial Government here has been making exhibitions of green and bottled fixiits at various points in Manitoba and the North- west. The exhibitions were very creditable and were the admiration of thousands who at- tended the exhibitions and will prove an excel- lent advertisement for the fruit-growing indus- try of the province. The problem confronting the horticulturist at the present time is the lack of cheap labor. All countries engaged extensively in the pro- duction of many of the staple articles of con- sumption and trade, have their cheap or coolie labor, and it will be necessary for the Cominion Government to take some action in this respect to relieve the present want The development of the fruit industry of B.C. is being retarded by the want of cheap labor. The problem must be dealt with sooner or later by the Government."" A Nice Premium will be given Free to all Readers who Buy Goods from Advertisers. Four new subscriptions for The Cana- dian Horticulturist for only $1.00. Can't you get up a club? A Growing Exhibition The Ontario Horticultural Exhibition, that will be held here from Nov. 6 to 10, will be con- ducted on a much larger scale than last year. One of the chief features this year will be the presence at every gathering of the famous Black Dike Band of Great Britain, one of the most famous musical organizations in the world. The insti-uments are all of brass and, in this I respect, the organization is unique. At < very ' performance at afternoon and evening there will be selections by the band, as well as quartettes, j duets and solos. The requests for prize-lists already received i indicates that the exhibition, in all lines, will ^ be nnich ahead of last year. The excellent I quality of this year's fruit crop insures an ex- ceptionally high-class exhibition. It is believed that the combination of high-class flowers, fruit i and vegetables, with the best of music, will be sure to attract a very large attendance. It is 1 expected that Massey Hall will be crowded every day. This year the Toronto City Council has appointed representatives to act upon the Board of Management, which insures the inter- est of the city. A strong committee, composed of Mayor Coatsworth, representing the city; R. J- Score, H. R. Frankland, representing the Horticultural Exhibition; F. F. Reeves, representing the Veg. Grs. Assn.; H. G. Sibbald, representing the Bee Grs. Assn.; and H. B. Cowan, representing the Dept. of Agric, waited on the Canadian Pas- senger Assn. early in Aug., and requested half- rates to the exhibition. The decision of the railways has not been announced, but it is anticipated that they will run an excursion from all iiarts of the province on Wed., Nov. 7, good for the entire week. Those desiring to attend at other dates will lie able to return free on the cctificate i)Ian. Fruit Crop Conditions and Prices APPLK indications in Canada are for only a medium crop, but on tile whole, of good are quite free from rot and fungous diseases; the bulk of the crop will be of the following kinds: Bradshaw, Yellow Egg, Gueii, Monarch, Reine Claude, Lombard and some kinds of Gages. Grajjes, where sprayed, are looking up to last year's quaHty and quantity; where not, more or less rot and petrified berries ap- pear in the bunches or have fallen out and left scraggy bunches. I sprayed all kinds of grapes before blossoming, with the exception of one row of Niagaras; where sprayed, alxnit per- fect; the one row not sprayed Ijefore blossom- ing, very poor. Although sprayed twice since, the spray has had no effect in checking the rot, which is gradually getting worse until at pres- ent the bad berries in bunches will run from 30% to 90%.— Egbert M. Smith. LINCOLN COUNTY Grimsby. — ^The general outlook for fruit is good. Rot in grapes has not developed much in last 3 or 4 weeks; Rogers 15 is affected most. Peaches are a fair crop; Elbertas, good; Craw- fords, rather shy. Pears are good and excep- tionally clean, especially Bartletts; blight has been prevalent, and this year affected orchards planted on clay more than those planted in light soils. Plums are very light. Tomatoes, while not badly damaged, show signs of suffer- ing from lack of rain. The apple prospect would appear to be as good as last year, but all the trees have suffered more or less from twig blight, especially the Greenings. — H. L. Roberts. Jordan Station. — The fruit crop is in a trying condition owing to the need of rain, although in this immediate locality it is not suffering to the same extent that it is to the east and west of us. Neglected peach trees are carrying 3 or 4 times the number of peaches they should carry; it is impossible for them to bring to perfection their load. Trees that have been well pruned, cultivated, fed and thinned, are carrying a good crop of fine fruit. Grapes, where spraying wa5 neglected, are rotting badly; in some cases almost ruining the crop; on the whole, no more than half a crop. Apples, even where not sprayed, promise a crop much larger than last season and of better quality. Pears have suffered from blight; the crop will be light, though of good quality. Plums are more plentiful than was expected, and are of good quality. — C. M. Honsberger. St. Catharines. — The extreme drought that has prevailed throughout the greater part of the Niagara district has wrought considerable damage to the fruit crop and, unless broken in the near future, . will be quite serious. The early tomato crop has proved a very good one, but serious damage from rot is reported in nearly all the late fields, which, of course, are depended u]»n for the main crop. Canners are becoming apprehensive that the pack will be very much lessened. Pears are s moderate crop, generally speaking; many varieties, how- ever, have blighted to a considerable extent. Early peaches have been plentiful. The yel- low varieties will be a fairly good crop, but need rain badly to swell them to normal size. Grapes have been affected slightly by rot and mildew; the crop will be moderate to fair. All fruits are ripening prematurely on account of the dry, hot weather. — W. H. Bunting. KENT COUNTY Chatham. — Fruit prospects are good. Ap- ples are quite free from scab and worms, and are holding on pretty well. This is for orchards that have been sprayed. In unsprayed or- chards the crop is light. Greenings promise most. Spy next, Baldwins light; Ben Davis, light ; only few Kings. — W. D. A. Ross. LAMBTON COUNTY Forest. — The peach and plum crop is prac- tically a failure. Pears will be fair and crab THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST. i237 apples heavy, although neither is grown ex- tensively. The apple crop will be about 25% heavier than last year, and where the orchards have been sprayed and cared for, the quality fine; as a whole, the crop is light.— D. Johnson. BRUCE COUNTY Walkerton. — Plums are a total failure. The apple crop is light to medium; quality good, very little spot, some codling moth. Owing to dry, hot weather, apples on sod are drying badly. Cultivated orchards are holding their own. If present weather continues, the crop will be lessened materially. — A. E. Sherrington. GREY COUNTY Meaford. — Apples are cleaner than for many years, though, where unsprayed, they show some spot. The crop is very irregular; some orchards are as full as in '96, while others have a very light crop. This feature is more notice- able in winter varieties, fall fruit being gener- ally good. There is a full crop of snow apples, also of Ben Davis. Spies and Greenings are medium, Baldwins light; other varieties are only fair. Pears are a light crop. Plums, a failure. Peaches, good. — A. Gifford. NEW BRUNSWICK York Co. — Duchess apples are extra good; Wealthy, good; Alexander, medium; Fameuse good, sUghtly affected with scab; Y. Transpar- ent, good; Gano, medium; G. Ruspet, failure; Mcintosh, failure; Astrachan, failure; Pewaukee, verv light; Princess Louise, light. Crab ap- ples, Hyslop, extra good. Plums, failure. Blackberries, good. Black Currants, extra good. — John Ferguson, Lower Queensbury. St. John, — There are not many apples raised in this province as yet. Many young trees are planted that have not yet matured. The aver- age pack here is from 3,000 to 5,000 bbls. The pack this year will be about 5,000 bbls,, as crop prospects are very favorable. — Taylor & White. !/> II.'quebec. '•A^ljirl^ Abbotsford. — Unfavorable conditions have reduced the prospects for an average crop of first-class apples. The "June drop" was heavy. The curculio and codling moth are in evi- dence. The Fameuse is a fair crop, but more scabbed than last season. Winter varieties not over half crop, A few pears, but plums and cherries are a complete failure, — J, M, Fisk, BRITISH COLUMBIA Plums, Japanese, Ught; European, full crop; Washington, Bradshaw, Gage, and Y, Egg, especially good. Peaches, not grown exten- sively, but where planted, are a fairly good crop; Y, St. John and Triumph best, loaded. Pears, Clapp's, rather Ught; Bartlett aijd F. Beauty, good; L. Bonne and Clairgeau, well loaded, Apple trees in full bearing, well loaded; younger orchards, only a scattering crop, — Martin Burrell, Grand Forks, Four people can get The Horticul- turist for a full year for 25 cents each — — provided they are not already sub- scribers. Over $1,000 in Prizes So liberal have been the donations of special prizes to the Niagara District Horticultural Ex- hibition that will be held at St. Catharines, Sept. 14, 15, that the ])rize list now amounts to consid- erably over $1,000. Of this, about $600 will be given for fruit, $330 for flowers and $150 for vegetaliles. Copies of the prize list may be obtained from the sec, Mr, E, T, Reed, St, Catharines, The judges were appointed at a special meet- ing held Aug, 23, and are: In the fruit sections, for commercial packages and special prizes, A. McNeill, of Ottawa, and P. J. Carey, of Toronto; M. Pettit, of Winona, for grapes and pears; A. W. Peart, of Burlington, for apples and plums; and E. Morris, of Fonthill, for peaches. Mr. Braik, supt. of parks in Buffalo, assisted by another gentleman from Buffalo, will judge the flowers, and Mr. A. McMeans, of the Agric. Coll., Guelph, the vegetables. Arrangements are being made for the running of a special train from Toronto to St. Catharines the last day of the Exhibition with excursion rates from all points along the line. The ex- hibits promised already show that the large armory will be severely taxed to afford sufficient accommodation, A special exhibit is being prepared by Mr. Roderick Cameron, of Niagara Falls, that will include over 1,000 specimens of flowers. It promises to prove a great exhibition and a valuable advertisement for the Niagara district. •! *« >"^ Larg'e Profits From Fruit This statement shows the value of the crops grown by Mr. Arthur C. Starr, of Nova Scotia for the last 7 years. The profits were estimated as being equal to 15% on a value of $1,000 an acre. The statement was as follows: Bbls, Total Total Ex- Total Year ^xp'd, Bbls, port Recpts, Receipts 1899 'l,447 1,715 $ 3,655,00 $ 3,968,50 1900 717 995 1,231.06 1,403.39 1901 1,759 2,000 5,018.56 5,330.33 1902 1,067 1,220 2,446.57 2,581.74 1903 1,838 2,037 4,298.04 4,558.23 1904 1,609 1,715 2,446.75 2,537.00 1905 715 840 1,978.61 2,121.90 Total 9,152 10,532 $21,075.59 $22,491.09 Average... 1,307 1,.508 3,010.80 3,213.00 Average of export fruit, $2.30 per bbl. Average total sales, $2.13 per bbl. This crop was raised from 14 acres of bearing trees. EXPENSES Plowing and harrowing $ 42.00 Fertilizers 224.00 Spraying 56.00 Pruning 14.00 Picking and packing 360.00 Barrels 403.00 Contingencies 14.00 $1,113.00 Total average sales $3,213.00 Total expense 1,113.00 Net profit $2,100.00 This is equal to 15% on a value of $14,000 or of $1,000 per acre. Vegetables foriPickling. — The manager of a prominent pickUng concern in the vicinity of Toronto said: "For the pickling business, we require vegetables that are fresh and of good quality. Cucumbers should not be ripe when picked ; they should be small rather than large, and they should be carried to the factory as soon as picked, so that they will not lose their crispness. Onions must be small, three-quarters of an inch in diameter and under, as they appear to better advantage when put up. CauUflower for pickling should be compactly headed, clean and white, free from leaves and dirt; the fresher the better, and if of medium size they are nicer to handle than either small or large." A great offer: The Canadian Horticul- turist 1 year for 50 cents, or 3 yrs. for $1.20. Four new subscriptions, 1 yr. for $1.00. The Canadian Horticulturist has improved greatly during the past year. — Douglas Ford, Toronto, Ont. Analyses of Ne^w Experiment Station Soils TKe RittenHovise Farm 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Where Taken and Area. Near school gardens; about 2J^ acres Subsoil, 2 ft. deep Fifty yards north of gardens Subsoil, 15 in. deep In the ravine ; 4 acres Subsoil, 15 in. deep Centre field, 27 acres, representing 60% of farm. Subsoil, 15 in. deep North-west side of ravine; about 6^ acres Subsoil, 1 ft. deep Red clay area, in centre field; 4J^ acres Subsoil, 15 in. deep Per cent Per cent of Gravel. .59 0 1.64 1.07 0 .630I39 10.830 32 of Sand. 276 325 652 Per cent of Silt and Clay. 642i74 6.94014 .950 46 3.650.33 10.790|20 1.710110 934 632 488 606 446 974 318 288 674 675 348 3.58 066 368 512 394 554 026 6828 712 3.736 Or- ganic Mat- ter. .812 260 ii2 330 Class. Loam. Sandy loam. Loam, Clay, Loam. Clay loam. Clay loam. Clay. Loam. Clay loam Clay loam. Heavy clay. There is also IJ/^ acres of wood land. TKe Harris Farm 13 14 15 16 'Centre of farm; 30 acres. Subsoil, 8 in. deep Near lake shore; 10 acres Subsoil, 15 in. deep 3.390 8.430 1.790 43.190 36.855 41.192 .430 35.400 56.810 63.195 58.808 64.600 Loam. Clay loam. Loam. Clay loam. There is also about 4 acres of red clay, similar to Nos. 11 and 12. TKe Culp Farm 17 18 19 20 In peach orchard ; about 15 acres Subsoil, 3 ft. deep A fair average of farm; about 58 acres Subsoil, 15 in. deep 1.200 .370 1.840 1.110 56.984 76.494 64.582 60.088 43.016 4.966 23.506 35.418]3.850 39.9121 .... Loam. Light sandy loam. Sandy loam. Sandy loam. There is also }^ |acre of red clay, similar to Nos. 11 and 12; 5 acres of low land, similar to Nos. 5 and 6; and 10 acres of wood land. Vegetable Crops Have Suffered from DrougKt THE drought in Ontario during tlic past 6 or 7 weeks has left its mark on the vege- table crops. ReiK)rts from the crop cor- respondents of the C)nt. Veg. Assn. indi- cate that dry rot and drought have caused a i)artial failure of the tomato croj), particu- larly in the Niagara district. As an indication of how seriously the canning factories view the situation, the canners, wIkj usually do not commence to pack tomalard. At Scotland, Ont., a branch of the Ont. Veg. Grs. Assn. was formed in Aug. The officers are: McKenzie Malcolm, pres. : Fred. Smith, vice- pres. ; K. G. Malcolm, sec; and Samuel Hunter, director. At the initial meeting, 16 growers became members and it is expected that others will join soon. Mr. J. P. Taylor, of Cape Town, South Africa, is in Canada buying apples for shipment to South Africa. He visited The Horticulturist and said that he wants good fruit and will pay good prices for it. Only the best stock is ad- mitted to South Africa, as the law requires that all apples affected with disease or worms shall be destroyed at the port of lading, without rec- ompense to the shippers. In the vicinity of Colbome, Ont., which is one of the leading apple sections of the province, most of the largest orchards have been sold as they stand. The buyers will do the picking and packing, and the growers the hauling. Among the orchards sold are those of Jas. Thomas, for $1,12.5; John Coulter's, $1,000; Wilbert Eddy's, $1,000; John Usher's, of Wicklow, $750; Wilber Winter's, of Wicklow, $850; Chas. Doolittle's, of Wicklow, $450, and Dr. Robertson's, of Col- bome, $450. All these orchards are within a radius of four miles. The Evaporator Manufacturers' Association of Ontario held a meeting in Toronto recently and elected officers for the ensuing year, as follows: Pres., Geo. Mahler, Bothwell; vice-pres., R. J. Graham, Belleville; sec.-treas., O. E. Robinson, and 6 directors. The inspector is J. R. Finkle, Bowmanville. We are offering The Canadian Horti- culturist during September for a mere song. A postal note to the tune of $1.00 will pay for 4 new subscriptions for a year. A series of demonstrations in box-packing i-~ being given in Ont. by Mr. Stewart, an exiJert from Oregon, brought by the Fruit Division specially for the purjxise. The schedule so far for this month is as follows: Sept. 1, OakvilK- 6, Walkerton; 7, Owen Sound; 8, Thomburv , 10, Orillia; 11, Brighton; 12, Newcastle; 13, Oshawa. Demonstrations, also, will lie given at the Toronto Exhibition on Sept. 3-4 and at the Niag. Dist. Exhibition in St. Catliarines, on Sept. 14-15. The method of packing practised by Mr. Stewart differs from the one in Ont. One side, instead of the top, is removed, so that the contents may be readily seen and inspect est card for Catalogue and Price List. The Foster Pottery Co., Limited HAMILTON - ONTARIO MARCHMENT'S Sure Growth COMPOST Supplied to the largest nurserymen and fruit growers in Ontario. Shipments by car at reasonable prices. S. W. MARCHMENT 19 QUEEN ST. EAST, TORONTO Telephone Main 2841 Residence Park 9SI Jolin B. Smith &" Sons Limited Cor. Strachan and Wellington Aves. TORONTO (^ JoiBSm^SoNs. LIMITED. \ TORONTO X \ SASH BAR ALL WOODWORK. FOR GREENHOUSE XCONSTRUCTION/ I Manufacturers . . of . . LUMBER LATH SHINGLES DOORS SASH BLDfDS SILOS, ETC. Clear Cypress for Greenhouse Work Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing A Nice Premium will be given Free to all Readers who Buy Goods from Advertisers. THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST SUCCESS ASSURED THE NIAGARA DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITION TO BE HELD AT St. Catharines, Sept. 14-15, '06 SPECIAL RATES ON RAILWAYS f UNDER THE AUSPICES OF CLThe Niagara Peninsula Fruit Growers' Association, The Southern Ontario Fruit Growers' Association, St. Catharines Horticultural Society, Niagara Falls Horticultural Society, Grimsby Horticultural Society, Hamilton Horti- cultural Society, Burlington Horticultural Association, Jordan Station Fruit and Vegetable Growers' Association, Township of Grantham Vegetable Growers' Association, Hamilton Vegetable Growers' Association, Ontario Fruit Growers' Association,* and the Ontario Vegetable Growers' Association UNDER THE DIRECTION OF The Ontario Department of Agriculture The Band of the XIX Regiment will furnish music each day. Hon. Nelson Monteith, Minister of Agriculture, and the Deputy Minister of Agriculture for Ontario, have, been invited to attend. The largest display of Fruit, Flowers and Vegetables ever held in the Niagara District. OVER $1,000 IN PRIZES $580 " ^or Fruit $300 " ^r Flowers $ 1 60 " fr Vegetables NUMEROUS SPECIAL PRIZES FOR PRIZE LISTS AND OTHER INFORMATION WRITE TO E. T. REID (Secretary) W. B. BURGOYNE (President) ST. CATHARINES, ONT. ST. CATHARINES, ONT. Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing. A Nice Premium will be given Free to all Readers who Buy Goods from Advertisers. The Canadian Horticultun^ Vol. XXIX OCTOBER, 1906 No. 10 A Report on the Spencer Seedless Apple THE spencer Seedless apple has in- vaded Canada. A company of prominent men in Toronto has been formed to promote the business. It is to be called the Spencer Seedless Apple Co., of Toronto. Among those gentle- men most interested are: Mr. J. T. Sheri- dan, president of the Pease Foundry Co., and Mr. A. G. Allan, of the White, Allan Co. At the request of the company, the Hon. John Dryden, until lately Minister of Agriculture for Ontario, visited Grand Junction, Col., which is said to be the home of the seedless apple. While there he investigated the merits of the apple. A full report of his observations, with con- clusions, is here published. While The Horticulturist knows that Mr. Dryden is sincere in his deduc- tions, we feel that his investigations were not carried far enough to warrant such sweeping conclusions and, there- fore, would advise fruit growers to be cautious in taking hold of this apple. It has been condemned by most fruit and^nursery papers in the United States, andj^by many leading horticulturists, in- cluding Prof. John Craig, of Cornell, and Prof. Van Deman, former pomologist for the Department of Agriculture, Washington. Questions concerning this apple that, as far as we know, have not been an- swered satisfactorily as yet, include the following: Why have the various experiment sta- tions in the United States and Canada never been given an opportunity to in- vestigate and report on the quality of this fruit? How has it been possible for the com- pany back of the apple, in the short time since the apple has become known, to produce enough stock to enable it to supply 25,000 trees to the Canadian growers alone, to say nothing of the hundreds of thousands of trees that are being offered for sale at large prices in the United States and, we understand, in Great Britain also? What guarantee will the growers who buy these trees have, that the stock they purchase are true to name and will the guarantee that, it is said, will be given, be a satisfactory one? It will be several years before these trees will come into bearing and many things may happen in the interval. Further comments may be found in the editorial column in this issue. MR. DRYDRN'S report Spencer vSeedless Apple Co., of To- ronto, Limited, — Gentlemen, — Pursuant to arrangement I proceeded to Grand Junction, Colorado, for the purpose of personally examining the trees and fruit of the Spencer Seed- less apple. I arrived early in the after- noon of Tuesday, September 11, and immediately drove out about two miles to the farm of Mr. Spencer. Here, I saw altogether 27 trees in full bearing. It is tHe Best ! I would like to express my appre- ciation of the great improvements you have made in The Canadian Horticulturist. It is the best fruit paper I get, and I have about all that are published on this con- tinent, and several from England. —Prof. F. C. Sears, Truro, N.S. I was informed that the oldest trees were 12 years old, and the youngest in the orchard six years old. Twenty-six of these trees are planted in two rows, 13 in each, with other varieties of apples on either side. The additional tree stands alone, surrounded, also, by other varieties. I was informed that there were at least a dozen more trees scattered in different parts of the orchard. I spent some time in a close inspection of the growing trees, as well as the apple itself, with a view of determining what, in my judgment, would be its commer- cial value. It was a great pity I could not have delayed my visit until, say, the middle of October, when the fruit would have matured, showing its full size and natural color, but my return to Ireland at that time made it impossible to delay. The specimens I brought from Colorado show plenty of size, but are without a vestige of color. The top- most apples were just beginning to turn, and when mature, I am told, show a 243 beautiful red with small yellow spots> giving a very pretty appearance. There are, in my opinion, several characteristics which are essential in the production of a commercial apple suited to the requirements of the average fruit grower. First, a hearty and vigorous grower, insuring maturity without wait- ing too long, as in the case of some varieties with which I am familiar. In this respect 1 found that the Spencer Seedless apple fulfils every requirement. The general appearance of the trees, the luxuriant leaves, the length of the young shoots, as well as the size of the trees which I examined, considering their age, all indicated a quick growing tree. Secondly, will they do well in the Can- adian climate? That has yet to be tested in practice, but their abundant success in Grand Junction, showing a hardy character in a climate ranging from 100 degrees of heat in July and August to 12 or more below zero in mid- winter, is an evidence that a similar re- sult would be obtained in Canada. The third essential is an early bearing quality. In this respect my visit leaves no doubt whatever. The first apple crop was given when these trees were four years old, and these were the only apples of that year produced in Mr. Spencer's orchard. A heavy frost on the night of April 17 destroyed everything else. The trees have continued to bear regularly ever since. This year, 1906, somefof the young trees, being grown in a nursery in another state, and only about 15 inches high, carried some specimens of fruit until they were taken off in order that the growth of the trees should not be retarded. The entire experience with these apples show extremely early bear- ing tendencies. My fourth essential characteristic is, will the Seedless apple tree bear a good crop and continue it year by year? From what I saw, as well as from repeated conversations with Mr. Spencer, I am satisfied as to this point also. Perhaps the answer which will appeal to the members of your company with the greatest force will be the appearance of the snap-shot photographs taken in'the orchard as I was busy inspecting the ^44 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST apples. (We are planiiinK to publish cuts from these photographs in our next issue. — Ed.) These will show an abund- ant crop. Every tree carried all or more than the limbs should bear and com- pared splendidly with other varieties in the orchard. The nature of the early formation of the apple shows almost en- tire protection from the frost or damage from continued rain, guaranteeing a distinct advantage over any other vari- ety, as illustrated by the crop the first year, while other varieties all failed. Fifth, as to the size of the apple, the specimens presented to you with this report, which I personally plucked from the trees without a ladder, show a satisfactory average size, but without a tinge of color. I can wholly endorse the opinion of Prof. Crowley, sent to inspect for the Orange Judd Company of New York, that "they compare favorably in size with the Ben Davis or Baldwin, the average showing rather better than the latter variety." Their keeping quality has been tested already, and sufficient proof is at hand to show they stand the test. Mr. Spencer will pick his present crop about the middle of October, and says they will be at their best about the first of March following. There only remains for considera- tion the quality of the mature apple. At this date it is impossible from per- sonal observation to form any ac- curate judgment of the flavor, but I can say that the texture is firm, solid and juicy. A few months hence, I hope to settle, according to my own taste, the point of flavor, which opinion I can only hope may express that of the majority who may have the oppor- tunity of using it. In the meantime, I can only fall back on the opinion 3f other disinterested parties. Mr. Maynard, secretary of the National Association of Gardeners, says: "It is similar in flavor to the Baldwin, but more juicy, and in this respect, as well as in its apparent cooking quali- ties, similar to the Greening. The meat is firm, the texture fine and smooth and the quality of the flavor very good." Prof. Alex. Glehan, president of the West Virginia Horticultural Society, and J. F. Moore, join in the following statement: "In color the fruit is a dark, rich red with small yellow dots sprinkled over its surface. It is strictly a winter variety, not being ready for the market before the last of October, and in flavor compares favorably with the Wine Sap, and is a better keeper and shipper than the Ben Davis, the skin being smooth and firm but not undesirably tough." From the above it would seem that the Spencer Seedless apple has, in my judgment, all the qualities necessary to make it a success as a "commercial apple." Added to this is the seedless characteristic, which will, as an attrac tive table apple, as a No. 1 cooking apple without seeds or core, as well as an evaporating apple, give it a value for many years far in advance of other varieties and which at the present time can scarcely be estimated. Every apple of this variety, hke every seedless orange, is not entirely without a seed. I was given a full liberty to pick and cut as many apples as I desired. I made full use of this privilege. The vast majority of the apples were absolutely seedless, but occasionally an apple, especially when taken from the side of the trees ad- jacent to the other varieties, showed one seed, seldom perfect, and appar- ently squeezed into the flesh of the apple, in one case within half an inch of the flower end, indicating that it had been caused by pollen from trees of another variety. This theory seems all the more plausible according to Mr. Spencer's \4ew, because the pro- portion of single seeds found is always greater in a season where high winds prevail at the time the apples are in blossom. A few words may be acceptable as to its history. The apple has not been originated by the operation of any special genius on the part of Mr. Spen- cer, except it be the genius to experi- ment continuously with the hope that something of value might some time be the result. In that spirit, Mr. Spencer has year after year planted apple seeds, watching especially any- thing peculiar. In the course of these operations he found the first seedless apple tree, which tree Mr. Spencer de- clares has been greatly improved by careful selection in budding and graft- ing. He has since then found other trees with peculiarities, which have yet to be tested as to their real value. He has a fondness for this kind of work, and continues it )'ear after year. He beUeves he has the theory out of which will also come the stoneless peach and the pitless plum. Whatever the in- dividuals may do or say whose business is disturbed by these strange freaks of nature, the general public should, and I believe will, hail them with delight, and give to such men as Mr. Spencer every encouragement in the production of superior varieties. My personal conclusions are that the Spencer Seedless variety will force its way to a front place: Because as a "commercial apple" it has intrinsic merit; it matures and comes into bearing early; it has a beautiful ap- pearance; it produces a good crop; it is a good medium size; and, being solid all through, produces more meat than a larger apple with the obnoxious seeds and core. According to the best evidence, its quality and texture are No. 1, while its keeping qualities are excellent. Without question, these characteristics give it the highest value among all other varieties. — (Signed) John Drvden. Preparing; For Stra-wberries The preparation of land for a new patch of strawberries is work that should be done this fall. Perhaps some of the readers of Thk Horticulturist have a piece of old scxl land that they purpose to plant with strawberries. If so, the first consideration is to destroy the quantities f)f white grubs that al- ways exist in such land. To do this, plow the land before cold weather sets in, and let it lie thus all winter. In the early spring, plow again, har- row and sow some crop that can be cultivated during the summer. By the next fall, or at most the following spring, the land will be in the best shape for strawberries. The exposure in the upturned sod during the previ- ious winter and the following culti- vated crop will have destroyed the great majority of the white grubs, and the ground will be in an excellent state of cultivation. Signs and Omens Rabbits' feet are said to be lucky — but not in an orchard of young trees. A boy stealing apples at night por- tends trouble — if you are a good shot. It is a bad sign to see a neglected orchard on Fridav — or anv other dav. If you see a vision of greenbacks when you harvest your apples this fall, it is a sign of good times. A few tons of manure scattered on an acre of orchard soil in the dark of the moon will conjure large crops. A plow or a harrow standing on the lee side of a wire fence is rainy weather is a sign of hard times ahead for the owner. To sell 13 peaches for a dozen on the 13th of the month, or any other day, is a sign of generosity on your part and good luck for the other fellow. If you subscribe for The Canadian Horticulturist on Monday or Tues- day, or Wednesday, or Thursday, or Friday, or Saturday, or Sunday, you will be happy as long as it continues to come. Little apples, wormy apples, de- formed apples, and apples that are not apples, in the middle of a barrel is a sign that the packer is a fakir — and the goblins'U get him if he don't watch out. When webs of fall web-worm are observed, either cut out the branches to which the web is fastened and burn, or destroy nests while on tree by holding a lighted torch beneath it. i The Fruit MarKs Acf FROM time to time charges are heard of dishonesty in packing apples. In the past it has been a favorite pastime with the newspaper Packing that Pays This box ol apples was shown at the Niagara District Kxhibition. It is a model. The pack is uuiform and correct. The lace paper adds to the appearance. men to picture the old grey-bearded deacon hiding the withered and wormy apples in the middle of the barrel, and it has afforded a spicy bit of reading for the public. For the past few years, however, very much less of this thing has been heard. The growing im- portance of the industry, which is ranking amongst the first in the prov- ince and is bringing nearly a million dollars into circulation annually, and the appreciation of our fruit in foreign markets demands respect. The Fruit Marks Act owes its origin to these charges of dishonesty. The farmers lay under a grave charge which needed investigating. The result has proved that many things are true, but also that much of the trouble orig- inates in second hands, and also that buyers are prone to kick on quality to drive a good bargain, and often with the intention of obtaining a rebate of the act. The speculator thinks that the act is entirely for his benefit, to protect him from buying poor apples, but does not seem to think it should prevent him from selling the same apples in the same or more fraudulent condition. The consumer also thinks that the act is framed in his behalf to protect him from the wicked grower. Both are mistaken to a great extent. The law was framed almost entirely in the interests of the producer, in order that packing may be uniform and that a barrel of apples, branded No. 1, may *An addrcs-s delivered by Mr. D. I. Fitch last winter at the N.S. Fruit Growers' Convention. be above suspicion, and that a general feeling of confidence may exist which is so necessary to easy and profitable business, and also that the honest and reliable packer may not be informed by his careless and dishonest neighbor. The Fruit Marks Act has had some- thing to do with the user, but more is due to the growing pride in the great industry, and the feeling that confi- dence in the integrity of our packing is necessary to the proper growth and extension of our trade. Last vear, owing to the unfortunate bad quality of our fruit, and irritation at the high prices which were ruling, the old cry revived to a certain extent. Much of the complaint unfortunatelv was de- The Proper Bilge A well packed box of apples should show a bilge as illustrated in the cut. Slackness results when box is not full enough to bilge. served, especially in the local market, but a great deal was exaggerated, owing to the desire of the newspapers to provide something spicy for their readers, and to the unfortunate pleasure so many human beings have in attrib- uting unworthy motives to their fel- low beings. Last season Mr. Vroom and I ex- amined a great many apples, more than ever before in the same time. Two things were very evident as the result of our investigations. Too many third grade apples were shipped, and the ab- solute need of a standard for No. 2's was plainly evident ; since then, this latter has been defined. Our apples were unfortunately of poor quality last year, and prices were high, which means, of course, that poor apples were packed. This thing was carried too far altogether, and a great many apples went forward that were alto- gether worthless, and most of them marked No. 2. It is unfortunate that those apples brought nearly the same price as better apples, in the hurry of the sales in London, and the poor facilities for examination that is so necessary. There is also a class of buyers that are going to buy the cheap- est apples no matter what they are. They take the place of better apples however, and very much complaint and dissatisfaction is seen to arise. When I was in London I heard com- plaints both loud and deep over this class of apples, very similar to the murmurs we heard wafted over from vSt. John last fall. If only three- quarters of the apples had been shipped, results would have been better. The shipment of No. 3's, however, have come to stay, which makes it abso lutely necessary to have the new stand- ard for the No. 2's. I am of the opinion that No. 2's should be as far from spot, bruise, and worm holes as No. I's; that spots, cracks, and other defective apples should grade No. 3, and that no larger percentage of defective ap- ples should be allowed than would admit of speedy packing. Violations of section 4 still continue. This section requires the name and imm^^-'^ ■"'"^ " ■- '■ •'•^«!M KkW ^^^v Apples or Cabbages -which ? This cut illustrates "the horrible example" in packing and wrapping anples. It was entered for competition at the Niagara District Exhibition. The fact that such was exhibited indicates that there are men still who do not know how to pack and wrap fru't. The apples in the box were excellent, but the manner of putting them up, disqualified the package. address of the packer shall be on every barrel as well as the party and grade of the apple. Fictitious names are too often used by dealers, and always on poor lots of apples. When a man is S46 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST ashamed to put his name on apples it is a very good sign that they would better be kept at home and not sold at all. We noticed last season a lot of poor apples branded with the name of a Methodist minister deceased for many years, and having no descendant in the land. He was a dear old man, and would not have packed bad apples for the world. I knew him well, and have no doubt he is in the better land. We wish he had taken his stencil along with him, and several other bogus ones still in use. Some cases have arisen which seem to prove that grade marks are sometimes changed in second hands. It is well that growers when selling their apples are now compelled to brand them plainly No. 1, 2 or ,3, as it was all too easy to add an X, par- ticularly when tempted by a super- fluity of No. 2's. In conclusion we would say that we repudiate the idea that our apples are fraudulently packed to any great ex- tent. Poor apples in plenty have been shipped, some that a well-bred and self-respecting hog might resist to eat. But we have found very little over- facing or wilful intention to deceive, the apples in nearly every case being marked to indicate that thev were not a sham. THe Keeping Qualities of Apples FresH Grapes in W^inter A novel method of keeping grapes fresh, for marketing during the winter, is followed in the vineyards of France. When cutting the grapes, a piece of the vine five or six inches in length is left attached to the bunch. The cellar in which they are to be stored should have a low uniform temperature. In it are placed a number of bottles, wide necked and filled with water. Into the water are placed the vine stems, the bunches hanging outside. Water is added to the bottles from time to time to replace that lost in evaporation through the stem and fruit. In this way the grapes may be sold in the winter as fresh as when cut in the fall; and although thej^ come high, a ready sale is alwavs found. Repairing BroKen Trees Fruit trees, when heavily loaded, are often broken or split by the weight and by the wind. This condition may be remedied, when not too severe, bv the following method : Bind the divided portion with gal- vanized wire and draw them tight to- gether by twisting the ends of the wire with a stick. Cover the wounded sur- faces with grafting wax, or other ma- terial, to exclude air and the spores of fungi. Wlien applying the wire, do not wind around each limb separ- ately, or you will cut off the circulation of sap, and bring about the death of one or more of the limbs. Trees that are broken must be attended to at once. THK time of harvesting apples has an effect on their keeping qualities. There can be no definite time advised. Each variet}', of course, has its own particular season, but, also, each is affected by various local conditions. The degree of cultivation has a material effect on the maturing of the fruit, apples grown in highly cultivated orchards ripening much earlier than those grown on sod. Location is another potent factor, as orchard;^ planted on hills will ripen their fruit much earlier than those in valleys. Soil also has its effect ; apples grown on sandy soil ripening eariier than on clay. There are many similar factors; so, it is evident that a definite date cannot be recommended for harvesting. It is better, where long keeping is desired, to pick the apples early rather than to leave them hanging on the tree until fully matured. Those left late, however, are of better quality and have better color than the ones that are picked at an earlier stage. There is a great deal to be learned regarding the keeping qualities of the various apples, and of the best methods of preserving them from decay. It is a noticeable fact that where apples have been picked from the same tree, at the same time and underthe same conditions, and have been packed in the same box or barrel, rot will affect s^jine of them much quicker than others. There are different reasons given for this, one of which is that the apples on the outer side of the tree mature earlier than those under the shade of the foliage on the interior, and consequently they are more apt to decay first. Pickers are always cau- tioned not to bruise the fruit for fear of rot. It has been noticed, however, that apples on the tops of barrels, bruised in pressing down the head, did not decay at all, the bruised portion often being composed of a corky substance that seemed incapable of rot. Where they did start to rot it was on some other part of the fruit. It is not merely neces- sary, in storage, to keep the apples as cool as possible without freezing, as we are so often taught. Proper care must be taken to pick the fruit at exactly the right time, and to put in cold storage immediately after picking. Never allow apples to stand in piles or in barrels in the orchards. The rapid changes of temperature from the heat of noon to the chill of midnight causes them to ripen rapidly and is fatal to their long keeping. Soil and location also have an effect in this respect. The keeping quality of apples is a subject that should be studied carefully if success- ful apple growing is an object. -A. Tree of Many Fruits Frances ^^ayland Glen, BrooKlyn, N.Y. FORTY years ago I had in my garden more Tallman Sweet apple trees than I wanted, and less summer and au- tumn fruit than I desired. I grafted upon a Tallman Sweet 12 summer and au- tumn varieties, as near as I can now re- call, Red Astrachan, Early Joe, Early Harvest, Early Strawberry, Benoni, Summer Pearmain, Sweet Bough, Au- tumn Strawberry, Gravenstein, Jersej' Sweet, and Fameuse. After the buds upon the grafts began to grow, I cut off all but one bud of each variety, and left that bud to form the branch. The tree was well fed with stable man- ure and was healthy, and bore fine fruit of each variety. I left some of the branches of the original Tallman vSweet so that I had 13 varieties upon the tree. All of these varieties received such food as came to them from the earth through the same trunk, and not until the sap reached the leaves of the different varieties was there any change. In the leaves the sap met 13 varieties of lungs. There the sap met the air, sun- light, dew and rain, and was converted into sweet, sub-acid and acid, and into red, striped, green and yellow apples of all shades, some ripening in the latter part of July, others in August September, October and November Does not this fact prove that the leaves are the lungs of the tree, and must be kept in a healthy condition for the tree to produce good fruit or to five? -Many times my plum trees, full of fine fruit, have been attacked with leaf blight, as we used to call it, and the fruit shnmk, withered and fell to the ground. We know now that it was an insect that produced the leaf blight. We thought then that it was something in the condition of the air or the sun's raj-s beyond our control. The insect destroA'ed the lung of the tree (its leaves), as bacteria destroy our lungs when we die from tuber- culosis. Cherry pits intended for planting ■ should not be allowed to dry much ■ after removal from the fruit. They should be washed clean and dried sufficiently in the shade to prevent mould, then mixed with clean, moist sand and buried in a dry place, cov- ering with a few inches of earth, over which may be placed boards or flat stones to keep out mice. Handling Grapes for MarKet IT is one thing to produce grapes of good marketable quality; it is a different matter to harvest and market them in such a way as to make the industry profitable. In this latter branch of the work, many fruit growers are unsuccessful; some through ignor- ance of the proper methods of grading and packing, more through carelessness in the work. Careless and shiftless meth- ods of handling are detrimental to the trade. In grapes we have one of our most tender fruits, one that is easily rendered unsaleable by rough usage. Further- more, it is a product that is consumed almost wholly as a dessert fruit, lending itself only to such secondary products as wine and jam, which, considering the vast acreage in grapes, is a comparative- ly small outlet, and one used principally for the less valuable fruit. Consequent- ly, the grower is largely at the control of the market and only fruit of a good qual- ity, that is, properly graded and packed, will find ready sale. I was about to use the word "faced," but that is a term that has been abused by fraudulent packers to such an extent as to cause buyers to regard all faced fruit with G. H. Carpenter, Fruitland, Ont. whole market, and all growers of fruit. Such men when caught should be dealt with in proportion to their crime, which is no small affair. Unhke many fruits, the grape will not ripen after being picked. It must be allowed to mature on the vine. Com- mence cutting when the dew is off in the morning, remove all green, broken and diseased berries, and pack carefully in the package in which the fruit is to be shipped. In this way, the fruit is hand led but once, it is kept clean, the bloom is preserved and you have a nice, attrac- tive package, which is always in demand on the local markets. In this system, which is the one universally adopted in the general trade, great care must be exercised in handUng the fruit, and only personal supervision over pickers by those who understand the stage of matur- ity at which fruit should be picked, and proper methods of grading and packing, will insure the best success. Many middlemen who have special markets whereby they place their fruit directly into the hands of the consumers, make use of specially prepared packages to suit their own particular trade. These packages bear the brand of the packer Preparing Grapes for Shipment, Carleton Fruit Farm, St. Catharines suspicion. If those miserable frauds who persist in covering trash with a layer of good fruit were alone injured, it would not matter much ; the practice would soon be stopped ; but the fruit being unlabelled, its sale injures the and serve to advertise both the fruit and the shipper. Where these are in use the fruit is graded and repacked in pack- ing houses or other convenient places, and only fruit of the highest quality is made use of. Too much care cannot be exercised in the preparation of such packages. All extra cost and labor are fully compensated for by the high prices paid by consumers who desire the best quality of fruit direct from the vines. This principle is also made use of by In the Midst of Plenty unions and cooperative associations, and, in many^cases, by individual grow- ers who have been shrewd enough to advertise their business through the quality of the fruit handled, and have thus secured private customers. The essential points in handling grapes are: handle the fruit as httle as possible, consistent, of course, with the market to which you are catering ; do not handle until ripe, then pick; keep out of the direct rays of the sun, and get them off your hands as quickly as possible so as to have them looking fresh when placed on the market. There is always a demand for the best. If we strive to put fruit up in a clean, neat and attractive way, in the way the people want it, or in such a way as to make them believe they want it, we need not worry about low prices or slow sales; the fruit will sell itself. __^_ OrcKard Notes Examine the peach and plum trees for peach borer larvae, and destroy all that are found. A little wood ashes around the fruit trees is a good thing. Spread it thinly; too much in a place may injure or kill the trees. If there is a tree in your orchard that yielded no fruit this year and looks like it will not live another year, dig it out of the way. It only serves as a brooding place for insects and fungi, and is very injurious in this way to the other trees. TKe Bill-Board Nuisance ONE of several reasons which have always seemed to be legitimale causes for congratulation that we are "not as our cousins to the south of us, " is our relative freedom from bill- boards. I am not as familiar as I might be with the upper and western provinces of the Dominion, but one cannot fail to be impressed with this difiference when travelling in the Mari- time Provinces as compared with travel- ling in the United States. A year or two ago the writer took a railway journey out to the middle west, as far as Kansas City, and returned. For some reason the prevalence of what might be legitimately called "the bill- board nuisance" was brought more forc- ibly to his notice than ever before. Everything that was ever made from "The Incomparable White — the Car of Service" to "Ball- Bearing Garters" seemed to require a bill-board, and no landscape seemed sufficiently beautiful to escape. As we sped along the banks of the beautiful Hudson River, we were constantly reminded that "Gillett's Lye Eats Dirt," and ere we had realized the full significance of this gustatory pecidi- arity of the article in question we learned that "Delicacy Demands Pearline," or were admonished to "Let Gold Dust Twins Do Our Work." ■WOVhD SEE AMERICA FIRST Rounding another curve of the road we came in sight of a beautiful stretch of rolling country with orchards and vineyards on the slopes ; and scattered among the orchards and dotting the meadows below were a succession of boards, the sixe of the side of a house, advising the traveller to "See America First — Via the Louisville and Nashville R.R. "; or that "Packers' Tar Soap" was as "Pure as the Pines"; or that "Armour's Simon Pure Lard" was the proper thing and so on. We wished that we could "see America first" and without this constant accompaniment of adver- tising jargon; we thought it possible that "Packers Tar Soap" was as "pure as the pines" but bill-boards announc- ing the fact were not half so pleas- ant to look at as the pines themselves. As for "Armour's Simon Pure Lard," while we didn't know then as well as we do now, just what definition Mr. Armour would give for "Simon Purity," it did occur to us that he might confine his bill-boards to localities where thev would be less objectionable. In other parts of the country some other commodities would take the lead in this fight for publicity. Perhaps it would be a broken, rugged country, the most beautiful of all naturally, with little mountain valleys scattered along the Prof. F. C Sears, Xr\iro, N.S. line of the railway and with farm houses nestled among the trees; and nestling close alongside, in apparent unconscious- ness of the incongruity of the combina- tion, would be an immense bottle with the laconic inscription "It's Wilson's — That's All." We thought it was all, the limit in fact, and turned with disgust from the marred, sign-besmirched land- scape outside to study our fellow-passen- gers and wonder how many of them felt as we did, a sense of having been out- raged by all this vulgar commercialism intruded upon the view. In still other sections, the advertising mania takes another, though not less obnoxious, form. There are miles, yes whole states, where instead of the restful harmonious, or, at least, appropriate red or brown bam of our Canadian land- scape, the view is almost constantly marred by bams and outbuildings of all kinds, which shriek at you in immense yellow letters on a black background that "hood's cures " ! It was certainly a relief to get back to Nova Scotia, where one can enjoy to the fullest extent the pleasures that come from a beautiful country unspoiled by signs. Even at Windsor junction, where the beauties of the landscape are not sufficiently pronounced so that a few bill-boards would seriously mar the general effect, there were only two, and these modest affairs, setting forthin plain figures and letters that Clayton & Sons are clothing manufacturers in Halifax and that A. M. Bell & Co. of the same city are headquarters for hardware. A TORONTO FIRM But of late I have noticed that this sign- board mania is creeping into even this province. As yet, it is confined mostly to one firm and that an Ontario firm, the house of T. Eaton & Co., of Toronto. But there is no telling when our local firms may catch the disease. Now, I haven't the rabid objection to this firm that some of our local store-keepers have, which is perhaps very natural since their loss is my gain. But I do object to their dotting our country with their bill- boards and, particularly, when these boards represent, as many of them do, a gigantic female figure donning a garment which, however necessarv to the proper adjustment of the feminine form, is not usually displayed in public. The question then arises: "What are we going to do about it?" And that is a question which I should like all Cana- dian lovers of the beauties of nature to consider seriously. Cannot some method be devised to prevent the introduction of these unsightly advertising schemes into sections which are as yet free from them, and to reduce their number and confine them to the least objectionable localities where they have already gained a foothold. If our laws are not now such as to admit of our putting a stop to the indiscriminate distribution of bill-boards, they are surely capable of being amended if the public can be brought to see that one of its rights is being infringed upon. It may be a question just how much legal right the public has to the free enjoyment of the beauties of the land- scape unencumbered by these unsightly objects; but, in these days when we are making a determined effort to save the beauties of Niagara and of other natural resources of our Dominion, is it not worth while to try to preserve undefiled the other natural beauties, the country over, which make Canada so goodly a land to look upon ? Top-Dressing La-wns In the fall, lawns, tennis courts, cricket creases, and all kinds of sport- ing greens should receive a top-dressing of well-rotted barnyard manure or other fertilizing material. Stable man- ure is valuable for the purpose, if it is well rotted and free from weed seeds;, coarse manure is objectionable, being unsightly, ill-odored and certain to contain undesirable seeds. Applv only a moderate dres.sing, evenly spread. An earth mulch composed of equal parts of good clean soil and well-rotted manure is better than manure alone. For applying to the lawn this month, the compost should have been started late in August. As it is, however, there is plenty of time. Secure the materials at once, mix them and turn over occasionally and apply in No- vember. A mulch of this nature not only fertilizes the soil but also, when spread evenly, it tends to smoothen any irregularities of the lawn surface. Next spring, as soon as the ground is settled, rake off the manure or coarse remnants of the earth mulch. The rains and melting snows of winter and spring will have washed the soluble plant food out of the mulch into the soil. Thus, the turf will receive a stimulant and a protection that will bring forth a new- degree of density and a brighter color for the new season. An effective remedy for mealv bugs and scale on house plants is fir-tree oil. Apply with a rather stiff bristle brush. Perennials, such as phlox, peony, iris, larkspur, lily-of-the-valley and ferns, improve by the division of the roots, and any person who loves flowers will help vou to increase vour stock. — N. S. Dunlop, Floral Dept. C.P.R. A Glimpse of Autumn — Waiting for Thanksgiving Laivn and Garden Notes for October AUTUMN is come. The shortening hours of sunHght and the increas- ing sprightUness of the evening air betray its presence. It is the time of the falHng of the leaves. The peace- ful, quiet days of October become the season. They are restful after the busy turmoil and the heat of the summer that is gone. October is the twilight of the year, the passing from summer light to the dark of winter. It is a time for re flection. When we review our successes and non- successes in matters pertaining to the garden during the past .season, there are reflections that will present themselves to every mind gifted with the slightest power of contemplation. Have we made the most of our opportunities in the garden? Is there not some change that might have been made to improve the general scheme of arrangement? Have we allowed some helpless tree or shrub or plant to die for want of food, water or attention? These are some of the questions that come to us when we think. In October, the evidence of our success or failure is plainly visible. Later, when summer blossom and leaf are seared by the autumn blast or hidden beneath a mantle of snow, the evidence will have almost vanished. Now is the time to reflect, to observe and to plan. Next season's results should be better than this. THE KITCHEN GARDEN If you have let the asparagus bed take care of itself since cutting the crop, you should treat it as directed in our question and answer department. Squash, pumpkins, melons and such crops are easily injured by frost. They should be harvested before danger comes. If they are still in the garden and not injured, pull at once and put them in a shed where thev will be cool and dry, but not liable to freezing. When harvesting, leave about an inch or so of the stem, as a stem broken off short induces rot. When severe frosts threaten, remove the cucurbits to a dry room where the temperature is just above the freezing point. Heat and moisture cause them to rot in a short time, so beware of a warm, damp cellar. Take up some parsley roots and grow them in a box or pot in a light cellar or in a shed. Thus you will have a winter supply which will be relished. Home grown radish and lettuce may be had for Christmas by sowing seed in a mild hotbed. Carefully watch the young plants so as to protect them in the event of heavy frosts or freezing. If you intend to shell some peas or 249 beans and want to do it quickly, let them dry thoroughly after picking and then run them through a common clothes wringer. This will separate the peas or beans from the hulls quickly without breaking them. Winter celery should be banked up to protect it from severe frosts. It should all be stored awa^' by the end of the month unless specially protected, in which case it may be safe to leave it out a week or two longer. To have good seed potatoes for next spring, this is the best time to secure them. They are always cheapest in the fall. Early varieties of potatoes should be in the ground as early as possible in spring; if you wait till then to buy, you may be late in getting them planted. Get them ready this fall, whether you buy them or pick them out of your own crop. Pick them over carefully, select- ing only the nicest ones, and then nail them up tight in a crate till spring. When planting time comes they will be ready. Pull and store cabbage and dig beets, carrots, parsnips, and such crops, and put at once in the cellar. Some parsnips and salsify may be left in the ground all winter to be dug in spring. Renew the old rhubarb patch by dig- ging the roots, dividing them and set- 250 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST ting out a new plantation. I/Cave some roots, also, on the surface of the ground or put them in a cold frame to freeze. Later place them in the cellar on the lloor or in a barrel where they will pro- duce tender, juicy stalks for winter use. Watch the November issue of The Horticulturist for an article on subject. MUSHROOMS FOR NEW YEAR'S Mushroom beds may be made time in fall. Begin preparing the now, making up the bed in about three weeks, which will insure a crop for New Year's. Prepare the compost in a shed. Use fresh horse manure and turn it over every second day for 8 or 1 0 days, when it should be dry. If difficult to dry, add a this any soil each way. Smooth the bed with a spade and add a thin layer of loam if desired. In a week or 10 days the bed may be sprinkled with water, not much being necessary imtil the crop begins to show. The bed should be kept at a normal temperature of 70 degrees. If it becomes dry, apply tepid water to the dry spots; but do not saturate the bed. Should the heat decline apply a covering of hay or other material to keep up the warmth. Further information on mushrooms soon will appear in the columns of The Horticulturist. Watch for it. the flower garden At this season of the year, with the soil in the moist condition it is. the transplanting of herbaceous plants is Bay View House and Lawn, Deseronto, Ont. little dry loam. Take care that the manure does not bum. When the compost is in a suitable condition, prepare the bed in the cellar. The latter should have a minimum tem- perature of SC, and a good, dry bottom. Place a 10-inch plank in the desired posi- tion and fill in with the manure. The bed must be made in successive layers, each being spread thin and thoroughly packed to prevent injury to the spawn from heating. A depth of 12 inches at the back sloping to 10 at the front is suf- ficient. It is safe to spawn when the temper- ature does not exceed 90 degrees. Should it go above 100 degrees, the manure may be cooled with water. Break cakes of brick spawn into pieces the size of a hen's egg; and place the same two inches deep in the' bed at intervals of eight inches work well done. Such plants become established before winter sets in; and the work done now lessens that which it is usual to do in spring. Keep the border clear of all rubbish that may harbor insects and vermin. Be sure and set out some tulip, hyacinth and narcissus bulbs this fall. The earlier it is done the better. Set them three or four inches deep and mulch the ground a little, and they will come through all right and bloom as soon as the snow is off. If you want a bed of them next spring, get a hustle on and plant the bulbs at once. Renew the old lily clumps by taking the bulbs or offsets, dividing them and replanting this fall. Do it at once, so that they may become established be- fore freezing weather. While lilies may have partial shade, do not plant them under trees. The best efifect and growth may be had by planting amongst low shrubbery or border plants. After the ground is frozen, place a mulch of straw or evergreen boughs over the bulbs, to be gradually removed as spring advances. October is the time to plan the ar- rangement of the new flower garden. If you desire formal beds, make them now. Cut out of the sod the desired shape, manure, dig deeply and allow to remain in a rough condition until spring. New informal borders also may be made at this time and in a similar manner. CANNAS, dahlias AND FOUR O'CLOCKS Before frost has touched their roots, cannas should be dug and placed in the outhouse or shed safe from frost. VV^hen digging allow a small quantity of earth to adhere to the roots. Leave them in the shed for two or three weeks, being careful to prevent them being touched by frost. Then store in a fairly dry cellar where the tempera- ture does not go below 45 degrees, nor become too warm. Should the furnace keep the cellar very hot, pack the roots in dry sand or earth and keep them in the coolest comer. Dahlia roots will keep well in a cooler place in winter than canna roots, 35 to 40 degrees will suit them. A rather damp cellar is best for dahlias. Pack the roots in sand if the cellar is furnace heated. When diggjing, allow the earth about the roots to adhere. If the ground is wet at the time it is all the better, as it will cling more tenaciously to the roots. When lifted, cut off the tops about six inches above the point where the tubers are attached, and place the clumps in a sunny, airy place during the warm days until thoroughly dried, then store them. The adhering soil protects the neck of the tubers from injury and prevents exposure to the atmosphere. Roots of the marvel of Peru, or MirabiUs, will keep over winter very well if dug before being frozen, and treated as recommended for dahlias. These plants are easily grown from seed in the first place, and make very showy border plants. The roots, like dahlia roots, will keep well in a cool, moist cellar. succulent plants AND CACTI For century plants. Agave, a dry room or light cellar is preferable to store them in in winter, and a rather high temperature, 50 degrees, suits them best. Give them very little water in winter. The lobster cactus, Epi- phyllum, is an exception to this rule, as the winter is the growing period of this early flowering variety of cacti. Avoid keeping century plants in a continuously low temperature near to freezing-point in winter. Too much 4 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 251 water and a low temperature are re- sponsible for failure often times with agaves and cacti. CUVIA AND THE AFRICAN LILY These plants should be wintered in the pots they are growing in, either in a light cellar or cool room in a tem- perature of 45 to 50 degrees. The roots must never become really dry; in fact, the foliage should be kept green and growing slightly, if possible, so that a dark cold cellar is not as suit- able for them as a cool light cellar or cool room in winter. These are two of the most showy lawn plants we have for partially shaded positions in summer. Their lily-like flowers are very showy and attractive, and are too seldom seen on lawns. GLADIOLI The corms or bulbs of these should be dried off partially before being put in the cellar or stored for the winter. A fairly dry cellar and a temperature of 45 degrees will suit them. If the at- mosphere of the cellar or room where they are stored is very dry, pack the corms in dry sand. In a damp cellar, tie them up in bunches to the joists, or place in paper bags. POTTING BULBS If you did not pot any hyacinths or narcissi in September, there is still plenty of time, but the earlier planted bulbs usually give the best results. A good place to bury the pots is in the garden where they can be protected with leaves if severe frosts set in, or they can be put in the cellar or cold frame and covered as directed in the last issue of The Horticulturist. When freesia bulbs are potted place them in the window at once. These do not require a cool damp place to start in. Water freesia bulbs sparingly until growth has well commenced. Freesias are one of the best and sweetest flower- ing bulbs we have for winter use. BULBS IN WATER BOWLS Chinese sacred lilies, the paper white narcissus and some vari- eties of the polyanthus nar- cissus may be grown in stones and water. Start them in October or No- vember. Select strong bulbs for best results. A few weeks before the plants come into bloom, add some ammonia to the water. Hyacinths in glasses are a pleasing addition to the winter window garden. Place the bulbs in a hyacinth glass containing a little rain water and some charcoal. Do not allow the water to rise much above the base of the bulbs but always keep them in contact. Keep the bulbs in a dark, cool place until well rooted; then bring into the light. Change the water every three days, and never let it freeze. FALL CARE OF LAWNS Top-dress the lawn as recommended in another column of this issue. Use Plant Bulbs for Hyacinths Like These Next Spring Stable manure if you must, but an earth mulch is better. Bone meal is a good fertilizer; it is cheap and lasting. Most lawns are improved by an occa- sional dressing of lime. It will sweeten the soil, and rid the lawn of many plants, such as moss, that thrive in sour soil. Apply air-slaked lime, after the ground has frozen, at the rate of 40 bushels to the acre, that is, three quarts to each 100 square feet of turf. Preparing Grapes for Winter Use GRAPES constitute a perfect nutri- ment according to the analysis of a French chemist. Their nutritive qualities are analogous to those of milk. Whether eaten in a fresh state or pre- served, they are not only nutritious, but also esteemed as most delicious and palatable fruit. As a winter delicacy, preserved grapes are a boon to the house-keeper. UNFERMENTED WINE Take 20 pounds of Concord grapes and pick carefully from the stems. Crush the grapes and put with two or three quarts of water in a porcelain kettle on the stove. When at boiling heat, sep- arate the juice from the pulp and skins; then strain through a sieve or colander, using a little more water. Add six pounds of granulated sugar to the grapes and, when it is dissolved, strain very carefully through a thick cloth. Enough water may be added to make three gal- lons. Then heat and pour immediately into jars and seal up tightly. GRAPE WINE To make fermented grape wine, use 20 pounds of grapes, si.K quarts of boil- ing water and 10 pounds of sugar. Fresh Fruits fot the Table Mash the grapes in a stone jar, pour on the boiling water and let it stand three days, covering the jar to keep out dust. Strain the fruit and juice through a cheese-cloth bag, return the juice to the jar, add the sugar and let it remain until fermentation has ceased. Take off the scum, strain the juice and then bottle lightly, pouring melted seaHng wax on the corks. Lay the bottles on their sides in a cool place. SPICED GRAPES The formula for spiced grapes is five pounds of grapes, four pounds of sugar, one pint of vinegar, one tablespoonful, each, of cloves, allspice, and cinnamon, and one-half tablespoonful of mace. Pulp the grapes; place the pulp on the fire and heat slowly, cooking about five minutes. Turn the fruit into a coarse sieve and press the pulp through, thus sejiarating it from the seeds. Place the skins with this pulp, and weigh the 252 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST. whole. Make a syrup of llic sugai, vinegar and spices. When the sugar is dissolved, boil the fruit in the syrup half an hour, then liottle. GRAPP; PKESURVES Pulp the grapes, retaining the skins. Boil the pulp slowly until the seeds can be seen to loosen, then put into a sieve and press the pulp through. Add a little water to the skins, and cook until tender. Place the pulp and skins to gelher and measure, allowing to each pint a pound of sugar. Boil the whole together for 1,S minutes, when it should be thick enough; if not, boil until satis- factory. Fifteen minutes will, however, be sufficient in most cases, provided too much water was not added to the skins for boiling. GRAPE CATSUP Boil the grapes, skins and all, until soft. When they are boiling, weigh out six pounds of sugar to every nine pounds, of grapes. Strain the fruit through a colander, add the sugar, and boil slowly until quite thick. Then add one table- spoonful, each, of cloves, allspice, cin- namon and black pepper; and also one quart of vinegar. If the catsup is thinner than desired, after the addition of the vinegar, let it boil slowly, stirring constantly, until it is of the required consistency. — J. R. C. TKe Amateur GreenKouse Do not forget that many of your chemical ingredients will restore the ferns and palms will require re- properties and elements of the virgin potting this fall. It may not be land. It must be fresh; if possible, the necessary to put them into larger sized top three inches of an old pasture. A Bank of Decorative Plants at Canadian National Exhibition pots, unless they are root-bound. Take them out of the old pots, clean the roots by removing the earth, and replace with fresh soil in pots of the same size. The plants then will have a new lease of life and will show their appreciation bv growing more freely and more strong. PREPARE A COMPOST Now is a good time to prepare a com- post heap for use next year. The first and most important consideration is to procure the proper kind of soil. Find the soil that is suitable, and, though it may be some trouble and exp>ense, get it ; it will in the future amply repay the initial cost. The proper kind is fresh, fibrous loam, soil that has never grown an artificial crop. Old, worn-out soil cannot be artificially made fertile; no The compost heap is prepared by piling alternate layers of this soil, six inches deep, and of fresh cow manure, three inches deep. Where the latter is not procurable, use short stable manure. Any chemical fertilizer that is to be added may be reserved until the com- f)OSt is to be used. Shape the pile with vertical sides and flat top. To acceler- ate decomposition, make a number of deep holes with a crowbar, thus per- mitting the penetration of water. If this pile is prepared now, it can be chopped down before winter sets in, and thrown into a long heap; this will mix it and make it fit for use in the spring. If probably suitable for use soon, put sufficient in a dry shed to last through the winter. CYCLAMEN Cyclamen for winter flowering in 1907 should be sown now. Most per- sons sow the seeds broadcast in pans. This method gives very good results, but they may be sown one inch apart each way. The pans should be three inches deep and filled with soil com- posed of three parts of good loam and one part of well-rotted cow manure or leaf mould. To insure good germina- tion of seed, place a thin layer of pure sand on the surface. ROMAN HYACINTHS Roman hyacinths may be had for the holiday season by planting the bulbs now. Plant in pots or pans with the bulb just below the surface of the soil. Use rich soil and, after planting, soak it with water. Then cover the pots with three or four inches of stable litter or cinders. Make occasional examina- tions and, if they are found dry, soak again with water, enough to f>enetrate both covering and soil to the roots. If buried outside and they become sUghtly frozen, no harm will be done if they are left to thaw out naturally. It is best not to handle them when frozen. Bring them to the light early in November. FREESIAS Plant freesias in five or six inch pots. Place the bulbs about an inch below the surface of the soil. A half dozen may be put in a pot, placing them one inch apart. Freesias do not require putting outside or covering of any kind. Put the pots on the bench. When growth appears they should have plenty of daylight and a temperature at night of 55 or 60 degrees. If a large supply of freesias is desired, grow them directly on the bench in four inches of soil. Place the bulbs at intervals of one inch in rows four inches apart. SPIREA JAPONICA This is a popular greenhouse plant flowering during spring. All that is necessary is to pot up the clumps in autumn, stand them in a sheltered place, and water when necessary. Then, in the new year, take them to the green- house, and let them come into flower gradually. \ WKy Not Cooperative Experiments WitK Vegetables? WHY should not the Experimental Union of the Ontario Agricultural College carry out cooperative ex- periments with vegetables in different parts of the province? I am convinced that something should be done along Good Things from ihe Garden that line. I have looked up informa- tion on the subject, particularly that contained in the annual reports of the union for the years 1904 and 1905. The objects of the union and the manner in which the work is carried on is outlined " in the following quotation from the re- port for 1905 : "I'lve years after the college was started, the officers, students, and ex- students formed themselves into an as- sociation under the name of the 'Ontario Agricultural and Experimental Union.' The objects of the association, as form- ulated at that time, were as follows; 'To form a bond of union among the officers and students, past and present, of the Ontario Agricultural College and Ex- perimental Farm; to promote their in- tercourse with the view to mutual in- formation; to discuss subjects bearing on the wide field of agriculture, with its allied sciences and arts; to hear papers and addresses delivered by competent parties; and to meet at least once an- nually at the Ontario Agricultural Col- lege.' In 1886 the members of this association appointed a committee to confer with the officers of the college, with the object of establishing a system of co-operative experiments throughout the province. Letters were written to members of the union, and 12 consented to conduct experiments with fertilizers and field crops on their own farms in the year 1886. From that time to the present, the work has gradually branched off on different lines until it has touched on several phases of agricultural work. "In the spring of each year, circulars outlining the cooperative work are dis- tributed by the agricultural committee appointed by the Experimental Union. Those asked to take part in the scheme of cooperation may be classified as fol- lows: (1) The officers and students, past and present, of the Ontario Agri- cultural College, who pay an annual fee of 50 cents, and have control of the executive work of the Experimental Union; (2) the experimenters of former years who have done satisfactory work; (3) leading farmers, gardeners, and others, whose names have been suggested by secretaries of farmers' institutes, secretaries of agricultural societies, prin- cipals of collegiate institutes, inspectors of public schools, and others; and (4) various persons who have seen the ex- periments of other people, or have in some way heard of the work and wish to assist in the movement by conducting experiments on their own farms. The circulars are distributed in the order here given, starting first by sending to those who have been connected with the college and are therefore trained for the work, and finishing the distribution by sending to those engaged in some branch of practical agriculture who have not conducted experiments previously, but who wish to undertake the work." In seeking information regarding the work of the union, I was much pleased to find that, in 1904, Prof. C. A. Zavitz started conducting experiments in sweet corn, with eight successful experiment- ers, and this number was increased to 21 in 1905, and there are about 160 persons conducting experiments with sweet corn this year. This year, also, Prof. Hutt is making a series of experiments with a dozen varieties of tomatoes, in half a dozen canning sections. But, will the canning factory make its decision from the sel- fish, economical side; that is, from the tomato that will give the least waste, or from the standpoint of quality when canned? Let us hope by all means that it will be the latter. Outside of the under-glass crops, the growing of vegetables is the highest type of agriculture. It is plain that as yet there has been comparatively little done in conducting experiments with vegetables throughout this province, looking not only towards increased yield, but to what is of more importance, a higher standard of quahty. If we can get that quality by fertihzation of soil, or cultiv'ation, or by breeding up a higher type, our labor will not be in vain. Now that the vegetable growers have a provincial association, I think it would be fitting and proper for them to appoint a committee to draft their requirements, and present them to the Experimental Union at its next annual meeting in December. — A Truck Farmer. Exhibit of Onions at Canadian National I Harvesting and Storing Vegetable Crops THE principles that are involved in the storing of vegetable crops differ with the various classes. One of the most important points to bear in mind is the fact that much of the decay of vegetables in storage is not the fault of the storage, but is due to the work of diseases with which the crops are infested before they are put in stor- age. Discard all specimens that are bruised and which are likely to decay. The practice of a few prominent growers may be read in the following paragraphs : POTATOES AND GARDEN ROOTS "The best place to store j)otatoes and garden root crops," said Mr. Jas. Guthrie of Dixie, Ont., to The Horticulturist, "is in a rcx)t house, isolated and specially constructed. Dig the cellar four feel deep and over it construct a house, well roofed with cedar. Around the sides, bank with earth about ly^ feet deep, using sods as first tier next the wood. Keep the house dark, but ventilate every 12 feet. "In a roothouse like this, the vege- tables come out in spring in fresh condi- tion. They are also easy to get at when needed in winter. Exclusion of light is important. It makes potatoes green and spoils the cooking qualities. This is illustrated sometimes in the sale of potatoes in cities. Often, the purchaser immediately places them in a well- lighted cellar, and soon they become poor in quality. He then blames the grower for supplying poor stock. This is scarce- ly fair, as the fault lay with the man who bought the goods." PARSNIPS In' the fall some growers take up only as many parsnips as are needed for domestic use and for sale during the winter. The rest are left in the ground until spring. In digging, leave in the soil as long as possible, but dig before the frost binds up the ground. Store in a cool cellar, and on a sand floor if possible. If the cellar contains a furnace and the atmosphere is warm, it is better to cover the parsnips with sand to prevent wilting. "Parsnips left in the ground and dug in the spring will not keep as long as those harvested in fall and stored in pits," said Mr. James Daudridge, of Humber Bay, Ont. "In some soils they are heav- ed by frost. Sometimes they are injured by the ice and snow forming a crust around the crowns; when thaws come, the crowns will start to rot." cabbages and cauliflower In storing late cabbages, be absolutely- certain, pijijnarily, that they are not in- fested with the black-rot fungus. An- other essential for successful storage is that the heads be kept at a low temper- ature, nearly to freezing point. Some vegetable gardeners claim that if the cabbage is allowed to freeze in the fall and kept so all winter it will keep in good condition until March or April. This method is dangerous, however, as there is a great liability of losing the entire crop when the heads dry out in the spring. The best and safest method is to keep the cabbages as near freezing point as possible, at a nearly constant temperature, without allowing them to become actually frozen hard. In this manner they will keep until spring and remain in good ccmdition. ' ' Late cauliflowers head about October I," said Mr. T. W. Stephens, of Aurora, hastens decay. I^ave the roots on and cut off a few of the lixjse outside stalks and any that may have got bruised or broken, then cart to the cellar. "Have on hand some damp, not wet, sawdust and some boards. Regain next the wall, and lay first about three inches of sawdust and saturate it well with water, then pack one tier of celery as close together as possible and bank with sawdust slightly moist. Set another row similarly and pack as before, bank- ing about one-half or two thirds of the height of the stalks. Set the plants upright or they will grow crooked. "Follow this plan until a space is set about three feet wide, then place a board Fruits, Flowers and Vegetables of Niagara District Horticultural Exhibition Ont., to The Horticulturist. "They should be harvested at once. Trim off the largest leaves and store, root and all, in a dry cellar. Beware of dampness, as it causes rot. Store on the floor. Cauliflowers may be stored in boxes or barrels if not filled too full. When properly stored, they should keep until February or March." storing celkky I.N sawdust Most growers pack celery in sand. While the practice is a good one, there are others who follow a different method of procedure. One of these is Mr. J. C. Black, of Truro, N.S., a well-known authority on these matters in his native province. "When storing celery," he writes, "I used to pack in earth in the basement of a barn, but later on I adopt- ed the plan of packing in sawdust. In taking up the plants in the field, they must be handled carefully so as not to break or bruise the stock; the latter 254 8 or 10 inches wide against the last row of celery, and fasten it with stakes. About eight inches from this put another board, both, of course, on their edges. This will leave an eight inch space be- tween them. Pack against the latter board until again three feet wide, then leave another space of eight inches. The spaces are for the purpose of ease in inspecting the condition of the celery and for applying water occasionally to the roots without wetting the tops which causes decay. " In this way I have stored thousands of stalks, with good success. Of course, everj'one has not access to sawdust ; in that case, earth will do, but celers' keeps better and comes out brighter and cleaner from the sawdust. This method can be adopted for family use in a small way by packing in boxes. The tem- perature should be kept low but not to the freezing point." ^''Q^h:^ "-^^t^ '<%[^ '<%c^>^ '<%c*J '<%:^tj '<%t'Kf '•^^ OUR QUESTION AND ANSWER DEPARTMENT IVeaders of TKe Horticulturist are invited to submit Questions on any phase of Horticultural -worK )^Ta^^ ^TO^^ ^TO^^ /TMf^^ ^Tfe%>, nM%>> n»*%>> OM%>) /TM%iV ^TkJffj^ /Tk*%>, /TM%>» OO^^ ^TO^^^ Harvesting' Rieffer Pears At what stage of maturity should Kieffe* pears be picked, and in what manner should they be handled to ensure the best quality, and at the same time to retain their value as keepers? — H.A.R., Ivan, Ont. For export we usually pick Kieffer , pears the first and second weeks of October. For home or domestic purposes we allow them to remain on the trees a little longer in order to reach a more advanced stage of maturity. After they are picked their maturity may be accelerated or delayed according as they are kept in a dry warm, or a dry cool place. For canning or preserving, they should be thoroughly matured and cooked a little longer than other pears. They are then hard to excel in sprightly excellent flavor. — Answered by A. W. Peart, Burlington. Vine PeacH I am sending to The Horticulturlst a specimen of a vine fruit that is a novelty. Iden- tify and mention value.— C.H.C, Fruitland, Ont. The fruit submitted is known specif- ically as Cucumis melo chito. It has various common names, such as vine peach, garden lemon, orange melon and vegetable orange. Although scarcely edible in its natural state, it is useful for the making of preserves and pickles. 1 1 has no commercial value. A few vines are valuable in the home garden. It can be grown in most parts of the province. The W^alnxit Datana The Walnut Datana caterpillar has put in an appearance here and is injuring the bitter aiid stag bark hickories and the black walnut. Kindly outline its life history and suggest a remedy. — J.M.F., Abbatsford, Que. The Walnut Datana is frequently destructive on walnuts, hickories, ^oak and even apple trees. The female moth lays a large batch of eggs (50-100) on the surface of a leaf. The caterpillars require from four to six weeks to reach full growth. When about to moult, they descend to the trunk of the tree and collect in large numbers; at this time the whole batch is readily destroyed. When ready to pupate the caterpillars descend to the ground (usually at night) and burrow to a depth of two or three inches. There they change into naked brown pupae and remain until the fol- lowing July. There is, therefore, but one brood each season. The best method of treatment is to destroy the caterpillars as they congre- gate on the trunk at moulting periods, and to destroy the pupae in the ground by allowing hogs to root in the infested area or by putting in poultry. Insecti- cides are hardly practicable. — Answered by Prof. W. Lochhead, St. Anne de Bellevue, Que. 'WHite-Flo-wered FTascKias Is there a fuschia with white flowers; if so, where can plants be obtained? — I,.I,.S., Monc- ton, N.B. I do not know of a pure white-flow- ered fuchsia. There are several varie- ties with white corollas and colored sepals and vice versa. These can be obtained from the florists and plant men who advertise in the columns of The Horticulturist. — Answered by Thos. Manton, Fghnton, Ont. Storing rio-wer Seeds How and where should llower seeds be stored ? — R.A.S., Calgary, Seeds should be well dried before being stored. vSpread them out thinly whether in or out of the pods, on trays or shelves, or in shallow boxes, in a dry airy room. When quite dry, place them in paper bags and hang the bags up in a dry cool room away from strong fire heat in a temperature of about 40 to 50 de- grees. Dampness and extreme stove or artificial heat are not good for seeds. Pick seeds in dry weather. — Answered by Wm. Plunt, O.A.C., Guelph. Fall "WorK ^ritK Asparagus I have started a bed of asparagus. Does it require any attention this fall? — T.M.A., Wind- sor, Ont. When the tops are sufficiently dried so they can be broken down by the harrow they should be raked together and burned. The surface of the bed should then have a top dressing of well- rotted stable manure which should be worked into the soil this fall. Manure left on the surface until spring will pre- vent early growth. Wintering Parsnips Is it profitable to leave parsnips in the ground all winter?— W.B.D., Sussex, N.B. Digging and storing in well-ventilated bins in a cool cellar is the most profitable way of keeping parsnips. First, digging in the fall saves time in spring when labor is scarce. Second, you have a longer period to market in. Third, no matter how favorable the winter, you are bound to lose a percentage of crop wintered out of doors. Fourth, the best ground to raise parsnips on is a moist black loam which will always heave in winter. Parsnips wintered outside have a superior flavor to that of cellar stowed, but all local growers agree that cellar wintering is by far the most profitable. — Answered by Thos. Stokes, Niagara Falls South. " Lettuce for CKristmas I have a small greenhouse and want to grow lettuce for Christmas. When should the seed be sown, and how should the young plants be cared for? — A. P., Kingston. The seed should be sown about Octo- ber 15. Sow in flats. ^Vhen two or three inches high, transplant to the bench four inches apart each way. There it will develop to good-sized heads. Water only on bright days, and apply the water in the forenoon so that it will be dry before night. Apply direct to the soil. Do not sprinkle the plants as it will cause the heart to rot. Watering in dull weather or at night also induces rot. Bleaching and PacKing Celery- Kindly describe the best method of bleaching, packing and marketing celery, and suitable crate for shipping. — Wm. McS., Guelph. Great care should be exercised in the bleaching of celery. To have nice, crisp, healthy stalks, the celery should be bleached before it reaches maturity. Boards should be used that will not reach to the top of the celery because, if they cover the leaves, the appear- ance will be spoiled. The boards first should be laid down close to the roots of the celery and then drawn up slowly, bringing up the stalks until the board becomes bound in the leaves. This will hold the board firmly and stakes will not be required. Celery should be cut before becera- ing too white and allowed to whiten after packing in the crate. Great care should be used in washing. All dirt should be removed and then the stalks thoroughly washed in clean water. Never scrub celery with a stiff brush, because when scraped it will rust and spoil the appearance. The best crate for shipping in sum- mer and early fall is a slatted one, simi- lar to the American berry crate. In winter a closed crate is better^ Care should be used in sampling. By mak- ing two or more grades better results may be obtained. The celery should be packed in rows, laying it flat in the crate, and reversing each row until the crate is full. Cover with a wet cloth. Pack firmly and keep from the air.— Answered by Geo. Syme, Jr., Cariton West, Ont. 256 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST The Canadian Horticulturist Published by The Horticultural PubliahinK Company", Limited The On\y Horticultural Magazine in the Dominion OMcial Orcan of Britiih Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and Prince Edward Island Fruit Growers' Associationa and of the Ontario Veg- etable Growers' Association H. Bronson Cowan, Editor and Business Manager A: B. Cdttino. B.S.A., Associate Editor W. O. Rooc, Advertisine Manager GREAT BRITAIN Prank Fletcbhr, 135 Henrietta Street. Old Trafford. Manchester, Eng., Advertising and Circulation Manager, 1. The Canadian Horticulturist is published the first of every month. 2. Subscription Price 50 cents a year, three years $1.20, strictly in advance. Kor all countries except Canada, United States and Great Britain add 50c. for postage for each one year subscription. 3. Remittances should be made by Post Office or Money Express Order, or Registered Letter. Postage Stamps accepted for amounts less than $1.00. 4. Discontinuances —Responsible subscribers will con- tinue to receive The HORTicuLTtTRisT until the publishers are notified by letter to discontinue, when all arrearages must be paid. 5. Change of Address — When a change of address is ordered, both the old and the new addresses must be given. 6. c>4dvertising Rates quoted on application. Circu- lation 5,500. Copy received up to the 23rd. Responsible representatives wanted in towtis and cities. 7. cArticles and Illustrations for publication will be thankfully received by the editor. 8. cAll Communications should be addressed: THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 507 and 508 Manning Chambers TORONTO, CANADA APPLE TRADE IN DANGER A nioveiiienl is on foot to bring in large quan- tities of apples from New York state and store them in Ontario, and later repack them for the British market. The men behind the scheme intend to try and influence the Dominion Govern- ment to allow the apples to come to Canada, be stored and packed, and passed through for exjKJrt without paying duty. Many Ontario buyers, when they went out to look at the orchards in the Northumberland, Durham and Prince Edward region, found the winter apple crop very short, and the apples that were there had been bought up by a few dealers very early. They found, also, that apples were more plentiful and very mucla cheaper in New York state. Several of them at the Apple Shippers' meeting in Niagara Falls, August 2 and 3, who had already made trips through New York state, were seriously considering the purchasing of large quantities of this stock. It is likely that since that time they have made these purchases, because the prices have gone up in Ontario and have not improved materially in New York state, just now there appears to be a hitch in the proceedings. These apples, if sold now, would realize little or no profit, since there is a surplus of early summer and fall apples. They cannot be stored in New York, except in the large commercial storehouses, and this is where they ran against a snag. Some of the heavy American apple plungers, it is understood, noting this influx of Canadian apple buyers, proceeded to buy control of all the available cold storage, with the result that now that the Cana- dians have bought their stock, they can only store it by giving the prospective profits to the men who control the storage. One of their strong reasons, therefore, for storing at Colbome and Brighton will be to secure storage, since they cannot procure it cheaply in New York state. Perhaps a more important reason would be that they could repack the apples during the winter months; and, more important still, they could possibly, in some way or another, work a lot of them off as Canadian grown apples, and thus receive the enhanced price that such a reputation would give them. Even if they were obliged to declare the country of origin, they could make the fact that they were packed in Canada so prominent that they would receive all the benefits that accrue to Canadians as the result of the enforcement of the Fruit Marks Act. The effect upon Canadian trade would tie to increase the quantity of Canadian packed fruit, and to that extent depreciate the price. An- other feature that is not to be overloe greatly strengthened. Flower and I)lant shows are f>f little value unless they teach something. They may stimulate a desire for flowers and increase the trade and they may be of benefit in other ways, such as acting as an incentive to cause growers to produce high-grade stock. But above all things, they should be made particularly useful for purposes of in- struction. The Canadian National apparently lost sight of the most important means of accomplishing this end. It did not compel exhibitors, particu- larly of foliage plants, to correctly name and attach same to the plants by means of labels. The prize-Ust stated this as a condition of entry, but it was not enforced to the letter. Those that were labelled might as well have t)een without. The labels were so small and so dirty that, in most cases, it was impossible to read them. Every plant and flower in the building sliould have been labelled in letters large enough and plain enough for the passer-by to read without coming to a haU. The Ca.vadi.^n Horticultur- ist heard many persons enquiring the name of this and that plant. Had the names been printed there, the floral exhibition would have accompUshed its most important purpose. As it was, the passers-by left the building without learning what they desired to know. It may he said that labels would interfere with impartial judging. This should not be. In case of the possibility, however, it could be over- come by demanding that the entries be lalielled as soon as the awards are announced, which occurs, usually, the first or second day. The value of such a departure to the Exhibition visitor would more than make up for the extra trouble incurred. The cost of the labels, which should be neat and uniform in size and appear- ance is a mere bagatelle. The end would justify the expense. There should be something done to strengthen this feature of the Exhibition. BETTER CARS NEEDED One of the needs of our large and growing apple trade is a ventilated car that can be used for the faU shipments. For the very eariy apples ripening in August, and the first two weeks of September, it is not likely that an>thing will succeed except the refrigerator car. From this time until the fruit has to be protected from frost, a thoroughlv ventilated car is much to be desired. The ordinarv box car is totaUy unfitted for this trade. Even when the doors are left partially opened the ventilation is very imper- fect. The car is practically a trap for catching and retaining the heat of the sun during the day as well as the heat derived from the natural process of ripening in the apples. There is so little*provision for ventilation that the apples are frequentlv more injured by the railway journey than by any equal period in the trans- portation. Recently a car was noted in Ottawa, whicfi was used in connection with the Georgia melon trade, that would be a great improvement. This car had eight openings, four on the bottom and four on the top through the walls of the side of the car, strongly grated with half-inch rods. There were, also, four gratings on each end. As a consequence, when the car was in motion, there was a strong current of air that thoroughly ventilated the car. The advantage of this type of car would be that it could be used for two or two and a half months in the apple trade and then used in the ordinary traffic without change and without endangering any of the ventilating appliances. The elaborate system of ventilation such as the Dominion Express Company is non- using in its express cars, would be entirely un- suitable for the apple trade, inasmuch as the apparatus would prevent it being used for other classes of rough freight. This subject should engage the attention of shippers and it is hoped THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 257 that they will express their views through The Canadian Horticulturist. Horticulture is an art. Aside from the pecuniary advantages to be derived from the growing of fruits and flowers, there is an aesthetic aspect that is unquestionable. Horticulture appeals to the highest faculties in human nature. It elevates. The Royal Horticul- tural Show has done much for England. A Horticultural Exhibition, held annually in Toronto, will do much for the province of On- tario and for Canada. It will stimulate a feeling for something in life better than the humdrum of daily business and care. Most men admire flowers, women love them, and children adore them. They are silent but efficient teachers of the practical value of aesthetics and the benign influence of beauty upon life and character. Flowers will be on exhibition in Massey Hall in November. While the Ontario Horticultural Exhibition is not a new departure, still it is only in its infancy. Much money is necessary to make it a success. Some assistance is needed. Many readers of The Horticulturist are wealthy, and being friends of horticulture, they may be willing to contribute towards making the exhibition this year the greatest horticultural show ever held in Canada. A little assistance now, when it is needed most, will be the means of placing the show in a jxisition where such will not be needed later on. Already a number of per- sons in Toronto and elsewhere has made cash donations. Others, who may care to do so, are requested to send their contributions to Mr. J. H. Dunlop, treasurer Ontario Horti- cultural Exhibition, Toronto. The fruit exhibits at the Canadian National are about the same in point of size each year. No progress is noticeable. Were it not for the large exhibits shown this year by the Gran- tham and St. Catharines societies, the display of plate fruit would have been small. A bigger exhibit is necessary. Such will not be made, however, until the prize-list is revised. To encourage fruit growers in exhibiting, a larger prize-list and more money is required. Fruit is perishable. Exhibitors u.sually show at a loss. Very little fruit is fit for use or sale after the show. For these reasons, growers are backward in exhibiting. Something should be done, and soon, to encourage a larger and better exhibit in this department. Cooperative experiments with vegetable crops should be conducted by the horticultural de- partment of the Ontario Agricultural College in conjunction with the Experimental Union. A suggestion to this effect is published on an- other page of this issue, and is a good one. The horticultural department at the O.A.C. should be sufficiently alive to undertake work on these lines, and many more that could and will be suggested in The Canadian Horticul- turist, without it being necessary for atten- tion to be drawn to the need. Again our failing for the good things of life has been taken advantage of. Not long since we were presented, much to our delight, with a basket of peaches, bouncers that fairly dripped with lusciousness. They came from the fruit farm of Mr. G. W. McLelan, of Port Dalhousie, Ont. A contril)Ution of grapes and peaches from "Lakeview," the large fruit and dairy farm of Major F. M, Carpenter, Fruitland, Ont., also surprised us in our sanctum. They were much appreciated, even though they may have been the cause of delaying this issue of our paper. Now is the time to discuss the work of the new Niagara experiment station. A good sug- gestion offered now will be worth more than a dozen later. Close attention should be given the details in planning the initial work. Every detail should be so mapped out that radical changes will not have to be made at a later date. The Horticulturist is of the opinion, for instance, that the planning of the work should not include apples. Variety tests and other experimental work with apples should be left to the sub-stations in other parts of the province, and to the various experimental farms. Apples can be grown in many locali- ties to greater perfection than they can in the Niagara district. Moreover, land in that dis- trict is too valuable to make apples a profitable crop. By leaving the work with apples to those stations better adapted for it, more area, time and expense can be given to the tender fruits that are adapted only to the Niagara and simi- lar districts. The successful sale and transportation of apples depends largely on the placing of con- signments in reliable hands and on proper facilities for the ocean carriage of same. Honest buyers and an efficient steamship service are both essential. Such is, we believe, the char- acter of those firms that advertise in The C.\n.\- dian Horticulturist. Growers and shippers will do well if they consult the advertising columns in this issue. The Horticulturist begs to acknowledge the kindness of Mr. Roderick Cameron, of Niagara F'alls, Ont., in treating two members of the staff so royally when on recent trips to Victoria Park. Mr. Cameron is one of our most valued contributors. He is a man of wide experience in horticultural matters, and takes great pride in the large and varied col- lection of plants at Victoria Park, which is equal in beauty to any park on the continent. Pressure of space has prevented the publica- tion of the third of a series of articles being written by our representative who, earlier in the season, visited Great Britain in the interests of fruit growers and of this paper. It will appear in the November number and will deal with the manner in which Canadian fruit Jisj sold injthe Old Country. Excellent A.rran^ements The Ont. Horticultural Exhibition which will be held in Massey Hall, Toronto, Nov. 6-10, should this year far eclipse the two previous ex- hibitions, owing to the fact that much better arrangements have been made for it. The railway companies have agreed to run excursions at half rates from all parts of the province on Wed. and Tliurs., Nov. 7-8. These tickets will be good for return up to Saturday, Nov. 10. By these excursions those who desire to attend the annual conventions of the fruit growers and vege- table growers and Ont. hort. assns. will be able to do so at half rates, and without the trouble of the certificates. Exhibitors and others who desire to attend on earlier days or on Fri. or Sat. will be able to do so on the certificate plan. By buying a certificate from their local agent, they will l)e able to return free regardless of the number in attendance, but they will have to have their certificates countersigned at the exhibition, for which a charge of 25 cts. will be made by the railway companies. As the railways will adver- tise these excursions, a large attendance from all parts of the province is expected. It is possible that the railways will add a charge of 25 cts. to each railway ticket for admittance to the horti- cultural exhibition. Those who purchase a railway ticket will thus have in addition a ticket of admission to the exhibition. Members of the associations, who will be entitled to season tickets for 50 cts., who buy these railway tickets and pay the extra for admission to the exhibition, will be returned the 25 cts. for their admission couimn attached to their railway ticket. The exhibits in all sections promise to excel last year's splendid showing tx)th in point of quality and number of entries. The number of exhibits of vegetables will be nearly double those of last year. The Toronto school board is ar- ranging that the senior pupils shall attend the exhibition Wed., Thurs., and Fri. mornings be- tween 11 and 12 o'clock. The school teachers of Toronto will be addressed by representatives of the Agricultural College at Guelph, who will have charge of the nature study exhibits at the exhibition. It is possible that the directors of the exhibition will give luncheons each day to prominent people. In addition to all these features, the fact that the famous Black Dike band, whom it is said have secured more prizes for their excellent playing than any other band in the world, will be present each afternoon and evening of the exhibition and will arrange to present specially prepared programs to the enjoyment of all who attend. The prize-lists are being circulated Copies may be had upon application to the secretary, Mr. H. B. Cowan, Parliament Bldgs., Toronto. Vegetable Topics A most interesting program is being prepared for the annual convention of the Ont. Veg. Grs. Assn. convention to be held in Toronto at the time of the Ontario Horticultural Exhibition in Massey Hall, Nov. 8 and 9. At a meeting of the executive held Sept. 22 at Hamilton, at which Messrs. F. F. Reeves, of Humber Bay; Alex. Mc- Means, of Guelph, and R. O. Lewis, of Hamilton, were present, it was decided to invite the follow- ing gentlemen to speak on the subjects men- tioned below: W. A. Emery, of Aldershot, on "Melons"; E. J. Mahoney, of Hamilton, on "Tomato Growing" ; John Lewis, of Hamilton, on "Fertilization in Relation to Vegetable Growing" ; E. J. Malcolm, of Scotland, on " Onion Growing" ; R. Brodie, of Montreal, and E. E. Adams, of Leamington, on "Forcing Early Vegetables"; E. Gibbard, of Todmorden, on ' ' Tomato Growing under Glass"; A. Mclnnes and T. Benstead, of Stratbroy, on "Celery Growing"; and Eugene .Davis, of Grand Rapids, Mich., U.S.A., on "Lettuce Forcing and Bean Growing." It was decided to draw attention to an error in the vegetable prize-list for the exhibition, in .section 36, which should read Onions, yeUow, best string. P| j-, A Duty on Tin Plate A vigorous protest is being made in the press and by farmers in counties bordering on Lake Ontario against a company that is constructing a big factory in Morrisburg, Dundas Co., for the purpose of manufacturing tin plates for the farmers. The name of the company is the Canadian Tin Plate and Sheet Steel Co., Ltd. It is petitioning the Dominion Government for a protective tariff on tin plate. The farmers of Prince Edward Co. are up in arms. They feel that a duty placed on tin plate, so as to promote the interests of the company, would be disastrous to the dairy and canning industries. The farmer and the fruit grower use large quantities of tin plate in the utensils and machin- ery of the farm. The canning industry of On- tario uses millions of tin cans every year. Should this company accomplish its purpose the price of cans would go up, and to counteract it, canners would be forced to pay lower prices for fruit and vegetables. The farmers resent the exac- tion of such a tribute. The farmer of the west, who use large quantities of canned goods, also will suffer. The establishment of a factory for making tin plate in Canada, under such condi- tions, will be contrary to the interests of fanning community in all its branches. On Sept. 17, the large fruit warehouse of Titterington Bros., St. Catharines, Ont., was totally destroyed by fire. In the Niagara dist. there has been a shortage of baskets. "This has and is causing considerable anxiety among growers. A. Standstill in Horticulture at tKe National ExHibition AT the Canadian National Exhibition, Toronto, products of the field and gar- den do not receive the attention that they deserve The facilities for making proper displays, and the ineagrcness of the prize- list do not encourage large exhibits. The build- ings are old, the prize-list is not properly arranged, and not enough money is offered as a recomi)cnse for the expense incurred in exhibiting. The perishable character of fruit warrants larger prizes. Very seldom is a basket or plate of fruit of any value after the exhiljition. A new build- ing is promised for next year. A new prize-list and more money, also, should be forthcoming. FRUIT While the fruit exhibit was not as large as it might have been, the quality of the fruit was better than usual. In varieties, a stronger tendency to grow and uphold the commercial types was evident. The strongest competition was in the commercial classes. The commercial packages showed a great imjirovement in tiering, in make of box, and in the material used. Prac- tically no boxes were made of poor material. The style of packing, in most instances, was good. In one class, there was an excellent object lesson in packing. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize boxes were side by side. The 3rd prize box was 50 % better than the 1st prize in regard to fruit, and 100 % better than the 2nd prize box, but it was slack. It is essential that the box be full and packed tight. Slack packing will cause the apples to roll, become bruised, and arrive at their destination in poor shape. Some other boxes were not filled to the top and did not receive the award that quality of the fruit merited. A box of Greenings, good fruit, was packed with the bottom end of the fruit up, and the appearance was spoiled. In commercial packages of pears, some baskets were filled too full, heaped up, and not properly covered and protected. While such may have a place in a nearby, special market, they are not fit for shipment, and, of course, could not compete: Some of the finest Bartletts on exhibition were packed in this manner and were disqualified. The plate exhibits were fair. Had it not been for the efforts of the St. Catharines and Gran- tham societies, and the Ont. Fruit Exp. Stations, the size of the display of plates would not have amounted to much. Owing to unfavorable weather during the past season, the number of plates of apples and plums was not great. Pears madea better showing, but, on many plates, there was a lack of uniformity in grading to size. In some instances of 5 varieties on a plate, all pears were of good quality; but 1 or 2 were large and the rest small. The exhibit showed an unevenness that spoiled the effect. Fruit exhibited on plates should be as uniform in size as that demanded in packages for export. Bartletts, Clapps and Duchess were the most numerous. An interesting feature in connection with some of the Bartletts was the fact that the influence of Keiffer pollen was noticeable on some specimens of that variety. Trees from which those particular Bartletts came probably were in close proximity to trees of Keiffer. The Niagara district sent some good contri- butions of peaches. Considering the date of the exhibition, the coloring and size were very good. The leading commercial varieties were shown and some others that should have been kept at home. A regrettable feature was the presence of San Jose scale on some of the specimens. Scale was to be seen on peaches that were awarded first prize. Such fruit should have been disqualified altogether, no matter how it compared with competitive plates. The fact that scale was sent to the exhibition is an indication of the serious- ness of this trouble in the peach orchards of this province. If growers cannot select a few clean peaches for exhibition out of the many bushels that their orchards produce, the situation is serious. The Ont. Fruit Exp. Stations made an exhibit of varieties of fruits that are recommended for general planting throughout the province. It was in charge of Mr. P. W. Hodgetts, Sec. F.G.A., Toronto, and was arranged for edu- cational purposes. All kinds of fresh fruits were shown; and cherries, raspberries, straw- berries and others were in bottles pre- served in antiseptic solutions. A new peach, "Lewis," early, creamy flesh and of fair quality, was shown. A collection of small tools and other materials for use in fruit orchards was also there — pruning knives, saws, si)raying nozzles and protectors, strainers, insecticides and so on. Fruit packages, packed and unpacked, helped to make the exhibit an important one. VEGETABLES In the vegetable dept. some excellent speci- mens of garden crops were to be seen. The celery was very good, particularly White Plume and Paris Golden Yellow; but some exhibits were not entered in their right classes — White Plume was .shown for Dwarf White, and so on. Beets, carrots and parsnips were very good, the latter scarcely up to average in size owing to kinds and varieties, and, in some cases, several groups of the s:ime variety were found at different places on the place of display. This makes it difficult for judging. A collection should be limited to say 40 classes or varieties, and each variety should contain no more than 5 s|)ecimens Each class or variety should be correctly named, the names printed on cards attached, and by itself, not scattered promiscjiously over the table. The Horticulturist knows of a case this year where a grower went to the fair grounds with his exhibit correctly named and groujjed, as already suggested; and, on seeing the scattered arrange- ments of the collections then placed, he refused to exhibit. A rearrangement of the conditions of entry for next year should be effected so as to make a reoccurrence of such an incidence im- probable. ^ The floral department The cut flower exhibit this year was almost a failure. The entries were the smallest and the exhibits the most inferior of any in past years. In the plant section some very good specimens were shown. A complete change is requiredjin the floral department. Such is necessarylto keep pace with the rapid advances made in other departments of the exhibition. The whole prize- Prize Peaches at Canadian National were Spotted with San Jose Scale dry season; garden turnips were poor, some of them worm eaten. Potatoes, extra good. Winter radish, fair. The date of exhibition was too early to show good cauliflower ; cabbage and kale were up to the standard. Citrons were excellent, but some wrongly placed. Tomatoes, fine in quahty, large sized, but wrongly named in some instances. The display of onions was the best for years; Brown Bros., of Humber Bay, captured 8 firsts out of 9 entries. The collection of peppers was fair, but would have been more satisfactory had the names been printed on cards and attached to the specimens: each variety in a collection should be limited in number, — as it was, the same variety could be found on different plates distributed over the table. In the class for individual entries of peppers, we think that, in one instance, the award was wrongly placed; the best exhibit was passed by because not quite ripe, but was ou't- standingl}' the best in other particulars. Sweet corn, squash, salsify, egg plants and cucumbers, also were good; the latter, however, was wrongly named in one or two cases. In the class for collections of vegetables, two nice displays were to be seen; many superior in- dividual specimens were shown in both collec- tions. Mr. W. Harris, of Humber Bay, was awarded first prize. There is one thing about these collections to which we desire to direct attention: they were not limited to number of list for flowers and plants needs revising, and some novelties should be introduced to make the floral hall more attractive. Societies that appoint representatives to the National Ex. Assn. should be careful to select only those men who are in every way competent to fill that important position. How many mem- bers in the floral section this year can be accused of having originahty? Only one or two. Some new men are wanted. The erection of a new building for horticultural purposes will eliminate many of the evils that now exist. New features can be introduced that heretofore have not been practicable. Some classes in the prize-hst remain to-day in almost the same condition as they were when introduced 20 years ago. Geraniums, fuchsias, summer flowering begonias, and similar classes should be omitted. Many others should be revised. It would be well, also, to make a change in the foliage group. In their place banks of tuber- ous begonias, or auratum or rubrum lilies, wit!i ferns, might be introduced. The public is tired of the old-time formal banks. They always know that such are at the exhibition; for, it is the only place where the average citizen can see such an arrangement of plants. Money now given for classes of this nature could be well spent in prizes for the most original floral decora- tion. Give the exhibitor space to put up a decor- ated dinner table, a wedding breakfast, a parlor THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 259 ornamented for a wedding, an altar decoration, a miniature landscape or even a floral clock. Give the public a change. Plants at present shown in groups could be exhibited in a large conservatory erected in connection with the new buildings. If not desirable to do away with foliage groups altogether, then have the competition for a cup. As a rule pubhc plants make up these groups. Why should plants belonging to the citizens be exhibited by those who happen to have charge of them and who put the prize money into their private pockets? If this were changed it would lead to a larger number of exhibitors, who now feel the uselessness of exhibiting against city owned plants taking part. Outside exliibitors have very small chances in competition either in the cut flower or plant sections. In perennials, for instance, small growers cannot compete in dahhas or petunias with the large firms. The Horticulturist desires to see large firms exhibit; but some ar- rangement should be made to see that exhibits from persons of less resources would not be in the same class. In ferns, have a class showing the best varieties for house use. Such would give the amateur a chance. Other classes could be added for a similar purpose. A detailed report of the flower and plant exhibits is published in The Can.^dian Florist for September 15. THE COLLEGE exhibit The biological department of the O.A.C., Guelph, had a natural history exhibit in charge of Mr. T. D. Jarvis, B.S.A., that was one of the educational features of the exhibition. Mounted or preserved in a suitable manner were the chief injurious insects of the orchard in the vari- ous stages of their Ufe history. Among them, fall web-worm (common this year on grajjes), codling moth, tussock moth, tent caterpillars' snowy tree cricket (prevalent on raspberry canes) and many others. The work of round-headed borers, fruit bark beetle and others of this type was shown on the host plants. A very trouble- some pest m Ontario the past summer, the oyster-shell bark louse, was shown on twigs and fruit; and remedial measures were suggested. In fungi there were exhibited specimens of pear and apple .scab, plum rots, crown gall of rasp- berry, and, among others, the bird's eye rot of grape, which is very bad in some parts of Ontario; at Guelph, not one bunch of grapes unaffected can be found in the grapery. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES Demonstrations on proper methods of packing apples in boxes were given by Mr. Stewart of Oregon. Mr. A. McNeill, Chief, Fruit Division. gave a short practical talk on packing and hand- ling box fruit for market. In the Manufacturers' Building an exhibit of jams and jelhes from the establishment of Mr. ., :• ^™",' Winona, attracted considerable attention. A complete Une of jams and jellies was shown in 5 and 7 lb. tins, 30 lb, pails and in bottles of vanous sizes. Preserved whole fruits were put up in pint and quart jars. The exhibit was made in conjunction with W. G. Patrick & Co of Toronto, who are general agents for the well-known "E.D.S." brand. The exhibit was ta^etuUy arranged and most praiseworthy The Biggs Fruit and Produce Co., BurUn«on were on hand with the Biggs fruit box and a mce lot of prime apples for export The Spencer Seedless Apple Co., of Toronto, had a booth in the Manufacturers' Annex On another page are comments on the seedless apple, which cometh to Canada in a quesUonable i,-i?I'%^ ?: '^^''7 ?°' °^ Toronto, had an ex- hibit of Tobique land plaster which is mined and prepared by the Tobique Gypsum Co. of Plaster Kock, N.B. The land plaster was shown in its natural condition and, also, ground fine for use on orchard and garden soils. The Niagara District Exhibition IN point of quality and excellence of exhibits, the Niagara District Horticultural Exhibi- tion, held in St. Catharines. Sept. 14-15, surpassed the Canadian National Exhibition at Toronto. The number of entries was not so large, owing to a smaller field to draw from, but the exhibits themselves, individually and collectively, the manner of arrangement and, in fact, the character of the pack in commercial packages showed a marked superiority to similar factors at Toronto. It was a grand show and a credit to St. Catharines and our famous Niagara district. Being the first exhibition of the kind held in St. Catharines, greater things may be expected next year THE FLORAL DISPLAY The display of plants and flowers was excel- lent. In the class for collection of plants by professionals, Mr. R. L. Dunn, of St. Catharines, was awarded first prize. He had the largest display and the plants were exceptionally well g^own and clean. Had the display contained a touch of color it would have been almost perfect. Being entirely of green it lacked that brightness of tone that is necessary to a well-finished ar- rangement. Among the plants in the collection were palms, asparagus sprengerii, ferns, and rubber plants. The second place was taken by Mrs. L. C. Bradt, of St. Catharines, who showed a nice collection. An intermingling of varie- gated foliage gave it more color and, in that respect, a better appearance than the display that won first. In the collection were, among others, palms, some good rubber plants, and a fine specimen of sago. The premier place in collection from private greenhouses was won by Mr. S. Richardson, gardener for Mrs. T. R. Merritt, of St. Catharines, with a display of exceptional merit. It included many rare plants, such as Brazilian flax, bird nest ferns, and some choice maiden hair ferns. The second prize was awarded Mr. J. Elliott, gardener for Mr. C. Riordon, of St. Catharines. It also was a good collection of plants, including specimens of palms, ferns, banana, bread fruit and an orange tree in fruit. Another entry in this class was that of Mr. Sangster, of Power Glen, and it was a creditable one. Although the display was smaller than the foregoing, it showed what can be done by an amateur who is enthus- iastic. •A display of rare and beautiful plants from Victoria Park, Niagara Falls, selected and arranged by Mr. Roderick Cameron, attracted much attention. It was a grand collection and a tribute to the skill of the man who is making Victoria Park one of the premier beauty spots on the continent. Vases of herbaceous blooms and ornamental grasses, and hanging baskets filled to overflowing with effective plants, were dis- played also by Victoria Park. In collections of asters by school children, the competition was keen. That the young amateurs are enthusiastic in their work of gardening, was evidenced by the extent and good quaUty of the exhibits. The seed was distributed last spring by the St. Catharines Hort. Soc; it has been placed in good hands, sown in fertile places and productive of good results. The school children deserve credit for having brought together, in competition, a display of asters that even pro- fessionals would find hard to beat. Among other features of the floral exhibit that deserved particular mention was a collection of six different varieties of Nephrolepsis, or sword fern. In the amateur class for cut flowers were some fine blooms of Hydrangea paniculata cockscomb, salvia, gladiolus and so on. Some pretty flower baskets were shown and a few nice hand and table bouquets. The decorated dining tables were pretty and tastefully embellished, but they were not up to the standard. Some fair floral designs were shown. An interesting piece of work was a landscape garden in miniature. It was well prepared and showed the result of considerable work on the part of Mr. Jas. Sangster, of Power Glen. As it illustrated the formal type of gardening, however, it was not in accordance with the modem idea which demands a natural effect. At one end was a model greenhouse, from which to the front were walks, flower beds, lawns, shrubbery, and a few lawn vases and urns placed at regular intervals and laid out with geometrical exactness. While the design was creditable in many ways] we would not advise amateurs to adopt it as a model for laying out the grounds around and about their own homes. THE PROTT EXHIBIT The quality of the fruit, generally speaking, was high grade. The peaches were superior to any that have heretofore been shown in Canada. They were of exceptional merit. The array of grapes on plates and in baskets was a splendid one. In the boxes of apples, pears and peaches ready for shipment, the character of the pack showed a wonderful improvement over past efforts in the district. A few packages were under the standard, however. One box of apples wrapped appeared more Uke a small load ol hay. With this and one or two other excep- tions, the exhibit of package fruit was away above the ordinary. A special prize offered bv Mr. M. F. Rittenhouse of Chicago, for best display of fresh fruits grown in the Province of Ont., was awarded Mr. T. G. Bunting, of St. Catharines, who showed an ex- cellent lot of many varieties. The second prize went to S. D. Furminger, St. Catharines. The Ont. Exp. Stations had a creditable exhibit in charge of Mr. L. Woolverton, of Grimsby. The showing of preserved and canned fruit was good; It appeared well and the fruit was excel- m"1> put up. The biological dept. of the O.A.C, Guelph, had an interesting exhibit in charge of Mr. T. D. Jarvis, B.S.A. It was similar to the one at the Can. National Exhibition, men- tion of which appears in another column. VEGETABLES The exhibit of vegetables was not a large one, but the quality of the specimens was good. The tomatoes were first class. It is interesting to note that some of the best tomatoes shown came from the immediate neighborhood of the new Niagara exp. sta. The squash, also, was fine. Sweet com, cauliflower, cabbage, onions, salsify, celery, and all kinds of vegetables were on exhibition, and these vied with the fruit and the flowers in an endeavor to prove that the Niagara district is, as it is claimed, a veritable garden of good and wholesome things. Baskets Definite in Size "I want my baskets of grapes to weigh ex- actly 9 lbs., no more and no less," said Mr. Alex. Glover, Winona, "because it is important to have the basket just full when up to the weight. Otherwise, they will be either slack, or if overfilled, the grapes will be crushed. "If you put a dozen pickers in a g^pery, some of them will make you good weight, while others will put up slack baskets. By having baskets of a definite and correct size, you can make slack pickers fill up, while, at the same time, the others cannot go beyond." The Kootenay fruit growers have led a move- ment in B.C. to open the gate, now barred against Chinese, to immigrants intended forfmitfarmlng. I 260 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST Horticulture at Central Canada ExKibition THE horticultural exhibit at the Central Canada Exhibition, Ottawa, was in some respects disappointing, while in other respects it was a fairly creditable one. The display of apples could not have been much more than half what it was last year, due principally to the rather light crop of apples this season in the Ottawa valley. It was ap- parent, however, that more inducement must be given to exhibitors if a good display of fruit is to be maintained. Prizes — and good prizes at that: — should again be offered for the best general collection of apples grown in the Ot- tawa valley, and for the best general display of fruit. An exhibit of apples i)acked in boxes for export should also be encouraged, as large quantities of apples are now being grown in the Ottawa valley that could be disposed of by sending to Great Britain or to the west. No apples were shown in boxes at the Central Canada this year. The apples were not of the best quality, on the whole, but the Duchess, Alexander, and Baxter were good. The last named variety is increasing in popularity, and it is now rec- ommended as one of the few winter apples which can be grown successfully in the Ottawa valley. The prizes for apples nearly all went to local exhibitors, as few from a distance competed. The pears which were shown were exhibited by Messrs. Wilds and Marshall, of Hamilton, Onl., l)etween wliom all the prizes were di- vided. The plums were also practically all from Hamilton, and exhibited by the same persons. Owing to the early dates at which the fair was held the exhibit of grapes was small, only 13 plates being shown, jiractically all the first prizes going to Mr. P. G. Keyes, Ottawa, who usually gets the lion's share of the prizes for grapes. The exhibit of vege- tables was very fair. This being a favorable season for melons, some good ones were shown. The exhibit of cut flowers was considerably better than that at the Canadian National, the asters being esjjecially good. In the Central Experimental Farm building there was, we think, a very creditable display of fruit. There were shown of named apples 111 plates, and 31 varieties of seedHng apples originated at the C.E.F. There were also ex- hibited 17 varieties of crab apples, 50 of plums, 17 of grapes, 33 of tomatoes, 36 of sweet corn, and 14 of potatoes. Charts were placed on the wall on which were printed information re- garding the best varieties of fruits for the Ottawa valley and the care of the trees. The varieties of apples recommended are: Yellow Transparent, Duchess, Wealthy, Alexander, Mcintosh, Fameuse, Wolf River, Milwaukee, Baxter, Scott Winter, Canada Baldwin, and North-Western Greening. Very complimentary remarks were heard in regard to the farm ex- hibit. ....p., . Fruit and Flo-wers at Western Fair, London THE Western Fair held at London, Ont., Sept. 7-15, enjoyed the best weather and largest attendance in its history. Some excellent displays of flowers, fruits and vege- tables were to be seen. In the floral depart- ment there were not as many plants exhibited as usual, but the quality was better than in previous years. While the exhibits of floral designs were hardly up to the usual standard, they were creditable. For funeral design, any size or shape, A. G. Stevens won first prize with an anchor resting on a large bed of white asters. J. Ganimage & Sons won second with a society emblem. The third went to T. Mills, who designed a broken column. The winners in the class for wreath of white flowers are: 1st, Gammage & Sons, 2nd, A. G. Stevens; 3rd, T. Mills. Basket of flowers: 1st, Gammage, with Golden Gate roses; 2nd, Stev- ens, with .\merican Beauties; and 3rd, Mills, with mixed roses. Hand bouquet, colored: 1st, Stevens: 2nd, Gammage; and 3rd, Mills. Table bouquet: 1st, Gammage; 2nd, Mrs. A. Burns- 3rd, Mills. There was also a fine showing of gladioli, asters, cockscombs, sweet peas, and so on. Two or three fine collections of dahhas were shown, also several large collections of annuals and perennials. Some very good specimens of geraniums, and flowering, tuberous and rex begonias were exhibited. A nice collection of 12 varieties of cannas won 1st prize for Gammage & Sons. Mr. Whiting secured 1st for 12 greenhouse and stove plants. Gammage & Sons won 1st prize also in the following classes: collection of 6 varieties of cannas, hanging basket, collection of 25 foliage plants, collection of ferns, speci- men palm, specimen fern and general display of plants. Mr. Whiting won 1st on collection of coleus. First place was secured by Mr. Mills, also, on the following: collection of 12 varieties of carnations in pots. Mr. T. Wells won 1st on specimen palm and on collection of 6 varieties of palms. FRUIT The fruit exhibits were not large, but the quality was fair. It is to be regretted that fruit growers did not take a greater interest in this department. It may be due to the small remuneration offered in the way of prizes. Some very fine apples were shown, also a large collection of grapes; peaches, plums and pears were scarce. — F.C. In addition to the foregoing, the following letter was received: "Perhaps the Western Fair may be suitable for the crowds of country people who visit it, but I think it is time that some more attractive features were introduced. Certainly it is difficult to make the present horticultural building very attractive, and I suppose a new building is not amongst the prob- abilities, but the horticultural committee ought to be able to devise some plan of decoration so that a little less whitewash is visible. Messrs. J. Gammage & Sons' exhibit of horticultural sundries was a move in the right direction, and contributed not a little towards making that end of the building look more furnished. The management still stick to the ancient custom of putting the names of exhibitors on the entry cards in spite of many protests and objections. I have never yet been able to get a satisfactory explanation of their objection to numbers." — E. Cold Storage That cold storage facilities for our apples are urgently in demand, may be seen at some country points where apples barrelled up one day, have to wait for several days at the sta- tion or in the orchard before being shipped. The wait of a few days, in the hot, dry sun, works all the difference between success and failure with markets. And the dealers are not the only losers. A poor sample of apples discounts Canadian fruit in the Old Country markets. It is a poor advertisement for Cana- dian goods. Railroad companies are somewhat to blame in not furnishing cars at shorter notice, and the dealers are to be censured who neglect to order refrigerator cars and secure the Domin- ion government bonus of icing privileges. In some ixjuntry points we have seen apples be- ing shipped in hog and cattle cars, landed by the railways at stations in a most unfit con- dition. How long will the fruit growers and farmers of Ontario pay bonuses and subsidies to roads which quietly give them the eo-bv' Toronto World. THe SHo-w at Woodstock The Woodstock Hort. Society's annual flower show was held late in August. As usual, some fine gladioli were shown by .Mr. K. W. Wofjd- roofe and others. Dickerson, the florist, had a large exhibit of palms and ferns, good healthy commercial stuff. A large variety of seedling coleus was shown by Mr. Jas. Scarfe, and "Alladore" sent the usual collection of stove and greenhouse plants, including a Musa Cavendishi in fruit as a drawl ing card. The crowd turned out well and the secretary reports a balance of $23. A piano was kept on the go all the time, and made things pleasantly lively. — E. Gait Flo-wer SHoav The Gait Hort. Soc. held its annual flower show on Sept. 6. Whilst the number of entries was not so large as in former years, the quaHty of the exhibits was fully up to the usual standard, in some instances exceeding The show was held in the market building, and was very attractively set up, but the attendance was poor. Tlie management has tried all kinds of things "on the side" in order to draw the public, without success, but this time had simply nothing else. Some music is an actual necessity at a flower show, if it is only a lone piano. The No. 1 Orade Some growers are laboring under the opinion that the wording of the clause that deals with the grade for Xo. 1 apples in the Fruit -Marks Act has been changed. This is not so. There is practically no change in the Xo. 1 grade. It will be stiff^ened, however, to the extent of not permitting any apples that are near the margin of the Xo. 2 grade being passed as Xo. 1 apples. Before a Xo. 2 was defined, the in- spectors occasionally permitted doubtful apples to pass as No. 1. Now that will not be the case. All doubtful apples must be packed as No. 2. hy "doubtful" is meant those that are on the margin between Xo, 1 and Xo. 2. In the 10% of defective specimens that are allowed, marked defects are not included. The 10 % is allowed simply for the mistakes incurred in the hurry of packing. Defective specimens that are yet marketable go as No. 2. You will .see, therefore, that the Xo. 1 grade this year will not be different to the system of packing practised by the be.st packers last year. The new warehouses which are being re- modelled for the Allan Steamship Co. at Surrey Dock, London, will, when completed, be equal to any in Great Britain for the accommodation of fruit. Special attention is being given to the fitting up of the apple storage sections so that they may meet the requirements of Cana- dian shippers. k copy of Simmers' annual autumn catalog of bulbs, plants, seeds, etc., 1906, has been received by The Horticui.turis't. It contains a list of everything in that line required by florists and gardeners. Many cultural notes make it doubly interesting and valuable. \ copv may be had by writing J. A. Simmers, Toronto. Subscribe now and get The Horticul- turist for almost nothing. TKe Provincial Grants to Horticultural Societies THE accompanying table, that has been pre- pared by Mr. H. B. Cowan, supt. of hort'l societies for Ont., shows how the various hort'l societies in the province would have been affected by the new act governing hort'l societies had they received their grants this year on the same basis as they will receive their grants next year. In the past the societies have received practically fixed grants each year irrespective of the value of the work they were doing. Societies where there were only a few in a county received larger grants than societies did where there were a number in a county. Under the new act the grant of $8,000 (which is $1,.500 larger than the former grant, owing to an anticipated increase in the num- ber of societies) will be distributed on the fol- lowing basis: $2,400 will be distributed among Society Av. Grant 1903-4-5 Brantford Walkerton Millbrook Port Hope Bowmanville Port Elgin Tara Kincardine Paisley Chesley Orangeville Aylmer Springfield Windsor Cardinal Thornbury Owen Sound Diu-ham Cayuga Clinton Goderich Seaforth Lanark Oakville StirUng Deseronto Belleville Perth Smith's Falls Napanee Grimsby St. Catharines Strathroy Simcoe Port Dover Cobourg Tillsonburg Woodstock Brampton Mitchell Stratford Peterboro and Ashbumham . Picton Renfrew Midland OrilUa Barrie Collingwood Lindsay Elmira Waterloo Gait Hespeler Preston Niagara Falls. ; Elora and Salem Fergus Clifford Newmarket Hamilton Kingston Ottawa London . Toronto. Guelph. . Av. Expen. Member- 1903-4-5 ship '05 138.30 85.30 68.60 92.60 82.30 42.60 32.00 61.60 48.00 63.30 119.60 74.60 62.60 105.00 140.00 31.60 .37.60 59.30 104.00 78.00 78.60 61.00 81.30 .59.30 76.30 100.00 140.00 125.30 99.30 140.00 44.60 45.60 84.60 68.60 61.00 140.00 48.30 61.00 123.60 60.60 93.60 115.00 78.30 140.00 .52.00 60.30 71.00 71.30 73.30 50.60 123.30 91.00 70.30 102.00 52.30 41.60 42.30 75.30 61.30 350.00 140.00 350.00 140.00 140.00 105.30 132.00 200.00 113.00 195.00 160.00 106.00 95.00 209.00 164.00 178.00 196.00 296.00 32.00 419.00 197.00 85.00 97.00 154.00 185.00 172.00 236.00 199.00 201.00 99.00 112.00 91.00 236.00 240.00 233.00 130.00 102.00 229.00 225.00 108.00 119.00 184.00 138.00 168.00 172.00 166.00 162.00 189.00 103.00 263.00 117.00 163.00 201.00 211.00 148.00 100.00 246.00 175.00 116.00 149.00 77.00 58.00 83.00 351.00 135.00 600.00 354.00 491.00 152.00 342.00 233.00 52 92 54 93 89 55 58 133 101 142 107 206 137 145 73 55 83 72 104 86 74 116 104 99 52 51 52 117 125 52 76 191 140 72 59 87 65 107 96 124 125 108 82 93 69 77 112 140 110 69 152 127 74 125 55 54 66 135 85 130 191 248 120 134 145 Total Grant $5,916.00 $11,992,001 6,622 72.00 113.00 65.00 112.00 96.00 62.00 59.00 132.00 103.00 122.00 117.00 193.00 63.00 220.00 105.00 54.00 68.00 88.00 112.00 100.00 121.00 122.00 118.00 76.00 64.00 54.00 113.00 138.00 138.00 71.00 68.00 161.00 141.00 69.00 69.00 105.00 79.00 106.00 104.00 111.00 110.00 115.00 71.00 139.00 72.00 93.00 121.00 135.00 99.00 65.00 153.00 116.00 73.00 105.00 51.00 43.00 57.00 189.00 85.00 287.00 155.00 211.00 286.00 318.00 104.00 190.00 186.00 137.00 146.00 Increase $7,196.00 28.00 26! 66 14.00 20.00 27.00 71.00 55.00 59.00 119 '66 1.00 115.00 23 '66 31.00 29.00 8.00 22.00 43.00 61.00 37.00 17.00 15.00 39.00 24;66 116.00 57.00 1.00 8.00 31! 00 45.00 51.66 17.00 20.00 33.00 50.00 64.00 26.00 15.00 30.00 25.00 3.00 3.00 2.00 15.00 114.00 24.00 } 92.00 71.00 12.54.00 I 154. 00 I 183. 00 41.00 Decrease $66 35 12 46 27 69 35 19 00 66 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 the societies in proportion to their total num- ber of members during the preceding year; $4,800 in proportion to the total amount ex- pended by each society dining the preceding year for horticultural purposes, and an extra grant of $800 among the four city societies of London, Hamilton, Toronto, and Ottawa, in proportion to their number of members during the current year. This year the societies will receive their grants on the same basis as usual. The ac- companying table has been prepared to give the societies an idea of how their grants next year are likely to be affected by the new act. It will be noticed that only a few societies will suffer any decrease in their grants. Most of these societies have received unusually large grants in the past. The great majority of societies will receive nice increases in their grants, while in the case of several societies their grants will be doubled. The special grant to city societies, which have a total membership in 1906 of 672, is divided as follows: Ottawa, membership 267, proportion of S800 grant, !t318; London, membership 160, pro- portion of .1800 grant, $190; Toronto, member- ship 115, proportion of ?800 grant, $137; Ham- ilton, membership 130, proportion of $800 grant, $155. • Ontario Horticultural Association A deputation composed of Messrs. W. B. Burgoyne, of Hamilton, pres. Ont. Hort. Assn.; Maj. H. J. Snelgrove, of Cobourg, v.-pres. of the same assn, and H. B. Cowan, sup. of hor- ticultural societies for Ont., and sec. of the assn., waited on Hon. Nelson Monteith, Minister of Agri. for Ont., Sept. 5, and asked that the proceedings of the annual convention of the assn. should be printed and distributed among the members of the hort. societies of the prov- ince. They asked, also, that a grant of $100 to the provincial assn. be made to assist in defraying the expenses of bringing speakers to the conventions. The members of the deputation explained that the horticultural societies in the province are not sufficiently numerous or wealthy to be able to defray these expenses. They pointed out that it is desir- able that there should be a provincial organiza- tion to furnish an opportunity for the societies to compare notes and discuss tnethods of work which they have found to be successful. In this way new hnes of work can be made known and the societies strengthened.- The Ont. Assn. would Uke to bring well-known speakers, such as Mr. J. Horace McFarland, president of the American Civic Improvement Assn., and others to its conventions, that it may be kept in touch with work being done on behalf of horticultural improvement in the U.S. Hon. Mr. Monteith, in replying to the depu- tation, stated that he was deeply interested in the work being done by the hortl. societies of the province. He reahzed that there is another side of life beside that of making money, and believed that the hortl. societies minister to that side. He had always felt that the organization launched some years ago in favor of civic improvement would not suc- ceed as the work it proposed to accomplish belonged properly to the hortl. societies. He promised careful consideration of the requests made by the deputation, and intimated that he considered their requests reasonable. The Brantford Hort. See. held its annual flower show on the evening of Sept. 14. It was a decided success in every way; the num- ber of exhibits was large and the quality well above the average. Mr. Wm. Hunt, of the O.A.C., Guelph, deUvered a most instructive and interesting address, and complimented the society on the marked improvement of this year's show over that of previous years. 261 262 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST. Notes from DritisH Columbia C. p. Metcalfe, Hammond The plum shipiiieiils arc over and have beeii fairly profitable for the growers. If losses occurred it was from luck of knowledge of the market. Growers ship too much to the large centres, and as a result the prices are seriously affected. It is not a question of a limit to the market in the north-west provinces, but the lack of proper distribution. The quality of the fruit this year has been superior, owing to favorable climatic conditions. It is a matter of observation that orchards which have never been sprayed or much attention given to thera have produced a greater profxjrtion of clean fruit. A notable feature this year has been the second bloom and crop of strawberries and blackberries; especially Senator Dunlop and Magoon in strawberries, and Lawton in l)lack- berries. Drought seriously shortened the first crop of cane blackberries, and later the fall rains developed a second crojj. , Kxhibitions are in full swing just now. Smaller ix)ints as well as the larger are holding their shows. I think it a mistake the multiplica- tion of ,so many small shows, all drawing their government appropriation, in this province, which could be spent to better advantage in the cooperation of the people in the making of municipal or district exhibits at the larger exhibitions. The test or success of a show is not in the amount of its gate receipts, but in the impetus given to the development of the various industries in the districts. The provincial government is purchasing and forwarding fruit for an exhibit from B.C., to be shown at the exhibition of colonial fruits, to be held under the auspices of the Royal Horticultural Society at Vincent Square, Lon- don, in Dec. next. Last year the B.C. exhibit of fruit carried off the gold medal against all exhibitors. Prince Edward Island Letter Rev. Father Burke It is now painfully evident that the fair promise of an abundant apple crop in spring was nothing short of an ignis jatuus. There will be a very short crop; and short, too, in the late varieties, which we can least afford to do without. There was an abundance of bloom — one seldom saw such a display — but the fixing was exceedingly light; and even the light early crop was cut in two twice by faUing fruit in the first stages, and by the de- fects due to prevalence of insects. Spies will be very scarce, so will Ben Davis, which never before failed to give us a pretty generous re- turn. There are fair returns from the earlies — the Transparents, Duchess and Astrachan, but even those have fallen to only a medium crop, even where well looked after, because of the drought. There is a difference of opinion as to what has caused the failure after the flower promise of spring. We thought it was the cold, wet, dark weather that influenced the late varieties here. East, though, which has a difference of a week or 10 days, had fair weather for pollen distribution, and we are assured by our secty. of the F.G.A., Mr. Dewar, a close observer, that this could not have affected them. He said: "We had too much bloom. It com- pletely covered the trees, and I think exhausted their vitality to fix." Be this as it may, this will be a very slack apple year with us. We have just been to Charlottetown to hold conference with Com. Ruddick on fruit interests. He had come from N.S., having gone to Evangeline land to consult with the fruit men there. He informed us that the ■how of fruit was anything but abundant in N.S. Maritime Canada is likely to have a short crop generally. We had pleasure in Mr. Ruddick's \isit, officially, for he has undertaken to straighten out many things long in demand among us. We are to have a permanent inspector-in- structor like the rest of the world, and the "Personal Visitation Campaign," long advo- cated by us, and only put into oix;ration in fits and starts, will be now formally under- taken. Then, we arc to have the packing demonstrations by western exjierts which last year, under Mr. Boies, opened the eyes of eastern fruitmcn. We have further assur- ances that the recommendations of last March's conference at Ottawa will be carried out. The barrel decision will go to I'arlianicnt next session and l)e made law; the box-jiackage legislation, not so definite, will receive atten- tion; the formation of national work in pub- lications will Ik assumed, and much close at- tention given transportation problems. Those power-sprayers, the Commissioner thinks, are not giving the satisfaction necessary to their continuance — they are not, he thinks, suitable to maritime conditions; and, there- fore, we have little hope of a proximate favor- able solution of the disagreeable spraying business. Next year all will certainly have to spray Uke demons, or with all these insect pests, old and new, fostered by the exceptional season, we will be ruined. Make up your mind to that. We arc glad Com. Ruddick came to talk over matters with us, and believe good results will accrue, from such conference, to the fruit interests of the maritime provinces. Apple Prices Good The Ontario Cooperative Fruit Growers' Association held a meeting in Toronto recently, with the president, A. E. vSherrington, of Walic- erton, in the chair. Comparison of reports showed that there would be no difficulty about selling apples this year. Indications pointed towards good prices. The apples grown by the affiliated associations are particularly good in quality, scab and insect injury being less noticeable than for many years. Packing in central packing houses, under the supervision of experts, will ensure a uniform high-class "pack." The fruit division at Ottawa has promised to have the fruit of the association specially inspected and protected. The association does not intend to be in a hurry to sell winter apples. A number of buyers have written from the Old Country expressing their intention of coming to Canada to buy. This and the fact that Canadian buy- ers are anxious to secure fruit that is packed by the co(ji)crative plan, will have the effect of materially stiffening prices. It is proposed soon to change the name of the association, as the present name is confused by the public with that of the Ontario Fruit Growers' Asso- ciation, which is an educational organization, not commercial. Export of Apples "We read and hear on all sides re|KiTts of apples arriving during the past winter in the old country in bad condition," said R. C. Fow- ler, of Burlington. "These reports usually lay the blame on the packer which, in my opinion, is not always fair. I can cite definite cases in my own experience, and in the case of many others, where the fault lay not with the man who put up the goods, but with the railway that first took delivery — and in our case with the G.T.R. "Seldom, if ever, are the railway facilities for carrying apples what they should be. More than once during the past season I was forced to place apples in cars that were like ovens. The apples had to go, and I had to lake what- ever cars were offered me. It is not surprising that apples arrive at their destination in bad condition, when they start in cars poorly ven- tilated, and hot enough to roast them. It seems that the fruit grower must suffer for carelessness and negligence on the part of the railways." A well-prepared and well-illustrated catalog of bulbs and seeds is that recently sent out for the fall of 1906 by Arthur T. Boddington, seedsman, New York City. In it the bulbs are divided into 2 sections, bulbs for planting out of doors and bulbs for growing inside. This arrangement avoids confusion and will be met with the ap- proval of amateur and professional aUke. Send for a copy. It is an open question with many growers whether the introduction of Japanese plums has after all been very beneficial to the trade gen- erally, from the fact that it is believed that the San Jose scale was brought into this country at the same time, and also, from their great pro- ductiveness and somewhat indifferent quality, they have to some extent destroyed the market for the better class of European and American plums. — W. H. Bunting, St. Catharines. INSURANCE The very best kind of Insurance — i.e., provision for the future as well as the present, is a Savings Account in SOVEREIGN BANK OF CANADA Interest paid four times a year. $ 1 .00 will open an account. Put your money in a place where you can get it when you want it 57 BRANCHES THROUGHOUT THE DOMINION Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing. Fruit Crop Conditions and Prices INDICATIONS are favorable for good prices for winter apples. While the crop will not be as large as was estimated earlier in the season, it will be a fair average. In Ont. the quality will be the best in years. Other provinces also report good quality except N.S., where, though not poor, it will be under normal. Large quantities of Canadian apples will be exported. The present indications are that Europe will use more Canadian apples than ever before. A large part of the English apple crop is being marketed now. It has come slightly in competition with Canadian fall apples, but the situation for winter varieties is promising. Good prices on the other side may be e.Kpected and, of course, the larger our exports the more will be realized for those used at home. SOMETHING ABOUT PRICES The Horticulturist knows of various sales that have been made at good prices. While buyers are talking of "record apple yields" and prospective low prices, yet they are anxious to buy. In one locality S3 a bbl. has been offered for No. 1 and $2.r>0 for No. 2, clean, well-packed stock. This price is above the average, but there is no reason why growers should not receive such for fruit that is high grade and well packed. Some orchards have been sold for SI. 25 a bbl., picked. Sev- eral others, east of Toronto, last week, were sold at $2 a bbl., tree run; seller to furnish barrel, pick, pack and deliver at station. Also 2,000 bbls. tree run, at S2.2.5, packed. Growers who put up good fruit, uniformly packed, need not fear low prices. We would advise growers to hold No. 1 winter apples for $3; but they must be so selected and so packed that they will be a credit, not only to the grower but also to Canada. THE UNITED states crop Owing to continued dry and hot weather, Harry Dempsey Among the prominent and enterprising fruit growers of Prince Edward Co., Ont., is .Mr. Harry Dempsey, of Rednersville. This year he won many prizes at the Canadian National Exhibition and each year for 9 years in succession he won 1st prize for 40 varities of apples. the western fruit crop is ripening too early and falling off the trees. The Michigan crop will be heavy. In western New York the crop wiU be 50% greater than last year, while in the Hudson River district it will be only }^ of last year's. It is said that growers are having some trouble in arranging for storage. Prices have advanced in New York state. Some difficulty is found in the matter of securing help for harvest. Should this prove serious, it will tend to lessen the amount of fruit avail- able for export. OTHER FRUITS IN ONTARIO Hot weather has hastened the maturity of peaches in the Niagara district, but the crop is a good average, of fair quality. A dearth of baskets has made the situation rather serious for the grower, but has kept up the price. Grapes are a fair crop, but owing to lack of rain, rather small; not much rot. Pears have not yielded as well as was expected early in the season; but the crop has been fairly good and clean, although slightly undersized. The crop correspondents of The Horticulturist point out the situation in the various localities as follows: DURHAM county Newcastle. — The apple crop has been injured by hail. Duchess apples, good crop and color; Wealthys, heavy crop but many small and poor color; Colverts, good size and color; Jcnet- ting, the same; Alexanders, about a carload here, fairly good; Ben Davis, good color and heavy crop, but slightly undersized ; Baldwins and Spys, good; Greenings have fallen badly, otherwise good; Blenheim Pippins are extra heavy and good sized; Stark, off year with most trees, but good size and color; Kings, off Good fruit and good prices are dependent on your securing the best stock obtainable A* We also sell Perennials for fall planting. The best and ONLY THE BEST WILL ALWAYS BE YOURS IF YOU ORDER FROM *^ Helderleigh Nurseries E. D. SMITH, WINONA, ONT. Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing Export Your Apples Woodall & Company Liverpool, England The Pioneer Receivers from this Continent. Boyd, Barrow CBl, Co, Glasgow, Scotland M. Isaacs & Sons, Ltd. London, England and Firms in Bristol, Man- chester and Hull. ONLY THE BEST HOUSES REPRESENTED Reliable information. Returns day of sale. Crop and cable market reports free. EBEN JAMES CANADIAN AGENT Phone M. 5735 103 Union Station, Toronto Mention The Canadian Horticulturist ^vhcn writinR 263 •^({4 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST year; Cranl)eiiy I'ippin, good. Plums, none; pears, about i ci-op. — Henry C. Howen. rBKI, COUNTY Clarkson. Winter apples are dropping' badly; sliould sIronK winds prevail sn, i;ood hand-picked apples will be scarce. The con- tinued dry weather is telling against iheni. No plums; pears, fair crop; crab apples, plentiful. Strawberries planted in S])ring promise well; the old patches are looking well. Raspberries have caned up well and look healthy; the fall web worm is very prevalent. — W. G. Home. WKNTWORTH COUNTY Winona.— Peaches belter than was ex|)ected; severe; droitght somewhat afTccted them, and late ones will be small. Pears, mostly picked, except Keiffers, and are in good demand; KcilTers will be small if drought contiimes. Grapes are rijiening well, and promise a fair crop of good (|uality; very little rot. Plums, almost gone, except a few Reine Claude, which are in great demand. Plums and peaches are shipping well. Apples, clean of scab, but not the crop expected; drop|)ed a good deal during the hot. drv weather, — J. P. Bridgman. LINCOLN COUNTY Grimsby. — Plums, a light crop, many varie- ties not yielding any fruit. Peaches, a good crop, Karly Crawfords a little light. Pears, a good crop, snuxilli and dean, free from scab and knots. Grapes, light and not well bunched. Apples for Export REPRESENTING Thomas Russell, Glasgow J. & H. Goodwin, Manchester J. C. Houghton & Co., Liverpool and London Will be pleased to keep you advised resarding the condition of the K'lropean Markets. If you have any Apples for export call or write FRED. BARKER 25 CHURCH ST. TORONTO, CAN. Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing R. & W. Davidson GLASGOW, SCOTLAND Fruit and Produce Exporters Invite correspondence regarding Canadian Apples in boxes for shipment during the coming season. Sales made direct by private bargain. No sales made by auction. Satisfactory references to Ontario shippers. H. Beckett & Sons. Hamilton, Ont. W. F. W. Fisher. Burlington, Ont. Geo. E. Fisher. Burlington, Out. R. C. Fowler, Burlington, Ont. Albert Pain, Hamilton. Ont. A. Pettit & son, Grimsby, Ont. Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing TO Apple SKippers BUDGETT, JAMES CSi CO. lii\mted' Fruit BroKers and Importers BRISTOL, ENGLAND Charges Moderate. Correspondence Solicited. Cable Address—" Landscape," Bristol Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing .'V|}ples, a light crop, and injured by codling moth. The (juantity for ex|)ort will be les- sened.— A. H. I'ettit. .ST. cathakines district Hot weather has tended to rush {leaclies and grapes along; most i)eaclies are gathered, while gra])es are about half picked. There exists a basket famine; it is feared that there will not be enough to harvest the gra|)e crop. Several carloads have been secured and brought in from the states. There may have to be a lot |)ut in bbls. for the wineries. The .scarcity in baskets ha.s tended to stiffen prices, but, as in other years, large (plant ities have lx;en cut while .still partly ripened, and shipped; it is true, realizing better prices than later, but helping to create a prejudice against grapes and to lower [irices and les.sen consumption. One marked feature of the season is the large quantities sold outright and less going on com- mission.— R. Thompson. NORFOLK county Simcoc. — A bad hailstorm early in the sea- son did considerable damage. Most apples will pack, no scab and few worms. Prices are from $1.7.5 to $2 atoard cars.— W. Old'. [KENT COUNTY Chatham. — Plums, almost a total failure, especially the Jajjanese. Grapes, fine sample and good croj). Pears, ]xx)r quality and a light yield. Although with orchards that have been trimmed, sprayed and properly cultivated, the size and c)uality are fine. Peaches a fine croj), except such as the Alexander, Tri- umph, and Crosby. Early and fall apples, a good crop. Snows are great ; Baldwins in young orchards are alxiul a failure; Spys are a good crop of grand tpiality; Greenings are a fair crop, and where sprayed are very fine. All young orchards are bearing a small crop. Back from Chatham and the river apples, pears and peaches are nearly a failure. — Milton Backus. lijt 0 per bbl. is offered for No. 1. Now that summer and early apples are over, prices are looking up. Cable Address: 'Wann, South Shields Established 1853 ABC Code used John Wann CS, Sons DIRECT IMPORTERS OF FOREIGN PRODUCE CONSIGNMENTS OF APPLES RESPECTFtJLLT SOUdTES OOREESPONDEHOE INVITED cAddresses: Newcastle - on - Tyne and South Shields, England Mention The Horticulturist when writing Alexanders are hard to sell on Montreal mar- ket; Ix'tter for export. — R. Brodie. NEW BRUN.SWICK Lower Quecnsbury. — Yellow Transparent and Duchess apples were an extra garticularly admired. H. H. & S, Budgett & Co., Ltd. BRISTOL, ENGLAND Importers of Canadian Apples, liberal allowances made to reputable shippers, on bills of lading at Montreal. Write at once for further particulars regarding our method of disposing, and payment for first-class Canadian Fruit. Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing NOTICE TO APPLE AND FRUIT GROWERS Why have all your goods sold by auction? Send direct to the people inland. WM. PALEY & SON. LEEDS Elslablished Over 55 Yeao Best goods only required. Highest price obtained. Correspondence desired with growers. Mention Canadian Horticulturist when writing. CABLES : 'VaNKHURST. LONDON'* A.a.c. cooc 4TH KDfriON D. D. PANKHURST FRUIT BROKER AND AUCTIONEER Covent Garden Market, London Consignments Solicited Apples a Specialty Top Market Prices ■ ANKKnS: LONDON * COUNTY LTD.. COVCNT OARDCN Mention Canadian Horticultiuist when writing Fumess,Witliv Of Co. UMIT>D ' Steamship <^gents and Brokers MONTREAL MANCHESTER LINERS. LTD. s'^i^ifF^^m Montreal to Manchester Canada — South Africa, Joint Service Monthly Sailings Montreal to South African Ports Mention Canadian Horticulturist when writing Vegetable Crops Below Average in Yield T' iHE vegetable crops of (-)nt. have suffered from drought. While occasional showers fell during the month in some localities, they did not imjjrove the situation to any marked extent. Re]»rts from the crop corre- spondents of the Ont. Veg. Grs. Assn. indicate that the condition of the crops on the whole is much below the standard. Most vegetables have not reached their normal size; maturity has been hastened. Tomatoes ripened too rapidly; they are about done; the crop has been only fair. The behaviour of celery has varied in the different districts; some report a good crop; others, a failure; on the whole, the late crop will be under average in yield but of fair quality. Drought and aphids have injured cauliflower and cabbage: the crop is poor. Late melons are excellent in yield and quality. Sweet corn is under average. Squash and pumpkins have turned out well: cucumbers jxxjr. Fall spinach is scarce. Onions, as predicted last month, have turned out only half a crop, of good quality but slightly tmder size. Beets, parsnips, carrots and turnips are below the estimate; they are yielding less than normal. Potatoes are rejxirted to be less than half a crop, slightly above in a few localities and a failure in others. The detailed reports are as follows: Montreal district Lachine. — Owing to very dry season crops are |)OOr. Onions, very small and only half a crop. Tomatoes, fairly good quality, but small in size. Celery, clean, but of small size. Sweet corn, only half a crop. Potatoes, less than half a crop ; no disease. Early cauliflowers very good; late ones only medium. Beets and carrots are very Sood and very clean; parsnips, poor crop and small. I4 visit to our handsome warerooms is always worth the time, and especially" so just now ^um ^3ir with the range of piano bargains put out specially for the fall trade. ^^Jr STODDARD, NEW YORK— Square Piano, octagon legs, 6J2 octaves; a good practice piano, and can be exchanged later at same price on a more expensive piano $65 STEPHENSON, KINGSTON— 7j octaves, carved legs, square piano, with 4 round corners, top moulding and serpentine base. This is an A 1 instrument, and is excellent value at $119 CHICKERING, BOSTON— Carved legs, square piano. Louis XV case, 7 octaves and hand- some top mouldings, in elegant condition. Regular price $450, special at $125 iTHnTZMAN & CO., TORONTO— Carved legs, square rosewood case, in excellent condi- tion, overstrung scale, 7 octaves; one of our own well-known make, and will give excel- lent satisfaction at $140 »]7iFFMAN CABINET GRAND— Upright, with beautiful wahmt case, nicely etched panels, 7§ octaves, in elegant condition. This piano will give good satisfaction and is first-class value at $195 FANNON UPRIGHT PIANO— Plum-colored case. 7 J octaves, Cabinet Grand, nicely paneled case, handsome trusses. Al value at $205 STANDARD, TORONTO— <:abinet Grand, in wal- nut case, with continuous music rack. 7^ octaves. 3 pedals, nicely decorated top door. Boston fall; in first-class condition, fully guaranteed. An Al value at S225 MCMILUN & CO., KINGSTON— HeauUful walnut case, double rims. 7j octaves, beautifully YE OLDE decorated top door, rocoa effect, Boston fall, full length rack, 3 pedals, handsome trusses; an instrument that will give good satisfaction and A I value at $265 WORMWITH & CO., KINGSTON.— Beautiful wal- nut case, Cabinet Cirand, with nicely decor- ated top door, full length music rack. Bos- ton fall. 3 pedals, orchestral attachment, susceptible of mandolin, banjo and harp effects, etc. This piano, while slightly used, cannot be told from brand new, and is an excellent bargain at $269 J. & C. FISHER, NEW YORK— Magnificent Cab- inet Grand, in fine Circassian walnut case, handsome carved panels. 7J octaves, full- sized Cabinet Grand. This piano is manu- factiwed by one of the most noted piano manufacturers in United States and is an A 1 instrument in every way. Regular price S600. and'a special bargain at $270 HEINTZMAN & CO.— Cabinet Grand, ebonized case, 7j octaves, 3 pedals, hand-carved panels in top door, swing music rack. This instrument is in Al condition, and is one of our own make and fully guaranteed. Reg- ular price S475 , special at $275 WEBER, NEW YORK— Walnut case. Cabinet Grand. This is a beautiful instrument in every way, and is made by one of the best known manufacturers in the United States. has hand-carved panels, 2 music racks, 1\ octaves, 3 pedals; is fully guaranteed, and would now sell at S600. A pleasure to any musician ; special at $300 HEINTZMAN & CO.— Upright, with Boston faJl. continuous music rack, beautifully decor- ated top door, 7j octaves. 3 jjedals; an instrument that would be a credit to any drawing-room and a pleasure to a musician; almost as good as new and fully guaranteed. Regular price $475. special at $3^ STEINWAYIft SONS, NEW YORK— Light rosewood case with plain panels, 7 octaves, an Al article in everj' way. This cost originally $800. and is as good as new. ha\-ing been thoroughly overhauled and fully guaran- teed; a credit to the manufacturers, special at $395 EASY TERMS OF PAYMENT Square Pianos under $100 — $5 cash and $3 per month. Square Pianos over $100 — $10 cash and $4 per month. Upright Pianos under $250 — $10 cash and $6 per month. Upright Pianos over $250 — $15 cash and $7 per month. Discount of 10 per cent, for all cash ^vith order. Should these terms be not agreeable, wire your selection at our expense, and it will be set aside until terms can be arranged satisfactorily. Hand- some stool and drape with each instrument, and freight paid to any point in Ontario, and pro- I>ortionate amount to other provinces. F,rE^F HEINTZMAN & CO., Limited 115 17 KING ST. WEST TORONTO, ONT. Mention the Canadiati Horticulturist when writing. THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 269 FOR SALE AND WANT ADVERTISEMENTS Advertisements under this heading inserted at rate of one cent per word for each insertion, each figure, sign or single letter to count as one word, minimum cost, 25 cents, strictly cash in advance. PROPERTY FOR SALE— Situated in Lundy's *• Lane, Tovraship of Stamford, about one mile from city of Niagara Falls. It contains twenty acres, garden and fruit in bearing, in good cultivation. Possession in December. Ap- ply for any information to Mrs. E. J. Law, Niagara Falls South. i I ANDSCAPE GARDENING, PLANS FOR i ^ PARKS,cemeteries, public orprivate grounds. ; Drawings made to scale. Any gardener may ! carry them out. Correspondence solicited. Chas. E. WooLVERTON, Landscape Designer, Grimsbv. piGHT BEAUTIFUL IRISES for Fall ^ Planting. Send $1.00 for following choice collection: Augustina, Celeste, Eugene Sue, Hector, L'Avenir, Li band, Sampson, Silver King. Address C. Ernest Woolverton, Hardy Perennial Gardens, Grimsby, Ont. LJARDY PERENNIALS, Plant borders of *^ all varieties this month. Special reduced prices for collections. Send two-cent stamp for catalog to C, Ernest Woolverton, Grimsby, Ont. ARDY PLANTS FOR OLD-FASHIONED FLOWER GARDENS. Including Ploxes, , Larkspurs, Peonies, Irises, Day Lilies, Pampas i and Ribbon Grass, etc. Send a two cent stamp for catalogue. C. Ernest Woolverton, ; Grimsby. | Fifty Thousand Apple, Pear, Plum and Cherry Trees for Fall Planting We ship to planters direct from Cthe Nursery not the most but the best that erows. See Illustrated Price Catalog Free. Our stock is grown f^ • i_ j_ Ornamentals You can buy it We will pack it , f^ • 1 J Ornamentals IXiP'nT Shrubs, Roses ■^^^^ etc. Write us— - A. G. Hull CSb Son, St. Catharines, Ont. Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing W^indsor «SALT is all salt. Ev«ry grain is a ptire, dry, dean crystal. That is why it never cakes— dissolves instant- ly— and goes farther than any other. Insist on having -WINDSOR SALT. *<-%x/ «<%:*t^ ^T^*%>» >-C%:x> ^^^t^L^ 4 POULTRY DEPT. i Tf O on ducted by Tf ^ S. Short, Ottawa f oa|^ oMf|^ oMf|^ oa^|>t ^1M%>« October is one of the most important months of the year to the iXDultry keeper. Next win- ter's egg supply depends largely on the man- agement of the fowls now. 'I'lie winter (juart- ers should be overhauled and cleaned up. Fresh whitewash should be applied, broken panes of glass should be rejraired and every- thing made ready for occupancy as soon as the frosts and cold autumn nijjhts begin. After house-cleaning, a thorough ins])ection of the birds should be made with a view to weeding out the undefivable stock, as hens ihat are two and a half years old, cockerels not required for next season's breeding, and pullets that are undersized or cull?. Keeping fowls of all ages in a single pen at this season is the extreme of bad management. The old male abuses the young males. The young males annoy, constantly, the hens, which in turn injure the young pullets. The result is that the whole flock is in a state of irritation. The writer recently visited a friend who kej)! about 100 birds of all ages under the above conditions. The hens had not laid an egg for the last 2 weeks, and the young cockerels would not put on flesh so that the owner might kill them. Prices for dressed ]X)iiltry are better than ever they were in this province, Surplus cockerels that are reasonalily well grown can be jjrofitably marketed now. Such is better than holding them for a month or 6 weeks when their gain in weight will be offset by the lower prices which usually jjrevail at the end of Nov. and beginning of Dec, when the cold weather enables large quantities of dressed birds to be put on the market. Judging from the smaller entries than last year at our large exhibitions, it would seem that the hot summer had retarded the growth of the chicks. At Ottawa, the quality and size of the birds exhibited, as well as the num- bers, were somewhat behind that of former shows. The keeping of [jure-bred fowl is not as gen- eral in Canada as it ought to be. Our American , cousins are ahead of us in this respect. Every 1 in 3 of tlie poultry breeders and farmers in the U.S. kee])S pure-bred fowl. On a trip which took me through 19 states, a short time ago, I formed this estimate, and believe I am cor- rect. On the western coast, the keenest rivalry prevails. Some of the articles in the jxjultry magazines are of the liveliest character. One in particular I think may be worthy of copying. I will include it in another issue. In some parts of Ont. I do not believe 1 in 10 keep pure lireeds. In Que. i)erhaps 1 in 20. The breeds that are most ix>pular in the States are the Plymouth Rocks, Wyandottes, Orpingtons and Leghorns. In the keeping of pure stock. The Canadian Horticulturist, the na- tional fruit, vegetable and flower journal of Canada : 50 cts. a year, or 3 years for $1.20. Crei^hton Poultry Yards High Gradf .Stock possessing^ utility and exhibition qualities Barred Plymouth Rocks and White Wyandottes Cockerels of either breed, $2.00 each S. SHORT, PROP. OHAWA, ONT. Mention The Horticulturist when writing Canadians can safely follow the example of the Americans, who are usually shrewd business people. Many of the readers of The C.vnadian Horti- culturist are keeping fowl either for pleasure or for profit. You will be interested in reading the full-page advertisement of The Golden Poultry and Kennels Co., of Chatham. They are offering to send the poultry paper which they publish to your home for 2.5 cts. a year. NO MORE BLIND HORSES !;,';;;„«gi&.°^!iroS."r Sore Eyes, BARRY CO., Iowa City, Iowa, have a cure. MARCHMENTS Sure Growth COMPOST Supplied to the largest nurserymen and fruit growers in Ontario. Shipments by car at reasonable prices. S. W. MARCHMENT 19 QUEEN ST. EAST, TORONTO Telephone Main 2841 Residence Park 951 USE FOSTER'S POTS STRONG DURABLE LIGHT iHbest mad' fOSTER'S STANDARD POT POROUS AND SMOOTH Drop us a post card for Catalogue and Price List. The Foster Pottery Co., Limited HAMILTON - ONTARIO JoKn B. Smitli &" Sons Limited Cor, Strachan and Wellington Aves. TORONTO JoiBSras^SoNs. LIMITED. TORONTO X SASH BAR ( & Vys ALL WOODWORK. FOR GREENHOUSE ^CONSTRUCTION/' Manufacturers . . of . . LUMBER LATH SHINGLES DOORS SASH BLINDS SILOS, ETC. Clear Cypress for Greenhouse Work Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing THE C A N A D 1 A N 11 O im C U L T U R I S T REDUCED RAILWAY RATES TO THE THIRD ANNUAL Ontario Horticultural Exhibition QNE way tickets will be sold on certificate plan on November 2 to 10, inclusive, good to return free up to November 14, 1906. Certificates must be validated by the Railway Representa- tive at the Exhibi- tion, cost for which is 25 cents on each ticket. When buy- ing tickets, buy a ticket to Toronto only. Ask your station agent for a standard certificate. Present your ticket at the Exhibition in Toronto for the signature of the Secretary and validation after which you can return home free. IN MASSEY HALL TORONTO NOVEMBER 6-7-8-9-10 1906 SPECIAL EXCURSIONS Will be run from all points in Ontario good going November 7 and 8, and re- turn up to November 10, 1906, at lowest single first-class fare. These low rates will enable all interested in FRUIT, FLOWERS, VEGETABLES and HONEY to see the best Canada produces. The BLACK DIKE BAND has been secured to give performances in Toronto at this Exhibition; they will not play elsewhere in the city. This band is conceded to be the best of its kind in existence. New features are being added to make this Exhibition the most interesting as well as educational ever held. For prize-list and further particulars, apply to Parliament Buildings, Toronto H. B. COWAN, Secretary Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing A Nice Premium will be given Free to all Readers who Buy Goods from Advertisers. The Canadian Horticulturi^ Vol. XXIX NOVEMBER, 1906 No. 11 Ho^v Canadian Fruit is Sold in Great Britain i A MAN should be placed in London, ZA during the fruit season, to represent the fruit interests of the Dominion. This should be done by the Dominion Fruit Division or the various cooperative fruit growers' associations could place a man there on their own behalf. Such a move would benefit the fruit industry in two ways; first, by making it possible to hold ^nd dispose of fruit when the market is most favorable, and second, by lessening the chance of false reports being returned to the growers. By examining the fruit on arrival, the representative could de- termine the exact condition and re- port same to the person who made the consignment. The unsatisfactory man- ner in which Canadian apples are hand- led and disposed of by the majority of firms in Great Britain would war- rant this move. It would be an im- portant step in the placing of the Cana- dian fruit trade on a satisfactory basis. This was made evident to the staff rep- resentative of The Canadian Hor- ticulturist this summer while visit- ing the Old Country on a tour of in- vestigation along these lines. The way in which Canadian apples are sold in the cities of Great Britain, where the fruit is landed, is as varied as one could imagine. Only a small percentage of our export apples are sold direct from the grower to British retailers. The larger portion is sold by auctioneers or brokers; the balance is sold by wholesale houses to the smaller dealers. The only claim one class of brokers can make to prove that they are fruit merchants is the business they conduct in importing fruit on con- signment from small growers and deal- ers in Canada and other countries. Later, they turn it over to larger firms to dispose of, but not until they have deducted a Hberal commission. In this transaction, it will he seen, the grower has to pay a double commission as well as run the chance that both of the dealers may make false returns. All fruit merchants are not honest. The green fruit trade seems to ofTer splendid opportunities for dishonest individuals. tVhen sending fruit to Great Britain on consignment, ex- porters should exercise great care to' ascertain the financial standing of the Consignees. The formation of cooperative asso- ciations in Canada is approved by the majority of British fruit merchants. It is believed that these associations will help solve the dishonest packing problem, and lead to a reduction in the number of brands. Owing to the dishonest manner in which some Canadian apples have been packed, a feeling of distrust exists among the retailers. While anxious to deal direct with the Canadian grower, the retailer will not take the risk. He prefers to buy from the auctioneers or brokers, so that he may examine the fruit before the purchase is made. Small growers should not attempt to export fruit. A better plan is the Leads THem A.11 I like The Canadian Horticul- turist very much. It gives the best value of any horticultural paper in the world. There is no horticultural paper in England or Canada that can touch it. I know this because I have taken, at one time or another, all such papers in both countries. — Francis P. English, Niagara Falls South, Ont. formation of cooperative associations so that large shipments can be made under one brand. Then send only the best, and that properly packed. Fruit of uncertain quality finds a poor re- ception on the British market. It affords an excuse, which is quickly taken advantage of, to cut the quoted price. Many cases of fruit that left the orchard in Canada, apparently in good condition, were found, when opened in the auction room, to be slack. A small fault, perhaps, but sufficient to place the consignment among second- class fruit, and thereby reduce the price. In a previous article it was stated that business arrangements did not permit of our representative being in Great Britain during the fruit season. He got a good idea of the way our fruit is cared for, however, by visiting the various warehouses, and observing the manner in which fruit from other countries was handled. At the time he was in London, the Tasmanian fruit season was nearing an end ; the last cases in the different warehouses were being sold. The larger portion of the fniit sold in London is disposed of by auctioneers or brokers in the vicinity of Covent Garden. There they have a large build- ing erected for use as a fruit market. Each of the many firms represented there announce on blackboards, placed in front of their booths, the quantity and variety of the fruit they have for sale and the hour of the sale. The booths are arranged around the walls inside the hall. Above the booths are the offices, and in front is the auction- eers' stand. Sometimes rival firms con- duct sales at the same hour, which has a depreciating effect on the prices real- ized for the fruit. When the sales commence, the stand is usually surrounded by representa- tives of wholesale houses, large retail firms and small fruit dealers. These buyers are ready to purchase any- where from one to 100 cases of fruit, according to the size of the business they represent. Unknown or unreli- able parties must pay cash when the fruit is knocked down, others are given 30 days' time. Samples of the fruit are placed on the stand for in- spection. In many instances, the en- tire lot is within a short distance of the auctioneer, and may be inspected bv prospective purchasers before the sale .starts. Immediately after the sale the fruit is removed to the purchasers' warehouses or stores. The whole trans- action often is completed within 48 hours after the arrival of the ship. The commission charged by auction- eers varies from 2^% to 10%. It is safer to trust the man who charges 10% than the man who is content to deduct the smaller figure. Experi- ence has shown that 2}4% is not enough commission to enable a broker to make an honest living, and as he has to live, the extra amount generally is made up by means of false returns to the grower. Instances are known where brokers have realized a hand- some price for the fruit, and when the returns were made to the grower, they reported the fruit as being in bad shape on arrival. The grower, not be- 268 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST ing able to prove the contrary, has to be content with the amount remitted. All firms engaged in the trade are not dishonest. This is a redeeming feature. During an interview with Mr. Lowe, of the firm of Notard & Lowe, of Fooley St., London, he said that his firm handles nearly 85% of the Nova Scotia apples that go to London. He intimated that his firm was anxious to secure more Ontario fruit. This firm does not dispose of their fruit by auc- tion, bvit by private sale. They have been in the fruit business a long lime. They know what fruit is worth, and usually they secure good prices. Garcia & Jacobs, also visited, are extensive importers of Canadian apples. Both of these firms have representatives in Canada. In company with Mr. Bigrave, the London manager for the Thomson Steamship Line, the staff representative of The Horticulturist interviewed the secretary of the Surrey Dock Co., who promised the cooperation of his com- pany in the establishing of a market of this nature. Most of the steamers from Canada dock with this company. If the fruit growers wish to make any suggestions in regard to the remodel- ling of a part of their warehouses for storing fruit, he will be pleased to re- ceive such and cooperate with them. I In place of rushing the sale of the fruit, it could be held and for the most part sold privately. In some instan- ces, several steamers may arrive on the same day. This means that all the fruit is placed on the market at one time, and thereby bring low prices. London alone can consume all the fruit Ontario can send, and if a man were placed there, much better returns would be the result. At first, much oppo- sition would be met with, but this could be overcome by sending only a high quality of fruit. The next port visited was Bristol. At one time this port was the leading port of entry for Canadian apples, but owing to carelessness on the part of the merchants, the business gradually decreased to Httle or nothing. This state of affairs is being rapidly over- come, and as soon as the new docks at Avonmouth are completed, it will rank among the best apple ports in Great Britain. There is a large territory adjacent to Bristol which must re- ceive its apple supplies through this port. Messrs. H. H. & S. Budgett report that there will be a large demand for Canadian apples in that district this year. They are anxious to buy first -class fruit. Thev are the largest wholesale grocers in that city, and have been established over 100 years. Most of the apples sold in Bristol are handled by wholesale fruit merchants. The practice of auctioning fruit is not as extensivelv carried on there as at London and other centres. It may be said, also, that Bristol has a good repu- tation for honest dealing. At Liverp(X)l the conditions were I'ound to be different from those in the two places previously visited. The fruit sales are ])ractically controlled by six large firms of brokers There are some smaller firms who are styled fruit brokers, but they invariably turn their consignments over to the larger firms. There are two associations there that work together in the buying and sell- ing of fruit; one is the Buyers' Asso- ciation and the other is the Fruit Brokers' Association. There is an auc- tion room situated in the centre of the wholesale district, where only mem- bers of these associations are permit- ted to enter. Our representative was present at a fruit sale as the guest of Mr. Roddie McFee, of James Adam & Son. Rising from the centre of the room to three of the sides are rows of seats for the attendants who wish to bid for the fruit. On the other side is the desk used by the auctioneer. In the centre of the room, in an enclosure, are two elevators for the bringing up of samples of the fruit for sale. Huge baskets are provided in which the entire contents of a barrel or box of fruit may be dumped, should the purchaser make the request. Each of the brokers take turns in conduct- ing the sale of their fruit; and there is a constant changing of those who wish to buy. I^ong practice and a knowl- edge of the audience enables the brok- ers to dispose of an enormous quantity of fruit .each day. Sales sometimes last from early morning until 10 or 12 o'clock at night. The fruit must be sold each day, as there is a similar quantity waiting to be disposed of on the day following. The opinion was expressed by Mr. James Richardson, of Woodall & Co.. that when Canadian fruit is shipped with fewer brands better prices will be realized. So many markings on the cases make it impossible to remember them all. Fewer brands will make more rapid sales possible. The grad- ing and packing would be more uni- form ; as it is now, each brand has to be disposed of separately; by the end of the day the last lots put up often sell at a sacrifice. Our representative called on ^Ic- Symons & Co., 18 Dean St., who have several large grocery stores in Liverpool. They handle a large quantity of choice apples in boxes, but they buy only from the brokers. Some years ago they tried importing their apples direct. The first year they were greatly pleased with the fruit, but during the second and third years it was of inferior quality. They are not anxious to repeat the experiment until Canadian growers es- tablish a better reputation for honest packing and good fruit. The Dominion Govennnent should enforce a • more thorough inspection of fruit, even than it does now, and the name of every dishonest packer should be pubhshed abroad as well as at home. Fig'Htin^ Insects in Fall Although insects in the garden and orchard seem inevitable, yet they can be largely controlled if proper steps are taken and followed in a systematic manner. The thing is to know what to do and when to do it. It is a well- known fact that many of our mtjst serious insect pests pass the winter months in the neighborhood of the crops upon which they feed during the, sunnner. This, then, is the time and place to get at them. They are to be found under old boards, stones, or other trash lying on the ground; many hibernate just under the surface of the soil; fallen leaves and refuse vege- table matter protect others. The plow and fire are the best agents of destruction, and the fall is the time to apply them. Plow the fence rows and pieces of unused sod in proximity to the crops. Pile up all the old ref- use matter of any description that is lying around, as also all dead leaves, and burn it. And most important oi all, gather up all remnants of crop^ in the orchard and garden and destroy them by fire or in the compost heap. Never leave potato vines in the field after harvest ; this is the time that the stalk-weevil matures and escapes from its lair in the stem. Destroy the use less stubs of the cabbage and cauli flower plants; many a brood of lice i^ born on them while they lie.' on tht ground. Cut-worms, green cabbagi worms and the pupae of many moths also very often reach maturity or pass the winter months on crop remnants. Fire Blight, in Pears. — Pear Blight is caused by a bacterial disease for which no satisfactory remedy has been found. It has been discovered that infection takes place through buds and flowers principally. The best remedy known, although not very satisfactory, is to cut off the affected branch about a foot below the diseased part as soon as noticed. As the disease may be carried from one tree to another on the knife, it is a good plan to disinfect the knife after each branch has been cut. Pears usually blight most when they are mak- ing strong, succulent growth, and it is best not to encourage too much growth for this reason. Bordeaux mixture has no effect on this disease. ^ — W. T. Ma- coun, Ottawa. Fruit for market should be of good size, fair appearance and good quality. Fertilize PeacK Soils WKen Trees are Dormant To maintain the fertility of peach soils, they should receive applica- tions of essential fertilizers. This work, in some instances, should be done in fall after the leaves drop. For the peach, fertilizers that contain plenty of Properly Packed Peaches potash and phosphoric acid are required, and only small quantities of nitrogen. The proportion and quantity required for a particular orchard will vary with the texture and condition of the soil, and the amount and availability of the plant foods it already contains. The only way to determine the wants of the soil is to experiment and watch the results. POTASH The most essential element of fertihty in a peach orchard is potash. It induces fruitfulness rather than excessive wood growth. Chemically speaking, it forms salts .of the organic acids in the plant, it s supposed to assist in the formation of starch, and the assimilation of carbon, and it influences the flavor. Also, when abundantly supplied, it causes the fruit to color up better. It is often deficient in peach soils, and must be supplied artificially. The most economical .source of potash is unleached hardwood ashes. These also supply a small amount of phos- phoric acid. The potash in wood ashes is immediately available. Forty to fifty bushels an acre is the usual rate of ap- plication. Muriate of potash is a form of potash that also gives excellent re- sults with peach trees. It is a definite compound containing about 50 per cent, of actual potash, and may be used at the rate of 200 pounds an acre. This and other references to the amount required are merely suggestions. Local condi- tions and experiment alone can tell. A common potassium salt used as ma- nure is kainite. It is an impure form of muriate of potash, containing about 13 per cent, of potash. Sulphate of potash is also used by some growers. Potassic manures should be spread over the ground when the trees are dor- mant in fall or spring, and worked in with a cultivator. Wood ashes may be applied at any time. PHOSPHORIC ACID Phosphoric acid in some commercial form is essential to the growing of good peaches. The tree, the fruit, and the seed are benefited most decidedly by its application. Peach soils, being Hght and sandy, are likely to be deficient in this constituent. In heavier soils, it is often present in an unavailable form, and requires cultivation to liberate it. Phos- phoric acid is usually applied to the soil in the form of bone meal or superphos- phates Bone meal also supplies a small quantity of nitrogen. Superphosphates are apt to be strongly acid, and should be apphed in the fall or winter when the tree is dormant, and at the rate of about 200 pounds an acre. Thomas or basic slag is a form of phosphoric acid that gives very good results on sandy soils. It must be very finely ground, as it parts with its fertility very slowly. Dis- solved South Carolina rock is another valuable form of this fertilizer. NITROGEN ^_^An over supply of nitrogen is ruinous to peach trees. It has been found that "the peach is the healthiest and yields the best fruit on soils which for most one must be cautious when using nitro- genous fertilizers. A liberal application of nitrogen is im- portant, however, for young growing trees and for mature trees when the leaves appear smaller than natural, and take on a yellowish color. Although this condition of the leaves usually in- dicates a lack of nitrogen, it also may indicate an excess of moisture in the soil. Too much nitrogen is indicated by un- usually dark green foliage, rank growth, large crops of small, poorly-colored fruit, or no crop at all, and immaturity of the wood in fall. When nitrogen is required to stimulate early growth or restore impoverished bearing trees, it is most effectively ap- plied in the form of nitrate of soda. An- other commercial form is sulphate of ammonium. This, also, may be used for peaches, but it is not so quick in its action as the nitrate. The most economical method of furn- ishing nitrogen is by means of tillage and green leguminous manures; the former promotes nitrification, the latter indi- rectly adds nitrogen to the soil from the air, and it also prevents the leaching of nitrates already in the soil. On poor, gravelly knolls some commercial form of nitrogen may be used with advantage, and it should be applied early in the season, as late applications tend to pre- vent a proper ripening of the wood for winter. BARNYARD MANURE Barnyard manure as a fertihzer for peach trees is not favored by the major- A Uniform and Correct Pack for Pears crops would be considered deficient in nitrogen." Also, that trees suffer from winter-killing when overfed with nitro- gen, are more liable to be infected with brown rot, and produce later and poorer cro])s of fruit. It is obvious, then, that 269 ity of orchardists. Its use seems to en- courage fungous diseases, more so than artificial fertilizers. Mr. J. H. Hale, the "peach king," says that peaches stimu- lated by stable manure are more liable to vello'ws than those fertilized by com- 270 rilE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST mercial fertilizers. The effect of barn- yard manure is similar to that of other nitrogenous fertilizers, and its use may be governed by similar conditions. For young orchards on poor soil its use is beneficial. Two or three forkfuls of manure spread around each young tree in winter may be of value. Generally speaking, however, the profitable use of stable manure in peach orchards is con- fined, as in this case, to the stimulation of early growth in newly-set orchards. Protect tKe Stra^vberry Plants To protect strawberry plants from the cold of winter and from the disastrous effects of alternate freez- ing andthawing in spring, it is necessary to give them some protection. This is best done by means of mulching. Be- sides being a protection against severe weather, a good mulch should enrich the soil, and if skilfully handled, it will delay the ripening of the fruit in spring as much as a week and more. While it is desirable in most straw- berry districts to secure earliness in fruiting, there are some sections in Canada where the profits of the straw- berry patch would be materially increas- ed if the crop were to ripen a few days later than is usual. It is important then for growers to consider carefully the possibilities of mulching for this purpose, but it must be practised with caution. Although some growers may delay fruiting through personal skill and the effect of favorable conditions, a mulch of sufficient depth to retard vegetation is apt to injure the young plants and, if left too long, it will rot and kill them. The kind of material to use for mulch- ing depends on what can be obtained most readily. To combine manurial value with protection, strawy horse manure is the most satisfactory. It can be obtained quite readily in most local- ities. It should not be applied, how- ever, quite so heavily as some of the Hghter mulches, such as clean straw or hay. An objectionable feature in con- nection with the use of strawy horse manure, particularly that drawn from city stables, is that it is apt to contain a large number of weed seeds. This ob- jection is seldom strong enough, how- ever, to overcome the advantage gained by its use as a fertilizer and for protec- tion. The time to apply the mulch is gov- erned by the lateness of the season. Usually it is appHed soon after the ground becomes frozen hard enough to carry the horses and wagon. The covering should not be heavy • enough to smother the plants. Should the winds of winter remove a considerable portion of the mulch during seasons of little snow, it is well, towards spring, to cover these bare spots, if material and time are plenty. Alternate thawing and freezing in spring do more damage than the cold and frosts of winter. In spring the covering may be removed as soon as danger of frosts is past, or if it is desired to retard fruiting, a few days later. It is best to do this on a dark day to mitigate the effect of a sudden change from protection to light. Rake the mulch off the plants to the space between the rows where it will serve to keep down weeds and to con- serve moisture, which is so necessary to the production of large, high grade berries. A mulch between the rows in early summer also serves to make clean picking for the pickers, and to keep the berries from being splashed with sand during rains. Fall W^orK 'With Plum Trees In the treatment of a plum orchard, Mr. F. G. Stewart, of Homer, gives the following advice: "Spray plum trees in fall after the fruit and leaves are off. This kills the fungus of the Black Knot. The spores of this fungus develop twice a year, in summer and in winter. Spraj'- ing in the fall washes down anfi prevents the spread and development of the summer spores for the next season. Use the sulphate of copper solution, four pounds to the barrel, and apply any time after the leaves fall. This solution also helps to prevent plum rot. "Plow to the trees about the endjof October or first of November, to throw the water away from the roots. This leaves a furrow or ditch between the rows which must be opened at the ends to let the water away. If the plowing is not done until late, the ground should be harrowed so as not to leave it too open and so admit the frost. If the ground is left open, the water goes in and freezes in little pools around the roots. When the soil is packed tightly around the roots, however, the trees always do much better." T'wo Ways of Pruning' Grape Vines Which is the best, cheapest and easiest method of pruning grapes, the fan or Kniffen system?— P. E. K., Halton Co., Ont. IN all grape-growing localities, the Kniffen system is the best and cheap- est for strong growing varieties, such as Niagara. It is best because it re- quires less care and work, and it is cheap. It saves money in time and labor. Only two wires, instead of three or four, are required for the trellis. Slow- growing varieties, such as Delaware, are better trained on the fan system, as they must be renewed from a point nearer the ground. When following the fan system the pruner can always cut to good wood; when following a. more definite system, as the Kniffen, some- times he must cut at a loss. The fan system is briefly as follows: When planting, cut the vine back to two buds; next spring, again cut back to two buds ; second spring after planting, if vine is strong, leave one cane about two or three feet long, and tie up to trellis wires. When growth on this is about six inches long, nib off all sprouts below the point on the upright where it is desired to start the fan. Third spring, prune back to six or eight buds the strongest canes that arise from near a central point below first wire; tie about three of these fan-shaped to the wires and remove all the rest. The following seasons, renew the wood from as near the trunk as possible and increase the number of arms to five or more if growth is strong. A vine trained by the Kniffen system consists of an upright trunk or standard and four arms. To produce this result the young vine is treated similar to the fan system for two seasons. The second spring after planting, select the strongest cane and tie it straight and firmly to the top wire, cutting everything else away. The third spring, select four arms, two on opposite sides of the standard near the lower wire and two similarly placed near the upper wire, cut these back to six or eight buds according to the length of the joints on the cane, tie them to the wires, and remove all other canes. The fourth and subsequent years renew the arms with wood that arises from a point as near to the central standard as possible. Apples for storing should be picked, barrelled and placed in a shed, then, when hard frosts come, put in a cool cellar. A sUght frost will do no in- jun,', but it is best to keep the apples as cool as possible without freezing. As a rule the finest and highest priced fruits are the rrcst difficult to raise. The Chilliwack Exhibit at the recent Provincial Fair in British Columbia TKe Seedless Apple from AnotKer Viei^ Point Prof. John Craig', Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. THE last issue of The Canadian Horticulturist contains the most astonishing, I was almost going to say paralyzing, statement that I have read for some time. I refer to the position of the Hon. John Dryden in regard to this new-old fruit, called the Spencer Seedless Apple. It is almost incon- ceivable that a man of Mr. Dryden 's standing in the agricultural commun- ity, and a man who has unquestionably labored unselfishly and sincerely for the agricultural interests of the prov- ince, should lend himself to a project which, to the enlightened pomologists of this country, seems to be absolutely indefensible. If Mr. Dryden has seen old established trees bearing in any place, we might have condoned the position he has taken to some extent. If he had any personal evidence that this fruit was good to eat when it was ripe, that it was any advance on the ordinary commercial apple, or any knowledge that it would succeed un- der our ea.stern conditions, there might be some further slight excuse for the position which he takes. Ten-year- old orchard trees, or two-year nursery stock under irrigated conditions in southern Colorado do not furnish an Ontario man with suitable data for making deductions along Hnes of adapt- abiHty to Ontario climate and soil. SEEDLESS APPLE NOT TESTED For many years Mr. Dryden has been associated with experimental work. He realizes the desirability and ad- vantage of it. Otherwise he would not have urged the appropriation of money for the establishment of fruit- testing stations and agricultural col- leges. This fruit has never been tested at any station. No sample can be secured by any station. Yet, Mr. Dry- den is willing to lend the strength of his name and the prestige of his former position to the exploiting of a variety which is known to be of poor quality and which may be of absolutely no value in this section. This is the posi- tion, and I must admit that the ex- planation given by Mr. Dryden in the recent number of The Canadian 271 Horticulturist is no sufficient 'usti- fication for his attitude on this question. There is no reasonable doubt what- ever that this same seedless apple has appeared in different parts of the coun- try over a large number of years. If it had been of such transcendent value, the persons on whose farms it grew would not be fooHsh enough to allow a good thing to be lost sight of. The apple was exhibited at the State Fruit Growers' Association meeting in Lockport, N.Y., last winter. I had the privilege of examining the Color- ado-grown specimens and of testing its quality in company with a number of experienced fruit growers. The aver- age specimen was medium in size and unattractive in color. The quality was unanimously voted to be poorer than Ben Davis — a New York-grown Ben Davis at that. The reasons for ad- vocating the cultivation of an untried variety of poorer quality than Ben Davis, and at $2.50 a tree, by a man of Mr. Dryden's judgment and ex- perience, are very obscure. Decorating tKe Dining Table \vitK Fruit and Flo>vers* DECORATION^of^the dinner tabk- is an art that appeals to every one interested in gardening. No hard and fast rules can be laid down, as so much depends on the size of the table to be decorated, the material available to work with, the likes and dislikes of those whom it is desired to please. VASES The ' vases or other receptacles for flowers vary greatly in style, form and size; in fact, almost to an endless ex- tent. Many of them are very orna- mental as well as useful, and a picture in themselves even when empty. As a rule, the more ornamental the vase the less suitable it becomes for tasteful ar- When convertible vases are employed and the flowers are to be arranged in tiers; in other words, one lot above the other, they should be sorted according to size, the largest flowers at the bottom or base, medium sized flowers in the centre, and the smallest and lightest flow- ers on the top. A few medium sized flowers among the lighter ones will give strength and character to the top of an arrangement; and a few of the lightest flowers should be placed among the large ones in the base. This addition gener- ally improves the whole arrangement, giving it a light and graceful effect. ARRANGEMENT OF FLOWERS Flowers should also be sorted accord- Not a Dining Table, but Decoratioas as Beautiful shown at Brantford rangement of flowers; of course, there are many elegantly shaped vases that show off floral decorations exceedingly well, but much of the design and beauty are concealed. Sometimes special de- signs or colors are used for special pur- poses or occasions, which, of course, must conform to the size of other objects on the same table. There are many beautiful forms of vases suitable for the dinner table; but flowers generally look best when ar- ranged in glass than in vases made of other material. Multiplex, convertible, or any other table vases may be used. *A paper read by Mr. Geo. H. Hale before the Monmouth County (New Jersey) Horticultural Society. ing to form and color. Those of a sim- ilar form group much better than mixed forms. Colors must be employed that will harmonize or contrast well, using the darkest shades below and light ones above. Sometimes shades of color are allowed to be of more consequence than size of flowers. Small flowers of a dark shade, arranged in a bold mass at the base of a vase, look well with larger flowers of lighter shades arranged above them. Some kinds of flowers which look well by daylight are utter failures under electric or other light. Yellow flowers of any shade, for instance, are very ef- fective by daylight ; under artificial light they are much paler, some of the lighter 272 shades of yellow appearing white, or almost white. Bright hued flowers, such as bright shades of red, crimson or pink, always look well under any light. Light blue, or mauve, does not hght up well ; yet shades of purple are very effective. PLANTS TO USE There are many foliage and flowerii;. plants suitable for table decoration^ either used alone or in combination wiili ferns or other green for a base. Plani over 15 inches in height should not L. employed. A point could be strained with a tall-stemmed Cocos Weddeliana, or some of the arahas, such as Aralia gracillima and elegantissima, or plants vi that description, when the foliage is graceful and yet not loo dense to obstruct the view. Small standard plants with a light and graceful head can be usid Such plants must have a slender an to prevent the guests seeing each other quite freely. The size of vases and plants must be regulated by the size and form of the table. If the vases are too small, the decoration will appear small and lacking in character, no matter how the flowers are arranged. Then, again, if the vases or plants are too large, the result will be a heavy effect. A verv effective arrangement can be had bv trailing strings of asparagus, smilax or other \nnes from the centre candelabra and looping them to candlesticks, pro- vided the work is lightly done. The following plants are verj- useful for table work, when symmetrical and of proper size. Pandanus Veitchii, P. graminaefolius, small, graceful-leaved dracaenas and crotons, Cocos Weddeli- ana, and such ferns as Adiantum cunei; turn, A. Farleyense, and so on. Amoii the best flowering plants for tables ar Begonia Gloire de Lorraine, Primula ol conica grandiflora,' P. chinensis, P. stel- lata, cyclamen, lily'of the valley, ericas and so on. W'- Sometimes silver plate is heavily dis played; others use valuable and beauti- ful china in their table arrangement. In this case small plants are more in keep- ing than flowers in vases. In order to offset the stiffness, the cloth can be trailed with asparagus or other green, with a few flowers carelessly scattered here and there; or oblong sprays of Clematis paniculata. Euphorbia jac- quiniseflora,' Bougainvillea glabra, B. Sanderiana, 'tropaeolums, and so on. THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST ilS. can be used in place of green. The plants should be knocked out of the pots and placed in other receptacles; if the latter are too small or shallow to receive the plants, the balls can be reduced or cut to fit. A Centrepiece of Fruit and Flowers If no receptacles are on hand,the^plant can be placed on pieces of paper or other material to save the cloth. Mounds of moss can be made around the ball of earth and covered with fern, asparagus, smilax or other green; and flowers of one kind and color placed on the mounds. SOME FLOWER COMBINATIONS But orchids, such as cattleyas in variety, cypripediums, Iselias, oncidiums, odontoglossums, coelogyne, calanthes, and so on, make rich and beautiful dec- orations for the table . Each kind should be used separately and arranged so that every individual bloom will not look crowded and will show to best advan- tage. Calanthes Veitchii and hly of the val- ley, with fern fronds, make a beautiful combination. Small chrysanthemums in their season are much used and are very attractive. Lily of the valley and Richmond, Meteor or General Jacque- minot roses, Roman hyacinths and Salvia splendens make rich and very at- tractive arrangements. Sweet peas are among the best flowers for table work, when properly blended. Sweet peas and Oypsophila paniculata and fine fern fronds create a grand effect, especially under artificial light. Roses are most generally used and they arc the most popular; in my esti- mation, the rose is queen, no matter where or how employed. When roses are used for table work they should be arranged with their own foliage and, generally, one variety or color employed. Carna- tions are very suitable among the best for table or other decoration, and should be arranged in one or possibly two colors The most important point is to see that the color of the flowers used harmonizes as nearly as possible with the dishes or other ornaments on the table. Primula obconica, P. chinensis, P. stellata, the many varieties of narcissus, freesias, tulips, poppies, coreopsis, godetia, Heli- anthus cucumerifolia and multiflora fl. pi., and many other kinds of flowers, are all very useful for table work. THE USE OF FRUIT Fruit is used very often as a part of table decorations, and if possible should be displayed on glass dishes, as glass seems to show off fruit better than dishes made of other material. Fruit, as a rule, looks best dressed with its own foHage; but when dishes have to be dressed several hours ahead of time, as necessity very often requires, the leaves generally curl and lose their shape. In this case it would be preferable to em- ploy leaves of a thicker texture, such as those of ivy, laurel, aucuba, bay, and so on, as they will keep longer out of water. Pineapples should be dressed with their own foliage. Maidenhair fern can be used with strawberries and kept fresh by utilizing small glass tubes filled with water inserted among the fruit. Straw- berry plants that have good large ripe well-arranged centrepiece, and to make every ornament upon the table (whether floral or otherwise) subordinate to the centre one. If the table should be so long as to require three principal pieces,, it would be best to use two elegant plants with graceful and finely divided fohage, one at each end ; they will set off the central floral arrangement much better than two other floral pieces- would. It is essential that everything on the table should harmonize so that it will please the most critical); eye. Strong color contrasts must alwavs be avoided. Troxible WitK Azalea About Christmas last year I purchased a fine plant of azalea. After a short time all the leaves, fell off; what, probably, caused it? — K. S., Toronto. This plant most likely has-been allow- ed to become dry at the root. This, with the dry air of ordinary dwelling houses, spoils these plants. When they have dropped their leaves they are of little use. An azalea in full bloom, that is to be used as a house plant, should be- thoroughly watered when received and should be kept well watered and in a cool, light place, where the air is as fresh as possible. — Answered by Thos. Man- ton, Eglinton, Ont. An Artistic Scheme of Table Decoration fruits hanging, make a very effective centrepiece for the dinner table. The plants can be turned out of the pots and the balls cut down so that several plants can be arranged in one dish. CENTREPIECES I' or a table set for not over 16 persons, it is advisable to have only one large I have been a subscriber of The Horti- culturist since 1890, and hope to be for a great many years to come. Your magazine has given me much pleasure. I have recently acquired all the back volumes, except two, which, as yet.gjl have been unable to secure. — Chas. R.. Hext, rsrantford, Ont. TKe Fall Care of Roses WINTER protection for roses is a necessity in a climate that is severe. The accompanying cuts ilUistrate how it is done b\- Mr. W. G. A Little Work Will Protect Them Black, of Ottawa. In his own words the operation is described as follows: 'It is said that an ounce of illustra- tion is worth a pound of talk. Adopt- Ready for the Cover ing that idea, I have made some rough pencil illustrations of the various stages in the work of protecting roses as prac- tised by myself for five or six years with satisfactory results. Roses put away in this shape can be taken out in spring with canes as plump, green and fresh as the day they were put down. The ex- perimental farm at Ottawa recently adopted the same system of keeping roses and with similar results. "The teaching of the illustrations is as follows: No. lb represents six roses planted in a row of 1 2 feet long. In cut No. la there are three boards and two pieces for ends to make a box, some small sticks to hold the roses down and some dty leaves. No. 2 shows the two The Material sides of the box with ends nailed on around the six roses. No. 3 shows the roses bent down, and held there by the Httle braces that are held in place by nails driven through from the outside and the box filled up with dry leaves. In No. 4 the cover is on ready for the severest kind of a winter. "Before the cover is put on it is best to dust a little powdered sulphur aii' red pepper, mixed together, into th' box. The powdered sulphur prevent mildew, and the red pepper prevent tiilK The First Step mice from harboring in the box or among' the leaves during the winter. It is hoped that these illustrations will con- The Job Done vey to the amateur rose grower a method of winter protection for_the finest flower that grows." TKe Driveway RURAL grounds in Ontario are too often neglected — a place should mean something. The fall is the ideal time to begin a plan of improve- ment. The home ground should be home-Hke, retired, cozy. Think of your driveway this Novem- ber and its effect from the house and from the road. Have you a border planting of trees for foUage effects? Have you against these, long flower beds for decorations? Study the beautifying results obtained with shrubs of long and lovely lives that are native to the soil and quite as satisfactory as any foreign bush. The cut shows a driveway laid out in 1897, on the beautiful grounds of Mr. A. K. Goodman, of Cayuga, Ont. Prune Raspberries by cutting out all old canes that have fruited, and small or weak canes of the present season's growth. These are burnt so as to destroy any insects or disease that may be lurking there. Early in the spring we go over the rows with the hedge shears cutting back the fruiting canes, removing six to 10 inches of the tips. In that way stronger laterals or branches will be thrown out, and the fruit will be of better quality. This method of growing raspberries is termed the hedge-row system.— A. E. Sherring- ton, Walkerton, Ont. Driveways are Important Factors in the Landscape 274 Have any readers of The Horticxxl- TURIST had any experience in growing apricots? If so, kindly gjive best vari- eties, best kind of soil, how to plant, and general cultural directions. A Civic Enemy: TKe TussocK MotK" Prof. D. P. PenKallow, McGill University THE past year's discussion in the press of Montreal, Toronto and other cities, relative to the appearance of the Tussock Moth, has directed atten- tion to a matter of very great interest to all cities where shade trees are re- garded as of essential value. Among the many insect enemies of our shade trees, the Tussock Moth is one of the worst, since it multiplies rapidly, and the very large number of insects produced by a single brood leads to the rapid de- foliation of the trees upon which they occur. Fortunately, as pointed out by Dr. Fletcher, the danger here is not so great as farther south, since with us there is only one brood each year, while in the northern states there are two broods and in the southern states prob- ably three broods in a season. This difference is due to the fact that we are situated near the northern limit of dis- tribution, and it is therefore a much less difficult matter to control the insect or even to exterminate it if proper measures are adopted. As an aid to human en- deavor in this direction, birds and nat- ural parasites constitute an important element, but even under such conditions it is possible for the insect to get beyond control and to cause the most serious damage to one of the most valuable assets a city can have. That the Tussock Moth is not regarded with indifference or allowed to be con- trolled by its natural enemies, is evident Silver Maple Leaves Eaten by Larvae. In successive stages of growth from a (newly hatched larvae) to / (full larvae). m the great care taken, and the large cunt of money annually expended, r*THECANADiAN HORTICULTURIST has received umber of requests for information regarding le Tussock Moth, which has done much damage to shade trees in various Canadian cities during the past summer. We have pleasure, therefore, in reproducing this article with cuts from and by permission j of The Canadian Municipal Journal. by cities in the United States, for its ex- termination. As the female does not fly, the distribution is effected either by the migration of the cater- pillars from tree to tree in search of food, or by their transport on vehicles, animals or people upon whom they may fall from trees. It there- fore follows that when the insects are found in a restrict- ed area, it 'is possible to con- fine them there, if prompt and efficient measures be taken. In winter and early spring the eggs ma}^ be readily de- tected and destroyed either by picking and burning, or by the use of creosote oil which is far more expeditious and economical. But if the eggs are allowed to hatch, which they will do about the first of May, the situation becomes a much more difficult one to deal with, as then the only effective remedy is to be found in spraying, a process which will not only involve expensive apparatus but the expenditure of much time and labor, with the result that extermination will not be as effective and complete. There is only one way to deal with such a problem, and that is to take prompt and efficient meas- ures at the time when a minimum of labor and ex- pense will be demanded. The indifference which leaves such matters to the natural course of events in the hope that the difficulty may right itself, is not justified Isy any policy of good municipal government. Shade trees are among the most valuable assets a city can have. They not only add a great element of beauty and general attract- iveness to otherwise barren stretches of pavement and dwellings, but they contrib- ute to the actual health and moral tone of the commti- nity in ways which are too numerous and too well known to re- quire restatement here. The mere fact that in all the most cultured and enlightened communities of the world, streets are provided with trees at great cost and maintained with great care, is in itself sufficient proof that they are esteemed beyond the ordinary stand- ards of pecuniary value. But from a 275 merely monetary point of view, a well- grown tree is worth anywhere from $100 toj$500 according to its kind and size. The White-Marked Tussock Moth Orgyiti leucostigma. u, larva; &, female pupa; c.malepupa; d.e.male moth; /. female moth; g, same ovipositing; h, egg mass; i, male cocoons; k, female cocoons, with moths carrying eggs. It is, therefore, not inappropriate to urge in the most insistent manner, that our cities should take efficient measures for the better care of its trees, and that it should not allow such pests as the Tussock Moth to work unchecked. Protect the Birds Our birds deserve protection and en- couragement. Some birds, the robins, for instance, do destroy some few small fruits during a short season in the year, June and July; but the amount of fruit they save, in the destruction of insects throughout the whole year, is of infinitely greater moment. The robins' appetite for insects is never satisfied; and the fruit grower should ignore his slight depredations on cherries and other fruits in the light of his greater benefits. However, there is an easy and de- sirable means of saving even this small amount of fruit that the birds eat, and that is to supply them with something still more desirable in their eyes. The Russian mulberry tree looks well and bears heavily, while the birds prefer the berries to any of our small fruits. If these trees were liberally planted throughout the country, the fruit would be saved for commercial purposes, and the birds for insect destroyers. La"wn and Garden Notes for November NOVEMBER is the time to make things snug and secure for winter. No diseased roots or leaves of plants should be left on the garden to carry spores over for next year. Rub- bish of all kinds serves as hiding places for insects during the winter. There- fore, clean up before the snow comes. Would it not be well to change the garden location for next year? If not, then change the positions of the crops grown in the present location. Plan this fall for a change. Some crops feed deeply, others on the surface. Some are exhausting, others are not. There are many reasons for practising a rotation even on a small plot. Think about it. VEGETABLES OUTSIDE AND IN If you have not done so, plow or spade the garden and turn under all the manure you can. Do not leave this work until spring. There is more time now, and the action of winter frosts and freezing will pulverize the soil and kill many insects that hiber- nate below ground. If the garden is not well drained, this is the best time to make it so. Trenching and subsoiling are perma- nent improvements. Gather and burn all weeds, especially those that bear seed pods. Did you sow seeds of prickly or winter spinach in September? If so, the plants should be protected on the approach of winter with a covering of coarse straw. Perhaps that asparagus bed has not yet been attended to. Break down the tops, remove and burn them, and then apply a dressing of manure. There is plenty of time to start a mushroom bed. It is interesting work. Do not be discouraged if the first attempt is disappointing. It won't be if you do not forget the details. Mush- rooms are sensitive to lack of attention. Rhubarb for winter use may be grown in the house cellar. Take up some roots, leave them two weeks in a cold frame or in a corner, and then place them in the cellar. Pull the stalks as soon as they are ready. When the crop is about done, throw the old roots outside or they will decay and become ill-odored. Celery should be dug now and stored in the cellar. Pack the stalks upright and close together with the roots in sand. Should the tops show signs of wilting, apply water to the roots. Never sprinkle the leaves or stalks, as it induces decay. FALL WORK WITH FRUIT Mulch the strawberry bed but not until the ground is frozen to a depth of four to six inches. Apply clean straw or hay. Manure will do, but it is apt to contain weed seeds. Place a few forkfuls of manure around the raspberry and blackberry bushes. Currants and gooseberries are the hardiest fruits we have. They may be planted in November. Buy good plants of the best varieties. For the home garden excellent varieties of cur- rants are: Red Cherry and Fay's Pro- A Home-Made Hanging Basket lific; white. White Grape; black, Naples. Two good varieties of gooseberries are Pearl and Downing. The best Eng- lish gooseberry is Whitesmith, but it is troublesome on account of mildew. If you have some old bushes of these fruits, would it not be interesting to propagate new ones yourself? Take cuttings of the past season's growth. Make them about eight inches long. At the bottom, cut clean and square just below a joint; the top may be cut off obliquely and between the joints. It would be better to store these for a time to allow them to callous. Place the cuttings in sand or sawdust, buti uppermost, for a couple of week^ Then plant in a row in the garden. Ii a year's time, the new plants may In |ransplanted to permanent quarter- Gooseberry and currant bushes ma- be pruned any time after the leav( fall. There are different ways of d<. ing this. Perhaps the best method i to follow the bush form, allowing about six branches to the bush. A renewal system of pruning is best, whereby one-third of the bush is renewed each year. Cut out two of the oldest can( and allow two new ones to take thtii places. The ends of the new growth should be shortened. Do not leave any grass or rubbish around the base of your fruit trees for mice to nest in. If the trees are young, it is advisable to wrap the trunks with building paper and throw a small mound of earth around the bottom. THE OUTDOOR GARDEN Certain kinds of plants require pro- tection in winter. While this is true, do not do it too soon. Plants often are injured by being covered too early. Protect the roses. There are various ways of doing it. Read the article on another page. Dwarf shrubs may be protected by placing a barrel over them and fiUing with leaves. Bore holes in the barrel for ventilation. If barrels are con- sidered unsightly, cover them with evergreen boughs. Gaillardias, campanulas, peonies, and many other border plants that may require protection may be covered with leaves and a little stable manure. Do not apply a heavy cover. Hardy bulbs may be planted yet. Do not expect as good results as from those planted earlier in the season. Late planted bulbs require protection; early planted ones, also, but not so much. Most bulb beds are benefited during severe winters by having a mulch of straw manure, three or four inches deep, spread over them. If leaves and spruce boughs are easier to obtain, they will serve just as well. Do not cover the beds until after the ground has frozen solid. WINDOW BOXES INSIDE A serviceable way to winter tender plants is in a box placed inside the window and about one foot from the glass. Have the box eight inches wide, six inches deep and of sufficient length to fit the window. Bore several holes in the bottom for drainage. A tin tray of similar size should be provided to catch the water that soaks through. Between the box and tray should be small blocks of wood, so that they will THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 277 not fit tightly together. Support the box with brackets. In it put some broken flower pots or other material to facilitate drainage and fill with soil. If the weather is open and no hard frosts prevail, some of the hardier perennials may be planted this month. .\mong those that succeed well, if planted at this time, are German iris, some varieties of peony, dielytra, and lily of the valley. With the exception of the iris, these plants should be mulched later on with long strawy manure. Now is the best time to make new walks and driveways, flower beds or borders. BULBS FOR THE HOUSE Bulbs for house culture may be potted from September until late in fall. Some growers say that Novem- ber is the best month. Make sure that the bulbs in pots are well rooted in the cellar or some cold, dark place before being brought out into the window or greenhouse. Secur- ing good roots to hyacinths, tulips and narcissi is the most important point to be considered in successful bulb culture. Bulbs that were potted in September may now be brought to the light. Pots of freesias should be placed in a semi-light place until started, then given the benefit of the sun and suffi- cient moisture to keep the soil moist, but not saturated. Do not give liquid manure to freesias. They do not like it. Try some Chinese sacred lilies and hyacinths in water bowls. If you start bulbs of Roman hya- cinths early in November, you can have the bloom for Christmas. Whv not try a few "pips" of lily of the valley? They are rather hard to grow in the house — unless proper care is exercised. They require a tem- perature of 75 degrees. Some ama- teurs grow them near steam pipes from the house furnace, and even near the kitchen range. If you have a greenhouse, so much the better. Gloxinia, tuberous begonia, and fancy Caladium bulbs should be kept dry ind stored away in the pots; or, the bulbs may be taken out, packed in iry soil, and placed in a cool tem- 'perature not lower than 45 degrees. THE WINDOW GARDEN If you have not arranged for potting jil for use later on, do so now before is too late. Every fine day give your house blants a draught of fresh air, but do Hot have the draught come directly Across the plants. Open a window or Joor some distance from them. As the weather grows colder, the iieat must be increased. This will re- jlt in an increased dryness of the at- mosphere, and this induces a visit from insect pests. Look out for aphids and red spider. The latter s most to be feared. Sprinkle often with cold water. For aphids, use tobacco water. Remember the mistake that often is made by amateurs in regard to the watering of house plants. Do not give water every day. That is wrong. Water the plants only when they need it, and then do not delay. Plants need water when the surface of the soil is dry. This can be learned by tapping the pot with the knuckles and getting a ringing sound for dryness and a dead sound when the soil is wet enough. Dryness may be determined, also, by rubbing the surface soil with the fin- ger; if it sticks to the finger, it is moist enough, but if it feels dry, it needs water. When watering, apply enough to penetrate the soil to the bottom of the pot. Do not allow plants to stand in saucers or pans of water. When potting plants, water well the first time. Procure new pots if possible. When old pots are ■ used, wash them inside and out. Be sure and put a layer of small stones or bits of broken flower pots in the bot- tom for drainage. An excellent decorative plant for the window is A nthericum picturatum. Give it a warm, shady position and a moist soil. Have you a plant or two of Impatiens Sultani, sometimes called the "Patience Plant"? Some varie- ties of this plant are very attractive. A warm, sunny position gives the greatest profusion of bloom. Spiraea Van Houttei A. K. Goodman, Cayug'a, Ont. OF the many choice hardy shrubs that may be planted in November, none give more satisfaction or greater pleasure than that beautiful, planted in 1897 and each year its bloom- is so striking as to compel attention from every passing flower-lover. The terrace was made from clav taken from Plant a Shrub Like This for a Similar Effect Later On free-flowering, white spiraea, Van Hout- tei. Its season of bloom is June, and though, like other shrubs, it loyally re- sponds to intelligent cultivation you may use it in any place and in any soil with advantage. The illustration shows one that has been used effectively as a single specimen on the terrace bordering a lawn. It was a foundation cellar. The shrub was planted simply; it never was cultivated, dug around, pruned, fertilized or watered. It has grown naturally into one of the most perfect specimens of its kind. PlaiU your own garden and water your own soil. Consult experts within reach, but work with your own spade. Seasonable WorK in tKe A.mateur GreenKouse GIVE genistas and azaleas plenty of water at the roots. Azaleas should l)e syringed daily. Fuchsias may be put away to rest. Early-stnick geranium cuttings should be potted in 2J^-inch pots. Cuttings of lobelia, vinca and other plants suitable for window boxes may be taken at this time. These are often left until too late. If you are growing Easter lilies, ex- amine the tips of the growth frequently for aphis or green fly. Use a Httle dry tobacco dust or tobacco water as a remedy. Chrysanthemums should now be in their full glory. These and carna- tions are not easy plants for amateurs to grow. Nevertheless, a few of them are worth trying. The work of propagation should have been done long ago. If you have some plants of chrysanthemums, watch for the black aphis. Treat them with a weak solution of kerosene (a tablespfX)nful in a pint of water) or strong tobacco water. The latter is the safest and most efTective. Rubber plants, palms, dracsenas and plants of that nature should have their foHage sponged once every two weeks. CINERARIAS This plant requires very careful treat- ment from the beginning; the most sim- ple neglect may ruin its development. They require a cool atmosphere and plenty of top ventilation. Care in wat- ering is necessary all through the period of growth. Do not allow the plants t(i become pot-bound until they are in the flowering pots. The greenhouse should be frequently fumigated to prevent in jury to the plants from green flies. PRIMUI-AS The treatment required by thes< plants is similar to that of cinerarias, ex cept that they may grow in a tempera ture a few degrees higher. Primulas however, should be protected from stron;, sunlight with removable shading until the plants are hardened. The compost for the flowering pots should consist jf of good loam, leaf mould, sand and ^ a good proportion of well-rotted cow manure. A Home-Made Hanging BasKet NEW and novel designs in hanging baskets are welcomed by the ama- teur window gardener. One that is simple, pretty and inexpensive can be made at home. A little green raffia and a small basket in which figs are imported are all that is required, except a small brass curtain ring. From a recent issue of Harper's Bazaar we have taken the illustration on page 276. A writer in that magazine tells how to make the basket in the following words: "Take 16 long strands of the raffia, double each one exactly in the centre, and after slipping them through the ring, take both strands and tie a single knot about an inch from the ring. Do this with each of the 16 strands. Take the left-hand one and the right-hand one from the next knot, and tie together one inch farther down. Continue to do this until all are tied. Then separate and proceed as before, thus tying your basket net until you have it a little deeper than the fig- basket. Then leave a two-inch space before you tie again. After this, braid the strands together so that you will have eight braided ones, which you fasten at the top, leaving the loose end for a tassel. Now your net is complete, and into it put first the little straw-colored fig basket, then a finger bowl inside of that. This is to be filled with water, and hung in a sunny window with a spray of wandering jew or other plant adapted to the purpose." Make one yourself. THERE are three essential points in the forcing of lettuce. First, the soil must be in suitable condition. Sec- ond, atmospheric changes must be con- trolled and obviated as much as pos- sible. And third, the crop must be grown to maturity without a check. More failures in growing lettuce un- der glass can be traced to unsuitable soil than any other one cause. A good soil for lettuce should be a rich, mellow, turfy loam of a sandy character. Head lettuce requires a lighter soil than loose or leafy varieties. All heavy soils should be avoided. A good com- post for lettuce is composed of three parts of well-rolled sod mixed with one part of thoroughly rotted cow or stable manure, and enough sand to make it loose or gritty. To grow the first crop, or that which comes into maturity about middle of November, will take about 10 weeks. The crops that follow, or midwinter crops, require about four weeks longer. If more houses than one are planted, or if a succession of crops are wanted, various sowings must be made accord- Forcing Lettuce ingly. For a steady supply make a sowing every two weeks. The most profitable variety to grow depends on the market available. It is very difficult to give advice on this point. If a head lettuce is required, Boston Market still holds its own. If loose or leafy lettuce is wanted Grand Rapids is the best. The demand is best and prices highest from January to April, so it will be well to have the heavy crops mature at that time, but growers must be guided by their market demand. To be of the best quality, lettuce must be grown rapidly, hence nitrogen is needed. This element can be sup- plied in the form of nitrate of soda, one half ounce to a gallon of water, which will give good results. The temperature of the house should be kept as steady as possible. About 45 degrees at night and 60 or 65 degrees during the day with sunshine, and a few degrees lower in dull or cloudy weather. Air should be admitted on all favorable occasions, but never allow cold drafts to check growth or start mildew. Never allow the atmosphere to become close or stagnant. A great many failures to lettuce forcing is due to bad ventilation. Unwholesome soil, insects and fung- ous enemies should be watched very closely. Green fly is very trouble some. If it once gets a foothold, it i- not easy to subdue. If the house is kept too warm, it makes its appearance. Fumigating regularly with tobacco stems affords a good remedy. Look out for the lettuce rot. It appears in houses that are kept too close and wet. Give plenty of air and raise the tem- perature a little. Mildew can be kept in check with sulphur fumes, bv paint- ing the steam or hot water pipes at spaces of 10 feet apart. Mildew is caused by sudden changes in tempera- ture or by drafts, and often by growing the plants too soft. If the soil is stirred frequently, and if there is reasonable care given in watering and in main- taining a uniform temperature, there will be seldom anv trouble with mildew. — L. H. W. J To count two white onions where one grew before is evidence of industrv and thrift. Gro^ng RKubarb Indoors RHUBARB forcing is a simple oper- ation, provided two or three essen- tials are observed; first, good, tlirifty, vigorous roots not more than three years old ; r~- second, the best varieties, i which are Linneaus and Vic- | toria: third, propagate by dividing tested roots, as rhu- Ijarb varies so much from seed that it does not pay to waste time with seedlings. The writer has a batch now, three years old, containing perhaps 20 distinct varieties, and not one of the lot as good as either of the old varieties aforementioned. When rhubarb is forced it is not fastidious as to the place it grows in. Under benches in the greenhouse, an empty root house, or a house built for storing celery in the early part of the winter will do, provided the atmosphere be humid and the temperature not less than 45 degs. ; it may go up to 75 or 80, but 45 to 60 is perhaps most desirable. Many growers prefer total darkness. From my experience, I do not think that it is important so long as the stalks are protected from the direct rays of the sun. On the other hand, light is not necessary. THos. Del-wortH, "Weston, Ont. Forcing rhubarb in the cellar under a dwelling house is, perhaps, the latest fad in amateur gardening. ' ' Put a A Mammoth Squash Vine A corner of a vine thai sprang fr;>m one seed and cf>vered about 800 square feet of area. An old standard winter variety, the Large Manimt-th Yellow Squash, grown on the trial grounds of J. A. Simmers, Toronto. few rhubarb roots in your cellar and pull your own rhubarb all winter," they say. Market gardeners also are told, "Your cellar is pretty empty by the iniddle of Februarv, fill up with rhubarb roots, get a good crop, no expense, and so on." It goes without argument that it would not work while other vegetables were stored there. Conditions that would make rhubarb roots grow would also make other roots, such as potatoes, carrots, and parsnips, grow and spoil them. I have a poor opinion of the sanitary condition of a house cellar that is "ad- mirably suited for rhubarb forcing" (humid atmosphere and a temperature of 45 degs. and upwards). If I had to live in such a house, I would want to open the windows and ventilators and make it un- suitable just as soon as pos- sible. A cellar for use as a store room for vegetables should be kept dry and cool, to say nothing of similar conditions being necessary for warding off the odor from decaying roots. Rhubarb roots decay quickly when forced. For several years I have forced several thousand roots every winter. They decay so quickly that I never attempt to make use of them after forcing. I throw them in a heap to make humus. An expensive feature is keeping up a supply of roots. TKe Value of Selection in Horticulture T. G. Raynor, Department of Agriculture, Ottawa THE accompanying cuts were repro- duced from a photograph sent to Mr. C. H. Clark, vSeed Commis- sioner, Department of Agriculture, Ot- tawa, by Mr. G. A. Robertson, a prom- The Ordinary Earliana inent fruit grower, who lives near St. Catharines in the Niagara peninsula. Mr. Robertson is enthusiastic about the value of selection in seeds as well as in live st(3ck to the farmers of Canada. He beheves that much of the farmer's success in future will be based on his ability to select and follow up that selection to its logical conclusion. We are just touching the fringe of discov- ery in the application of this principle to the development of farm crops, fruits and vegetables. The conclusions f)f Mr. Robertson are based on his experience in growing tomatoes for a number of years. For commercial purposes he divides to- matoes into two classes, early and late. The late varieties have been well de veloped ; they are heavy yielders and good in type, color and flavor. In these essential points, the late varieties excel the early kinds. The ideal that Mr. Rob?rtson has been aiming tt) achieve is to secure these virtues in 279 an early variety, knowing that if this could be done such a variety would prove a money-maker. It is well known that late tomatoes usually bring 25 cents to 30 cents a Improved by Selection 280 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST bushel, while the early fruits of the earlier varieties often sell as high as $3.00 a bushel. These are usually from the early or first ripening clusters ; while the later clusters ripen with the earlier clusters of the late varieties, and on account of their lack of shape and quality are sometimes unmarket- able in competition with late varieties that usually are of better quality and more perfect in shape. Kor a number of years Mr. Robert- son has been trying such early varieties as Ruby, Dominion Day, Chalk's Early, Jewel and Earliana. Of these he has come to favor the two latter. The Jewel embodies most of the desirable features he is aiming at, but it is a little late in ripening. I'or the last three years, he has been working with the Earliana. Through careful selec- tion he has secured a strain that has become quite fixed in character, and has most of the desirable features of the Jewel and is much earlier. The illustrations speak for themselves. The original type of Earliana are those on the left. They show the deep creases, irregularity, lack in depth, and what is not shown in the cut, the un- evenness in ripening. Those to the right are the Improved Earliana, the result of careful selection to secure the desirable qualities of smoothness, pro- lificness, even ripening, firm flesh, aii' early maturity. Such tomatoes will sell even in competition with the besi late varieties. "Often I have eight and nine good sized tomatoes growing in a clust-er, said Mr. Robertson. "My whole cro]) this year was much better than in any previous year in that the percentage of rough, flat, unmarketable tomatoes was greatly lessened, many vines having full crops without any ill-shaped fruits." So convinced is he that this work pays, that he is applying similar methods of selection for the improvement of other crops. He is sure to win. Experi ence counts, doesn't it? Ho^w to Gro^w Good Celery FOR the main celery crop, sow the seed about the middle of April. This is my practice. I have fine stocky plants by June 15. I lay my land out in beds five feet wide, raising them a little, with an 18 inch walk be- tween; and then sow the seed in rows five to six inches apart. Shear the tops of the plants about twice, as that makes them grow more stocky; and plants treated this way do not sucker so badly as transplanted ones do. We like to have our land manured and in good shape to receive the plants, working it thoroughly with disk and Acme harrows several weeks previous to planting time. We generally plant with a line in rows four feet apart with six inches between the plants. One man, with a boy to drop the plants for him, can plant from 9,000 to 10,000 a day. As to varieties we grow White Plume, Paris and Golden Heart. A week after plants are set, or sooner if possible, we start to cultivate with a fine tooth cultivator, going as close to plants as we can without smothering them. When they are well established and have made some growth, we put a No. 8 Planet Jr. cultivator on, letting it run deep for two or three times, after which we ease upon the depth, but still keep on cultivating. I like to get through the patch twice a week. After the celery has got large and we are afraid of too much root pruning, we "rub" the ground; that is, if the weather' is dry, we make a tool the shape of the letter A, using planks, two by six inches. We put a bar across the bottom part to hitch whippletree to, joining it near the top with a second cross bar attach- ing two cultivator handles which are braced. Leave the top open for the earth to pass through. I find this a fine tool in dry weather, as the capillary power is pretty strong at that time and the crop is evaporating a lot of moisture ; T. Densteod, StratKroy, Ont. SO, in keeping the pores of the surface soil closed by "rubbing," we get ahead of caoillaritv. Celery 2i Feet in Il^ig'it As soon as I notice any blight spots on leaf, I dust with air-slaked lime and a little sulphur, in proportion of about eight to one. With me, this treatment controls the blight. I use plenty of wood ashes and salt on the soil, which, I think, helps to prevent a bad attack of the disease. RottenKeart in Celery "I think the main cause for 'rotten- heart ' in celery is in poor selection of seed," said A. McMeans, O.A.C., Guelpli. "The seed man himself is not careful in selecting from plants with sound stalks; and the retail buyer does not take proper precautions in selecting seed of good quality. "I have bought seed from different firms, and planted them on the same soil, at the same time and under the same treatment; and while some of the celery produced was practically free from rottenheart, other portions would run as high as 10 per cent, of diseased stalks. You cannot be too careful in the selection of celery seed." The decay of a single specimen in the bunch or storage pit may be communicat- ed to and injure the rest. If market gardeners would pick out the best potatoes to plant for producinj^ seed for the following year there would be no need to go to New Jersey or any place else for seed potatoes. — Jas. Dand- ridge, Humber Bay. We grow rhubarb under the bench' in the greenhouse. The roots are dr late in fall before the ground freezi and hauled to the door of the gree:. house and piled. About February 1 wi commence putting them inside. This i^ continued until about March 15. In three weeks to a month from the time they are housed they will be ready for market. — F. D. Ghent, Buriington,"Oni. I start to prepare the compost for mushrooms about December 1. The bed is commenced about December 10 and finished about January 1. I cut the first mushrooms about March 1 . The dates mentioned are later than the usual custom. A bed can be started in NDvember. — T. Delworth, Weston, Ont. ^'^'^^^ Kr%^»t^ hHI*^ HT^^K/ kHI**^ HT^'^ -kH^^ OUR QUESTION AND ANSWER DEPARTMENT Readers of The Horticulturist are invited to submit Questions on any phase of Horticultural worK ^^->a%>> na%>> /TM%>> /TM%>> nM%>> nkjf^§>, nM%>> n^f^^sy, /i»j%>./Ta%>> no^^ nM%>» ofc*^>> nk»^*>^ UnKealtHy Pe-waviKee Trees I have a young orchard of Pewaukee apple trees just starting to bear. This season some of trees look shaky, the leaves have a white, glazy look, and the apples are water-cored. They have been well cared for, but not sprayed. Will you suggest a remedy? — -H. C. G., March- mont, Ont. The Pewaukee tree is not one of the hardiest varieties, although it is com- paratively hardy. In severe winters, this tree is often injured in the colder parts of the country. The white, glazy, or silvery-like appearance which the trees take on is, I beheve, the result of certain forms of winter injury. The Pewaukee apple does not often water- core, but the tree being in an unhealthy condition might induce this. Some varieties of apples are much more sub- ject to water-core than others, and in certain seasons, it is more pronounced than in others. At Ottawa, we no- ticed more of it this year, owing, doubt- less, to the extremely dry weather that we had. — Answered by W. T. Macoun, Horticulturist, C.E.F., Ottawa. work, with remedial suggestions, may be found in the 1904 and 1905 reports of Dr. Jas. Fletcher, Dominion Ento- mologist, C. E. F., Ottawa. Planting Small Fruits Is the month of November too late for trans- planting currant and raspberry bushes? — P. P. W., Toronto. Currant and raspberry bushes may be transplanted in November as soon as the foliage is off. A few years ago we set out a large plantation of cur- rants on November 8 and 9, and did not lose a plant. Raspberries are not so hardy, and I doubt if they will stand this late transplanting so well as cur- rants.— Answered bv Prof. H. L. Hutt, O.A.C.. Ouelph. The Apple Mag'g'ot A pest called the "Railroad Worm" is eat- ing the heart out of my apples. In some orchards it is doing much damage, and appears to be spreading rapidly. What is the nature of the pest, and how can it be combatted? — A Subscriber. The Railroad Worm, or more properly the Apple Maggot (Trypeta pomonella), is a serious pest and is becoming numer- ous in orchards, particularly in Quebec. The maggot is the larva of a fly. It burrows through the flesh of the apple, feeding upon the pulp, and making channels in every direction, causing the fruit to rot or become unsaleable. The only effectual remedy is the prompt removal and destruction of in- fested fruit. Windfalls should be gath- ered and destroyed at once. A com- plete description of the insect and its Scale on Palms The leaves of my palms are covered with little round light colored scales. What shall I do for them? The scale collects more in the axils of the leaves than near the ends or tips. — E.G., Port Dover, Ont. Dip the plant in strong soap-suds and allow it to remain for about half an hour. Then wipe off the scales with a sponge. When submerging the plant, lay it on its side to avoid having the soap drain into the soil. A method, without dipping, is to rub off the scales with a stiff brush kept moist with soapy water. Hercxiles Cl\ib What is the Hercules Club? Mention its height, habit of growth, hardiness, culture and value.— C. E. V-D., Grimsby. The Angelica Tree, or Hercules Club, Aralia hispida, is a native of the southern and south-eastern states, and becomes a small tree there, the ex- treme height being about 40 feet, al- though the average height is much less than that, probably not more than 20 feet. This tree is quite ornamental. It has large compound leaves from two to two and a half feet in length; when the tree is well developed, these give it an umbrella-like appearance. It is a very prickly tree; owing to this peculiarity, it makes an interesting specimen on a lawn. This tree has not proved hardy at Ottawa, but in the warmer parts of western^Ontario it might succeed fairly well, although it would probably kill to the ground from time to time. — Answered by W. T. Macoun, Horticul- turist, C.E.F., Ottawa. Not Poisonous Recently the Buffalo Express stated that the covering of the Tussock Moth cocoon is a deadly poison, and that bits of it, blown about in the air and lighting on the skin, causes an- noying irritation. Is this so? — Mrs. T. S. P., Yarmouth, N.S. I have never experienced any irrita- tion from the Tussock Moth in any of its stages, nor have I heard complaints of the annoyance. I have, however, seen a mention in an entomological work that irritation has been caused to the skin by the hairs of the caterpillars, but no particulars were given. The Brown-tail Moth, which is such a grievous pest in Massachusetts, is a 281 very serious trouble in this respect. Parts of the body of the caterpillar are clothed with barbed hairs. These are woven into the cocoons, and when thus removed from the body of the living insect become dry and brittle. The barbed particles, dislodged from the cocoons by wind and weather, are blown about, and when they come in contact with the skin, produce extreme irrita- tion and soreness. These effects are entirely mechanical and are not caused by any poison. The white covering of the eggs of the Tussock Moth does not becoine loose or blow about in the air. It is an adhesive covering which remains as a protection to the eggs till the larvae are hatched. By no means is it a "deadly poison." In Canada there are one or two other caterpillars, not common species, which are armed with barbed spines. If incau- tiously handled, portions of these spines may penetrate the skin and produce an irritation similar to that of the stinging nettle.- -Answered by Dr. C. ]. S. Bethune, O.A.C., Guelph. Storing' Beets and Carrots How and where should beets and carrots be stored? Does frost hurt them? — A. H., Col- lingwood, Ont. It is advisable not to let irost touch the beets. It takes away the color, and an excess of frost will cause them to rot. Store in a cellar that is dry and cool, and where there is no danger of freezing. Beets should keep until the new ones are ready in the spring. Treat carrots much the same as beets. If the cellar is not cool, see that the car- rots are not piled too deeply or they will heat and rot. In a good cool cellar they can be piled to a height of three or four feet. If the cellar is at all warm, it is necessary to mix sand or light loam with the carrots in the pile. W^interin^ Onions Can onions be stored in a shed and allowed to freeze?— N. A. S., Burford, Ont. Onions for winter use should be stored in a cool, dry cellar on slatted shelves, where there is plenty of ventilation. They should not be allowed to freeze. A temperature just above 32 degrees suits them best. Onions for spring sales may be stored in a shed or bam, allowed to freeze solid, and then cov- ered with hay or straw to a depth of a foot. Leave them untouched until the frost is entirely drawn out in spring. 282 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST The Canadian Horticulturist Published by The Horticultur»l Publiihinc Company", Limited The Only Horticultural Magazine in the Dominion Official Organ of Britiih Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and Prince Edward Island Fruit Qrowers' Associations and of the Ontario Veg- etable Growers' Association H. Bronson Cowan, Uditor and Business Manager A. B. Ctn-riNO, B.S.A., Associate Editor , W. G. Rook, Advertising Manager GREAT BRITAIN Frank Fletcher. 135 Henrietta Street. Old Trafford. Manchester. Eng.. Advertising and Circulation Manager, 1. The Canadian Horticulturist is published the first of every month. 2. Subscription Price 50 cents a year, three years $1 .20, strictly in advance. I'or all countries except Canada, United States and Great Britain add 50c. lor postage for each one year subscription. 3. Remittances should be made by Post OflSce ,or Money Expr^'ss Order, or Registered Letter. Postage Stamps accepted for amounts less than $1.00. 4. Discontinuances— Responsible subscribers will con tinue to receive The Horticulturist until the publishers are notified by letter to discontinue when all arrearages must be pai(i. 5. Change of Address — When a chan.it- of address is ordered, both the old and the new addresses must be given. 6. cAdvertising Rates quoted on application. Circu lation 5.500. Copy received up to the 23rd. Responsible representatives wanted in towns and cities. 7. cArticles and Illustrations for publication will be thankfully received by the editor. 8. cAU Communications should be addressed; THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 507 and 508 Manning Chambers TORONTO. CANADA SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE It is lime the Dominion Department of Agri- culture took action to afford greater protection to fruit growers and other producers whose products are sold in the markets of Great Britain. The government has done excellent work in the direction of improving the cold storage facilities on the railway and steamship lines, but this is not enough. Its care should follow the products until they are in the hands of the consumers. Take the case of apples forwarded to Great Britain on consignment to be sold by auction. Should the steamer carrying the apples reach the market at a time when there was not much fruit on hand, the apples, if in good condition, sell for a satisfactory figure. Should, however, several vessels, either from Canada, the States or elsewhere reach port about the same time, a glut occurs. The result is that the apples are sold at a loss. Some means of regulating the quantity of Canadian apples placed on the mar- ket each day is required. Were the government to place a competent man in a market such as London, and give him the assistance he would require, it would be possible for Canadian grow- ers to consign fruit direct to him. This fruit could be turned over to reliable auctioneers im- mediately, should the market ^eem favorable, or it might be held in cold storage until any tem- porary surplus in the auction rooms had been absorbed. In this way many thousands of dol- lars could be saved for our Canadian growers. It might, even, be possible to arrange for buyers to visit the warerooms, examine samples of the fruit and make purchases at first hand. In cases where growers shipped fruit direct to dealers or commission houses, it would be possible for them to arrange with the buyers that, should they find the fruit in a damaged condition on its arrival, they would have to call in the govern- ment representative and secure a report from him to that effect before they would have the right to make deductions in the price agreed on for the fruit. Were he of the right stamp, such a government official would be able to advertise Canadian fruit to excellent advantage. He could gain the con- fidence of the buyers in the quality of the fruit and thus help to increase the demand. These arc only sugge.stions. Some of them may be impracticable. Something of this kind, however, should be done and done soon. It may be argued that this is a matter for pri- vate enterprise. The trouble is our apples are con- signed in such small C|uantities it is not possible for individual shippers to make arrangements such as those outlined It is encouraging to note, however, that the aims of the recently or- ganized Ontario Cooperative Fruit Growers' As- sociation includes the ])lacing of representatives in the British markets. What is needed is that our growers shall have some assurance that their fruit when it reaches Great Britain is sold to the best advantage, that steps be taken to prevent growers being de- frauded by untruthful re|Jorts concerning the condition of their fruit, and that our fruit be more widely advertised in the leading markets of the Old Country. This is a line of work that should be handled by the Markets Division of the Dominion Department of Agriculture, rather than by the Department of Trade and Commerce. The agents of the latter department are expected to look after everything from pig iron to matches. What is required is the extension of the work of the markets division, whose employees now watch the condition of the fruit until it is unloaded from the steamers on the other side, by the ap- pointment of some man in whom fruit growers will have confidence, whose duty it will be to attend to such matters as we have here suggested. Dairy Commissioner Ruddick, who is supposed to look after the interests of the fruit growers, would do much to gain the confidence of fruit growers in his ability to assist them, were he to take action in this matter. GET BUSY NOW There are a number of towns and villages, and even cities, in Ontario where there are no horticultural societies. In almost every case these centres show a civic lack of the love of the beautiful in nature that is seldom evident where a horticultural society exists. While each of them have some citizens who take a pride in keeping their homes beautiful with flowers and shrubs, the proportion of attractive homes is seldom as large in centres without horticultural societies as is the case in other places where these societies play an active part in promoting a greater appreciation of muni- cipal aesthetics. During the past season a visit to the town of Strathroy, where a live horticultural society exists, revealed the fact that its homes were something of which to be proud. House after house, block after block, and street after street revealed homes with nice lawns and gardens and flower beds. I^ovely evergreen hedges in many cases were the only form of fence used. Where lack of ground made a garden impossible, a glance was almost sure to reveal flowers in the windows or on the doorsteps. In the town of Carleton Place, which is about the same size as Strathroy, but which is without a horticul- tural society, the same conditions did not pre- vail. While Carleton Place has some lovely homes, and in writing thus we hope it will be understood that we are expressing the views of a lover of horticulture to whom even a cot- tage is lovely if it has flowers and vines — they were the exception rather than the rule. A considerable proportion of the houses had no grounds in front. In the case of others, fences were all that divided lawns and gardens that showed the lack of care. Window boxes were an unusual sight. In a few years a live hor- ticultural society, through lawn and garden competitions, the distribution of plants, flowers and seeds to its members and to the school children, as well as by public exhibitions, could work a wonderful improvement in Carleton Place. There are many other places like Carleton Place, which need horticultural societies. Pem- broke, Amprior, Alexandria, Cornwall, Mor- risburg, Brockville and Gananoquc, ..it „ icw in that one small section of the province east of Kingston. In some of these the formation of horticultural societies has been blocked in the past by the agricultural societies. This source of opposition has Ixen removed in the new act governing horticultural societies, as in future horticultural societies will receive their grants separate from agricultural societies. Surely there are enough lovers of nature in progrcs.sive centres such as these, with sufTicient public spirit to lead them to take the few simple steps necessary to launch a society. If you would like to form a society now is the time to start work. A httle de'lay now may make it impossible to do anything for another year. The act governing horticul- tural societies retjuires that new societies must complete organization by alxiut the middle of January or they will not be entitled to partic- ipate in the government grant. You should, therefore, start work now. Talk the matter over with a few of your friends, interest youi local editors, and finally ascertain how manv people will be willing to pay one riollar to join the society for a year. If there are more than 200 ratepayers in your town you will have to secure .50 members, but if the numlx-r of rate- payers is less than 200, then 30 members will be sufficient. Get these people to sign a peti- tion for the right to form a horticultural society and send it to the Department of Agriculture at Toronto before the first of the year. You will then be given permission to hold a meeting for organization purposes, after which you will have a horticultural society which, if con- ducted on right lines, will result in untold good to yourself, your fellow-citizens and your town. [DISSATISFACTION PREVAILS'" The manner in which the express compani^ of Canada have handled the tender fruits duriT:_ this season is deplorable. The fruit grower in most localities is at the mercy of these companies. On innumerable occasions fruit has tjeen refused for lack of car room and made to lie for hours in the sun waiting for a train. The fruit deterior- ated and the grower lost money. In most i: stances there is little or no chance of redrew- Besides lack of car space at the proper time, the express companies have failed at times to dispatch fruit that was delivered at the stations, even though there was plenty of room. The Horticulturist can cite cases where frtiit consigned to northern points, lay at Toront express offices for hours. These companies d not employ enough men. They will not pay decent wages. Employees are forced to work harder than they should. With only half a st.i of employees it is no wonder that the companii fail to dispatch fruit. While both companies operating in Canada are lax in this respect, the Canadian Express Company is most at faul' Many complaints have reached this office res pet ■ ing the carelessness of this company in particula: This is work for the Railway Commissidi through which fruit growers can now tak. action. Examples of the loss caused grower by neglect of this nature should be broug! to the attention of the commis,sion. It will be tlu quickest method of bringing about an improve- ment. ATTEND THE EXHIBITION There is no place where a person interesti in horticulture can spend a few days early in November to greater profit than at the On- tario Horticultural Exhibition. In no way can he better learn to distinguish one variety of fruit, flowers or vegetables from another, or to get a correct idea of what constitutes a first-class specimen. Those on exhibition are the choicest specimens. They may be con- sidered even better than what is commonly known as first class. The proper methods of packing, also, may be learned. There are many things that are worth seeing and oli- serving. THE CANADIAN HORTICU|LTURIST 283 Besides what may be acquired through ob- servation, visitors have the opportunity of talking with the prize-winners and obtaining pointers on the manner in which they produced the fruit, flower or vegetable that won. By conversing with exhibitors, the grower may gather information, also, in regard to the habits of various varieties, as to whether they are productive and hardy, what their weak points are, and what the strong ones. Attend the conventions, hear the addresses and take part in the discussions. Growers and lovers of horticulture, amateur and professional, should not fail to come to Toronto for the Ontario Horticultural Exhibition. The jdate is No- vember 6 to 10 — five days. ^ THE SEEDLESS APPLE .\s we feared would be the case, the report of the Hon. John Dryden on the Spencer Seedless Apple, that appeared in the last issue of ThU Can.\dian Horticulturist, is being quoted in a manner intended to mislead the unwary. Read this from the IVatchman-Warder, Lindsay: "The trees are being introduced into Ontario and are highly recommended by the Hon. [ohn Dryden and other prominent agricul- turists. Mr. Dryden, who made a special visit to Mr. Spencer's orchard, says the apples are seedless, the trees vigorous, early and heavy bearers, and in his opinion will do well in Ontario. The apples are sure to command a high price for their many excellent qualities." A recent issue of The Glengarrian, Alexandria, said; "It is a choice apple with a delightful flavor, and has no core or seeds. Hon. John Dryden recently made a personal examination of the trees and fruit and [gives a favorable report of the results." ^_ Those who note the reference to a "delightful flavor" and have read the remarks on this point by Prof. John Craig, of Cornell, that appear on another page, will see how misleading the state- ment is. -Again we warn the fruit growers of Canada to be cautious in taking hold of this variety. The San Jose scale is spreading in Ontario. Evidence of this is furnished continually. The Provincial Government was approached recently by growers in Harwich township, Kent county, and asked for relief. Scale is now found, also, on apple trees in the vicinity of Tillsonburg. Grow- ers in these sections and in others to which the scale has spread have not done their duty. They have not taken steps at the beginning to check the pest. Two government experts are going into the district to conduct spraying operations. Meetings also will be held. These things are all right as far as they go but they are not enough. The growers themselves should make a deter- mined effort to control the spread of this pest. They should not wait until their orchards are almost destroyed before making the effort. This is the cause of the anxiety in Kent county. Growers there devote most of their attention to vegetables, beans in particular, and neglect the fruit orchard. As a result, the scale has made much headway without being noticed. Growers everywhere should be on the watch. There is no reasonable cure for the pest other than spray- ing. It behooves growers to be up and doing. Every man in scale-infested districts should spray. Those who refuse ought to be made to do so by la f. No one should be excepted. \ local meetings in the various fruit districts. The convention program this year is the best yet. As yet there has been no discussion on the manner in which the new experiment station in the Niagara district should be controlled. This is a matter for serious consideration on the part of the fruit and vegetable growers and all factions interested, directly or indirectly, in the future of the new station. A wrong move at the beginning may hamper the afterwork and value of the farm. As a basis for discussion we would suggest that the station be placed under a board of five mem- bers, to be appointed, one by the Ontario Fruit Growers' Association, one by the Ontario Vegetable Growers' Association, one by the Ontario Agricultural College, and two represent- atives growers by the Minister of Agriculture. The "plugging" of apples in barrels is some- thing for which the fruit inspectors should be continually on the watch. Plugging is the prac- tice of opening barrels that contain apples more or less decayed and substituting sound apples for the bad ones that are found on the face. It is a means of deceiving the buyer and the fruit inspector. In a word it is one form of robbery. Fakirs usually are caught by their own schemes, some time, some how. Pew " get -rich- quick" games can be played forever. The schemers behind them soon expose themselves and from then on are not to be trusted. We have been caught once or twice, and now are taking special care to see that the advertisers in The Canadian Horticulturist are worthy. Readers may deal with them and feel that they are going to get a square deal. Consult the advertising columns in this issue. We would compliment ^the Ontario Fruit Growers' Association on the excellence of the program that has been prepared for the annual convention this fall. The elimination of a medley of topics on cultural directions is a good ' move. The subjects selected for discussion are of a broader and more general nature. There are just enough addresses on cultural matters to lighten the more heavy features. The details of orchard management are better discussed at Fruit Gro-wers' Prog'ram Addresses by leading horticulturists in Ontario will be delivered at the annual convention of the Ont. Fruit Grs. Assn. in Toronto, Nov. 7 and 8. It is expected, also, that Mr. Roland Morrill, of Benton Harbor, Mich., one of the most successful peach growers in the U.S., will be present and speak on "Low-Headed Peach Trees." The secretary is corresponding, also, with Mr. R. W. Shepherd, of Como, Que., for an address on "Heading Back Injured Apple Orchards." While other features may still be added, the following is the program as assured to date — it is furnished by P. W. Hodgetts, sec, O.F.G.A.: Wednbsdav, Nov. 7 9.30 a.m. — "Work of the Association for 1906," Jas. S. Scarff, Woodstock; Appointing of committees; Report of Committee on New Fruits. 2.00 p.m. — Dominion Conference of Fruit Growers; "Immediate Results," W. H. Bunt- ing, St. Catharines; and "Future Work," A. W. Peart, Freeman; "Fruit Statistics," C. C. James, Deputy Minister of Agr , Toronto ; Report of Committee on Revision of Constitution. 8.00 p.m. — "Low-Headed Peach Orchards," speaker from the U.S.; "Heading Back Injured Apple Orchards," speaker probably from Que.; "Fruit Laws, Provincial and Federal." Thursday, Nov 8 9.00 a.m. — Elections of Directors; "Future of the Apple in Ontario," A. McNeill, Chief, Fruit Division, Ottawa; "Markets of the Northwest": "Tender Fruits," Robt. Thompson, St. Cathar- ines, and "Apples," A. E. Sherrington, Walker- ton. 2.00 p.m. — Report of Transportation Com- mittee; "The Strawberry," W. F. W. Fisher, Burlington; Report of Cooperative Committee; "What the Fruit Shipping Associations are Doing," 5 minute reports from]18 points in the province. A neat and well-prepared catalogue of bulbs for fall planting is that issued by the Wra. Rennie Co., Limited, Toronto. It tells not only what to plant but also how to do it. Send for a copy. Fruit Gro-wers at OaKville The Oakville Fruit Growers, Limited, one of the enterprising cooperative fruit associations of Ontario, opened its new and substantial fruit house in a pleasant and interesting way. In- vitations were issued for a luncheon on Oct. 11. One of the capacious apartments of the fruit house was set apart for the occasion. A judicious arrangement of evergreen boughs about the room and carnations in vases, ferns and asparagus plumosus on the tables made a pleasing effectr After luncheon was served, an interesting program of toasts and speeches was enjoyed. At the beginning, letters of regret were read from Hon. Sydney Fisher, Hon. Nelson Mon- teith, Mr. Alex. McNeill, G. C. Creelman, P. W. Hodgetts and others. The president of the Oakville Assn., Mr. W. H. McNeil, graciously an- nounced the various toasts. In responding to "The Fruit Division," Mr. P. J. Carey, D.F.I., contrasted the methods of handling fruits in the past with those of to-day. Then, apples were always bought by the lump, the buyer took everything and the grower got low prices. The packing was bad, the main point often was to make a No. 3 apple look like a No. 1. A fair apple year was then thought to be when there were enough No. I's to face the ends of the bar- rels. In the past, it was impossible to trace fraudulent dealings, as fictitious names were the rule. To-day, fruit is picked in season. Good and correct brands are used (in this connection the speaker complimented the Oakville Assn. ' on having a brand that is almost faultless). Now, the correct name and grade mark must be placed on the barrel. Growers to-day can hold their fruit until the market is favorable. Mr. Carey also spoke of the prospects for trade in the west. He said that there is no chance of apples ever being raised in Manitoba, com- mercially. In response to the toast to our "Sister Organ- izations," Mr. Robt. Thompson, of St. Cathar- ines, spoke of the good work being done by his association and by the cooperative movement in general. He said that the day of the commission man is past, as these associations can hold their fruit and largely control prices. The future of fruit growing is bright. The west wants our fruit if they can depend on the pack ; confidence is gradually becoming established between west- ern buyers and Ontario growers. The bad pack- ing of Ontario fruit has been exaggerated. Mr. Thompson said, also, that the railroads of this country are not giving good service. For the western market, U.S. companies do better. If Canadian railway companies will not give the required service, it will be necessary for Ontario growers to ship via U.S. lines. The toast to "Transportation" was responded to by Mr. H. W. Dawson, of Toronto. He said that the greatest difficulty in the way of success in fruit growing is in the matter of distribution. Fruit men send too much to one market at a time, while others have nothing. This illus- trates the value of cooperation whereby the full and empty markets may be located. Mr. Daw- son said that he would sooner pay more money for apples packed in a central packing house on the cooperative plan than for those packed in the orchard He referred also to the dissatisfaction that has been felt this season with respect to the express companies. While the Dominion Express Co. has given the better service of the two, neither has made any attempt to carry fruit as it should be done. Shipping by express is a poor way of handling fruit. It is better to ship by freight whether in carloads or small lots. Various other toasts were proposed and re- sponded to. In the course of some general re- marks, Mr. Herbert Ingleliart, of Merton, spoke highly of The Canadian Horticulturist. He advised all the fruit growers present to become subscribers. The Horticulturist is a paper for Canadians. Earl Grey and his son. Lord Howick, were so much impressed with the Nelson, B.C., fruit lands that each has purcliased a small fruit ranch of about 30 acres. 284 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST Prince Eld-wardlilsland Letter Rev. Father Burke, Albertont -j The round of exhibitions for this autiiniii is about complete. It has been wonderfully well sustained. The fruit end of the fairs, however, especially of the earlier ones, is generally dis- heartening. On the Island we have a later fair than usual. The earlier varieties are thereft)re not jnuch in evidence; generally they are the chief factor in the attractions. This year the big red vari- eties of fall apples are multiplied ad infinitum. Alexanders, Wolf Rivers and Duchess filled many tables. They made a pretty show. On account of the peculiar season the late varieties are miniature, not full grown, in many instances, and we haven't many of them. Still, they looked fine on the tables, and give one the impression of a thoroughly fruit-producing country. The bloom on those apples surpassed anything I have ever seen. They were a picture of loveliness. This is not a plum year either, although we wouldn't know it from the exhibits. The whole range of this luscious fruit was exposed to our admiring gaze. The flavor was surpassingly exquisite. Mr. R. W. Starr, the veteran pomologist^ of N.S., was the judge again. Old as he is, and deserving of a rest, he revels in adjusting Island awards, and his judgments are just. At the show and within the charmed fruit circle, with its apples, its plums, its pears in quantity, and its grapes in rarity, Mr. C E. Stewart, of Oregon, talked to the fruit men modestly and honestly about packing in boxes; and demonstrated in the art before their inter- ested eyes. He hadn't the proper packages, or wrappers, but did his best. There is always some jaux pas or other with government -sup- plied experimenters. The men cost high, and the little, comparatively inexpensive material to work with , is generally wanting. Some day we will strike the provident official and marvel at it. We found out, however, that Mr. Stewart favors generous inspection. He packs apples even with greater variety than Mr. Boies, and packs the boxes to be opened on the side "The best side to London," is now anything but the top-side. Something new is learned every time the stranger gets within the gates. The fruit show at Charlottetown had many defects in its arrangements. Some people have a wonderfully wise way of undertaking things they know nothing at all about. Some ex- hibition commissioners are marvels in this line; still they handicap important industries aw- fully by their presuming. Our Richard Burke, D.F.I., is sick unto death, it is to be feared. He was a faithful friend of horticulture. Who can replace him? • Fruit Scenes at Montreal E. H. Wartman, D F.I. On September 19, 1906, I noticed some barrels marked No. 1 Spy. "What," said I, "Spys at this early date — can it be possible? They are good hangers, so why not left to mature and color?" The first opened was found to contain 11 specimens, nearly rotten. This proves that apples not properly matured will rot much quicker than those well matured. What did I do in this case? Why, I marked them "falsely marked," of course, as No. 1 Spy means sound specimens. Another scene comes to mind of a different character: A sling carrying 0 bbls. of apples was elevated; it shpped, the rope was pulled off the bbls. and down the hold of the steamer they went, a distance of 20 ft. Of course they were badly smashed. The man to blame came to me and wanted to know if they could not be repacked. I said it would not he a proper thing to do, as they were too badly damaged. Scene 3. — On a load of apples approaching a shed, I noticed several bbls. plastered with mud, .Ascertaining what had happened, I found the team had got stuck in a mud hole; in starling, .several bbls. fell off in the mud, and were rolled around until they were fairly coaled, A clean parcel is always preferable in our English mar- kets. "But," you say, "accidents will happen," Yes; but, in many cases, carelessness is at the bottom, and our fruit men have to suffer. Scene 4. — Several bbls. of apples rolled aside and the heads were broken. The bbls. lacked from a peck to a J^ bu. when the cooper headed them lip. Of course he did not know where the apples had gone, but you had only to look around and see the abnormal grown pockets in the coats of the helpers to prove the slackness of the bbls. These scenes are not i)leasant or profit- able for a shipper; but seems fim for a few, lunch thrown in. During last season's inspection, 81 varieties of apples came to my notice. As there are at least 81 kinds of people in this world, surely that number of varieties should be sufficient to satisfy the most fastidious as to taste, color, size, etc. The shipments of St. Lawrence apples, so far, show signs of overripeness and decay in many cases. Snows, showing spot when packed, have also arrived in a condition so bad that 7.^ cts. would be about the highest bid at our auctions for same. Imagine how disreputable they would look on Old England's markets! To a Canadian, across the water, it would be humiU- ating to find "Canadian" marked on such poor specimens On the whole, however, this season, we find many packers putting up a very credit- able parcel; and, no doubt, such will meet a quick and profitable sale. The "Winnipeg' MarKet The more study is given to the fruit situation in Winnipeg the more it is apparent that a great market is before the Ontario growers. To gain and to hold this market, however, several im- portant essentials must be studied and practised. Good fruit is required and the top price can only be obtained continuously by putting it up neatly and in a uniform package. As one dealer in the city puts it, "They must adhere strictly to the Fruit Marks Act." By adhering to the Fruit Marks Act and sending only the best of their crop it will not be long before Ontario growers will have a very profitable market for all the fruit they can produce. Frequent discussions with commission men show that they want a uniform package. In the commission business it is desirable, while in the retail windows a much better display can be made if only one style of package has to be used. Then there is the question of marking the package. California fruit men built up a huge trade and every package bears a bright, clear stamp. British Columbia growers are following suit and find a ready sale for their crops. In some sections of Ontario marking is becoming general. If a man has good fruit he can't mark it too plainly; if the fruit is not good, and he must ship it, by all means keep the mark off, if any regard is held for reputation as a fruit shipper. The commission men like to see a standard brand on packages from a company or an individual. The purchasers, if they get good stock once, recognize the brand ever after- wards, and will pay the top price for it until they run across a lot of cheap grade stuff bearing the same stamp. In Winnipeg, as in the Old Coimtry, the con- sumers are after something showy. They will pay high prices for almost any apple if high colored. Russets as a rule bring a low figure. Apples and pears, the dealers claim, should be picked well on the green side, because many of them are held for reshipment to towns through- out the west. Ontario peaches go on the market in fair shape if put up properly in small packages, not more than two layers. Those who claim to know say they should be picked slightly greener than for the Montreal market Many tomatoes reach Winnipeg altogether too green. Sales during the past season show that more profit can be reaped by packing the tomatoes in trays of 4 bskts each than by putting them in 11-qt. bskts I'lie tiays hold about i' same quantity but sell readily at 12 or 1.5 n higher. Besides selling higher it tends to kiL, up the price for the 1 l-atronage. He will assume < his new duties with us the first of this month. ^ As -Mr. Wall has the happy faculty of making ; friends easily, we expect he will soon feel at J home on this side of the line and become a*good Canadian. Our Illustrations The illustrations on our front cover and^on > page 271 are views taken at the provincial fair, New Westminster, B.C. Chilliwack won high- ■ est honors for district exhibit The two cuts on page 269 were taken at the Niagara Dist. Hort'l Exhibition, St. Cathar- j ines. The package of peaches showing a uni- "* form and correct pack was put up by Geo. A. -' Robertson; the box of pears on the left came from the fruit farm of Robert Thompson, and the box on the right was packed in the fruit house of J. H. Brodrick — all of St. Catharines. From a few specimens the paper wrappers were removed for effect and contrast in photo- graphing. These packages are a credit to the district. They are models for less careful packers to follow. On page 272 is a view of a portion of the Brantford Hort'l Society's flower show. The exhibition was a creditable one. Two cuts of decorated dining tables appear on page 27.3. The smaller is a glimpse of the 1st prize table at the recent Niagara Dist. Hort'l Exhibition. The larger one represents a table exhibited by Wm. Jay & Son, Toronto, at the Ont. Hort'l Exhibition last year. INSURANCE The very best kind of Insurance — i.e., provision for the future as well as the present, is a Savings Account in SOVEREIGN BANK OF CANADA Interest paid four times a year. $1 .00 will open an account. Put your money in a place where you can get it when you want it 57 BRANCHES THROUGHOUT THE DOMINION Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing. A.pple Crop Below Medmm and Prices Good EARLY predictions for even an average crop of apples in Canada have not materialized. The crop is below medium. It is not uni- form. Some localities report a good vield; others, light. In adjoining orchards and even in individual orchards, trees of the same variety have yielded variable quantities. Storms ^ and insects during the past month have lessened the supply of marketable fruit. The percentage of No. 1 apples has been reduced. \ Reports from British markets indicate that both American and Canadian apples for export are moving slowly. So far the shipments total approximately only 60% of the number of barrels that left Atlantic ports up to tlie same time in 190.5, and in 1904. This means that either there is not so large a crop as buyers are talking, or growers are holding and storing larger quantities than ever they did in the past — probably both. It would seem that the apple situation is favor- able for the grower. A WORD ABOUT PRICES The fact that various factors have diminished the crop — and this is also true of the crop in many parts of the United States — indicates that prices will be good. Through the failure of the raisin crop in Southern Europe, there will be a shortage in the world's dried fruit supply. High prices will restrict consumption. This will increase the demand for fresh fruits. It will be another factor that will tend to keep up the price of apples. In England prices are strengthening with the absorption of local fall varieties. Good prices are now being paid growers in this country itir well-packed stock of the best quality. Among the sales made locally in Ontario is one orchard west of Toronto that was sold recently at $1.4.5 a bbl. for Nos. 1 and 2 picked. Many orchards have been sold at $1 on the trees. A number of orchards have changed hands at $2 a bbl., tree run, packed. In another locality $2.3.5 a bbl. for Nos. 1 and 2 packed in orchard has been fused. THE EFFECT OF THE STORM About the middle of October, snowstorms and frost did some damage to fruit orchards in Ont. and N.Y. state. Press reports, however, were somewhat exaggerated. In a few localities much damage was done; but in other parts of the storm belt, the orchards escaped without much injury. On the whole, the ultimate result will be a slight curtailing of the crop. This will add its quota towards maintaining prices on a firm basis. The crop correspondents of The Canadian Horticulturist state the condition of crops in Ontario as follows: ST. CATHARINES DISTRICT Homer. — The storm of Oct. 10 did great damage to peach orchards between St. Cathar- ines and the Niagara River. One orchard in Stamford is a total wreck- trees snapped off half- way up the trunk. F timately the storm centre was not in the peach belt, that being nearer the lake, and at Niagara-on-the-Lake. Peaches are all over except Smocks. Apples are a light crop, the second brood of codling moth doing great damage. Pears, except Keiffers, are over. Grapes have been a light crop owing to wet weather. Prices have been good. — F. G. Stewart. Port Dalhousie - -The storm of Oct. 10 did much damage. Along the lake, no snow, but considerable wind, which did damage to apples. At Niagara Falls, Stamford, Port Colborne and St. Catharines, the snow did some damage to fruit and ornamental trees; at the latter place one man lost a nice young peach orchard, the trees breaking off at the ground. This has been a peach year. Fruit of all kinds has been abundant, plums excepted, but the high prices received for the latter more than balanced the short crop. The fire at Barnesdale Wineries caused 200,000 gals, of good wine to be lost. Some of it ran into the canal; the fish went on a spree. We expected grapes to be a drug, but not so. Blues are selling at $25 a ton. Very little frost as yet; red tomatoes are hurt, but there are lots of green ones. — G. W. McLelan. St. Catharines. — The fall of snow on Oct. 11 caused no damage except on the ridge and in Wel- land Co., and there only to peach orchards in which were Smock peaches unpicked. The weight of the fruit combined with the weight of snow broke many trees in that district. The frost on night of Oct. 11 did not injure the grapes in the least. The grape crop has been good; while the quantity to the acre has not been up to the average, the quality has been excellent and prices ruled high. The bulk of the crop was sold f.o.b. here. The fruit season just closed may be summed up as a prosperous one, prices for nearly all fruits running from fair to good. The dry weather allowed it to be gathered with- out any waste and fruit kept well, very little being lost by rot. Insect pests of all kinds increased rapidly and have caused much damage. Many of the growers are preparing to spray this fall as soon as the leaves fall. — Robt. Thompson. LINCOLN COUNTY Bearasville. — The peach crop in orchards well cared for has been good. Prices ruled 20 cts. a bskt. higher than last year. The canning fac- tories bought late varieties at 2J4 to 3 cts. a lb. Apples in sprayed orchards are of excellent qual- ity and a fair crop. — W. B. Rittenhouse. Grimsby. — Apples are not grown extensively. Some growers have refused $2.35 a bbl. for their orchards No. 1 and No. 2. The proportion of apples that will grade is small. — J. D. Biggar. WENTWORTH COUNTY Fruitland. — The fruit season now closing has been satisfactory to the producers. The demand has been active and prices good. With the ex- ception of some 10 days or so weather conditions have been favorable. Peaches are finished and pears about done, except KeifTer. Grapes have been an average crop and prices have ruled high. The bulk of the staple varieties (Concord and Niagara) bringing the grower 15c. to 16c. a 6-qt. bskt. The quality has been above average. The cold snap did no harm at Fruitland. Apples are not extensively grown but the sample is good except for codling moth late in the season. The crop was fairly good. High winds stripped the Greening trees and shook down a large percentage of other varieties. — J. E. Orr. PEEL COUNTY ] The fruit season has been a profitable one. Plums were a failure; pears and grapes, a fair crop. Apples will be about a good J-^ crop, and, as a rule, are wormy. Snows are a good crop and very clean. Prices paid by packers this year for winter stock are $1 to $1.50.— W. G. Home GREY COUNTY Meatord. — ^^Ine apple crop is variable; Spy, Greening, Snow and Ben Davis, where fruiting, promise good yields that will grade 35% to 50% No. 1, good size and color, and 30% to 40% No. 2. Kings and Baldwins good quality, but not an average crop. The enormous loss due to storms in early Oct. has been partly offset by later rapid growth and by the improvement in color; still, the crop of No. 1 winter fruit in western Ont. has been reduced. The loss in trees in the Georgian Bay dist. is great. In my own orchard $500 will not pay for the trees destroyed. The prices of winter apples range from $1 to $1.50 a bbl. The G.B. Fruit (^.rs., Ltd., are making better prices for their patrons. — A. GifTord NORFOLK COUNTY Simcoe. — Apples from well-sprayed orchards are all sold. The growers realized from 50 cts. to $1.25 a bbl., the unsprayed orcliards realizing the chcat)er price. — Jas. E. Johnson. BRUCE COUNTY Walkerton. — Codling moth is bad. 'J'he snow on October 9 did not do much damage. Growers are holding apples and expect good prices. — A. E. Sherrington. ONTARIO COUNTY Oshawa. — Quality of apples is not as good as last year, but good prices are looked for. — ^E. Lick. DURHAM COUNTY Newcastle. — West of Bowmanville apples are most all sold at $1 on the tree. The Ben Davis is the heaviest yielder. Unsprayed orchards are producing poor crops. — W. H. Gibson. Apple Trade in Dang'er Ed. Canadian Horticulturist, — The Octo- ber HORTICULTURIST published an editorial headed "Apple Trade in Danger." It appears to me that the anxiety shown therein is in a great degree needless. It may be true that several apple dealers have been thinking serious- ly of bringing New York state apples to Canada and storing them in bond and re-packing and shipping them to Gt. Brtn. This, -however, if done at all, which is very doubtful, would be for 2 reasons, one being that the storage in York state has l)een pretty well cornered by the Am- ericans and the necessary space is not available, and the other that in order to secure experienced export packers they would otherwise have to take them from here to the other side and board them in addition to paying big wages. Should the goods be stored and packed here these men would be living at home, saving needless ex- pense, spending their money in Canada, and besides, be more comfortable themselves. Noting your remarks re worms from York state; while they are true, the fact remains that many districts in southwestern Ont are feel- ing the bad effects of a scourge, which every fruit grower knows is much worse and very prevalent, viz.: the San Jose scale. For a long time orchards were cut down to stamp it out, but it has now got beyond control. More or less of fruit affected with this from Niagara and southwestern districts is stored in Brighton every year, and other places; hence, there is nothing to be feared from apples from U.S. more than from home grown. In my opinion, the locaUty has much to do with the spread of disease. In the northern and colder districts we have comparatively httle of it. Fruit in the belt from Toronto to Montreal has practically not been affected with scale. However, you will find that tliere will not be many York state apples stored in Canada, be- cause freight rates are higher and, with stop-off charges added, it might be unprofitable. Tbtre may be some from the central states storeo here. Surely it would be a benefit to keep our packers busy all winter, even if on U.S. produce The fruit would be packed in bond and shi]3i)ed as "product of U.S.A." Millions of dollars' worth of U.S. produce are annually shipped from Montreal, which does not prejudicially affect the sale of our produce here; also, Canadian produce in winter is largely shipped via U.S. ports — Boston and Portland. — Eben James, Toronto. Fruit growers should be careful to purchase their nursery stock from reliable Canadian firms. Buy stock that is grown in Canada and not sur- plus trees that are dumjied into the country by American concerns. In the Niav'ura and Essex ' peninsulas growers are now paying dearly for cheap trees bought from unreliable concerns on the other side of the line. Thousands of these trees are so badly affected with scale that they will have to be destroyed. Growers should buy from a nursery that does liusiness on the square. Consult the advertisement of Stone & Wel- gton, Toronto, on another page. -2HH THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST Stra-wberry Plant S-windle A ntiinlii.'r of market ;;iired that the exposure made in these cases will have a tendency to ])ul ]x;o- ple upon their guard in future when dealing with parties selling and calling for a written contract, esjx'cially such a contract as Gordanier put forward in this case and induced innocent and confiding i)eople to .sign. No man pur- chasing plants or nursery stock should be asked to give a note or make payment until he has had an opportunity to satisfy himself that the stock is up to representations, and no reputable jK-rson engaged in the business would ask for anylliing more, and if he docs so, then the would-be buyer should promptly refuse to have any business with him." "Vegetable Gro^wers' Program The .second annual convention of the Ont, Veg. Grs. A.ssn. will be held in a committee room, City Hall, Toronto, Thurs. and Fri., Nov. S-9, in conjunction with the Ont. Hort'l Exhibition. On Wed. Nov. 7 at 2 p.m., a meet- ing of the board of directors of the O.V.G.A. will be held in the secty's office, Parliament Kldgs., Toronto. The following is the pro gram of the convention; THURSDAY, NOV. 8 ' 10 a.m. — Chairman's address, F. F. Reeves, number Huy, Ont., Prcs. O.V.G.A. 10.15 a.m. — "Experiments with Tomatoes," Geo. A. Koliertson, St. Catharines. 10.45 a.m. — -"Growing Tomatoes under Gla.ss," C. Gibbard, Todmorden, Ont. 11.15 a.m. — "IvCttuce Forcing and Bean Grow- ing," Eugene Davis, Grand Rapids, Mich. 2.00 p.m. — "Fertilizers in Relation to Vege- table Growing," Prof. R. Harcourl, O.A.C , Guelph. 3.(M) i).m. — The prize essays entered in the com- petition for 15 prizes, amounting to $125, offered by the O.V.G.A. for the best essays on the growing of potatoes, cauliflower, celery, tomatoes, and onions, will be read. I,cading growers will start discussion of each pajM^r after it has been read THURSDAY EVE.MNG _ ~ This session will be left open so that irieiiT- bers of the assn. may have an opportimity to inspect the exhibits and t(j hear the famous Black Dike Band at the Ont. Hort'l Exhibition. FRIDAY, NOV. 9 10.00 a.m. — "Forcing Early Vegetables," E. E. Adams, Leamington, Ont. 10.40 a.m. — "Onion Growing,'' E. G. Malcolm, Scotland, Ont. 11.20 a.m. — "Celery Growing," T. Benstead, Strathroy, Ont. 2. .30 p m. — "Melons and Melon Growing," W. G. Home, Clarkson, Ont. 3.15 p.m. — "A FewVVordson Other Vegetables," A. McMeans, O.A.C, Guelph. The work of the C.P.R. in encouraging horti- culture among its employees is to be commended. This fall 1,50,000 bulbs will be planted at various points along the company's lines. Satisfied Advertisers — I. Among the many well-satisfied advertisers in Thi; Ca.\.\oi.\.s- HoKTiciuTURisT is Mr. Etx-n James, the wide ly known fruit exjxirter of To- ronto. For till- past ',» yi lias repn Messrs, W &Co.,I,i\ the pii and several oth- er fruit auction- eers in Great Britain, and has iK-en among the largest handlers of ajjplesin Can- ada He has always been in sympathy with anything that tends to pro- mote the inter- ests of fruit- growers, was one of the first to assist in framing the Fruit Marks Act, and has been a hearty advocate of spraying and all other methods whereby our apples can be improved. He is manager of iierhaps the finest apple storage in Canada, at Trenton, and is widely known among apple men. He has always advertised in The Horticulturist, and wTites us that the reason he does is tx;cause he believes "The Horticulturist is the best medium in Canada for bringing fruit culture to a higher standard." An evaporating plant at Napanee. owned by Collier Bros., was destroyed by fire on Oct. 20. About S4,(K)0 worth of apples was lost. Mr. Eben James LARGE Juicy Red Apples LOTS OF THEM And an abundance of other fruits of high quality will be yours when you purchase your Nursery Stock from =The Helderleigh Nurseries^ E. D. SMITH, WINONA, ONT. Mention Tile Canadian Horticulturist when writing Export Your Apples Woodall & Company Liverpool, England The I'ioneer Receivers from tliis Conlincnt Boyd, Barrow CS, Co. Glasgow, Scotland M. Isaacs & Sons, Ltd. London, England and Firms in Bristol, Man- chester and Hull. ONLY THE BEST HOUSES REPRESENTED Reliable information. Returns day of sale. Crop and cable market reports free. EBEN JAMES CANADIAN AGENT Phone M. 5735 103 Union Station, Toronto Mention The Canadian Horticultnri'Jt when writing THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 289 snipping to Great Britain During the last few years keen competition between the different steamsln]i lines running out of Montreal has caused them to improve their transportation facihties. The weakest link in our chain of transportation between Canada and Great Britain is not found in our ocean transportation. Apples suffer most in- jury from heat between the time they are picked from the tree and the time they are loaded in the steamships in Montreal. Apples- should be well cooled before they are loaded into the cars. It is not wise to ship apples in a cattle boat because the cattle deck interferes with the proper ventilation of the holds. Apart from this, there is frequently delay at the other side because the cattle have to be taken off first at a separate dock, and in order to do this, particularly at the port of London, a large steamer is apt to miss the tides and lose from 1 to 2 days before she can be docked and her general cargo is discharged. It is difficult to recommend any one par- ticular steamship line for the carriage of ap- ples. If apples are shipped by either the Allan, Dominion, C.P.R., Manchester, or Ret- ford lines, they will receive good accommoda- tion. These lines carry advertisements in The Canadi.\n Horticulturist, in which they keep the fruit growers informed on the dates of sailing. When shipping, growers should make it a condition that the apples be stowed in well-ventilated holds. When shipjMng to the Old Country it would e well for the growers to advise Mr. W. W. loore, Chief, Extension of Markets Division, ' »ttawa, of the different shipments as soon as iliey are ready to go forward, stating the ship- liing point, car numbers, name of steamship line and steamer, and ])ort of destination. He would, he told The Horticulturist, then in- struct the inspector at Montreal to look out for such shipments, note where they are stowed, and as far as possible have thermographs placed in the same compartments with the apples. As soon as the thermograph records were returned from the other side he would furnish the shippers with copies of the charts. He would also instruct the inspector at the ports of Great Britain to report on the con- ditions of the apples when landed. The Hon. Nelson Monteith, Minister of Agri- culture for Ontario, has intimated by letter to the Ontario Horticultural Association that he favors the giving of a grant of $100 to the asso- ciation to assist in defraying the expenses of bringing speakers to the conventions. He said, also, that the department of agriculture would arrange to have printed the proceedings of the annual convention next month for distribution among the members of the horticultural societies of the province. Grants for these purposes will probably be made at the next session of the legislature. — - — Have you sprayed and had poor results? There must be a reason. Is it because the machine you bought was misrepresented and turned out no good? Then buy one that is guaranteed to give satisfaction — one that can be deijended upon. The best line of power sprayers on the market to-day is made by the E. C. Brown Company, of Rochester, N.Y. An advt. on page 292 tells what you want to know. Growers should profit by the experience of the past season's scarcity of fruit baskets and buy their supply for next year in advance. Buy from a reliable firm. The Oakville Basket Company make all styles of packages. They recognize the importance of turning out good stock and of bringing it to the attention of growers through the columns of The Horti- culturist. Recently they signed a contract for i page for a year. See advt. in this issue. snipping' Pears to England At different times Canadian growers have attempted to ship pears to Great Britain. Good results have followed some shipments, and dis- appointment others. This year several ship- ments have gone through from Montreal to Glasgow and Liverpool. In each case, according to information furnished The Horticulturist by Mr. W. W. Moore, Chief, Markets' Division, Ottawa, the reports from the inspectors in the Old Country indicate that the pears arrived in good condition. The following are the par- ticulars of three shipments: S.S. Athenia sailed from Montreal for Glas- gow, Aug. 30, with 041 bxs. of Bartlett pears, carried in refrigerator chamber, which were landed at Glasgow in excellent condition. S.S. Virginian sailed from Montreal for Liverpool, Aug. 31, with 150 bxs. of Bartlett pears in refrigerator chamber. These were car- ried at a temperature of from 72° down to 30°, and were landed in good condition. S.S. Canada, which sailed Sept. 1 for Liver- pool, had 301 bxs. of Bartlett pears, which were carried in cool air at a temperature of from 60° down to 44°. These were reported on arrival as of good quality and in good condition. Annapolis Valley Apples W. T. Macoun, C.E.F., Ottawa On Sept. 20 and 21, the writer drove from Middleton to Wolfville, N.S., a distance of about 40 miles through the Annapolis and Cornwallis valleys, which are noted for the fine ap])les that are raised there. This drive afforded an excel- lent opportunity of seeing many of the well- known orchards of that district. ^ The Gravenstein a])ples had been picked, but later varieties were, for the most part, still on the trees. The Gravensteins were badly spotted this year in most orchards, but the PEACHES FIRST-CLASS TREES 4-6 FEET ALL CANADIAN GROWN 2,000 ALEXANDER 100 HOLDERBAUM LBOOBAVNEfl 400 HILSY 1,400 BARNARD'S EARLY 1,400 JACQUES RARERIPE 2,400 BREfKON 230 KALAMAZOO 1,800 CHAIR'S CHOICE 1.800 LONG HURST 4,000 CRO.SBY 2,000 LEMON 2,000 CHAMPION 1,200 MOUNTAIN ROSE 5,000 CRAWFORD EARLY 1,2.50 NIAGARA 400 CRAWFORD LATE 1.400 NEW PROLIFIC 800 ADMIRAL DKWEY 1,000 OLD MIXON 10,000 ELBERTA 1,200 OPULENT 1,000 EARIA' RIVERS 3.000 SMOCK 13,000 FITZGERALD 2.IC0 STEVEN'S RARERIPE 2,500 FOSTER 4,600 1 RIUMPH 2,000 GREENSBORO 800 TOWNSKND L400 GOLDEN DROP 1,500 WELLINGTON .3,fJ00 GARFIELD 1.21)0 YELLOW RARERIPE 800 GOLD MINE l.fiOfl YELLOW ST. .JOHN ORDER YOUR STOCK NOW FOR SPRING DELIVERY Wo will reserve trees for yoii according to order. We require NO cash deposit. Our terms are EXCEl'TIONALLY GOOD. Tlie demand for Peacli Trees tliis year is very large, and the supply is limited. \\'rite for General Catalogue and Price List to - Pelham Nursery Company, Toronto, Ont. N.B.— We iiUo have to offer at low pricew, a limited number of 3 foot .senoiid ffradc trecw. \r.-iiliuii Tin- <^ii,i„|iiiii llnMlrnltui-Wt «-|i.'ii wnlliiL,' From all points East, West, North and South The Growers are United in the opinion that THE KING CON- STRUCTION COMPANY HOUSES are the lightest, most permanent, cheapest to build, strongest and the best for growing flowers, forcing vegetables or as private conservatories, fl Ventilating, Heating and all other Accessories for Greenhouse equipment. The King Construction Co. 248 WELLINGTON STREET WEST, TORONTO. ONTARIO Mention 'llic C:iiiaclian Horticiilturist wIkmi writing 290 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST writer was particularly struck with the freedom from spot on the later varieties all the way from Middlelon to Wolfville. Not only was the fruit clean, but there were very few codling moths observed, and the conclusion reached was that, while the crop would not l)e more than a medium one, the fruit would grade high. The variety which was esix^cially admired was the Blenheim, which we believe will soon take the leading place in the estimation of the fruit growers there. NOTICE TO APPLE AND FRUIT GROWERS Why have all your goods sold by auction? Send direct to the people inland. WM. PALEY & SON. LEEDS EUtablished Over 55 Years Best goods only required. Highest price obtained. Correspondence desired with growers. Mention Canadian Horticulturist when writine. Furness,Witnv Of Co. LIMITED " Steamship ^Agents and Brokers MONTREAL MANCHESTER LINERS. LTD. 8^rvi?L*Fr!iL Montreal to Manchester Canada — South Africa, Joint Service Monthly SaiUngs Montreal to South African Ports Mention Canadian Horticulturist when writing Cable Address: ■Wann, South Shields Established 1858 ABC Code used John Wann CS, Sons DIRECT IMPORTERS OF FOREIGN PRODUCE CONBIQNMENTS OF APPLES RESPEOTFOLLY SOLICITED COEEESPONDENCE INVITED ^Addresses: Newcastle - on - Tyne and South Shields, England .Mtititioii Thir VJaiitidian Horticulturist when writinj,' BETTER FRUIT Is what every fruit grower should grow. Is what every fruit dealer wants. Is what we can tell you how to grow. Is the only strictly Horticultural Paper in the United States. Is what you should subscribe for, if you want to know how to realize more money for your fruit. SUBSCRIPTION PRICE, $1.00 PER YEAR SEND FOR SAMPLE COPY Better Fruit Publishing Co. HOOD RIVER, OREGON M.-i]Ii.iii Tlic r!Mi;i.ii:t!i H'irtii-Tiltiivist when wriliiii: Judging by the orchards seen, we should say that this year there is a good crop of Blenheim, Wagener and Baldwin; a medium crop of King and Ben Davis; a light to medium crop of Ribston, Roxbury, Russet (Nonpariel) and Golden Russet. The Northern .Spy is not a prominent variety in N.S. The apples generally appear higher in color this year than we have seen them, owing doubtless to the dry season. % POULTRY DEPT. i *J Oonctucted by T* f S. SHort, Oltu-wa ft OM%>> /1M%>. ^^O^^ nM^^^ nM%>« Now that severe frosts are beginning, the housing of the fowl through the winter is the important question in the minds of breeders. Some are extending their poultry houses, and others are building new ones. One of the chief parts of a poultry house is the floor With a view to economy some houses arc built without any floor other than the earth By experienced people this plan is seldom used, especially in the colder parts of the province. While dry sand or earth is desirable for the outside scratching pen, used to give the fowl exercise on sunny days, t has not been found satisfactory for the permanent house floor. The fowl scratch deep holes into the dirt and thereby mix it with the litter, dry leaves or chaff. This makes it im- possible to clean out the pen without removing quantities of the earth. This is tedious work, and sometimes it lowers the level of the floor down to the foundation of the building. It thus allows the cold air to enter. It is not always convenient in midwinter to obtain a fresh supply of dry earth to renew that removed in cleaning up. CEMENT vs. WOOD FLOORS Two flooring materials may be used, cement or wood. Cement is a cold iloor. It is, also, more expensive than wood. When the outside temperature rises in winter, as it does frequently, the cement retains, for some hours, a lower tem- perature than that outside, and this causes moisture to form on the surface of the floor. This dampens the litter, which must always be used hberally to keep the fowl from coming in contact with the cold cement. It has one dis- tinct advantage, however, over other floorings: It will keep out the rats, but they get even by gnawing away the lower corners of the doors. The best flooring is wood. It is dry, warm for the fowl to stand on and absorbs the moisture from the drippings. The same quantity of litter on a wood floor will last half as long again as on a cement floor. No mistake will be made in putting into the building a wooden floor. SCALY LEO In most pens some birds will be noticed to have scaly legs. It is much easier to treat these birds now than when the weather is colder. The remedies are simple. Kerosene or vaseline applied once a week, giving 2 to 3 applications, is all that is necessary. Crei^hfon Poultry Yards High Grade Stock possessing utilily and exhibition qualities Barred Plymouth Rocks and White Wyandottes Cockerels of either hreed, $2.00 each S. SHORT, PROP. OTTAWA, ONT. MtMiMoii Thf Canadian Hurticultiinst when writing H. H. & S. Budgett & Co., Ltd. BRISTOL, ENGLAND Importers of Canadian Apples, liberal allowances made to reputable shippers, on bills of lading at Montreal. Write at once for further particulars regarding our method of disposing, and payment for first-cIaAB Canadian Fruit. Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing Apples, Poultry, Honey We can handle any of the'above articles to your advantage, whether in car lots or leas. Get in touch with us. THE DAWSON COMMISSION CO. LIMITED Corner West Market and Colborne Sts. TORONTO, ONT. Mmtion Till' rjiintdiiiri U'-Mii ulluriwt wht^ii writing USE FOSTER'S POTS STRONG DURABLE LIGHT '"tBEST MAOf FOSTER'S . ' ST^^NDARD , POT I POROUS AND SMOOTH Drop us a post card for Catalofftic and Price List. The Foster Pottery Co., Limited HAMILTON - ONTARIO Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing Grow cTVlushrooms Experience is not needed if you use the Success Brand Spawn Full particulars of culti- vation and the spawn can be obtained frotn Mrs. E. C. Bennett, Mushroom Grovkfer ITHORNBURY, ONTARIO! Mention Tin' ( anaiiian Hi.iti.ijllnrisIJwlit'ii Mritiii ARNOTT'S COMPLETE FERTILISERS are based on practical exi^erience therefore cannot be beaten SPECIAL MANURES for Vegetable, Fruit and Vine Growers Manufactured in Canada by '^e Arnott Chemical Co. 11 t VICTORIA STREET TORONTO Arnotts Fertilisers have been made in Great Britain since 1853, and are in u-e in all quarters of the world. Mt'iitiiiTi Tlif rriiirtitiiiii Ili'rti SILOS, ETC. Clear Cypress for Greenhouse Work Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing YE OLDE FIRME OF HEINTZMAN CO. LIMITED, ESTABLISHED 50 YEARS Great Sacrifice Sale of High-Class Organs A continued accumulation of organs of best makers, taken in exchange when selling our well- known piano, makes it necessary that we clear the stock quickly to give needed room for our^ regular piano business. Here is the explanation of the sensational prices that follow: — W. &ELL & CO. — Low back, 5 octaves. 3 sets of reeds, 5 stops, chapel style of case, a very nice little Organ and A-1 value at $25.00 CANADA ORGAN — Walnut case, suitable for small church or Sunday-School, 6 stops, 5 octaves. 4 sets of reeds, and sub-base set, with knee swell. This is a very nice little Organ and A- 1 value at $33.00 KARN ORGAN— High back with music rack, beautiful walnut case, 5 octaves, 4 sets of reeds, 8 stops, grand organ and knee swell, lamp stands, etc. This is an exceptionally nice Organ and A-1 value at $42.00 DOHERTY ORGAN— High back with bevel plate mirror. 12 stops, 4 sets of reeds, treble and base couplers, vox humana stop. 5 octaves. Mouse-proof pedals, lamp stands, etc An excellent Organ in every way and first-class value at $44.00 DANIEL BELL — High back with mirror, mouse-proof pedals, 5 octaves, 10 stops, 4 sets of reeds, couplers, grand organ and knee swells. This is a very nice walnut case Organ and exceptionally good value at $45.00 BELL ORGAN — High back with mirror and music I?* rack, 10 stops, walnut case, panelled, 4 sets of I reeds, couplers, vox humana stop, grand organ f and knee swells. This is a good Organ and a ;__ handsome ornament for a parlor $46.00 THOMAS ORGAN— High back with mirror and music rack, very handsome walnut case, mouse-proof pedals, lamp stands, etc., 5 octaves, 10 stops, 4 sets of reeds, treble and base couplers, grand organ and knee swells. This is an excellent Organ and would be very satisfactory to a musician $47.00 DOMINION ORGAN — High back with mirror and music rack. This is an exceptionally handsome case with cylinder fall, 7 stops, treble and base couplers, vox humana stop, lamp stands, mouse- proof pedals, etc. Better see this one, at S50.00 BROWN — Walnut case, high back Organ with music rack, 6 octaves, 9 stops, 4 sets of reeds, treble and base couplers, grand organ and knee swells, lamp stands, etc. Special at $61 .00 KARN ORGAN — 6 octaves, piano case, II stops, 4 sets of reeds, including vox humana stop, treble and base couplers, grand organ and knee swells, mouse- proof pedals, lamp stands, etc. A very nice Organ and A-l value at $63.00 DOHERTY ORGAN — 6 octaves, mahogany case ^ith long music rack, 1 1 stops, 4 sets of reeds, vox humana stop, treble and base couplers, grand organ and knee swell, lamp stands, mouse-proof pedals, etc. This is a very handsome instrument and with the long music rack should give every facility for a good musician. Specif at $72.00 BERLIN ORGAN— Beautiful walnut case, 6 octaves, 11 stops, including vox humana stop, treble and base couplers, lamp stands mouse-proof pedals, etc This is a very nice Organ and one that would be satisfactory to any musician. A- 1 value at $73.00 EASY TERMS OF PAYMENT— These organs are sold under the following conditions i—Organs under $50.00, $5.00 cash and $3.00 per month; organs over $50,00, $8.00 cash and $4.00 per month. Discount, 10 per cent, off for cash. If quarterly or other terms would be more convenient, write us what you can do and name your choi.e, and we will hold it until terms are arranged. Freight paid to any point in Ontario, and satisfactory arrangements made to other provinces. YE OLDE FIRME OF HEINTZMAN & CO., Limited 115-117 KING ST. WEST TORONTO, ONT. Mention the Canadian Horticulturist when writing. The Canadian Horticulturi^ Vol. XXIX DECEMBER, 1906 No. 12 The Relation of Winter Apples to Hardiness of Tree* W. T. Macoun, Horticulturist, Central Experimental Farm, Otta-wa mi 111, THE search for a hardy, productive winter apple of good color and the best dessert quality is becoming an old story in the north-western states, in the north-central and eastern portions of the province of Ontario, throughout the province of Quebec, and over a large part of the province of New Brunswick. (Jver this immense territory the cry for many years has been for a long-keeping apple which will compare favorably, in all particulars, with the best long-keep- ing apples grown in the more favored parts of the American continent. Why does this search still go on? And will the desired apple ever be found? These two questions I shall attempt to answer in this short paper. From the writer's experience with over 3,000 species and varieties of trees '■ and shrubs, exclusive of cultivated fruits, from many countries and climates, that are under his care and observation at the Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, have drawn the following conclusions regarding hardiness of trees: A tree or shrub which will withstand a test ji;winter at Ottawa must be one which •ripens its wood early. Trees or shrubs which are native to places having a longer or much longer owing season than at Ottawa, grow nger than the native species, or those rem a somewhat similar climate to the tive species. When a test winter mes, their wood js not sufficiently ipened, or winter-resistant, and they lire more or less injured or perish. After 17 years' observation of this rge collection, which has increased to iver 3,000 species and varieties, it may le said that with scarcely an exception, ind these doubtful ones, no apparent crease in hardiness has taken place in individual specimens. Plants which lied to the ground 17 years ago, kill to e ground still. Those which killed the snow line, kill to the snow line ill. Those which are killed back one- If or merely a few inches at the tip do still. Sometimes a tree will remain rdy for several years and then kill ck to near the ground. It is possible at they are getting hardier very ♦Read before the last convention of the Que- ec Pomological Society. gradually, but if so this increasing hardi- ness is imperceptible so far. Another observation regarding tender trees has been that after a season when the growth has been strong more injury is Ukely to occur than in a season when the growth is short. Individual specimens of certain species have been found hardier than others. This has been particularly noticeable in the case of Catalpa bignonioides which, as a rule, kills back badly at Ottawa, but some individual trees have proven much hardier and bloom freely at Ottawa. The raising of seedlings from these tender species has not been carried on long enough to state positively, from our own experience, that hardier types will be produced in this way, but the history of such work makes us hopeful. Some favorable results have, however, already been obtained. All Meat- No Waste You are making The Canadian Horticulturist very valuable. It is all meat, free from bone and waste. I have pleasure and profit in reading it.^ — Frances Wayland Glen, Brooklyn, N.Y. Let us now turn to the hardiness of apple trees, and we might include all other large fruits that have been tested at Ottawa. About 700 named varieties of apples have been tested. It has been found that a far larger proportion of those which originated in the eastern and south-western states are tenderer than those which originated in the north- eastern and north-western states and in Canada. The same may be said of Europe. The hardy varieties from Great Britain, France, and Germany are few compared with thos^ from the colder parts of Russia. The exact figures have not yet been worked out, but may be before this paper is published. It may be stated safely that the hardiest apples are those which have originated in Russia. They are the hardiest survivors of the hundreds and thousands of varie- ties which have originated in Russia during the past centuries, and have shown their abihty to withstand the winters there as far north as latitude 55°, or further in a continental climate. In America, and especially in the colder parts of the country, the origination of varieties has been more recent, and we believe that it will be some time before such hardy kinds as Hibernal, Charla- moff, and Duchess will be obtained on this continent, although some quite hardy varieties have already been orig- inated. By again analyzing the list of varieties tested, we find that the season of all the hardiest varieties is summer or autumn. The winter of 1903-4 was a very severe one in Ontario, and in the orchards at the Central Experimental Farm, and 164 varieties of apples were winter killed. An analysis of these varieties, a list of which was published in the annual report for 1904, shows that 130 of these were early winter and winter varieties, and 34 summer and autumn. This is suffi- cient evidence to prove that summer and autumn varieties are hardier than later keeping sorts. Let us now consider the difference between a summer and a winter apple. A summer apple is one that is ready for use in the summer; a winter apple is one that is not ready for use until winter. The season of the first is much shorter than the second, mainly because it reaches maturity in a hotter time of the year than the others. Duchess and Wealthy apples will keep much longer on Prince Edward Island, where the climate is cooler and development slower than they will at Ottawa. Winter apples will also keep better there than they will in those parts of Ontario where they succeed. It has been observed frequently that apples which mature early and are in condition for eating in summer and autumn are grown on trees that ripen their wood early, and on the other hand, an apple which is not ready for use until winter is usually grown on a tree that does not ripen its wood early. This is a fact which many have observed and that is perfectly natural. The fniit of most varieties of winter apples has to be kept on the trees at Ottawa until there is 292 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST danger of severe frost, in order to get the apples sufficiently mature that the flavor will develop and that there will be a fair color. The wood of such trees, also, is equally slow in arriving at that stage of ripeness which will enable it to withstand the winter, as has been proven by the figures given above. Some winter apples are hardier than others, but from our experience with a large number of varieties we are forced to conclude that unless the fruit of a variety reaches a certain stage of devel- opment or maturity every season a certain time before it has to be picked, owing to danger from severe frosts, that variety is not a safe one to plant. What that stage of maturity is we can- not at present definitely say. In a nutshell, then, it is a physio- logical impossibility for the majority of Russia. The growing and ripening sea- son in two countries, or districts, while about the same length of time, may vary sufficiently to cause a marked difference in the season of a variety. As an ex- ample, I should like to refer again to Prince Edward Island, where there is a late spring, but where severe frost does not come until late, and to the colder parts of Ontario where the spring is early but where fall frosts are early also. In order, then, to get an apple most suited to a district or climate, and to get it of the season required, it must be originated in that climate. The work of originating apples has been comparatively recent in the north- western states, and in the colder parts of eastern Canada, and by far the largest majority of seedling apples of merit which have been produced are summer Apple Tree Top Grafted with Two Varieties on Hardy Stock One variety winter killed, other uninjured and requiring props to support load of fruit. It shows how a hardy stock does not increase hardiness of a variety to stand a test winter. Hardy variety is Milwaukee; tender variety, Martha apple (not Martha crab). winter apples which have yet been pro- duced to prove hardy in the northern parts of the United States and the colder apple districts of Canada, because the trees having originated where the season is longer grow too late for our short season. Must we then conclude that the origination of a hardy winter apple for the north of good color, and the best dessert quality, is an impos- sibility? I believe not. Apples that will keep nearly all winter when grown in some districts are autumn apples elsewhere. Some of the hardy varieties of Russian apples which have been in- troduced, are found to be much earlier in season in America than they are in or autumn kinds. This is due to two principal causes. In the first place, because most of the seedhngs have been raised from summer or autumn varieties, and we should naturally expect that most of such seedlings would be of the same season as their parents. In the second place seedlings have been raised from the best late-keeping varieties, but which are not hardy enough to stand a test winter, and the seedlings from such trees have not, as a rule, proven hardy. I do not believe that because seedlings are raised in a climate with a short season that the largest proportion of them will prove early apples regardless of their ancestry. In most cases in the past the ancestry of seedling varieties origin- ated in the north has not been favorable to the production of hardy winter varie- ties. The importance of ancestry in the origination of a hardy winter apple is well illustrated in a number of cross- bred apples which have fruited at the Central Experimental Farm. Of a cross between Scott Winter, male, and Mc- Mahon, female, made by Prof. John Craig when horticulturist, 23 trees have fruited. None of these are earlier in season than McMahon, and 14 of them are later keeping apples. Practically all of them have some visible resemblance to the parents, and some are very similar to both parents. All withstood the test winter of 1903-4. The basis for the production of the, desired winter apple for the north should be a variety or varieties which have withstood test winters in the north, and are also the latest keepers of such varieties. It has been said already that late-keeping varieties mean late ripening of wood, hence tender trees; but such late-keeping, hardy varieties as have already been originated in the north, are of a different class. They are varieties which, although they mature or are fit for use early in the winter, yet keep all winter with good care. The fact that they are fit for use early means that the wood has ripened comparatively early, and hence is able to withstand the cold. Pomologists are well aware that certain varieties of fruits which are ready for use at the same time as other varieties will keep much longer. It is to this class that the desired winter apple for the north will belong. The following winter varieties origin- ated in the north stood the test winter of 1903-4 at Ottawa, and are just such apples as have been described: Canada Baldwin, originated in the province of Quebec; Winter Rose, originated in Dundas country, Ont. ; Calumet, origin- ated in Calumet Island in the Ottawa River; Baxter, originated near Brock- ville, Ont. ; La Victoire, originated in the province of Quebec; Stone, origin- ated in Vermont; Scott Winter, origin- ated in Vermont ; Milwaukee, originated in Wisconsin. Other promising unnamed late-keep- ing seedlings, obtained from the colder parts of Canada and the United States, are growing at Ottawa. We have also crosses and seedlings of our own pro- duction which have not fruited, from which something good is expected. None of the varieties above mentioned have all the desired points, but we con- sider the outlook very bright for the origination of a hardy, productive, long- keeping variety of good color and best dessert quality for the north. Eat more fruit and less meat. Home- Grown Fruits for CKristmas H. S. Peart, Ontario Agricultviral College, GvielpK THE judicious selection of home- grown fruits suitable for the Christ- mas season is one which has re- ceived but Uttle notice from pur- veyors. With the advent of Yuletide the busy housekeeper keeps a close A Plate of Vergennes watch for fruits suitable for the Christ- mas dinner, and for the production of artistic decorative effects. Tropical fruits are used extensively. Oranges, bananas and Malaga grapes seem to be the favorites. Let us pause for a moment and consider why home-grown fruits are not used more extensively. In the first place, the relatively low price of imported fruits as compared to home-grown ones at the Christmas season has had much to do with the ever-increasing use of perishable south- ern fruits. Secondly, native fruits are not offered by local salesmen because they have not yet learned how to han- dle our most delicate and high quaHty fruits. What is more refreshing on Christ- Grapes Packed for Storing mas day than a well-matured, thor- oughly ripened Anjou pear? Compare its buttery, melting properties with the insipid flesh of a green picked Ja- maica banana, or the acid flesh of all but the very highest grade oranges, the kind reserved for those to whom money has little or no value. Every- one should have at least a basket of Anjous for Christmas day. Select well- matured specimens toward the end of October, and store them in a dark place in a cool cellar. If they do not ripen fast enough to be ready for Christmas, bring a few of them into a warmer room for a few days, and you will be surprised how quickly they will mellow and become ready for eating. During the past few years the im- ports of Malaga grapes into Canada have continued to increase. This is well, from a fruit-consuming stand- point, but it is not in the best interests cf either Canadian producer or con- mixed fruit gives us a glow of color and richness that is impossible to ob- tain from imported fruit, most of which is yellow and entirely unattrac- tive in appearance. For purely dec- orative effect, . the little Lady apple may be used on our Christmas trees and over our mantles. Its rosy cheek and bright yellow skin blends remark- ably well with an evergreen back- ground. Among the native fruits that tend to further the success of the Christmas display, we must not omit the cran- berry. What turkey is complete with- out cranberry sauce? Thousands of acres of these piquant berries are found growing wild in Canada. A good collection of nUts should al- ways be provided as a supplement to Em n V 1 ■i AM i ii t'-V .ii4?! 'i " ' ^^ " ■ ,^"'- ^ p !»-|ii. *y' WSm 4 4 - < Apples and Grapes Grown at Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa sumer. For those who have always used Malaga grapes, allow a suggestion. Order direct from a reliable grape grower a half dozen baskets of carefully selected home-grown grapes, specially packed so that no berries are broken from the stems, and packed with a sheet of paper between each layer of fruit, or what is better, each bunch carefully wrapped in Manilla paper. Boxes of choice fruit, as shown in the illustration, form a convenient method of storing. Set the baskets or boxes in a dark, cool cellar, and the fruit should compare favorably in quality with the choicest Malagas, and the cost will be less than one-half. Such varieties as Vergennes, Salem, and Lindley are the most satisfactory. What place has our common apple for Christmas cheer? A few choice Fameuse, Mcintosh, Swazie, and North- em Spys in an attractive setting of 293 our Christmas cheer. Of these, Can- ada furnishes a great variety. The English walnut, so famous on account of its rich, sweet meat, has been in- troduced into British Columbia, and it may be only a matter of a few years until we may be producing it in suffi- cient quantity that the people of the home land will be sending to us for supplies. Filberts, hazels, black wal- nuts, shag-bark hickories, and but- ternuts are found in many parts of our great Dominion. Although scarcely so easily prepared as almonds and brazils, native nuts deserve a place on the Canadian Christmas menu. A choice collection of home-grown fruit served for Christmas cheer adds greatly to the general decorative effect of the dinner table. It will be rel- ished by young and old, and each should feel they arc enjoying the fruits of our young and promising Canada. TKe Codling' MotK and How^ to Combat It Dr. C. J. S. BetKune, Ontario Agricultural College, CuelpK AT the last annual meeting of the Untomological Society of Ontario, held in Guelph, with Dr. I-letcher as chairman, an interesting discussion took place upon the Codling-worm, in which a number of practical entomolo- gists took part. One of the important points brought out in connection with the life history of the insect is the fact that east and north of Toronto there is prac- tically only one brood per annum, while west of Toronto, throughout the Niagara peninsula and the southern counties of western Ontario, the insect is double brooded. A different treatment is therefore necessary in the two sections of the province. Where there is but a single brood a sufiicient remedy will be found in the spring spraying with Paris green, which should be done a few days after the blossoms fall, and before the calyx closes, and again about two weeks later. As all varieties of apples do not come into bloom or shed their blossoms on the same day, the fruit grower should be careful to note those trees that are later than others and treat them at the proper time. Subsequently all fallen fruit should be destroyed. If these meas- ures are properly carried out at least 75 per cent, of the crop, and possibly a larger proportion, will escape injury from the insect. About Toronto and westward the fruit grower should watch his trees and find out whether there are two broods or not. At Guelph it is found that about fifteen per cent, of the first brood com- plete their transformations in the sum- mer and produce a second brood. Fur- ther north this proportion would be smaller, but to the south it would be greater and a more serious matter, in- volving a different treatment. If the spring spraying is properly carried out, and the fallen fruit destroyed, the second brood will not amount to very much, but if these measures are neglected or carelessly performed, the second brood will be most destructive. These second brood caterpillars enter the fruit any- where that they can find a convenient place, for instance where two apples touch each other, or where there is any rough spot on the skin; the tiny worm seems to require some support to enable it to bite its way through the skin and penetrate the fruit. It will be necessary to maintain a close watch and to spray the trees as soon as any entrance holes are to be found. No date can be speci- fied as the time varies with the season and the locality. It will not do to rely upon spraying alone. The trees should also be band- aged, beginning as soon as wormy fruit falls from the trees. Bandages can be made of burlap or sacking, or any thick material, and tied with twine around the middle, leaving the portion above and below the string somewhat loose. The object of the bandage is to provide an attractive shelter for the worms to come to when they want to form their cocoons. It is absolutely necessary to take off the bandages and kill the worms V^eneath them at least every 10 days, otherwise the bandages become an actual aid to the insect. Before beginning, all loose bark should be scraped off the trunk where the bandage is to be applied in order to leave no hiding place for the worms except the burlap. When the bandage is taken off all worms and co- coons should be destroyed and the band- age replaced. Most of them will be found in the burlap and can easily be crushed, others burrow into the bark and are not readily seen, but they also can be quickly destroyed with a wire brush. This is no doubt a troublesome and ex- pensive remedy, but it will be found to pay. The second brood is by far the most injurious to the fruit, causing large quantities to fall prematurely, and rendering some of the finest apples unsaleable. The benefit may not be entirely reaped during the first season, but it surely will during subsequent years, if faithfully persevered in. To destroy the fallen fruit, Mr. Geo. E. Fisher, of Burlington, recommended turning pigs into the orchard, and described their effective work. This may not in all cases be practicable, but it is absolutely necessary that the apples should not be left lying on the ground till the worm has had time to come out and crawl away to some convenient shelter. The subject of parasites was intro- duced by Dr. Brodie, of Toronto, who read a valuable paper on the subject, and the discussion was shared in by many of those present. There is evi- dently no parasite in Ontario that can be relied upon to keep the insect in check, but efforts should be made to ascertain what parasites we have and to what extent they can be bred and multiplied. Dr. Brodie has been studying and ex- perimenting upon them for years, and finds that the parasites we have are them- selves kept in check by secondary parasites, and are not sufficiently abund- ant to effect any appreciable reduction in the numbers of the codling-worm. Since the meeting the writer has learned from Mr. E. M. Ehrhom, Deputy Commissioner of Horticulture for the State of California, that they have there a parasite imported from Europe, which they hope will materially aid in checking the colding-moth. Thej' have it estab- lished in orchards, but it is too soon yet to tell definitely how far it is likely to 294 prove efficacious. Should the experi- ment prove a success, every effort should be made to introduce the parasite into this country. Mulching Stra-wberries J. C. Black, Truro, Kova Scotia As soon as the ground is frozen hard, strawberry plants should be covered to protect them during the winter from alternate thawing and freezing. This may be done with any material at hand or the cheapest that can be procured. This may consist of straw or old hay, or evergreen boughs. The latter is the best for a small patch, but on a large field they would be expensive to gather and haul. Be careful not to put the material, especially the straw, on too heavy. Enough to cover the green is plenty. If thrown down in bunches and not evenly spread it will smother the plants and be worse than none. There is no better covering for strawberries in winter than plenty of snow, but this cannot be de- pended upon in our climate. Protection rrom Mice A simple but effective method of protection against mice is the use of a decoy. Mice prefer young wood. They do not relish the bark around the base of a tree, when they can get at the young limbs and twigs. These they cannot reach without the aid of man. It is well, therefore, to feed them with young bark. Prune a portion of your trees in late fall or early winter. Leave the branches on the ground, but in the mid- dle of the space between the trees. The mice will enjoy them, and leave the trees alone. Try the experiment, and tell The Caxadi.'vn Horticulturist the result. There ar^ several other methods of protecting o'rchard trees from the depred- ations of mice. In localities where the snow falls early and remains on the ground all winter, the simplest preven- tive is to tramp the snow firmly about the base of each tree early in the winter. In places where the snow is not continu- ous, a mound of earth thrown around the base of the tree in the fall is gener- ally effective. Another method that is cheap and satisfactory is to bind the tree to a height of about one foot with building paper or veneer before snow falls. f We try to manure our bearing trees while the snow and frost is in the ground, so as to keep them back in the spring. It keeps them back about two weeks, so the late frost does not kill the blooms. I have found this practice a success. — Isaac Smith, Northumberland Co., Ont. Propagate tKe Grape WKen Vines are Dormant G RAPE cuttings may be taken in the fall from wood of the past season's growth. The best ones are secured I A Display of Grapes from vines that are well matured and short jointed. The length of the cutting is governed by the distance apart of the buds. Single bud cuttings may be used to propagate new and scarce varieties. Two or three bud lengths are used for the established sorts. Two bud lengths are desired by most growers, as more of them can be taken from a vine. Those of three buds are more clumsy to handle, but give stronger plants, as roots start from both underground joints. Mallet cuttings also may be used, but as only one can be made from a cane, and as the use of them interferes with good pruning, they are seldom adopted. Tie the cuttings in bunches and store over winter with the butts uppermost, in sand, moss or sawdust. In spring they should be examined and, if the butts are not properly callused, they should be treated so as to hasten or complete the process. A trench should be dug in a warm spot in the garden or vineyard. In this place the bunches of cuttings with the butts uppermost. Fill the in- terspaces with some poor conductor of heat, such as sawdust, and cover the butts with an inch or so of warm sandy soil. This method may be practised, also, with cuttings that are not taken from the vines until late winter or early spring. In a short time, say two or three weeks, the butts will be well callused. Then, if all danger of frost is passed, the cuttings should be taken up and planted in a nursery row, preferably in hght, sandy soil. When transplanting to permanent quarters in the vineyard, some growers prefer one-year-old vines, while other prefer those of two years' growth. The proper age to transplant depends not only upon personal preference, but also upon the strength of the plant and upon existing local conditions as effected by climate and location. Two-year-old vines are the better of the two, if they have been left in the ground until they become of age, but this is not the cus- tomary practice amongst nurserymen. The two year vines offered by nursery- men are, in most cases, nothing more than the culls of the one-year-old stock replanted and allowed to -grow for an- other year. Growers who desire good two-year-old stock can get it by doing their own propagating as here outlined. When transplanting grape cuttings, it is customary to set the plants every 10 or 12 feet, in rows 10 feet apart. Two seasons after transplanting, they are usually ready to be trelHsed. The number of posts for the trellis is govern- ed by the distance apart of the vines — usually one post for two vines. The number of wires depends upon the method of training to be adopted. . Winter Protection for Tender Fruit Trees PROIvONGHD mildness in winter weather is as injurious to tender fruit trees as prolonged cold. Dur- ing warm spells, the buds are induced to swell and, if not properly protected, a subsequent freezing will greatly injure, if not kill them. On the other hand, prolonged cold or severe freezing in itself is oftentimes the direct cause of winter injury. Between these two conditions of weather there is an optimum winter temperature for tender fruit trees, par- ticularly the peach, which is one of the most susceptible to sudden changes. The optimum temperature for peaches is that condition or degree which will winter the greatest possible number of trees with the least possible loss. Un- fortunately such ideal winter weather is seldom experienced in this country. It is necessary, therefore, to find some means of protection. It is well known by those who observe that buds often burst into growth when the roots of the tree are frozen and in- active. The dark-colored twigs and buds of fruit trees, like all dark-colored objects, absorb heat rather than reflect it. For this reason, tender fruit trees are in danger of injury during mild winters, coun, at Ottawa; Wm. Orr and Jos. In the Niagara district the past winter Tweddle, at Fruitland, and others, is did considerable damage in this respect, whitewashing the branches and buds. Fruits and Flowers at the Ontario Horticultural Exhibition A practical means of winter protection, originated by Prof. J. C. Whitten, of Missouri, and confirmed by W. T. Ma- Whitewashing prevents the premature swelling of the buds as heat is reflected by whitened buds rather than absorbed. 29S 296 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST Whitened buds will remain practically dormant, whereas unprotected buds frequently burst into growth during warm spells, as already mentioned. Kx- periments have shown that whitened buds blossom six days or more later than those unsprayed. Whitewashing for winter protection should be done early in winter; apply two coats, and repeat as often as neces- sary to keep the trees white. Usually two or three sprayings are sufficient. The following formula was used in some experiments personally conducted by the writer at the O.A.C., Guelph, amd gave good results: Lime (luislak- ed), 2 pounds; water, one gallon; skim milk, one quart; salt, five ounces. These figures merely indicate the relative proportions of a quantity sufficient to spray one good-sized peach tree. Slake the lime in warm water, stir to slake quickly and well, add the re- maining ingredients, and mix thoroughly The skim milk is not essential, but it is thought to add to the effectiveness and adhesiveness of the material. When thonjughly prepared, strain the mixture through a fine-meshed sieveandapplyhot. The use of the lime-sulphur wash has a similar effect, but, as it is not applied until early spring, its value in this re- pect is not marked. Before the custom- ary time for applying this wash, peach and other tender trees are Hable to in jury. For purposes of winter protection a lime wash must be appUed in early winter and repeated often enough to keep the trees white. Some City Garden Troubles' AMATEUR gardening has its por- tion of troubles. Like the pro- fessional florist, the commercial fruit grower and the truck farmer, the amateur is occasionally the victim of adversity, due to inexperience, insect and fungous enemies, unfavorable con- ditions and other causes. MEALY BUGS On greenhouse and indoor plants, mealy bugs are troublesome. They de- rive their name from the fact that they are covered by a white, powdery sub- stance, which is really a secretion of the insects themselves. By this character- istic they are easily identified. Mealy bugs thrive best in a high tem- perature. Spraying with cold water usually will hold them in check. They are destroyed also by contact poisons. A dilute kerosene emulsion is satisfac- tory. Where the number of plants is small, they can be cleaned of the pest by touching the infested parts with a brush dipped in methylated spirits. "AMERICAN BLIGHT" On apple and crab apple trees in city gardens, where spraying is not practised, the woolly apple louse, or "American Bhght," as it is called in England, may accumulate and do much injury. They appear like tufts of cotton attached to the leaves and bark. They secrete a fine cottony fibre, beneath which they are concealed. The eggs may be found singly in the bark crevices during winter. Where the cottony masses are too nu- merous to destroy by hand, the best remedy is kerosene emulsion. CHERRY TREE TROUBLES Like the commercial orchard, the city man's fruit garden has a host of troublesome pests. During the past season in Toronto many newly-set cherry trees did not do well, owing either to lack of proper attention or to insect and fungous enemies. To grow and thrive from the start, a cherry tree must be planted right. Long exposure *The topics that make up this article were discussed at a recent meeting of the Toronto Horticultural Society. of the roots to sun and air is injurious. The tree should be properly pruned when set. All ragged and bruised roots ought to be removed and cut off clean, and the tops should be pruned and thinned out to counterbalance the loss of roots. The hole to receive the tree must be large enough to take in the roots without cramping. It is necessary, also, to pack the soil firmly about the roots. Water poured into the hole will make the operation more safe. The Cherry Aphis has done much damage on trees in Toronto gardens. Unless the owner is obser\'ant, the aphids multiply rapidly and badly in- jure the foliage before they are noticed. This insect winters in the egg stage, the eggs being laid on young twigs close to the buds. Trees that are badly in- fected should be trimmed thoroughly in winter and the cuttings destroyed. The eggs are of a reddish color, and can easily be seen upon close inspection. Where pruning or destroying the eggs is not desirable, much can be done by spraying the trees as soon as the eggs hatch in spring with kerosene emulsion — one part in 12 parts of water. SALVIA SPLENDENS The Scarlet Sage, Salvia splendens, is a well-known and popular tender peren- nial. It blooms late in fall and makes a fine effect in beds or borders. It 'S easily transplanted, and when removed to the house in fall, the plants continue in bloom for some time. Unless a rare strain or variety, it is not necessary to carry plants over winter. Should this plan be desired, it is best to take up from the garden early enough to make good roots; cut back to get cuttings, and later strike the cuttings in sand. New plants may be got from seed. Sow in February. When seedlings are large enough, pot them. Good plants may be had in plenty of time for plant- ing out in spring. GROWING DAHLIAS The dahlia is an old favorite. Even the formal flowered types have a place in the appreciation of many home gar- deners. The loose-flowered forms and the improved single sorts are favored by everybody. The single varieties may be grown from seed, but the double sorts should be grown from cuttings of the young shoots or from division of the roots. If cuttings are to be made, it will be necessarj' to start the roots early, either in hotbed or house. The cuttings should be made when the growth is four or five inches long, usually May or June. Take care to cut just below the joint, as a cutting made be- tween two joints will not form tubers. Pinch out the terminal bud. Start the cuttings in sandy soil near a fence or building. Later they should be trans- planted to desired position in the garden. The later that dahlias are started, the greater the chance of freedom from in- jury by the dahlia "bug." Late-planted dahlias produce the best blooms. They do best in cool, moist seasons. In dry seasons, the striped dahUa "bug" is most active. It is difficult to combat, but when conditions are unfavorable for it, such as inferred — cool, moist weather, and plants started late in season — it will not do much damage. Dahlias flourish best in a deep, rich, moist soil. Clay should be avoided. Sandy soil will do, provided plant food and moisture are furnished. In most home gardens, the plants are allowed to reach their full height, and are tied to stakes. To grow them without stakes, pinch out the centre of each plant after it makes two or three joints. Thus, the lateral branches will be made to start near the ground ; the plant will be stiff enough to withstand the winds. After the first frost in fall, hft the roots. A Uttle earth may be left on them, but it is not necessary. Let them dry for two or three days and protect at night with a covering of paper. Trim off the tops to within six inches from the roots. Store them in a cellar. Do not allow them to freeze, but keep them at a fairly low tempera- ture. Canna roots may be treated simi- larly, except that, in their case, it is best to allow the earth to adhere. It prevents shrivelling. TKe CKristmas Tree i MOST Canadians have experienced the youthful pleasure of tramp- ing out to find the Christmas tree. Through the snow and even the storm we have trudged to find a suit- able tree in which Santa Claus could hang the gifts. Full of anticipation, this has been one of the most pleasant incidents of the Christmas season. In those youthful days a small ever- green, Uke the walnuts and hickory nuts of the locality, seemed common property. To-day in older Ontario the ideal tree is almost extinct, and the small boy of the rural district has a great problem to find the, Christmas tree of his dreams. The city children miss the pleasure of helping to cut and bring home the tree, but wake on Christ- mas morning to find one which has been delivered with the groceries the night before. The Christmas tree seems to have been of German origin, and there to- dav it has a more prominent place in the season's festivities than in any other country. Here in America many families use the gaily decorated tree in the distribution of gifts. Other de- vices have been introduced, as Santa Claus coming in with a loaded pack upon his shoulders, or a mysterious pie is^opened and the gifts taken from it. In Germany, every family, however poor, must have a tree. These are not always large, and they vary in decora- tions according to the taste or financial condition of the home in which they are found. No presents are placed on the tree, for they destroy the beauty and grace of its appearance. These are placed on a table near at hand. There are always candles which, on Christ- mas eve, are lighted as the family gathers around. The trees are usually kept through Christmas week, and if they are small may be seen placed ofi a table near the window of the home. The Christmas tree idea has been enlarged in Canada so that, in many churches, the Sunday school depart- ment holds an entertainment, the chief feature of which is the distribution of gifts from a very large Christmas tree. The tree in this case is a very large Norway or native spruce. While the Christmas tree exists in England, the holly, ivy, laurel and mistletoe are favorite decorations for the Christmas season. This custom of decking the houses and churches with evergreens is derived from ancient Druid practices. It was thought that the sylvan spirits would flock to the evergreens till the cold season had passed. By the middle of December, in Can- ada, the city dealers begin to display E. J. Zavitz, O.A.C., Guelph their slock of Christmas evergreens. These consist of white cedar, juniper, spruce, balsam and hemlock. These trees are sold in sizes ranging from five feet to even 20 feet in height. Along with the trees or a little later comes other decorative material as club moss, ferns, holly and mistletoe. Of our native evergreens, the spruce and bal- sam make the best Christmas trees, as their branches are regular and formal. The cedar, juniper and hemlock are better for pulling apart to make wreaths and other hanging decorations. owners in the vicinity of large towns and cities. Nurserymen in the United States are growing evergreens for Christ- mas purposes at a nice profit. Why not plant some of the waste portions of the land with evergreens as an in- vestment ? Marketable trees can be grown in from 6 to 10 years. The prices are going to advance, especially for well formed, symmetrical trees. Some sentimentalists have condemned the cutting of Christmas trees as wan- ton destruction of forest growth. This is a mistaken attitude. Let every 1 ilife ■ ■■- ■ ■'■ ■ . ".fm ' f ■ -■■^.■i ■w.'ffy Li ^ ■■ J III 3 i* ■''* |iw 1 S wk" ..,-1%. \ ■n; 111 1 isisS. i :. '^"''•■:'lif'' 1 ■ .^ma^^ A'' i.W| 1 Bk A fl^ -^^ 1^ > 1 r^^wBtm^r^^ 1 I^K ; Wk^^i^m. It The Wonderful Doings of Santa Claus The demand for Christmas trees and decorative material has developed a business which has assumed an im- portant character. Long before Christ- mas, trainloads of evergreeps are being shipped into the larger centres. To- day the well-shaped tree of 6 or 10 feet in size is becoming scarce. Complaints are heard that the material is too ex- pensive to be used as in days gone by. The trees of best quality, which grew near shipping points, are exhausted, and dealers have to bear the cost of longer hauls. Here is an opf)ortunity for land- 297 home have a Christmas tree. No bet- ter use of a tree can be found than in giving the child a heritage which meant so much to us. It is part of the birth- right of childhood, and should be de- nied to none. Blessed is the man who still holds the memories of Santa Claus and of Christmas customs as worth while! Sprays of the common barberry may be used for Christmas decorations. The drooping clusters of scarlet berries are effective in any scheme of ornamentation that may be proposed for -the home, the church or the hall. •^98 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST Japanese Lilies MANY bulbous plants can be used to advantage in winter, while others should be started in the early winter months to present the most pleasing appearance in the beginning of summer. Amateur flower growers can frequently obtain surplus stock of Japanese lilies as late as January, but it was advisable to obtain them earlier. As a rule the experienced grower of bulbs purchases his Japanese lilies late in November or in December. In every case good, sound, solid bulbs must be procured. Some interesting information concerning tlieir growth was furnished The Horticulturist recently by Mr. Wm. Hunt, of Guelph. They should be set singly in six or seven inch pots as soon as they arrive. A light and fairly rich loam potting soil is recom- mended. Perfect drainage is essential. After being potted, a liberal watering should be given, and the pots set in a room with a temperature of 55 to 65 degrees. Success is common in ordinary window conditions. For the next two or three weeks scanty watering is all that is required. It is well, however, to keep the soil moist. When top growth is well commenced the supply of water should be increased, and under no conditions should the pots be allowed to become dry. The leaf growth should be well sprinkled at least once or twice every week. When a height of ten or twelve inches is reached the plants will grow to one side or break off at the base if they are not carefully staked. If the soil is in right condition no liquid fertiUzer is required. The addition of fertilizers causes too rank growth and often induces disease. Suf- ficent extra nourishment is obtained from the bulb. When warm weather comes the beauty of the garden can be greatly increased by setting these Japanese lilies outside. About June 1 they can be taken out of the pots and put in some well- protected place, where the wind will not have a chance to destroy the plants. Special care must be given to the staking after they are set out. In many cases they are not taken from the pots. The pots are plunged to the rim. When handled in this way bloom will come by July or August. If started before January the plants will flower earlier in the summer. The three best varieties for ordinary culture are Lilium speciosum rubrum, red ; Lilium speciosum albun;, white ; and Lilium speciosum auratum, golden band- ed lily. The rubrum is hardy and most easily grown. With most growers it gives better satisfaction than the other varieties. This plant is not without its enemies. The most common insect pests are green fly and red spider. The plants can be protected from injury by the green fly by frequent dusting with finely powdered cigar. The red spider is easily kept in check by liberal sprinklings of clear water. XHree Crops of Roses * W. Hunt, O.A.C., Guelph I was pleased to read in the Sep- tember Horticulturist the interest- ing notes on the rose bush owned by Mrs. A. Thompson, of Erin, Ont., and of its producing the two crops of blossoms in one season. The rose bush mentioned is in all probabiUty an old-fashioned rose known as"Setina." supposed to be a sport from the well- known old Bourbon rose "Hermosa." The rose Setina is known in and around Toronto as Mansfield's Seed- linfr nr, nt Icasl , the two were con- A Sample of the Bloom sidered to be identical about 30 years ago, when it was very commonly grown as a greenhouse trelUs rose, being under greenhouse treatment, of a semi- climbing habit. In color it is more of a rose pink, a shade darker than Her- mosa, and has a delicious perfume that Hermosa has not. I have a small bush of the Setina rose growing in my flower border at Guelph, that at the time of writing, Sep- tember 10, has a few buds on it. The parent plant of this one was taken to Hamilton by me from Toronto in 1880, and planted in a warm border facing the south. It flowered, as stated, in June and again in the fall, and I re- member one particularly mild winter, picking a fairly good rosebud from it on Christmas day. The plant was never artificially protected in winter and, although the tips of growth were killed back, it sprang up strong every spring from down near the ground. The bush in Guelph was struck from a small branch accidentally broken from the parent plant in early summer, and stuck in the ground in the open border. This plant has had no pro- tection given it, except by the snow, for the past three years. I am almost certain the rose men- tioned as growing at Erin is the variety known as Setina, and I am pleased to find it is hardy so far north. I should Hke at some time to see a few leaves or a bloom from the bush in question, as I consider it a very valuable rose for outdoor cultivation, being a fairlv good flower in substance, size, and color, and dehciously perfumed, as well as an ever-blooming and hardy nature; a very useful, pretty, free-blooming sum- mer rose. Note — Since the article on the rose that bloomed twice appeared in the September issue of The C.\nadian Horticulturist, a third blossoming took place, a bloom of which was received at our oflice. A cut illustrat- ing it is pubhshed on this page. Besides the foregoing remarks by Mr. Hunt, The Canadian Horticulturist re- ceived the following letter from Mr. Francis Wayland Glen, of Brooklyn, N.Y., a gentleman who at one time was closely allied with horticultural interests in Canada. He is a life member of the Ontario Fruit Growers' Association. "When I resided in Oshawa," he writes, "I always had three crops of General Jacqueminots, Crested Moss and White Moss. The plants were upon their own roots. "As soon as the June roses were past their prime, I cut the plants down to the ground and grew new wood. When that wood was 23^ feet high, I pinched the top off, and that forced the canes to send out new branches, upon which I got fine clusters of roses in August. Then I repeated the process and had a third crop. This crop I had to protect against early frosts. "In the fall, I again cut the bushes down to the ground. I gave them a coat of compost from spent hotbeds; then covered them with leaves. "My roses were superior in size, in beauty of color and in foUage. I never lost a plant." A popular and satisfactory plant for the house is the Rubber Plant, Ficus elastica. It is tough and thrifty, yet there is a limit to its endurance ; it does not like gas. The Rubber Plant will stand a fairly low temperature where the air is pure. Do not give too much water, and keep the plant in the light. Keep the leaves free from dust and in- sects by sponging with soapy water. CKristmas Greens MaKe CKristmas Merry WHAT is Christmas without Christ- mas greens? Half the sentiment and the charm of the festive season is associated with the use of greens in the home. They contribute more than all else to make Christmas a time of good cheer. The mistletoe, as a Christmas decora- tion, seems to be indispensable. In the Under the Mistletoe '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 sound." past it has been associated with many superstitions and highly extolled for its medicinal purposes. Legends of Scan- dinavia associate the mistletoe with Freya, the goddess of love and beauty. From this sentimental association arose the custom of suspending the mistletoe in halls and drawing-rooms with the priv- ilege that custom confers. Even to the present day the idea of a kiss under the mistletoe bough has not lost its ancient mystic meaning as a glance at the scene on this page readily shows. Let us not forget the custom. From whence comes the mistletoe? It grows as a parasite on trees, prefer- ably the apple. The American mistletoe is found from New Jersey to Florida, and is shipped to northern parts during the holiday season. The eastern cities of Canada and the United States use small quantities of mistletoe, brought over from England and France. It is liable to injury from frost, but being more showy, and having larger berries than the American sort, it has greater decor- ative value. Another important Christmas green is Ilex, or holly, of which there are many species and varieties, comprising both deciduous and evergreen shrubs with many colors of fruit. The common American holly is found in dry and barren fields from Maine to Florida. It differs from the English holly in many respects. It is hardier but less hand- some, leaves are more oval and not so waved and crinkled ; fruit, a dull, deep scarlet, and usually solitary; while in the Old Country holly the berries are bright and shiny, and occur in clusters. Eng- lish holly is imported into Canada occasionally, but seldom with commer- cial satisfaction. In this country we have no true native holly, but a closely allied species is the winterberry, found in our swamps and low grounds. Lycopodium (also known as ground pine or club moss) is one of the oldest and most common of our decorative materials. The best of this is found in moist woods and rough, spongy swamps. It is found in drier situations also, but of a lighter and yellowish color. Selag- inella is sometimes mistaken for lyco- podium, but, as the latter is identified by the coniferous habit and the single form of its capsules, they can readily be distinguished. The leucothoe, or "branch ivy," is coming rapidly into favor as an artistic bit of greenery. For grace and elegance it is unsurpassed. For making up de- signs, sprays of leucothoe are often used in connection with galax leaves. Its native haunts are the moist ravines of the southern states, but some of the hardier species are grown in Massa- chusetts and western New York. The pretty little galax, or "colt's foot," with its rich-hued leaves, tinged with shades of red and bronze, is an- ful wreaths, crosses, and other designs for holiday purposes. In spring they are used for bunching violets and may- flowers. They are gathered in the mountains from North Carolina to Georgia, and are shipped in large quan- tities to the cities and towns of the north. Another highly-prized green is the wild smilax that comes from Alabama and Georgia. Like the mistletoe, it requires a little attention to prevent injury from frost. When used for decorating, its luxurious festoons are charmingly free and striking. Besides this and some of those already mention- ed, the south contributes palm leaves, dagger ferns, magnolia branches, and Florida moss, with individual character- istics, peculiar in themselves, which are effective for special purposes. The north also contributes its share of Christmas greens in hardy ferns, needle pines, hemlock clippings, and many others. Clippings of cedar, hem- lock, and yew, for roping and massing in large churches and halls, are used with effect and economy. Our common hardy ferns gathered from the woods give strength, when well arranged, to any plan of Christmas adornment. For the sake of contrast and variety, branches from some of our hardy decorative shrubs may be used. For this purpose, the bright scarlet berries of the burning- bush are particularly desirable. One of the most appreciated of all the Christmas greens is the Christmas tree, as it plays the most conspicuous part in the all-pervading fun and frolic of the occasion. A favorite Christmas Galax Leaves are Excellent for Christmas Decorations other recent decorative introduction. Galax leaves have largely displaced the English ivy, as it furnishes long, wiry stems, is less expensive, and is easier handled and kept. They make beauti- tree is the balsam fir. Certain types of spruce and other conifers also are in demand. The fir is favored for its pyramidal shape. When young it is very striking and pretty, with its 300 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST branches regularly wht)rled and leaves that historic individual, aiming from dark green and Whitened on the under the snowy woods, bearing uj^n his side. genial shoulders the tree, laden with In the associations and traditions of good things and glittering with lanterns, A Spray of Leucothoe the Christmas tree are centred the cheery and buoyant side of the festive season. Prominent among these is that youthful antiquity, Santa Claus. The tales of touches in the hearts of the children a note of Christmas sentiment that will never die out so long as this great annual festival is observed. Late Flo"wering OrcKids r. J. Goode, Toronto LAiLIA purpurata and Ltclia grandis , the subjects of the accompanying illustrations, furnish us with two orchids of exceptional merit. The first Lselia Grandis mentioned is one of the grandest and most magnificent, while it is one of the most robust and easily grown. The bulbs are fusiform and furrowed, often measuring 15 inches in length, and it has oblong, hght green leaves. Strong, well-ripened bulbs will throw from three to five flowers, which, for form and col- oring, are hard to beat. Sepals and petals, pure white; the lip has the base lobes folded over column; throat, yel- low, striped with purple. Individual flowers are often five and six inches across. It is one of the latest flowering laehas. LczUa grandis, white flowering, about the same time as the former, is more singular and distinct. The bulbs meas- ure between eight and ten inches in length, surmounted by a single, oblong, acute, green leaf. It has free-flowering sepals and petals with a dark fawn throat. Magenta rose produces flowers four to five inches across. This variety will last in flower for three Weeks, if kept free from damp; but, owing to its lack of white, it will never become a commercial rival to the Cattleyas. It is, however, deserving of a place in every collection. Both varieties thrive well in the Cattleya house, and are ex- cellent for large specimens. Good, fibrous peat, fresh sphagnum moss, charcoal and broken crocks, form the best potting material for these plants. After the plants have finished flowering, remove dead moss from among surface roots, fresh moss being pressed firmly wherever live roots are exposed. Syringe lightly night arid morning during hot weather. This will help the plant to start, and will also take away that shrivelled appearance caused by keeping the plants on the dry side till flowering is over. It is best to keep late flowering orchids as much to themselves as possible during early spring months, as too much water often causes the plant to start its new growth, which, in nine cases out of ten, prevents the plant flowering. As soon as the new growths are about two inches long, water may be given more freely. It is generally conceded by orchid growers, that no fertihzer may be applied direct to the plants. Taking this for granted, the next best thing, and the one usually followed, is to throw liquid manure on the floors, or benches, amongst the plants. Cow or sheep manure will do. This should be done when closing the houses for the night, thus creating a moisture and retaining the strength of the fertihzer, which is essential to orchid life. If this treat- ment is followed for a few weeks, the difference in the appearance of the plants will be apparent. These varieties, flowering so late, often the middle of June, leave only three or four months to make their new bulbs. The more attention you give to these plants during that time, the better you will be rewarded by having good, strong bulbs. These mean plenty of the most beautiful flowers grown the following Lselia Purpurata spring, which will recompense you for the extra trouble you have taken. If you subscribe for The Canadian Horticulturist on the 13th of the month or on any other day, you will be lucky ever>' day'that it continues to come. Timely Topics for tKe Amateur Plant Lover WHAT gifts shall I give my friends for Christmas? is a question that comes to each of us in De- cember. If you want to select something to become dry at the roots. Freesias require a fair supply of water when top growth has well started. Are you growing some bulbs for The First Prize Decorated Dining Table at Ontario Horticultural Exhibition that will last until the return of Christ- mas another year, and longer, why •not give growing plants? Make your selections a week or more before the holidays. An early selection means a greater variety to choose from. Do not buy a plant that has every flower expanded. Select a plant with only a few of the flowers open. The remain- ing buds will open in due time and the effect will be prolonged. One of the best flowering plants for Christmas is the Gloire de Lorraine be- gonia. It is always in bloom. Among the many plants suitable for Christmas presents are "Baby Rambler" roses, cyclamen, Jerusalem cherry, genistas, potted bulbs, primulas, azaleas, rubber plants, araucaria, poinsettias, screw pines, and a host of others. Books on gardening or fruit growing are acceptable gifts. There are many works on horticulture that are not only practical but interesting, and nicely bound. The Canadian Horticultur- ist has issued a book catalog. You may have one free by making application. THE WINDOW GARDEN Do not keep house plants in an at- mosphere that is too dry. Moist air and intelligent watering at the roots are necessary to attain success in window- garden work. .Some plants require only a limited amount of water; among them, cacti, century plants, hydrangeas and oleanders. Potted bulbs should not be allowed Christmas gifts? Watch them closely. Keep them well watered and not too warm. They like plenty of sunlight above and a cool temperature at the roots. Think of the natural conditions in which they grow best outside. The same applies to house-grown ones. In order to grow plants well in the house they must have plenty of light. The best exposure is a southern one; the next best, an eastern. Geraniums, lantanas, heliotropes and all plants that love much sunshine should be in the south window. Begonias and plants that care more for the sun in the early part of the day than they do after its rays become more intense, do best in an eastern ex- posure. A west window gives too much heat, but, if you desire to grow plants there, the heat can be tempered by means of a curtain of thin muslin. A north window is not suited to the needs of flowering plants, but some foliage plants can be kept there, viz., ferns, palms, aspidistra, ficus, lycopodiums and tradescantia. Avoid draughts of cold air on plants, as they check the growth and often in- duce attacks of mildew. It is well to ventilate on calm, warm days If your plants require repotting, do not make the mistake of using a pot four or five times larger than the one in which the plant now grows. Two sizes larger is sufficient. Newly potted plants should be wat- ered once as soon as potted. Give suffi- 301 cient water to moisten all the soil in the pot. Do not repeat the watering until the soil shows signs of dryness. VEGETABLES AND FRUIT Prepare the hotbed and cold frame for next season's use. Remove the old soil and manure. It is easier done now than in spring. Store some fresh soil for use when the time comes. Store the garden tools before the snow falls. Make everything about the gar- den snug and secure. Onions for winter use should be stored in a dry, airy place. It is best to keep them out of the cellar. Parsnips, car- rots and beets may be stored there and covered with sand to prevent wilting. Keep a close watch for' rotting fruit and vegetables in the cellar. If given a good start they will cause the loss of much that is now sound. Frequent sorting and the most careful handUng should be the rule. Bruising from care- less handling is the cause of most of this trouble. THE OUTDOOR GARDEN Beds of newly-planted bulbs should be covered with a mulch. Strawy man- ure or spruce boughs make good ma- terial. A covering of leaves with brush to hold them and to catch the snow, is excellent for the purpose. See the il- lustration on this page. m^ Ready for the Winter Tender and half-hardy perennials will be benefited by the application of some light protective material. Lilies of all kinds should have a good mulching of manure, especially the Japanese varie- ties. While the hardier types do not^re- \ 302 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST quire much protection, they are bene- fited by the fertilizing efTorl of a manure mulch. Make a compost heap oi the fallen leaves. Leaf mold is not rich in plant food, but it is excellent for improving the texture of the soil. You will ap- preciate it when you come to make flower beds and pot bulbs next fall. Tavo Mertensias Roderick Cameron, Niagara Falls, Ont. There are several varieties of the mertensia in cultivation, of which Aler- tensia Virginica, also called Virginian Cowslip, Blue-Bells, and Virginian Lung-wort, is probably the showiest; but on account of its short duration of bloom, the preference must be given to Mertensia Siberica. The foliage of Mer- tensia Virginica dies down and the plant disappears from view sliortly after flowering. This necessitates the plants being kept well staked, that their whereabouts may be kept in view and to prevent the destruction of the roots when digging the border. On the other hand, Mertensia Siberica lasts longer in bloom, and it holds its foUage all summer. The plants are taller and the flowers lighter in color. The flowers of the former are about an inch long, deep blue, and are produced in clusters of about 20 blooms each, drooping to one side. The plants grow from one to two feet high, and are among the choicest of our garden perennials that belong to the Borage Family. TKe yVmateur GreenKouse Virginian Cowslip The mertensias should be propagated by seeds, sown soon after being ripe. The roots will not divide well. The planting of them may be done any time after they die down, but not late in the fall; better wait until early spring. A few stones placed around the plants on the surface of the ground is beneficial to keep the roots cool and damp during hot weather. ARE you growing palms in the green- house? To induce a rapid growth use nitrate of soda applied weakly at first, and once or twice a month. more space between the pots contain- ing those that have come on well. Loosening the surface soil in the pots is like hoeing or cultivating the soil The Table that Won Second Prize As your callas will be making plenty of roots, do not stint the water supply. Keep the weeds down, as they encour- age the red spider, aphids and other insects. . If you are trying sweet peas inside, look out for the Uttle green worm and kill him, or trouble will result. Keep the leaves of plants away from the window glass. It doesn't look well, and sharp frosts may injure them. A small aquarium filled with aquatic plants is a nice feature in the home greenhouse. Gold fish in bowls also can be kept there. Be continually on the watch for aphids on roses. They are among the worst pests of the greenhouse. Fumi- gate as soon as they are seen. At this time of year, sow-bugs or "wood lice" appear in numbers under shelter of pots and other material. Treat them with a mixture of com meal and Paris green. Geranium cuttings are weakened if the flower buds that appear on them are allowed to open. Keep the buds regularly picked off and the cuttings will do well. Growers of bedding plants who put their zonal geraniums into two-inch pots in September should now see that the plants are stood over and that the surface of the soil is stirred. This is easily done. All that are going to root will have done so by this time. Remove the dead ones so as to give in the outdoor garden. It allows the air to enter and prevents too rapid evaporation of moisture. Begonia Gloire de Lorraine, intended for Christmas, will be sending up the growth that will make it a serviceable plant at that time. Now is a good time to do the tying that is necessary. Three or four small stakes may be used and the plants surrounded with a strand of silkoUne. Some growers pre- fer one stake in the centre of the plant and the branches supported by similar material. Paper white narcissi should be in now on the bench and in full Hght, and where the temperature is about 50 deg. at night. Roman hyacinths, also, should be in full light. They should be allowed six weeks to come into flower. Keep them where the temperature is 60 deg. at night. Gloxinias may be grown in the window garden, but they are better adapted to greenhouse culture. They will not stand varving conditions. They are sensitive to cold weather and draughts. Water should not be applied to the leaves. Gloxinias must have plenty of light, a uniform moist and warm atmosphere, and protection from the direct rays of the sun. The soil should be porous and rich. All temporary structures, such as pot- ting benches, that were prepared for summer use outside, should be taken down and the material stored away. Watering Plants in Winter IN watering house and window plants only the best water should be used. Tepid water at a temperature of about 50 degrees gives best results. Pure fresh rain water is most desir&ble for the purpose, and in no case should water from a dirty cistern be used. If water from a spring or well must be used, it should be allowed to stand in a tub or pail a day or two. Avoid using ice cold water. Mix "Wm. Hunt. O.A.C., GuelpK some warm water with the cold so as to make it lukewarm. Sprinkle the foliage of plants only on warm sunny days. Rex begonias and similar rough or hairy leaved plants should not have their foliage sprinkled at all in winter. Palms, dracaenas or cordylines, Ficus or rubber plants, Farfugium or leopard plant, English ivy, aspidistras, and similar glabrous or glossy leaved plants should have the leaves sponged with clear water once a week. A little com- mon soap, or, better still, a little fir tree oil mixed with the water will im- prove the appearance of these plants and help to keep down scale and other pests. The fir tree oil must be strongly dilut- ed as directed on the bottle, as it is sure to injure the plants if very strong. Avoid using chemically prepared soaps and similar preparations, as they are dangerous and often fatal to plant life Onion Culture for Profit" FOR profitable onion growing, select a soil containing rather more sand than clay, clean and free from stones and other obstructions to cul- tivation. The location should be cool and damp, yet free from stagnant water either above or below the surfa e We will assume that the soil is in good tilth, having had clean cultivation and been well manured for some years previous. An attempt to grow onions for profit would be useless unless soil in that shape were available for the purpose. Start operations in the fall by applying a good dressing of stable manure, say 40 or 50 tons an acre, and plow it under. Let it freeze up for the winter without harrowing. In spring, as soon as the soil is dry enough to work, go over it with a spring-toothed cultivator or disk har- row; thoroughly stir and pulverize it to get the manure well incorporated with the soil. Harrow as fine as pos- sible, and if the soil be dry enough, finish with a planker. Then drill in the seed. At this point there is an important question to decide. Where land is cheap and labor scarce, some growers adopt the plan of throwing the soil up in light ridges about 24 inches apart, sowing the seed on those ridges and cultivating with a horse. For market gardening in close proximity to large cities where land is expensive, in a high state of cultivation, and rich from many years of heavy manuring, I con- sider that method wasteful of the land. I prefer to get the soil as fine and level as possible, and then drill in the seed in rows as straight as may be done and about 15 inches apart, using about 6 pounds of seed to the acre, and then cultivate with a wheel hoe. The selection of varieties is a matter that may be affected by local market' *The essay on onions that won first prize in the Ontario Vegetable Growers' Association's competition. T. Del-wortH, AATeston, Ontario conditions. In Toronto, an onion is wanted with a bright, yellow skin and white flesh. In some cities a fair de- mand exists for red onions, but there is little or no demand for them in' To- ronto. Onion growers practically are unanimous in the opinion that, as long as seedsmen will give them a good strain of seed of Yellow Globe Dan- vers, they are getting the best onion on the market for ordinary domestic use. CULTIVATION As soon as the seed is up so that the rows mav be seen, start the wheel hoe. White Globe Cnions Use the flat cutting blades and keep them sharp. Cultivate shallow and frequently. Follow with hand-weeders and clean out the rows. For this work I prefer a weeder that we make our- selves out of a table knife, heated and bent round and sharpened on both edges. Don't allow the weeds to get large. A few days' smothering at this stage will do the crop irreparable damage. Should thinning be necessary, do it with the weeding knife while they are small. Onions do not take kindly to being loosened at the roots in warm weather. It stunts their growth. Keep the wheel hfte going till the onion tops 303 get so large that you can't get through them. Then use a flat or Dutch hoe, and be careful not to cut the onions. Culti- vate often and very shallow. Keep the hoe sharp and barely skim the sur- face. DISEASES AND INSECT PESTS The onion crop has at least two ene- mies that are sometimes very destruc- tive. The first is the Root Maggot. This insect usually does its work in the month of June or early part of July. Various methods of combatting it have been suggested, but so far no practical and reUable remedy has been found. It is usually worse in light soils. Its method of injuring the crop is too well known to need description. The other trouble is known as Onion Bhght. It is a fungous disease that ap- pears usually in August when the onions are about half grown. It shows as patches of grayish-white mildew or mould on the foliage. The foliage turns black and dies where the blight appears. The disease spreads rapidly, a few days being enough to turn a mass of healthy fohage into a few dried and blackened tufts. Spraying with Bordeaux mix- ture has been tried without much success. The writer made a few ex- periments last summer with dry air- slacked lime and sulphur (1 oz. sulphur and 5 or 6 oz. Ume) dusted over the onions while wet with dew. The re- sults were encouraging but not con- clusive. Next year the experiment will be repeated. HARVESTING As soon as the onions begin to ripen, pull them at once. The time may be determined by pulling a few. When an onion completes its growth, the roots begin to die and they lose their hold on the ground. The onions pull easily. Onions becomes spoilt for keep- ing if not harvested promptly. Pull and lay in windrows. Turn several times in the sun until dried. Then, if wanted 304 THE C A N A 1) 1 A N II O 11 T 1 C U L T U R 1 S J for long storing, carry Ihem in with the top that does not break off in handling still adhering to them. They keep better when stored in that way. As they can be topped when they are picked up in the field quicker than at any other lime, those that are want- ed for immediate use should be tipped as they are gathered. Never handle onions when wet. Store in a dry and co<^)Wjf '<%C^ '<%C*J '<%tKf v«%^t> '^^CiU HH^i'Kf '<%r^ *«%t^l/ *«%r«* '^^^TKf *<^*^t^ '"C^^^ OUR QUESTION AND ANSWER DEPARTMENT Readers of The Horticulturist are invited to submit Questions on any phase of Horticultural -worK ok^r^^ />=4%>>na^^ /^a%>« ^>^r^^ ^^M%>> oM'^^ nMf^^ oM^^ WHat is a Fruit ? Is the tomato a friiit? The September Horticulturist infers that it is. I classify it as a vegetable. Please define the word "fruit."— B.E.M., Wolfville, N.S. From a strictly horticultural stand- point, the word "fruit" cannot be defined. Botanically, a fruit is the ripened ovary with such organs as may adhere to it. A well-known authority states that a fruit, in the popular sense, is the fleshy and juicy product of some plant, usually tree or shrub (and nearly always containing the seed) which, when ripe, is edible without cooking, and adapted for use as a dessert rather than as a salad. This would include the tomato and exclude the quince and the cranberry. Perhaps some of our readers will venture to coin a perfect definition. Let us hear from vou. TKe Niagara PeacK Is the Niagara Peach a good variety to plant lor commercial purposes? — A.M., Vineland, Ont. The Niagara Peach has not been test- ed to any extent in Ontario. In New York State some of the best growers claim that it is a good one. It comes in about the same season as Elberta and is equal to it in size, color and thickness of skin. In flavor it is on a par with Crawford. The Niagara peach should be tried in all our peach districts. CKerry Scion on Plum Will cherry graft on a plum tree be satisfac- tory as a bearer of fruit ? — Subscriber, Clinton. It would be difficult to make the cherry scion grow on plum stock. The density of the two woods and the habits of growth are so different that even if it grew it would never be a complete suc- cess unless as a curiosity. — Answered by L. Woolverton, Grimsby, Ont. Sterile Stra-wberries I have a patch of Irene strawberries. They bloomed well but did not set fruit. What is the reason? — W. B. A., Lindsay, Ont. Strawberry blossoms are of two kinds, perfect and imperfect. Irene belongs to the latter. Dig up and plant every third row with some perfect flowering variety Hke Williams, or, plant a new patch similarly planned. The Garden HucKleberry Is the garden huckleberry of value either as a domestic or commercial fruit? — J. S., Prescott, Ont. This fruit is not a huckleberry. It is closely related to the deadly nightshade. which has until recently been considered poisonous. The garden huckleberry is not poisonous, however, like some other plants of the same genus, Solanum, notably the tomato and the potato. It is easily grown, productive, and quite hardy. The berries are not edible with- out cooking. In seasons when fruits for preserving are scarce, the garden huckle- berry will be appreciated in the home garden. It is not likely to be of com- mercial importance. Apples for Ne^w Ontario Is it possible to grow apples in New Ontario? What are the best varieties? Is spring or fall the best time to plant black currants? — J. M., North Bay, Ont. Apples can be grown in that district but not with commercial satisfaction. Only the hardiest varieties will with- stand the severity of the winters, and most of them are not the leading com- mercial sorts. Among those that have done fairly well are Yellow Transpar- ent, Charlamoff, Duchess, Wealthy, Hi- bernal, Longfield, Patten and Scott's Winter. The Whitney and Hyslop crabs also can be grown with success. Currants start into growth so early in spring that it is best to plant in fall. They are hardy, and may be planted at either season. Gro^wing MvisKmelons What should be done to prepare gravelly soil for a few hills of muskinelons in a private garden? Is Paul Rose a good red-fleshed variety for the purpose? — M. J. T., Niagara Falls South, Ont. Manure with well-rotted compost this fall. Plow or dig late as possible before freezing, and repeat the work in spring. There is no better salmon or red-fleshed melon than Paul Rose for quality. — Answered bv W. A. Emery, Aldershot, Ont. ' TKe English Ivy Is the English Ivy grown as a decorative plant in America?— L. A., St. John, N.B. The EngHsh Ivy is cultivated in some parts of America, even in the north, when protected in winter, but its part in the role of decorating is a small one. Such vivid contrasts of color in foliage and such a wealth of Christmas associa- tions is possessed by no plant as the ivy, "To which the ghost of all the storied past alone tells its tale of de- parted greatness; the confidant of old ruined castles and abbeys; the bosom companion of solitude itself. True to these instincts, the ivy does not seem to be naturalized so easily in America as most other vines. We are yet too young — this country of a great future and a little past." For covering walls in greenhouses, for screens in drawing- rooms and for hanging baskets, it is a valuable plant. The ivy that is most used in America for decorating is a shrub of the Southern States. The Rosemary In literature dealing with old-fashioned Christ- mas customs, we often read of the rosemary. What is it? — E.L.B., Stratford, Ont. The rosemary of old England, so largely used at one time in the appoint- ment of the Christmas feast, grows wild in some parts of that country, but is native more particularly to the Med- iterranean region, especially the chalk hills of Southern France. With it are connected many superstitions, as: "The rosemary, which was anciently thought to strengthen the memory, was not only carried at funerals, but also worn at weddings." It is a hardy evergreen shrub with aromatic leaves, which are sometimes used for seasoning. The wild rosemary of Canada, a species of Labrador tea, and the sand-hill rosemary of the south, are quite distant from the true rosemary. Laurel or S-weet Bay Last Christmas I bought some branches said to be laurel, but do not think they were true to name. Is there more than one kind? — E.W., Gait, Ont. Under the name laurel are commonly included many broad-leaved evergreens, but the true laurel, or sweet bay tree, of the florists is Laurus nohilis. Laurel leaves are used in some countries for cookery and making confections, be- cause of their aromatic flavor. For purposes of adornment, it has had, and still has, a prominent place. In America the kalmias are known as laurels, and their glossy leaves are much sought for at Christmas. Most of our laurel comes from Maryland and Virginia, but it also is found in the eastern provinces of Canada. Camellia Not a House Plant Is t)ie camellia a good plant for growing in the house? — R. P., Sarnia, Ont. The cameUia is a plant that requires plenty of pure air and a moderate tem- perature; therefore, it is not recom- mended as a house plant. — Answered by Thos. Manton, Eglinton, Ont. 306 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST The Canadian HorlicuHurisl Published by The Horticultural PublishinK Company", Limited The Only Horticultural Magazine in the Dominion Omcial Organ of British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and Prince Edward Island Fruit Growers' Associations and of the Ontario Vec- etable Growers' Association H. Bronson Cowan. Editor and Business Manager A. n. CirrriNO. U.S.A.. Associate Kditor W. G. Rook. Aflvertising ManaKer OAHRKrr Wai.l. Circulalinn Manager GRKAT BRITAIN Pkank FLifrciiER. 135 Henrietta Street. Old Trafford. Manchester, Kng., Advertising and Circulation Manager. 1. The Canadian Horticulturist is published the first of every month. 2. Subscription Price 50 cents a year, three years $1.20, strictly in advance. I'or all countries except Canada, United States and Oreat Britain add 50c. for postage for each one year subscription. 3. Remittances should be made by Post Office or Money Express Order, or Registered Letter. Postage Stamps accepted for amounts less tlian Si. 00. i. Discontinuances - Responsible subscribers will cod tinue to receive The Horticulturist until the publishers are notified by letter to discontinue, when all arrearages must be paid. 5. Change of Address — When a change of address is ordered, both the old and the new addresses must be given. 6. (Advertising Rates quoted on application. Circu- lation 5,500. Copy received up to the 23rd. Responsible representatives wanted in towns and cities. 7. ^Articles and Illustrations for publication will be thankfully received by the editor. Our Protective PoUcy We want every reader of The Canadian Horticul- turist to feel that they can deal with our advertisers with our assurance of the advertisers' reliability. We try to admit to our columns only the most reliable ad- vertisers. Should any subscriber, therefore, have good cause to be dissatisfied with the treatment he receives from any of our advertisers, we will look into the matter and investigate the circumstances fully. Should we find reason to believe that any of our advertisers are un- reliable, even in the slightest degree, we will discontinue immediately the publication of their advertisements in Thb Horticulturist. Should the circumstances war- rant we will expose them through the columns of the paper. Thus, we will not only protect our readers, but our reputable advertisers as well. All that is necessary to entitle you to the benefits of this Protective Policy is that you include in all your letters to advertisers the words "I saw your ad. in The Canadian Horticultur- ist." Complaints should be sent to us as soon as possi- ble after reason for dissatisfaction has been found. Communications should be addressed : THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST, 506-7-8 Manning Chambers, TORONTO, CANADA THE CHRISTMAS SEASON There is notliing that exercises a more charm- ing spell over the imagination than the time- honored tales of Christmas in "ye olden time." They carry us back to a time when Christmas was not only a season of gift-making and family gatherings, but also a season of complete aban- donment to mirth and good-fellowship; to an age when men enjoyed life roughly, but heartily and earnestly; when society lost itself in home- bred feelings and honest fireside delights; and to a time when all classes observed more strictly the religious and social rights of this, the grand- est festival of all the year. The traditional customs of the Christmas of long ago awaken within us most profound and heartfelt admiration for the manner and senti- ment in which they were observed. Every- thing conspired to produce the kindest feelings of merriment and good cheer. The Yule Log, with its many superstitions, glowed and blazed to warm the hearts of the merrv makers; the soimd of minstrelsy and the singiiig of Christmas carols added their charm of melody to the oc- casion ; and the profuse decorations of Christmas greens— the holly, the laurel and the mistletoe — contributed more than all else to make Christ- mas what it surely was then, and what it is to- day, in a somewhat modern sense, a merry Christmas. Time and modern fashion have gradually worn away many of these ancient customs. The old genial spirit of hospitality has Ijcen sup- planted, for better or worse, by the more en- lightened and elegant tone of modern refinement. Tlie Ijcautifully simple, but earnest, melody of tlie old-time carol has lx;en displaced by the more stirring effect of the modern anthem. The honest enjoyments of the past have given way to more trivial and fleeting jjleasures. Truly we may say that the Christmas of to-day is far removed from the Cliristmas of long ago; yet, despite the havoc wrought by time, the season is now, as then, the most fondly cherished of all the year. In sentiment and charm Christmas remains the same, notwithstanding the work of Father Time in altering the customs of antiquity. The very season of the year influences our appreciation of Christmas. At other times we may enjoy the lx;auties of living nature, but at this time, when all around is barren and bleak, or lying silently hidden Ijcneath the snow, we are bound to appreciate the joyous season of good cheer. While the world without is stripped of its verdure, within the home nature may be reproduced in a wealth of Christmas greens. A cherished remembrance is the decor- ative effect produced by the use of evergreens in the house. "What deep breaths from the outside world come into our homes with these Christmas greens! They are resinous with the odor of great fir forests, where snowflakes are flying; spicy with orchid incense from tropical jungles, where palms and sniilax flourish; vibrant, perhaps, with mocking-bird songs in swamps, where the mistletoe grows." With this issue. The Canadian Horticulturist greets its readers right heartily and wishes them well. BELOW THE STANDARD The need for improvement in the horticul- tm'al department at the Ontario Agricultural College has become so apparent that further silence, on our part, would be an injiuy to the horticultural interests of the province. It is out of touch with the rank and file of the fruit and vegetable growers, as well as with the professional florists. There are men imder the direction of the professor of horticultiu'e who are capable of doing good work. They should be given an opportunity, for the de- partment is not accomplishing the results that it should. Last February we drew attention to the necessity for something being done that would place the horticultural department at Guelph on a better footing. Our remarks drew forth a reply in defence of the department. We were tempted to make answer, but did not do so, because we were given to understand that the appropriation for the horticultural depart- ment for this year had been increased, and that better things, therefore, might be ex- pected. In the months that have intervened no signs of any marked improvement have been noticeable. Instead, the complaints against the management have increased in number. In September, the florists who met in convention at Guelph appointed a committee to wait upon the government and urge that more work of value to florists be undertaken. More recently a committee of practical vege- table growers who visited the college has re- ported that but little is being accomphshed that is of value to vegetable growers, and that some of the work that is in progress is being conducted in a manner that is not a credit to the institution. Fruit growers, as yet, have not taken any public action calling for improve- ment. We have long been aware, however, that a strong feeling is general among them that improvement in the department is needed. In defence of the department, it has been stated: First, that the number of lectures given yearly has increased greatly without a pro- portionate increase in the staff; second, that in addition to teaching, the department has to furnish fruits and vegetables to the college boarding-houses and flowers for decorating purposes, as well as to maintain over forty acres of lawn and grounds in a condition to ■ above criticism; and third, that with all : other work it has not the time to unden:;) investigation work, nor the funds. This defence reduces the matter to a qiK tion of men. The professor of horlicultiu-e Guelph should \x a man of outstanding abil- ity, able to see the horticultural needs of the province and to take steps to satisfy thera. Work of minor importance such as the fur- nishing of vegetables and fruit for the college- tables, and even a considerable proportion the lecture work would !>c relegated, by si: a man, to a capable foreman or foremen, ai to an assistant professor. In this way : would leave himself free for the more important research work. Around him he wcjuld gather the various fruit, vegetable and other horti- cultural organizations of the province, and through and with them he would see that he was furnished with the funds needed by his department. Canadians are proud of the Agricultural College at Guelph. It has professors on its staff who are a credit to the Dominion. Its graduates have risen to prominence both at home and abroad. It is because we desire to see the splendid reputation of the college maintained that we feel it our duty to draw attention to the absolute necessity for a decide-^ improvement in the horticultural department. HAS BECOME A NECESSITY The Ontario Horticultural Exhibition has reached the point where it is looked upon as a necessity. Should anything occur to slop it or to mar its progress it would be a calamity. Peo- ple have become accustomed to looking for it, not only that they may attend the conventions and hear the important discussions that take place, but, also, that they may profit from the valuable educational lessons that may be gained by a study of the splendid exhibits of fruit, flowers and vegetables. These exhibits, each year, illustrate the latest developments in all three of the allied industries. The improvement that has taken place during the past two years in the packing of fruit alone, as shown bv'each succeeding exhibit, justifies the expenditure by the Ontario Government of every cent it has given the exhibition. Fruit, vegetable and flower growers now appreciate the fact that the exhibition affords an opportunity to learn things. Were it to be stopped, the result would be an injury to the province. The excursions on the railways at low rates benefit the members and friends of the organiza- tions that assemble at the time of the exhftiition. Were it not for the rates made possible by the exhibition ' the conventions would be poorly attended. It is gratifying to feel that the show has come to stay. Its complete financial suc- cess cannot be long delayed, as it is growing rapidly and assuming larger proportions each year. r^.g»»l»IB > - Lovers of horticulture who viish to make progress must keep themselves informed on the methods and ideas of those who have made a success of the art. While practical experience in fruit growing and gardening is a great teacher, yet the perusal of a good class of literature on the various subjects pertaining to the work is necessary to broaden one's conception of things horticultural. It gives one a better idea of the viewpoint of people who have made this or that branch of horticulture a special study. That the desire to learn is prevalent among the readers of The Canadia.n Horticulturist is evident from the many requests for books on horticultiu'al topics that reach this office. These requests have become so numerous, we have decided to extend our business by adding a book department to the paper. A catalog, with titles and descriptions of books written by well-known horticultural authorities, has been prepared. It will be mailed free to any person THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 307 who is interested and who makes application to The Canadian Horticulturist. \\'e will be able, in future, to furnish our readers with any of the standard books on horticulture. THe Ontario Horticultural Association The Ontario Horticultural Association should only help the various horticulturial societies the province in their work, but should serve protect and advance their interests in other 's. This association is the missing link that societies have long needed. By its means >y will be kept informed in regard to different ;s of work that have succeeded with the ious societies. It will serve, also, to more ^_^ iroughly advertise the good work that is " being done by them and thus prepare the way for a larger government grant when the increase in the number of the societies warrants such action. The success of the association will de- pend upon the coojieration of the local societies. It will pay the latter well to do everything in their power to aid the provincial organization. A number of fruit growers in Canada are using carbolic acid gas as a source of power for their spraying machines. Many more would , do so were it not for the duty imposed on the containers in which the gas is imported from the United States. At the recent convention of the Ontario Fruit Growers' Association, a resolution was adopted asking the Dominion Government to admit the containers, subject to - some system of registration, so that they may be admitted free, duty to be levied on the gas only. This is a matter of much importance to our fruit industry. It is to be hoped that the request of the growers will be given an early hearing, so that a new and satisfactory arrange- ■ ment may be effected before the beginning of spraying operations during the coming winter. While The Canadian Horticulturist is not in favor of the general introduction of the Spencer Seedless Apple into Canada until it has been tested at our experiment stations, it has not been our intention to say anything that would cast a reflection on the business integrity ' of the Canadian company that is offering the trees for sale. We have no reason to believe that the company is other than honorable and commercially sound. In fact, at its head are some of the leading business men of Toronto. Our remarks in recent issues have been directed at the apple, not at the company. We wish this to be under.stood. Further comments, in this issue, on the apple are unnecessary. The Ontario Fruit Growers' Association has dealt [ with it and found it wanting. It was with regret that we heard of the death of Mrs. Juliet McNeill on November 18. She was the wife of Mr. A. McNeill, Chief of the Fruit Division, Ottawa. Mrs. McNeill had not been well for several months, but only during the three weeks previous- to her decease did her illness assume a serious character. The Canadian Horticulturist and fruit growers all over the Dominion condole with Mr. McNeill in his sorrow. Only a few months have 1 passed since he lost a son. Farmers' Institute speakers assembled at the O.A.C., on Nov. 20-23, for special instruction in the various branches of their work. Among the fruit men who delivered lectures were Robt. Thompson, St. Catharines; D. Johnson, Forest; ] E Orr, Fruitland; A. E. Sherrington, Walk- er! on, and Prof. H. L. Hutt, of the O.A.C. IJefore Kolnj? to the store for that article you \vant, get a catalog from the advertisers of similar articles in this paper, and then when vour dealer makes his estimate, you make your comparison. It will end in your recognizing the advantage of securing the article direct from the manufacturer at the ground floor rates. Be sure, when answering an advertisement, to men- tion this paper and thus take advantage of our Protective Policy, as outlined on editorial page. ENTHUSIASM marked the convention of the delegates from the various horticul- tural societies of the province, which met in Toronto, Nov. 9, at the time of the Ont. Horticultural Exhibition. About one-third of the societies in the province were represented. The main features of the convention were the final adoption of a constitution perpared by a committtee appointed at the last convention, a discussion of the new Act governing horticultural societies, and the election of officers. In his annual address, the pres., Mr. W. B. Burgoyne, of St. Catharines, reported that the govt, had agreed to give the assn. an annual grant of $100 to help defray the expenses con- nected with the bringing of speakers to the con- vention. This will do much to place the assn. on a sound basis. The govt, had consented also to secure a shorthand report of the proceedings Pres. W. B. Burgoyne of each convention and to pubHsh these as a govt, report and to send copies to the officers of the various hort'l societies throughout the province. This means that the societies all through the province will be benefited by the discussions that take place at the annual con- ventions. The constitution adopted explains that the objects of the assn. are to assist the various hort'l societies of Ont. The fee for membership of each society was placed at $2 a year. Eleven societies joined at the convention, and the dele- gates from other societies promised to send their fees as soon as possible. Every society in the province will have a right to send delegates to the convention, but only those societies who join the assn. can vote through their delegates. A lengthy discussion took place over the new Act governing hort'l societies. The discussion was led by H. B. Cowan, supt. of hort'l societies, who explained the disadvantages under which the societies had worked in the past and the objects of the various provisions of the new Act. Several clauses in the Act were discussed at considerable length, I)Ut no important amendments were suggested. The unanimous opinion of those present was that the societies throughout Ont will be greatly benefited by the new Act, and that a great increase taken in the work of hort'l societies may be expected. In the afternoon two interesting discussions were held. The first related to the holding of garden competitions by hort'l societies and was led by Mr. S. Short, of Ottawa, who described the benefit that has followed from the Lady Minto and Lady Grey competitions in that city. Work of a similar kind conducted in Hamilton was described by Messrs. J. O. McCuUoch and A. Alexander of that city. The second discus- sion referred to the giving of seeds to school children and the holding of exhibitions of flowers grown by the children. It was led by Mr. J. Thos. Murphy, of the Simcoe society, and by Mr. Walter Brooks, of the Brantford society. Reports of these discussions will be given in The Horticulturist later. They were taken part in by a number of the delegates. The election of officers resulted as follows: Pres., W. B. Burgoyne, of St. Catharines; 1st vice-pres., Maj. H. J. Snelgrove, of Cobourg; 2nd vice-pres., R. B. Whyte, of Ottawa; direc- tors, Messrs. Rev. Mr. Scott, of Perth; H. Jeffers Diamond, of Belleville; H. R. Frankland, of Toronto. Among the resolutions passed was one ex- pressing pleasure over the great improvements that had been made in The Canadian Horti- culturist. The feeling of the meeting was that The Horticulturist is doing much to promote the interest of the hort'l societies of the province and that the societies should sup- port it in every way possible. THe Need for ColdllStorage , R. J. Cochrane, Colbome,5 Ont. <; he question of cold storage for fruit is an important one. The need for cold storage buildings at various points in Canada is plainly evident. If such were located in every apple section of the country, it would make it pos- sible to hold the fruit and sell when the market is most favorable. Cold storage supplants spraying in that, if a small percentage of fungi escape the spray- motor, or if a small percentage of codling moth enclosed in the apple in the springtime succeeds in finding its way into the baiTel, a low tempera- ture prevents development. Cold storage assists the packer in conforming to the Fruit Marks Act, in that when apples are properly packed and cooled they do not ripen or decay. The apples retain that rough, bright, lustreful ap- pearance that fills the eye, the snappy texture and quality that satisfies the palate, and that brings money to the pocket of the producer. They will not be wet, slack or wasty. Cold storage is of still vastly more importance in the marketing of apples. Our harvest apples, fall apples and winter apples are hurled onto the market almost simultaneously, the harvest apples overripe, the fall varieties and winter varieties not ripe enough, and many in bad condition. With cold storage within a wagon haul of the farmer he can pick each variety and place it in cold storage when it is properly ripened and properly colored. With local cold storage each variety goes onto the marbet in its proper season and in good condition, and the market will last the year round. The fruit business will be as safe and reliable to the producers as is the cheese business to-day. The consumer will have apples the year round that will be a credit to the Dominion of Canada. A movement is on foot whereby these advan- tages may be secured to the Canadian farmer. The government can assist the farmers and place cold storage within their reach. Before this will be done, the people must show some interest in the proposal. They_ must realize the enormous loss and waste that is taking place annually in the fruit industry. Every newspaper should give this matter close attention, so that the fruit growers may feel that they have the press behind them. 308 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST The Horticulturist for 1907 THIS being the season when our readers and others are making up their reading hsts for next year, we are going to take a Httle space in which to tell you of the many new features we arc planning for The Canadian Horticulturist. During 1907 every depart- ment of The Canadian Horticulturist will be vastly improved. The 12 issues of the paper will far surpass any we have ever printed. Al- ready a splendid list of special features have been secured that will be of unusual value to Canadians, and that will make the paper of great interest to fruit and vegetable growers, and to amateur flower growers, including mem- bers of horticultural societies.- A number of the best known horticultural authorities in Canada, both professional and amateur, have agreed to contribute articles, and series of articles, each of which will be worth to those interested our full price of subscription. The following are some of the good things we are preparing for our readers: In our fruit department during the winter months will appear articles on "Pruning Tree and Bush Fruits," "Spraying for Scale and Otter Orchard Pests," "The Seilection of Varieties Best Suited to the Various Provinces," "The Care of the Vineyard," "The Markets of the West," and others of equal value. Next spring and summer some of the fruit articles that you may look for will be entitled: "Does it Pay to Thin Orchard Fruits," "The Prin- ciples and the Practice of Orchard Cultiva- tion," "The Profits of Fruit Growing," "The Culture of the Apple," "Plums and How to Grow Them," "Marketing the Stone Fruits," "Picking, Packing and Selling Apples," and many timely articles on cultural directions. Besides these, accurate crop reports from all sections of Ontario and from the various prov- inces will be a leading feature of The Horti- culturist for 1907. garden department Our Lawn, Garden and Flower Department will be replete with valuable information for the amateur gardener. Each month will be published a page or two of seasonable reminders — 50 pointers or more in one article. This feature alone is worth the price of subscription. There will be seen also articles on "The Care and Management of Lawns," "The Culture of Hardy Shrubs," "Landscape Gardening for Amateurs," "The Best Perennials and How to Grow Them," "A Garden of Old-Fashioned Flowers," "All the Wild Flowers Worth Grow- ing," "Flowers for the Million and for the Mil- lionaire," "Native Ferns and their Culture in the Home Garden," "City Garden Troubles and What To Do," "Grow Vegetables at Home and Save Money," " Hardy Annuals for the Suburban Garden," "Fruit Trees Worth Growing on the Lawn," "The Real Thing in Home Decoration," "The Window Garden," "All the Tulips Worth Growing Inside and Out," "How to Have a Succession of Fruits in the City Garden," "How to Grow Many Plants from a Few," and a score of other topics that will please. for vegetable growers The vegetable gardener will find special pages for him. Some of the subjects to be dealt with are: "Forcing Lettuce and Radish under Glass," ,"A Simple Experiment with Fertilizers: It Teaches Something," "Growing Greenhouse Tomatoes," "Onion Growing," "The Culture of Celery for Profit," "Melons and Melon Growing," "All the Garden Greens Worth Growing," "Growing Tomatoes for the Canning Factory," "Asparagus for Market," and numerous others. Each month, also, ac- curate and complete reports of vegetable ciop conditions in Ontario and elsewhere in Canada will appear in our columns. Do not miss the opportunity to get such information. OUR SUBSCRIPTION OFFERS As our aim is to make The Canadian Hor- ticulturist of special value to Canadians, and as we desire to make the paper a publica- tion of which every Canadian can be proud, we hope to receive the support of every Cana- dian interested in fruit, vegetables or flowers. Not only should our readers renew their sub- scriptions, but they should introduce the paper to their friends. Here is our .schedule of subscription rates. One full year's sub- scription, 50 cents; One new or renewal sub- scription for three years, $1.20; Three new full year subscriptions, $1.00; Two new and one renewal subscription for one year, $1.00; or, send us two new full year subscriptions at 50 cents each and we will renew your subscription for a year free. A liberal commission is offered for new subscriptions at 50 cents each. Will not our readers help us, not only by renewing their subscriptions, but also by get- ting us new subscribers? We desire your help and will give you good value for your money. The Ontario Vegetable Groovers* Convention THE second annual convention of the On- tario Vegetable Growers' Association was held in the City Hall, Toronto, Nov. 8-9. President F. F. Reeves, Htunber Bay, occupied the chair in a dignified and business manner. The meetings were well attended, and the papers and addresses received the greatest at- tention, and drew out considerable discussion, showing that the association is a live one, al- most every member present taking part in the discussion. The address by Prof. R. Har- court, O.A.C., Guelph, on "FertiUzers in Re- lation to Vegetable Growing," was so well appreciated, that a standing vote of thanks was tendered him. Thursday morning's session was devoted to an address by the president, who congratu- lated the members on the growth of the asso- ciation, and stated that the future looked very bright. Already there were branch associa- itons at Toronto, St. Catharines, Brantford, Tecumseh, Kingston, Chatham, Samia and Ottawa. Mr. Geo. A. Robertson, of St. Cath- arines, followed with an interesting paper on "Experiments with Tomatoes." He advo- cated careful selection of seed from year to year to increase the yield. Nitrogen would increase the crop, but at the expense of earli- ness. Mr. C. Gibbard, of Todmorden, followed with a paper on "Growing Tomatoes Under Glass." To make this profitable, he said that glass houses must be used for other purposes as well, such as lettuce, radishes, and so on. Tomatoes require careful and strict attention. Mr. Eugene Davis, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, was not present to read his paper on "Lettuce Forcing and Bean Growing." It was a very pithy paper, and full of practical points. At the afternoon session Professor Harcourt gave his address on "FertiHzers." He advo- cated the use of barnyard manure, aided by different chemical fertilizers for different crops. Potash and phosphoric acid for fruit, and nitrogen for leafy growth. Lime would check the acidity of some soils, which is due to the acid-forming tendency of decaying vegetable matter. The reading of the prize essays occu- pied the rest of the afternoon. At Friday morning's session, Mr. E. E. Adams of Leamington gave a paper on "Forcing Early Vegetables," i.e., starting them under glass and transplanting to the open field. Mr. Adams makes this pay, and his paper demonstrated how to do it "Onion Growing" was ably illustrated in the paper read by Mr. E. G. Malcolm, of Scotland, Ont., a most successful onion grower. Mr, T. Benstead, of Strathroy. told the association how he grows prize celery, and Mr. Mclnnes, of London, gave an address on "Storing Celery for Winter Use." This was followed by a paper on "Melon Growing" by W. G. Home, of Clark.son, Ont. Mr. Home advocates planting the seed in pieces of sod under glass. The meeting was closed by a short talk on other vegetables by Mr. A. Mc- Means, O.A.C., Guelph. Among those who took a prominent part in the various discussions were W. W. Armstrong, Queenston; Robert Bushell, King.ston; A. Mc- lnnes, Ix)ndon; Geo. Syme, Jr., Carlton West; James Gibbard, Sr., Todmorden; Professor Macoun, Ottawa; Thos. Delworth, Weston; Robert Thompson and Geo. A. Robertson, St. Catharines; E. Purdy, Kingston; F. Shuter, Jos. Rush, Huraber Bay; and George Nicholson, Orangeville. Christmas Gifts for All Have you some friend you would Uke to re- member this Christmas by a practical but inex- pensive gift? Something that would be of practical value to him, and that would keep. We have a splendid list of books which could be given as Christmas gifts to all your friends. Here are a few of them: FOR THE FRUIT GROWER "Fruit Harvesting, Storing, Marketing, etc.," F. A. Waugh, $1.00. "The Grape Culturist," A. S. Fuller, $1.50. "The Grape Grower's Guide," William Chorlton, 75 cents. "Peach Culture," James A. Fulton, $1.00. "Pracrical Fruit Grower," S. T. Maynard, 50 cents.f^ ' FLOWERS AND ORNAMENTAL PLANTS "The Beautiful Flower Garden," F. Schuyler Mathews, 40 cents. "The Chrj'santhemum," Arthur Herrington, 50 cents. "Garden Mak- ing," L. H. Bailey, $1.00. "Home Floricul- ture," E. E. Rexford, $1.00. "Pictorial Prac- tical Gardening," Walter P. Wright, 75.cents. "The Window Flower Garden," Julius Heinrich, 50 cents. "Your Plants," James Sheehan, 40 cents. MARKET GARDENING "Asparagus," F. H. Hexamer, 50 cents. "Cabbage, Cauliflower and Allied Vegetables," C. L. Allen, 50 cents. "Gardening for Profits," Peter Henderson, $1.5Q. "Market Gardening and Farm Notes," Burnet Landreth, $1.00. "Vegetables Under Glass," Henry A. Dreer, 25 cents. OUR SPECIAL OFFER We will give any of the above books to any of our subscribers who will send us one new subscription for each fifty cents on the price of the book. For example: "Garden Making," by L. H. Bailey, is sold for $1.00 a copy. We will give a copy of the book free for two new subscriptions. If the price of the book were $1.50, as in the case of "Gardening for Profits," by Peter Henderson, then we would send it free on receipt of three new subscriptions. For each 50 cents, or fraction thereof, in the value of the book, send one new subscription. This is a good way in which to secure a library on any horticultural subject. Besides the books we have named above, we have a large number of others. Our catalog will be mailed free to all who are interested. The Missouri State Hort'l Soc. will hold its annual meeting on Dec. 4, 5, 6 at Boonville, Mo. Ontario Fr\ait Growers in Convention A COMPLAINT of fruit growers respecting the purchasing of niursery trees that have not proved true to name brought about the adoption of an important resolution at the recent convention of the Ontario Fruit Growers' Assn., held in Toronto on Nov. 7 and 8. Mr. George A. Robertson, of St. Catharines, brought the matter up and a considerable dis- cussion resulted. A committee appointed to report on the matter did so as follows: 1. That it is a fact that considerable of the nursery stock planted in years past has been of inferior quality and untrue in name, and as a result the growers who planted such stock have suffered in many cases severe financial loss as well as great inconvenience. 2. That a considerable quantity of the stock which has proved untrue to name has been purchased from irresponsible agents and un- reliable firms, but that the self-styled reliable nurserymen are not all exempt from this prac- tice. 3. That much of the blame and dissatisfac- tion caused has been shouldered on the nurs- erymen situated in the United States, but that geographical situation is not wholly ac- countable for this, as there are reliable as well as unreliable nurserymen in the U.S. as well as in Canada. 4. That trees be produced true to name and sold to those growers who desire such trees under a written guarantee, and that this guar- antee mean that the nurserymen be held re- sponsible if the trees are not up to the guar- anteed standard. 5. That the nurserymen may supply to those who desire them trees which, on account of their cheapness or first cost, will satisfy the demands of intending purchasers, but that for the quality of which, as now, the nurserymen will not be held responsible. 6. That in case of a dispute between any grower and nurseryman, if action be taken, the matter be settled in the court nearest the home of the fruit grower so wronged. 7. That the matter of propagation of nurs- ery stock from the proper root stock, budded or grafted with buds or scions from healthy trees of good bearing quality, of the true type of the true variety, be left at present in abey- ance, and that this association procure a com- petent speaker from the U.S. or elsewhere, to give an illustrated lecture on this subject at our next annual convention, and use every effort in the endeavor to inform the fruit grow- ers of the advisability of such a method of propagation which will in time create a de- mand which the up-to-date niu-seryman will supply. IMPORTANT RESOLUTIONS At the convention a number of other resolu- tions, more or less important, were adopted. Among them the following: We desire to place on record an expression of our warm approval of the action of the Do- minion Government, in having, in response to the request of this and other organizations, procured the passing of legislation placing the control of express rates in the hands of the We trust that the action of Parliament in giving a legal definition to No. 2 grade of ap- ples will have the effect of giving to the pro- duce of Canadian orchards a still better stand- ing in the markets of the world. We desire to express our thanks to the Hon. Sydney Fisher in calling a Dominion confer- ence of fruit growers last March, a conference which resulted in harmonizing many little an- tagonisms between the provinces, m bringing fruit growers from all parts of the Dominion together for united action, and in giving a still further impetus to what, has become a great national industry.* We believe that the thanks of every com- mercial fruit grower in Ont. are due to Alex- ander McNeill, Chief, Ottawa Fruit Division, for the remarkably full and correct reports issued by him during the present growing season in regard to fruit conditions and pros- pects— reports that place growers, in a meas- ure, on a footing of equality with buyers in regard to factors governing market conditions. We would, however, stronglv recommend that fuller information than now be given in regard to crop conditions and market pros- pects in other countries, and that to this end the Dept. of Agr. at Ottawa be asked to secure the cooperation of the Dept. of Trade and Commerce in securing the reports from Cana- dian commercial agents in Great Britain, Aus- tralia and South Africa in regard to probable production before crop maturity, also that the cooperation of the hort. assns. in the U.S. be secured, and an exchange of timely infor- mation with these be arranged for. We do this because even the fullest reports as to Cana- dian conditions are of comparatively small value unless we have information from other countries approaching that of our own in re- gard to fulness. We would strongly urge that the Dept. of Agri. for Ont., in addition to what is now be- ing done, and in addition to what also has been asked in the resolution adopted on the motion of Mr. Peart, arrange for obtaining special re- ports after fruit has set, from the most reli- able growers from the sections in which fruit is largely grown. We strongly approve of the main point in the Robertson resolution, namely, that legis- lation be asked for which will provide that nurserymen shall guarantee their stock as true to name, and that where the . promise is not fulfilled, an adequate penalty be imposed. We regret that aside from the action taken at Ottawa, resulting in placing of express rates under the control of the Railway Com- mission, comparatively little has been done in regard to transportation during the present year. We most strongly urge that action be taken by the Transportation Committee dur- ing the coming year, looking to a material re- duction in freight rates on apples, and a sweep- ing cutting down in express rates. We are delighted to note the extension of the cooperative movement among fruit grow- ers in the province, and regret that compara- tively little has been done to aid in the ex- tension of this movement by this association, and strongly urge that an officer be appointed whose duty it shall be to give his whole time to the encouragement of organizations now formed, and to the creating of new ones. We desire to place on record our warm ap- preciation of the invaluable services rendered by the directors of this association, many of whom have served long terms in office, fre- quently at serious inconvenience to themselves. We recogfnize also the splendid spirit shown by these same directors, now that a new stage of development is called for, in so frankly join- ing in the movement to make the organiza- tion more representative than it is at the present time.. That this association would urge the Min- ister of Trade and Commerce for the Dominion to amend the Act respecting staple commod- ities (that re fruit baskets), in accordance with the resolution passed by the fruit asso- ciations, and that the government make, and stamp the forms and issue them to the basket manufacturers to ensure uniformity of fruit packages. That inasmuch as a large number of fruit growers are using carbonic acid gas as a source of power in their spraying operations, and as 309 a great deal of difficulty has been experienced in securing a satisfactory supply in Canada, we would respecfully urge upon the Dominion Government the desirability of some system of registration of the containers, so that these containers might pass freely to and from the U.S., duty being levied upon the gas only. By this means a satisfactory supply might be available, and spraying operations greatly facilitated. That the Government of Ont. be asked to publish yearly in the report of the Bureau of Industries further details regarding the fruit industry of the province, that the government be asked to add columns on the assessment roll providing for the gathering of information re^rding fruit statistics. That we desire to show our unbounded gratification at the splendid pubUc spirit shown by Mr. M. F. Rittenhouse of Chicago, in giving a farm for experimental work in tender fruits, and in the prompt action of the Ontario Depart- ment of Agriculture in providing " equipment for the same. THE SPENCER SEEDLESS APPLB - The Spencer Seedless Apple was the subject for considerable discussion. Its dissemination in Canada means something of more than ordin- ary importance to our fruit industry. If it were what it is claimed to be, it would supplant all the standard varieties now grown. Fruit growers think it is not. A committee consisting of H. H. Groff, Simcoe, chairman; D. Johnston, Forest; E. Morris, Fonthill; W. H. Dempsey, Trenton; and W. T. Macoun, Ottawa, was ap- pointed to look into its merits and demerits. They reported as follows: "We secured specimens from the exhibit at Massey Hall, which showed the following ob- jectionable characteristics in apparent contra- diction to the printed description. Although the core is smaller and less distinct than in the average apple, there is still sufficient to make the process of coring a necessity. The practical absence of the calyx tube leaves an abnormally large and deep opening reaching to the core, thereby involving loss of flesh nearly equal to a normal core, as well as affording a harbor for injurious insect pests. The specimens examined by us showed this space to contain an objec- tionable mold-like accumulation. They also gave well-developed seeds, though fewer than the normal apple. As to size, the specimens seen by us were about equal to our Fameuse, or Snow, and those tested for quality and flavor were about equal to Ben Davis. We believe that our inspection warrants the advice that trees of this apple should only be purchased as a curiosity." In the course of one of the sessions, a repre- sentative of The Spencer Seedless Apple Co., of Toronto, addressed the convention. He pro- tested against the report of the committee and intimated that such was biased. He claimed that the fruit in flavor was similar to that of the Baldwin, that apples from the latest genera- tion of trees do not show any more opening at the calyx than an ordinary apple, that the core found by the committee vanishes as the apple becomes more mature, and that the apple is well worth planting in Canada. In the face of the aforementioned report and of the general disfavor in which fruit growers look upon the apple, these explanations, while presented to the meeting in a kindly way, are not acceptable to practical men — -men who know what is what in a variety of apple for commercial purposes. REVISION OF CONSTITUTION One of the most important items of bu-siness transacted was a revision of the constitution. As was pointed out in the Sept. number of The Canadian Horticulturist, the time seemed ripe for a change. It has been felt that the li 310 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST assn. has been managed somewhat as a "close corporation." This feeling lias Ijeen general, not only among the menilicrs of the assn., but also among the larger body of fruit growers in the province. In another column wc publish in full the clauses that have been amended. The following 13 directors for the various divi- sions, as numbered, were elected by ballot: 1, A. D. Harkness, Irena; 2, A. A. Wright, M.P., Renfrew; 3, Harold Jones, Maitland; 4. W. H. Dcmpsey, Trenton; H, W. Rickard, Newcastle; 6, Elmer Lick, Oshawa; 7, A. W. Peart, Burling- ton; 8, Geo. A. Robertson, St. Catharines; 9. H. H. Groff, Simcoc; 10, A, E. Sherrington, Walkerton; 11, A. O. Telfer, Ildcrton; 12, D. Johnston, Forest; 13, C. I.. Stephens, Orillia. According to the new arrangements, the assn. in future will finish its financial year on Dec. 31. An extra business meeting will be held each year in Jan., when the newly-elected board of directors will take office and appoint from among them- selves a pres. and vice-pres., and from among themselves, or otherwise, a sec.-treas. THE DOMINION CONFERENCE The immediate results and the possibilities of the Dominion Conference of fruit growers were discussed respectively by W. H. Bunting, St. Catharines, and A. W. Peart, Burfington. In the course of Mr. Bunting's remarks he gra- ciously referred to the work of Mr. Alex. McNeill in bringing about the conference. By his efforts in this direction, Mr. McNeill has brought about a feeling of harmony between fruit growers in the various provinces. Among the results of the conference, Mr. Bunting mentioned that the discussion there on fruit statistics, while ex- cellently presented by Mr. Peart, went to show the need of more accurate data in that respect. The establishment of a definition for No. 2 apples, and of a new grade "Fancy," were important changes in the Fruit Marks Act. The feeling of the conference regarding pure food products has been the means of doing good. The discus- sion on fruit packages and the proposals made have gone a long way towards bringing about uniformity. The express companies operating in Canada have been placed under control of the Railway Commission. When discussing the value and possibilities of the Dominion fruit conference, Mr. Peart also said that it tended to break down provincial prejudice and to make the fruit men more united. Many important matters were discussed, among them the question of transportation in various phases, such as, putting the express companies under the Railway Commission, railway facil- ities, ocean transportation, and cold storage for tender products. Mr. Peart referred also to markets and marketing and to insect and fungous pests, as discussed at the conference. When speaking of Dominion fruit statistics, Mr. Peart said: "The value of our fruits and vegetables are lumped at $12,994,900 for 1901. In acreage all orchards are lumped together. Vegetables and small fruits are lumped also. Vineyards are .separate. The Ont. statistics gives information on fruit as follows: (1) Acreage of orchards and gardens lumped by counties and province; (2) acreage of vineyards by counties and province; (3) number of apple trees 15 years old and over, number under 15 years, and bushels per tree by counties and province. I would suggest that Ont. be asked to give further fruit details as follows: Acres of apple, pear, plum, and peach orchards; acres of other tree fruits, of small fruits and of vineyard, all by counties and province; also, acres of garden truck, such as tomatoes and so on, by counties and province. It would be well, also, to con- tinue to give the number of apple trees by coun- ties and province, and the average yield per tree by counties and province." FRUIT STATISTICS The question of fruit statistics was discussed, also, by Mr. C. C. James, Ont. Dep. Min. of Agr. He spoke of the difficulty and cost of corapiUng accurate and extensive statistics. The dept. finds it hard to secure reliable estimates of the crop yield. The yield per acre of farm crops can readily be estimated, but it is a different matter in the case of fruits. So many influenc-es come to bear on the crop between the time of blossom- ing and the harvest, that it is practically im- possible to stale at any one time what the crop will be when matured. In Ontario there are about 7,000,000 apple trees in Ixraring according to the census of 1901. When one estimates the probable yield of these trees in a normal season, and then notices the number of barrels that are actually marketed, it is surprising to contemplate the tremendous waste and loss to the farmers in this country that occurs. An interesting discussion followed Mr. James' remarks. It was suggested that crop statistics could be secured by the assessors. Others thought that the information could be secured from school teachers and pupils. Professor Parrot, of the Geneva Exp. Sta., said that crop estimates and values made before maturity are only approxi- mate at the best. A knowledge of the crop outlook in one province or state is of little value without similar information regarding the con- ditions in others. The opinion was general that even accurate information regarding crop con- ditions in Ontario and in Canada is of small value unless a knowledge of the crops in the U.S. and in Europe is also known. REPORT ON NEW FRUITS In a report on new fruits, Mr. W. T. Macoun said: "There were fewer good, new fruits brought to our notice this year than usual, but some interesting and promising seedlings have fruited at the Cen. Exp. Farm, most of them for the first time. The cry from the colder parts of the province of Ont. for a winter apple with high quality and fine appearance may still go on un- satisfied, but we believe that it will not now be long before we shall have an apple which will fill this long felt want. The extremely severe winter of 1903-4 killed out many varieties of apples at Ottawa, but the lessons learned from that winter have been of the utmost value, and should save many thousands of dollars to those who are planting apple trees in those parts of the country where the climate is similar to what it is at Ottawa. "One of the facts that was brought especially to our notice after that winter was that it was the trees of the varieties which ripened their wood early which came through in the best con- dition. An early ripening tree means, in our experience, a tree which ripens its fruit early, hence most of the hardy varieties prove to be summer and fall sorts, but there are exceptions, and we found that in some cases the trees mature early and the fruit is in condition for eating in late fall or early winter, yet the fruit will keep practically all winter. In other words, the tex- ture of some apples does not break down as soon as others, even though they become fit to eat at the same time. It is this early maturing but long-keeping apple which will give us the tree hardy enough to withstand a test winter. Some varieties of this character which withstood the test winter at Ottawa are Winter Rose, Stone, Calumet, Scott's Winter, Milwaukee, La Vic- toire, and Baxter. The Winter Rose is an apple of good size, of fair appearance and good quality, but has not sufficient acidity for a winter apple. The Stone is of much the same character, "rhe Calumet is an attractive looking a^jple. but not even enough in size nor quite good enough in quality. The La Victoire comes nearest being an apple of the desired type, but lacks juiciness. The Baxter is a very large, handsome apple, but somewhat coarse. Since the winter of 1904, however, when it proved so hardy, we consider it a desirable apple for planting in the North "As was stated last year, we have at Ottawa a collection of very promising seedUngs which have been sent in by persons who have originated them. As these are lieing tested as standard trees rather than top grafts, they are longer coming into bearing, but our own seedlings, raised from the best apples fruited at Ottawa, are not fruiting in considerable numbers. Out of 84 which we have descritied, consisting of seed- lings of Fameuse, .Mcintosh, Swazie, Wealthy, Scott's V\'inter, Winter St. Lawrence, and Dork- ham Kussett, 21 have been considered suffi- ciently promising to propagate for further trial, so that if this proportion, which is '2.'i% of prom- ising apples, is maintained through the 2,000 apple seedlings which are being grown, we should have about .500 promising varieties to select from. "A number of promising crosses have fruited, and many Russian seedlings also. There is a temptation to disseminate some of the best of these, but we Ijelieve that even though it takes a long time it is Ix-st to thoroughly test a variety liefore recommending it, as there are too many kinds on the market already. It is interesting to note among the seedlings which have fruited, the more or less resemblance in most cases to the female parent and to the probable male or the tree growing near that from which the fruit was taken in the orchard. This is particularly the case in regard to the seedlings of Wealthy and Swazie Pomme Grise. Near the original tree of Swazie seedlings and the large dots on the skin show the Baxter blood, and in one instance a large Swazie seedling looked very much like Baxter in outward appearance. The Wealthy seedhngs nearly all have that smooth, symmetrical surface peculiar to the parent, and in some instances the seedlings have been quite crab-Uke, showing the crab origin of the Wealthy as claimed by Peter Gideon, the originator. "Some good grape seedUngs fruited this year, the seedhngs of Brighton being particularly promising. One of these, a black seedling, al- most identical with Brighton in flavor, but a finer grape, will, we beUeve, be an acquisition. "There are 2 new apples which have been fruiting at Ottawa for several years which we would like to draw your attention to. These are the Walter and the Hoadly. They are both about the season of the Wealthy, but have proved very hard)^ and have merits of their own. 'W.\lte"r. — Originated by the late P. C. Dempsey. Fruit, roundish,' rather irregfular, very large; cavity, deep, open, medium width; stein, short, moderately stout; basin, deep, medium to open, almost smooth to moderately wrinkled; color, greenish yellow, splashed and streaked with red, with dots, few, small, white, distinct; skin, moderately thick, moderately tender; core, small; flesh, yellow, rather coarse, juicy, melting, sub-acid; flavor, pleasant, high; quality, good; season, October. "HoADLV. — Originated in Wisconsin. Fruit, oblate ; size, above medium ; cavity, deep, mod- erately open, slighth' russeted; stem, short, slender; basin, medium depth and width, al- most smooth to sUghtly wrinkled: calyx, open; color, yellow, splashed and streaked with car- mine, with dots, few, yellow, indistinct; core, medium; quality, above medium; season, Oct. Tree, an upright grower, hardy and productive. Sections obtained from the late J. L. Budd, Ames, Iowa." In the report by Prof. H. L. Hutt, O.A.C., which was a verbal one, he mentioned the work that is being done at the college in developing new- varieties by plant breeding. They had 125 varieties of strawberries and 100 varieties of raspberries fruiting this year, many of which appear to be quite promising. They do not intend to give any of them names or disseminate them for cultivation until they have been given a more thorough trial, as they do not wish to send out any new varieties until they are satis- fied, after thorough trial, that they are in some way superior to those already in general cultiva- tion. Among the promising new fruits which are not much grown in this countr\'. Prof. Hutt re- ferred to Cox's Orange Pippin, one of the most popular apples in the Old Countrv", because of its excellent quality. Where it has been fruit- ing here, it has borne heavily, but the fruit is apparently subject to rot, and prooably would not prove valuable for shipping. It is, however. THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 3i;i worthy of trial in southern sections of the prov- ince as a choice dessert apple. Another variety mentioned was Minkler, originated a number of years ago in 111. This is apparently a very pro- ductive variety, of medium size, and good qual- ity, and is a long keeper. On account of its lateness in taking on color in the fall and its dull red color when matured, it probably would not compete in the market with higher colored varieties. Reference was also made to the Spencer Seed- less Apple and the statement made that in our province, where we have so many fruit expt. stas. to thoroughly test such new varieties before they are offered to the public, it would be folly for growers to invest in new varieties of this kind until they have been tested and reported upon. THE COOPERATIVE MOVEMENT Representatives from the various cooperative fruit growers' assns. in the province, reported on the progress that is being made in the move- ment. The character of the reports gave evidence of the value of cooperation. Arkona reported that the assn. started 2 years ago with 8 members and shipped 1 carload. This year, they shipped 1,400 bbls., and realized satisfactory returns. The members of the assn. are well pleased with their success. The Burlington assn. has had good success, and has done good work for its memljers. Belleville, a new assn., is well pleased with the progress that has been made during its first season. The assn. at Forest has been in existence for 3 years and has a membership of 30. Much progress has been made in the growing, packing and marketing of fruits. A change in orchard methods through cooperating has made it pos- sible for the members to produce in quantity, fruit of superior quality. Forest has received satisfactory returns for fruit this year. They have consigned principally to the Old Country. The Ilderton F. G. A. reported by letter and stated its satisfaction with the cooperative movement. The assn. at Newcastle has had a successful season. The fruit' was sold to a dealer who was erecting a cold storage warehouse. It averaged $2.25 a bbl. By cooperation, the orchards of the members have been well cared for, the qual- ity of the fruit has been improved. It is pro- posed to increase the membership and probably to form a joint-stock company. A storehouse will be built in which the assn. intends to place its apples if a satisfactory price cannot be secured early in the season. The Oshawa assn. reported that its first ob- ject is to secure a reasonable price to the grower for his fruit. During the past season, a good example of the value of cooperation was furn- ished. Some orchards of the members netted $1.30 to $1.70 a bbl., while neighboring orchards not in the assn. sold for 50 cts. a bbl. Oshawa has received returns from 800 or 900 bbls. The sales have been satisfactory. The consignments have brought practically the price asked for sales. The cooperative movement is not with- out its troubles. A few growers picked their fruit before it was ready. Another difficulty is the persistent efTorts of apple operators to buy from members of the assn. with a view to break- ing up the organization. During the past season, the assn. at St. Cath- rines ship]>ed about 160 cars, of which 60 were .Id f. o. b., and netted a little over $30,000. lany of the cars were sold to commission men in the west. Members of the assn. cooperate in ijurchasing baskets, spraying materials and other ipphes. They bought one car of fruit pack- L;es from B.C. The Simcoe assn. comprises about 20 mem- bers and has done excellent work. They refused ndmittance to growers who would not agree to spray 4 times during the .season. The result has been a marked improvement in the orchards and fruit of that vicinity. Some men who re- fused to comply with the requirements are now sorry. Fruit of the assn. has brought good prices. They intend building a storehouse and evaporator. Many members of the Trenton assn. are now getting as much for their early fruit as they used to realize on their whole crop. One man who formerly got no more than $20 for his orchard, received $50 for it since he joined the assn. Another grower who had never realized more than $50 for his orchard, received $70 this year for his early fruit and still has 100 bbls. in storage. The assn. assigned one lot of fruit that netted $2.55 a bbl. Most of their winter fruit is in storage. The secretary of the Ont. Cooperative F. G. A. referred to its recent organization. Coopera- tion among the cooperative assns. is a move- ment in the right direction. Through the cen- tral organization, the various local assns. are kept continually in touch with each other. They are given information each week regarding what the others are doing. From the central ofiicte, reports on crop conditions and prices are disseminated. As the provincial assn. is com- paratively new, it has not attempted anything radical in the way of improving the conditions of the affiliated assns. It has been moving slowly, with a view to looking into the possibil- ities. Next year, through the provincial or- ganization, it is possible for the local assns. to have a man placed in the West and another in England, to look after their interests. MISCELLANEOUS ADDRESSES Many interesting addresses were delivered, full reports of which will be published in the next' issue of The Canadian Horticulturist. Among them were "Low-headed Peach Orchards," by Chas. F. Hale, Shelby, Mich.; "The San Jose Scale," by Prof. P. J. Parrot, Geneva exp. sta. ; "Future of the Apple in Ontario," A. McNeill, Chief, Fruit Div., Ottawa; "Markets of the North-West," Robert Thompson, St. Catharines; "Protecting Trees from Mice and Rabbits," W. T. Macoun, Ottawa; and "The Strawberry," W. F. W. Fisher, Burlington. The Min. of Agr. for Ont., Hon. Nelson Mon- teith, addressed the convention and spoke of the apparent decadence of the apple industry in various sections of the province, due largely to lack of care and attention. He said that the O. F. G. A. should do a little missionary work in the way of teaching the owners of such orchards how to improve them. Fruit growing makes farm life more attractive and should be encour- aged. Its influence tends to keep the boys and girls on the farm, Ont. should be the banner province in fruit growing. The maintenance of her reputation depends upon cooperation. The minister pointed out the fact that quality counts for more to-day than ever it did in the past. The moral is, produce the best. At the evening meeting, Nov. 7, Prof. H. L. Hutt, of the O.A.C., Guelph, took the audience on an imaginary trip throughout the length and breadth of the province to the homes of many prominent fruit growers. By means of lime- light views and appropriate remarks, the Prof showed scenes and described in an interesting way the homes and orchards of leading fruit men from the Niagara River and the St. Law- rence Valley to Algoma and the Muskoka Lakes. Frviit PacKag'es in B.C. W. J. Brandrith, Ladner A meeting of B.C.F.G.A. delegates from the various sections of the province was held in Vancouver on Nov. 2, to discuss the fruit pack- age question. It was unanimously agreed that the 4-5 qt. box should be 5J^ x 5p^ x 2 inches, and that the 2-5 qt. box should be 5J^ x 5}^ X 1 inch, and that the crates to hold these sizes should be the only ones manufac- tured. It was also decided that the box known as the "Oregon Cherry Box" be adopted for sweet cherries, and that the 4-5 qt. berry crate be adopted for sour cherries; that the plum crate now in use be adopted, and that a box 18xllx8J^ inches be adopted for pears, and that a half box for pears shall be 18 x 11 x4 inches; and that the pear and J^ j)ear box be used for crab apples. A resolution was passed, also, asking the Dom. Govt, to legalize the apple box for home use, as well as for export. At a meeting of the executive committee held on Nov. 3, it was decided to hold the annual meeting in Nelson, B.C., on Jan. 23 and 24. The secretary was instructed to procure a sufficient quantity of spraying ma- terials for the coming season. Nova Scotia Convention The annual convention of the N. S. F. G. A. will be held at Wolfville, on Dec. 12, 13 and 14. An interesting meeting is expected. Mr. A. McNeill, Chief, Fruit Div., Ottawa, will speak on "Horticulture in Nation Building" and "Or- chard Management." Mr. W. T. Macoun, Horti- culturist, C.E.F., Ottawa, will discuss various horticultural questions. Prof. F. C. Sears, Truro, will discuss "Spraying" and other topics of interest to fruit growers. Cooperation will receive full attention. An exhibition of winter fruits on plates and in barrels and boxes will be shown. This will add much to the general interest of the conven- tion. Fruit growers, not only in N. S., but from the other provinces, are invited to attend. Montreal Frviit Trade Notes E. H. Wartman, D.F.L The handling of fruits from boats and railroads is not yet perfect. Barrels and boxes are not only broken by careless handlers, but are "pilfered" — leaving the barrels slack, Think of a barrel of Kings landing at steamer sheds for export, head broken to pieces and IJ^ pecks of the fruit taken out. This barrel, if "landed in sound condition, would have brought 24s., but as it is 16s. — a loss of $2. The checkers at steamers- would sign teamster's check Ibbl. slack"; but, who should pay to the shipper the $2 loss? I would hke to carry a rubber stamp and have the authority of the Dominion Dept. to brand such broken, pilfered packages, "Pilfered and bro- ken— not to go forward," and to notify shipper of same, so that he might collect for packages so rascally used. Apples in our standard export boxes are thrown down instead of being laid down. Inspectors soon stop such work when on the spot. They have saved shippers hundreds of dollars, but, there are times when these goods are arriv- ing at 3, 4, or 5 o'clock a.m., that we cannot be expected to be around after a hard day's work up to 12 o'clock the previous night. Our shipments from this port are probablj 75,000 bbls. short of last year to date. The fruit is in the country yet. Before the beginning of navigation next May the aggregate will total a large number. Shippers are wise in not fiUing the last steamers full of apples. As the season for this fruit is a long one and the apple is a general favorite, we may look for good profits by keeping the ball rolling not too fast. In a few cases No. 1 Fameuse have sold in 5 bbl. lots in this city already at $6 a bbl. Important Announcement In the House of Commons, on Nov. 2(), the Hon. Sidney Fisher, Min. of Agr., intimated that an item would be placed in the estimates to encourage the establishment of cold storage ware- houses throughout Canada. The jjroposition is to secure the equipment and establishment of cold storage plants where the conditions of trade seem to justify. Mr. F'islier asked Iiis colleagues to put in the estimates an item which would bring about the desired results. Iji a few days the estimates . will be placed upon the table of the House. THe Ontario Horticultural ExKibition LOVERS of flowers, fruit and vegclubk-s lu Canada have reason to congratulate them- selves upon the success of the third annual Ontario Horticultural Exhibition held last week, Nov. 6-10, in Massoy Hall, Toronto. The attendance, in spite of one rainy day, was con- siderably more than twice as large as last year. The total number of entries in all departments was some 2,000 greater than ever before. The quality, also, of the exhibits was much ahead of previous years. The. increased attendance was due to two reasons: the running of half-rate excursions to Toronto from all parts of the province and the presence of the Black Dike Band. This latter feature proved a costly attraction, but it went far to make the exhibition enjoyable to "the indifferent public," and thus to place the ex- hibition on a better footing for the future. There will be a deficit, how large has not been ascertained. It is believed, however, that it will be little, if any, larger than last year, and that it will be possible to pay everything in full, as was done a year a^o. There is reason to believe that the exhibition, at last, has been placed on a permanent basis. In time it may rival, in its way, even the famous Royal Horti- cultural Exhibition of London, England. Visitors were lavish in their praises of the different exhibits. They were equally as en- thusiastic over the large cauliflowers as they were over the American Beauty roses. The fruit excited as much interest as did the decorated dinner tables. The fruit and vegetables ap- pealed to the inner man, while the flowers were a feast to the eye and mind. Combining the different branches of horticulture in one grand show has proved to be a movement in the right direction. It has met with the approval of the public. From now on, no florists are likely to even suggest the holding of a flower show of their own. This is a day of combines, and this combination has proved a success. The arrangement of the exhibits was different from last year, and proved more attractive. The decorated dinner tables were placed in front of the stage, with a partition dividing them. The chrysanthemum groups were at the top of the stage, in the same position given the orchid groups last year. The latter were placed at the east side of the hall and showed up to excellent advantage. The mixing of exhibits of fruit and flowers on the same tables, which last year was not liked by many, was omitted. Each table was devoted to one class of exhibits. The box fruit was displayed in the basement, as also were the vegetables and the made-up floral work. Exhibits from the Ontario Agriciiltirral College were placed both in the main hall and in the basement. PLANTS AND FLOWERS The arrangement of the chrysanthemum groups was not equal to former years. This was owing to the place in which they were locat- ed not bemg adapted to the displaying of groups of this nature. The palms and decorative plants used in these banks were better than in former years. Many of them were exceptionally well grown. The judge had no easy task to pick the winner. In the orchid groups the judge again pro- nounced for quality as against quantity. There has never been as grand a display of orchids seen in Canada. The public probably did not realize how rare the collection was. Some fine specimens were exhibited in the classes devoted to palms, ferns and decorative plants. The chrysanthemum bush plants were not as good as is usually seen, owing to the bloom not being developed. Had the exhibi- tion been 2 weeks later, some fine plants would have been shown. One of the plants measured over 6 feet through. The single stem chrysan- themum olants were a surprise to many. Such good Dioom Was not expected for the season. The decorative plant cla.ss biouylit out ^.uiiic splendid specimen plants of better quality than those usually seen. In the cut bloom classes there was a fine dis- play. The quality of the chrysanthemums was high for the season. The exhibits in the carna- tion sections were not as numerous as last year, and the quality of the bloom was not up to the usual standard. The competition in the rose sections was keen. The quality of the bloom shown was much above the average. The entries in the "made-up-work" were not so numerous as last year, but the class of work shown was an advance. The skill of the floral designer was made manifest in the keenness of the competition. DECORATED DINING TABLES The decorated dinner tables were judged by a committee of ladies selected by Mrs. Mortimer Clark. Their decisions were a surprise to some of the exhibitors. J. S. Simmons won first prize, A. Jennings second, Thos. Manton third, and J. H. Dunlop's table, set up by H. G. Dillemeuth, fourth. After the decisions were made The Can- adian Horticulturist interviewed the ladies to find the reasons for the decisions. The ladies said that all of the tables were overdone; there were too many flowers used and they were ar- ranged too high, so much so that they would obstruct the view of the guests. The principal objection to Mr. Simmons' table, outside of the flowers being too high, was the tying of the ladies' corsage flowers with a silk cord. This is only a matter of opinion. On the Jennings and Manton tables were bon-bon dishes that were not in keeping with the other dishes. They should have been either cut glass or silver. The fourth prize table evidently had a large amount of time and thought expended to produce the results but, in the opinion of the ladies, it was overdone. The shades on the candelabra did not harmonize with the other colors on the table. The fish knife and fork were incorrectly placed. There was too much space between the cutlery. A table cloth should have been used, and not lace mats, as, in serving a dinner, the top of the table would have been damaged by the hot plates. The setting was more suited for a fruit luncheon. A guest seated at the table for one and a half hours, they thought, would find the electric lights very trying on the eyes. The proper method of lighting a table is to have the fights on a level or just below the eyes. There was, they thought, too much ribbon used on this table. By many of the general public, who did not take note of these points, this table was liked the best of all. The dishes on the tables were minutely examined by the judges, even to the salt dishes, and the unanimous opinion was that the tables were not equal to those of last year. The judges were surprised to find so many of the tables decorated with orchids. A greater variety of flowers would have been better. They found it difficult to judge the tables in the afternoon owing to the tables being set for an evening effect. The judges recommended that next year the exhibitors should produce a sim- pler effect in their decorations. THE fruit exhibits The show of fruit was an advance on anything of the kind held in Canada. The competition was closer both in plate fruits and in commercial packages. A. McNeill, Chief, Fruit Division, Ottawa, said that Ont. is the pupil of B.C. in packing, but at the recent fair at New Westmin- ster, B.C., there was no packing that equalled some at the Toronto show. It is fair to say, however, that the general run of box fruit from B.C., seen in our markets, is much better than that put up in Oat. While the packages at the shoW were a superior lot, a number of defects were noticed. The sides of the boxes, in many instances, were too thin; the best thickness is from ^ to J^ an inch. The tops and bottoms were too heavy; these 312 bhould Ije not more than 5-16 of an incli 1 he ends of the boxes, as a rule, were correct, which is % to no more than Ji of an inch thick. Some boxes had cleats running up and down on the ends; this is unnecessary and adds to the cost. A few boxes were roughly sawed. Smoothness is necessary to good appearance; fine saw cut or planed material is best. On the whole, the finish of the boxes was good, but some exhibitors forgot to put cleats across the top and bottom at the ends. This is a grave defect as, though not detracting from strength, it docs not protect the bilge. The kind of material used was fairly good ; elastic woods, like spruce, are better than bass wood. The character of the pack-system showed a great improvement over past efforts. In a few boxes inferior packing more than offset the quality of fruit. A number of exhibitors'failed to pack with due regard for the proper bilge. There was not a great variety of styles in packing. Evidently packers spent their energy in select- ing apples of suitable size, rather than in select- ing a pack to suit the size of apple. On many boxes, lace paper added to the appearance, but packers should see that it is placed only on the sides and not continuous around the box. In some boxes were found apples that had defects sufficient to disqualify them; among these, con- siderable "ink spot" or "fly spot" was noticed. Some poor branding was noticed. The judges discriminated against lead pencil markings. None of the branding was quite up to the stand- ard. In many cases the stencil was used when the steel die would have been better. The latter is neater and the printing can be done when the boxes are made, except the grade and tier marks. Mr. McNeill suggested that Ont. grow- ers should mark the number of tiers on the box as well as the grade. The pears in boxes were put up equal to the best CaUfomia pack. The peaches, also, were well packed. They had been wrapped and kept in cold storage. The way in which they came out showed the value of both the storage and the wrapping. Some growers had neat labels on the. wrappings, that showed the fruit to good advantage. In the competition in barrelled fruit, every feature of good barrel packing was illustrated. It is believed there will not be found in any part of the world better barrel packers than in Ont. Most of the barrels used were 8-hooped and, other things being equal, these scored a point or two more than those with only 6 hoops. A featm-e of the fruit shown on plants were the county exhibits. Among the most notice- able were the counties of P. Edward, Durham, Northumberland, Lambton and Norfolk. Ox- ford Co. sent some beautiful Baldwins; Norfolk and the united counties of Northumberland and Durham, a fine display of Spys. While the county exhibits were good, they did not give a fair comparison of what each county can do. The size of the exhibit from a particular county does not count for much in estimating the fruit industry of the county. A county, unimportant in fruit matters, might send an exhibit larger than those sent by more important counties. The prize list should be arranged in a manner that will bring out more exactly the comparative capabilities of the different counties. There was a large and excellent display of table fruit. A noticeable feature to the obseri'er was the way in which the immense red apples, like Wolf River, appealed to the general pubUc, when otherwise such varieties are of no particular value. There were some Cayugas that measured 14J^ inches in circumference. Most of the apples were highly colored and well finished. Considerable dissatisfaction was expressed over the decisions of the judge on plate apples. Wrong judgment was shown in many classes. In Spys, the awards seem to have been made with eyes closed. First prize Fameuse were scabby. THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 313 \ In the class for cooking varieties, Mann, Falla- water and Baxter were given preference over Fall Pippin, Ontario and Bellfleur. In class III, dessert apples, Baxter received a prize as "any other desirable variety," and in class IV, cook- ing apples, the same variety was given a place as "any desirable seedling." These are a few of the many inexcusable mistakes that occurred. t is evident that the judge, who is not an apple an, did not know his business. He should not have been given the responsibility of deciding on fruit that he doesn't know much about, and he should not have accepted it. The class devoted to pyramids of fruit brought out many entries. The display was good. The fruit was high-class, although a few defective specimens were noticed that should have been left at home. Showing apples in pyramids is a good feature. It is the most attractive form of table decoration. Peaches, pears and grapes on plates added much to the fruit section of the show. Fine specimens of each class were shown. CENTRAL EXPERIMENTAL FARM ■" As usual, the C.E.F. had an exhibit that was a credit. It showed the character and progress of the work being done by Mr. W. T. Macoun, the horticulturist. When the C.E.F. first showed fruit, the apples were nearly all fall varieties. Since then the proportion of winter varieties has increased each year. Out of 57 varieties on exhibition this year, 23 were late keepers. This is evidence that the work is progressing in the right direction. Among the leading varieties exhibited and recommended for planting in northern sections were: Milwaukee, early bearer, productive, hardy tree, very acid in flavor — now being crossed with Mcintosh to improve flavor; Bax- ter, good, early to midwinter ; Forest, good quality, late keeper, hardy — also being crossed with Mcintosh; Winter Rose, mild flavor, hardy; Scott's Winter, good but small; and Stone, large, hardy, originated in Vt. The display of grapes was grand. One won- ders that such delicious flavored, well-bunched grapes can be grown out of the grape belt. Every variety grown in the Niagara district was in the C.E.F. collection. All were well ripened. Besides these, a number of other varieties were shown. Mr. Macoun is working on the produc- tion of early ripening varieties for planting in semi-northern districts, where now grape grow- ing is not a good commercial proposition. Among the best varieties for the home garden in those districts are, in red, Moyer, Brighton, Lindley and Delaware; in black, Moore's Early, Campbell's Early, Worden and Wilder; in white, Moore's Diamond. EXPERIMENT STATIONS' EXHIBIT The Ont. Exp. Sta. had a nice exhibit, but not up to the standard of some others in past years. It was in charge of L. Woolverton, Grimsby. Eight stations sent contributions. The arrangement was good, the main feature being central pyramids of the best varieties for growing in the various districts. Mr. Woolver- ton _ showed the "Princess Louise" apple that was'originated on his own farm. It is a New Year dessert variety, valuable for the home garden, but not productive enough for market. For the first time an exhibit of vegetables grown at an experiment station was shown. Work in this line has been commenced at I.^amington and is in charge of E. E. Adams. The exhibit was a creditable one, containing 30 varieties, all good stuff, including sweet potatoes. The exhibit from Algoma, the station farthest north, contained 17 varieties. Those best suited to the section are Wolf River, Colvert, Winter Arabka and Longfield. The St. Lawrence Sta. sent 23 varieties, including Scarlet Pippin, Snow and Baxter. Milwaukee, also, was shown, and is recommended by the station this year for the first time. In the Lake Huron sta. exhibit there were 24 varieties, including Wealthy, Bottle Greening and W. Arabka. As would be ex- pected, the Bay of Quinte sta. sent an excellent exhibit, comprising 25 varieties. Fine speci- mens of the leading varieties were shown. The most attractive exhibit came from the BurKngton sta. It included 50 varieties, among them a number of southern kinds seldom heard of here. Repeated tests with such varieties show that they do not succeed well in our climate. We require apples that have originated in Can- ada or on similar latitudes, such as Minnesota. The Burlington exhibit included 38 varieties of fruit in bottles, put up in antiseptic solutions. A showy exhibit was shown by the station in Simcoe Co. It contained 40 varieties, among them the immense Wolf River apple that at- tracted more attention than any other apple at the exhibition. A new apple from Wisconsin called "Peerless," a seedhng of the Duchess, was shown; it promises to be worthy of further trial in this province. O. A. C. EXHIBIT The O. A. C. biol'l dept. put up an exhibit of educational value. Many of the insect and fungous pests that trouble the fruit and vege- table grower were shown either mounted or in antiseptic solutions. A good display of material prize list called for only 25 varieties in each col- lection, there were shown, in some, about 50 varieties. Had the prize list called for 25 classes rather than varieties, the requirement would have been more comprehensive. One of the best collections was that of Mr. Thos. Delworth, Weston, Ontario. It was the most artistically arranged, but, as celery was lack- ing, it did not receive the consideration that it otherwise would. The first prize collec- tion, put up by W. Harris, Humber Bay, was a credit to the grower. In the other classes, competition was close. White artichokes were extra fine. Beets, both long and globe, were good. The Brussels sprouts were the finest ever shown in the province. The public should know and use this delicious vegetable more than now. Cabbages were ex- cellent, but one or two entries crept into the flat class that did not belong there. In the cauli- flower classes there were 26 entries, any one of which was a credit to the producer. Some ex- cellent celery was shown, but in the red class, pink varieties were given preference over the red. The carrots were good and clean. Egg plants were good for the season. The endive The County Exhibits Were a Feature of the Fruit Department So numerous were the enuies that it was impossible to display them to best advantage. There was not enoueh room to avoid crowding.' used in the teaching of nature study, as well as some work of pupils, was on exhibition. The hort'l dept. had an exhibit of fruits and vegetables. There were 78 varieties of apples, among them 7 varieties that have been held in cold storage since the season of 1905. Those that came through best were Stark, Lawver, Salome, Ben Davis and Gano; the others were Blenheim and Ribston. A new apple was shown called "Champion." It was originated by the Stark Nursery Co., of Mo. It is a late winter variety of medium size, fair color — a little better in most points than Stark. Among the vegetables were 43 varieties of beets, including the standards. Eclipse and Meteor. There were 23 varieties of carrots, in- cluding nice specimens of Shantenay, Rubicon and Scarlet Nantes in intermediates, and Eng- lish Horn in short. Among the onions was a new one that is large, productive and even in size; it is one of Sutton's and is called "Ailsa Craig." Some nice winter radishes were in the collection, including some white varieties that are milder in flavor than the other types; a good one is Osaki. VEGETABLES The vegetable exhibit was larger in number of entries and superior in quality to that of last year. The display of cauliflower was grand. The various collections were good. While the specimens were all right in size, but they should have been more bleached. There were shown some extra large specimens of khol-rabi; in fact, size was produced at the expense of quality. The leeks were extra fine. Lettuce was good, but there was not enough competition. The onion exhibit was a superior one; those in ropes attracted much attention. Some nice parsnips were shown; one of the finest in size and smoothness did not win a prize on account of the crown being too coarse and large in proportion to the rest of the speci- men. Peppers were good. There were some nice winter radish, but the competition was small. The same may be said of turnip radishes. The salsify exhibits were good, also the squash and citron. There was not a large competition in the po- tato classes, but the entries shown were clean, smooth and creditable. The collections of vege- tables grown in York County comprised speci- mens that could not be beaten anywhere, MISCELLANEOUS The exhibit of honey and apiary supplies was good in quality and fairly well arranged. It could be improved by the adoption of brighter and more 'attractive1llabels'"on ,the'|bottles and jars. The Biggs Fruit and Produce Co., Burlington, were on hand with a display of choice, wrapped 314 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST apples in boxes. The exhibit was attractive, the apples being of high quality and neatly packed. An exhibit of Spencer Seedless apples attracted much attention. A number of specimens were cut and given to fruit growers and others inter- ested. Information regarding the variety was disseminated by members of the company. A standard Wallace Sprayer was on exhibitign. Mr. W. H. Brand, Jordan Station, was in charge and expounded upon the many merits of this well-known and well-tried machine. Horticultural manures in variety were ex- hibited by The Arnott Chemical Co., of Toronto. An exhibition of fruits, flowers and vegetables would not be complete without the presence of the fertilizers that produced many of the first prize specimens. Important to Vegetable Gro"wrers THE horticultural department at Guelph, thfe holding of vegetable growers' meetings throughout Ont., the increasing of the government grant of the assn. and the advisability of urging the establishment of vegetable expt. stations at central points throughout Ont., were 4 important matters discussed at the meeting of the directors of the Ont. Vegetable Growers' assn., held in Toronto, Nov. 7, at the time of the Ont. Hortl. Exhibition. A special committee, composed of Joseph Rush, of Humber Bay; T. Delworth, of Weston, and W. C. McCalla, of St. Catharines, who had been appointed to visit the college to find what work was being done there for the benefit of the vegetable growers, and to make suggestions for new lines of work, presented their report. The committee reported that at the time of their visit the crops at the college looked well, especially the onions and a few rows of asparagus planted the past spring. An exception was the early cabbage, which had been almost entirely destroyed by root maggot. In view of the fact that the O.A.C., in Bui. 122, gives remedies for this pest, the committee reported that they were surprised to find that these remedies were not in use. In the opinion of the committee, the value of the work done at the college would be nmch increased if the remedies suggested in the bulletins were found in actual operation there, so that visitors would be able to judge their work. So far as they were able to learn, no attempt had been made at the college to combat the root maggot. On the trial grounds, a number of different varieties of vegetables were found to be imder test. Some vegetables, such as beans, peas and celery, were not included in the test. The de- partment of entomology had issued a bulletin on "The Common Fungous and Insect Pests of Growing Vegetable Crops." Experiments have been conducted this year with remedies for the radish root maggot, but no definite conclusions have been reached so far. Prof. Harcourt has been doing valuable work through experiments with fertilizers. Prof. Zavitz has conducted experiments of great interest in the growing of potatoes. In their recommendations, the com- mittee expressed the opinion that it was a mis- take for the dept. of horticulture to devote itself almost exclusively to variety tests. Many of the varieties under test are inferior, and were discarded long ago by gardeners. In the case of lettuce, out of the 91 varieties under test at the college, growers have found that only 6 or 8 are worth growing. The committee believes that the rest should be discarded and that in future the college might confine itself to testing the novelties introduced each year by reliable seed firms. It believes that this plan would much reduce the work of the college without impairing its value. They suggested that work be attempted along the line of improvement, by seed selection or otherwise, of the best known varieties. The conducting of experiments to determine the best methods of fertiUzing and preparing the ground, of planting, of cultivating, and of protection from insects and fungous enemies and of hand- ling the matiu-e vegetable crops; that these ex- periments should be conducted with a view to their value to the commercial grower. The in- itiative, they .believe, belongs to the dept. of horticulture. In conclusion, the committee ex- pressed the opinion that the college and growers should keep in close totich with each other. In a discussion that followed the reading of the report, the members of the committee made statements that were stronger than any con- tained in the report. The view was cx[)ressed that the hortl. dept. lacks a proper conception of the work it should undertake. Instead of branching out along new and important lines of work, it apparently has been content to do about as little as possible. Some of the directors stated that when they had asked for the appoint- ment of a vegetable exjx^rt at the college, they thought that this expert would be given consid- erable power of initiative, but, apparently, he has been treated as but little better than a hired laborer. It was finally decided to lay the matter fully before the Minister of Agriculture. Later, the full board of directors waited on Hon. Mr. Monteith and presented their views to him fully. The as.sn. made application to the Dept. for an increase in its grant from $(300 to $1,000. The assn. has 1.50 more members than any other assn. in the province. Its grant is only one- third of that of the Ont. Fruit Growers' Assn., and $400 less than the grant to the Bee Keepers' Assn. A report was read from a committee composed of representatives of the Kingston and Ottawa branches, who had been appointed to visit the Central Experiment Farm at Ottawa to ascer- tain what work is being done there. The report merely mentioned lines of work being under- taken at the farm, and did not offer any criticisms or suggestions for new work. Mr. Bushell, of the Kingston branch stated that the growers in the vicinity of Kingston feel that a vegetable expt. sta. should be established near there and he asked for the cooperation of the Ont. As- in securing such a station. While the mat' was Ijeing discussed, it was suggested tl vegetable expt. stations might be estabUsh. throughout the province on the same lines the Ont. Fruit Exp. stations This suggest i met with considerable favor. It was felt, Im ever, that the assn. has been moving ratli. rapidly, and that it would not Ijc wise for it ti< press for these improvements all at once. A committee composed of Messrs. McCali Macoun and McMcans, who had liecn appoint* to judge the essays in the ess:iy comixititu presented its report. The winners are as {o\U>v Potato culture — 4 essays received. — 1, \ A. Broughton, of Sarnia; 2, F. F. Reeves, Humber Bay; 3, H. A. Blundcn, Sarnia. Cauliflower culture — 4 essays received. — 1, Knight, Cataraqui; 2, T. Delworth, West' 3, J. N. Watts, Portsmouth. Tomato culture — 2 essays received, one which was received after the competition 1: closed and therefore was ruled out. — 1, J. Watts. (Continued on page 320) THE POST OFFICE DEPT. saves you mon. labor and worry. Take advantage of it ij\ ordering your requirements through the mail direct from the advertisers in this paper, and thus save the middleman's prices. Mention this paper and thus insure prompt and courteous treatment. See our Protective Policy on f: editorial page. The Arnott Chemical Co., whose advertise- ment appears on another page, are now manu- facturing their special manures in Canad.i The.se fertihzers are carefully made from t! test ingredients, as proved by their crop p: ducing powers. The advantage of growc;., being able to obtain such high-class fertilizer manufactured in Canada, thus saving the im- port duty, cannot be overestimated. One specialty, their Concentrated Soluble Odorless Horticultural Manure, we can highly recom- mend to amateurs, especially ladies, as it is clean to handle and free from objectionable smell. Jt is invaluable for plants in the house, keeping them healthy and vigorous during the winter months. 1 he Sovereign Bank of Canada Chartered by Dominion Parliament A NEW CANADIAN RECORD 31st Octo- ber Capital Paid-up ' i 1 ■ Reserve Fund Sovereign and Undivided Bank Notes Deposits Profits in Circulation Kxcessof Assets over Liabililies to the Public 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 $1,173,478 1,300,000 1,300,000 1,610,478 3,942,710 $ 240,000 $ 759,995 $ 1,681,730 362,838 1,237,650 4,309,432 420,373 1,284,840 7,196,741 523,461 1,-550,790 10,134,209 : 1,335,847 2,850,675 15,578,920 $1,413,478 1,662,8.38 1,720,373 2,133,939 5,278,-557 31st Octo- ber Cash on Hand and at Bankers Bonds, Debentures, Loans at Call - etc. Commercial Loans and Discounts Total Assets 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 $ 383,097 622,774 1,214,822 1,491,398 3,916,842 $ 439,363 $1,630,199 S 1,3-58,469 713,397 1,747,342 4,074,048 672,034 1,179,.540 7,014,123 791,1-53 1,566,144 9,578,8-50 1,612,831 4,614,067 14,640,510 , 1 . i . 1 S- 3,8-55,203 7,209,920 10,201.9-54 13,818,938 25,343,401 Deposit SAVINGS DEPARTMENT AT ALL OFFICES B of $1.00 and Upwards Received Interest Paid F Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writins. our Times a Year TKe Sovereign BanK of Canada Officb op the 2nd Vice-Presidbnt and General Manager, To the Shareholders, The Sovereign Bank of Canada: WE have pleasure in enclosing herewith statement of the Bank's position as at the close of the fiscal half-year, ending 31st October, together with comparative statistics for the past five years. The figures require no special explanation, and we feel sure the progress and stability which they indicate will afford the proprietors and friends of the Bank complete satisfaction. The Bank's American and Foreign business has now attained considerable importance. Our connections abroad, as well as our faciUties at home, enable us to handle British, Continental and American transactions entrusted to us on a favorable basis, and the results so far have been satisfactory to all concerned. Our principal business is, of course, confined to Canada, and is concentrated in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, which long experience has proven to be the safest territory in the Dominion for the conduct of a general and com- mercial banking business. In these two prov- inces the Bank has 55 branches and 22 sub- offices, the latter being managed from central points, and in some instances open only two or three days a week. We have not yet opened any branches in the North-West, as competition there seems to be unusually keen, but with the undoubted progress which the country is mak- ing, these conditions will probably right them- selves later on, and in the meantime we have very satisfactory banking arrangements for the conduct of business throughout that territory. The capital of the Bank ($4,000,000) will be fully paid up in a few months, and it is a source of great satisfaction to know that our sharehold- Montreal, November 10, 1906. ers number nearly 1,200 and include some of the most powerful financial people in the world. The Sovereign Bank is at present the eighth largest chartered bank in Canada in point of capital. Its assets amount to $25,343,401, a large part of which are "liquid," and the con- tinued growth of deposits testifies to the popu- larity of the institution throughout the country. The Note Circulation shows an advance of 83% over last year, and both the Circulation and Deposits have increased materially since the present statement was compiled. The past half-year is the best the Bank has ever had, and we have every reason to think that the current half-year will be at least as good. Your obedient servant, D. M. Stewart, General Manager. Comparative Statistics LIABILITIES Half- Yearly Statement 31st October, 1906 31st October Capital Paid-up Reserve Fund and Undivided Profits Sovereign Bank Notes in Circulation Deposits LIABILITIES Capital Stock paid-up $3,942,710.00 Reserve Fund and Undivided Profits 1,335,847.22 $5,278,557.22 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 $1,173,478 1,300,000 1,300,000 1,610,478 3,942,710 $ 240,000 362,838 420,373 523,461 1,335,847 $ 759,995 1,237,650 1,284,840 1,550,790 2,850,675 $1,681,730 4,309,432 7,196,741 Notes of the Bank in circulation 2,850,675.00 Deposits Payable on Demand $5,685,321 .09 10,134,209 15,578,920 Deposits Payable after Notice 9,893,598.66 15,578,919 75 ASSETS Other LiabiUties 1 635 249 15 31st October Cash on Hand and at Bankers Bonds, Debentures, etc. Loans at Call Commercial Loans and Discounts $25,343,401.12 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 $ 383,097 622,774 1,214,822 1,491,398 3,916,842 $ 439,363 713,397 672,034 791,153 1,612,831 $1,630,199 1,747,342 1,179,540 1,.566,144 4,614,067 ASSETS Gold and Silver Coin on hand $ 538,989.58 Dominion Government Notes on hand 1,121,447.00 Notes and Cheques of other Banks 1,155,304.99 Balances with Bankers 1 101 101 00 $1,358,469 4,074,048 7,014,123 9,578,850 14,640,510 GENERAL Cash Assets $3,916,842 .57 Cash Deposited with Dominion Govern- ment for Security of Note Circulation 80,000,00 Provincial Government and other Securities 1 ,612,831 . 16 31st October Total Assets Excess of Assets over Liabilities to the Public Branches and Sub-offices No, of Shareholders Call and Short Loans Secured by Bonds, etc. 4,614,067.00 $10,223,740.73 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 $3,855,203 7,209,920 10.201,954 13,818,938 25,343,401 $1,413,478 1,662,838 1.720,373 2,133,939 5.278,557 17 28 42 53 78 757 Commercial Loans (less rebate of interest) $14,640,510.40 Bank Premises, Real Estate, Safes, etc. . . 473,837.57 Other Assets 5 312 42 15 119 660 39 819 854 1,004 $25,343,401.12 1,195 D. M. STEWART, General Manager. N.B.- -This Bank cc mmenced business ] 1st May, 1902. 3. M. STEWAR GenerE T, il Manager. 315 -Apple Yield Less TKan Anticipated WHILE some apple districts reixirt yields up to, or above, expectations, the crop on tlie whole has proved to be less. Many adverse conditions decreased the percentage of No. 1 fruit. Prices f.o.b. have been fairly good. Many consignments to the Old Country have given excclk-iit returns. Most growers who sold their apples l)y the lump in orcliard, failed to realize full value for the crop. Advices from various ixjinls indicate that fair quantities of apples are still in the country, being held in storage. Correspondents of The Canadian Horticulturist report as follows: GREY COUNTY Meaford.— Between 25,000 nnd 35,000 bbls. of apples will be the output from this point. The yield is above expectations. Large quan- tities have been shipped to the West. — J. D. Hamill. KENT COUNTY Chatham. — Yield has been light. CodUng moth and San Josd scale ruined a large percent- age of the crop. Canning factories paid 50c. a cwt., and evaporators 25c. a cwt. for good stock. Good returns are expected for apples consigned to the Old Country, — Milton Backus. LAMBTON COUNTY Arkona. — Crop is above the average. No apples stored. Prices fairly good. Some cars sold for $2.50 for No. 1, $2 for No. 2. Consign- ments have netted about $2. — W. J. Seymour. NORFOLK COUNTY 1^ Simcoe. — No apples stored. Sprayed or- chards yielded well, some netting $200 an acre. — W. Olds. WENTWORTH COUNTY Fruitland. — Crop short of anticipations. Codling moth, winds and frosts did much damage. Buyers report 75 % of crop to be No. 2. Prices ran from $1 to $1.25 picked in orchard. Prices now quoted by dealers are variable, some as liigh as $3.50 for No. 1 Spys. Fair prices may be expected for gfxxl No. 1 or Fancy stock. Large quantities have been placed in cold storage in Hamilton. — -Joseph Tweddle. OXFORD COUNTY IngersoU. — Yield above the average. About 2,000 bbls. stored in town. Prices have been satisfactory, ranging from $1 to $L75 a bbl. picked from trees. — J. C. Harris. MIDDLESEX COUNTY Ivan. — Prices have been satisfactory. Not many bbls. are in storage here. Quality is good from sprayed orchards. — E. T. Caverhill. HALTON COUNTY Oakville. — Crop J less than predicted. Not many bbls. stored. Prices ranged from $1 a bbl, on trees to $1.25-$1.40 a bbl. picked. Apples sold, packed, f.o.b. or consigned gave better returns. — W. H. MacNeil. Burlington. — Few apples are stored. Prices have been good. Nos. 1 and 2 averaged $1 a box, some much higher. No. 3's brought $1 a bbl. net.— W. V. Hopkins. HASTINGS COUNTY Belleville. — Crop only medium; less than early predictions. About 6,500 bbls. stored. Prices have been fairly good. Spys have reaUzed 19s.; Snows, 17s.; Greenings, 17s. 6d. — F. S. Wallbridge. LEEDS AND ORENVILLE Maitland. — Crops not up to early expectations in quantity or quality. Codling moth did much injury. No. 1 Fameuse are selling at $3 to $4.50 a bbl. in local markets, — Harold Jones, DURHAM COUNTY Newcastle, — Prices have been fairly good. A number of orchards were sold at $2,25 a bbl,, tree run, Nos, 1 and 2, f,o.b, and netted the growers about $1.60 for the apples. One grower sold for $2 a bbl. tree run. Small orchards were sold at $1 to $1.25 a bbl. on the trees. About 10,000 bbls. have been stored in this vicinity.— H. C. Howen. MONTREAL DISTRICT Westmount. — Crop above expectations. Coopers report that growers underestimated the yield, as evidenced by additional orders for bVjls. In Montreal No. 1 Fameuse are bringing $4, and No. 2, $2.25 to $2.75 a bbl; Mackintosh red, $5 to $6 for No. 1 and Fancy. Montreal wants apples in barrels, not boxes. Apples for export rushed in before close of navigation in large quantities. More apples are being held in cold storage in the country than last season. Prob- ably prices will drop for a time, towards spring they will pick up. — R. Brodie. Henrysburg Centre. — 20,000 bbls. of apples were sold to speculators at 90c, to $1 a bbl. They are now selling in Montreal at $2,50 to $3,50, Who made money? — -John Spencer. A large company of fruit growers and othefs has been organized in N,S, to be known as Hillcrest Orchards, Limited, with headquarters at Kentville, N,S. Mr. Ralph S. Eaton is the pres. and mngr. The authorized capital is $75,000 and subscribed, $55,000, If you are interested, send for the prospectus, with ac- companying booklet of views. I The cut of the 1st prize decorated dining table, on page 301, was exhibited at the Ont, Hort'l Exhibition, by J, S, Simmons, Toronto, The 2nd prize table, on page 302, was shown by A, Jennings, Toronto, The White Globe onions, on page 303, were the product of the gardens of J, N, Watts, Portsmouth, Ont,, and won a special prize. ABUNDANT CROPS OF HIGH QUALITY FOLLOW THE USE OF Tobique Plaster UK blrDuM c^LL KINDS OF LAND REQUIRE THIS FERTILIZER Fruit Growers Flower Growers ana V egetaole Growers SHOULD USE TOBIQUE PLASTERj SPREAD IT ON YOUR LAWN OR GARDEN THOUSANDS OF TESTIMONIALS FROM USERS R. C. Mosher, Manager, Plaster Rock, N.B. WESTERN AGENT THE F. G. TERRY CO., 31-41 GEORGE ST. TORONTO, ONTARIO Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing A LARGE PORTION OF =The Be^ Fruit- At the Exhibition 1 1 was grown from stock sup- plied by US years ago. Our stock is as good to-day as it has been in the pa^. This should be a' good enough reason why you should buy your Trees, Shrubs, etc., from 1 1 =^The Helderleigh Nurseries=^ E. D. SMITH, WINONA, ONT. Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 317 Prince EdAvard Island Letter Rev. Father Burke, Alberton Looking over the year's operations in fruit growing in this section, there is nothing too cheerful in the retrospect. We came out of winter conditions well last spring; so well, indeed, as to have high hopes as to the result in crop. The blossoming period rather buoyed up these hopes; there was an abundance of flowers everywhere, except on plums. The fixing time opened our eyes to the possibiUty of only a moderate return in fruit. Even the prospects of those days were not to be maintained ; a further falling off occurred. All through the summer season, with its excessive drought, there was a continuous dropping. Worms, despite the regu- lar sprayings, were more numerous and persistent in attack than usual, and contributed to the abnormal amount of falling apples. When all were gathered in, therefore, we had not yi oi a. crop. "Too many blossoms exhaust trees as badly as too much fruit," say the knowing; and this largely is given as the cause of the shortage. Well-attended orchards are satisfying their owners even this year. A few hundreds of barrels of good apples are worth as much as twice the quantity in full years. The samples put on the markets from our own orchards are very credit- able. Gravensteins from N.S. are smaller and scabbier than usual this fall. There is nothing like rigid inspection to elevate the moral standard. We have had a severe loss to our horticulture in the death of our inspector-instructor, Mr. Richard Burke. He was in his 76th year, but nobody would have thought him half so old. He had taken a deep and more than ordinary interest, in fruit-growing from his early days; indeed, he belonged to a family with a peculiar taste for the studies which horticulture imposes. He was at the beginning of all association work here, and contributed his full share to the spread and maintenance of the sane ideas it inculcated. Who can take his place with the same acceptance ? He had knowledge and could impart it ; he had unbounded faith in the fruit interests here, and could inspire others with it; he understood his official duties and fulfilled them scrupulously; and still did not bother himself unduly with the letter which killeth, but never interpreted the spirit of the ordinances under which he worked, and, therefore, helped the community he served and the administration whose servant he was. He was a model man, a lovable scientist, an honest official, a public -spirited and self-sacrific- ing citizen, and a model husband and parent. Representing the horticulturists of P.E.I., we are glad to acknowledge his worth before our fellows of the Dominion. May he sleep well! The winter meets are on for this month. Amherst leads off, Dec. 3-6; P.E.I. F.G.A. meeting is posted for Dec. 10 and 11 at Char- lottetown; and N.S. F.G.A. at Wolfville on 13 and 14. Those meetings are likely to be the most important in the history of the assns. holding them. The work done and left undone, at Ottawa, will likely occupy an important place on the Agenda paper. It is well that a strict reckoning be kept of all these conventions. Several fines have been imposed for violating the Fruit Marks Act. .'j " 5l-c»utAm.H:>Dii«r|1.35 ll:.vriUH.-tl». ...... JO " niu« Matiftvl .C.Offi.rri.'.'wordI.W RnbUr fi'ii'U'j^ .lb " SurKk«lhmtiiil-S«U6.75 CtAei IMII <«utiNl.W " N«w('Dva]r)S»t>mI.H Culrt I-VjipL SrU, ,38 " fwrslfj-^j.-inii j.iJr) .4* liayoMU. 10" Annvhut("(i[.»,ii^w3.O0 SkU A rm Sworda .95 ** Kball Shirt. <.iiif«... -W " Mil. BUnk.l wrw.. I.W Army S»i.nfwl.35 ■_' Larft l»i-p*«« lUw- trat^ c*lsi"iruc. full of TsJuaUt btfonBattoa with tM-t wfeol'iuiU und rrtall w'***. ni»ll*<1 IS e«nU (■<*»£•). FRANCIS BANNERM AN, 601 Broadway. New York La'jrtl dealer in the wrrld in Oaftrnrntnt Awlf-n 'iifjiU, 15 Atrm I fvr ^vrag*,—^% AtTM BrvodtMf SaUnaemt, " ■ n Cable Address: ^Vann, South Shields Established ISSS ABC Code used John Wann CS, Sons DIRECT IMPORTERS OF FOREIGN PRODUCE CONSIONMEKTB OF APPLES RESPECTnnL.LY BOLICITID COEEESPOMDENCE DfVITED ^Addresses: Newcastle - on - Tyne and South Shields, England Mention The Canadiiin Hortlrulturiat when writing R. &" W. Davidson GLASGOW, SCOTLAND Fruit and Produce Exporters Invite correspondence regarding Canadian Apples in boxes for shipment during the coming season. Sales made direct by private bargain. No sales made by auction. Satisfactory references to Ontario shippers. H. Beckett & Sons. Hamilton, Ont. W. F. W. Fisher. Burlington, Ont. Geo. E. Fisher, Burlington, Ont, R. C. Fowler, Burlington. Ont. Albert Pain. Hamilton, Ont. A. Pettit & Son. Grimsby, Ont. Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing. John B. Smitli & Sons Limited Cor. Strachan and Wellington Aves. TORONTO I I I I Manufac I I I I ■ °' JoiBSMTfl^SONS, LIMITED. TORONTO SASH BAR ALL WOODWORK. FOR GREENHOUSE \CONSTRUCTION/ Manufacturers . . of . . LUMBER [LATH SHINGLES DOORS SASH BLINDS SILOS, ETC. Clear Cypress for Greenhouse Work Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 321 Crei^hton Poultry Yards High Grade Stock possessing" utility and exhibition quaHties Barred Plymouth Rocks ana Wnite Wyanaottes Cockerels of either breed, $2.00 each S. SHORT, PROP. OTTAWA, ONT. Mciitinii The Canadian Hortitmlttmst when writing We Want Representatives We are in a position to give permanent employment to a few good representatives of The Canadian Horticulturist. We have a special inducement to make to those who become connected with us in the near future. Write immediately for particulars THE CIRCULATION MANAGER The Canadian Horticulturist 506-7-8 Manning Chambers, Toronto H. H. & S. Budgett & Co., Ltd. BRISTOL, ENGLAND Importers of Canadian Apples, liberal allowances made to reputable shippers, on bills of lading at Montreal, Write at once for further particulars regarding our method of disposing, and payment for tirst-class Canadian Fruit. Mention The Canadian Horticulturist when writing i POULTRY DEPT. i T^ Condvictecl by Tf ^ S. SKort, Otta-wa K nM%>> nMf|^ nM%>> />^%>« nMf%>i I Mature pullets and yearling hens, required for the laying pens, should be separated from the rest of the fowls and placed in the quarters they are to occupy through the winter. The re- mainder, consisting of the old hens, spare cock- erels and very late chicks, should be used for table as soon as they are fit. Any birds that are to be fattened should be confined in a com- fortable peii and given plenty of food suitable for flesh-forming. The windows of the pen should be darkened except at feeding time. This keeps the fowls quiet and they put on flesh much faster than if running loose. Experiment's carried on for 3 years with the view of comparing the maturing qualities of White Wyandottes with those of barred Ply- mouth Rocks, show that White Wyandottes make as much growth in 6 months as the barred Rock in 7. For the last 3 seasons the White Wyandotte pullets have been the first to begin laying. The parentage (an important factor with all stock) of both breeds, were as nearly similar as regards health and outbreeding as could be arranged. The chicks were hatched, in some cases, under the same hen. They were fed and yarded together. The flesh of the Wyan- dotte is quite as good as the barred Rock. As I keep both breeds, and having no prejudices, I can fairly say that the White Wyandotte is the better breed. . ^ . ■ .' r? ►■' - - t g turkey. The following directions were received : Give the preference to a turkey that has no food in its crop. The food sours and causes a taint to the flesh. Dry picked fowls are better than scalded ones. Clean, smooth legs and feet indicate a young fowl. Hang the bird sev- eral days after killing and before cooking. Do not open or draw the turkey until immediately before cooking, as much of the flavor is lost through the air drying out the interior of the fowl. In drawing the bird, try and remove the offal intact and then only wipe with a cloth the interior in preference to using water. The juices of the flesh run away with the water. If the above directions are followed and a thick slice of fat pork laid over the breast of the fowl when roasting, tlie result should be satis- factory to the most fastidious. IF YOU HAVE APPLES OR POULTRY TO CONSIGN we can handle them for you to advantage. If apples are in car lots, write us and we can sell them for you f.o.b. your station THE DAWSON COMMISSION CO. Cor. West Market and Colborne S(. TORONTO ONTARIO ^,"- '^THE CHRISTMAS TURKEY The Christmas turkey being an important subject at this season, the writer asked the manager of the cooking plant in our leading cooked meat establishment a few directions for the preparation of the fowl before cooking; that is, the dressing and how to choose the best GOOD HOMES IN VIRGINIA Virginia offers fine opportunities to the farmer and investor. Climate is mild and healthful, soil is fertile, and grows all crops and fruits; near the great markets. Land is selling be- low its value, but increasing in price every year. Many Canadians are living in Virginia. The State Department of Agriculture gives any information. Address G. W. KOINER. Commissioner of Agriculture. Richmond, Va. -TWO OF THE- Forty Popular Brown Sprayers