70 



Mr, Chas. Hardisty, Clarence, Ont. ; seedling apple scions and fruits. 



Rev. Kobt. Hamilton, Grenvilie, Que.; apple scions, and ti-ces of Populus nigra. 



Mr. R. B. White, Ottawa ; collection of seedling plums. 



Prof J. L. Eudd, Iowa Agricultural College, Ames.; hardy fruits and shrubs, and 

 many favours. 



It was my privilege, during the year, to attend various meetings in agricultural 

 circles — among them the meeting of the American Forestiy Association, held in the 

 city of Quebec the first week in September last. In a paper read before the Asso- 

 ciation 1 attempted to give an outline of the experimental work in forestry, in 

 progress at the Dominion Experimental Farms. The system and policy of the 

 department was highly commended, and seemed to meet with the hearty approval 

 (f the many delegates present. 



At the September meeting of the Montreal Horticultural Society a magnificent 

 display of fruits — notably apples — was shown. Nowhere in the Dominion can a 

 finer exhibit of seedlings be seen than at the exhibitions of this Association, many 

 of which, it is to be hoped, will receive extended trial before long. This society is 

 also paying careful attention to the merits of the Russian apples, now beginning to 

 fruit in many localities about Montreal. 



The summer meeting of the Ontario Fruit Growers' Association was held during 

 July at Niagara on the Lake, where an opportunity was affoided of studying one of 

 the most favourable peach-growing districts of Ontario. A lively interest was taken 

 b}' all present in horticultural advancement, by means of Govei'nment experimental 

 work. 



I have the honour to be. Sir, 



Your obedient sei-vant, 



JOHN CRAIG, 



Horticulturist. 



I.— LARGE FRUITS. 



APPLES. 



Nearly all varieties came through the winter without injury and have made a 

 satisfactory growth the past season. A few have been replaced and several additions 

 made. 



Cultivation. — The trees have been banked up with earth to the height of 12 

 inches each autumn, which protects them from being girdled by mice, and prevents 

 the swaying action of the wind. The orchard received a dressing of barnyard 

 manure last spring, which was ploughed under, and the soil prepared foi a crop of 

 roots. A space of 4 feet was left clear on each side next the trees, which was 

 carefully cultivated tillthc middle of July, or the end of the growing season, afterwai-ds, 

 care was taken to keep down the weeds, thus preventing any from seeding. Undei- 

 the favourable conditions prevailing last autumn, the trees ripened up well and went 

 into winter quarters in good shape. 



As a preventive to scale and other bark insects, the stems and main branches 

 were washed, early in June, with soft soap, to which was added a sufficient quantity 

 of a strong solution of washing soda, which had first been dissolved, to reduce it to 

 the consistence of a thick paint. This Avash has the effect of keeping the bai-k green 

 and healthy. It is a practice that should be followed generally by fruit-growers. 



Fi-om careful notes taken the past two seasons vai'ieties in the following list do 

 not appear to be hardy enough for this latitude, and cannot be recommended for 

 general planting: Breicington, Gravenstein, Nonpareil, Peck's Pleasant. IVarnifs 

 King, Yelloiv, Belle-fleur. 



