125 



Cherries. 



An abundant show of blossoms presaged a heavy crop of cherries, but a severe 

 frost followed by cold w-inds prevented fei-tilization, so that many varieties new to 

 this locality did not fruit at Ottawa as was expected. At Abbotsford, however, 

 the crop was only partially destroyed and an opportunity of summing up and 

 comparing the notes of previous years was enjoyed. These results and conclusions, 

 together with cuts of promising varieties, are embodied in a bulletin now in course of 

 prt'puiation. 



The varieties under trial in this division of large fruits seem destined to be of 

 great service in extending the profitable cultivation of cherries considei-ably north- 

 waid. In order to accomplish this object successfully one or two important points 

 must be remembered: 1. Tliey must be headed low and trained somewhat in bush 

 form ; 2. Plant deeply in well-drained soil, and throw a mound of earth about the base 

 of the tree in the fall to protect the roots. 



II.— SMALL FEUITS. 



Grapes. 



In the older grape-growing districts the crop of the past year was an abundant 

 one. 1» the Ottawa valley, which has quite a local reputation for the excellence of 

 thin fruit, the season wan not favourable. Unusually warm weather in early spring 

 induced growers to uncover their vines earlier than usual ; cold, frosty weather 

 following resulted in the killing of the unfolding buds and destroying the possibility 

 oi' the year's crop of fruit. Those who waited till warm weather was assuied, were 

 rewarded by a full crop, although the unusually cool weather during June, July and 

 Anj^ust retarded ripening very much, yet the abnormally hot September more than 

 counterbalanced the low temperature of early summer, and a much larger propor- 

 tion of the varieties fruiting, ripened this year than last, though nearly ten days 

 late on the whole. On the night of 14th of August a hail storm, local in extent, but 

 very severe while it lasted, passed over the farm, doing much damage to vines and 

 tender plants. It was estimated that 25 per cent of the fruit was lost from this 

 cause. The leaves, where exposed, were completely riddled and the berries split 

 open. Varieties trained to trellises suffered more than those on single stakes. 

 Mildew under the control of ammoniacal copper carbonate did not appear in the 

 farm vineyard to any appreciable extent, but anthracnose " Bird's-eye rot " 

 (sphaceloma ampelinum) attacked a few varieties very persistently, and did not 

 yield to the above remedy. This disease attacks the wood as well as the fruit, 

 giving the former a blotched and spotted appearance, not unlike raspberry cane 

 a liracnose. Some experimenters have obtained best results from the use of a 

 strong solution of copper sulphate and in some cases iron sulphate (1 lb. to 10 of 

 wai*M-) with which the canes aie washed before tying to the trellis in the spring, 

 followed by the application of Bordeaux mixture. The danger of vines being 

 killed in winter when planted in light soils in exposed positions, and without a 

 heavy protecting mantle of snow, has been strongly impressed upon me the past 

 season, when noting the numerous fatalities lesulting from the planting of vines 

 in such situations, without taking proper precautions. Where the winter cold is 

 extreme, it is necessary not ordy to cover with earth, but also to provide for a 

 liberal covering of snow by placing wind-breaks of boards at intervals, or ever-green 

 boughs to collect and hold the snow. This care is most essential when the vine 

 is young and not fully established. 



