Id J',i [jeau of Farmers' Institutes. 



Question. — What causes black spots on some apples, and what 

 will prevent them from appearing? 



Mr. Smith. — The spots are caused by some sort of fungus. 

 Thoroughly spraying with the Bordeaux mixture before the 

 fungus appears, will prevent it. It prevents, not cures, the 

 disease. Spray before the buds open, then again just after. Later 

 add Paris green, then spray again after the blossoms have fallen. 

 The Bordeaux prevents the scab, while the poison kills insects. 



Question. — Will the sowing of rape in an orchard injure it? 



Mr. Willard. — I will say I do not think so. 



Question. — Would sawdust answer for covering strawberries 

 when other litter is scarce ? 



Mr. Rice. — Some of you strawberry-growers answer. 



Mr. Ames. — I prefer something a little coarser, like straw, 

 if it is free from weed seeds. Some of our growers use hemlock 

 brush. Almost anything, I think, would be preferable to saw- 

 dust. 



Mr. Rice. — We prefer wheat straw to any other. It is not so 

 coarse as is rve, and holds moisture better when used as a mulch. 

 We go over the " patch " with forks and rakes before the plants 

 come up, leaving just a little over the plants, so that their leaves 

 will easily come through. 



Question. — What causes plums to rot on the trees, and what 

 is the remedy? 



Mr. Smith. — ■ Rot in plums is caused by a germ that produces 

 the fungus. The remedy is to prevent it, by thoroughly spray- 

 ing with the Bordeaux mixture, before the leaves appear; again 

 before the blossoms open and again after the fruit has formed. 

 But the work must be done early, promptly and thoroughly to 

 prevent the rot. Pick off and destroy all rotten plums, and pick 

 up those that have fallen from the trees, and burn them. Watch 

 the fruit as it develops; and, as soon as you see the rot, pick off 

 the diseased fruit; this to prevent spread of rot. 



Question. — In pear orchards, would you mix Seckels with 

 Bartletts, to secure better pollenization ? 



Mr. Willard. — I should prefer to mix Clappa with Bartletts. 

 In an experiment on my place in covering pear trees in a way 

 that kept the bees from them, they bore no fruit. This proved 

 the necessity of pollenization. 



Question.- — When is the best time to prune grapes? 

 Mr. Chapman. — Any time during late fall or winter; do not 

 wait until the sap starts or vines will bleed. Cut back to two 



