REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST. 95 



BLIGHT AT THE EXPEEIMENTAL PAEM. 



The experimental pear and apple orchard are on sandy loam underlaid with a 

 stiff gravelly subsoil much too near the surface for the ideal orchard soil. 



The ground has been cultivated annually, since planting the trees five years 

 ago, and has been manured on alternate years since that time. Blight appeared 

 about the middle of June, 1892, in the pear orchard ; although every blighted branch 

 Cor in bad cases the whole tree) was removed without delay, it continued to 

 spread during the entire growing period and late into autumn. 



None of the Eussian varieties escaped injury, some twenty-five being killed to 

 the ground. During the third week of June the disease appeared simultaneously in 

 a block of Wealthy trees planted at some distance, and in the Eussian apple orchard, 

 which is contiguous. The injury in both cases amounted to the loss of branches, in 

 some cases a few, in others sufficient to injure the symmetry of the tree. 



In 1893 it appeared earlier than in the preceding season and simultaneously on 

 Wealthy, the Eussian apples, and pears. The injury was much more severe. One tree 

 of Wealthy was killed, and many specimens of Eussian varieties cut down to mere 

 stumps. The injury to the Eussian pears was of the same character as the year 

 previous and quite as severe. "Flemish Beauty" and "Beurre d'Anjou" in the 

 same orchard suffered only to a slight extent. 



As soon as a branch was removed the remaining stump was painted with lin- 

 seed oil. Although in every case the cutting was made 15 to 18 inches below any 

 discoloured bark, yet in fully 50 per cent of the cases the disease appeared subsequently 

 at a lower point in the affected branch. This feature in the course of the malady 

 was specially noticeable in the case of the pears, as the blighting of both Eussian 

 apples and pears was so general. A report on the relative immunity of the different 

 varieties is withheld till the experience of another season is added. 



TMs brief review of the subject has been undertaken with the object of bringing 

 together as much experience as it was possible to collect from the practical grower, 

 and if feasible to make such deductions as would lead to useful practices in con- 

 trolling the disease. 



While the majority of the replies point to the fact that trees grown in sod have 

 been injured Iqb'^ on the whole than others which were cultivated, it is not proper to 

 conclude that this therefore is the most approved method of growing apples or pears. 

 The nature and character of the soil should, in all cases be duly studied and a treat- 

 ment given calculated to produce a fair amount of well ripened wood each year. 

 On moist rich alluvial soil it is quite probable that clean cultivation in the long run, 

 will not give as good results as growing the trees in sod, which should receive 

 annually a dressing with a fertilizer in which potash and phosphoric acid form the 

 greater proportion. On the other hand it is idle to suppose that apple or pear trees 

 can be successfully grown on light soils without systematic cultivation and annual 

 enrichment of the soil. Situations having subsoils which are cold and wet should 

 be avoided. Where such conditions prevail, tile-training will mitigate to some 

 extent the injurious eff'ect of such unfavourable conditions. 



NEW FEUITS. 



GrRAPBS. 



The following new varieties fruited this season :— 



Alexander's Winter. — Eeceived spring of 1891 from S. D. Alexander, Belle- 

 fontaine, Ohio. Vine a fair grower, with foliage characteristic of the Labrusca 



type. 



Bunch loose, straggling, berry large, round and very slightly oval ; very dark 

 amber in colour ; skin thick ; fairly tender ; very little juice ; pulp, meaty acid. 

 Seeds largej quality only fair. Eipens with Salem. Not likely to be valuable 

 here. 



