102 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. 



out of doors. This concentration of the acid into small globules over the surface of 

 the leaf has the effect of scorching a small circular spot wherever the residue is col- 

 lected. The injury was more severe and more readily detected on the foliage treated 

 out of doors than that in the greenhouse. 



Applied to roses at the rate of \^ per cent by weight, while severely scorching 

 the leaves it had no apparent effect on green and black aphis infesting the plants. 



While the above experiment may be looked upon as preliminary, yet the out- 

 look considering the dangerous character of this substance as a spraying material, is 

 not encouraging. 



A DISTRICT FRUIT LIST ADAPTED TO THE PROVINCE OF QUEBEC. 



There is a peculiar interest and fascination connected with the testing of new 

 varieties of fruits, which often leads orchardists into the serious mistake of planting 

 too vnany kinds from a commercial standpoint. There is also a lack of knowledge 

 in many portions of the country, new to fruit growing, with regard to the natural 

 characteristics of the leading varieties of fruits, and their probabilities of success 

 under given conditions. This uncertainty of course often leads to unnecessary ex- 

 penditure of time and money. The following rough subdivision of the province 

 into horticultural districts, with a list of fruits suitable for cultivation in each has 

 been made, with the hope that it will serve as a guide to the inexperienced but in- 

 tending fruit grower. 



It should be remembered, however, that it will often pay better to cultivate a 

 local variety which is well adapted to the soil and climate of the vicinity, than to 

 import a foreign variety on the strength of a reputation built up abroad. On the 

 other hand, certain varieties have been largely grown and exported, and are now 

 looked upon as standards by the shipping trade; where these succeed, it is of much 

 pecuniary advantage to the orchardist to grow them. Unfortunately there are few 

 sections in the pi-ovince of Quebec where the varieties of apples best known to the 

 export trade can be successfully grown. 



By top-grafting on hardy stocks, for which purpose Haas, and some of the hardy 

 Russians are useful, there is no doubt that Northern Spy, Jonathan and Ontario 

 varieties well known to the British markets, could be profitably grown in the counties 

 of Missisquoi, Huntingdon, Beauharnois, and on the Island of Monti-eal. Other 

 regions in the Valley of the St. Lawrence possess a suitable climate, but are not 

 equally favoured in the matter of soil; the heavy clays being better adapted to rais- 

 ing farm crops than to the growth of fruit trees. But there is no region in this 

 province wheie a large and varied collection of tree and small fruits, cannot be 

 grown with profit and pleasure to the cultivator. 



For arranging the district lists, I take occasion to acknowledge a large amount 

 of valuable data given me by the leading fruit growers of the province. 



The allotment of varieties to the different disTi-icts, was made on a two fold basis. 

 First, to recommend only those varieties presumably well adapted and sufficiently 

 hardy; and second, to reduce to a minimum the total number of varieties recom- 

 mended in each class. Following these rules, therefore, where varieties of equal 

 merit came into competition, the one previously inserted was again chosen ; those 

 of pi'oved health and vigour being first selected. 



It may be noticed that the same apple, Wealthy for example, appears as an 

 autumn variety in one district, and as a winter variety in another. This is an effect 

 produced by the amount of summer heat and the length of the growing season, 

 charactistic of the climate in which it has been grown. In Ga^p^, Duchess becomes 

 early winter, while Wealthy sometimes ripens with difficulty, and keeps till late 

 winter under ordinary circumstances. 



The grouping of the counties was made principally on the basis of similarity of 

 climatic conditions, and contiguity of position. The list should be looked upon as 

 an elementary guide to amateurs and beginners in fruit growing, and it is hoped 

 that it will form a starting point for a more complete and accurate classification 

 which should be arranged by the Provincial Horticultural Society. 



i 



