1885.] FRUIT PROSPECTS IN CARSE OF GOWRIE. 455 



iinclerstand the elementary principles of wood-cutting, and the 

 philosophical requirements of an axe. 



But when night came, I decided that perhaps it would be as 

 well to let him go on in ignorance, and thereafter remained silent 

 on the subject. 



The next day I felt lame, and stayed at home. Joe put up his 

 cord and a half as usual. 



When I went to the woods again, Joe and I worked together. 

 jSTot many days passed before I found an excuse for buying a 

 lighter axe, and a shorter handle. And every axe and handle 

 that I have bought since then, has been lighter and shorter than its 

 predecessor. 



Wlienever I use an axe now, I select one very much lilie Joe's, 

 both in weight and length of handle. I can use this without 

 getting all out of breath, and can hit twice in the same place. 

 The result is, I can do more and better work, and save a vast amount 

 of strength. 



I write this as a word of caution to the inexperienced wood- 

 chopper, when about to purchase an axe. 



— ^H. L. C. in Albany Cultivator. 



NOTES ON FRUIT PROSPECTS IN THE CARSE 

 OF GOWRIE. 



THE seasons for several years back have been so fickle, and 

 prices for fruit have been so fluctuating, that many horti- 

 culturists have joined in the general cry with agriculturists about 

 the great deterioration of our climate, and say that fruit can't be 

 grown now as was the case in " the good old times." Though it is true 

 that we have had cold summers of recent years, and that prices may 

 not have been great, we are not prepared to join in the general 

 wail about climatic deterioration. The past summer was remark- 

 ably sunny, and the autumn months particularly fine, hence the 

 reason of our fruit trees and bushes having so much well-ripened 

 wood at present. We have had the privilege of examining a 

 goodly number of orchards and gardens in the Carse ; and we have 

 seldom seen them give greater promise — the flower buds are so 

 numerous and weU developed. We have seen some Jargonelle 

 pear trees in the village of Errol, as well as some others of the finer 

 kinds, which will be a perfect mass of bloom. If the gentle frosty 

 mornings we have had of late, continue for a short time longer, and 

 the late spring frosts not too severe, we are very likely to have an 



