elled off some sprouts that had grown up from the bottom, shoved them under the hark 
above, and had a load of fresh stable manure packed around the tree quite high. That 
_ was four years ago, and this year the tree shows very good health, and has borne quite a 
_ crop of apples. 
J Mr. Bratt.—the most effectual thing I know of is simply this : do not allow a blade 
of grass or anything of the kind to grow in your orchard, and I will guarantee there will 
‘be no mice. 
The Secretary.—If you get a snowbank there, you will have mice, whether there 
is grass or not. 
Mr. Beatu.—If there were no grass there would be no mice; mice do not breed in 
the snow. 
Mr. F. W. Wixson.—I find the trouble with the tar paper spoken of by our friend 
Mr. Rice is that it excludes the air, which is very injurious to the tree. 
ne Mr. Caston (Craighurst).—Mr. Beall is right in saying that if you keep the orchard 
clean you will have no mice, but no matter how clean yon keep the orchard there is 
always grass around the fence. 
wal 
Mr. Ricr.—In regard to the health of the trees, those I speak of were very 
unhealthy looking, but they have improved in health each year, and this year they are 
fine and healthy, after having the paper around them for three years. 
SPRAYING TREES WHEN IN BLOOM. 
« —What can we do to prevent people spraying trees while they are in blossom, and 
in so doing destroying the bees ? 
The Secrerary.—I should suppose that if the opinion of this Association is sent 
abroad that it is unwise to spray at that time, it would be sufficient. 
Severat Mempers.—Yes, I should think so. 
The Secretary.—Then I move this resolution: ‘“ Resolved, that it is useless to 
spray our fruit trees while they are in blossom, and in the interest of bee-keepers this 
Association hereby unanimously condemns the practice.” Carried. 
SEASON TO SPRINKLE WITH POISONS. 
Q.— What is the proper time to sprinkle fruit trees with poisons ? 
The Secrerary.—The proper time is just after the petal of the blossom has fallen ; 
as soon as the fruit has formed. That is the proper time to make the first application 
_of arsenical mixture to the fruit trees. It should be repeated after a heavy rain, because 
the rain will wash off all the poison. I may here remark, as something has been said 
about it, that in Grimsby our fruit growers have found that three ounces to fifty gallons 
of water is a sufficient quantity to use. 
a 
COMPARATIVE VALUE OF FERTILISERS FOR ORCHARDS. 
Q.—What is the comparative value of fertilisers for orchards ? 
Prof. Panton.—I think this question might be better answered by a practical man 
than by me, who am only a teacher of science and its principles, as far as applicable to 
plant life. I think, however, that on general principles the potash fertilisers seem to 
bring about the best results for horticultural purposes. There are certain elements very 
essential to plant life, and one of them is iron, which is very important to the prepara- 
_ tion of the green coloring matter in plants. But there is generally sufficient of that in 
the soil. This green coloring matter in plants is what enables them to take the gases 
_ from the atmosphere, and out of these the properties necessary for plant growth. Another 
element very essential for that purpose is potash. You may have the green coloring 
matter present in the plant, but before it can do any work in the way of the preparation 
