212 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. 



t rations and receive instruction in the way to prepare the materials and apply them. At 

 the last Industrial Fair held at Toronto in iSeptejnber-, 1898, one of the most instruc- 

 tive exhibits was undoubtedly the display of fruit taken from sprayed and unsprayed 

 tiees in the same orchard. In this collection, which attracted naturally much attention, 

 there were exhibited about 250 plates of fruit from 2-t different localities, those from 

 sprayed and unsprayed trees being placed in separately side by side for easy comparison. 

 The fruit was sent in by the owners of the different orchards where the experiments had 

 been carried out. and was not seen by the inspector until they arrived in Toronto, to be 

 arranged and placed on exhibit. 



In a most interesting report upon these experiments which was read by Mr. Orr, at 

 the last meeting of the Fruit Growers' Association of Ontario, held at St. Catharines, 

 Ont., in December, he stated that this year he had worked at 30 points covering the 

 province from Amlierstburg to Renfrew. The agents visited each point seven times and 

 his dates were announced by poster, postal caid and in the pre.ss, so that as many as 

 possible might know when these experiments were to be carried on. That the farmers 

 appreciated this effort of the Ontario Government to benefit them and demonstrate to 

 them the best methods of caring for their orchards, is shown by the fact that over 3,500 

 attended, besides many who visited the orchards at other times when the agents were 

 not there. This is almost double the number who attended two years ago. There was 

 always kept on hand a good supply of the spraying bulletin issued by the Ontario Govern- 

 ment which had been revised and brought up to date, and a copy was given to all who 

 wished to receive it. Work was simplified as much as possible, only one solution being 

 used, viz., the ordinary Bordeaux mixture and Paris green, of the strength advised for 

 orchard use : Copper sulphate 4 lbs , fresh lime 4 lbs., and water 40 gallons, Paris 

 green 4 ounces. Notwithstanding the fact that on account of the law which forbids 

 the spraying of fruit trees when in full bloom, and on account of inopportune rains, 

 many applications were lost, as it was necessary to do the work upon the exact dates 

 and at the hours advertised, so that the agent might keep his engagement at the next 

 point he was due at, the results on the whole were most satisfactory, as is clearly 

 indicated by the enthusiasm of some of the orchard owners on whose trees the exper- 

 iments were carried out. In estimating the percentage of perfect apples, a part of each 

 tree was picked clean and the fruit was carefully examined, every specimen which had 

 a worm or a spot, no matter how small, being rejected as imperfect. This report will be 

 published in full by the Fruit Growers' Association of Ontario, and will contain the 

 reports of the individual owners of the orchards. In concluding his report, Mr. Orr, 

 who is a practical fruit grower, says : " It appears from results obtained in experimental 

 work that from 65 to 80 per cent of perfect fruit can be secured when spraying is 

 regularly and properly done and when the conditions are favourable." 



It is perhaps not worth while now devoting more space to this subject ; the facts 

 are well known and taken advantage of by all enterprising horticulturists who keep 

 themselves posted on all the subjects which materially affect the profits of their labours. 

 Those who do not know and do not by spraying save every year more than 25 per cent 

 of nearly every crop they grow from the ravages of their many insects and fungous foes, 

 at any rate have not the excuse that they have not had every opportunity of learning. 



Every year, as the time for spraying and otherwise tre iting crop plants comes round, 

 horticultural publications and the weekly and daily press contain articles giving the 

 experience of practical men who have tried these methods and at the same time full 

 advice as to the best way of carrying on the work. 



