QUESTION DRAWER. 



I am glad you are giving more space in the 

 journal to floriculture, so as to encourage 

 your readers to study the beautiful in nature. 

 I have a good many varieties of pears. I find 

 the .Sheldon a profitable variety of fine 

 quality, and not fully appreciated as yet by 

 the public. I have made more money out of 

 the Keifl'er than any other variety, i-imply 

 because of its productiveness. The tree is an 

 e.xcellent grower and very haidy. The Flem- 

 ish Beauty succeeds since it has been sprayed 

 persistently with Bordeaux. 



R. L. Hpoo.ard. 



Whitby, Ont. 



From Simcoe Fruit Station. 



The past winter has been the mildest for 

 years, the temperature scarcely reaching 20 

 below zero, and that only once. All fruits 

 have come through in fine shape, e.xcept the 

 Japan piums. Abundance and Shensie, which 

 have killed back at the tips of the new wood, 

 and I doubt if they will stand our climate. 

 The hardy Russian cherries will be an acquisi- 

 tion for this section, for the growing of cherries 

 has been almost entirely neglected here. The 

 hardy varieties seem less susceptible to knot 

 than the old varieties, and bear very early. 

 The oldest I have are only three years 



planted, and yet some of them boie several 

 samples last year, and several are full of 

 bloom this year. I note that the fruit is 

 handsome in appearance, and hangs on the 

 trees until dead ripe. I believe that the 

 Bordeau.x mixture is a good preventive of 

 the black knot, and indeed no fruit seems to 

 benefit so much from this mixture as the 

 cherry. 



The Mann apple has a bad fault, namely, 

 splitting of the bark. The prospects are 

 favorable for a good crop of fruit of every 

 kind in this section. Apple trees are full of 

 blossom buds, and present indications are for 

 an abundant crop. The blackberries I am 

 testing are doing well here, except the Kitta- 

 tinny. We once thought we could grow no 

 other variety except the Snyder, but now we 

 hope for better things, and may after a time 

 be alile to advise the planting of the finer 

 varieties in this section with assurance of 

 success. The Columbian rasplierry is not 

 entirely hardy, as it has been killed back in 

 the tips. However, it was planted in rich 

 soil anil made a rampant growth which may 

 account for that to a certain extent It is a 

 wonderful bearer. Smith's Giant black cap 

 is alive to the ends of the tips, and seems to 

 be hardy. 



G. C. C ASTON. 



Craighurst, Ont. 



-^©^^(^tioQ ^paLo<^p. ^ 



Clivias and Cypripediums. 



94S. Sir, — What are Clivias and what 

 are (Cypripediums ? I see them recommended 

 for winter bloom, 



A SUBSCKIBKR, Seaforlh. 



Clivias belong to the Amaryllis family. 

 They are evergreen bulbs for the green- 

 house, and need plenty of moisture and 

 high temperature when growing. 



Cypripedium is a variety of Orchid, 

 commonly known as Lady's Slipper. 

 This is a good variety of Orchid for the 

 beginner, because inexpensive and easily 

 cultivated. It flowers freely, and re- 

 mains blown a long time. 



Clairgeau and Lawrence Pears. 



9 Hi. Sir, - I have lialf an acre of ground 

 which I intend setting with Clairgeau pears. 

 I have one tree of t||^8 variety that bears pro- 

 fusely every year, and I find it an excellent 

 market pear, being late. 



Is the Fmwrcnce a late pear, ami suitable 

 for our northern climate ? 



Mrs. M. I'\ R().s.s, Otoett Sound 



The Clairgeau seems to succeed re- 

 markably well on the southern shore of 

 the Georgian Bay. 



The Lawrence is a late pear, which 

 yellows after being gathered, and ripens 

 for dessert use in December. The qua- 

 lity is very excellent. We have as yet 

 no reports concerning its success in 

 your latitude 



Fertilizers for Small Fruits. 



947. Sir.— I hive given my small fruit 

 bushes and vines a dressing this winter with 

 ashes from the Tanneries heie, made from 

 tan bark, soft wood and coal, also middled 

 them with hair from the Tannery. Would 

 you recommend a dressing this spring with 

 Phosphoric Acid and Nitrate ot .Soda and 

 what (juantities of each per acre, when and 

 how to apply it or what would you recom- 

 mend. 



I o in get large (|uantitii-s of fleshings and 

 hair mixed witli lime. Please say how it is 

 best to use il on the laml to get best icsults. 

 Any information will be IhanKfully received. 



J. M., Alton, Ont. 



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