THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST. 



Eriobotrya Japonica Japan Medlar 



K. CAMICKOX, XIAC.ARA l-Al.I.S, ONT. 



ERlor.OTRVA Japonica, the Loquat, 

 Japan "plum" or Japan Medlar, is 

 one of the most vahtable fruits of the south- 

 <^rn states. Blossoming in winter, the fruit 

 ripens in early sprini:^ and brings fancy 



Japan Medlar 



prices in any large city. It is frequently 

 shipped to New York in strawberry boxes. 

 This fruit has long been cultivated in the 

 south, where it seldom attains a height of 

 more than 15 feet, thoug'h in its wild state 

 it forms a lofty tree. 



The fruit is the size of a plum, bright 

 yellow in color, and delicious taste. It is a 

 most beautiful broad leaved evergreen, and 

 is one of the finest ornamental plants to cul- 

 tivate as a tub plant on the lawn, where it 

 flowers and fruits during tlie sun-inier. It 

 is easily raised from seeds, and will winter 

 well in any ordinary cellar. 



It will grow readily from cuttings the 

 same as the oleander, and makes a good 

 mate for the latter. It does better if it gets 

 a rest in the winter, and should be given 

 very little water until the spring when it be- 

 gins to grow. It may be kept in winter in 

 a cool greenhouse, or in the cellar. 



Floral Exhibitions 



1;. MlCi'STICl), OTT.AWA. 



ONE of the greatest incentives to ama- 

 teur gardening is our horticultural 

 society with its shows. It is natural for 

 us to like to contest with others for 

 supremacy, and in flowers and j^lants and 

 vegetables it is particularly fascinating. 

 l')Ut, when we enter these contests, we must 

 learn to take defeat cheerfully. It is natu- 

 ral for us to think our own is the best, but 

 few can look on their opponents' exhibits 

 without prejudice. The judge as a rule 

 will pick out the best. He has points of 

 his own to go by, and although sometimes 

 the decisions are close, and it seems as if he 

 might have reversed his decision with equal 

 justice, perhaps we did not notice our poor 

 foliage, an old flower, or some short stems. 

 When we see how close we were to the first 

 or what an improved exhibit we have from 

 last year we go hom.e prepared to do better 

 next vear. 



Starting Cucumbers 



ur^ UCUAIL5ERS started in hot beds 

 V^-/ dampened off badly," said ]\Ir. H. 

 R. Rowsome, of Burlington, to The Horti- 

 culturist, last month, " but there -was prac- 

 tically no loss where they were started in 

 the greenhouse. I start cucumbers in pots," 

 continued Mr. Rowson.e, " but plunge the 

 pots so that less frequent watering is de- 

 manded. The plants should net be set out 

 before June i, because all frosts must be 

 avoided. Cold winds are very harmful. 



" My plants are set in rows, in furrows, 

 four feet apart, and are three feet apart in 

 the row. When started in pots and set out 

 in the furrow they get no set back. If given 

 frequent cultivation until the vines cover the 

 ground a good crop of fruit is ensured." 



In preparing soil for the hot bed see that 

 the manure is well rotted or it will dry out. 

 Rich leaf mould is the best soil. 



