FORECASTING FROSTS 



PROF. J. B. REYNOLDS, ONT. AGRI. COLLEGE, GUELPH. 



A SIMPLE method by which fruit 

 growers can forecast frosts is by 

 means of the SUng psychrometer, the same 

 instrument as is used in determining the 

 humidity of cheese curing rooms. It is a 

 wet and dry thermometer mounted on a 

 fraiiie and attached to a cord for the pur- 

 pose of swinging it through the air and 

 obtaining the correct reading. Such an in- 

 strument, with a proper set of printed tables 

 giving the dew point in connection with the 

 readings of these thermometers, is a fairly 

 reliable method of forecasting frost. For 

 instance, if the reading of the thermometer 

 indicates by the printed tables the dew point 

 of 40 or below, about sundown, there is 

 danger of frost, especially if the sky be clear 

 and the atmosphere still. 



USE THE WEATHER BUREAU. 



I am inclined to think, however, that the 

 most satisfactory method of prediction is 



Grape Growing in Eastern Ontario 



it. f CONSIDER that I have fair success in 

 1 growing grapes even at this northern 

 latitude," said Dr. McCallum, of Smith's 

 Falls, to a representative of The Canadian 

 Horticulturist, who recently visited his 

 place. "Worden, Delaware, Agawam, Nia- 

 gara, Moore's Early, Lindley, and Salem," 

 continued Dr. McCallum, " all thrive well 

 here and are productive. Of course they 

 have to be laid down in the winter, and 

 special protection given them. I cover the 

 vines with earth in the fall after the leaves 

 have fallen, before the first heavy frosts 

 come, and leave them there until spring 

 opens, and the weather seems settled. 

 Niagara and Salem are very late ripeners. 

 The Lindley, Salem and Agawam are good 

 keepers. I pack these in cork dust for win- 

 ter, and have grapes for table use as late as 



the weather bureau. The weather bureau 

 of the United States, is doing very impor- 

 tant work in this connection by warning 

 the fruit growers in California and elsewhere 

 of the probability of frost. If our weather 

 bureau at Toronto could devise some 

 practicable means of communicating with 

 the fruit sections during the day when the 

 prediction is made, the same purpose could 

 tje served. I have no doubt that this 

 arrangement will be made in the near future 

 but I think that the movement must origi- 

 nate with the fruit grower. If he expresses 

 a desire to have the forecasts announced to 

 him and an intention to act upon forecasts, 

 and take measures to prevent injury by 

 frost, I have no doubt that the weather bur- 

 eau would respond willingly and readily to 

 the request. The fruit interests of southern 

 Ontario would be well served by a proper 

 discussion on this subject. 



April. With a little special attention," con- 

 cluded the doctor, "grapes can be grown 

 here as well as in the Niagara district." 



Care of Raspberry Bushes 



D. BETTSCHEM, VIOLET HILL, ONT. 



1 PREFER the Cuthbert variety of rasp- 

 berries to any other. It is hardy, 

 stands the winter well, is very productive, 

 of good rich flavor, and sells well. My 

 bushes are planted m rows about five feet 

 apart, and three feet apart in the rows. 



All old canes are taken out after first sea- 

 son is over, and all canes are pruned down to 

 four or five feet high. Strawy manure is 

 used with straw for a mulch, using straw 

 last to keep the fruit clean. A small quan- 

 tity of wood ashes is also used as fertilizer, 

 which I think is very valuable for this pur- 

 pose. 



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