20 The Canadian Horticulturist. 



points for judging vegetables. Pamphlet forms, containing cuts and scale of 

 points for two or three of the finest varieties of all the different vegetables, are 

 being issued for the use of the Incorporated Agricultural Societies. This is one 

 advance needed by all agricultural societies, as very often men are appointed to 

 judge at shows who differ very widely in their ideal of a perfect specimen, and 

 by having an authorized scale of points to guide them, much less unjust decision 

 will often be given. As an example of their plan, we give scale of points given 

 for " Beauty of Hebron " potatoes and tomatoes :— 



Size — Should be 4^ inches long and 3^ inches wide for perfection — 30 

 points. 



Form — Should be according to engraving as given in pamphlet — 30 points. 



Smoothness — Free from deep pits, warts, or excrescences — 30 points. 



Quality — Fresh appearances, freedom from coarseness, and bright color — 

 10 points. 



Total, 100 points. 



The following is the scale of points for tomatoes : — 



Form — Should be according to engraving — 40 points. 



Color — Should be bright red or purplish pink, according to variety — 30 

 points. 



Size — Should not be less than 2^ inches, and not more than 3^ inches 

 in diameter— 15 points. 



Quality — Firmness, ripeness, and freedom from green spots or cracks — 15 

 points. 



Cultivation of Orctiards. — In a bulletin lately issued by Prof. Bailey, 

 it is stated, in relation to fertilizers, that potash is the chief element needed in 

 the soil, particularly after trees come into bearing. This is usually supplied in 

 the form of muriate of potash, of which some 500 pounds, or even more, may 

 be used to the acre annually in mature orchards. Wood ashes is also an admir- 

 able source of potash, and 40 or 50 bushels of unleached ashes to the acre is a 

 fair supply. Phosphoric acid is the element of next importance, and from 300 

 to 500 pounds of plain superphosphate may be applied annually to an acre. 

 Preparations of bone, and, perhaps, the Thomas slag also, furnish phosphoric 

 acid in available form. When lands are properly cropped, nitrogen can be 

 obtained most cheaply for orchards by plowing under nitrogenous green manures. 

 As nitrogen is a great promotor of growth, it should be used with some caution, 

 for orchard trees are grown for fruit rather than for timber. — Garden and Forest. 



Outlines of Fruit. — The Country Gentleman advises those who desire to 

 take impressions of fruits, in order to procure correct outlines and distinct 

 records of their size and shape, to cut the fruit exactly through the middle with 

 a sharp, thin-bladed knife, let it dry half an hour or so, to evaporate the juice 

 on the surface ; then with a pen touch lightls the exterior of the face and stem 

 with ink, and press it on unsized blotting paper, which will absorb the ink and 

 make a perfect impression. Press every part well down. The moisture of the 

 face will cause the ink to spread and make a soft shading. 



