The Canadian Horticulturist. 39 



Experience in Tile Draining". 



Sir, — The following experience I have had with drain pipes may be of assistance and 

 l)enefit to readers of the Horticcltukist. In 1891 I tile-drained' four acres of heavy 

 clay land. These drains emptied into a six inch sewer pipe running from centre of land to 

 the lake, the shoulders of sewer pipe being put together with blue clay. In 1892 the 

 drains worked well, in 1893 very badly, and the present jear they would not work at all : 

 my cellar, which also had a pipe to the sewer, being flooded with back water. Feeling 

 sure there was some stoppage of the main pipes, I had drain examined, and it was found 

 that the roots of two willow trees that stood outside the grounds had gone down eight feet 

 into the clay, sent rootlets through the blue clay in shoulders of sewer pipes, and filled up 

 the drain completely for a distance of 25 feet, making it impossible for water to escape. 

 •The roots of these willows were found in the drain for a distance of 108 foet inside of pipes. 

 The outside of the pipes were so encircled with the roots that they had to be cut away. 

 One of the trees was 7 feet away from the pipe, the other 18 feet. 



It is not unusual for willows to send roots long distances for water, and I expected 

 this, but supposed the sewer pipe shouldered with blue clay would have l)een sufficient 

 protection. Thej' are now put in with cement, and the willows cut down. I send you 

 to-day by post section of rootlets as taken from pipe. 



Charles Hcnter, Toronto. 



Non-Feptilization of Grape Flowers. 



Sir. — I have had a little experience with some grape vines that 1 am sorry I did not 

 relate at Orillia, as it substantiates Prof. Reach's contention. Four trellises of six vines 

 each were planted side by side ; two trellises were Rogers' No. 9, the other two were 

 Xiagai-a, Worden and Moore's Early. I removed the latter two, after which Rogei-s' No. 

 9 never lx)re another grape, but feU off when as large as No. 8 shot. I dug them all up. 



Stani.ky Spillett. 



Plum Growing", Etc 



ig? Wh 

 tilizer is 



Alvin Stowk, Cedar Sprlnu^, Ont. 



Where can I get a good book on plum growing ? What plums are the hai diest and 

 best? What soil is best for the plum ? What fertilizer is best? What aie the hardiest 

 varieties of peaches and apricots ': 



]Uj>'ifs to the-ii' ijii''M'tons an ^-ol :<•'('»:< I from our retuhrg. 



1. 1 have the Glass seedling plum, which I received from the Association. It has 

 grown to be a large tree and hardy, standing the severe winter of some dozen years ago, 

 when most other varieties of plums perished. It bears a large bluish purple plum, but 

 with me it is a very shy bearer, perhaps from ten to twenty plums in a vear. Now I see 

 other accounts, that it is a very productive variety. Now my tree is standing in an apple 

 and pear orchard, away from any other plum trees, and perhaps it recjuires some other 

 variety of plum near it, to fertilize it. Can you throw any light on the matter ? 



John M. McAinsh, W. Xissouri, Co. MiddUtex. 



2. What is the best kind of artificial fertilizer for ra.spberries, and what quantity 

 should l)e apidied per acre to plants on strong clav loam ? 



W. J. R., O^hu.ni. 



