The Canadian Horticulturist. 115 



Pruning. 



712. Sir, — When is the proper time to prune, and do pears require much pruning, 

 and do they require iron filings about them ? B. F. Q. 



Pruning of the apple and pear may be best done during any of the mild 

 days between the fall of the leaf in autumn and the swelling of the buds in 

 spring. Iron filings about a tree are not necessary in any case, but as the air acts 

 upon them, causing rust or oxide of iron, a useful fertihzer is provided. 



How to Prevent the Ravages of the Onion Fly. 



Reply to question 684. 



After twenty-eight years' experience, and trying about as many remedies for 

 the Onion Maggot, I have found the following the most effective, in fact, I have 

 never known it to fail when properly applied : 



Procure some perfectly dry, fine soot, sow sufficient of this broadcast to 

 thoroughly dust the plants. Apply very early in the morning before the dew is 

 gone, or immediately after a rain, so that the soot will stick to the plant, thus 

 preventing the fly from depositing its eggs in the young growth, as it seems to 

 have an abhorrence of the soot and will not come near it. The first application 

 to be made when the young onions are about three inches high ; four applica- 

 tions in four weeks, one each week, I have always found ample. In very showery 

 weather, apply oftener. 



" In^lewood,'^ Hamilton. W. Hunt. 



% ©pep l5)etter(?. % 



Experience in 1894. 



Sir, — The frost and drouth of last spring and summer reduced the strawberry and 

 raspberry crops to about one-quarter the amount we had the preceding year. We would 

 have lost all our strawberries had we not thrown straw over the rows when the plants 

 were in blossom, thus saving them from the last two heavy frosts. Our apple crop prom- 

 ised to be very heavy, but the fruit dropped oflF until very few apples were left, but they 

 were of goofl quality considering the unfavorable season. Our cherry crop was good and 

 there was no black knot upon the trees. Our young strawberry plantation did well, con- 

 sidering the drouth. We kept the weeds out and the ground well pulverized on the top, 

 and we even took the trouble to cover the runners as they grew. Had we not done this, 

 our chance of a crop next year would be poor. When the fall rains came, those plants just 

 pushed ahead and went into winter quarters well rooted, although the tops were not large. 

 In NovemV)er we gave them a top-dressing of ashes and lime. The object of the latter was 

 to sweeten the land, because we believed it somewhat soured on account of the presence of 

 a great deal of sorrel. Then we mulched them with long coarse manure. The Smith's 

 Giant raspberry and Michel's Early sttawberry came to hand from the Fruit Growers' 



