The Canadian Horticulturist. 223 



number of trees blossomed very heavily, but, owing to the scab and other 

 unfavorable conditions, entirely dropped their fruit as soon as it was set. These 

 trees do not show a single blossom this year, while two trees in the same 

 orchard which did not bloom in 1894 are this year completely covered with it. 

 The same is also true of other varieties throughout our orchards. 



The Governor-General, being himself interested in fruit growing at the 

 far West, sends us an appreciative letter in response to a bound volume of the 

 year 1894, which we forwarded him. His secretary, Mr. William Campbell, 

 writes : 



I am desired by His Excellency the Governor-General to convey to you 

 his sincere thanks for the copy of The Canadian Horticulturist for 1894 

 which you have been so good as to send to him. 



His Excellency desires me also to say that he appreciates the compliment 

 of the portrait and courteous notice of himself which have been inserted in the 

 volume. 



His Excellency is glad to possess such a compendium of useful information. 



The First Annual Report of the Fruit Experiment Stations of Ontario 

 has been published. It contains 64 pages of matter which will be of especial 

 interest to fruit growers. For example, Mr. Dempsey, of the Bay of Quinte 

 Experiment Station, describes in a very exact table about two dozen varieties of 

 apples, and a dozen of pears ; he gives, also, outlines of many varieties, drawn 

 from nature by himself. Every year additional varieties will be described and 

 illustrated until this report becomes an invaluable encyclopaedia of Canadian 

 fruits of every variety. Full accounts are also to be included of the various 

 experiments conducted at each station under the direction of the Executive. 



Spray Pumps are numerous in the market, and each claims to be the best. 

 We have been using the Ideal, made at Brantford, so far this season, and it has 

 given us great satisfaction. The company have made a number of improve- 

 ments in the working parts at our suggestion, and have recently lengthened the 

 handle and attached an agitator to keep the liquid stirred up. They have also, 

 at our request, attached a half inch hose, which is much lighter to elevate on 

 the end of the bamboo pole than the clumsy inch hose, which has been used 

 hitherto. The pump works easily and has very little about it to get out of 

 order. What is now wanted is that all the working parts possible should be 

 made of brass, so that they would not be corroded by the sulphate of copper. 



It p.ws to use a fine nozzle, like the Vermorel, in spraying. With the old 

 Boss nozzle we would run out four or five barrels in a morning ; with the Mas- 

 son, a much better one, we ran out about two or three barrels ; with the Mc- 

 Gowan, about one and a half ; but with the Vermorel we find we can spray 



