The Canadian Horticulturist. 105 



•mechanical action resultant from its presence in the soil. Salt aids in the 

 decomposition of certain substances which are already present, thus rendering 

 them the more readily assimilated. Great caution is necessary in the use of 

 salt, because it is a check to vegetable growth, and, if used too freely, will 

 destroy vegetation altogether. Prof. Storer says that instances are on record 

 where more than three hundred pounds to the acre diminished the beet crop, 

 and more than four hundred pounds diminished the yield of potatoes. Melons 

 are said to be very easily destroyed by the use of salt. Mature plants, as 

 cabbages, cauliflowers, celery and onions will endure an application of two or 

 three hundred pounds per acre, and receive apparent benefit. Asparagus is 

 particularly fitted to endure the application of salt, but whether its beneficial 

 action is in any case worthy of the trouble and expense of application, appears 

 to be still a debatable question. 



Secondary Form of Downy Mildew. 



619. Sir, — My grapevines cast their leaves last fall before the fruit was ripe ; and 

 later th« grapes dropped so badly they were almost worthless. Some of them turned 

 brown. The varieties most affected were Niagara and Rogers No. 4. Could you explain? 



L. W. Grimsby. 



Reply by Prof. John Craig, Ottawa. 



This was probably the secondary form of downy mildew, which sometimes 

 is not apparent on the fruit at first, but manifests itself late in the season by 

 causing the foliage to drop as well as a large portion of the berries to turn brown 

 and fall off. I have noticed this form of the disease on the Niagaras and on 

 some of the Rogers varieties about (irimsby. Try late spraying with copper 

 carbonate next year. 



Wants a Fruit Farm. 



6*iO. Sir, — I am a single man, twenty one years of age. Conld you tell me how 

 best to spend my evenings to fit myself for fruit farming ? I have been employed in gar- 

 dening for tliree years past. I would like to locate about Digby, N. S. Can you tell me of 

 any farms for sale in that locality. Are any parts of N S. more suitable for cherry, plum 

 And apple culture ? Will such an investment pay ? Is the supply of such fmit equal to 

 the demand ? 



W. 0. R., Montreal. 



Your best plan would be to read up on fruit culture. The back volumes 

 of our Journal would give you many important practical points. Thomas' 

 American Fruit Culturist will give you much valuable information on fruit culture. 

 Storer's Agriculture will post you on treatment of soils. Select out special 

 books from our published lists and post yourself. Apple growing is less 

 remunerative than formerly, but is still fairly profitable if you choose your 



