io8 The Canadian Horticulturist. 



Fruit in Middlesex. 



Sir, — 1893 is now numbered with the past, but unlike most other years, it will l>e 

 specially remembered by the Columbian Exposition, in which Canada, and especially 

 Ontario, has made a very creditable display ; and by the number of prizes taken by them, 

 which show the very excellent quality of their exhibits. 



There have not been as many apples shipped from this part as usual, for they have 

 only been a very light crop. Few people will have enough to keep for their own use. 

 Spraying fruit trees will be the order of things in future, in order to secure good fruit and 

 free from worms, as they have been having things mostly their own way in the past. 

 Pears were about an average crop, while plums were a better crop than for some time. 

 But there were not many peaches, and cherries were not as plentiful as in some previous 

 years. Small fruits of all kinds were a good crop, except blackberries, which, on account 

 of the extreme dry weather, were a partial failure. I find the Erie too tender, unless it is 

 laid down in the fall ; Ancient Briton is the best that I have. 



The plants that you sent to me did very well, and the strawberries will show what 

 kind of fruit they yield this year. There are very few which take any interest in small 

 fruits, except some odd bushes of currants and gooseberries, which are genei'ally allowed 

 to struggle along with grass and weeds, and are often stripped bare of leaves before the 

 fruit is ripe. 



J. M. Waters, Femhill, Ont. 



Fruit in Simcoe, 



Sir, — Of the grapes received from the Association, the Salem has done remarkably 

 well. I had a good many of this variety until 1892, when they mildewed badly and the 

 whole crop was lost. Last year, by applying four sprayings of the Bordeaux mixture, the 

 mildew has been checked and they have produced a very fair crop of fine grapes. I consider 

 the Brighton a good grape for this section. The berry is not so large as the Salem, but it 

 produces good compact bunches weighing one and a half pounds. It sells well in our market. 

 The Prentiss is a small white grape, with small bunches, but has a sweet and pleasant flavor 

 and is a moderate bearer. The Moore's Early does not pay. The bunches are small, and 

 few and far between. The Burnet is a fair cropper, but too late and too acid. The Agawam, 

 like the Burnet, is too late for us. The Early Victor has a medium-sized bunch, small 

 berries, sweet, pleasant flavor ; but this year it has failed with us, on account of the black 

 rot, notwithstanding that it was sprayed with the Bordeaux mixture twice. 



I feel satisfied with the Bordeaux mixture for the mildew of the grape, and hope it will 

 effect a cure for the scab on the pear. It did not do all I expected of it last year, but I 

 shall apply it earlier next spring. I intend applying it before the trees bud out, and once 

 before the blossoms appear, and will again apply it, with Paris green added, two or three 

 times after the bloom has fallen. 



I find that kerosene emulsion put on too strong m ill kill the leaves and young twigs, 

 but it is certainly good for the destruction of the plant lice. 



In my opinion, grape growing for market in this part of the country, and indeed in all 

 the northern country, is a failure ; for before we get our grapes ripened, you growers in 

 the southern sections fill our markets so that they are glutted, and the prices too low to 

 j)ay us for raising them. 



Charles Hickling, Sr., Barrie. 



Salt for Cabbag-e Worm. 



Sir, — I have tor the last six years grown cabbages in my garden. When worms 

 appeared on the leaves, I sprinkled fine dry salt early in the morning when the dew was 

 on, and I think it improves the cabbages. Three years ago 1 had cabbages weighing 30 

 pounds each. 



J. F. Lavoik, Cote,-des-Neiges, P.Q. 



