The Canadian Horticulturist. 115 



of fruit have been tried experimentally from time to time, including some of the 

 more tropical varieties, such as peaches. But Lord Aberdeen, we understand, 

 does not consider that the nature of the soil and the climate make this a reliable 

 crop, and intends that the land shall be devoted mainly to the cultivation of 

 apples, pears, plums, etc. So far as can yet be judged, small fruits are likely to 

 do extremely well. 



The same remarks apply to the larger estate at Coldstream (near the town 

 of Vernon, B. C.), purchased in 1891. This property is about twelve thousand 

 acres in extent. 



In order to develop the culture of fruit in the district, and also of course to 

 benefit his own estate, Lord Aberdeen has erected a jam factory, and has also 

 imported some first-class machinery ; but until a larger area of ground is yielding 

 fruit, it is not likely that the factory can be put into practical operation, inas- 

 much as it would not be worth while to run the machinery for only a day or 

 two in each week. But the fact that the building is erected and the machinery 

 there, ought to be an inducement and an encouragement to the cultivation of 

 fruit. It was in truth put up in fulfilment of a promise made by Lord Aberdeen, 

 and he considered that it was due to the district that the factory should be 

 erected, so that there should be no uncertainty as to the opportunity for disposal 

 of the fruit produced in the neighborhood. Of course the larger fruit trees are 

 not yet bearing, but the manager's report on the area now under cultivation 

 shows that the smaller fruits do well, and that hitherto the local market has 

 absorbed all that has been produced. 



The Specific Action of Nitrogen upon Plants. — The influence of 

 nitrogen in its various forms upon plant growth is shown by at least three striking 

 effects. 



First. The growth of stems and leaves is greatly promoted, while that of 

 buds and flowers is retarded. Ordinarily, most plants, at a certain period of 

 growth, cease to produce new branches and foliage, or to increase those already 

 formed, and commence to produce flowers and fruits, whereby the species may 

 be perpetuated. If a plant is provided with as much available nitrogen as it can 

 use just at the time it begins to flower, the formation of flowers may be checked 

 while the activity of growth is transferred back to and renewed in stems and 

 leaves, which take on a new vigor and multiply with remarkable luxuriance. 

 Should flowers be produced under the.se circumstances, they are sterile and 

 produce no seed. 



The second effect of nitrogen upon plants is to deepen the color of the 

 foliage, which is a sign of increased vegetative activity and health. 



The third effect of nitrogen is to increase in a very marked degree the 

 dative proportion of nitrogen in the plant. 



