'Ihk. Canadian Hokiiculturist. 123 



(this saves mulching), thus giving the water a place between the rows, if a winter 

 thaw takes place, as ice frozen around the plants is a fatal circumstance, no 

 matter how well covered they may be through the winter. I find it best not to 

 cover with straw until spring, and that as fast as the snow mantle leaves us. By 

 putting manure under the rows with six inches of soil above it, three good crops 

 can be taken off before plowing down. After picking season is over, a good 

 way to clean the patch is to have sharp hoes and cut the matted rows up to a 

 foot wide, pull out old weeds and grass, and good fresh plants will grow for the 

 next season's pick. A picket fence around the fruit garden, and the raspberry 

 patch running through the middle helps to keep the snow drifted in to a good 

 depth which is very desirable for strawberries. I am putting long manure 

 around my young trees and grape vines now (March 8th,) before the snow goes 

 for the three-fold reason ; to keep the frost in and trees back from budding too 

 early ; to serve as a fertilizer ; and to keep in moisture around the trees and vines 

 if the season turns out hot and dry, which is quite possible, nay even probable 

 through this section, as the past two years we have had it rather wet for flat 

 lands. 



If we can anticipate the season with any degree of accuracy, we can " take 

 time by the forelock " in many things ; for instance we have a rich flat on which 

 cauliflowers will succeed in a dry season, but on which last year they were a 

 failure as they cannot bear too much moisture. As a rule, all vegetables, requir- 

 ing strong soil to perfect them, must have a moderately dry location that they 

 may feel out the right constituents to that end ; lime and ashes can be applied 

 profitably on damp soils to counteract the acidity which is largely a consequence 

 where water lies any length of time, and where drainage cannot be effected 

 without great expense. 



We find onions a good paying crop if we begin with the hot-bed for tran- 

 splants and keep up a succession for bunching through the season ; and a good 

 fall crop for marketing by the bag,- through the fall and winter. 



A winter supply of root crops, cabbage, celery etc., is a very good finale for 

 marketing near a city like Ottawa, and, since potatoes have sold on an average 

 of 75cts. per bag since digging time, other vegetables find ready sale. 



But my melange is getting unbearably profuse, and I will close by correcting 

 three errata in my article in the June No. of the Horticulturist of last year, 

 entitled " Incentives to Agricultural Life." It should have been done before 

 this, but it is not too late now. On page 210, fifth line from the top, for 

 "administration," read admiration. In seventh line, for "obstruction," read 

 observation. In the nineteenth line, for "aimed," read amid. 



L. f'OOTE. 



Elberta, according to some authorities, is one of the hardiest of peaches. 

 It is excellent in (|uality and the tree is productive. 



