The Canadian Horticulturist. * 147 



Worms in Soil of Window Plants. 



63*1. Sir, — Some of my window plants show signs of worms in the soiL I am told 

 to use lime-water — " not too strong." How much lime per gallon of water can 1 use with 

 safety ? and is there anything else more effectual ? 



Mrs. F. J. H., Ottawa. 



Reply by Messrs. Webster Bros., Hamilton. 



Water will only hold a certain amount of lime in solution and it is not 

 injurious to the roots of the plants ; nothing is so effective. Quicklime must be 

 used, air-slaked lime that has gone to powder is of little or no value. The lime- 

 water must be used at once, the sooner the better after it has settled ; if exposed 

 to the air and light, or even to the light alone, it loses very much of its value. 

 Make sure that the earth is saturated and there will be no living worms left. 



Ashes and Bone Dust for Grape Vines. 



633. Sir, — What is the best manner to apply ashes and bone meal to grape vines, 

 and what amount to each vine on sandy soils ? 



Reply by Prof. Hutt, Horticulturist, O. A. C, Gue/ph. 



They may be applied separately, or, better, mixed in equal proportions. 

 In either case spread evenly over the ground as far as the roots extend, which 

 in the case of full-grown vines will be from one row to another. The amount 

 to apply will depend some upon the size of the vine. To a full-grown vine, a 

 good large shovel-ful, or nearly a peck, will be none too much. 



Swamp Muck for Grapes and Berries. 



63 i. Sir,— Would it pay to draw swamp muck half a mile to apply to grapes and 

 berries ? 



G. H. Buckreli^, Sprivgford, Ont. 



Reply by Prof. Shutt, Central Experimental Farm, Ottaiva. 



Although good, air-dried, muck contains about 35 lbs. of the valuable 

 element, nitrogen, to the ton, I do not think it would pay to apply the crude, 

 untreated muck to a vineyard — unless the soil were very light, and the tilth and 

 retentivity would be improved thereby. Composted, however, with wood ashes, 

 lime, or barnyard manure, a very valuable nitrogenous fertilizer would result, 

 which would yield a large amount of plant-food to the growing vines. In a 

 compost made with wood-ashes, there is also a large quantity of potash — an 

 essential and important element to the growth of vines. 



