The Canadian Horticulturist. 351 



The fungus is worse this year than ever before ; it has affected not only 

 the fruit, but the leaves, and that to such an extent as to considerably check 

 the growth of the trees. 



There was an abundance of bloom in spring, and it is a mixed question 

 whether the wet cold weather that prevailed at the time, preventing the proper 

 fertilization of the blossoms, caused the fruit to drop after setting, or whether 

 the fungus was the whole cause of the trouble. However that may be, we see 

 very fully m a season like this, the value of a healthy, hardy variety. Take for 

 instance the Duchess : the fruit was never more handsome than this year, not 

 a sign of spot or blemish either on fruit or leaves, because it has the ability 

 to resist the fungus, and is not in the least susceptible to it. And if we could 

 get a winter apple like the Duchess, with all its good qualities as to hardiness, 

 productiveness and grand cooking qualities, it would be a most valuable acqui- 

 sition. 



If among the eighty-five varieties of Russian apples planted here last 

 spring, we can get one such apple, it will be worth alone all the trouble and 

 expense of this experimental work. But in the meantime, as many of our old 

 and valuable varieties are affected and spoiled by the fungus, the lesson to be 

 learned and impressed upon us, by this season, is that we must spray our trees. 

 As someone has remarked, it seems that this spraying business has come to 

 stay, and those who wish to have good cean fruit and healthy foliage, must 

 practise it diligently. 



And just here I feel tempted to parody an old hymn that we used to sing 

 in our young and innocent days long ago : — 



Spraying the trees by the daylight fair, 



Spraying the trees in the noontide glare, 



Spraying the trees in the waning light, 



Dreaminir it o'er in the solemn night. 



Oh, what will the harvest be-e-e-e, 



Oh, what will the apple crop be ? 



Sprayed with " Bordeaux" mixed with bluestone and lime. 



Sprayed with a force-pump in early spring-time, 



And several times through the summer, you see, 



Then sure, oh, sure, will the apple crop be. 



Craighiirst Experimental Station. G. C Caston. 



Cucumbers, which have been taken from brine, will be harder, greener 

 and more plump if washed in boiling instead of cold water. 



Well matured, sound and ripe pumpkins and squashes can be kept fresh 

 throughout the winter if properly cared for. Put them in a room where they 

 will be free from frost and dampness. Have them perfectly dry, and do not 

 pile them on the top of one another. 



