The Canadian Horticulturist. 355 



or other chaff". A foot of either of these should be laid on the bottom, under 

 the ice. The non conducting efficiency of an air space only is about half of 

 that of dry porous packing, but the efficiency of any packing is reduced in 

 proportion to the moisture it may gather, and when saturated it is no better 

 than a solid wall. The air space is more efficient in proportion to its tightness ; 

 hence if lined inside with tarred paper and the wall tarred over or plastered 

 and then tarred, the intervening dead air space will be about as good as the 

 ordinary filled-in space that will be sure to gather moisture in time. — Country 

 Gentleman. 



JUDGING FRUIT BY POINTS. 



The Massachusetts State Board of Agriculture has established a scale of 

 points for judging vegetables. Pamphlet forms, containing cuts and scale of 

 points for two or three of the finest varieties of all the different vegetables^ 

 are being issued for the use of the Incorporated Agricultural Societies. This 

 is one advance needed by all agricultural societies, as very often men are 

 appointed to judge at shows who differ very widely in their ideal of a perfect 

 specimen, and by having an authorized scale of points to guide them, 'much 

 less unjust decision will often be given. As an example of their plan, we give 

 scale of points given for " Beauty of Hebron " potatoes and tomatoes : — 



Size— Should be 4)^ inches long and $}4 inches wide for perfection — 30 

 points. 



Form — Should be according to engraving, as given in pamphlet— 30 

 points. 



Smoothness — Free from deep pits, warts, or excrescences — 30 points. 



Quality — Fresh appearances, freedom from coarseness, and bright color — 

 10 points. 



Total 100 points. 



The following is the scale of points for tomatoes : — 



Form — Should be according to engraving — 40 points. 



Color — Should be bright red or purplish pink, according to variety — 30 

 points. 



Size — Should be not less than 2^ inches and not more than 3^ inches in 

 diameter— 15 points. 



Quality — Firmness, ripeness and freedom from green spots or cracks — 15 

 points. 



Total 100 points. — Farmers' Advocate. 



frozen 



Tulip bulbs as well as others, can be set out as long as the ground is not 



A bunch of chrysanthemums makes an elegant ornament for the dining- 

 table. They will last a long time if kept in a cool place between meal times. 



