The Canadian Horticulturist. 419 



The question before us is : Is apple inspection practicable or impract 

 and if practicable, how ? 



Perhaps our previous plan was impracticable. No man is willing to under- 

 take the work of apple inspection on the mere chance of getting now and then 

 a car load of apples to inspect at ten cents a barrel, nor is any man willing to 

 become responsible for the marking of a grade of apples in car load lots and 

 thus assuming the responsibility of saying that the whole are No. i grade ; but 

 he can condemn such lots as he finds to be packed in a fradulent manner. It 

 would be well to employ an expert fruit inspector by the Dominion, who shall 

 be paid a liberal salary, and whose business it shall be, (i) in the spring to 

 inspect fruit trees and vines that are being imported and thus prevent the intro- 

 duction of fungus diseases and injurious insects ; (2) in the month of June or 

 July and August, to enforce the Plum Knot Act and the destruction of peach 

 yellows ; and (3) from September to March, to inspect such shipments of apples 

 as it may be possible for him, in order to prevent, as far as he can, the shipment 

 of any fruit that he finds is fradulently packed, or which is infected with codling 

 moth or apple scab. Also in case of any apples found to be inferior to the 

 brand under which they are shipped, he should cause the brand to be erased 

 from those barrels. To the same man appeal could be made by either buyers 

 or sellers, in case of a dispute as to whether a certain lot of apples which had 

 been purchased was up to the grade marked upon them. 



Certainly the grades should be clearly defined ; and then as much publi- 

 city as possible should be given to them, in order that they may become a 

 a convenient basis of bargain. 



DROUTH ON NEWLY SET TREES. 



A period of drouth is an exceedingly trying time for newly set shade or 

 fruit trees. They then require the greatest care, and unless continually watched 

 with an eye to their needs they will surely die. More failures result from 

 neglect of newly planted trees than from any other cause. When trees are set 

 they should be well mulched, but this alone is not sufficient to insure success. 

 When a hot, dry spell comes on, the surface of the ground around the trees 

 should be well and frequently stirred. When watering is resorted to, a mulch, 

 not only in the immediate vicinity of the tree trunk, but for some distance 

 around the roots, will prove of the greatest benefit in retaining the moisture. 

 Unless the trees are thus mulched a watering in a dry time is as likely to do 

 harm as good. The water applied should be put on at evening, and a thorough 

 soaking should be given. Never allow the ground around the trees to become 

 hard and crusted over the surface if you can possibly help it, and you can by 

 keeping on a good mulch. Any substance that will soak up moisture and 

 retain it well will do to put around trees. Such a mulch serves a double pur- 

 pose ; it retains moisture in the ground below it, and holds moisture in itself to 

 be given up as the soil beneath it dries. The water should be put on only 

 when the ground where it is applied is shaded. — The Farm. 



