lo The Canadian Horticulturist. 



when the land becomes hard and foul, or the plants full of dead and diseased 

 wood. A crop of two hundred bushels an acre year after year is possible, unless 

 very unfavorable seasons intervene. With good varieties well cared for, the 

 blackberry is one of the most profitable of small fruits, but the golden harvest 

 only comes to those who work for it, and think while they work. 



Accidents and Diseases. — Frosts occasionally injures the crop in Western 

 New York, when a severe one comes late. The four most dangerous diseases 

 are the red rust, the root gall, anthracnose and cane .knot. The first is incur- 

 able, and the affected bush should be pulled out and burned as soon as dis. 

 covered. The same is true of the root gall. The anthracnose is less serious, 

 and can be kept in check by spraying with Bordeaux mixture, but the best treat- 

 ment is to cut out and burn the old canes as soon as the fruit is off, and 

 examine the bushes frequently for the disease, and cut out the diseased shoots. 

 If the patch is seriously affected it is best to mow the bushes off close to the 

 ground in the fall and early spring, clean out the crowns, spray them and start 

 a wholly new top. The treatment of the cane knot is deferred to another 

 bulletin. 



Blackberries deserve attention as the last of the small fruits and the luscious 

 desert of midsummer. They are only luscious, however, when left on the bush 

 until fully ripe and eaten soon after they are picked. The blackberry is not 

 ripe because it is black ; it must be soft and drop into the hand when the cluster 

 is shaken, to get its full sweetness and aroma. But, since the fruit deteriorates 

 soon after picking, blackberries never get to market in their best condition, and 

 those who want exceptionally fine fruit must raise it in their home garden. — 

 From Bulletin 99, Cornell Univ. 



BEURRE GIFFARD. 



At Maplehurst we top-grafted some old trees with this variety, and we are 

 much pleased with the result. The 

 wood has grown vigorously and soon 

 made a fine top ; the yield is quite 

 large, and the fruit large and hand- 

 some. Most of the early August pears 

 we grew are rather small, as for exam- 

 ple, Doyenne d'Ete, Rostiezer, and 

 Orband's Summer ; but the Giffard is 

 of good size and takes on a handsome 

 yellow color, with red cheek. The 



pear ripens about the middle of August ^^^^ 882.-Becrre Gipfaru. 



and will not keep long after maturity. 



