78 The Canadian Horticulturist. 



The subject of irrigation for fruit crops was introduced at the meeting by 

 Mr. J. H. Hale, who has recently experimented in a large way, and will soon be 

 able to speak confidently of results He believes irrigation in fruit growing 

 can be made to pay 25% on investment. Windmill power is too uncertain, ex- 

 cept for gardens ; fruit growers should co operate, and use steam power, or large 

 hydraulic cranes to lift the water to elevated positions, whence it can be con- 

 ducted in pipes or hose. Mr. Van Deman said that the Jucunda strawberry, 

 with irrigation, was a grand success in Colorado. One member said he had 

 doubled his cherry crop by irrigation, and saved his pear crop, when otherwise 

 it would have been a total loss. On peaches, however, irrigation seemed to 

 have very little effect. 



The Sowing of Critnson Clover was advocated in a paper by G. P. Powell, 

 who advised the covering of every acre of cultivated soil with it in August, or 

 even late in July. Even if it did not survive the winter at the North, the soil 

 would be much enriched by its summer growth. Mr. Hale said he sowed 

 about 40 acres of his orchard to Crimson clover every year ; it continues to 

 grow the following spring until he is ready to turn it under. In Delaware, all 

 the peach orchards are sown with Crimson clover, and, as a result of the nitrates 

 thus furnished, the trees grow wonderfully ; but many forget that a tree also 

 needs phosphoric acid and potash. Since growing the Crimson clover, he 

 had not found it necessary to purchase any nitrates, and in this way, his fer- 

 tilizer bill had been very much reduced. 



Prof. Roberts cautioned against over-stimulating the wood growth of a 

 young orchard, at expense of reproductive organs ; because it might be difficult 

 to teach it bearing habits. He would, therefore, avoid too much nitrate, with 

 too little potash and phosphoric acid. 



The Best Absorbents for use in stables are comparatively little known. 

 It is a fact, however, that the low grade potash salts, especially kainit, which is 

 sold by all agricultural dealers, and kieserit (which is not so common), if sprinkled 

 in the stable daily or on the manure pile, will absorb the ammonia or nitrogen, 

 preventing its escape while also adding considerable potash to the manure pile. 

 Kainit contains about 12 lbs. of actual potash to the hundredweight. Acid 

 phosphate is also a good absorbent if not too wet, and where the fine-ground rock 

 phosphate can be had cheaply, it may be freely used in the stable. The de- 

 composition in the manure pile may assist in making the phosphoric acid of this 

 raw product available. Fine-ground land plaster or gypsum (sulphate of lime) is 

 also a splendid absorbent and can be had almost everywhere. Where manures 

 are to be applied to land that seems to require the use of iime, plaster should 

 be freely used as an absorbent in the stable. These absorbents keep the stable 

 free from odor, making them healthful, and also assist in preventing the manure 

 from heating. — Mass. Agl. Exp. Station. 



