The Canadian Horticulturist. 83 



of potash and phosphoric acid they contain, on account of their mechanical 

 action, especially for light soils. 



I have a hundred acres in orchard, and was almost in despair about fertil- 

 izing it properly, until I found I could buy ashes from farmers all about me for 

 a mere song, and as much as I wanted. And now every winter I keep my team 

 engaged collecting ashes for miles around, and apply it to my orchard. The 

 results are evident, apples in abundance, and of such a size as astonished those 

 who saw them ; Baldwins often as large as Kings. 



My soil is chiefly a sandy loam, and consequently of just the character to 

 be most benefited by wood ashes. The quantity applied is about one-half to 

 one ton per acre, or about one-half a bushel to a bushel per tree. 



SPRAYING FOR APPLE SCAB. 



HE best proof that the apple scab fungus is the immediate cause of 

 the greater part of the apple failures of Western New York is afforded, 

 according to the Cornell Experiment Station Bulletin, by the fact 

 that thorough spraying with Bordeaux mixture is usually followed 

 by a great increase in the productiveness of the orchard ; and it 

 may be said that the indifferent results which occasionally follow 

 the spray are equal proofs that there may be other causes than the fungus for 

 the failures. Much of the failure with the Bordeaux mixture, however, is due 

 to careless or hasty application. If the Bordeaux mixture is properly made — 

 using an excess of lime — no injury may be expected to follow its use, and it 

 should be applied with great thoroughness. The operator should endeavor to 

 completely cover all the leaves and shoots. 



A mere sprinkling, such as most persons give, is of little good. One 

 thorough application which drenches the tree is better than several of this 

 ordinary kind. Then people are always waiting for fair weather. Now it is the 

 rainy weather when the fungi spread most seriously, and it is then that the spray 

 is most needed. With plenty of lime, the mixture adheres well. Spray 

 between the showers, even when the trees are wet, if you can do no better. 

 To delay is to fail. It is better to spray in the rain than not to spray at all. 

 There is abundant proof that two to four applications of Bordeaux mixture are 

 capable of keeping the fungus almost completely in check. It is not known 

 what value there is in an application before the buds open, but it can do no 

 harm, and it is probable that it is very serviceable in most seasons. At the 

 latest, spraying should begin as soon as the blossoms fall. Make the Bordeaux 

 mixture with six pounds of copper sulphate, four pounds (or more if the lime is 

 air-slacked) of lime, and about forty gallons of water. It is always advisable to 

 add Paris green for various insects — one pound to every 250 gallons of the 

 mixture. Then take up your position near the tree, with a strong pump, and 

 apply the mixture until the tree is soused. 



