The Canadian Horticulturist. i8i 



Fertilizing with Corn Cobs. 



Sir, — In the Annual Report of the Ontario Fruit Growers' Association for 1891, which 

 I have had the pleasure of receiWng, I have reatl some discussions on the proper fertilizer 

 for apple and other fruit trees. Will j'ou allow me to give, what I was many 

 times told down in Old Kentucky, where I lived for several years, was the Ijest means 

 to fertilize such trees ? " Dig the whole surface a spade deep around the tree, and some 

 four or five feet out from the trunk, throwing the soil outside ; then fill in to the depth of 

 three or four inches with com cobs, cover up with the soil again, evenly, and leave it. Of 

 course the cobs will not decay immediately, but their general decomposition will feed the 

 tree by the roots and prove of great benefit." 



Since wTiting the aljove, the thought has struck me that if the soil was roughly broken 

 up. under the trees, and ground or crushed com cobs scattered thickly on the surface, in 

 the autumn, the moisture of winter rains and snow would help decompose the intended 

 fertilizer and carry the strength or virtues of it down to the roots. This 1 think would be 

 to obtain the advantage quicker than the other, cruder plan, and a greater number of trees 

 could be so treated from the same quantity of original cobs, annually ; and if the applica- 

 tion showed a benefit, the number so treated could be increased indefinitely, according to 

 the quantity of cobs saved and collected. 



J. P. D., Amkerstburfj, Ont. 



Report of Observations of Lnjukious Insects and Common Farm Pests, during 

 he year 1895, with methods of Prevention and Remedy. By Miss Eleanor A. Omerod, 

 F. R. Met. Soc., etc. 1896. Published at London, by Simpkin, Marshall Hamilton, Kent 

 & Co. One of the most interesting m orks on insects available. 



