324 The Canadian Horticulturist. 



before they become large enough to bloom, and then the grower is fortunate if 

 one in a hundred is worthy of propagation. The seed should be gathered from 

 the best flowers and sown as soon as ripe, in a light loamy soil, where it can be 

 protected from too hard freezing. The first year bulbs about the size of peas 

 will be produced ; these must be grown on the same as the flowering bulbs ; 

 taking them up when ripe and replanting in autumn. 



Raspberry Canes Affected. 



S63* Sir, — What is the cause of Cuthbert leaves curling, and fruit drying before 

 maturity on some of my Cuthbert bushes ? 



J. M. O. , Komoka. 



Possibly they are affected with the raspberry anthracnose, a fungus disease 

 of the stalk, which appears first in the form of small reddish-purple spots 

 scattered over the surface near the ground ; or the injury may be due to a borer 

 in the root or in the cane. 



Columbian Raspberry. 



S66. Sir, — Have you fruited the Columbian raspberry, and what are its merits ? 



J. M. 0., Komoka. 



We have fruited this raspberry at our Burlington Fruit Experiment Station, 

 during the present season. The writer visited the plantation there on the 15th 

 of July, and found Shaffer and Columbian fruiting side by side. The chief note 

 made was that Columbian was the most heavily laden with fruit ; otherwise 

 they were very similar. 



Pruning the Climbing" Rose. 



867. Sir, — Give the proper method of pruning climbing roses. Should the wood be 

 cut back every year as recommended for bush roses ? How old should the wood be to 

 bloom well? 



J. M. 0., Komoka, Ont. 



Climbing roses are not cut back in the same way as bush roses. When 

 first planted, they should be cut back to two or three buds ; thereafter little 

 pruning is needed except bent out weak branches, or canes, sickly and dead 

 wood, and to direct the growth in a symmetrical fashion. Usually the climbing 

 rose improves each year in blooming qualities. A Baltimore Belle at Maplehurst, 

 thirty years planted, is covered with bloom every season, just after the bush roses 

 are over. 



Best Red Winter Apples. 



86§. Sir, — Please tell me which you think the best red skinned, hardy winter apples, 

 varieties which are hardy and bear early and abundantly. I have plenty of Ben Davis, 

 Baldwin and Pewaukee now. I want the very best far sale and export ; soil clay, near 

 Lake Simcoe. T. F. Chapin, Lish, Ont 



