• 22 THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST. 



never fell lower than 15° below zero, tliougli at the same time it would 

 be 20° to 25° below further south. This proximity to the lake kept off 

 the early frosts ; and when further inland everything green would be 

 destroyed by frost, yet our gardens of potatoes, tomatoes, corn, &c., 

 would be quite uninjured. This encouraged a few to try peaches and 

 grapes, and although not yet extensively grown, enough has been done 

 to prove that these fruits will grow and ripen. I have seen as fine 

 and delicious peaches as could be seen anywhere ; and the Delaware, 

 -Concord, and other early grapes come to great perfection. But our 

 greatest success is in growing plums. The climate and soil appear 

 peculiarly adapted to the growth of this fine fruit, in every variety 

 yielding abundantly and continuously year after year, with as yet no 

 enemies worth speaking of. Some of our citizens are preparing to 

 raise them largely for the eastern and western markets, and there is 

 little doubt that their efforts and hopes will be realized, bringing them 

 solid rewards for their enterprise and labor. The black knot and 

 curculio have not yet found our orchards ; the only insect to annoy is 

 the tent caterpillar. Apples do not thrive so well, owing, I imagine, 

 to the sub-soil being wet and cold ; however, those who have taken 

 some pains in draining deep have been rewarded with splendid fruit, 

 showing that the climate is more propitious than, the soil in its natural 

 state. Pears, I think will succeed in time ; I have not seen any but 

 dwarf kinds, which have bore fine fruit. 



I have been trying experiments in raising plums from seed, and so 

 far have been very successful, and the experiments quite interesting, 

 and I expect in time to add several new kinds to our already extensive 

 stock. I grew a most luscious large bell or pear-shaped plum, which 

 ripened early, but only fruited once when showing signs of dying; I 

 cut all the top away, and transplanted into better, and I trust more 

 congenial soil, it is growing slowly, but not enough top as yet to bear 

 fruit. I have also a curious tree which — being quite the opposite to 

 the one just named — refuses to be killed. Long after the winter sets 

 in it is covered with its beautiful blue fruit and green leaves, and defies 

 the storm to shake off its fruit, smiling at the effort, (while every other 

 tree is bare even of leaves,) and allowing the wind to blow off the 

 snow from its cheek, as much as to say, " Do your best, I can stand it." 

 I gathered the last of the fruit about the end of November. Other 

 curious kinds I shall let you hear of when I have proved them better. 



