188 THE CANADIAN HOETICULTtlRIST. 



silk lined parasol edged with lace when half opened. I must not forgot 

 the Glauciiim, with its white downy foliage; so beautiful for ribboning, 

 and such a splendid contrast to the dark foliaged plants. It appears 

 hardy, and easily cultivated. 



THE ADVANTAGE OF LOCAL EEPOETS. 



BY REV. VINCENT CLEMENTI, B. A. 



The season having at length arrived when — after an unprecedented 

 ispell of fine, warm, ndt to say hot, weather — the gardening operations of 

 the year are well nigh ended, save perhaps the planting of tulips and 

 other hardy bulbs, the pruning, laying and mulching of vines, and, 

 in general, the making all things " snug" against the time now fast 

 approaching, when winter will once more " bind in frosty chains tlie 

 fallow and the flood," it may not be regarded as inopportune to submit 

 a few remarks respecting the advantage of preparing local reports for 

 the information of the members of our Association — information that 

 may be sought as well as imparted through the instrumentality of the 

 Canadian Horticulturist. 



When we take into consideration the vast extent of the Province 

 of Ontario, within whose boundaries the operations of our Association 

 are confined, and when we contemplate the diversities of climate which 

 in consequence of its large area this Province exhibits^diversities 

 caused partly if not principally by its proximity in some localities to 

 the mighty inland seas that constitute its southern and western 

 boundaries, or by its remoteness, towards the northern limit of its 

 cultivated lands, from those lakes — and when we take into account 

 the various qualities of soil it presents to our notice, it becomes an 

 important as well as interesting question. What kinds of fruit trees or 

 fruit bearing bushes or plants can be grown with the best chance of 

 ultimate and permanent success in the various sectidns of the Province? 

 Now the only method, or perhaps it should be said the simplest and 

 most satisfactory method, of arriving at an intelligent solution of this 

 question, is to compare one with another reports furnished from time 

 to time by practical fruit growers, whether professional or amateur, 

 who display an interest sufficiently pronounced to urge them to submit 

 such occasional reports for the information of the members of the 



