SUGGESTIVE EXPERIENCES. . • X21 



of its softness), will yield almost as well, and "imng^ more ^R^ 



dollars than any sort I have tested yet." ^i^iJ-^XF^I? ^ 



From Mr. Frank S. Ailing I learn that all the smallimits 

 succeed finely on the shores of Puget Sound, Washington 

 Territory. 



I will close this chapter of experiences with a very inter- 

 esting letter from the Rev. Mr. A. A. Von Mand, of Quebec, 

 who gives an admirable statement of the conditions of suc- 

 cess in the latitude of Northern Canada. It will be seen 

 that his light, warm soil makes a difference of several degrees 

 of latitude in his favor. 



" My soil is of a light, gravelly nature, with a subsoil of coarse 

 sand. It requires annual applications of large quantities of ma- 

 nure to bring about the best results, but then yields generous 

 returns. It is warm and quick, and so porous that it can be 

 worked almost immediately after the heaviest showers. Plants 

 form roots in this soil with marvellous rapidity. All kinds of 

 vegetables can be successfully cultivated. Potatoes, tomatoes, 

 squash, corn, carrots, parsnips, melons, cucumbers, beans, and 

 peas are grown to perfection. Of course, it is liable to suffer 

 severely in a drought, — an evil which I find is best obviated by 

 plenty of barn-yard manure and cultivation. The climate is 

 doubtless severe, and the winters long, but the abundance of 

 snow affords the best kind of protection and is of the greatest 

 possible advantage in the culture of small fruits. Winter sets 

 in with us sometimes as early as the first of November, some- 

 times not till the middle of December, and the snow has not 

 disappeared from the vicinity of the fences till the last week in 

 April. The average depth of snow is 4|- feet, and we have cold 

 spells of three or four days at a time, when the glass varies 

 between 20 and 30 degrees below zero. 



" STRAWBERRIES. 



"I think that all the varieties which are cultivated in the 

 United States can be cultivated here under the same conditions of 



