348 



THE GENESEE FARMER. 



with a view to alter its texture, but we should as 

 soon use arsenic to fine wine. * * The hazard 

 of such a practice is manifest enough in every hot- 

 house, as no substance more readily produces a 

 quantity of mycelium, and we believe almost any 

 mycelium coming in contact with healthy roots has 

 a tendency to depress vitality." 



If our views in regard to the cause of the pear 

 blight are correct, the practice of setting out new 

 trees in the places occupied by the blighted ones 

 should either be abandoned, or great care should 

 be taken to remove every particle of the old roots. 

 One fact should also be mentioned : We have 

 never found any of these old roots with the fungus 

 on them more than a foot deep : In the subsoil, 

 not a particle of fungus could be found ; and it is 

 possible that by deep trenching and removing all 

 the old roots, new trees might.be set out with 

 safety. We have thought, too, that a heavy dress- 

 ing of lime might destroy the fungus. Our plan 

 would be to dig up the old trees this fall, throwing 

 the soil up four or five feet, in a radius round the 

 old tree, and let it be exposed to the frost of the 

 coming winter. Let all the old roots be removed, 

 and then at' the time of planting the pear trees, 

 next spring, mix a couple of bushels of slacked lime 

 with the soil, around each tree. If the trees have 

 been already ordered from the nursery, they may 

 be " heeled in " for the winter and set out next 

 spring after the soil is prepared. 



If a new orchard is to be planted, avoid old 

 roots, chip-manure and any woody matter that will 

 produce fungus, as you would poison. 



We may add that standard trees are just as liable 

 to blight as the dwarfs. We can see no difference 

 in this respect. 



A GOOD APPLE PICKEB. 



The editor of the Country Gentleman says 1 

 has tried a number of experiments with differej 

 kinds of fruit pickers— baskets with hooks, baske 

 on poles, canvass tables, &c, but found nothing t 

 convenient and perfect as the one represented i 

 the annexed cut, for at least nine-tenths of the cro] 

 if suitable ladders are provided. 



The simplicity and cheapness of the fruit-pick< 

 here figured are a strong recommendation. It 

 merely a common grain-bag, with one corner < 

 the bottom tied to one corner at the top, and slun 

 over the workman's left shoulder. A stick, shari 

 ened at each end, and about a foot long, props th 

 mouth open, leaving a triangular opening, int 



J. Saul, in the Gardeners' Magazine of Botany, 

 in an article on "Budding Roses," says that the best 

 weather for this operation is not rainy and damp 

 days, as usually said, but a bright, warm, sunny 

 time should be chosen. In answer to the question, 

 " Is it necessary to extract the wood from the 

 bud?" he says "Yes," and adds: "American 

 writers say " No," but this is probably owing to 

 the difference between their hot, dry climate and 

 ours (English.) The shoots selected should be firm, 

 and for tying, cotton yarn is the best material that 

 can be used. 



At the August meeting of the Royal Horticul- 

 tural Society, a seedling rhubarb was exhibited 

 which has the iiavor of green gooseberries. Both 

 of these rather inferior fruits are great favorites in 

 England, and have been carried to a much greater 

 4egree of perfection than in this country. 



which the apples are thrust as they are pickec 

 from the branch. The way in which the lowei 

 and upper corner are most conveniently tied to- 

 gether, is by placing a small stone or pebble in the 

 lower corner, (to form a sort of bottom,) and then 

 passing the bag strings around closely above it 

 and tying them firmly. A piece of stiff leather 

 buttoned on to the shoulder, serves to protect it 

 from becoming sore if the picking is continued 

 several days. 



In most cases the operator may stand on the 

 ladder, and use loth hands, thrusting the fruit 

 rapidly into the open mouth of the bag. which is 

 gradually raised up a little over the shoulder as it 

 becomes filled. Over half a bushel may be placed 

 in it at a time, without becoming inconveniently 

 heavy, and the time for filling it once is not usually 

 over five minutes. 



Fruit gathered in this way is less liable to be- 

 come bruised than when baskets are used, or in 

 any other way ; and when the bag is filled it may 

 be placed on the very bottom of a barrel in empty- 

 ing, without that rattling and contusion caused by 

 inverting a basket. 



