OPEN LETTERS. 



lations, by-laws, etc., of the Association : such 

 application to be accompanied by a recom- 

 mendation signed by at least two reliable 

 persons. The by-laws should of course set 

 up the standard required for " Gilt Edge " or 

 "XXX" apples etc. : each member specially 

 agreeing that all fruit not passing inspection 

 be confiscated, as well as to have that fact 

 published in the " Horticulturist " and 

 other papers. 



One of the main advantages to the shipping 

 members would be the adoption of a uniform 

 and elaborately engraved and copyrighted 

 design, printed upon special waterproof paper 

 of circular shape, just right to cover the out- 

 side head of each barrel. These should each 

 be indelibly numbered, and should be under 

 the control of the Secretary-Treasurer of the 

 Association, who upon application would issue 

 them as required, firs>t inserting upon each 

 label the applicant's name and address with 

 steucil, together with his own signature and 

 date in the blanks left for that purpose (leav- 

 ing one blank for the name of the variety of 

 the apple). A careful account of the number 

 issued to each applicant should be kept, and 

 should it be found advisable, any applicant 

 might be required to report to the Secretary 

 what he had done with his labels. All un- 

 used labels to be returned at the end of the 

 shipping season to the Secretary and new ones 

 issued the next season : the year to be in very 

 large (but light, open work) figures across the 

 center of the label, which should also bear 

 the words : " This label is only valid for use 

 over apples grown in the year .... and its use 

 is specially forbidden by the rules of this 

 Association any year after that time." This 

 would prevent any unworthy member from 

 fraudulently using old labels after having 

 been expelled from the Association. 



If the standard of quality required by the 

 Association was a high one and rigidly insist- 

 ed upon by efficient inspection, and all offend- 

 ers promptly expelled, and their fruit confis- 

 cated, it seems to me the demand for apples 

 bearing this design would very soon exceed 

 the supply. Not more than 5 bbls in a 100 

 would probably need to be examined after the 

 first year. 



If you think this too crude an idea, please 

 give us a better one ; but for the sake of the 

 future of the apple trade of Canada (of which 

 I understand Ontario furnishes by far the 

 largest share) something practical should at 

 once be devised to prevent the trade from 

 further falling into public disgrace and disre- 

 pute. 



Geo. 0. Goodhue. 



Danville, P. Q. 



The Plant Distribution. 



We have the most diverse opinions 

 regarding the Plant Distribution. Some 

 say discontinue and put the $6oo it 

 costs into the Journal ; others say it is 

 most important, do not give it up. The 

 following letter from Mr. C. B. Jackes, 

 Toronto, takes a very moderate view of 

 the whole matter : 



Sir, — In your last issue you ask an ex- 

 pression of opinion as to the discontinuance 

 of the bonus distribution of plants, etc. So 

 far as I am concerned, I do not see how you 

 can afford to distribute these plants and give 

 the splendid value you do for the subscription 

 price, and if the discontinuance of the bonus 

 would enable you to increase the value of 

 your periodical, by all means put the value of 

 the plants there. 



The plant sent me was an Elaeagnus lon- 

 gipes. It came apparently in perfect order, 

 carefully wrapped and covered. I at once 

 puddled the loots and planted it same day. 

 It never showed a sign of life until the 1st 

 June, and I was a dozen times on the point 

 of throwing it away. However, on scratch- 

 ing the bark near the ground there appeared 

 to be some sap in it, so I allowed it to remain. 

 On 1st June I observed signs of sprouting, 

 and now there are half a dozen healthy 

 sprouts making up for lost time. 



Of course, it is nice to get the plants which 

 you send out, but I think the same object 

 would be accomplished if you would occasion- 

 ally, say in the September and February 

 numbers, publish a list of desirable ornamental 

 shrubs, hardy in the climate, for Fall or 

 Spring planting, giving the common name as 

 well as the scientific, and stating the prices at 

 which they may be obtained, and finally, but 

 most important, give the name and address 

 of a reliable nurseryman from whom they can 

 be obtained. The course now pursued by 

 myself and many others is to order such plants 

 through one of the seed firms in the city, 

 knowing full well that we pay their prices 

 for the article, but preferring to do so if we 

 get a good article, rather than order through 

 plausible agents. 



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