148 



The Canadian Horticulturist, 



are most needed on a given soil lor a given crop. It will be generally found 

 that the best plan is to buy the fertilizers separately and apply them to the soil 

 according to one's judgment, until the results can be compared. 



Spraying' Pumps. 



•554. Sir, — In your February No. I notice the "Little Dandy" spraying pump. 

 It seems to me to be lacking an important point, viz., an arrangement for agitating the 

 water and mixing the ingredients. The new kockport sprayer has added a stirring hose in 

 the rear of spout which agitates completely. I have an old one without an agitator, and I 

 managed to fit one to it. My plan of arranging my spraying apparatus was to place a 

 barrel on its side in the wagon. I made a'frame with fiur pieces, 3x4, crossed and bolted 

 at the corners. I then raised four legs from the sills to the top of the barrel, and then 

 placed a plank on these. I placed my pump in position, bolted it to the plank, running 

 the main pipe through the bung hole. I then bored a ox.H hole for the agitator pipe, and in 

 this way you have the spraying frame, pump and all attached and always ready for busi- 

 ness. It can be put in a cart or wagon in a few minutes, and there is no danger of 

 upsetting. This plan is safer than having the pump on the end of the barrel, which might 

 cause it to upset. 



M. A. Bayly, Niagara. 



The liquid used for spraying 

 can be easily agitated with a 

 long stick, but an agitator 

 which works continuously is 

 more convenient, and one 

 could easily be attached to 

 the " Little 1 )andy," or to any 

 other of the pumps. The 

 plan of laying down the barrel 

 on its side is an advantage, 

 being safer from tipping. We 

 give an engraving of this 

 way of placing the barrel in a 

 spring wagon, the pump here 

 shown having two hose, and a wooden agitator, tha latter to be used as often as 

 thought necessary. The frame described by our correspondent seems 

 commendable. 



Fig. 530. 



Hybridizing- Apples. 



555. Sir, — Will you please tell at what precise moment the pollen on apple blossoms 

 is best fitted for hybrids ? Years ago I experimented with apparent success, but during 

 four consecutive days I could never see any pollen on my brush, neither could I see any on 

 the blossoms. 



Reply by J. A. Morton, Wingham, Out. 



At the opening of the anther cell under natural conditions, is the most 

 potential period of the pollen for fertilization. How long after that the pollen 



