158 The Canadian Horticulturist. 



Women are quite capable of inspiring love for fruits and flowers and giving useful 

 instruction in their culture, if they can overcome a few conventionalities ; and 

 young men, who have left the farm disgusted with its drudgery and isolation, 

 might he persuaded, especially after a few years experience in school teaching) 

 that drudgery is not confined to the farm and that isolation itself is sometimes 

 very desirable. 



The introduction of horticulture into the school depends almost entirely on 

 on the teacher, and therefore, any efforts to bring this about must be directed 

 towa rds meeting the teacher and influencing him. I will suggest that the 

 co-operation of the County Inspectors be secured either by presenting the subject 

 to them at their yearly meeting in Toronto, or by special circulars, or by both 

 methods. They, more than any other men except teachers could enforce and 

 impose the teaching of Horticultural subjects in the public schools, and their aid 

 would be invaluable. Every teacher must get his profession and 

 County .Model School, and it might be possible to induce some competent 

 local horticulturist to address the teachers-in-training once or twice during the 

 session to excite interest in the work, and at the same time secure the co-opera- 

 tion of the head-master. In every county, too, there is a yearly convention of 

 teachers at which something might be done. The science master of the high 

 'schools are also able to influence the teachers of the country in this direction to 

 a very large extent. 



These suggestions are made to show that some definite steps might be taken, 

 if the subject were thought of sufficient importance, and, whether it is or not, 

 might very properly be a subject for discussion at the next meeting of the Asso- 

 ciation ; and the whole matter, if favorably considered, be placed in the hands of an 

 energetic or efficient committee. There is already an excellent text-book on 

 agriculture, and the education department, I am sure, will assist in any well- 

 developed scheme. 



Windsor. A. McNeill. 



KEROSENE FOR BLACK KNOT. 



My next door neighbor had several plum trees bearing fine fruit, and all died 

 covered with knots; but before dying I had secured a few sprouts and had some fine 

 young trees, on which, when they were about six feet high, knots began to break out 

 on the trunks, some six inches long. Having filled a small sewing machine oil can 

 with coal oil, I gave the knots a dose ; they stopped growing, but in about a month 

 a few more made their appearance and some old ones began to swell again, then 

 another dose finished them. The next year (last summer) a few spots appeared, 

 they were treated before they broke out, and all the trees are now very thrifty, only 

 scarred where the large knots were, as the knots died and fell off like loose bark, 

 leaving dead spots over which the new bark is growing. If the trees are very badly 

 affected, it is better lo cut them down, they are so unsightly. The oil does not 

 seem to have any bad effect on the sound part of the tree ; but, like all other 

 medicine, too much might be injurious, but I'd rather kill it trying to save than 

 let the disease have its way. -R. X. Y. 



