The Canadian Horticulturist. 253 



Black Pekin is a large and vigorous growing kind ; stems petioles and veins 

 always deep purple ; leaves large, more or less distinctly lobed, purple with 

 metalic lustre above. Fruit large, five to seven inches in diameter — often 

 larger — sphercial or oblate, very dark purple. Entirely distinct from every other 

 variety, rather late, but it fruited well the past season. A popular market 

 variety — Maine Experimental Station. 



SIERRA SNOW PLANT. 



This plant is acknowledged by all, to be the most beautiful in the floral 

 kingdom. It is a bulbous plant, and attains a height of from fifteen inches 

 to three feet. It grows at various elevations, but is more generally distri- 

 buted between the elevations of six and seven thousand feet above sea level. 

 In their flowering season, they throw up a spike of deep, brilliant red flowers, 

 so intensely colored, as to glisten and sparkle in the light. These blooms last 

 for several days. For supreme beauty, and wild magnificence, this plant stands 

 unrivalled. 



Grizzley Flats, Cal. S. L. Watkins. 



Washing" the Bark of Fruit Trees.— I noticed with a great deal of in- 

 terest and satisfaction last spring the effect of potash dissolved in water to the 

 strength of one pound to two gallons, and applied as a wash to trees in the 

 orchards of Mr. Thompson, Mr. Archibald and Mr. Chipman of this village. I 

 afterwards used a milder solution in a young orchard of my own, and, although 

 the trees were previously in an average healthy condition, yet the effects of the 

 application were noticeable at quite a distance, for it had given the bark a par- 

 ticularly clean, dark brown appearance. I would strongly recommend the 

 cleaning off of all the loose bark and moss — the dwelling places of the bark lice 

 and the winter quarters of the codling moth — with a hoe during April, and an 

 application of the potash about the middle of June. Experiments have been 

 made with most astounding results as to crops where the diluted potash has been 

 applied as a fertilizer to the roots. 



Pruning" Raspberries. — In growing for fruit the branches should be 

 nipped at one foot in length. If tips are the object let the branches grow, and 

 when they reach the ground bury the tip. If you wait until the cane runs much 

 before it is covered you will have a long string of roots and plants and none of 

 it fit to set. Last fall my tips were covered until the branches were three to 

 four feet on the ground and then nearly all covered, and this spring the young 

 plants put up all around the old bush as bad as the red varieties. The Marl- 

 boro, I fear, will not yield well with me. What berries I had were fine. The 

 Golden Queen proves more hardy, and I think of better quality. — Farm and 

 Home. 



