66^ THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST, 



might advance a scientific knowledge among growers of fruit. Had I 

 headed this paragraph A'tnygdalus Persica, or Persica Vulgaris, I 

 wonder how many would have at once known that the peach was 

 referred to. 



In point of hardiness there appears quite a difference among the 

 varieties of the peach. The late unusually mild Winter very much 

 developed the fruit buds, and the cold of March 24th, when the ther- 

 mometor registered 11° above zero, tried them severely. The most 

 valuable variety seems also to be one of the most tender, viz, the Early 

 Crawford; it has suffered much, at least three-fourths of the fruit buds 

 being frozen. The Early Purple, a peach almost unsaleable in seasons 

 of great abundance, is proving itself valuable for its hardiness, its fruit 

 buds being perfectly intact ; nor is this the first time this variety has 

 escaped when the Crawford has succumbed to a Canadian Winter. 

 Kext in hardiness comes the Early Beatrice, and after it, perhaps, the 

 Hale's Early. The old Mixon is quite as tender as the Crawford, and 

 indeed I think more so. 



Peach Crates. — The bushel crate usually accepted in Grimsby has 

 the ends 8x14 inches, and the sides 24 inches long; while the three- 

 peck crate is of course 6 inches wide, instead' of 8 inches, or just f of 

 the bushel size. Complete uniformity in measure of all fruit packages 

 is very much to be desired. Certainly packages holding short measure 

 never brought permanent profit to the shipper using them, while more 

 frequently they bring him well merited disgrace. 



Ladders for Peach Picking. — Of course nothing is so useful in a 

 peach orchard as a good supply of step-ladders, but where 

 these are counted too expensive, a very simple contrivance 

 may prove very serviceable among large trees. It consists 

 of one stout pole morticed into a base made of scantlin, 

 and having rounds for climbing, as is show^n in the en- 

 graving. A rainy day in Spring-time Avould suffice for 

 making several of these, and they will j)rove very light 

 and serviceable when the busy season of picking comes on. 

 They can be used in trees where a two barred ladder would 

 be useless, for the end of the pole will rest in any crotch 

 with perfect safety. 



