THE CANADIAN lIORTICULTUrMST. 41? 



convert and its advocate. In 1879 I put on 2,000, paper bags — in many 

 places, on the same spur, altoranting with tlie nettin,:[^ and bags. The results 

 were most satisfactory. The grapes ripened evenly with the best of coloring, 

 fully as early as when not inclosed, and with a flavor equal to any grown 

 without the bags. More than this, the bunches came out of the bags with 

 a splendid bloom and as perfect every way as it is possible for a grape to 

 bo. The pa])er bagging prolonged the .season for nearly a month. They 

 are very clieap, and are more easily put on than the netting, and the grapes 

 cannot be touched by the birds. The bag is slipped oyer the bunch when 

 the grapes are about one-third grown, folded together around the stem, and 

 a pin stuck through the folds. This is all the fastening necessary. Care 

 must be taken, however, to make a small slit in the bottom of the bag, for, 

 unless this is done, when a heavy rain falls, half a pint of water will 

 get into the bag, and, standing around the grapes, will injure them, or by 

 its weight tear the bag ofl'. Merely pierce the bottom with the blade of 

 a knife. Grape growers are greatly indebted to Mr. Bateman for this 

 simple but wonderful protection to the fruit. In this part of Kentucky, 

 between curcnlio and birds, there is little left to the grape grower. These 

 bags are absolute protection from both. I also found grapes so inclosed in 

 the netting and bags less liable to mildew. Those in paper bags were more 

 favored in this respect than those in the netting. Those who have not tried 

 either of these plans can not imagine the diflerence in the perfection of 

 fruit secured with their use. Large bunches can be taken out of the bag 

 without a single imperfect berry, and with a bloom upon them that is simply 

 magnificent. Fifty cents' worth of paper bags will be sufficient for an 

 experiment. Putting them on will requix'e only a very short time, and, 

 once tried, they will never be neglected. 



CAEBOLIC ACID FOR INSECTS. 



The time has almost come again when " the little busy bugs" will open 

 up their summer campaign, and dispute with the "lords of creation" for 

 the " fruits of the earth." Allow me thus early to call attention to an 

 article, the merits of which everybody knows, but which many dare not use 

 — I refer to carbolic acid. Prepared as indicated, it cannot, I think, hurt 

 the most delicate house plant, and it is sure to kill insect life. 



My plan of preparing is as follows:— -I obtain crude carbolic acid ; I use 

 it in this form because it is stronger and better for the purpose, and costs 

 but very little (about 25 cents per gallon, I think). I pour a quantity of 

 this dark crude acid into a quantity of good strong domestic soft soap ; stir 

 well together, and allow to stand for a few hours. I then tost the compound 

 by mixing a little of it in soft water. If too much acid has been added, 

 oily particles of carbolic acid will be observed floating on the surface. This 

 fihows that more acid has been put in than the soap will incorj)orate or 

 "cut," and more soap should be added to balance the excess of acid. No 

 more definite rule can be given, as so much depends on the strength of the 

 soap. Two or three teaspoonsful of the acid to a quart of soap may be first 

 tried, I prefer to make as strong with acid as the soap will perfectly cut. 

 A very little practice will enable any one to compound it correctly. The 



