S8 



THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST. 



Agricultural College ; and the object so 

 far as horticulture is concerned, is "to 

 conduct original researches or verify 

 experiments on the physiology of j)lants 

 And animals ; the diseases to which they 

 are severally subject, with the remedies 

 for the same ; the chemical composition 

 of useful plants at their different stages 

 of growth; the comparative advantages 

 of rotative cropping as pursued under 

 a varying series of crops ; the capacity 

 of new plants or trees for acclimation ; 

 the analysis of soils and water ; the 

 chemical composition of manures, natu- 

 ral or artificial, with experiments de- 

 signed to test their comparative effects 

 on crops of different kinds." 



It is a satisfaction to know that Canada 

 is not behind her enterprising Ameri- 

 can Cousins in the matter of experi- 

 mental farm stations. Already, in 

 Accordance with an act passed in 1886, 

 respecting "Experimental Farm Sta- 

 tions," which provided for one in each 

 province, the Central Farm has been 

 located within three miles of the Par- 

 liament Buildings at Ottawa ; and 

 plans are matured for active operations 

 early this spring. 



The firstBulletin has just been issued, 

 and may be had by any one who will 

 write for it, addressing the " Experi- 

 mental Farm, Ottawa." 



Premiums. — The A merican Garden does 

 not believe in premi>ims. It is too 

 much like hiring a person to subscribe. 



We hope none of the i-eaders of the 

 Canadian Horticulturist have been 

 thus " hired." 



The distribution of trees and plants 

 which we make every spring, is apart 

 of the regular work of our Association, 

 and come to the subscribers of the Hor- 

 ticulturist because they are members 

 of that Association. 



The object of this distribution is to 

 test new fruits in Canada, by thus 

 makino; the gardens of our members 



experimental, so that we may be the 

 sooner prepared to report with confi- 

 dence as to their real value. 



Seed Testing. — With the object of sav- 

 ing our farmers from the losses to which 

 they are annually subject through using 

 old or inferior seeds, a glass structure 

 has just been completed at the Experi- 

 menal Farm, for the express purpose of 

 testing their germinating power. Sam- 

 ples of seeds, duly labeled, may be sent, 

 postage free, to the above address ; and 

 returns concerning their value will be 

 made free of charge, as quickly as pos- 

 sible. 



This department is intended as an open one to every 

 reader of the "Horticulturist" to send in either 

 questions or ansivers. Often a reader will be able to 

 answer a question which has been left tmanswered, 

 or only partially answered by us. For convenience 

 of reference the questions are numbered, and any 

 one replying or referring to any question will 

 please mention the number of it. 



24. Ashes. — What quantity or un- 

 leached ashes would be about right to 

 put around ten-year-ol<l apple trees, and 

 would spring or /all be the best time to 

 apply them ? [A. Armstrong, Barrie.] 



Prof. Panto.v, of the Agricultural 

 College, Guelph, replies : — ■" Put on an 

 application of about three-fifths of an 

 inch in depth. I think the spring is 

 about the best time, owing to the ten- 

 dency of the potash to dissolve, and 

 pass beyond the reach of the roots when 

 needed." 



25. Bones. — / can get a great many 

 bones within a short distance of my 

 place. How can I manufacture them 

 into shape for use on the land ? [A. A.] 



Prof. Paxton says: "Compost them 

 with about twice their bulk of good 

 ashes, slightly moistened ; turn the pile 

 over once a month for about three 

 months. The bones will then be easily 

 broken and beaten to a soft mass, which 

 will be fit for use at once. 



