THE CANADIAN H0RTICDLTUKI8T. 



115 



should always be dug much larger than 

 the roots require, the earth should be 

 made fine, and sif'ted in carefully 

 among the roots, and then, when cov- 

 ered, should be well pressed down 

 about the little fibres. This will help 

 to protect them from the drouth by ex- 

 cluding the dry air, and at the same 

 time impart to the soil increased con- 

 (luctibility of nocturnal dews. 



The Niagara Grape Vine, which has been 

 so largely cliosfu Vjy tlie members of 

 our association, should be planted 

 deeply in well-drained soil, and in 

 the autumn it should be laid down 

 and covered. It is claimed to be 

 fairly hai'dy, but the wiser plan is 

 the safest. It is certainly a mag- 

 nificent grape ; holding the place 

 among white grapes which the Concord 

 does among the black. We shall hope 

 soon to have certain knowledge respect- 

 ing its hardiness, as the result of this 

 spring's disti'ibution of the vine to all 

 parts of Ontario. 



The Farmers' institutes. — The Rural 

 Canadian appeal's to think that the 

 farmers are competent to make these 

 meetings successful without the atten- 

 dance of the professors from the Agri- 

 cultui'al College. We an^ inclined to 

 cpiestion this, because the time has 

 come when theory and practice need to 

 keep close company. And one great 

 secret of the success that has attended 

 these meetings thus far has been the 

 presence of such men as Prof. Mills 

 and Prof. Panton, who could give the 

 reasons of things. This our farmers do 

 not profess to do. They give us most 

 valuable lessons from their experience, 

 which either establish or anihilate the 

 theories of the scientific student. But 

 we shall fall into many errors if we 

 attempt to deduct theories and lay 

 down rules in eitlier Agriculture or 

 Horticulture, without consulting the 

 Botanist, the Chemist, and the Physi- 

 oloaist. 



Miss Rye writes us from Niagara that 

 she has i-eceived a medal and certificate 

 from the " Colinderies," for quinces 

 grown on the grounds of the " Home." 

 These medals, having on the face so ex- 

 cellent a likeness of His Royal High- 

 ness, tlie Prince of Wales, and dis- 

 tiibuted so freely to exhibitors at the 

 Colonial and Indian Exhibition, will be 

 very highly prized by the recipients. 



Selfish Aims. — The American Garden, 

 which by the wiiy is im])roving with 

 each issue, fears that financial gain or 

 literary re]>utation is too much the aim 

 among horticultuiistsof the present day. 

 The work of originating new varieties, 

 either from seed or by hyljridization, is 

 slow, and needs much patient endeavor. 

 Who among us will be the disciples of 

 such men as Wilder, Warder, Downing 

 or Thomas % 



Too Many Irons, — This is a significant 

 term for a very common fault among 

 fiirmers and fruit growers as well as 

 among students. In these days of pi-o- 

 gress and of keen competition, it has 

 become necessary for the best success 

 in ])ractical horticulture, as well as in 

 professional life, to devote one's atten- 

 tion chiefly to one line and become 

 master of it. Division of labor is a 

 mai'k of progressive civilization, and 

 the man who attempts to combine too 

 many occupations will but prove the 

 truth of the old adage, " Grasp all, lose 

 all." 



THE SUMMER MEETING. 



The next meeting of the Fruit 

 Growers' Association of Ontario will 

 be held in the town hall, Collingwood, 

 Out., on the 28th and 29th of June 

 next, in response to the very kind in- 

 vitation of the Horticultural Society of 

 that place, and of the fruit growers of 

 that section. 



The meeting will continue two days, 

 and vvill be devoted to the discussion of 



