22 THE CANADIAN IIOllTICULTUKIST. 



five barrels in a Imndred, to be shipped as second class, or thrown away. 

 "And how are your carefully selected apples lieeping this winter ?'' 

 said Ignavns, the other day, with a sarcastic grin at my fastidiousness 

 in fruit-packing. 



I can't boast much of their condition. The very best specimens 

 are poor enough now. I opened a barrel of Kings to-day (Jan. 3rd, 

 1880,) and they presented a shocking sight. They ought to liave kept 

 in first class condition another month at least ; and as for those 

 shipped, I fear they will not sustain the reputation of former years. 

 A smile of satisfaction was visible on the face of Ignavus, as he says : 

 " You will never make better out of your fruit than I did last fall. I 

 filled up my barrels with bad and good as they came, just fixing up 

 top and bottom a little. I took them to the depot, where they passed 

 the buyer's inspection. I got my money, nearly as much as you, and 

 no culls to throw away. If there is any complaint, I have the same 

 excuse as you have, — ^'A had season — a very had season /" 



Two FiiESH Gossips. — I wish, Mr. Editor, to make you acquainted 

 with two other fruit growers, who, though they may not live very 

 near either you or me, can be identified by any reader of the Horti- 

 culturist possessing two eyes. Diligens is a farmer and fruit grower. 

 He is always busy — too busy, I often tell him, to enjoy the pleasures 

 of a life amid trees • and flowers. His orchard and farm are in 

 perfect order, and show marks of the most careful management. His 

 trees are grouped with excellent taste, and the footpath and carriage- 

 drive approach his house with a graceful curve. 



" A landscape gardener has surely given you his advice here," said 

 I to him one day, as I walked with him about his grounds. " Ho," 

 said Diligens, " the plans are my own. I always make a study of a 

 beautiful lawn when I see it, and then try to imitate what I admire." 



Just then Negligens came along, and our conversation turned to 

 the subject of the peach yellows. JSTegligens is one of those men who . 

 think that because they live in the country it is quite useless to spend 

 time and money upon anything that neither puts clothes on their 

 backs or food in their mouths. He lets the cows and horses into his 

 door-yard to feed on his lawn grass, and save the trouble of mowing ; 

 he lets the chickens scratch up the loose sand about the sides of his 

 house ; and for a walk to the hall door you may see what anywhere 

 else would be mistaken for a cow-path. 



