48 THE CANADIAN HOKTICULTURIST. 



with very little snow, and we attributed the splitting of the bark to 

 the very severe cold freezing the sap, which was abundant in young 

 trees, and causing the bark, which is more tender just at the collar 

 than anywhere else, to burst by the expansion of the sap in freezing. 

 We have never tried the experiment of hilling up the earth around the 

 trunks of the young trees to see if it would prevent this splitting, but 

 we think if a sufficient quantity of earth is thrown against them in 

 the fall to protect them from severe freezing at the collar, it would 

 prevent the splitting of the bark. 



"Will you oblige by informing me through the Horticulturist the best way to 

 utilize pigeon dung as manure ?" 



We have not had any experience with pigeon dung, but knowing 

 that it is very like guano in its qualities, should advise that it be used 

 with prudence, a very small quantity being sufficient to produce 

 beneficial effects, where a larger quantity would only be injurious. 

 If dissolved in water, four ounces to the gallon will be quite strong 

 enough for plants growing in the open ground, but plants in pots do 

 not require more than one ounce to the gallon. Will those of our 

 readers who have had experience in the use of pigeon dung have the 

 kindness to answer this inquiry. 



Our Meaford correspondent says of the answer to his inquiries, 



that there is one thing yet lacking, a very simple and apparently 



trifling thing, but to him, and it may be to others, of great importance,, 



viz: — 



" How shall we empty the apples from the basket into the barrel? Most of the 

 people hereabouts put their hand in front of the basket and let them roll in, of course 

 after lowering it down. I empty with my hands as I would eggs, but it takes a long 

 time, and if not necessary I would abandon it." 



It is the practice of the writer to have the bottom of the barrel 

 laid with apples carefully by hand, placing the apples stem downwards;, 

 this being done, he lowers the basket into the barrel, and gently rolls, 

 the apples out in the manner above mentioned into the barrel ; then 

 when there are sufficient apples in the barrel to admit of settling them 

 by a gentle shaking of the barrel, he settles them in this way three or 

 four times in filling up the barrel. He has never found that this 

 method in any degree injured the fruit. Will our readers who are in 

 the habit of barreling apples for shipment please to describe their 

 method of procedure for the benefit of others. 



