Thk Canadian Hokiicl'liurisi 25 



In Ontario the climate varies so much within short distances, and owing to 

 the influence of lakes great and small so independently of latitude, that hitherto 

 the question of what varieties may be best suited to particular localities, has 

 been puzzling indeed. Differences of fifty days of the frostless season occur 

 even south of the main line of the (Irand 'I'runk, in Western Ontario. Further 

 north, where altitudes suddenly vary and small lakes abound, the contrasts are 

 still sharper. Localities, especially on the eastern and southern sides of our 

 little lakes, have frecjuently a frostless season a month longer than other locali- 

 ties scarcely a mile away. Some particular varieties of fruit can be grown in 

 some localities a hundred miles further north than their general line. 



A climatic survey would unravel these many characteristics of local climate, 

 and greatly stimulate fruit growing, by suggesting a full use of our possibilities 

 and assisting us in determining the most profitable varieties suitable to each 

 locality, and would also enable the Fruit Growers' Association to give a wider 

 scope and a more definite direction to the investigations which are being made 

 bv it from year to year. 



Lindsay^ Dec, iSgi. Thomas Beam.. 



THE ROUND BORSDORFER APPLE. 



Sir, — I see by the December number of the Horticui.turist that one of 

 the trees you are sending out for trial for next season, is the Russian apple. 

 Round Borsdorfer. I have had that variety bearing for a few years and like it 

 very much. It is a smallish apple of very good quality and a long keeper. The 

 tree is perfectly hardy, and a good bearer for the cold sections of Ontario and 

 Quebec ; where an iron-clad tree is required, it is very desirable. 



Yours truly, 

 Grenville, F.Q. Rout. Hamilton. 



Perennial \'e(;etai5LES. — Asparagus, rhubarb, and horseradish are the 

 principal representatives of this class. Asparagus, when once planted properly, 

 will last almost forever. The principal condition for success with this plant is 

 to give it plenty of room ; a distance of four feet each way is found best for field 

 culture. In the garden, we prefer a single row, Avith plants two feet apart, to 

 l)lanting in beds. Rhubarb will also yield a crop for many years, but in most 

 cases it is better to take up the plants and make a new bed or row every six or 

 eight years. To have large, crisp stalks, cover each clump with two or three 

 forkfuls of stable manure after the ground freezes in the fall. Horseradish 

 in the family garden is generally left to take care of itself, but if first-class roots 

 are desired, it should be treated like an annual and re-planted every spring.— 

 A mericati Agriculturist. 



