188 The Canadian Horticulturist. 



stews, pies, and jellies, whether used green or ripe. In jelly we prefer it to other 

 currants. 



The variety is wholly distinct from every other. It re[)resents a new type of 

 small fiuit, which, when further selected and improved, must come to be a staple. 



GAS LIME AS A FERTILIZER. 



SiR^ Have any of your readers had any experience in the use of gas lime as « fertilizer * 



\V. White, Ottawa, Ont. 



Gas lime has no great excellency as a fertilizer. Its action is chiefly chemical 

 on the soil, liberating the fertilizing elements. The lime, however, is especially 

 useful in the growing of roots, as, for instance, mangles, and turnips. After 

 exposure to the weather the fresh lime in it is changed to sulphide of lime or 

 gypsum. It is not wise to apply this substance too liberally, as in that case it 

 may destroy the vegetable growth. 



PRIMULA OBCONICA 



Sir, — Is the Primula Obconica poisonous, and if so in what way ? 



A i\l0XTKE.\L StB.SCBIBER. 



It would appear that Primula Obconica is covered with minute hairs which 

 are liable to penetrate the skin of persons handling them, and so poison them, 

 though not dangerously. Florists in packing this plant have, in some cases, 

 had their hands and arms swell with the poison. 



4^ OpcQ Lettep^?. ^ 



POMME ROYAL AND OTHER APPLES. 



SlR^ — As to the ouestion regarding the Blenheim Orange apple, I have found it to be 

 a very fair, moderate nearer almost every year, but better each alternate year, and witii my 

 neighbors it is an apple that is well liked. 



The Kin): lias Ijorne very well for me in the town of Goderich, oti a gravelly soil 

 l)ut on my farm, which is a clay loam with clay sub si)il, it is shy of bearing. lk)ti) 

 these are noble apples. 



I have the I'oiiime K(jyal in town, which used to ripen earlier. The fruit was much 

 finer than some varieties grown on the farm. Whether it is liecause of the soil or because 

 grafted on dillerent stock, I cannot tell. I grafted it on a bearing tree that was a seedling. 

 It appears to me that sti^ck intluences the graft. 



W.vi.TER Hli'K, Codcrkh. 



