The Canadian Horticulturist. 341 



RANDOM THOUGHTS ON VARIOUS TOPICS. 



UST in proportion as we get liberated from self and its tyrannical sway, 

 will we be desirous that others should profit by our experience, 

 hence we may speak and write much that others know and have 

 practised as well as ourselves ; but then we may have found some- 

 thing that is new to others which may excuse an effort for the 

 advancement of what we have profited by. The preparation of fruit 

 exposure at the Chicago World's Fair, seems to be an interesting 

 topic just now, and although one may not send samples to exhibit, yet would be 

 glad to know that a fair representation had been sent by others. The usual method 

 of exposing fruit samples in oval jars, does not afford a fair representation. 

 The oval surface magnifies, and the fruit seems larger than it is. Square glass 

 jars, with one side scaled off into inches, halves and quarter inches, something 

 like the scale on a druggist's measuring glass, would be better vessels for fruit 

 exposition than are usually seen at fairs. It is to be hoped that Canada will be 

 fairly represented at the Chicago World's Fair, which bids fair to prove a grand 

 success, if the cholera does not get there to dampen the ardor of the exhibitors 

 and visitors. 



There is an increasing interest in fruit growing yearly in the Ottawa Valley, 

 and especially in the vicinity of Ottawa City. " It pays " is one reason, and as 

 some of the climatic obstacles are overcome, success is more prevalent than 

 formerly. Strawberry cultivation is on the increase largely, but a great deal of 

 inferior fruit is thrown on the market owing to a want of care in cultivation, and 

 also a lack of variety in kinds, the Crescent and Wilson being the chief varieties 

 grown. Raspberry culture here has a large, wild pick to contend with, yet there 

 is a fair showing of garden produce, which is increasing. 



The Early Richmond cherry is coming into favor, being hardy, and brings 

 a good price on the fruit stands. But we are forced to forego novelties in 

 general, as Jack Frost has too strong rule through our winters to allow an 

 indulgence in novelties to any great extent. But one strong encouragement 

 meets the fruit grower in this section, what fruit he does turn on the market 

 brings a fair price, and is eagerly' sought for. We find in the line of fertilizing, 

 that to throw our wood ashes into the privy vault, and in the fall take out and 

 mix with equal parts swamp muck and stable manure, a valuable compost is 

 formed for filling in furrows to plant vegetables on after covering the compost 

 back with earth. (Coal ashes may be prudently mixed in this way, but wood 

 ashes are better kept separate till time of application to soil. — Ed.) I experi- 

 mented some by plowing two ridges four times for planting strawberries on, 

 raising a crop of corn this year. The growth was simply immense, and the 

 ground is now in fine order to set on strawberries. I believe it will pay largely 

 to plow all vegetable ground three or four times before planting, as the soil is 



