The Canadian Horticulturist. 373 



with this method I have no trouble in getting the bushes down, when they should 

 be covered with enough dirt to keep them on tlie ground. I do not think it is 

 of much advantage to entirely cover them with dirt, especially when there is 

 plenty of snow. I think, as a general thing, the bushes .should be taken out of 

 the ground as soon as the frost is out deep enough to allow of it, as being a late 

 bloomer, there is not much danger from frost. It is better not to stand the 

 bushes erect, when taken up, as those left near the ground bear the nicest berries. 

 Mulching the ground with wild hay, straw, corn stalks, etc., adds greatly to the 

 growth of the plant and size of the berry. — S. Cutler, of Excelsior, Minn., 

 before Minn. Hort. Soc, 1892. 



FRUIT IN VICTORIA COUNTY. 



I had the pleasure of visiting the gardens and orchards of Mr. Thos. Beall 

 and Mr. Robson, both well-know horticulturists. J>oth had good crops of 

 apples, pears and grapes. Mr. Thos. Beall grows the Niagara grape in its high- 

 est perfection. Mr. Beall thinks very highly of the Ontario apple. My fear 

 is that bearing such overwhelming crops as I saw on Mr. Beall's trees, and else- 

 where in this county, it will not grow to be a large tree. Mr. Beall also greatly 

 prizes the Alexander apple, one of his Alexander trees only about 12 years old, 

 produced 12)^ bushels this year, and such apples ! A few apples over sixty mak- 

 ing a bushel every time. Apples are a good average crop here this year. 



Mr. H. Reazin, Inspector of Public schools, has one of the best orchards 

 in the county. He is an enthusiastic orchardist. No plums in this county 

 this year. 



The following apples are grown in high perfection in this county by the 

 above named gentlemen : 



.Summer Apples. — Tetofsky, Yellow Transparent, Duchess, Montreal 

 Peach, Red Astrachan, etc. 



Fall Apples. — Snow, St. Fawrence, Haas, Wealthy, Gipsy Girl, Alexan- 

 der, etc. 



Winter Apples. — Pewaukee, Golden Russet, l\:>mme Grise, .Mann, Salome, 

 Magog Redstreak, Ontario, Scotts \Vinter, Ben Davis, Baldwin, etc. I think the 

 (juality of the apples grown in this county superior to the same kinds grown 

 farther south. H. 



Water.melon Test.s. — I draw my thumb-nail over the melon, scraping off 

 the thin green skin. If the edges of the skin on each side of the scar are left 

 ragged or granulated, and the rind under the scar is smooth, firm and white, 

 and has something of a glassy appearance, the melon is ripe. But if the edges 

 of the scar are smooth and even, and the thumb nail has dug into the rind in 

 places, and the skin does not come off clean, then the melon is green. You can 

 easily learn on two melons, one ripe, the other green, noting the difference after 

 they have been cut open. — Southern .Stockman and Farmer. 

 2 



