39^ ^Hi'- Canadian Horticulturist. 



and jilaiUed in shallow trenches about nine inches apart and about two inches 

 deep. Cuttings may also be made in the summer. A moist situation is 

 preferable for peppermint, but it will succeed in almost any soil. The tops are 

 cut off just as they are coming into flower and distilled as soon afterwards as 

 possible. The beds should be top-dressed with a good soil. 



Spearmint is most largely in request, particularly in the spring and early 

 summer. It is wise to have a good stock, in order that a portion may be 

 available for forcing. Otherwise the propagation and cultivation are the same 

 as for jieppermint. A portion of the tops should be cut when coming into 

 flower and hung up to dry. (ireen leaves are preferable to dry ones, and forcing 

 is easy, the only preparation being the insertion of a (luantity of roots in a box of 

 soil placed in a temperature of sixty degrees and kept watered. 



We are indebted to the " Nicholson's Dictionary of Gardening '" for most of 

 the above points. * 



FOWJ. MANURE FOR PLANTS. 



50^. SiK, — Will you say in your next issue, whether fowl manure leached will 

 answer all the purposes of a fertilizer for plants in pots? And if the manure should be left 

 to ferment before being leached, should the liquid be diluted before being applied to the 

 plants ? 



Stearnk TiGHE, Amherat Inland, Out. 



Reply by N. Robertson, Siiperiiitfiidcnt Goi'ernmeitt Grounds, Ottawa. 



Fowl manure will answer as a fertilizer for plants in pots, but there are 

 many things preferable. It can be used either after fermentation or before. The 

 former method I should prefer for various reasons. If it is not diluted and 

 made very weak much damage may be done by its use. I would advise its 

 use only on what is called soft-wooded material. 



^VHA^ PAYS BEST? 



509. SiK, — 1 intend t<> begin fruit growing, and would liki' to know wliat to plant 

 thivt w ould give me the l)est retuins in tlie sliortc.st time 'i 



S. K. .Mkkckk, A'urnha)iithorpi'. 



There is no doubt thai small fruits give the ciuickest returns. Indeed, take 

 it year by year, they probably yield more money, acre by acre, than the larger 

 fruits. Of course, proportionately more time and labor is required in their 

 cultivation. It would be diflicult to advise our correspondent with regard to 

 which fruits pay best. They are all profitable, providing a good market for each 

 is at hand, and upon this everything nnist hinge. 



