156 



The Canadian Horticulturist. 



by grafting, as in most cases the operation 

 will prove a failure, but they may be success- 

 fully budded in the Summer-time, as soon 

 as sufficiently matured buds can be secured. 

 The apricot is usually budded either on peach 

 or on plum stock, and for hardiness, of course, 

 the latter is much to be preferred. 



SPRING OR FALL PLANTING. 



33. I see a great difference of opinion 

 regarding Spring and Fall planting. I have 

 been planting in both Spring and Fall, for the 

 last ten years, and always get the most sat- 

 isfaction from Fall planting. --T. A. Gatrix, 

 Coldwatcr. 



Apple trees, especially hardy kinds, will 

 usually do well planted in the Fall on well 

 drained soil, and the earth well firmed down 

 about the roots. But, under less favorable 

 circumstances, it is safer to plant them in the 

 Spring, in Ontario. 



THE IDAHO PEAR. 



34. Sir, — Is the climate of Idaho severe 

 enough to ensure the success of the Idaho 

 paar here ? — H. Evans, Napanec, Out. 



Although the latitude of Lewiston, Idaho, 

 near which the Idaho pear originated is about 

 forty-six and a-half degrees north, yet of 

 course that means a warmer climate than 

 the same in Ontario, which would be very 

 nearly as far north as Quebec City. The 

 thermometer, however, at Lewiston sometimes 

 goes down to thirty degrees, Fr., which is, 

 we presume, as low as you get it at Napanee, 

 and, therefore, no doubt the Idaho will 

 succeed with you. 



SEEDING DOWN THE ORCHARD. 



35. Sir, — Does a vigorous orchard fifteen 

 years old produce more fruit if manured and 

 cultivated, or if seeded down and top-dressed? 



The chief object in cultivating and manur- 

 ing an apple orchard is to keep it in a vigor- 

 ous condition of growth, and if that desired 

 vigor can be maintained by seeding down 

 and top-dressing, which in many cases it 

 can be for two or three years at a time, it 

 would be an advantage to do'so. Indeed an 

 orchard of that age growing vigorously, 

 might by such treatment be thrown into 

 go"od bearing in consequence of the slight 

 check of wood growth which would result. 



PLANTING IN POOR SOIL. 



36. Sir,— If trees must be planted in poor- 

 soil, would it do to mix ashes or other ferti- 

 lizer with it ?— H.E. 



We have been accustomed to use ashes 

 only as top-dressing, applying them in May 

 or June, just when the rains will take down 

 the potash to the growing roots, while the 

 remaining elements will become gradually 

 incorporated with the soil. 



MAKING A LABYRINTH. 



37. Sir, — I would like to know how the 

 Honey Locust would answer for hedges for 

 a Labyrinth, or what would you think would 

 be best for that purpose ? Our Council has 

 appointed me to superintend the work done 

 in the park, and I would like to make a 

 Labyrinth if the cost would not be too much.. 

 I was thinking about cedar, planted very 

 close together ; in England they use Box,, 

 but that would be out of the question in this 

 country. I think it would be a great acqui- 

 sition to a park, to have such a place in it, 

 but I think it is not often adopted in this- 

 country. — Wm. Downs, Stratford. 



Reply by Mr. W. E. Wellington, Toronto. 

 ist. According to my mind, a Labyrinth' 

 should be planted with trees that will grow 

 above the height of a person, or, in other 

 words, so that you cannot see over the hedge.. 

 Of course it cduld be planted with low 

 flowering shrubs with good effect. For a 

 Labyrinth grown dense that cannot be seen 

 over, either Spruce or Arb or Vitae is certainly 

 the best, and about the only thing that can 

 be planted in this country. For good effect 

 for a low Labyrinth, nothing would equal 

 Spirea Van Hoiitti for strong growth, hardi- 

 ness and handsome appearance when in- 

 flower, as I think it excels anything that 

 can be put out in that line. Japan 

 Quince would do, and the Tartarian Honey- 

 suckles and Wiegeleas are sometimes used. 



FERTILIZING AN APPLE ORCHARD. 



38. Sir, — -What would be the cheapest 

 and best means of fertilizing land, of a light 

 gravelly nature in which apple trees were 

 planted two years ago, and where stable 

 manure and wood ashes cannot be obtained 

 in large quantities ? The object being to 

 induce good growth of wood, and to bring 

 land into high state of fertility. — B., Yar- 

 mouth, N.S. 



