348 The Canadian Horticulturist. 



been to apply it directly to the land, spreading it from the wagon at all times ; 

 my soil is level. Manure thus applied mulches the soil for several months and 

 the rains of early spring incorporate the hquid portion more thoroughly with the 

 soil. The disadvantages of the plan are an occasional slight loss of fertility, from 

 rains when the ground is frozen, and the latter will not become dry enough for 

 the plow quite as early as if no manure had been spread on it. If the manure is 

 free from grass and weed seeds it may be used to mulch as well as fertilize the 

 strawberry bed with grand results. Pruning of all plants except the grape had 

 better be deferred until late winter or early spring, although the old raspberry and 

 blackberry canes can be removed at any time during the winter ; but one should 

 not cut back the bearing canes until just before the new growth starts, otherwise 

 the spring winds will dry and injure the freshly cut, pithy canes. 



A very important job for early winter is to secure all young fruit trees against 

 damage from mice and rabbits. (By the way, ought not fruit growers to ask the 

 repeal of the law prohibiting the hunting of rabbits with ferrets ?) I have pro- 

 tected my trees cheaply and efificiently by banking. Just before the ground 

 freezes make a smooth, conical mound of mellow soil eight or ten inches around 

 the trunk of the tree. A carbolic acid preventive has always proved effective : 

 with one ounce of carbolic acid (crude will answer) mix one gallon of strong soap- 

 suds and dilute with three or four gallons of water ; apply with a swab to the 

 trunk of the tree. Where carefully applied this has stood the severest tests with- 

 out a failure, although I have never applied it oftener than once in the season. 

 In a wet, open winter it would be safer to repeat the application about midwinter. 

 Of course the horticulturist will secure a full supply of posts, stakes, crates, boxes, 

 etc., for the approaching season and also select and order his trees, plants, seeds, 

 etc., in good time. He should keep as many of his best men as he can find em- 

 ployment for, even if he has to spend a part of his own time in studying and 

 planning or visiting his friends. He may find he has gained even in dollars and 

 cents by so doing, besides the benefit conferred on the hired man and on himself 

 in other ways. He must combine head-work with hand-work. Let him attend 

 his farmers' institutes and county horticultural meetings. If there is none why 

 not organize one ? — W. W. Farnsworth, in Rural New Yorker. 



STORING FRUITS. 



IMPORTANT POINTS TO BE OBSERVED IN PRESERVING FRUITS FOR 



WINTER USE. 



rr\ECAY results from infection by the spores or germs of certain microscopic 

 IZl fungi. These spores are practically omnipresent in the atmosphere, and 

 are deposited upon all objects indiscriminately. Where the conditions 

 happen to be favorable, that is, where the proper amounts of heat and moisture 

 are present, they germinate, producing decay. 



