The Canadian Horticulturist. 93 



$ ©per; Lett^ps. ^ 



NEW YORK STATE FRUIT GROWERS. 



Sir, — The annual meeting of the Western New York Horticultural Society, held in 

 Rochester, the 28th and 29th of June, was the most successful of any meeting ever held by 

 them, io point of numbers and general interest. S. D. Willard, of (jeneva, Vice-President, 

 delivered the annual address, in which he paid a very feeling tribute to the memory of 

 Patrick Barry, their late President, who died on the 23rd of June last. W. C. Barry, his 

 son, was elected President, and Mr. Willard, Vice-President, for the ensuing year. Many 

 interesting papers were read and discussed, among them one upon the fungi and disease 

 which infect grapes, by David G. Fairchild, of the Agricultural|l)epartment at Washington, 

 which was of particular interest. The paper was illustrated by diagrams, showing the 

 methods of attack, and the effects of the different fungi upon the leaves and fruit. He 

 stated that there were 50 species of fungi in the United States which annoy horticulturists. 

 There were other papers of interest on plant diseases, bacteria, etc., some points of which 

 we may refer to when we get them in their annual report. Prof. Saunders, of Ottawa, was 

 present, and gave them an account of horticultural experiments and progress at the various 

 Experimental Farms in the Dominion ; and A. M. Smith, of St. Catharines, read a paper 

 on the " Progress of Fruit Culture in Canada." There were also several other members of 

 the Ontario Fruit (Growers' Association present, all of whom received a cordial welcome. 

 The question of " To Spray or not to Spray," was tlioroughly discussed, and the general 

 opinion seemed to be, that spraying with Paris Green, in moderate quantities, was the 

 most effectual and best way of destroying insect pests, and that it would not materially 

 affect the foliage or growth of the tree where judiciously applied. The Bordeaux mixture 

 and the solution of ammonia and carbonate of copper were recommended for the various 

 forms of mildew, or fungus, and rot. The first crop of the past year was reported almost a 

 failure, with the exception of grapes, which had been an enormous crop. One county was 

 reported which had produced 24,011 tons, averaging 2^ cents per lb., amounting to 

 $1,080,000. In advocating what to plant in the future, there was a variety of opinion, but 

 the majority wisely advised a variety of fruits, or the not putting " all of your eggs in 

 one basket." A. M. Smith, St, Catharines, Out. 



BURLINGTON FRUIT GROWERS. 



Sir, — The annual meeting of the Burlington Horticultural Association was held at 

 Reuten's Hotel, recently. The President, George E. Fisher, in the chair. There was a 

 large attendance of members and a pleasant and profitable evening was spent. The chief 

 features of the meeting weie the annual address of the President, which was an able review 

 of the field of Horticulture for 1890, and an idfetructive paper by Dr. Zimmerman on the 

 cultivation of Black Currants, in which he advocated the Black Naples as the most profit- 

 able, and a light clay loam as being best adapted for their production. 



The following officers w^re elected for the current year:— President, George E. Fisher ; 

 Vice-President, Smith Freeman ; Secretary-Treasurer, Arthur W. Peart. Directors :— 

 Department of Apples, Edwin Peart ; Grapes, Dr. Zimmerman ; Pears and Plums, Peter 

 JtfcCuUough, Jr. ; Small Fruits, Joseph Lindsay ; Vegetables, J. W. Bridgeman ; Shipping, 

 William Hopkins and Harry Williams. Executive Committee :— D. Henderson, Dr. Hus- 

 band and Alexander Riach. Entertainment Committee :— President, Vice-President and 

 Secretary-Treasurer. Auditors :— Charles Dynes and George N. Peer. 



A. W. Peakt, Burlington. 



BLACK ALDER FOR THE CURRANT WORM. 



Sir,— A farmer in this vicinity, Mr. J. McKeely, was told to put twigs of the Black 

 Alder atout his currant bushes to keep off the worms. He tried it last summer with com- 

 plete success, having fine berries without the trouble of applying hellebore or other poison. 

 He could only account for it by the strong smell of the alder keeping the insects off. 



W. H. VVylib, Carltton Place, Ont. 



