344 Thk Canadian Horticulturist. 



Lincoln. —Sir, — I do not think that the crop of winter apples will exceed one-half a 

 crop. Some orchards in favored localities are full, but there are plenty with no fruit worth 

 speaking of, especially where they have not been manured or cultivated. — A. M. Smith, 

 Sf,. Gatharines, Out. 



Sir, — I would venture to say that one-quarter of a full average crop would fully cover 

 the whole quantity of winter apples in this district. Many of tlie trees that are bearing 

 are only loaded on one side, and, in many cases, on only one limb. The fruit is remarkably 

 fine in size and free from blemish, and beautifully colored, which conditions may result in 

 a larger export than was at one time expected. The warm weather in the latter part of 

 September caused the fall apples to ripen rapidly, and, consequently, they were hurried 

 into the markets. This circumstance led many to suppose that the crop was immense, but 

 time will prove the contrary. Could the system of inspection of fruit have been estab- 

 lished this year, as was urged by the fruit growers upon the Government, 

 I would venture to assert that dealers would be found buying apples by cable and 

 wire all over Canada to-day, and that better prices would result. As our late Grand Old 

 Chieftain said, " It is a subject well worthy our serious consideration, and ought to be carried 

 out," but in this case legislation, like apple ripening, seems to require time. — A. H. 

 Pettit, Grimnhy. 



To Prune Bearinc; Trees.— A question asked by many is, " What is the 

 proper way to prune bearing trees ? '' In old trees we not only prune to secure 

 symmetry and quality, but to remove all dead and diseased branches and to 

 induce fruitfulness. If the orchards had been properly and frequently pruned 

 during the earlier stages of growth, trimming at this time will simply consist of 

 rubbing off the succulent shoots as fast as they appear, but such a case as this is 

 rare. Trees may be seen all over the country which have never been cut with 

 shears or saw, and if the work had been done it was accomplished with a 

 common axe with probably very little care. Large branches should be cut 

 away only when absolutely necessary, but the compact heads found in some old 

 neglected orchards necessitate the removal of a few large limbs. It is sometimes 

 difificult to select the proper ones to remove, but in such cases the tree should be 

 carefully studied before beginning operations. An ordinary pruning saw may be 

 used, but the limbs should not be cut so a large proportion of their base remains 

 which will require a second pruning, nor so close to the main stem as to injure 

 its wood. A little practice in trimming will soon enable one to make judicious 

 selection of large branches and to effect their removal in a proper manner. 

 When large branches are cut off the surface of the cuts should be pared smooth 

 with a knife to facilitate healing and to prevent water from soaking in, which is 

 liable to cause decay and serious injury. — R. L. Watts, Tennessee Experiment 

 Station, in Eartfi and Home. 



His Limit. — A disappointed fruit pedlar was belaboring his slow but patient 

 horse in a street in Plymouth the other day, and calling out his wares at inter- 

 vals, as : 



" Apples, apples, fresh apples." A tender-hearted lady, seeing the act of 

 cruelty to the horse, called out sternly from an upper window : 



" Have you no mercy ? " 



" No, mum, "' was the reply, " nothin' but apples." 



