338 peepee: OF THE ACTING PoMOLOGIST OF THE 
vy pases 
then Roraped: temoving the old bark, and then washed with a 
solution of whale oil'soap and carbolic acid. The soap was placed 
in a large kettle filled with water, and boiled until the whole was 
thoroughly emulsified. After cooling, it was diluted with water, 
the acid.added, and the wash was then applied .to the trunks of 
the trees and largest branches with old whitewash brushes. 
This improved the appearance of the trees, and doubtless 
destroyed many eggs and the larva of insect pests hidden under 
the rough bark and in the crevices of the trees. 
PEAR. 
The pear trees were not shortened in the tops, and only such 
limbs removed as were growing across the trees. or in cases where — 
the tops were thought to be growing too compact for a perfect 
maturity of the fruit. 
Pium, Pracu, APRICOT AND NECTARINE. 
Half of the growth of the previous year was cut off and the 
cross limbs taken out. By the shortening in of the tops, the tree 
is nade to grow more compact, and it is thought it will also bring 
the bearing surface nearer the body of the tree by causing fruit 
buds to form nearer the base of the limbs, thereby lessening the 
danger of the limbs breaking down when burdened with fruit. 
FERTILIZERS APPLIED. 
The apple orchards have been in grass since the spring of 1883, 
and a cropof hay cut every year with the exception of 1885, when 
the old orchard was summer fallowed to destroy the wild parsnip 
and other weeds. The following spring it was sown with oats 
and again seeded. A crop of hay has been cut each year since. — 
But very little fertilizer was applied during this time, and that in © 
the form of'commercial phosphates, the grass, no doubt, receiving | 
the main benefit, to the detriment of the trees and fruit. pe; 
The pear, plum, peach, and orchards of miscellaneous fruits 
have been kept in cultivation. Small fruits and garden crops have 
been grown between the rows of fruit trees. These have received 
manures of different kinds and in varying quantities, so it is impos- 
sible to give any idea as to the amount. 
The past season all have received a dressing of Canada hard- 
wood ashes applied at the rate of one ton to the acre, exceptin 
