Part 18

The commission system we think a good one so long as the connection be made with an honorable house. The writer has shipped in this way for the past five years, with, on the whole, satisfactory results. As a rule however it seems best to choose such houses for consignments as do not mix matters. A commissioner should confine himself to that branch in order to gain confidence, otherwise he may be suspected of putting his own goods to the front, and sacrificing those he has on commission to attract custom; or in a full market he may allow goods on commission to waste, in order that his own may be sold to advantage.

THE YELLOWS.—It appears, as has been shown by a previous writer in these pages, that we are in danger of an invasion from this plague of the peach orchards. Growers here, being unable to get sufficient quantities of home grown trees, have in time past imported largely from the States, without sufficient enquiry about their origin. In this way some trees have been imported in which the Yellows was hereditary, and is now showing itself.

The premature ripening of the fruit, the spotted skin, the deep color about the pit, the appearance on the tree of adventitious shoots, slender, and bearing yellowish leaves, all prove conclusively that we have need to beware of danger, and speedily to destroy every vestige of such trees from our orchards.

At a recent meeting of the peach growers, in the Town Hall, Grimsby, the following resolution was moved by the writer, and carried: “That whereas we are made aware of the presence of the Yellows in one or two peach orchards about Grimsby, therefore _Resolved_, that we do most strongly advise every grower to carefully watch the first indications of its approach, and at once to uproot every tree affected by it; and further, to use the utmost caution in the selection of trees for planting.”

The following letter will be of interest in this connection.

NEWBURGH, N.Y., Sept. 11, 1878.

MR. A. M. SMITH, Dear Sir:—Your favor at hand, and in reply say that you describe the Yellows very correctly. I know of no positive cure, and the only preventive that I know of is to mark the trees when you discover that they are diseased and remove them the following fall, otherwise those standing near will take it the next season. The first appearance of the disease is that one or two branches will ripen their fruit a week or two before the usual time. When you notice this, mark your trees and remove them. We have had the Yellows here at intervals for over sixty years, sometimes continuing for five or six years and then several years free from it. But much depends upon the care that is taken to keep rid of it, not only yourself but your neighbors.

Very respectfully, CHAS. DOWNING. —————

THE GLADIOLUS.

In our climate there is no part of the garden more gay during the month of August and continuing often into September than the bed devoted to the Sword Lilies, as the Gladiolus is commonly called. Such has been the improvement wrought by skillful hybridization that we have now an almost endless variety of colors and markings, many of which are exceedingly beautiful. They are the offspring of two species, G. floribundus, which is a native of the Cape of Good Hope, and was brought to England about the year 1788; and G. psittacinus, a native of Port Natal, from whence it was brought in 1829. The first hybrid was raised on the continent of Europe, and received the name of G. Gandavensis, from the town of Ghent. The hybrid variety has been found to cross freely with all other varieties and with some of the species, and to this we owe the many beautiful and showy varieties which we now possess.

There are many other species of Gladiolus than the two above named, some of which are hardy, while many of them are so tender as to require greenhouse culture. Johnson mentions in his Gardener’s Dictionary more than fifty different species and sub-species. These have been laid under contribution by those who have interested themselves in the improvement of this flower, and so far as has been found practicable, made to contribute to the beauty of our garden hybrids.

These garden varieties thrive best in a rich well drained loam; soils that are cold and wet are not suited to them. If one can command a good loamy soil, with a porous gravelly sub-soil, he may be sure of growing these beautiful flowers in their greatest perfection. However, such a soil is not by any means indispensable, the writer having grown them for many years with very good success where the sub-soil was a very firm sandy hard-pan. In preparing beds for the Gladiolus it is necessary to avoid all fresh, partially fermented or undecomposed manures, for these tend to produce disease in the bulbs, or properly speaking, corms. Thoroughly rotted cow-dung is the best manure for them. An excellent compost is formed by putting up a heap of sods in alternate layers with cow-dung, and when the sods have become rotten, mixing the heap thoroughly together. It is well to spade a good dressing of this into the bed intended for the Gladiolus in the fall, leaving the surface rough during winter, and then spading it again in the spring just before planting them out. In this way the manure becomes thoroughly mingled with the soil.

After the weather has become settled and danger of severe frost is past, the corms may be safely planted out, say ten inches apart each way, and four or five inches deep. Our seasons are often very dry, and when planted deep the Gladiolus do not suffer from the drouth as much as if set more shallow. If it is desired to keep up a succession of bloom, plantings may be made every fortnight until the middle of June. As soon as the plants appear above ground they will require to be carefully hoed and the ground loosened and stirred. This should be done occasionally during the growing season, in order to keep down the weeds and the ground loose, so that air and moisture may penetrate. Unless the plants are actually dying from drouth it is not desirable to water them.

As soon as the stalks and leaves turn yellow in the fall, or the frost has killed them, the corms should be taken up, spread in the sun and dried rapidly. The stalks should be cut off about an inch from the crown, the corms separated, the larger packed in a box with dry sand and stored in some cool dry place that is perfectly free from frost, and if it is desirable to multiply them as fast as possible, the little tiny bulblets that will be found at the base of the large ones may be saved, put up in paper bags and stored away where they will keep safely not only through the winter but also through the summer and the succeeding winter until another spring. If these little things are planted out the first spring, hardly one in a hundred will grow, but if they are kept over until the second spring not one in a thousand will fail to grow and form corms that will bloom the following summer.

Our climate is much better suited to the cultivation of the Gladiolus than that of Europe. The seedlings that are raised in America are much finer than theirs, and if our amateurs would turn their attention to the selection and hybridization of this flower, we would soon have a much better race than any that can be imported. If the seed be gathered and sown as soon as ripe it grows readily, and if one has a greenhouse may be kept growing, with short intervals of rest, and made to bloom in less than two years. The seed may be kept until spring, and sown in boxes by those who do not have the convenience of a greenhouse, and made to bloom the third year.

Except for those who make a specialty of this flower, there is nothing gained by purchasing named varieties at high prices. A dozen of mixed colors of very fine varieties, without name, can be purchased for one dollar, or a mixed dozen of those which have white ground color variously marked, or pink ground with different colored markings, can be had for a dollar and a half to two dollars per dozen. These massed in beds will give as much satisfaction to ordinary cultivators as the named sorts.

Some idea may be gained of the varied coloring of these flowers by reading the description of a few of the named sorts which is here given.

Achille; beautiful currant red, with a white stripe in the middle of each petal.

Antonius; cherry colored, slightly tinged with orange, blazed with carmine red, with very fine pure white stains.

Ceres; pure white, spotted with purplish rose.

Diomede; white, flamed with crimson, with dark carmine violet blotch.

Eldorado; clear yellow, the lower petals streaked with red.

Fulton; velvety vermillion, with bright purple blotch.

Horace; rich scarlet, large pure white blotch, feathered red.

Rosea Perfecta; fine rose tinted with violet, and white veins on all the petals.

Vesta; pure white, with purplish carmine blotch on yellow ground.

They are very useful as cut flowers for parlor or dining room decoration, for if the cut stalks be put in water all the unopened buds will blossom in succession as though they were yet united to the parent stem.

The accompanying engravings which we are enabled to place before our readers, through the courtesy of Mr. Jas. Vick, of Rochester, N. Y., give a good representation of the plants when in flower.

=VOL. I.]= =DECEMBER, 1878.= =[NO. 12.=

FRUIT AT THE PROVINCIAL EXHIBITION.

Although the late spring frosts of 1878 very considerably lessened the quantity of apples, they probably had the effect of improving the quality of those that remained, by the thinning out which the fruit received. There has never been a finer display of apples at any of our Provincial Exhibitions than that presented in the Horticultural Hall this year. The quantity of fruit which was entered for exhibition was so much in excess of previous years, that the building designed to contain the horticultural products was quite inadequate, and the managers found it necessary to remove the flowers to the Dairy building. When the exhibits were finally arranged, the grand gathering of apples, pears, plums, peaches and grapes was a most magnificent sight, and told a tale of the fruit producing capacities of our country, for which every true Canadian may well be grateful. It is something indeed to have one’s lot cast in such a land as ours. Such rich and luscious fruits, beautiful to the eye and exquisite to the taste, in such variety and profusion, are not the least among the valuable products of our soil and climate.

It may be interesting to the readers of the CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST to take a glance at the varieties of apples and other fruits that in the opinion of the judges merited the highest honors. Such a review is often not only interesting as a matter of curious inquiry, but of no small importance to one who is seeking to acquaint himself with the best varieties, so that he may have some guide in the selection of sorts for his own planting. Prizes were offered for the best collections of thirty different kinds of apples, and of twenty different sorts; for the best six varieties of fall and of winter for table use, and for the best six sorts of fall and of winter ripening apples for the kitchen. In so large a number as thirty or even twenty different kinds, it is not to be expected that only those of the highest excellence will be shewn, yet the number of varieties of apples now in cultivation is so great that a collection of thirty sorts should not contain any kinds of inferior quality.

The collection of thirty varieties which received the first prize was grown near to St. Catharines by one of the active members of the Fruit Growers’ Association, Mr. Allen Moyer, of Jordan Station. It was composed of the following sorts: Alexander, a very large and showy sort introduced from Russia, and which thrives well in Ontario, particularly in the northern sections, ripening in November, and is valuable for the kitchen. Baldwin, a native of the State of Massachusetts, quality “very good,” keeping well through the winter, tree tender in the colder sections, but where it is not affected by the winter an early and abundant bearer, and considered one of the most popular and profitable of market apples. Ben Davis, a variety that has not been very extensively grown in Ontario, but one that has a reputation at the west for being very hardy, bearing young and abundantly, fruit fair, even size, carrying well, and keeping until March, but quality not above “good.” Blenheim Orange, an old English sort, large, handsome, showy, sells well, and is a good cooking apple until January. Cayuga Red Streak, also known as Twenty Ounce Apple, very large, showy, cooking fruit. Cranberry Pippin, a handsome apple that keeps until February, and is esteemed for the kitchen. Chenango Strawberry, also known as Sherwood’s Favorite, a very pretty, oblong conic apple, of “very good” quality, ripe in September and October. Colvert, a large oblate, fall cooking apple, the tree is a handsome grower and immense cropper. Esopus Spitzenburg, one of the very “best” in quality, of good size, and bright red color, keeping until March and April, but the tree is not a good bearer, except on limestone soils. Fall Pippin, many years ago this was one of our best late fall apples, excellent for table and for cooking, keeping until Christmas; for some years it has been liable to spot and crack, but where it escapes this spotting it is an excellent fruit. Gravenstein, a very handsome and popular September and October apple, excellent for the table and for cooking, tree bears early, and is very productive. Golden Russet, a profitable market apple, medium size, “very good” quality, keeping well until May. Gloria Mundi, a very large, greenish yellow, November cooking apple. King of Tompkins County, a large, dark red, winter fruit, “very good” in quality, but not proving to be as profitable a market sort as was anticipated. Melon, or Norton’s Melon, an apple of the “best” quality, very tender flesh, and agreeable flavor, but the tree is a very slow grower. Pomme Grise, a favorite Canadian Russet, small in size, but of “best” quality. Rhode Island Greening, a very well known and exceedingly profitable and popular winter apple. Ribston Pippin, one of our “best,” of good size, handsome appearance, and commanding the very highest price in the English markets, ripening here in October and keeping until New Years. Roxbury Russet, also called Boston Russet, a very late keeping sort, of “good” quality, and popular in the markets. Rambo, of medium size, quality “very good,” thriving best in light, sandy soils. Swayzie Pomme Grise, in quality very “best,” size medium, keeps until May and June, a valuable Canadian dessert fruit. St. Lawrence, another popular Canadian apple, thriving best in the colder sections, ripe in October, quality “very good.” Swaar, a very fine fruit, quality “best,” tree tender in our colder sections, thriving best in a warm sandy loam, fruit ripe in March and April. Snow Apple, also called Fameuse, an exceedingly popular Canadian fruit, quality certainly “very good” if not “best,” handsome dessert, keeping into January; the tree is hardy, and the fruit finer flavored when grown in the northern districts. Northern Spy, a fruit of high quality, almost “best” when well grown, keeps all winter, retaining its spicy sprightly flavor to the last; tree comes late into bearing, and requires high culture. Talman Sweet, the best sweet winter apple for cooking that we have, tree hardy and productive. Vandevere, or properly Newtown Spitzenburg, handsome, medium size, quality “best;” in damp, cold soils the fruit spots badly, but in warm limestone soils it is free from blemish, keeps until February. Wagener, medium size, very tender juicy flesh, quality “very good,” is becoming popular, and likely to be extensively planted, ripe in January and February. Yellow Newtown Pippin, quality “best” when well grown, succeeds best in a warm limestone soil, fruit very apt to spot and become scabby in our climate, and although the fruit sells for the very highest price in the English market, is not likely to prove a profitable variety here. Yellow Bellflower, large, oblong, quality “very good,” ripe in January and February, not profitable for market.

The first prize for the best twenty varieties of apples was awarded to W. Hill, of Barton, near Hamilton. In looking over the varieties shown by him we noticed only four sorts not to be found in Mr. Moyer’s collection of thirty sorts. These are Peck’s Pleasant, good sized, when ripe, clear yellow with a blush on the sunny side, and having a very pleasant aromatic flavor, quality “very good,” ripe in January and February; this variety has not been much planted in Canada, the tree being so moderate a grower when young that nurserymen will not be likely to grow it largely. Maiden’s Blush, a very handsome fruit, ripe in autumn, good only for cooking. Keswic Codlin, a popular cooking variety, in use from August to October. Dutch Mignonne, handsome russety yellow, striped with light and dark red, quality “very good,” ripe in January.

In coming down to smaller selections we find that the first prize was given to Allen Moyer for the best six varieties of fall table apples, in which he exhibited Gravenstein, Fall Pippin, Chenango Strawberry, Ribston Pippin, St. Lawrence, and Snow; and that A. M. Smith, of Drummondville, took the first prize for fall cooking apples, with Alexander, Blenheim Orange, Cayuga Red Streak, Fall Pippin, Fall Janetting, and Maiden’s Blush; and likewise the first prize for winter table, with Ribston Pippin, Pomme Grise, Swayzie Pomme Grise, Spy, Seek no Further, and Wagener. The six varieties of winter cooking that took the first prize were Baldwin, R. I. Greening, Yellow Newtown Pippin, Ribston Pippin, King of Tompkins County, and Spy.

A glance at these lists will show our readers what varieties of apples ripening in the fall and winter are most esteemed among us, and from which any intending planter will be able to make a selection suited to his own tastes and objects. Necessarily an exhibition held late in September must be wanting in our summer fruits. We look usually in vain for such varieties as Early Harvest, Red Astracan, Benoni, Summer Rose, and often fail to find the hardy Duchess of Oldenburg. With a few of these one can make the circle complete if he wish, and enjoy apples at dinner all the year round.

We turn now to look at the pears, and learn what varieties are grown in Ontario that stand highest in the estimation of the judges of fruit. The first prize for twenty varieties was awarded to Gage J. Miller, of Virgil, near Niagara, comprising the following sorts: De Tongres, much resembling the Beurre Bosc in form and color, of large size, and “very good” quality, ripening in October. Vicar of Winkfield, a large pyriform fruit, pale yellow when ripe, in use during December and January, very variable in quality, sometimes “good” to “very good.” Beurre Clairgeau, large and handsome, fawn color shaded with crimson, quality “good,” ripe in November and December. Lawrence, of medium size, russeted lemon yellow, quality almost “best,” in use in December and January. Gansel’s Bergamot, large, obovate in form, quality very variable in our climate, sometimes “very good,” often very poor, ripe in September and October. Flemish Beauty, very large, handsome, quality “very good,” ripe middle and end of September, tree very hardy, and succeeding well in cold sections of the Province. Beurre Gris de Hiver, full medium size, “very good” in quality, ripe in January. Beurre d’Anjou, large “very good,” ripe in November and December; a favorite fruit with the Hon. M. P. Wilder, President of the American Pomological Society. Beurre Bosc, large, handsome, pyriform, quality “best,” ripe end of September and often continuing through October, tree not hardy enough to endure the climate of our northern districts. Louise Bonne, large, very juicy, quality “good,” yet somewhat variable, especially on light soils. Seckel, a small, well known variety, of the very highest quality, ripe in September, and continuing in October. Bartlett, a large, yellow, handsome, well known sort, largely grown for market. Belle Lucrative, medium to large, very juicy and sweet, quality “very good,” ripe late in September or beginning of October. White Doyenne, full medium size, pale yellow, high flavored, quality “best,” ripe in October, of late years this fruit has been liable to spot and crack very badly, often destroying the whole crop. Josephine de Malines, medium size, greenish yellow, “very good,” ripe in January and February, one of the best of the late winter varieties. Duchesse d’Angouleme, very large, greenish yellow, quality “good,” ripe October and November; grown on the quince stock the fruit is of better quality than when grown on the pear stock. Goodale, large, light yellow, “very good,” ripe in October, tree very hardy. Sheldon, medium to large, flavor rich and vinous, quality “very good” to “best,” ripe in October. Howell, large, waxen yellow, “very good” quality, ripe latter part of September and first of October. Winter Nelis, not more than medium size, yellowish green with considerable russet, quality “best,” ripe in December and January.

There were some very finely grown specimens of many of these varieties exhibited by W. T. Taylor, of Rochester, New York, for which he received the prize for the best ten varieties, with Beurre d’Anjou, Duchesse d’Angouleme, Beurre Bosc, B. Diel, B. Gris de Hiver, B. Clairgeau, Bartlett, Louise Bonne, Sheldon, and Howell.

A. M. Smith, of Drummondville, received the first prize for the best fifteen varieties, which collection contained, in addition to the Seckel, D. d’Angouleme, B. d’Anjou, Bartlett, Louise Bonne, White Doyenne, Vicar of Winkfield, Sheldon, and Flemish Beauty, the Mt. Vernon, medium size, light russet, quality “very good,” ripe in December and January, tree very prolific. Beurre Diel, large, very variable in quality on light soils, on clay soil usually “very good,” ripe in November. Easter Beurre, large, late keeper, ripening in March, quality “very good.” Buffum, small to medium, “very good,” ripe in September, does well on sandy soil, though somewhat variable in quality. Glout Morceau, large, greenish yellow, “good” to “very good,” ripe in December; the tree is one of the most subject to blight of all the pears.

The prize for the best six varieties was awarded to Geo. Leslie, Toronto, who exhibited Beurre Clairgeau, Louise Bonne, Sheldon, Bartlett, Flemish Beauty, and Duchesse d’Angouleme.