Mr. CLINE. In the case of strawberries and raspberries, one basket sometimes weighs a third more than another, and that difficulty would not easily be overcome; but so far as all other fruits are concerned, I think selling by the pound would be the proper way to do justice to all.

Mr. CASTON. I do not think such a change should be made in regard to strawberries and raspberries. If you put them on trays, I do not see how you could send them to market at all, and as for weighing those little quart baskets, that seems to me impracticable.

Mr. A. M. SMITH. -The dealers could weigh them out when selling them. ping, the producer could weigh them in large quantities.

In ship

Mr. WELLINGTON.-Smaller fruits shipped in this method would reach the market in much better condition than they do now. The trays are from two feet to two and a half feet in length, and an inch or an inch and a half in depth, and the berries being thinly spread over a large surface in this way, those on the top will not crush those on the bottom.

Mr. E. SUMMEY (New York).—Last summer I tried the proposed method of selling fruit in a comparatively small way. I live about twenty-one miles from Buffalo on the line of the New York Central Railway, and I grow the Bubach strawberry. When I was ready to market the fruit, I went to a grocer and got some of those small wooden trays which are used for butter, and put a pound of berries in each. I took the berries to the leading grocer in Buffalo, and told him I wanted twenty-five cents a pound or package for them. He was exceedingly doubtful about my getting that price; but it turned out that I had not nearly enough fruit to supply the demand. I was very careful, however, to send the best berries I had in that shape, and the very last package I sold held just twenty-eight berries. Besides the Bubach, I sold the Wilson in the same way, and I got for the culls within a cent a pound of what my neighbors got for their entire crop by the quart, while those which I selected I sold at twenty cents a pound, which is equivalent to about thirty cents a quart.

Mr. A. H. PETTIT.-Every year our growers are bringing forward new styles of packages. We may not have yet decided on the best form of package, but, as long as no complaint comes from the consumer, I do not see why the grower should find it necessary to change the system. Those engaged in the production of fruit know that the time of shipment of peaches and berries is a very busy season, when they require all the force they can obtain to handle their products, and it will be a very serious matter to add to their difficulties by requiring all the packages to be weighed and marked. In this country we buy our tea by the pound, whereas in the old country I have heard they buy it by the pennyworth. Since both the consumer and the producer are satisfied with our present methods of selling fruit, I do not think we should change them.

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Mr. DEMPSEY.-If we should change the size of the basket now used for a larger one, it occurs to me that we might injure ourselves as growers and shippers. I have seen, for example, large quantities of grapes sold in the market, and the purchaser would say, "How are they put up?" The answer would be: "In ten-pound baskets.” "Are there ten pounds of grapes in each basket?" No, there are not." They do not expect ten pounds in them; the wholesale men in these cases are simply selling them by the measure. In other cases there are twenty-pound baskets, which perhaps over-run a little. The are sure to be tested when they arrive in the market. If they over-run, we do not get credit for that, but if they are lacking, the dealer does not generally deduct anything on that

account.

A REGISTER FOR NEW FRUITS.

Would it be well to ask the Department of Agriculture to make some provision for a register of all new fruits which receive the commendation of this Association, with drawings of the same, accompanied by a full and accurate description ?

In connection with this register, would it not be wise to ask the Department to provide for the granting of a certificate of ownership to the introducer of such commended

fruit or fruits for a certain length of time, on payment of a registration fee of say $10? All such details, including the engravings and description to aid in identifying the plant, and the names of persons to whom any such certificates are granted during the year, to be entered as an appendix to our annual report.

The SECRETARY.-I placed this question on the programme because it is one which is now receiving a good deal of attention in the United States. Prominent horticulturists there have made some proposals in this direction, with reference to both plants and fruits. I do not suppose we are prepared at present to carry out such a project in all its details. That would mean the employment of competent artists to portray new fruits, so that they would afterwards be identified, the writing of careful descriptions of them, and the collection and cultivation of living samples of such fruits. The idea, however, is, I think, worth considering, and as soon as the time arrives when it can be put into practice, something in this direction ought to be done.

Mr. A. M. SMITH.-I entirely agree with the Secretary in this matter. I could never see why a man who goes to the labor of hybridising should not have control of his production as well as the man who invents some valuable new machinery. I think something such as is proposed should be done for the protection of the producer of new fruits, and I hope some action will be taken by this Association on the subject.

Mr. DEMPSEY.-If some protection were afforded by the laws of the country to the producers of new fruits or new vegetables, it would have a tendency to do away with a great deal of humbug. Take, for example, the Worden grape. When it was first sent out to the fairs, it was represented as resembling the Concord; what was the result? Mr. Worden, who originated it, had very little stock, and the Concord was sent out in a great many instances as the Worden. Now, if the producer of a new fruit were protected for a certain period, say five years, or even two years, in the exclusive sale of it, I fancy a great deal of this humbug would be done away with. Then the producer could send his new variety to the nurserymen and others to be tested, reserving to himself the exclusive right of sale for the prescribed period. If this were done, I am satisfied that it would be of great advantage to the purchaser as well as the producer.

Mr. A. M. SMITH.-Perhaps Mr. Willard could enlighten us with regard to what is done on the other side in this matter.

Mr. WILLARD.-I think the only protection afforded at present is that of a copyright on the name, or the trade mark. But that can be evaded by changing the name, so that in my opinion the copyright is not worth a cent.

The SECRETARY.-1 hold in my hand a copy of an Act which has been proposed in the United States Congress on this subject. It is entitled as follows: "An Act to secure to the originators and introducers of new and valuable varieties of plants a proper share of the benefits resulting from their labors and expenses in connection with such new varieties, and to protect the public from fraud in the purchase and sale of plants." I notice that the fee proposed is much higher than that suggested in the question before us; there it is proposed to be twenty-five dollars, whereas we suggest ten dollars. If the question should be referred to the Legislative Committee, that point could of course be considered.

The PRESIDENT.-It appears to me that there are only two possible ways of affording protection. One, which would involve great expense, would be to establish, under the control of the Government, stations where all patented articles of horticulture could be kept for identification. Another, but less complete way, would be to keep specimens of new fruits preserved in jars in such a state as to admit of identification. With flowers there would be no difficulty, because they could be identified in the dry state, in the same way as botanists at present identify wild flowers. This change could only be brought about by an amendment of the Patent Act. If I remember rightly there was an agitation ten or twelve years ago for an amendment of the Copyright Act to meet this difficulty; but the copyright scheme was abandoned, because it was regarded as affording no protection whatever, because a person wants to be protected in his fruit, not merely in the name. only way that can be done is by preventing others than the inventor, if I may call him such, from enjoying the fruits of his labors for a certain number of years, by placing him on practically the same basis as the patentee of a mechanical instrument. I think the

The

objection urged at that time by the Department was the great difficulty of identifying fruits. They thought such a law would not afford the protection fruit growers anticipated, because there were new varieties between which there was so little difference that it would be pleaded that the variety attacked was really of different origin from the one protected, although the two resembled each other so much as to be hardly distinguishable. I would suggest that if the Association think there is need for such a provision at the present time, they should pass a resolution to that effect, and then interview the Department of Agriculture at Ottawa in order to ascertain whether such a thing would be practicable, or whether there are any difficulties in the way.

On the motion of the Secretary, seconded by Mr A. M. Smith, the subject was referred to the Legislative Committee, with instructions to lay it before the Government.

METHODS OF PROPAGATING FRUIT TREES.

Mr. JOHN CRAIG, horticulturist of the Experimental Farm, Ottawa, read the following paper on this subject:

While every fruit culturist is constantly looking for new varieties, how many are trying to improve on the old methods of propagating the varieties we have or are studying the effect of the various modes, on the health and longevity of the subject operated upon. It is not by any means sufficient that a tree makes vigorous growth while it is in the nursery, and fulfils the requisites of size and healthfulness in the nurseryman's opinion at three years of age; and the ills that sometimes follow should not all be charged to incongeniality of soil, unadaptability to climate, or other inherited peculiarities. It is wise to enquire into the methods by which the plants was first brought into existence. Are the root and stock on good terms? Are all the requirements for a vigorous and happy union fulfilled? In other words has the scion married into a congenial family. Now, it is not my intention to lead you into a discussion on the influence of stock and scion or vice versa. And from want of experience I will say here that my own opinions are by no means clear on this point, though there is no lack of literature on the subject and I might add no lack of diversity of opinion. Examples of a reciprocal influence between stock and scion are not wanting, but the reasons deduced leave the impression that there is here an open field for investigation. With your permission, Mr. Chairman, I will briefly review the different methods of propagating the apple, pear, and our different stone fruits. Taking the apple first, we have two principal methods in common practice, viz., budding and grafting, this last may be sub-divided into top grafting, common stock grafting, and piece root grafting, or root grafting proper.

The practice of budding is so well known and universal that I will not refer to it except in a comparative way. The practice of grafting on pieces of roots originated in 1811 with Thomas Andrew Knight. Its use has become widespread in the United States for the propagation of various fruits, particularly the apple. The practice has, however, been the means of introducing many knotty problems into our pomology, which have been long discussed and which appear still far from solution. At the last meeting of the Association of American Nurserymen, Prof. Bailey, of Ithaca, N. Y., who has given considerable time and research to the subject, submitted his conclusions somewhat as follows. The advantage of budding over the grafting of whole roots, lies chiefly in the ease and cheapness with which the operation is performed; the disadvantages are chiefly two,budding does not allow of deep setting in order to induce the emission of roots from the scion itself, and sometimes makes a crook in the base of the tree. In the old apple growing regions of Ontario the first disadvantage is hardly appreciable, but in the colder fruit growing sections it is essential to procure trees on their own roots by setting the scion deep. The advantages of whole rooted trees, whether budded or grafted, lie in the production of a deeper, finer, and more symmetrical root system at first, than is usually produced by piece-roots. Again, these trees make a more rapid growth the first two or three years, owing to their possessing better developed roots. The disadvantages of this

method are two, the cost of the roots; and that they cannot be set deep enough to strike roots from the scion. In regard to the advantages of piece-rooted trees they are principally these. They cheapen propagation by making two or more trees from one root, and, second, allow of deep setting in order that roots may be sent out from the scion. The last is by far the strongest argument in favor of this kind of propagation.

To sum up the disadvantages of piece-roots, we find that the first year's growth is comparatively weak; and, second, the roots may be few and ill-balanced. It would therefore sem that for the milder portions of Ontario, where root killing is unknown, budded trees, especially as we have no reliable data bearing on the reiative longevity of budded and grafted stock, will give the most satisfactory results. But for the colder portions of our country the piece root would seem to serve an almost indispensable purpose where extreme hardiness is desired, by allowing the use of a long scion which is set deep for the emission of roots. In this manner, trees on their own roots are secured. As has been said, the piece-root serves only as a temporary root for a cutting. The scion represents a variety of known hardiness, while seedling stocks are exceedingly variable, with probably only an occasional one which is hardy enough to withstand very severe climates. It is my experience that good trees for all purposes can be obtained by using only the first and second cuts from the root, which should not be less than 3 inches in length, and the scion between 5 and 6 inches; this when properly made will, under ordinary conditions, make a growth which, if not equal to a bud, will be quite satisfactory.

The Pear is almost entirely propagated by budding. There are a few nursery firms in the eastern States who are making a specialty of crown grafting on whole roots. By shortening the main root somewhat and using a 4 inch scion, a root graft, about 12 inches in length, is made, which, when planted, approaches the principle of the apple root graft. Specimen trees of Russian varieties grafted in this way and planted eight years ago on the farm of the late Charles Gibb, at Abbotsford, Quebec, are healthy up to the present time, and making vigorous growth. Till we acquire a hardier pear stock than we now have, it will be prudent to adopt this method for the colder sections.

Cherries till quite recently have been almost entirely propagated by budding, latterly a few specialists are arguing in favor of grafting, the same method as adopted with the pear-as a means of producing increased hardiness and longevity. As to the success of this mode of which I made mention in a paper read before the Dominion convention last winter, in practice I find that an average stand of about 60 per cent. is the usual return. Of a few hundred crown grafted last spring on Mahaleb stocks which had been planted a year previous, 80 per cent grew, making a very stocky growth,-averaging three feet in height. I have met with equal success in working on Mazzard roots which I consider the more satisfactory of the two. Were it not for the bad sprouting habits of the Morello varieties, these would probably make our best available propagating stocks. Prof. Budd, in a late bulletin, discusses the best stocks for cherries, and among them mentions the Wild Red stock (Prunus Pennsylvanica), and Sand cherry (Prunus pumila), as two of the most promising. Of the first he says, "In practice it has been found that it unites perfectly with all varieties tried, the Morellos, Dukes and Heart cherries, by either grafting or budding. It sprouts, but when topworked or crown-grafted with vigorous growing sorts it does not appear to have any reserve material to waste in sprouts." Of the Sand cherry he says, "As yet its use is somewhat experimental, but we can say positively, that it unites well with our hardy sorts in budding, and it does not dwarf the sorts worked upon it to a greater extent, during the first five years of growth, than does the Mahaleb." Thus far I have tried both of these stocks in a small way but my results have not been sufficiently pronounced to strongly advocate their use. In propagating the plum the same objections to the Myrobolan stock can be urged as in the case of the tenderer stocks for the pear, apple and cherry. Our native plum of the east can hardly be recommended as a promising stock, chiefly on account of its liability to be affected with black-knot and its slow growing habits. The western form of the same species has not these defects and unites well either budded or grafted, with the plum, peach, and apricot. It grows readily from pits, making plants large enough for budding in August of the same year. The smaller ones can be taken up and grafted during win

ter.

PROPAGATING FROM ROOT CUTTINGS.

While the art of grafting and budding is of immense service in quickly multiplying new and desirable varieties, I have very little doubt that our trees would be less liable to disease and be longer lived if they were all on their own roots.

With plums and cherries and the stone fruits in general when once we get them established in this manner it is not much more difficult to multiply them and do so rapidly from root cuttings, than with raspberries and blackberries. The roots, forming the system nearest the surface, are preferable to the lower and deeper feeding ones. They are taken up in the fall, cut into three inch lengths and packed in boxes, with alternate layers of moist sand or earth; the boxes should be stored in a frost proof cellar. As soon as spring conditions will permit, the cuttings which will be found well calloused by this time, may be planted in beds quite thickly or in nursery rows, they should be stuck in a slanting position, with the top end of an inch below the surface. Being so near the surface care must be taken that they do not become too dry. In this way a fine lot of plants can be obtained in a comparatively short time.

Mr. JAMES GOLDIE.-I suppose you are aware that there has been a controversy in England condemnatory of grafting?

Mr. CRAIG. I know there has been some discussion, but in France and other parts of Europe the practice of growing apples from layers has been carried on for some time. I was not aware there was any present controversy on the subject.

Mr. MORRIS.- Mr. Craig's paper brings out a point of great interest to horticulturists. I do not think it is so important to have the scion long as he thinks. The scion has such an influence on the root that it will change the character of the root and the character of the tree, both as to its hardiness and the shape that it grows.

Mr. CRAIG.-I am perfectly aware that there is a reciprocal influence between the scion and the stock, but I do not think we can put it all on one side of the house, and I do not think we can be sure where to draw the line.

Mr. DEMPSEY.-I learned to bud and graft when I was a little boy, and I have always experimented in that direction. I never carried on a nursery, but I have always been an observer. I had a sweet apple tree, the fruit of which was so astringent that few would care to eat it. I grafted it with a sweet bough, and the apples I got were so bitter that we could not eat thein. In that case the stock had certainly a most marked influence over the graft. Some people have two or three varieties of snow apples and I believe the difference is entirely due to the influence the stock has over the graft. This influence is observable more particularly in summer or fall apples than in winter apples, from the fact that they mature at a time when the tree is full of sap.

Mr. MORRIS.-You are speaking of top grafted trees?

Mr. DEMPSEY.-Yes. In our part of the country the Souvenir de Congres is very tender; but last fall I saw a basket of pears of that variety taken from a branch that was top grafted on a hardy seedling pear grown in that part of the country, and I am satisfied that I can grow many other tender varieties by top grafting them on hardy varieties in the same way. I have found, on the other hand, that where we used the stock of a tender variety, though we might top graft a hardy variety upon it, that hardy variety seemed to partake of the nature of the stock and become tender and freeze to death.

Mr. MORRIS.-I think these remarks are hardly to the point. Mr. Craig's paper referred to the propagation of the stock from the root.

Mr. WILLARD. I think the preponderance of power is with the stock itself, and that is why it shows itself over the root.

Mr. CASTON.—I can corroborate from my own experience what Mr. Dempsey said. In my part of the country we can only grow some of the tender varieties by top grafting, in the way he mentions, on hardy stock. This is true of the King of Tompkins County, several of the pippins, and the Rhode Island Greening. As a general rule, where you can get a good, sappy, vigorous stock, you can produce a larger apple, with better quality, by top grafting than by planting as an original tree. The same rule holds good in the case of plums and pears.