THE FRUIT CULTIVATOR'S MANUAL, CONTAINING AMPLE : ' • n;w " >„ ' n ' , ,',,, ,' ,' .^i «\, ' '•• » .„ FOR THE CULTIVATION OF THE MOST IMPORTANT FRUITS INCLUDING THE CRANBERRY, THE FIG, AND GRAPE, WITH DESCRlPriVE LISTS OF THE MOST ADMIRED VARIETIES. AND A CALENDAR, SHOWING THE WORK NECESSARY TO BE DONE IN THE ORCHARD AND FRUIT GARDEN EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR. THE WHOLE ADAPTED TO THE CLIMATE OF THE UNITED 8TAT33. BY THOMAS J^RIDGEMAN, Gardener. Seedsman, and Florist. NEW-YORK: FOR SALE BY THE AUTHOR, BROADWAY, CORNER OF EIGHTEENTH STREET, J. M. Thorhurn & Co., 15 John-street, Alex. Smith, 388 Broadway, Dnnlnp &. Thompson, Broadway, N. Y. ; Win. Th >rlmrn, Brood way. Allmny ; C. F. Crwman, Rochester : Ho- vey & Co., Joseph Breck & Co., J. L. I,. F. W>irreri, Walker & Co., Boston; David Lnndreth, H. A. Dreer, R .bort B list, Philndr Iphi-i ; Gibson & Ritchi>, Newark, N. J. • R. Sincl'tir, Jr.,fe Co.. Baltimore : J. F. Cnl!an, Washington City ; Henry Cook, Alex nndria, D. C. : Frederi<-k Wittuenn, Chnr!esto-i, S. C ; M-.sely&Co.. M-hile; Wru Dinn, New Orlpan-< ; J.i*. M. ThorSurn, Sr. Lonis ; Ely & Campbell, H. Huxley, Cin- cinnati ; Chnrles A. P"ti!>')<]y. Column-is, Ga. ; A. G. Mann, Louisville, Ky. ; ami othe' Seedsmen. — Also, by Booksellers in general. 1847. Printed by A. llualbrd, 58 Nassau-stree* 184/ MAIM [Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year Eighteen Hundred and Forty-seven by THOMAS BRIDGEMAIT, in the Clerk's Office of the Dis- trict Court of the United States, for the Southern District of New-York.] PREFACE. THIS treatise forms the third part of " The Young Gar- dener's Assistant," which, when first issued, in 1829, con- tained only 96 pages. Since that period, so constant has been the demand for the work, that numerous editions have been published ; and being made to embrace the three most important branches of gardening, the entire work has extended to upward of five hundred pages. As each branch forms a distinct subject, the author has been induced to pub- lish the ninth edition in three separate volumes, each of which is complete in itself. The first contains ample direc- tions for the cultivation of culinary vegetables and herbs; the second is designed for the cultivator of flowers ; and the present volume is intended to qualify the reader for the superintendence of his own orchard and fruit garden. Those who wish to obtain a book embracing the three subjects, can be accommodated with the tenth edition of the Young Gardener's Assistant, in octavo form, and which is destined to remain for some time to come, the American standard work on Horticulture in general. It is presumed that the pomologist will find in this little volume more information on the subject than he could rea- sonably expect in so small a compass. All the most esteemed species of fruit are treated of under distinct heads, to which is added a descriptive list of the finest varieties under culti- vation ; and from the several descriptive lists of fruits having been selected from the catalogues of the most eminent nur- serymen in our country, it is presumed that they are well calculated to suit the generality of cultivators. The varieties of the different species of fiuit under culti vation are by far too numerous to encourage any attempt to publish a complete description of all. Even to enumerate them would be a difficult task, owing to the gieat uncer- tainty of their true names, and the multiplicity of names 667859 U PREFACE. under which they are known in different places. Those cultivators who are more anxious to raise large quantities of trees for sale, than to test their characteristics, are often led into error by cherishing the belief that the names of all the varieties they propagate are indisputably correct ; and hence it is that so many of our fruits are frequently sold under wrong names. Persons who purchase trees under such cir- cumstances, on discovering a mistake, are apt to compare the fruit with others of a similar character, and very fre- quently adopt synonymous names, which increases the evil to such an extent, that, unless a nurseryman tests all the various kinds by specimen trees kept for the purpose in his own orchard, he cannot always be certain what variety he is selling. I do not, however, by these remarks intend to reflect on any of our respectable nurserymen, because tho vast improvement making every year in their catalogues is a convincing proof that they are aiming at perfection in their collections. In the following pages I have endeavoured to do justice to each article, by embodying all the essential points of cultiva- tion, and as our native vines are destined to become very generally cultivated in the United States, I have occupied over sixteen pages in treating of vine culture, and can truly say that I have thoroughly weighed every point before put- ting my pen to paper, and have not in any case adopted mere speculative theory, as is too often done by compilers of gardening books. As I am not disposed to tire the reader with a lengthy preface, I shall conclude by reminding him that the Calen dar and Index is intended as a key to the body of the work ; thus, the most important business of each month is briefly shown, with figures of reference to that particular page which treats more fully on the subject. The advantages of this plan must bt> evident to the most superficial observer. T. BRIDGEMAN. CONTENTS. OBSERVATIONS OX THE ORCHARD AND FRUIT GARDEN. Page. Suggestions on the choice of a situation for an orchard, 7 Of the best methods of preparing the various kinds of soil, 8 Directions for transplanting fruit trees, ... 9 A communication from a friend, showing his plan of replanting trees, - - 11 Hints on the arrangement of trees, with a view to ob- tain successional crops of fruit. — Different soils described, suited to the various kinds of fruit, - 12 OBSERVATIONS ON INSECTS AND DISEASES TO WHICH FRUIT TREES ARE LIABLE. Remedies for the prevention and destruction of insects, 13 The best methods of curing diseases in fruit trees, - 14 Composition to be used as a wash for fruit trees, at the time of pruning, ------ 16 Some of the most annoying insects and reptiles described, 16 An earnest appeal to all agriculturists and horticultu- rists, showing the importance of encouraging the inhabitants of cities to preserve their ashes and soot in a dry state, for use on the land, - - 17 OBSERVATIONS ON TRAINING AND PRUNING FRUIT TREES AND VINKS. The primary object of pruning explained, - - - 21 Several methods described of pruning and training the vine, &c. - - 22 The benefits arising from judicious pruning, - - 23 Necessary Implements for pruning, &c. - - - 24 n CONTENTS. BUDDING AND GRAFTING FRUIT TREES. Paee. Information respecting the time and manner of budding fruit trees, --------25 On the choice of scions, arid mode of preparing the stocks, 27 Cleft Grafting, Side Grafting, and Whip Grafting ex- plained, - - 28 Saddle Grafting, Root Grafting, and Grafting by Ap- proach, defined, - - 29 Directions for making Forsyth's composition, - - 30 Recipes for preparing liquids for washing the stems and branches of trees, - 31 Instructions for making grafting-clay and composition, 32 ON THE CHOICE OF FRUIT TREES IN THE NURSERY. Rules for judging the qualities of fruit trees, - - 33 Directions for the management of Stone Fruits, to pre- vent their gumming at the roots, - - 34 A guide to the selection of distinct varieties of fruit, - 35 APPLE. Its history, cultivation, propagation, &c. - 37 Seventy-six of the choicest varieties of Apples described, 39 APRICOT. The best method of training, pruning, &c. explained, --------46 Select descriptive list of Apricots, - - - 49 ALMOND. Its history, mode of culture, &c. - 50 CHERRY. The various kinds enumerated, with direc- tions for their cultivation, - - 51 Thirty-one of the most esteemed varieties described, - 53 CHESTNUT. Its durability and other peculiar charac- teristics adverted to, -v - 56 CRANBERRY. Its adaptation for garden culture exem- plified, '•'«•*'•• ----- T 57 CURRANT. The best mode of cultivation shown, - - 58 Select descriptive list of Currants, - - r - 60 FIG. A fruit well calculated for cultivation in the United States, »»-»»»»- 6J CONTENTS m P.** The operation of Girdling or Ringing Trees explained, 68 Seventeen of the best varieties of Figs described, - 63 GOOSEBERRY. Description of fifty-eight of the most celebrated varieties, - .... 66 An improved method of managing the Goosebeny, - 70 GRAPE. The peculiar characteristics of the Grape Vine defined, - - 72 The different manures adapted to the vine enumerated, 75 On the various methods of propagating, grafting, &c. - 76 Select descriptive list of foreign and native grapes, - 77 Doctor G. W. Chapman's and Mr. Wm. Wilson's suc- . cessful experiments on their vines, - - 79 Edward H. Bonsall's Vineyard Culture explained, * - 80 Doctor R. T. Underbill's account of his vineyard at Croton Point, - - .... 83 Concluding observations on training, pruning, and cul- tivating the vine, - 85 MULBERRY. Some of the most useful species described, with directions for their propagation and cultivation, 88 NECTARINE. Important hints, calculated to give this scarce but delicious fruit the best possible chance of success, if strictly attended to, - 91 Select descriptive list of Nectarines, - - - - 94 ORANGE, LEMON, &c. The several species of this fruit enumerated, &c. - 96 PEACH. An elaborate review of the means best calcu- lated to overcome the difficulties attending the cul- tivation of this important fruit, - - - 98 Sixty-one of the best varieties of Peaches described, - 105 PEAR. A definition of the different qualities of this fruit, with directions for its propagation and culti- vation, - • HI Observations on the alleged deterioration of the Pear, and other fruits, - * 113 Eighty-eight of the most esteemed varieties of the Pear described, - - - » » * ? » 115 iv CONTENTS. Pag* PLUM. The means best adapted for the perfection of this fruit explained, - ... 124 Fifty-three of the finest vaiieties of Plums described, - 126 QUINCE. Its history, its use, and method of culture ex- plained, -------- 131 RASPBERRY. All the most celebrated species and varie- ties enumerated, ------ 132 Select descriptive list of Raspberries, - - - - 135 STRAWBERRY. The valuable properties of the Straw- berry, with directions for its cultivation, - - 136 A descriptive list of the most esteemed species and varieties of Strawberries, 138 WALNUT. Its use both as a fruit and timber tree, - 140 CALENDAR AND INDEX. JANUARY. — An essay on the importance of improving the various species of fruit, by propagating none but the finest specimens for seed, and by amelio- rating the existing kinds by Cross Fertilization ; which process is explained in a clear and compre- hensive manner, ------ 143 FEBRUARY. — An attempt to prepare the young gardener for the timely performance of his work in the or- chard and fruit garden, in a judicious manner, by directing his attention to such business as can be done in unfavourable weather, that he may be en- abled to give prompt attention to other important business before the rise of the sap, and thus prevent much anxiety and labour, 147 MARCH. — Directions for pruning Grape Vines, and Ap- ple, Cherry, Pear, and Quince Trees; for culti- vating Cranberries, Currants, Gooseberries, Rasp- berries, &c.; for preparing the ground for the reception of all kinds of fruit trees as soon as the weather becomes favourable ; for supporting newly planted trees by means of stakes, &c. ... 149 CONTENTS. T Pa»e. APRIL. — Attention is directed to the pruning of fruit trees, including Apricot, Almond, Fig, Mulberry, Nectarine, Peach, Plum, &c.; also, to the cultiva- tion and propagation of trees, shrubs, and vines, by cuttings, layers, grafting, arid other methods, • 151 MAY. — The gardener is reminded of the importance oi finishing the work that was left undone last month without further delay ; and of attending to the de- struction of insects while in a torpid state, arid the preservation of the Gooseberry and other fruits from mildew. By cultivating Raspberries and Strawberries as directed in Apiil and June, such fruits may be produced at a late season. - - 153 JUNE. — The business of this month in the fruit garden consists of summer pruning, clearing the trees and vines of dead leaves arid insects, and of protecting and cultivating early fruit to promote its ripening in full perfection, - - 155 JULY. — Remedies for the protection of fruit from birds and ants, and for preserving Grape Vines from mildew. Judicious summer pruning, and atten- tion to Figs, Vines, &c., recommended, - - 156 AUGUST. — As insects are engendered in vast quantities by the heat of our summers, the attention of gar- deners is directed to the use of bitter and acrid substances, which being made into a compost, is calculated to improve the land, as well as to destroy insects, - - 158 SEPTEMBER. — The subject treated of under this month relates chiefly to the rejection of various fruits, by many cultivators, and to the propensity of some persons to neglect old inmates of the garden for the sake of trying other varieties, merely because they are new, ,-..--- 160 VI CONTENTS. OCTOBER. — It is suggested that attention bo paid to the careful gathering of fruit, while in a perfect state; also to the preservation of Grapes, &c. Directions for planting the pits of Cherry, Peach, Plum, &c., and the kernels (if Apple, Pear, and Quince ; also for preparing the ground for the reception of all kinds of hardy fruit trees on the decline of the sap, 162 NOVEMBER. — As winter is fast approaching, it is recom- mended to protect tender vines, trees, shrubs, and plants, including Raspberry, Fig, Strawberry Plants, &c.; and to plant hardy fruit trees while the land is susceptible of being tilled, - 163 DECEMBER. — At all favourable opportunities during this month the gardener is directed to prune hardy fruit trees, to scrape off all the moss and canker, and to wash the stems and branches with a liquid pre- pared according to a recipe given, ... 164 AN ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE OP THE UNITED STATES on the subject of an alleged discovery on Terra- Culture, submitted to the attention of the 25th and 26th Congress, - - 165 A summary view of estimates, furnished with a view to aid the Seedsman and Gardener in making out a bill of seed, for the purpose of planting any given quantity of ground, under the regulations suggested in the vegetable department of the Young Gar- deners Assistant, ...... 170 OBSERVATIONS OK TE» '.,- FRUIT GARDEN IN the preliminary observations on the subjects already treated of, I am aware that it may appear to some that I have not sufficiently urged the importance of a judicious selection of situation, exposure, aspect, soil, &c. My object in not insisting on a strict attention to these important points was, because I know that, though good land is abundant in this extensive country, it is impossible for every one to choose for himself; and rather than any disadvantages in these respects should discourage proprietors of land from attempt- ing to raise garden products, so necessary to the comfort and convenience of every family, I have endeavoured to show them how to use to advantage whatever land may surround their places of abode. As, however, some have a choice, it may be necessary to offer some farther remarks on the subject. The situation of an Orchard or Fruit Garden should be one that has the advantage of a free circulation of air, and is exposed to the south, with a slight inclination to the east and southwest. When the situation is low and close, the trees are very liable to become mossy, which always injures them, by closing up the pores of the wood ; they are also more liable to be affected by blight. Although having an orchard closely pent up by trees, &c., is injurious, neverthe- less a screen of forest trees, at such a distance from the fruit trees as that the latter will not be shaded by them, is of very groat service in protecting the trees in spring from severe cold winds. 8 OBSERVATIONS ON THE A good strong loamy soil, not too retentive of moisture, to the depth of thirty inches, or three feet, is most suitable for an orchard. Great attention must be paid to the sub- stratum, as the ground inusfr be well drained ; for if the top soil be ever.' so gp«d, apd;- 0?$ bottom wet, it is very rarely the ca^e tha£ jhe^rees .prosper mzmy years ; they soon begin to bQ '4teeas;e(( iafod 'g1ca$tle's. One hundred and ninety-two prizes were given for this variety in 1828; and in 1829 one hundred and eighty-one prizes were awarded ; the heaviest berry weighing 24 dwts. 5 grains ; fruit rather late. 68 GOOSEBERRY. INVINCIBLE, Haywood's. This celebrated fruit is of medium size, weigh- ing about 18 dwts; skin thin, transparent; pulp saccharine and deli- cious. KILTON HERO, Hamlets Kilton. One of the best early yellow fruited gooseberries ; fruit oblong, slightly hairy, excellent for cooking while im- mature, and delicious eating when fully ripe. REGULATOR, Prophet's. A very fine fruit, of medium size and rich acid flavour ; good for bottling, being firm, and not liable to crack. ROCKWOOD, Prophet's. The fruit of this variety is very early ; it is of a roundish, oblong shape, and slightly hairy. It won three hundred and three prizes in two years ; the largest berry weighing 21 dwts. 3 grains SOVEREIGN, Bratherton's- Two hundred and two prizes were obtained for this variety in two seasons ; the heaviest berry weighing 22 dwts. 17 grains. VIPER, Gordon's. This is an early smooth fruit, and won eighty-seven prizes in two years; the largest berry weighing 18 dwts. 5 grains. GREEN. ANGLER, Collier's. Three hundred and sixty-five prizes were awarded for this variety in two seasons; the heaviest berry weighing 20 dwts. 1 grain. EARLY GREEN, HAIRY. This variety is described in the Pomological Magazine as a very early fruit; it is round, hairy, of a deep green colour and excellent flavour, but riot large. FAVOURITE, Bates's. Two hundred and thirty-five prizes were given for this variety in two years; the heaviest berry weighing 18 dwts. '20 grains. GREENWOOD, Berry's. This variety obtained two hundred and four prizes in two seasons ; the largest berry weighing 17 dwts. 4 grains. It is a deliciously flavoured fruit. GREEN GAGE, pitinaston's. A beautiful berry of medium size; skin pale green, smooth and transparent; will hang long on the bush, and retain its rich acid flavour when fully ripe. GREEN MYRTLE- Nixon's. A fine late gooseberry of large s;ze. oblong shape; skin smooth, of pale green colour; pulp saccharine, ju;cy, and of peculiar rich flavour. HEART OF OAK, Massey's. Fruit of medium size, early; sk;n smooth, green, with pale yellow veins; pulp rich, and high flavoured even when fully ripe. INDEPENDENT, Bigg's. One hundred and twenty-one prizes were civen for this variety in two years; the largest berry weighing 16 dwts. 4 grains. It is an early rich fruit. JOLLY TAR, Edwards's. Fruit early, of medium size ; skin smooth, green, with yellow veins ; average weight about 15 dwts ; good to preserve while immature, and of delicious flavour when fully ripe. LAURKL, Parkinson's. Fruit of medium s ze ; skin pale green, very downy ; an exr-ellent dessert fruit, in great, repute. LORD CRKWE, Glutton's. This celebrated variety obtained ninety-six prizes in two seasons; the heaviest berry weighing about 23 dwts. It is a prolific bearer, and worthy of general cultivation. OCEAN, Wainman's. This variety won two hundred and sjventy-eight GOOSEIiHRRY. 69 prizes in two seasons ; the heaviest berry weighing 18 dwts. 8 grains. The fruit is oblong and smooth. TROUBLER, Moore's. One hundred and sixty prizes were taken for this Variety in two years : the largest berry weighing 17 dwts. 13 grains. WISTASTON HERO, Bratkerton's. Fruit of medim size, pale green co- lour ; of rich pungent flavour; excellent for preserves, and when fully ripe it is a delicious dessert fruit. WHITE. BONNY LASS, Capper's. This variety won one hundred and sixty-seven prizes in two seasons; the heaviest berry weighing 21 dwts. 10 grains. CHESHIRE LASS. Saunders's. This is one of the earliest varieties, and makes excellent tarts. The fruit is large, oblong, downy, and fine flavoured. GOVERNESS, Bratficrtori's. One hundred and twenty-four prizes wero awarded for this variety in two years ; the largest berry weighing 24 dwts. LADY DEI.AMERE, Wylds's. This variety took two hundred and fifty- three prizes in two seasons ; the heaviest berry weighing 22 dwts. 6 grains. LADY OF THE MANOR. This variety won ninety-eight prizes in two seasons, the heaviest berry weighing 20 dwts. 9 grains. It is held in great esteem for its productiveness. LIONESS. Fruit of medium size, oblong shape; skin thin, transparent; pulp and juice saccharine and delicious. NAILER, Blomiley's. One hundred and thirty-four prizes were given for this variety in two seasons ; the largest berry weighing 18 dwts. 12 grains. QUEEN CAROLINE. This variety won one hundred and forty-two prizes in two years ; the heaviest berry weighing 18 dwts. 1 grain. It is a richly flavoured fruit. SHEBA QUEEN, Grampian's. This is a favourite variety for private gar- dens ; the fruit is early, of medium size ; shape oblong ; skin rather downy ; pulp pungent and rich. SMILING GIRL. This is a smallish early fruit, with thin transparent skin, and of peculiarly rich flavour even when fully ripe. WELLINGTON'S GLORY. One hundred and seventy-three prizes were ob- tained in two seasons for this variety ; the largest berry weighing 20 dwts. 4 grains. WHITE BEAR, Mnore's- A fine early dessert fruit ; of medium size and oblong shape; skin hairy and somewhat bristly; a prolific bearer. WHITE EAGLE. This variety gained four hundred and seventy-six prizes in two seasons; the heaviest berry weighing 23 dwts. 12 grains. WHITE LION, C/ieltuortfi's. One hundred and two prizes were given for this variety in two years; the largest berry weighing 18 dwts. 22 grains. The fruit is late, slightly hairy, and excellent for tarts. WHITESMITH, Woodward's. This is a small early berry, weighing about 1 4 dwts. The skin is downy, and the fruit is fully equal to any gooseberry of its colour. The Gooseberry may be propagated by all the modes ap- plicable to trees or shrubs, but that by cuttings is usually adopted for continuing varieties, and that by seed for pro- 70 GOOSEBERRY. curing them. The cuttings should be taken from promising shoots just before the leaves begin to fall in the autumn; the greatest part of the buds should be taken off, leaving only two or three buds on the top. Cut them at such a length as the strength and ripeness of the wood will bear ; and plant them in good pulverized soil. On the approach of winter, lay some moss or litter around them ; and, by being well cultivated, they will be fit to transplant when they are a year old. When bushos are procured from the public nurseries, let the general supply be in such kinds as will ripen in succes- sion. They may be planted in the kitchen garden, in single rows, along the side of the walks or paths, or in compart- ments by themselves, in rows from six to eight feet apart from row to row, and five or six feet apart in the rows ; 01 in small gardens, they may be trained to a single tall ntem, and tied to a stake ; this, though six or eight feet high, occa- sions scarcely any shade, and it does not occupy much room, nor exclude air, while, at the same time, the stem becomes closely hung with berries, and makes a pleasant appearance in that state. Persons of taste may train them on arched trel- lises, and if they are judiciously managed, the ground around them may be more easily cultivated ; the fruit may be kept from being splashed with rain, and may be easily gathered when wanted, or preserved by shading with mats, &c. Those who may have a choice of soil and site, should fix on a good, rich, loamy earth, and plant some of the choice kinds in a northern and eastern aspect, near the fence, to come late in succession. The Gooseberry produces its fruit not only on the shoota of the pi'eceding year, and on shoots two or three years old, but also on spurs or snags arising from the ulder branches along the sides ; but the former afford the largest fruit. The shoots retained for bearers should therefore be left at full length, or nearly so ; the first pruning should be done before tuo buds swell, so as not to endanger their being rubbed off GOOSEBERRY. 71 in the operation. Cut out all the superfluous cross shoots, and prune long ramblers and low stragglers to some well placed lateral or eye : retain a sufficiency of the young well situated laterals and terminals to form successional bearers. In cutting out superfluous and decayed wood, be careful to retain a leading shoot at the end of a principal branch. The superfluous young laterals on the good main branches, in- stead of being taken off clean, may be cut into little stubs of one or two eyes, which will send out fruit buds and spurs. Some persons not pruning the Gooseberry bush on right principles, cause it to shoot crowdedly full of young wood in summer, the fruit from which is always small, and does not 7 ipen freely with full flavour ; on which account it is an important point in pruning, to keep the middle of the head open and clear, and to let the occasional shortening of the shoots be sparing and moderate. Between the bearing branches keep a regulated distance of at least six inches at the extremities, which will render them fertile bearers of good fruit. The prize cultivators of this fruit in Lancashire are par- ticular iu preparing a very rich soil, and they water occa- sionally with the liquor which drains from dunghills ; and there are s<»me who, not content with watering at the root and over the top, place a small saucer of water under each Gooseberry, only six or eight of which are left on a bush ; this is technically called suckling. There are others who ring some of the branches; this is done by cutting out small circles of bark round them ; and by pinching off a great part of the young wood, the strength is thrown to the fruit. Unripe Gooseberries may be preserved in bottles against winter : some, after filling the bottles in a dry state, stand them in a slow oven, or in hot water, so as to heat them gradually through without cracking them ; they will keep a whole year if closely corked and sealed as soon as cold. The Gooseberry may be forced in pots or boxes, placed in pits, or in the peach house or vinery. " Hay plants iu 72 GRAPE. pots in November, removes to the peach house in January, and has ripe fruit in the end of April, which he sends to table growing on the plants." — Hort. Trans, iv. 416. GRAPE. VIGNE. Vitis, vinifera, vnlpina. THE Grape Vine is described by Loudon as a trailing deciduous hardy shrub, with a twisted, irregular stem, and long, flexible branches, decumbent, like those of the bramble, or supporting themselves, when near other trees, by means of tendrils, like the pea. The leaves are large, lobed, entire, or serrated and downy, or smooth, green in summer, but when mature, those of varieties in which the predomi- nating colour is red, constantly change to, or are tinged with some shade of that colour ; and those of white, green, or yellow Grapes, as constantly change to yellow, and are never in the least tinged either with purple, red, or scarlet. The breadth of the leaves varies from five to seven or ten inches, and the length of the foot stalks from four to eight inches. The flowers are produced on the shoots of the same year, which shoots generally proceed from those of the year preceding : they are in the form of a raceme, of a greenish white colour, and fragrant odour, appearing in the open air in June ; and the fruit, which is of the berry kind, attains such maturity as the season and situation admit, by the middle or end of September. The berry, or Grape, is generally globular, but often ovate, oval, oblong, or finger- shaped ; the colour green, red, yellow, amber, and black, or a variegation of two or more of these colours. The skin is smooth, the pulp and juice of a dulcet, poignant, elevated, generous flavour. Every berry ought to enclose five small heart or pear shaped stones; though, as some generally fail, they have seldom more than three, and some varieties, GRAPR 73 when they attain a certain age, as the Aacalon, or Sultana raisin, none. The weight of a berry depends not only on its size, but on the thickness of its skin and texture of the flesh, the lightest being the thin-skinned and juicy sorts, as the Sweet Water or Muscadine ; and what are considered as large berried of these varieties, will weigh from five to seven pennyweights, and measure from one to two-thirds of an inch in girth. A good-sized bunch of the same sorts may weigh from two to six pounds ; but bunches have been grown of the Syrian Grape, in Syria, weighing forty pounds, and in England weighing from ten to nineteen pounds. A single vine, in a large pot, or grown as a dwarf standard, in the manner practised in the vineyards in the North of France, ordinarily produces from three to nine bunches ; but by superior management in gardens in England, the number if bunches is prodigiously increased, and one plant, that of the red Hamburgh sort, in the vinery of the royal gardens at Hampton Court, has produced two thousand two hundred bunches, averaging one pound each, or in all nearly a ton. That at Valentine, in Essex, has produced two thousand bunches of nearly the same average weight. The age to which the vine will attain in >varm climates is so great as not to be known. It is supposed to oe equal or even to surpass that of the oak. Pliny speaks of a vino which had existed six hundred years ; and Bose says, there are vines in Burgundy upward of four hundred \ears of age In Italy there are vineyards which have been in a flour ishing state for upward of three centuries, and Miller tells us that a vineyard a hundred years old is reckoned young. The extent of the branches of the vine, in certain situation* and circumstances, is commensurate with its produce and soil. In the hedges of Italy, and woods of America, they are found overtopping the highest elm and poplar trees ; and in England, one plant, (lately dead,) trained against a row of houses in Northallerton, covered a space, in 1585, of one hundred and thir^y-sr- ren square yards ; it was then above 74 GRAPE. one hundred years old. That at Hampton Court, nearly of the same age, occupies above one hundred and sixty square yards ; and that at Valentine, in Essex, above one hundred and forty-seven square yards. The size to which the trunk, or stem, sometimes attains in warm climates, is so great as to have afforded planks fifteen inches broad, furniture, and statues; and the Northallerton vine, above mentioned, in 1785 measured four feet in ciicumference near the ground, and one branch of the Hampton Court vine measures one hundred and fourteen feet in length. Vine timber is of great durability. The varieties of the Grape in countries where it is grown for the wine press, are as numerous as the vineyards ; for as these for the most part differ in soil, aspect, elevation, or otherwise, and as the vine is greatly the child of local cir- cumstances, its habits soon become adapted to those in which it is placed. When it is considered that a vineyard once planted will last two or three centuries, it will readily be conceived that the nature of a variety may be totally changed during only a part of that time. The varieties mostly in esteem for wine making are small berries, and bunches with an austere taste. The Burgundy, as modified by different soils arid situations, may be considered the most general vineyard Grape of France, from Champagne or Marne, to Marseilles or Bordeaux. The best wine in Italy and Spain is also made from Grapes of this description ; but in both countries many of the larger- berried sorts are grown on account of their producing more liquor. The sweet wines, as the Malmsey, Madeira, Con- stantia, Tokay, &c., are made from sweet-berried Grapes, allowed to remain on the plants till over-ripe. That wine is the strongest, and has most flavour, in which both the skins and stones are bruised arid fermented. The same thing is the case in making cider; but in both processes bruising the stones or kernels is neglected. The vine was formerly extensively cultivated in Britain for the wine press, GRAPE. 5 but its culture is now confined to the garden as a dessert fruit ; and they have in that country not only the best varie- ties, but they grow the fruit to a larger size, and of a higher flavour, than is done any where else in the world ; this is owing to the perfection of their artificial climates, and the great attention paid to soil and subsoil, and other points of culture. The fruit is produced in some vineries during every month in the year ; and in the London markets (generally) it is to be had in the highest degree of perfection from March to January. The vine will thrive in any soil that has a dry bottom ; and in such as are rich and deep it will grow luxuriantly, and produce abundance of large fruit; in shallow, dry, chalky, or gravelly soils, it will produce less fruit, but of better flavour. Speechly recommends dung reduced to a black mould, the dust and dirt of roads, the offal of animals, or butchers' manure, horn shavings, old rags, shavings of leather, bone dust, dung of deer and sheep, human excre- ment when duly meliorated by time, a winter's frost, and repeatedly turning over. Abercrombie says that dung out of a cow-house, perfectly rotted, is a fine manure for the vine ; he recommends drainings from dunghills to be used over the ground once in ten or fourteen days from the time the buds rise, till the fruit is set, and that fresh horse dung be spread over the ground in autumn as a manure, and also to protect the roots from the inclemency of the weather ; some, however, disapprove of manuring high, as being cal- culated to produce wood rather than fruit* The general mode of propagating the vine is by cuttings, either a foot or more long, with a portion of two year old * It has been proved by repeated experiments that the best manure for vines, is the branches pruned from the vines themselves, cut into small pieces and mixed with the soil by means of a garden hoe. Dr. Liebig, in his 'Organic Chemistry,' mentions several instances of vines being kept in a thriving condition for from ten to thirty years by the trimmings of vines alone. The discovery was made by poor peasants, who could not afford to buy the ordinary kinds of manure. 76 GRAPE. wood, or short, with only one bud, or one bud and a half joint, &c. Vines are to be had at the nurseries, propagated either from layers, cuttings, or eyes ; but plants raised from cuttings are generally preferred ; many are of opinion that it is a matter of indifference from which class the choice is made, provided the plants are well rooted, and in good health, arid the wood ripe. A mode of very general utility is to select the plants in the nursery a year before wanted, and to order them to be potted in very large pots. Varie- ties without end are raised from seed, and it is thought that by propagating from the seed of successive generations, some sorts may ultimately be procured, better adapted for ripening their fruit in the open air than now known. A seedling vine, carefully treated, will show blossoms in its fourth or fifth year ; say that it produces a fair specimen of its fruit in the sixth year, then a new generation may be obtained so often ; but seed ought never to be sown, except for experiment. The following method of grafting the vine is recommended by Mr. Loudon : Select a scion with one good eye ; pare it beneath the eye and on the opposite side, in the form of a wedge. Select from the stock to be grafted on, a branch of the preceding year ; cut this off a little above the second eye from its base ; then with a sharp knife split it down the centre nearly to the old wood. Out of each half of the stock, but chiefly out of that half which is opposite the bud, pare off as much as is necessary to make it fit the scion, which must be inserted with its eye opposite to the eye which is left on the top of the stock, and bandaged together carefully with bass matting. Some use grafting clay, others composition ; in either case, a small hole for the eye of the graft, and another hole for the eye left on the stock, must be left open. Tie over a little moss, to be occasionally sprin- kled with water. It is very essential that the young shoot on the top of the stock should be allowed to grow for ten or fifteen days ; then cut it off, leaving only one eye and one DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF GRAPES. 77 leaf to draw the sap and keep alive the circulation, till both scion and stock are perfectly united. William Robert Prince, in his Treatise on the Vine, pub- lished in 1830, enumerated about five hundred and fifty va- rieties under cultivation, in the vineyard attached to the Lin- naean Botanic Garden at Flushing, including about ninety American native Grapes ; but no sufficient evidence has as yet been exhibited of the foreign varieties flourishing in vineyards here, equal to what they do in Europe. Mr. Lou- bat once attempted to establish a vineyard on Long Island, which he abandoned after six years' arduous exertion. The following have been found to succeed best in private shel- tered gardens in the vicinity of New- York : the Sweetwater, the Chasselas, the Muscadine, the White Tokay, the Black Hambuigh, the Blue Cortiga, the Miller Burgundy, the Austrian Muscadel, the Messlier, the Morilon, the Black Prince, Blanc, and some excellent seedling sorts from the imported Lisbon Grapes. To plant a vinery for a full crop of good Grapes of various flavours, take a white and red Muscat, a white and red, or black Muscadel, a white Raisin Grape, a white and red Hamburgh, a Stilwell's, and red Sweetwater, a white and red Nice, a black Damascus, a red Syracuse, and a black Constantia. The above list con- tains some of the most esteemed table Grapes of all colours and flavours, which will ripen in succession. SELECT DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF NATIVE GRAPES. ALEXANDER, Constantia of Vevay, Madeira of York, Pa., Winne, Schuyl- kill Muscadel. A good wine fruit, of large size, blackish colour, and ob- long form ; very juicy and pungent ; a great and sure bearer. BLAND, Blond's Madeira, Eland's Virginia, Mazzci, Po:rel. A pale red grape, of large size and round shape, rather musky, but the juice is sweet and lively. CAROLINA PERFUMED. A medium sized fruit, of purple colour and rather an unpleasant odour; it is, however, considered as well adapted for wine, being rather pungent, very juicy, and pulpless. 78 GRAPE. CATAWBA, Red Muncy, To Kalon. A fine variety, above medium size, of dark red colour, in form round, in flavour delicious for the dessert, and highly productive ; it ripens soon after the Isabella. CUNNINGHAM. A native of Prince Edward's county, Virginia; the ber- ries are round, black, of medium size, and not liable to rot ; they are said to resemble, in taste, the Nigrillo of Madeira, and are considered good for wine as well as for the table. ELSINBURG. Fruit small, round, of purple colour, and delicate musky flavour, without pulp ; good for wine, and as a dessert fruit ; the vine is very hardy and productive. HIDE'S ELIZA. Berries large, oval, of violet colour, and excellent fla- vour; alike suited, for the dessert and for wine. ISABELLA. A well known and hiuhly estimated variety. Fruit large, oval, of rich purple colour, covered with bloom ; skin, under good cultiva- tion, thin ; flesh juicy, rich, and vinous ; an excellent dessert fruit. LUFBOROUGH. A sweet fox grape of large size and round shape; skin, dark purple ; pulp dissolving in a saccharine musky juice j good for wine MADDOX. A good wine grape, not liable to rot ; it is of medium size j roundish ; of a brownish red colour, and a brisk vinous flavour. NORTON'S VIRGINIA SEEDLING, Longworttis Ohio. An early fruit of medium size and dark purple colour; it ripens in September; makes ex- cellent wine ; it is also generally approved as a dessert fruit. POND'S SEEDLING. A large purple grape of roundish form, tbin skin, and of rich pungent flavour; adapted for wine, as well as for the table. SCUPPERNONG. This species is very prolific; the berries are large, round- ish, and of a colour varying from brick red to black; makes peculiar Mus- cat wine, and is highly esteemed as a dessert fruit WARREN, Madeira. A round fruit of medium size and dark purple co lour ; it is considered by some as the most luscious of all native grapes ; it makes excellent wine. WOODSON. A small round black Virginian variety, from Prince Edward's county; it is celebrated as a very proper fruit for the manufacture of sparkling wine ; it ripens later than most other varieties, but yields abun- dantly. The above list comprises the most esteemed species of Native Grapes under cultivation ; the greater part of which, with the best of the foreign varieties, may be purchased at the Commercial Garden and Nursery of Messrs. Parsons & Co., Flushing, Long Island, near New- York. Previous to planting vines, care should be taken that the ground be well pulverized and prepared for some distance around for the roots to spread. The soil should be deep and dry, and some rich compost, or vegetable mould, should be used around the roots in filling in ; a handful or two of wet GRAPE. 79 ashes to each plant is recommended by Mr. Loubat, as bene- ficial ; and he recommends the planting to be done in the month of March, or early in April. There are various methods adopted in training and prun- ing the vine ; and it appears impossible to lay down rules to suit every cultivator. The vine having, like other trees, a tendency to produce its most vigorous shoots at the ex- tremities of the branches, and particularly so at those which are situated highest, it generally happens, when it is trained high, that the greater portion of the fruit is borne near the top ; and it has been observed, that the fruit produced on the vigorous shoots, which naturally grow at the extremities of the long branches, is generally more abundant, and of finer quality than that produced on the short lateral ones, from which circumstance, high training seems to be the best calculated for private gardens. In some parts of Italy, vines are cultivated together with Mulberry trees, and are allowed to mingle and hang in fes- toons; thus silk and wine are produced on the same spot; and it is considered that when vines are allowed to grow over trees, on the side of a house, or on bowers, or extended on tall poles, without much trimming, they will produce more fruit, and are not so liable to mildew. Dr. G. W. Chapman, of New- York, having paid some attention to the cultivation of native Grapes, observes, that the vine, in its natural state, seldom or never throws out bearing shoots until it reaches the top of the tree on which it ascends, when the branches take a horizontal or descend- ing position. From this fact he considers horizontal training preferable to that in the fan shape. From the experiments he has made, he has found that the shoots coming from those parts of the branches bent downward, are more productive than from those ascending; he considers deep digging around the vine, even to the destruction of some of the ex- tending roots, as calculated to promote the growth of more fruit and less wood, than if allowed to spread near the sur- 80 GRAPE. face ; and he disapproves stopping the shoots before the fruit until early in July. Mr. William Wilson, of Clermont, leaves his foreign vines their whole length at the time of trimming iu October. In November, they are laid on the ground at full length, fastened down with pins, and covered lightly with earth ; in this state they lie all the winter. In April, as soon as the weather will permit, they are uncovered, and left lying on the ground ten or twelve days : by the first of May, the vines are trained to stakes or poles of the length of ten feet and upward ; and by the middle of June the stakes are entirely covered by new shoots of the vine, and with plenty of fruit, which ripens in September. Mr. W. says, that until he pursued his present course, his fruit was frequently blasted and mil- dewed, but that he has now vines twenty or thirty feet long, which run up the fruit trees adjoining ; others, being carried up eight or ten feet, are stretched horizontally. It is seldom he gathers fruit within three or four feet of the ground, and he has never any blasted or infected with mildew ; he keeps the ground cultivated by frequent hoeing ; but he says he has used no manure for ten years or more. Edward H. Bonsall has a vineyard of American Grapes at Germantown, Pa., in a high state of cultivation. In page 331 of Prince's Treatise on the Vine, is a letter to the au- thor, containing some valuable information, from which the following is extracted as appropriate to our subject. Mr. Bonsall's vineyard is situated between the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers, four miles from the former, and eight from the latter, at an elevation of three hundred feet above their level ; has an aspect facing S. S. E., with a substratum of light isinglass soil, and seems well suited to the purpose. He says, " from my experience, both on my premises and at other places, it is my opinion that we should reject almost all the foreign varieties, especially where our object in culti- vating them is to make wine." He has upward of thirty varieties of American vines under cultivation ; he recom- QRAPE. 81 mends preparing the ground by ploughing with two ploughs with strong teams, one immediately behind the other, in the same furrow, each of them set deep; and after the plough- ing is completed, to be harrowed thoroughly. Then in the direction the rows are intended to be planted, parallel fur- rows are run across the field, at the distance of eight feet from each other ; these are afterward crossed at right an gles, five feet asunder. In the opening, at the intersection of these furrows, cuttings from nine to twelve inches long are planted, and arranged with a view to the vines being, when grown, at distances of four by seven feet from each other ; to this end, he frequently plants two cuttings in a place, some of which are used to fill up with, in case of failures. He says, that in 1829 he planted in nursery beds from two to three thousand cuttings as late as the middle of April to the middle of May, with better success than at any previous time. " In this case the slips should be kept in a cool, damp place, where vegetation may be held in check. To insure their freshness, sprinkle them occasionally with water. Previous to planting cut them a proper length, and place them with their lower ends three or four inches in water, in a tub above ground, where they may soak three or four days. At this season the temperature will be likely to be such as to spur vegetation at once into healthy and vigorous action. The autumn, or early in the spring, is preferable for rooted plants. In the autumn of the first year, after the frost has killed the unripe part of the young shoots, they should be pruned down to the mature, firm wood, and then with a hoe hilled over with the surrounding soil, which will completely protect them through the winter. If left without protection the first winter, many of them will perish." Mr. Bonsall says, his mode of training, as far as he is aware of it, is entirely peculiar to himself, which he describes as follows : " I take chestnut posts, the thickness of large fence rails, seven feet in length; these I plant along the 82 GRAPE. rows, at distances of ten feet from each other, and at such a depth as to leave five feet above the surface of the earth ; then taking three nails to each post, and driving them to within half an inch of their heads, the first two and a half feet from the ground, a second midway between that and the top, and the third near the top, I attach No. 11 iron wire (one degree soft is best) firmly to one of the nails in the end post, pass on to the next, and stretching it straight and tight, give it one turn round a nail in the same line as the one to which it was first attached. Having in this manner extended it along the three courses, the whole length of the row, my trellis is formed. I have had a portion of my vine- yard fitted up in this way for three years, and experience has confirmed the superior fitness of the plan. It is not its least recommendation, that it possesses in a degree the cha- racter of labour-saving machinery. - A very important and extensive labour-making portion of the operations in the vineyard during the summer, is the attention required by the growing shoots to keep them properly trained up. They grow and extend themselves so rapidly, that where the strips of the trellis are lath, or where poles are used to support vines, unless very closely watched, they fall down in every direction, in a very unsightly and injurious manner. Here the wire being small, the tendrils or claspers eagerly and firmly attach themselves to it, and thus work for themselves in probably two-thirds of the instances where the attention of the vigneron would otherwise be required. There is a free access afforded to the sun and air, and no hold for the wind to strain the frame," &c. Mr. Bonsall says faither, " I shall not enter into a minute description of my manner of pruning, but may just say, that after the vines have attained a full capacity for production, (say five years from the cut- ting,) my view is to prepare them for bearing an average of fifty clusters to each, leaving several shoots of from three to five joints on a vine for this purpose. When fresh pruned, they will not be more than four feet high, at their greatest age." GRAPE. 83 Dr. R. T. Underbill, of New- York, has a vineyard at Croton Point, near Sing Sing, where, after having sunk thousands of dollars in attempting to raise the most cele- brated foreign varieties, he abandoned the project as vision- ary, and commenced planting the Isabella Grape in 1832, and the Catawba in 1835. Mr. Underbill has now upward of twenty acres of these grapes, chiefly of the former, un- der the most successful cultivation. He says that the Isa- bella Grape ripens two or three weeks earlier than the Ca- tawba, and that these two varieties are, in his estimation, the best adapted for general purposes ; the former yielding with him a more valuable crop than any other with which he is ac- quainted. He says that the quality of this fruit has improved very much within a few years, the clusters and berries being much larger and sweeter ; and that they are capable of still greater improvement by high cultivation. The following extracts are from Dr. Underbill's commu- nication to the editor of the ' Cultivator,' published January 28th, 1843 : " In this latitude, (south of the highlands of the Hudson,) I find that the Isabella Grape ripens quite as well when planted in a level field, protected from the north and west winds by woods or hedges, as on declivities. Several of my vineyards are thus located, and, as far as I can perceive, the fruit ripens at about the same time, and is of the same quality as those planted on steep side-hills. I think, how- ever, that north of the highlands, side-hills would be pi'efer- able. To prepare the ground for a vineyard, the best way is to turn over the whole of the surface soil from fifteen to eighteen inches in depth, early in the spiing, by ploughing twice in the same furrow. This will place the richest part of the soil in a position where it will give the greatest sup- ply of nourishment to the vines. Few vineyards in this countiy have been prepared in this way; but the cost is so email and the advantages so great, that it should be done wherever there are no rosks or large stones to prevent it." 84 GRAPE. The following observations on the destruction of the Rose- bug, were also published in the * Cultivator/ Sept. 13 1842 : " I observed that when the rose-bugs first appeared on the vines, they were so feeble as to be unable to fly even for a few yards. Having surmounted all other difficulties, I was determined not to be defeated in the vineyard cultivation of the Grape by this insect, and consequently resorted to the following means for its destruction. I directed my men to take each a cup, with a little water in it, arid go through the vineyards every morning, removing every bug from the vines ; and this was done quite rapidly by passing the cup under the leaf and merely touching it, when the bugs in- stantly dropped, and were received in the cup containing the water. When the cup was full, they were soon destroyed by pressing the foot upon them on a hard surface. This plan was persevered in every morning as long as a bug could be found, and was attended with such success, that they have given me very little trouble since. I also tried plough- ing my vineyards just before winter set in, so as to expose to the weather the insect in the larvae state, which will certainly destroy the young tribe that have not descended below the reach of the plough. For two years past the number has been so small that I have omitted this process for their destruction. — R. T. Underhill." Although the man of taste and capacity for improving on the improvements of others, may have gleaned ideas from the above extracts, sufficient to enable him to cultivate the vine in his own garden, it may be necessary to direct the reader's attention to the different methods of cultivating this excellent fruit in varied situations. A vine may be trained horizontally under the coping of a close fence or wall, to a great distance, and the borders in an east, southeast, and southern aspect of large gardens, may be furnished with a variety of sorts, which will ripen in great perfection, without encumbering the borders ; or the plants may be trained low, like currant bushes; in GRAPE. 85 which case, three or more shoots, eighteen inches or two feet in length, may diverge from the stem near the ground, to supply young wood annually for bearing. The summer pruning consists in removing shoots which have no fruit, or are not required for the succeeding season ; and in topping fruit-bearing shoots, and also those for succeeding years, when inconveniently long and straggling. For as, by this mode, the shoots destined to bear are all cut into three or four eyes at the winter pruning, no inconvenience arises from their throwing out laterals near the extremities, which top- ping will generally cause them to do. In training vines as standards, the single stem at the bot- tom is not allowed to exceed six or eight inches in height, and from this two or three shoots are trained, or tied to a single stake of three or four feet in length. These shoots bear each two or three bunches, within a foot or eighteen inches of the ground, and they are annually succeeded by others which spring from their base, that is, from the crown or top of the dwarf main stem. This is the mode practised in the North of France and in Germany ; in the South of France and Italy, the base or main stem is often higher, and furnished with side shoots, in order to afford a great supply of bearing wood, which is tied to one or more poles of greater height. The summer pruning, in this case, is nearly the same as in the last. In the winter pruning, the wood that has borne is cut out, and the new wood shortened, in cold situations, to three or four eyes, and in warmer places, to six or eight eyes. Nicol observes, that " Most of the summer pruning of vines may be performed with the fingers, without a knife, the shoots to be displaced being easily rubbed off, and those to be shortened, being little, are readily pinched asunder." After selecting the shoots to be trained for the production of a cjop next season, and others necessary for filling the trellis from the bottom, which shoots should generally be laid in at the distance of a foot or fifteen inches from each other, 8 £6 GRAPE. rub off all the others tnat have no clusters, and shorten those that have, at one joint above the uppermost cluster. For this purpose, go over the plants every three or four days till all the shoots in fruit have shown their clusters, at the same time rubbing off any water shoots that may rise from the wood. Train in the shoots to be retained, as they advance. If there be an under trellis, on which to train the summer shoots, they may, when six or eight feet in length, or when the Grapes are swelling, be let down to it, that the fruit may enjoy the full air and light as it advances toward maturity. Such of these shoots as issue from the bottom, and are to be shortened in the winter pruning to a few eyes, merely for the production of wood to fill the trellis, may be stopped when they have grown to the length of four or five feet. Others that are intended to be cut down to about two yards, and which issue at different heights, may be stopped when they have run three yards, or ten feet, less or more, accord- ing to their strength. And those intended to be cut at or near the top of the trellis, should be trained a yard or two down the back, or a trellis may be placed so as to form an arbour ; or they may be placed to run right or left a few feet on the uppermost wire. The stubs or shoots on which the clusters are placed will probably push again after being stopped, if the plants be vigorous. If so, stop them again and again ; but after the fruit are half grown, they will seldom spring. Observe to divest the shoots, in training, of all laterals as they appear, except the uppermost on each, in order to provide against accidents, as hinted before, in training the newly-planted vines. When these shoots are stopped, as directed above, they will push again. Allow the lateral that pushes, to run a few joints, and then shorten it back to one, and so on as it pushes, until it stops entirely. When the proper shoots get ripened nearly to the top, the whole may be cut back to the originally shortened part, or to one joint above it, if there OR APE. 87 be reason to fear thai the uppermost bud of the proper shoot will start. Divest the plants of all damped and decayed leaves as they appear, as such will sometimes occur in continued hazy weather, arid be particularly cautious not to injure the leaf that accompanies the bunch, for if that is lost, the fruit will be of little value. " Every one of penetration and discernment," Nicol ob- serves, " will admit the utility of thinning the berries on bunches of Grapes, in order that they may have room to swell fully ; and, farther, that of supporting the shoulders of such clusters of the large growing kinds as hang loosely, and require to be suspended to the trellis or branches, in order to prevent the bad effects of damp or mouldiness in very moist seasons. Of these, the Hamburgh, Lombardy, Royal Muscadine, Raisin, St. Peter's, Syrian, Tokay, and others, should have their shoulders suspended to the trellis, or to the branches, by strands of fresh matting, when the berries are about the size of garden peas. At the same time, the clusters should be regularly thinned out with narrow pointed scissors, to the extent of from a fourth to a third part of the berries. The other close-growing kinds, as the Frontignacs, Muscats, &c., should likewise be moderately thinned, observing to thin out the small seedless berries only of the Muscadine, Sweet Water, and flame-coloured Tokay. In this manner, handsome bunches and full-swelled berries may be obtained ; but more so, if the clusters or over-bur- dened plants be also moderately thinned away. Indeed, cutting off the clusters, to a certain extent, of plants over- loaded, and pushing weak wood, are the only means by which to cause them to produce shoots fit to bear fruit next year ; and this should be duly attended to, so long as the future welfare of the plants is a matter of importance." The preceding observations may be considered as fallin-g short of what may be expected on the cultivation of so im- portant a fruit as the Grape ; but it is introduced into thia 88 MULBEKRr. book only as a dessert fruit. The modes of training in vineyards and vineries are alike suited to the garden. Low training may be practised in borders or hedge rows, in large gardens ; and high training in sheltered situations, on high trellises or arbours. By proper management, the vine may be elevated to the middle story of a house by a single stem, and afterwards trained to a great height according to the taste of the proprietor. As the vine is often trained near buildings, an awning may be conveniently formed over the tops so as to admit of fumigating the vine with smoke from tobacco, &c., as may be necessary in the summer season ; or a sort of movable tent may be made of light boards, and cheap glazed linen, or an old sail, &c., capable of covering the vine while a smoke is created underneath ; this will effectually destroy such insects as may annoy the vine, and may prevent mildew and other diseases. MULBERRY. MURIER. Moms. THERE are several species of the Morus or Mulberry. The white kind is commonly cultivated for its leaves to feed silkworms, though in some parts of Spain, and in Persia, they are said to prefer the Black Mulberry. In China, it appears that both sorts are grown for this purpose. The most esteemed variety of the white is grown in Italy, and especially in Lombardy, with vigorous shoots, and much larger leaves than the other. The Morus multicwdis is cul- tivated in many parts of France, and is by some preferred to all other varieties. It is said that a less quantity of foliage from this variety will satisfy the silkworms. The late An- drew Parmentier, Esq., was the means of introducing seve- ral choice varieties from that country ; and our nurserymen in general, have of late years, turned their attention to the MULBERRY. 89 cultivation of such as are best adapted to silkworms, which are sold at moderate prices. In Fiance, the white Mulberry is grown as pollard Elms are in England. In Lombardy, it is grown in low, marshy ground. In China, it is also grown in moist, loamy soil, and both there and in the East Indies, as low bushes, and the plantations rooted up and renewed every three or four years. In many parts, when the leaves are wanted for the worms, they are stripped off the young shoots, which are left naked on the tree ; in other places, the shoots are cut off, which is not so injurious to the tree, while the points oi the shoots, as well as the leaves, are eaten by the worms. The plants are sometimes raised from seed, and one ounce of seed will produce five thousand trees, if sown in nch loamy soil in the latter end of April, or early in May ; but the young plants will require protection the first winter ; they are more commonly propagated by layers and cuttings, put down in the spring. The Italian variety is frequently grafted on seedling stocks of the common sort, in order to preserve it from degenerating. In the East Indies, the plants are raised from cuttings, three or four of which are placed together where they are finally to remain. But Mulberry trees are valuable for their fruit ; and in England the black and red kinds are in great esteem, and much cultivated. The fruit of the white Mulberry is white, and less acid than that of the black species. The black is naturally a stronger tree than the other; the fruit is of a dark, blackish red, and of an agreeable aromatic and acid flavour. The red Mulberry has black shoots, rougher leaves than the black Mulberry, and a dark, reddish fruit, longer than the common sort, and of a very pleasant taste. The fruit of the yellow Mulberry is very sweet and wholesome, but not much eaten, excepting by birds ; the timber, how- ever, is valuable, from its abounding in a slightly glutinous milk of a sulphurous colour, and is known in Europe under the name of fustic wood, for dying a yellow colour. 8* 90 MULBERRY. In Russia, the fruit of the JVforas lartarica is eaten fresh, conserved, or dried ; a wine and a spirit are also made from them, but the berries are said to be of an insipid taste. All the species of the Morus are remarkable for putting out their leaves late, so that when they appear, gardeners may safely set out their green-house plants, taking it for granted that all danger from frost is over; from this circum- stance, plantations of Mulberry trees may be made in this country in the spring of the year with greater safety. The Mulberry produces its fruit chiefly on little shoots of the same year, which arise on last year's wood and on spurs from the two-year-old wood ; in both stages, mostly at the ends of the shoots and the branches. In pruning, thin out irregular crossing branches, but never shorten the young wood, on which fruit is produced. If any of the dwarfish kinds are cultivated as espaliers for their fruits, cut so as to bring in a partial succession of new wood every year, and a complete succession once in two years, taking the old bar- ren wood out, as may be necessary. As the blossom buds cannot be readily distinguished from others in the winter, the best period for pruning is when the blossoms first become visible in the spring. There is another genus of plants, known as the Paper Mulberry, which is very ornamental, called Broussonetia papyrifera; though a low tree, it has vigorous shoots, fur- nished with two large leaves ; the fruit, which is small, is surrounded with long purple hairs, changing to a black pur- ple colour when ripe, and full of juice. "In China and Japan, it is cultivated for the sake of the young shoots, from the bark of which the inhabitants of the Eastern countries make paper. The bark being separated from the wood, is steeped in water, the former making the whitest and best paper. The bark is next slowly boiled, then washed, and afterward put upon a wooden table, and beat into a pulp. This pulp being put in water, separates like grains of meal. An infusion of nee, and the root of manhiot, are next added NECTARINE. 91 to it. From the liquor so prepared, the sheets of paper are poured out one by one, and when pressed the operation is finished." " The juice of this tree is sufficiently tenacious to be used in China as a glue, in gilding either leather or paper. The finest and whitest cloth worn by the principal people at Otaheite, and in the Sandwich Islands, is made of the bark of this tree. The cloth of the Bread Fruit tree is infeiior in whiteness and softness, and worn chiefly by the common people." NECTARINE. PECHERA FRUIT LISSE, ou BROGNONS. Jlmygdalus nectarina. THE varieties of this fruit resemble the Peach in every respect, except that the skin is peifectly smooth, of a waxen appearance, and the flesh generally more firm ; although of the same genus as the Peach, which is so plentiful in this country, the fruit of the Nectarine is quite a rarity, and sel- dom appears in our markets. There are seventy-two varie- ties cultivated in the Horticultural Garden of London under name. It is generally allowed that their failure here is occasioned by the attacks of insects. The most efficacious method that I have heard of for securing any thing like a crop of Nec- tarines, is to fumigate the trees in the evening, when the air is calm and serene, at the season when the fruit is ready to set. Tobacco is the most effectual antidote for these insects ; but a friend of mine collected a quantity of salt hay that had been used for his Spinach the preceding winter ; with this he created a smoke, first on one side of his plantation, and afterward on the other, by which means he obtained a good supply of fruit. Our enterprising horticulturist, Mr. W. Shaw, has succeeded in gathering fine fruit, by pursuing the English plan, namely, in training his trees against a close 92 NECTARINE. fence ; and it has been discovered by others, that the Nec- tarine, like the Grape vine will yield best in sheltered situ- ations. That eminent horticulturist, Mr. David Thomas, observes, that "A vast quantity of fruit is annually destroyed by the Curculio, which causes the Plum, Apricot, and Nec- tarine prematurely to drop from the tree. To prevent this loss, let the tree, after the blossoms fall, be frequently shaken by a cord connected with a swinging door, or with a work- ing pump-handle, &c. ; or let the bugs be jarred from the tree and killed. Or keep geese enough in the fruit garden to devour all the damaged fruit as it falls. We know that this last method is infallible.'' As some may object to shaking or jarring fruit trees, for fear of disturbing the fruit, such are here reminded, that if the blossoms set more fruit than can be supported, it will not come to full perfection, and the trees may be injured in theii future bearing ; for these reasons, when fruit sets too thick, it should be thinned in an early stage of its growth. The Nectarine, as also the Peach tree, is subject to injury by an insect different from the Curculio species, which feeds on the sap beneath the bark, principally near the surface of the earth ; but if not checked, will commit ravages on the trunk and root, so as eventually to destioy the tree. The eg£ is supposed to be first deposited in the upper part of the tree ; and in the months of June and July, it becomes a very small maggot, which drops to the ground, and approaches the tree near the surface. If the ground be kept clear around the roots, as it ought always to be, the worm can readily be detected by a small speck of gum, which appears on the tree after it has made its entrance, which gummiriess will increase in quantity as it progresses ; but if the trees are thoroughly examined about once a week or ten days, and the gum, wherever found, removed by means of a small knife or pointed wire, the worm may be at once defeated from mak- ing any havoc on the trees. An orchard of several acres may be kept free from worms by going over it a few times. NECTARINE. 93 After a shower of rain is a good time, as the gum can then be more easily discovered ; and when it is removed, the wound will soon heal up, and the danger is over, provided the ground be kept cultivated around the trees, and the collar, or that part from which emanate the main roots, be near the surface. This is an important precaution, and should be attended to at the time of transplanting all descriptions of trees and smaller plants ; because deep planting prevents the essential circulation of the juices of plants in their regular and natural courses, and, consequently, causes disease and premature death ; and it must be admitted, that from the circumstance of this fruit being generally raised on standard trees, and in a light soil, our cultivators are apt to plant too deep ; and thus act contrary to sound judgment and philosophy, with a view to save the trouble and expense of staking or otherwise supporting their newly-planted trees, which precaution is absolutely necessary to their preservation, even in less tem- pestuous climates, and in stiff as well as in light soil. Saltpetre dissolved in the proportion of one pound to five gallons of water, and applied round the stems and roots of trees, as recommended for plants in general, is, in my opin- ion, one of the best remedies for the destruction of various kinds of insects ; it is, moreover, allowed by modern and learned physiologists to contain the most essential nutriment to all descriptions of trees or smaller plants, when judiciously used. Other remedies are recommended to be applied for the destruction of these insects around fruit trees, besides those previously mentioned ; as, dissolved potash, coal tar, sul phur and lime-mortar mixed, vinegar, soapsuds, &c. Culture, upon correct principles, will, however, in general operate not only as a radical cure, but as a preventive to all defects in trees and plants ; which, to be healthy and productive, should be so managed that the sap and nutrimental juices can circulate through every pore which nature has designed for their perpetuity. (See article on the choice of Fruit Trees in the Nursery ; also, article Peach.) 94 DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF NECTARINES. The Nectarine is generally budded on stocks of the same species, or on the Peach or Plum, two or three years old. Knight recommends growing Almond stocks for the finer kinds of Nectarines and Apricots, as likely to prevent the mildew, and as being allied to the Peach. Dubreuil recom- mends a Plum stock for clayey soils, and the Almond for such as are light, chalky, or sandy. The same opinion is held by the Montreal gardeners. The Flemish nurserymen graft both the Peach and Nectarine on the Myrabella Plum, a very small cherry-shaped fruit. The budding may be performed in July or August, in the side of the stock, which will, if properly managed, shoot the following spring, and attain the length of three or four feet the first year. After the budded trees have ripened their first year's shoots, they may either be planted where they are to remain, or retained in the nursery for two, three, or four years, till in a bearing state. Whether the plants be removed into the orchard at a year old, or remain in the nursery, the first shoots from the bud must be headed down in a judicious manner, in order to promote the most desirable form. In annual pruning, thin out superfluous branches and dry wood, and shorten the bearing shoots. Nectarines may be trained to a close fence, or wall, hi private gardens ; in which case, such plants should be chosen as are budded low. (See article Apricot.) SELECT DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF NECTARINES FREESTONE NECTARINES. AROMATIC- A middle sized, rather globular fruit, skin pale straw colour with deep red or brown next the sun ; flesh pale straw, but red at the stone ; juice of a rich vinous flavour ; ripe early in August. BOSTON, Lewis1 s Seedling. A fine native variety, raised by Mr. Lewis, of Boston ; fruit of medium size; heart-shaped; colour bright yellow, mottled with red ; flesh yellow, firm, pleasant and peculiar in flavour ; ripe in September. DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF NECTARINES. 96 ELRUCE, Claremont, Temple's, Vermash of some collections. One of the Tory best and most high flavoured Nectarines ; fruit medium size, of a green or pale yellow colour, with violet cheek ; pulp whitish, melting, very jiicy, rich and high flavoured; ripens early in August. FAIRCHII.D'S EARLY. Fruit very early, but small; of globular shape, yellow in the shade, deep scarlet next the sun ; flesh yellow, not juicy, but well flavoured ; ripe in July and August. PERKINS'S SEKDI.ING. A very large beautiful Nectarine, raised by S. G. Perkins, from the Boston, Lewis's Seedling; the form is globular; colour bright yellow, with dark crimson on one side ; flesh tender, juicy and high flavoured ; ripe in September. PITHASTON'S ORANGE. A good sized globular, almost heart-shaped fruit, of a rich yellow colour, but dark crimson or purple next the sun ; flesh golden yellow, but red next the stone, from which it separates ; it is melting, juicy, saccharine and high flavoured ; ripe in August SCARLET. A middle sized fruit, somewhat ovate, of a beautiful scarlet colour next the sun, and pale red on the shaded side ; the flesh separates from the stone, and is at maturity in August. VERMASH. True Vermask. This fruit is rather of small size, and round- ish form, tapering towards the eye; the skin is of a very deep red colour next the sun ; and of a greenish hue on the other side; flesh white, rich melting and juicy; at maturity in August. VIOLET, Violette Hative, Petite Violette Hative, Lord Selsey's Elrugc, Large Scarlet. Fruit variable in size, generally medium ; pale yellowish green, but darkish purple and red next the sun ; flesh melting, juicy, rich and excellent; ripe in July and August. WHITE, ox FLANDKRS NECTARINE, New White, Emerson's New White, Neate's White. A middle sized, roundish, very pale fruit, slightly tinged with red next the sun; flesh tender and juicy, with a fine vinous flavour; ripe in August CLINGSTONES, OR PAVIES. BRUGNON VIOLET MUSQUE, Brugnon Musque. Fruit large, of a deep red and yellow colour ; skin very smooth ; flesh yellow, but red at the stone ; saccharine, vinous, musky ; at maturity in August and September. EARLY NEWINGTON, Large Black Newington, Lucomhe's Seedling. Fruit below the middle size, ovate ; skin pale green, and on the sunny side of a deep red colour; pulp super-excellent ; considered by some as the best of all Nectarines; ripe in August and September. GOLDEN. Fruit medium size, of the finest orange colour, delicately and beautifully mottled with re«i next the sun, which gives to it a clear waxen appearance ; flesh firm, yellow, pale red at the stone, and has a poignant, rich flavour ; ripens in August and September. RED ROMAN, Roman Red. A very excellent Nectarine, of large size; the skin dark red next the sun. and of a yellowish hue on the other side ; flesh yellowish, but red next the stone ; it abounds with rich juice when fully ripe, in August and September. SCARLET NEWINGTON, Late Newingfon, Sion Hill. This variety it much esteemed , the fruit is large, of a beautiful red colour next the sun, and 96 ORANGE, LEMON, ETC. of a fine yellow or amber on the other side j its quality is excellent rich and juicy ; early in September. TAWNY NZWIHGTON- Fruit large, somewhat ovate ; tawny-coloured, marbled with dull red or orange next the sun ; flesh pale yellow, but rtd at the stone; very juicy, sugary, and of the most delicious flavour; ripens in August and September. This, in England, is considered one of the best of clingstone Nectarines. ORANGE, LEMON, &c. GRANGER, CITRONIER, ETC. Citrus. NOTWITHSTANDING this fruit, and also the Lemon, Lime, &c., are attainable at all seasons of the year, by supplies from our Southern States, the West Indies, and the South of Europe, yet the plants are entitled to our notice on ac- count of their being so easily cultivated, and from their affording an ornament by exhibiting their fruit the whole of the year. The Orange, as well as others of the same genus, are generally cultivated as green-house plants, but may be kept in a light room throughout our severe winters, provided the temperature is not suffered to be below the freezing point, 32 degrees. Its recommendations are, handsome evergreen, shining, tree-like form ; most odoriferous flowers, and bril- liant, fragrant, and delicious fruits, which succeed each other perpetually, and are not unfrequently seen on the tree at the same time, in two or three stages of growth. A work has recently been published at Paris, edited by Messrs. Risso and Poiteau, which contains engravings and descrip- tions of one hundred and sixty-nine varieties. They are arranged as sweet Oranges, of which they describe 42 sorts ; bitter and sour Oranges, 32 sorts; Bergamots, 6 sorts; Limes, 8 sorts ; Shaddocks, 6 sorts ; Lumes, 12 sorts ; Le- mons, 46 sorts ; Citrons, 17 sorts. All the species of Citrus endure the open air at Nice, Genoa, and Naples ; but at Florence and Milan, and often ORANGE, LEMON, ETC. 97 at Rome, they require protection during the winter, and are generally planted in conservatories and sheds. In England, these trees have been cultivated since 1620 ; they are gene- rally planted in conservatories. Loudon says that in the south of Devonshire, and particularly at Saltcombe, may be seen, in a few gardens, Orange trees that have withstood the winter in the open air upward of a hundred years. The fruit is as large and fine as any from Portugal. Trees raised from seed, and inoculated on the spot, are found to bear the cold better than trees imported. At Nuneham, near Oxford, are some fine old trees, plant- ed under a movable case, sheltered by a north wall. In summer, the case is removed, and the ground turfed over, so that the whole resembles a native Orange grove. The au- thor of this work, being a native of Abingdon, which ia within three miles of the Earl of Harcourt's estate, has had frequent opportunities of tasting the fruit, which he believes to be equal to that of warmer climates. At Woodhall, near Hamilton, trees of all the species of Citrus are trained against the back walls of forcing-houses, and produce large crops of fruit. Any of the varieties of the Orange, Lemon, Lime, Shad- dock, Citron, &c., may be grafted or budded on stocks of the common Orange or Lemon ; but the seed of Shaddocks and Citrons produce the strongest stocks ; and on these may be grafted such kinds as may be needed for a conservatory. The most suitable time for budding is July and August; but this operation may be performed at any time when the sap is in motion. The directions for the management of green, house plants, apply also to this family of plants, to which I refer my readers. A friend of mine, who is a native of Rouen, in Normandy, informs me, that a Mr. Valee, of that city, succeeds in clearing about twelve thousand francs per annum from the flowers of Orange trees, which are distilled for essences, &c. 98 PEACH. PEACH. PECHER. Jlmygdahis Persica. IT is generally considered that the Peach is of Persian origin. In Media, it is deemed unwholesome ; but when planted in Egypt, becomes pulpy, delicious, and salubrious. It has been cultivated, time immemorial, in most parts of Asia; when it was introduced into Greece, is uncertain. The best Peaches in Europe are supposed to be grown in Italy, on standards. The list of Peaches in the London Catalogue, contains about two hundred and fifty-names, fifty of which are deno- minated American Peaches. Several attempts have been made to class the varieties of Peaches and Nectarines by the leaf and flower, as well as the fruit. Mr. Robertson, a nur- seryman at Kilkenny, has founded his arrangement on the glands of the leaves ; and Mr. George Lindley, of London, has, in a peculiarly distinct manner, arranged no fewer than one hundred and fifty-five sorts of Peaches and Nectarines in well-defined divisions and sections. There are various instances on record, (Hort. Trans, vol. i- p. 103,) of both fruits growing on the same tree, even on the same branch ; and one case has occurred of a single fruit partaking of the nature of both. The French consider them as one fruit, arranging them in four divisions ; the Pcches, or freestone Peaches ; the Peches lisses, or freestone Nectarines, or free- stone Peaches ; the Pavies, or clingstone Peaches ; and the Brognons, or Nectarines, or clingstone smooth Peaches. Although this fruit will thrive in any sweet, pulverized soil that is properly prepared, a rich sandy loam is the most suitable. Next to the selection and preparation of a suitable soil, a choice of good healthy trees is of the utmost import ance. The seed for stocks should be selected from the vigorous growing young, or middle-aged healthy trees ; and the buds should be taken from some of the choicest fruit- PEACH. 99 bearing trees that can be found. Let the stocks be fairly tested before they are budded, and if any infection exist in the stocks, or in the vicinity of where the choice of buds may fall, reject them if you wish to rear a healthy progeny; as more depends upon these particular points than many are aware of. In this country, the Peach is generally budded on stocks of its own kind ; but in England it is often budded on damask Plum stocks, and some of the more delicate sorts on Apricot stocks, or old Apricot trees cut down ; or on seedling Peaches, Almonds, or Nectarines. (See article Nectarine.) Cobbett says, " There are thousands of Peach trees in England and France that are fifty years old, and that are still in vigorous fruitful ness." He attributes the swift decay of the Peach tree here to their being grafted on stocks of their kind. Mr. Michael Floy, of the Harlaem Nursery, in a note, page 364 of the American edition of Lindley's Guide to the Orchard and Fruit Garden, edited by him, makes the follow- ing observations on this subject, which he says are the result of thirty years' experience as a nurseryman in the vicinity of New- York : " In this country Peaches are generally budded on Peach stocks. Their growth is very rapid, and they will form a tree large enough to transplant from the nursery, the first and second year after budding ; but notwithstanding the rapid growth of our Peaches, and their coming to maturity so early, with but litile care and trouble, it must at the. same time be admitted that they too often come to decay with almost the same celerity. A question here will naturally arise on this subject, what can be done to remedy this ? I answer, first, I think the Peach stock is defective ; it is not sufficiently strong and lasting to make a permanent tree ; the roots are soft and delicate, very liable to rot in cold heavy ground, particularly if suffered to stand in a sod, or where the ground is not kept clean, dry, and manured every 100 PEACH. season. Secondly. Supposing that the trees are planted in a warm free soil, (which is the proper soil for the Peach,) they are liable to the attacks of the worm, which eats into their roots, and barks the trees all round, until they com- pletely destroy them. No better method of destroying these worms has been discovered, than simply digging round the trees, and examining the infested plants, and where gum is seen oozing out, there the worm may be generally found and destroyed. " I think an effectual remedy against this intruder may be found, by budding Peaches and Nectarines on the common bitter ALMOND STOCK. The worm does not like this stock. Peaches will take on it, and grow nearly as free as on the common Peach stock. Thirdly. The Peach stock causes the Peaches and Nectarines to grow too rapidly, making very strong shoots, these producing secondary or lateral shoots ; and the fruit of the following summer is produced on the top of these lateral shoots, instead of being produced on the principal or first shoots ; this causes naked wood at the bottom, and a straggling, unsightly tree, whose branches being heavy at the top with the fruit, are broken down by high winds. Fourthly. In addition to all this, the trees are of late years subject to what has been deemed a disease called the yellows, from the circumstance of the trees having a yellow and sickly appearance. Much curious philosophy has been spent on this subject without arriving at any satis* factory conclusion." Mr. Floy, after discovering that the Almond stock is susceptible of injury from our Northern winters in extreme cold weather, farther recommends the Plum stock in cold latitudes, and the Almond for our Southern States. Hear him: "The Plum stock is undoubtedly the best for Peaches and Nectarines in the Northern and Eastern States, but especially for open dwarfs or espaliers, for which I give the following reasons : First. The Plum stock prevents the PEACH. 101 too rapid growth of the shoots, and causes the principals to bear the fruit the following season, instead of producing lateral shoots the same season, and causing the tree to be more dwarf; the branches strong and fruitful to the bottom of the shoot, thereby having more fruit in a smaller compass. Secondly. It makes harder and less pithy wood, and enables it the better to withstand the cold ; and this may be easily proved by cutting the branches of each : the shoot on the Plum stock will be twice as hard and firm as the one on the Peach stock ; but, Thirdly, and the most important reason is, that the Plum ceases to send up its sap early in autumn, causing the Peach to perfect its wood befoijs ,tfiB cold weaihetf sets in." As the failure of this fruit of lane %ypa,rc has eJjcitsc} a$n^ siderable discussion and observation, which increases in interest annually, I will offer an exposition of my views on the subject, by a comparison between vegetable and animal matter, which I humbly conceive bear a striking analogy to each other. If the reader should deem my arguments vision- ary, or speculative, I would remind him that the grave im- portance of the subject fully justifies this or any othei attempt at elucidation. Having, in article Nectarine, shown the error of deep planting all descriptions of trees and plants, I would here observe, that a tree brought into a state of disease, by which the circulation of its nutrimental juices is impeded, and its bark injured, is very similarly situated to a timber post in- serted in the soil ; which every one knows will rot between earth and air, however sound its other parts may be. In venturing a comparison between vegetable and animal matter, I would first refer the reader to article Chestnut, where I have shown that a chestnut tree has been known to live over a thousand years ; and that its timber, cut in proper season, is supposed to be in durability commensurate with the age of the growing tree. It is also recorded in history, that animal subjects preserved on the Egyptian principle, 9* 102 PEACH. have been known to keep as long as the most durable tim- ber; while daily experience shows, that corrupt animal and vegetable substances, not only become a prey to the most noxious insects and reptiles, but will generate them in incal culable numbers. It is also evident, that a tree deprived of its functions or means of growing luxuriantly, is in a similar situation to a diseased animal. If disease be not checked before the juices of the tree become putrid, it will not only die, but will contaminate the earth in which it is planted, to the destruc- tion of its neighbouring inmates of the garden or field. All experienced nurserymen admit this to be the case with dis- eased Peach trees," ami s.ome have actually abandoned their Pe^cb * 01 cbarcb, and choSen fresh ground for new planta- tions. * It is precisely the same with smaller vegetable plants. A diseased Cabbage, for instance, by its excremental and cor- rupt juices being spent in the ground, will render the culti- vation of the same or allied species a casualty ; and daily observation teacheth, that young and thrifty plants often fall a prey to worms and reptiles which were generated by a previous crop. It is, moreover, evident that all those enemies of the veget- able family feed on the same descriptions of vegetable mat- ter which first generated them ; hence the Peach insects feed on its fruit in embryo, as well as in a state at, and even beyond, perfection ; the Cabbage worms prey on plants of the same genera or species; and I have no doubt but the cotton worms prefer the same description of vegetable mat- ter which gave them birth, and that when these insects and reptiles cannot obtain the parts which are the most palatable to them, or congenial to their nature, they will feed upon diseased trees, plants, or any other matter which contain similar juices or nutriment. I again repeat, that the best security against their depredations is health and soundness. A good sound healthy tree, planted and cultivated upon cor- PEACH. 103 reel principles, may be justly considered as invulnerable to the attacks of insects and reptiles, as any species of healthy animal creatuie in existence. As I have been more familiar with the cultivation of veget- ables than fruits, I would state farther my views relative to the Cabbage tribe. On New- York Island, in the vicinity of the city, it is customary with gardeners to cut their Cabbages gradually as they are required for market, and often to leave their roots standing; these by some are ploughed under, where they not only feed, but generate their peculiar species of insects. Some gardeners take their roots and leaves to the cattle yard or dung'heap, and return them back to the garden the ensuing season in the shape of manure. As a consequence of such practice, good Cabbages are very sel- dom obtained, even after a routine of other crops, for two or three years. With a view to illustrate the evil of deep planting, I would observe farther, that when Cabbage plants are transplanted in proper season and on good fresh soil, they generally prove uniformly good ; whereas, if it should happen, as it some- time does for want of suitable weather, that the plants can- not be transplanted until they get crooked and overgrown, so as to require deep planting to support them in the soil, such plants, like diseased Peach trees> decay first in the bark, between earth and air, and then, from being deprived of a natural circulation of the vegetable juices, die, and dis- charge their putrid matter in the earth, to the destruction of such other plants as may be inserted in their stead. I have frequently known a land of Cabbage plants filled up half a dozen times, and the crop at last scarcely worth gathering, whereas, could the plants have been set out while dwarfish, and inserted their proper depth in the ground, the cultivator would have been rewarded a hundred fold. I dislike tautology, but cannot avoid repeating my humble opinion, that deep planting and injudicious culture are the causes of most of the diseases and failures of fruit trees ; and 104 PEACH. in this way I account for Peaches being less plentiful than they were when left almost to nature, which was the case, I am informed, in the beginning of the present century. That this malpractice in horticulture is very general, the most superficial observer may discover, by comparing the thrifty growth of those trees scattered by nature in our highways aud byways with many of those aided by the art of man. If any of my readers should require proof of my assertions, I can show them from the window of the room where this article is being written, scores of living, or rather dying evi- dences of the evil of deep planting. All the varieties of the Peach produce their fruit upon the young wood of a year old, the blossom buds rising immedi- ately from the eyes of the shoots. The same shoots seldom bear after the first year, except on some casual small spurs on the two years' wood, which is not to be counted upon. Hence the trees are to be pruned as bearing entirely on the shoots of the preceding year, and a full supply of regular grown shoots must be retained for successional bearers. Cut out the redundant shoots, and all decayed and dead wood, and reduce some of the former bearers, cutting the most naked quite away. A Peach Orchard may be planted at any time after the bud is established, until the trees are three or four years old, which may be placed from fifteen to twenty feet from each other, or from any other spreading trees. The dwarf kinds may be introduced into the kitchen garden, and trained against fences, as directed for the Apricot, or as espaliers, or dwarf standards. DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF PEACHES. 106 SELECT DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF PEACHES. FREESTONE PEACHES. ASTOR. An excellent variety, originating in the city of New- York ; the fruit is above medium size; skin pale yellow, with red cheek ; flesh melt- ing and pleasant flavoured ; juice sweet and plentiful ; ripe the latter end of August and early in September. BKERS'S RED RARERIPE, Middltto:rn late Red Rareripe. Fruit very large, of oblong shape ; skin nearly white, with a red cheek ; flesh firm, juicy, and high flavoured. This variety originated with Joseph Beers, of Middletown, New-Jersey ; it ripens there from the middle to the end of September, and is represented as a good market fruit. BELLE DE VITRY, Admirable Tardive, Bellis, Beauty of Vilry. A large fruit, of tine red colour next the sun, on the opposite side a yellowish white; flesh white, stained with red at the stone ; firm, juicy, sweet, vinous and excellent ; ripe early in September. BELLEGRADE, Galande, Violette Hative, Noire de Montreuil Smooth Leaved Royal George of some- The tree is vigorous and productive ; fruit above medium size, globular ; skin greenish yellow, and on the sunny eide rich deep red, with dark purple streaks ; flesh pale yellow, very melt- ing, saccharine and juicy; a first rate fruit, early in September. BUONAPARTE. A fine early variety, introduced by Joseph Buonaparte, and recommended by Caleb R. Smith, of Burlington, New-Jersey, as being the best market fruit known at that place ; its colour is red, mottled with yellow ; flesh melting ; juice sweet and delicious, in August. BREVOORT'S SEEDI ING MELTER, Brevoorfs Morris. A superior Peach, raised by Henry Brevoort, Esq., of New-York ; skin of a dingy white colour, with red cheek ; flesh white, firm, rich, and sugary ; ripe by the middle of August. COLUMBIA. Fruit of medium size ; skin rough and thin : colour dull red ; flesh yellow, fibrous, similar to a pineapple, juicy and rich. It is supposed that this Peach originated with Mr. Cox. It is a singular variety. COOLEDGE'S FAVOURITE, Cooledge's early Red Rareripe. A large hand- some globular fruit ; skin red, tinged with crimson ; flesh very melting, juicy, and of delicious flavour, in August The tree is vigorous and very productive. CRAWFORD'S EARLY MELOCOTON, Early Crawford. Fruit large, oblong; skin yellow and red ; flesh yellow, juicy, sweet, with an agreeable acidity. It originated with Mr. Crawford, Middletown, New-Jersey. The tree is a great bearer, and the fruit is considered one of the most marketable varie- ties, in August and September. CRAWFORD'S LATE MALACATUNE. Fruit very large, round ; skin yel- low and red ; flesh yellow, sweet, juicy, and excellent. It is highly esti- mated at Middletown for its productiveness and adaptation for market ; in September and October. DOUBLE MONTAGNK, Sion, Eearly Double Mountain, Montauban. A beautiful and excellent Peach of middle size ; skin greenish white, but soft red, marbled with a deeper red next the sun ; flesh white and melting juice plentiful and highly flavoured j ripe in August 106 DESCRIPTIVE LIST OP PEACHES. EARLY ORANGE, Orange Freestone, Yellow Rareripe, Yellow Malacaton, Golden Rareripe, Early Yetknv. Fruit under a medium size, inclining to the oval shape, apex full, with a small tip ; skin greenish yellow ; flesh a fine yellow ; juice rich and sweet, but riot plentiful ; ripe in August and September. There are several varieties under the same name, some of which are inferior to the true Orange Peach. EARLY ROYAL GEORGE. Red Magdalen of Prince. A superior variety, of medium size, and rather globular form ; skin yellow, with red cheek; flesh melting and delicious; in August. There are several varieties culti- vated under this name, differently described. EASTBURN'S CHOICE. Fruit large, nearly round ; skin pale yellow, with a red blush ; flesh yellowish white ; juice exceedingly pleasant and spright- ly ; in September and October. The tree is represented as hardy, luxuri- ant and vigorous, by the Editor of Hoffy's Orchardists' Companion of Philadelphia, from whence this description is taken. EMPEROR OF RUSSIA, Serrated Leaf, New Cut-Leaved Unique. The fruit of this species is deeply cleft, one half of it projecting considerably beyond the other; the skin is downy, of a brownish yellow and red colour ; flesh melting ; juice sweet and delicious; towards the end of August This sort was found by Mr. Floy, in New-Jersey, 1809, and all the stones of this fruit are said to produce plants with jagged leaves. GEORGE THE FOURTH. An excellent Peach, of medium size and globu- lar shape ; of pale yellow colour in the shade, and dark red next the sun ; flesh yellow, but red at the stone, from which it separates ; a fruit of very superior flavour when dt maturity, which is early in September. It origin- ated in the garden of Mr. Gill, Broad-street, New-York. GREEN NUTMKG, Early Anne, Avant Blanche. This early variety is said to have originated in Berkshire, England. The fruit is small ; its colour yellowish green ; its pulp melting, juicy, of very pleasant flavour, and ripens in July and August. Murray's Early Anne is a variety raised from the seed of this. It is esteemed for its early maturity. GROSSE MIGNONNE, Veloutee de Merlet, Grimwood's Royal George, Large French Mignonne, Vineuse, according to Lindley ; and the following syno- nymes are added by Kenrick : Belle Beaute, Smnotfi-leaved Royal George, Royal Souverain, Pourpre de Normandie, Royal Kensington, Early Vine- yard, Transparent, and Morris's Red Rareripe. One of the most beautiful and delicious varieties in cultivation. Fruit large, depressed, hollow at the summit, with a deepish sature ; skin rather downy, of rich deep red, thickly mottled on a yellowish ground; flesh pale yellow, rayed with red at the stone ; melting, juicy, and of a rich vinous flavour, when in perfection, which is early in September. HEATH FREESTONE, Kenrick1 s Heath. This variety was first obtained from the late General Heath, of Roxbury, near Boston. The fruit is very large, oblong and beautiful, frequently weighing half a pound ; colour pale yellowish green, with crimson or violet next the sun ; its flesh is melting, juicy, rich, vinous, and agreeably acid; ripens in September and October. HOFFMAN'S POUND, Morrison's Pound, Hoffman's Favourite. This fruit is by some called the Morrissania, from its having been first obtained by Mr. Floy from Governeur Morris ; but it originated with Martin Hoff- man, Esq., of New-York. The fruit is very large ; skin brownish white DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF PEACHES. 107 and red ; flesh yellow, firm, very juicy and delicious, parting from the stone; greatly esteeemed from its ripening late in September and October. LATE ADMIRABLE, lioya.lt, Royal, Sourdine. Teton dr. Venus of Prince and Downing. Fruit large, roundish, inclining to oblong ; sature deeply impressed along one side, having the flesh swelling boldly and equally on both sides, with a slight impression on the summit ; skin downy, of pale green colour, streaked with dull tawny red ; flesh white, delicate, melting, juicy and high flavoured ; a magnificent Peach, ripening in September. MALTA, Pecfte Multe, Belie de Paris, Malta de Nieuet Poire de Limon, Poire de Seigneur, Poire Monsieur, Valencia, White Beurre, Virgalieu of some collections. Fruit pretty large ; roundish ob- long; skin pale citron yellow, with cinnamon russet, speckled; flesh white, juicy, very buttery, and delicious ; ripe in September and October. An old, and once celebrated variety, still admired by many, although excluded from some nurseries, or cultivated under new names. WILKINSON. A native Pear from Cumberland, H. I. The tree bears young, and is very fruitful ; size above medium; form oblong; skin yel- low, with a brownish blush near the sun ; flesh white, juicy, and melting ; at perfection in October and November. WINTER FRUIT. D'AREMBERO, Beurre d'Arembert, Due d'Aremberg, Poire tfAremberg, Beurre Deschamps, Beurre des Orphelins of Peschamps, Colmar Deschamps. The English and French writers speak of this Peai DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF PEARS. 121 as one of the best in cultivation. The tree is a great bearer, comes early into cultivation, and the fruit will keep till March. Fruit large, turhmate; skin of a delicate pale green, dotted with russet, which becomes of a deeper yellow at maturity ; flesh whitish, fine, very juicy, perfectly melting, and \ery extraordinarily rich, sweet, high flavoured and excellent. BKUHRE DIEL, Diefs Butterbirne, Dorothce Royalty Beurre de Yelle, Beurre Roy ale. Poire de Melon. Beurre Incomparable of some. This ranks amongst the best of Pears. The tree is of vigorous growth ; fruit, when in perfection, four inches long, and three inches broad ; the skin at maturity is bright orange, with reddish russet ; flesh clear white, melting, juicy, and of a delicious aromatic flavour; from November to January. BEURRE RANGE, Beurre Epine, Hardenpont de Printemps. This is said to be a first-rate Pear. The tree is vigorous, and a good bearer; fruit mid- dle sized, oblong ; skin deep green, with russetty specks ; flesh green, melting, having a rich delicious flavour, with very little acid. It shrivels in ripening, but will keep till April. BEZY VAET, Bezy de Saint Vanst. A most excellent Pear, somewhat the shape of the Swan's. Egg, but larger ; skin dull green, covered with russetty spots ; flesh yellowish ; perfectly melting, sweet and agreeably perfumed ; at perfection in November and December. CATILLAC. Fruit very large, rather turbinate ; pale yellow, stained with red; flesh firm and breaking; its flavour astringent; an excellent baking Pear; from November to April. Specimens of this variety have been known to weigh upward of two pounds. CHAUMONTEI., Bezy de Chaumontelle, Poire de Chaumontelle, Beurre d'Hiver. This noble old variety is a fruit varying in size, from large to very large ; its colour at maturity yellow, tinged with brownish red next the sun ; its form variable ; flesh melting, juicy, sweet, musky, excellent ; in season from November to February. COLMAU, Colmar Souverain. Poire Marine, Bergamotte Tardive, Incom- parable- This fruit is rather large ; skin smooth, of a green colour, changing to 4 yellow at maturity ; form pyramidal ; flesh melting, juicy, saccharine, and of excellent flavour. The fruit is in perfection from No- vember to February. COLUMBIA, Columbian Virgalieu. A large native pear of oblong or pyramid form, and fine yellow colour, tinged with red ; flesh rich, firm, juicy, and excellent ; from November to January. Tree productive and of very handsome form. EASTER BEURRX, Bergamotte de la Pentecote, Beurre d'Hiver de Brux- elles, Doyenne d'Hiver, de Bruxelles, Bezi Chaumontelle Tres Gros. Of all the late keeping Pears, this is considered the best (for England.) Fruit large, roundish, oblong; colour green, but yellow at maturity, with specks of russet brown ; flesh yellowish white, perfectly buttery and melting, also extremely high flavoured ; it is eatable in November, and will keep till May ; it is a most profuse bearer, on a quince stock. ECHASSERY, Bezy de Chassery, Bezy de Landry, Poire d'(Etif,Ambrette, Walnut, Tilton of New-Jersey. Fruit middle size, of a roundish turbinate figure, something like a Citron, or the Ambrette ; skin smooth, greenish yellow, with grey specks ; flesh melting, juicy and delicious ; from Decem- ber to March. 122 DESCRIPTIVE LIST OP PEARS. GLOUT MORCEAU, G'oux Morceaux* Beurre d'Aremberg. Roi de Wurt- emburg, Gloria. Colmar d'hiver of Prince, and Beurre de Harden pout of Downing. A very large BeUic variety, of jjreat excellence ; fruit of ovalish form, pale green colour, inclining to yellow, with russctty specks and blotches ; flesh whitish, firm, very juicy and excellent; in perfection from November to March. LEWIS. This variety originated on the farm of Mr. I. Lewis, of Roxbu- ry, Mass. The size is medium ; form somewhat globular ; skin, when ripe, a greenish yellow; the flesh is white, very melting, juicy and excel- lent; from November to March. The tree grows quick, and bears abun- dance of fruit. LOUISE BONNE DE JERSEY, Louise Bonne d'Avranches. A large Pear ; oblong; a good substitute for the old St. Germain,- skin yellowish green, sometimes tinged wilh red ; flesh extremely tender, and full of an excellent saccharine, well flavoured juice. A first-rate fruit, from October till after Christmas. NEWTOWN VERGALEAU. A large Pear, of a yellow colour, with a very short stalk ; the tree grows very crooked and of an irregular form, bending by the weight of its fruit, which is excellent to preserve, or for baking ; from November to January. Its productiveness renders it desirable in an orchard. PASSE COLMAR, Fondante de Panisel, Passe Colmar Gris dit Precet, Poire Precel, Passe Colmar, Epineux, Beurre Colmar Gris dit Precel Beurre d'Argenson, Present de Malines, Colmar souverain, Chrui ; orange scarlet colour, and very delic.ous flavour ; ripe early in July. GARNSTONE SCARLET. A fine, highly esteemed scarlet variety, of large size, roundish form and peculiarly rich flavour, which ripens early in June. ELTON, Elton Pine Strawberry. Fruit very large ; form heart shaped, or obtusely conical; colour bright dark scarlet ; flesh firm, rosy red; flavour very rich, spicy, aromatic and agreeable. A beautiful drawing of this fruit is given in " HofFy's Orchardist's Companion," from whence the above description was taken. GROVE END SCARLET, Atkinson's Scarlet. A seedling raised by Wm. Atkinson, at Grove End, Marylebone, in 1820; fruit large, oblate, of a bright vermillion colour, and rich flavour ; ripe by the middle of June. HOVEY'S SEF.DLING. This favourite variety was raised by Messrs. Hovey & Co., of Boston, in 1834. Fruit very large ; form round, or slightly ovate, conical ; colour «leep shining red, paler in the shade ; flesh scarlet, and firm, abounding in an agreeable acid, and high flavoured juice, not sur- passed by any other variety ; ripe early in July. HUDSON'S BAY, American Scarlet, Velvet Scarlet, Large Hudson. Fruit large, of ovate form; represented by Mr. Downing as the best for market ; early in July. MONTHLY RED ALPINE. Fruit of medium size, and conical form ; con- tinues bearing fruit moderately from June till winter. MYATT'S BRITISH QUEEN. The fruit of this celebrated variety is said to be of monstrous size ; in form roundish, and in quality firsi-rate ; about the middle of July. MYATT'S PINE. A medium sized fruit of ovate form, and very rich fla- voured; ripening in July. PRINCE ALBERT. A new variety lately raised in London, represented as a large fruit of ovate form, very splendid in appearance, and delicious in flavour ; ripe in July. PRINCE'S NEW PINE. An excellent seedling variety of large size and ovate form. Raised by Wm. R. Prince, of Flushing; ripe early in July. ROSEBERRY MONTEVIDEO, Montevideo Early Scarlet. An improved American seedling, from the common Roseberry : of large size, conical form, and fine flavour; ripe early in July. SWAINSTONE'S SEEDLING. This variety is described as large, ovate, and of the very first quality, ripening one crop early in June, and a second crop in autumn. VICTORIA, Higgins's Seedling. The fruit of this variety is greatly esteemed : it is extra large, of roundish form, and exquisite flavour ; early in July. WARREN'S SEEDLING, Warren's Methven. This is represented as a peculiar fruit, being of large size, and in form nearly flat ; it is moreover of I rich pine-apple flavour, and yields abundantly throughout the month of July. WHITE BUSH ALPINE, New White Alpine. A medium sized berry, of ovate form and agreeable flavour : the plant has no runners, and ripens its fruit in June and July. 140 WALNUT. All the species and varieties of this fruit are highly esti- mated in Britain, where they are cultivated in great perfec- tion. Berries have been known to weigh from one to two ounces, which have been grown to the circumference of eight inches and upward. It may be gratifying to the lovers of this excellent fruit to be informed that some of the best kinds are attainable here. The late Jesse Buel, Esq., of Albany, informed us, in the Albany Argus, of June 23, 1830, that he had grown the Downton, (a variety of the Chili, crossed by Mr. Knight,) two years in succession, 4$ inches in circumference. He said, that " he picked a pailful that morning of the Methven Scarlet Strawberry, which had an average circumference of three inches each. Several mea- sured four inches, and one four and a quarter inches. Sixty- three, divested of the calyx, weighed a pound, which is a trifle more than four to the ounce." Several of the choicest kinds have been lately transplanted from the London Socie- ty's Garden into the American Nurseries, and some fine native seedlings have been lately propagated, which will bear comparison with many of the best foreign varieties. WALNUT NOYER. Juglans. FROM the circumstance of our having an abundance of the fruit, from the many species of this genus of trees growing spontaneously around us, it is presumed that the culture of the Juglans regia, commonly called English Walnut, or Madeira Nut, has been neglected by many of our citizens. It is a native of Persia, and is cultivated in France, England, and in other parts of Europe, both as a fruit and timber tree. The fruit, in England, is mnch used in a green state for pickling, and also as an adulteration of soy sauce. In France, an oil, which supplies the place of that of Almonds, WALNUT. 141 is made from the kernel. In Spain, they strew the gratings of old and hard nuts, first peeled, into their tarts and other meats. The leaves strewed on the ground, and left there, annoy moles, or macerated in warm water, afford a liquor which will destroy them. The unripe fruit is used in medi- cine for the purpose of destroying worms in the human body. Pliny says, "the more Walnuts one eats, with the more ease will he drive worms out of the stomach." The timber is considered lighter, in proportion to its strength and elasticity, than any other, and therefore com- monly used in England for gun stocks. It is used in cabi- net work in most parts of Europe ; the young timber is allowed to make the finest coloured work, but the old to be finest variegated for ornament. When propagated for tim- ber, the nut is sown ; but when fruit is the object, inarching from the branches of fruit- bearing trees is preferable. Bud- ding is also practised by some ; the buds succeed best when taken from the base of the annual shoots ; ordinary sized buds from the upper part of such shoots generally fail. Walnut trees that have not been grafted or budded, may be induced to produce blossoms by ringing the bark, that is, cutting out a streak of the bark around the body or main branches of the tree. Walnut trees seldom yield much fruit until fifteen or twenty years old ; it is produced on the extremities of the preceding year's shoots. The trees should stand forty or fifty feet apart, and they may be permitted to branch out in their natural order. They need but little pruning, merely to regulate any casual disorderly growth, to reduce over-extended branches, and to prune up the low stragglers. Lest any of our native Walnuts should be neglected or abandoned by any, I annex a description of the different kinds : Julians calharticus, is known under the name of Butter- nut. Oilnut, and white Walnut ; these nuts are used by the Indians as a medicine. 142 WALNUT. Juglans nigra, the black Walnut, is a tree of large size ; its fruit is known to be excellent. Juglans olivceformis, Pecan, or Illinois nut, is delicious. The nuts of Juglans sulcata, which is called thick shell bark, Hickory, and Springfield, and Gloucester nut, are large and well-tasted. The shell bark Hickory, shag bark, or scaly bark Hickory, Juglans alba, is so called on account of its bark, which is torn lengthwise in long loose strips, as in J. sulcata. The Juglans toi*mentosa, the Mucker nut, white heart Hickory, or common Hickory, and most of the other kinds enumerated, are worth preserving; or cultivating where there is none, for its timber for mechanical purposes ; and that of the Juglans glabra, or Hog nut, is useful for brooms, &c. 143 CALENDAR AND INDEX. JANUARY. THE clear icicle shines in the sun's faint beam, Congealed is the river, the lake, and the stream, The trees are all leafless, while sullen winds roar, And Nature benumbed, seems her fate to deplore. As the weather at this season of the year is generally unfavourable to any employment in the Orchard or Fruit Garden, I cannot occupy a few pages more appropriately than in directing the reader's attention to subjects connected with improvements in the several species and varieties of Fruits ; for it must be admitted that there is no kind of fruit, however delicious, that may not be deteriorated, or however worthless, that may not be ameliorated, by particu- lar modes of management ; so that after a given variety shall have been created, its merits may be either elicited or destroyed by the cultivator. In this place those practices only need be considered that tend to improvement. It is an indubitable fact, that all our fruits, without excep- tion, have been so much ameliorated by various circum- stances, that they no longer bear any resemblance in respect of quality to their original. Who, for instance, would recognize the wild parent of the Green Gage Plum in the austere Sloe, or that of the delicious Pippin Apples in the worthless acid Crab 1 Or, what resemblance can be traced between our famous Beurre Pears, whose flesh is so succu- lent, lich and melting, and that hard, stony, astringent fruit, which even birds and animals refuse to eat t Yet these are undoubted cases of improvement, resulting from time and skill patiently and constantly in action. But it would be of little service to mankind that the quality of any fruit should be improved, unless we adopt some efficient and certain 144 CALENDAR AND INDEX. mode of multiplying the individuals when obtained Hence there are two great objects which the cultivator should aim at, viz Amelioration and Propagation. In planting seed for the purpose of procuring improved varieties, care should be taken not only that the seed be selected from the finest existing kinds, but also that the most handsome, the largest, and the most perfectly ripened specimens should be those that supply the seed. A seedling plant will always partake more or less of the character of its parent, the qualities of which are concentrated in the embryo, when it has arrived at full maturity. As this sub- ject has been already discussed in the second part of this work, page 133, 1 shall direct the reader's attention to the operation of Cross Fertilization. This is effected by the action of the pollen of one plant upon the stigma of another. The nature of this action is highly curious. Pollen consists of extremely minute hollow balls or bodies ; their cavity is filled with fluid, in which swim particles of a figure varying from spherical to oblong, and having an apparently spontaneous motion. The stigma is composed of very lax tissue, the intercellular passages of which have a greater diameter than the moving particles of the pollen. "When a grain of pollen comes in contact with the stigma, it bursts, and discharges its contents among the lax tissue upon which it has fallen. The moving particles descend through the tissue of the style, until one, or some- times more, of them finds its way, by routes especially des- tined by nature for this service, into a little opening in the integuments of the ovulum or young seed. Once deposited there, the particle swells, increases gradually in size, sepa- rates into radicle and cotyledons, and finally becomes the embryo, — the part which is to give birth, when the seed is sown, to a new individual. Such being the mode in which the pollen influences the stigma, and subsequently the seed, a practical consequence of great importance necessarily fol- lows, viz., that in all cases of cross fertilization, the new CALENDAR AND INDEX. 145 variety will take chiefly after its polliniferous or male parent ; and that at the same time it will acquire some of the constitutional peculiarities of its mother. Thus the male parent of the Downton Strawberry was the Old Black, the female a kind of Scarlet. In Coe's Golden Drop Plum, the father was the Yellow Magnum Bonum, the mother the Green Gage ; and in the Elton Cherry, the White Heart was the male parent, and the Graffion the female. The limits within which experiments of this kind must be confined are, however, narrow. It seems that cross fertili- zation will not take place at all, or very rarely, between dif- ferent species, unless these species are nearly related to each other : and that the offspring of two distinct species is itself sterile, or if it possesses the power of multiplying itself by seed, its progeny returns back to the state of one or other of its parents. Hence it seldom or never has happened that domesticated fruits have had such an origin. We have no varieties raised between the Apple and the Pear, or the Plum and Cherry, or the Gooseberry and the Currant. On the other hand, new varieties obtained by the intermixture of two pre-existing varieties are not less prolific, but, on the contrary, often more so than either of their parents : wit- ness the numerous sorts of Flemish Pears which have been raised by cross fertilization from bad bearers, within the last thirty years, and which are the most prolific- trees with which gardeners are acquainted ; witness also Mr. Knight's Cherries, raised between the May Duke and the Graffion, and the Coe's Plum already mentioned. It is therefore to the intermixture of the most valuable existing varieties of fruit that gardeners should trust for the amelioration of their stock. By this operation the Pears that are in eating in the spring have been rendered as delicious and as fertile as those of the autumn ; and there is no apparent reason why those very early, but worthless sorts, such as the Muscat Robert, which usher in the season of Pears, should not bs brought to a similar state of perfection. 146 CALENDAR AND INDEX. Lindley recommends the operation of cross fertilization to be performed early in the morning of a dry day ; about sun-rise is a good time to begin, and before the blossom is entirely expanded ; the pollen being at that time humid, is closely attached to the anthers. The blossoms must be care- fully opened and the anthers extracted by delicate scissors, care being taken not to wound the filaments or any other part of the flower. This being done, the matured pollen from another variety must be carefully placed on the blossom which it is intended to fertilize, and from which the anthers have been extracted ; and this operation must be repeated twice or three times in the course of the day. By shaking the blossoms over a sheet of white paper, the time when it is perfectly matured will be ascertained. It is necessary to protect the prepared blossom from bees and other insects with thin book-muslin, or gauze, till a swelling is perceived in the germ. When the process has been successful, the pollen which has been placed on the stigma becomes so attached that it cannot be removed with a hair pencil ; it changes form and colour, and soon disappears, and the blos- som will soon wither and fade ; but when the process has been imperfect, the pollen is easily detached from the stig- ma, its appearance is unaltered, and it remains visible with the duration of the flower, which will continue a long time. For further information on these subjects, see Outlines of the First Principles of Horticulture, pages 120 to 140 of the second part of this work. CLAENDAR AND INDEX. 147 FEBRUARY. Without 'tis a desert, too bleak for a ram, Within we have one — merely Apples and Jam, Preserved for the season, with skill and with care, By the hands of the thrifty, the good, and the fair ! As the season for pruning fruit trees and vines com- mences in the various parts of our country at different periods, according to the climate, I would submit a few general remarks on the subject, with a view to prepare the gardener for the performance of the work in a skilful man- ner, and at the proper season ; for be it remembered that untimely or injudicious pruning may produce injury instead of benefit, and in many cases defeat the real object of the operation. Having given ample directions for the cultivation of the various species of fruit, I would recommend the novice to peruse every article before he enters upon the work of the garden ; he will there discover that no single rule will apply to every kind of fruit ; first, because the mode of bearing is different in almost every distinct species ; secondly, because the sap rises earlier and continues longer in the branches of some species than in others ; and thirdly, because some trees, as the Plum for instance, is apt to gum, if pruned too soon in the season, and the grape vine to bleed if delayed too long. For the above, and other reasons that may be given, the gardener should examine all his fruit trees fre- quently in this month, with his implements at hand, and if circumstances will not admit of a general pruning, he may cut off dead branches, and clear trees from moss and canker, also search for the nests of insects, and destroy them while in a torpid state. This will assist the natural efforts of the trees, in cashing off the crude and undigested juices, which if confined in them will in a short time destroy them, or some of their branches. As soon as the severity of the winter is over, the hardy 148 CALENDAR AND INDEX. and half hardy grape-vines should be judiciously pruned, by cutting out old branches which produced fruit the preceding year, as well as all superfluous and weak young shoots, leaving the strong summer shoots for bearers the coming season, which should be judiciously trained as recommended in articles, pages 21 and 72. In pruning all descriptions of trees, some general rules may be observed. In cutting out defective branches, prune close to the healthy wood, and also shorten such shoots as have been injured by the winter, to the full extent, or even a few inches beyond, where damage has been sus- tained. In pruning healthy young trees the limbs should not be too closely pruned, because this would occasion more lateral shoots to put forth than is beneficial to the tree ; which, if not rubbed off in the summer, while quite young, and as it were herbaceous, they will form crowded branches, which may not yield good fruit. In doing this disbudding, how- ever, care must be taken to leave shoots in a suitable direc- tion, sufficient for the formation of an open and handsome head to the tree, according to its kind. It may be observed, farther, that in the event of young trees, taken from the nursery, being deficient in fibrous roots, as is sometimes the case, close pruning may be neces- sary to maintain a proper equilibrium between the roots and the head, but it should be borne in mind, that foliage is as essential to the maintenance of the roots, as roots are neces- sary to the promotion of the growth of the head ; because the secretion of plants being formed in leaves, it follows that secretions cannot take place if leaf buds are destroyed. As vegetation makes rapid progress in our climate after the frost is out of the ground, the gardener should employ himself in unfavourable weather, in providing implements and materials for the performance of the work of the gar- den every fine day, in order that his pruning and planting may be done before the too rapid advance of the sap. CALENDAR AND INDEX. 149 By such management, he will not only promote the wel- fare of his fruit garden, but will save himself much anxiety and labour as the season progresses. For some appropriate hints, relative to the employment of this month, see the Calendar for January and February, in the first part of this work, pages 148 and 149, also page 53 of the second part, and pages 21 and 34 of the third part. Toward the latter end of this month, it will be time to prune and train grape vines in many situations. Provide shreds or strips of woollen cloth about half an inch wide, or list from broad cloth, which is still better ; also small sharp- pointed nails to use in training vines and such fruit-frees as require training. If any removals are contemplated, or if fresh trees or vines are required, arrangements should be made to have them planted as soon as the ground can be brought into good condition. See pages from 9 to 11, also pages 93, 101 to 104. If the kernels of the Apple, Pear, and Quince, and the pits of the Apricot, Cherry, Peach, and Plum were not planted last autumn, as directed, let it be done as soon as the earth can be brought into tillable condition, because exposure to frost is essential to their vegetating. MARCH. The Gard'ner at work, ere the birds pipe a tune, Each fruit-tree inspects, then commences to prune ; The insects destroying, on branches or root, That injure the blossom, or live in the fruit IF the weather be mild this month, considerable work may be done in the fruit garden and orchard, before the ground can be brought into suitable condition for ploughing, digging, or planting. Prune grape vines early in this month, if not done last month, but withhold the knife until you have surveyed the 150 CALENDAR AND INDEX. plant, and selected a full supply of the last summer shoots at regular distances from each other, for bearers the coming Bummer ; cut out the superabundant, with most of the last year's bearers, and naked wood. Prune so that a young shoot will terminate each branch, and shorten the reserved shoots ; the smallest to three or four joints, and the strong ones to ten or twelve. Fasten the vines to trellises as soon as pruned, with list, or shreds of woollen cloth, arranging the general branches from ten to twelve inches' distance, more or less, according to the size of the vines and space allotted for them to grow in. Preserve all strong shoots to make cuttings with, to be planted next month, which will produce vines fit to set out next year. See Observations on Training and Pruning, page 21 ; also, article Grape Vine, 72 to 88. Prune Apple trees, 38; Cherry, 52; Pear, 112; Quince, 132; also, Currant bushes, 59; Gooseberry, 71; cutting out all crowded branches, worn-out bearers, and decayed wood. If not done in the autumn, plantations may be made this month of all the above species. Cut out and destroy all the old stems of Raspberry shrubs, reserving three or four of the strongest young shoots on each stool ; shorten them at the top, and take away all others, the strongest of which may be transplanted to form a new bed. Lay the trailing varieties for propagation, 134. In transplanting trees, care should be taken that the col- lar, or that part from which emanate the main roots, be not inserted too deep in the soil, as this injures the bark, and, consequently, impedes the natural circulation of the juices. A medium sized tree may be planted one inch deeper than it was in the nursery bed, and the largest should not exceed two or three inches, 9, 93, 101 and 125. Plant cuttings and suckers of Gooseberries and Currants, also, of such fruit trees as produce them, in order to raise stocks to bud and graft upon ; fruit stones and kernels may also be planted for the same purpose. Young trees, shrubs, and vines may be obtained at public CALENDAR AND INDEX. 151 nurseries, in different stages of growth, suited for general planting; and others sufficiently advanced for immediate bearers ; these should be carefully taken up, and replanted. For full information on this subject, the reader is referred to the article, 'On the Choice of Fruit Trees in the Nursery/ page 32. Toward the end of the month is a good time to prepare for the cultivation of Cranberries ; they thrive best in a wet soil, but will grow on almost any land, by giving it a top- dressing of peat, bog, or swamp earth. As soon as such ground can be brought into tillable condition, get plants that were produced from layers of the last season, and set them out in rows about two feet apart ; they will soon cover the ground by their runners, which, on being layed, will produce an abundance of plants well adapted for additional plantations in succeeding years. See page 57. Provide Cedar or Chestnut stakes for the purpose of driving into the ground, to protect newly planted trees from injury by the wind. APRIL. No advocate he for a long morning nap, Waking early, he plants ere the rise of the sap ; Whilst glee and good humour enliven his face, More happy, by far, than his Lordship or Grace. FINISH pruning hardy fruit trees the early part of this month; also Apricot, 47; Almond, 51; Fig, 63; Mulberry, 90; Nectarine, 91; Peach, 104; Plum, 125; not forgetting such trees, vines, and shrubs as may have been left undone last month. At the same time manure and dig the ground around every fruit tree that requires it. Prepare the ground for planting, by digging, trenching, and manuring, either generally, or in such particular places as are allotted for the trees to be planted in, page 9. 152 CALENDAR AND INDEX. This is the most proper season for planting the Apricot, Almond, Fig, Grape, Mulberry, Nectarine, Peach, and all such fruit trees, vines, or shrubs as originated in warm cli- mates. Apple, Cherry, Pear, Plum, Quince and other hardy fruit trees, may also be planted with safety early in this month; but autumn is considered the most favourable season for planting all trees, vines, or shrubs of northern latitude, 10, 93, 101 and 125. Those who have a variety of soil should accommodate all the varied kinds of fruit to that which has been proved to be the best adapted to its culture; and due attention should be paid to situation and aspect, in planting a fruit garden o orchard, 12. Use means to destroy insects while in a torpid state, to prevent their spreading, and also the larvae of insects ; direc- tions for which will be found in the article headed, ' Obser- vations on Insects, and Diseases to which Fruit Trees are liable,' 13. Grafting may be performed on fruit trees in general, 27; prune and plant Currant bushes, 59; Filbert, 65; Goose- berry, 70; Raspberry, 134. Plant cuttings and suckers from these shrubs; also of such trees as produce them, in order to get a supply of stocks to bud and graft upon, as well as some for bearing. Fruit stones and kernels of various kinds may be planted for the same purpose. This is a good season to plant cuttings of Grape Vines, and the vine may also be propagated by layers, that is, by bending a young shoot down into the earth a few inches, and pinning it down with a forked stick. The top may be tied to a small stake, to keep it perpendicular ; 76 and 81. The tender vines that were laid down in autumn, should be taken up, and fastened to trellises or stakes. Uncover and raise up the Antwerp and other tender varieties of the Raspberry, and prune them, before the buds shoot, at the same time cultivate the ground around them, and drive in stakes for their support. In ordei to obtain a CALENDAR AND INDEX. 153 good supply of Raspberries in the autumn, cut down some of tbe twice bearing varieties close to the ground, which will occasion strong suckers to shoot up, that will yield an abun- dant crop of fruit at a season when other varieties are not attainable, 134. Strawberry beds that were protected with leaves or litter through the winter, should be uncovered, and the plants carefully cultivated ; some lay straw over their beds, an inch or two thick, and set fire to it, 137. As the warm weather progresses, the gardener should be on the alert, in order to conquer the various kinds of insects. Burn damp litter, stubble, leaves, weeds, &c., near fruit trees, and sow the ashes over the ground, IS and 91. MAY. The Gooseberry green the first fruit of the year, In pudding or pie, affords exquisite cheer, But e'en should the season their pleasure forefend. In such a dilemma, green Rhubarb's a friend. FINISH planting trees, vines, and shrubs as early in this month as possible ; those planted last month should be kept watered in dry weather, and stakes should be applied to such as may be exposed to the wind, 93, 101 and 125. Finish grafting early in this month. Apples, Pears, and other late-shooting kinds may still succeed, 27. Strawberry beds may be made early in this month, and if the transplanting is well done, and the plants frequently watered, they will produce some fruit this year, and a plen- tiful supply the next season. Hovey's American Seedling is worthy a place in every good collection for its productive- ness, and the superiority of its fruit. The Methven Scarlet, and Mulberry or Pine, are large and yield plentifully. Kean's Seedling, and also the Downton, are of superior fla- vour. The Elton Seedling, Southborough Seedling, Myatt'a 154 CALENDAR AND INDEX. Seedling, and Bishop's Orange, are in great repute where cultivated. The old Scarlet, being one of the earliest, should not be forgotten. The Wood and the Alpine Straw berry will produce fine fruit from seed sown in the spring. For names of other varieties, mode of planting, &c., see article, page 136. If frost prevail when fruit trees are in blossom, those trained on trellises, or against walls and fences, may be pro- tected by hanging matting or sheets of tow cloth over them; some defend them by sticking bunches of evergreens be- tween the branches, as cedar, laurel, pine, &c. The object in doing this, is not so much to keep out the frost, as to break off the sun's rays in the morning after a. frosty night, because the sudden transition from cold to heat does more injury than the cold itself. Propagate Fig trees by layers, cuttings, suckers, and by grafting, 62. If any webs or larvae of insects appear on the leaves of fruit trees and vines, pluck off and destroy such leaves before the insects become quickened, which may be a means of preventing any depredation to the advancing leaves and buds. The trees of Plum and other stone fruit are very apt to gum and canker at this season of the year : in such cases the defective parts should be pruned closely off, and whale oil soap applied to the wound. A little soot also should be rubbed on while wet. In large fruit gardens and or- chards, means should be used to destroy insects by fumiga- tion, washing, &c. For various remedies, see Observations on Insects, and Diseases to which Fruit Trees are liable, page 13; see, also, article page 30. Divest young budded and grafted trees of all shoots from the stocks, below the bud or graft, as they appear ; also rub off all useless buds in early-shooting wall trees, as Nectarine, Apricots, &c., 48. To protect Gooseberries and other fruits from mildews sprinkle the leaves with soap-suds ; and while they are wet, CALENDAR AND INDEX. 155 sow sulphur lightly over them. This may be done two or three times a week if necessary, as it is better to use a little of the ingredients frequently, than too much at once. A solution made of saltpetre and stone lime is also a good remedy ; buf it must be used with caution. See pages 14 and 71. JUNE. The Cherry, the Currant, and Strawberry red, To the rich and the poor their refreshment have shed ; Pomona has scatter' d her blessings abroad, The full-bearing branches bend down with their load. THE principal business of this month in the fruit garden is summer pruning, which is generally performed with the finger and thumb, by detaching all superfluous shoots and buds; and also to thin the young fruit of Apricot, Nectarine, and other choice trained trees, where it sets too thick or in clusters. The Apricots, so thinned off, and the first princi- pal green fruit, will make excellent pies and tarts. See pages 48 and 92. Cherry trees of the finest sorts may be defended from birds, with nets, particularly those trained as espaliers, 52. Currant and Gooseberry shrubs of choice late varieties, trained as espaliers or standards, if very crowded with shoots of the year, should be pruned, and the Gooseberry fruit thinned, to promote its growth and ripening in full per fection, 59 and 71. All trees on espaliers require attention; cut off such superfluous shoots as are not required to be trained in, leaving well-situated middle-sized shoots to supply the place of any old branches that it may be thought necessary to silt away, 23. Grape Vines should be looked over every week. Cut off all the tendrils and useless young shoots, and stop the shoots before the bunches of fruit. Train up the shoots for bear- 156 CALENDAR AND INDEX. ing next season, and to a proper length, before you stop them, 86. Newly planted trees should be watered in dry hot wea- ther; an occasional hoeing around them will also be bene ficial, but care must be taken not to injure the roots. The trained trees and espaliers should be examined fre- quently, and cleared of dead leaves and insects; which can be done by the hand, with very little trouble. For the destruction of Rose Bugs on Grape Vines and Fruit Trees, see article Grape, page 84. Those who have plenty of Strawberry beds, may, by mowing the tops from some of them while they are in blos- som, obtain a supply of fruit at a season when Strawberries are scarce. The beds will require to be hoed, and watered in dry weather, 136 and 137. JULY. The Margaret Apple, the pride of our dime, With the Apricot, Raspberry, true to their time, Are pleasant companions, as summer e'er met, Though others, as welcome, are coming on yet. THIN the fruit of Apricots, which will be good for pies anu tarts ; thin Nectarines ; also such Peaches and other fruits as may be desired in fall perfection, 48 and 92. Defend choice fruit from birds and insects, such as wasps, flies, &c.; the birds may be kept off by nets, and the insects may be decoyed and drowned, by placing phials of strong liquor, honey, or sugared water near the fruit. If annoyed with ants, place cuttings of reed, hollowed elder or anything of a tube-like kind, in which they will harbour, and may be destroyed by dipping the tubes in hot water. If mildew appear on Grape Vines, syringe them with water, in which a small quantity of saltpetre and stone lime has been infused, (it need not be over strong.) To prevent CALENDAR AND INDEX. 157 any injurious effects from the lime, the vines may be syr- inged alternately with the liquid and pure water, each two or three times a week. A little sulphur dusted over while the leaves are wet is also a good remedy, 14. Look over your trained Fruit Trees and Grape Vines; stop the shoots before the bunches of fruit, and train up such shoots as are reserved for bearing next year. Nip off curled and dead leaves, and destroy insects, 22 and 86. Fig Trees against fences or on trellises will require at- tention ; train up as many young shoots as will be required for bearers next year, and if the leaves are thick, take some off, with a view to expose the fruit to the influence of the eun, which is essential to its ripening with good flavour, 62. Toward the end of this month is the proper season for budding the Nectarine, Peach, Plum, and other species of stone fruit. The Peach stock is often budded when only a year old, but the Plum stock is generally kept in the nursery two or three years 25. Apple and Pear stocks may be budded when two or three years old, but those fruits are generally propagated by graft ing early in the spring. A judicious pruning of Peach, Nectarine, and other kinds of young trees is necessary at this season. To prevent the long, straggling growth of limbs which are frequently bare of shoots for some distance from the body of the tree, such limbs should be shortened, which will cause the production of lateral shoots. An annual summer pruning is essential to the well being of a tree, as by shortening the wood of the preceding year's growth, a symmetrical tree containing a good supply of bearing wood may be formed. By this treat ment the longevity of a tree will be promoted, provided tho work is done with judgment and care, so as not to render the tree impervious to the influence of the sun and air ; for, be it remembered, that the head of a tree must always be kept moderately open, for the purposes of giving the fruit the best possible chance of ripening perfectly, 21, 34 and 48. 158 CALENDAR AND INDEX. AUGUST. The Peach, plump and ripe, brings as excellent fere, Let the Nectarine, too, in this eulogy share — Their flavour how grateful — their juices how fine, T I nequall'd in taste by the fruit of the vine. FINISH all that remains to be done of summer pruning of all trained fruit trees and vines, as in the last two months ; destroy all irregular and unnecessary after-shoots, and train in a requisite supply of well-situated shoots, for bearers next year, 48 and 8& Examine the fruit trees that were inoculated last month, and wherever a bud has failed, insert another upon the smooth part of the bark. Budding generally succeeds well if done by the middle of this month, 26. Keep Raspberry beds clear of all straggling suckers ; tie up such shoots as are adapted for next year's bearers to neat stakes, and keep the ground clear of weeds, 134. Strawberry beds should be kept clear of weeds, and the runners may be taken from some kinds to make new planta- tions with, 137. If dry weather prevail, as is generally the case at this sea- son, hoe frequently between such young tiees, shrubs, &c., in the nursery beds, as are well rooted ; and water those which were recently transplanted. As numerous species of insects are engendered by the excessive heat which generally prevails at this season of the year, efforts should be made to destroy them. By a general search every morning and evening, the increase of some species may be checked, and by perseverance, they may be totally eradicated. See pages from 18 to 21 of the first part, and pages 13, 30, 84 and 156 of the third part, for directions how to proceed. Many of those reptiles that take up their abode in the earth may be annoyed by frequent sowings of compost over the surface of the land. The various kinds of bitter and CALENDAR AND INDEX. 159 acrid substances recommended in the chapter containing 4 Observations on Insects and the Diseases of Fruit Trees/ page 13, are not only adapted to the destruction of insects, but the use of them in this way, will produce an incalcula- ble benefit to the land, and in many cases preclude the necessity of using any other manure. The ingredients alluded to consist of ashes, charcoal dust, plaster of Paris, tobacco dust, lime, salt, soot, pepper, pot- ash, saltpetre, snuff, and sulphur. The proportions may be as follows : Of the first four articles, half a bushel of each j of the next three, a peck of each ; and of the last five, say one pound of each ; which will make together three bushels of compost. As all land possesses inorganic matter, which contains more or less of the elements comprised in the above reme- dies, and as some land contains more of one element than another, a judicious choice may be made from the above list, with a view to suit all the various kinds of soil ; thus, in locations open to sea breezes, which replenish the earth with salt', that article may be dispensed with, and another substituted ; and on land which is not susceptible of being improved by lime, perhaps the salt may be beneficial ; but it is presumed that in most cases a compost made of all, or as many of the different articles as are attainable, would produce a lasting benefit to land in general, by sowing, say at the rate of a bushel per acre, once a week, at those sea- sons of the year when it will avail most in the destruction of reptiles and insects; and as the primary object of using the compost is to prevent our fruits from being destroyed, it would prove most effectual if sown out of a wagon, from which, in passing between the trees, the leaves could bo dusted. See pages 19, 89 and 104, of the first part. 160 CALENDAR AND INDEX. SEPTEMBER. The Peach and the Pear tree have still ample store, And the Plum, most inviting, " makes urchins adore jw A bountiful feast is spread over the land, For great is the Giver, unsparing His hand. PLANTATIONS of Strawberries may be made this month, either with runners or seedling plants, 137. Protect your Grapes and other fruit from wasps and other insects ; either decoy them with honey or sugared water, or hang nets over the fruit ; some take the trouble of putting the bunches into crape or paper bags. Grape Vines and espalier trees in general should be attended to, as directed in the previous summer months ; by depriving them of all useless shoots and suckers, training in those branches intended for the next year's bearers, and destroying the eggs of insects, curled leaves, &c., 85. Stone fruit, which will now be continually ripening, should be gathered while in full perfection, and not suffered to get over-ripe, so as to lose its peculiar flavour. Ground allotted for the planting of fruit trees and vines the coming autumn, should be prepared this month, by dig- ging, trenching, and manuring, where necessary, 8. With a view to conquer the various kinds of insects and reptiles, persevere in the use of the remedies recommended last month. Gather up all fruit which falls from the trees, or turn geese enough into the orchard to eat it up, by which means the reptiles and their food are devoured at once. Hogs are the best scavengers, but they are too apt to do injury by rooting; they may, however, be let into the orchard a few hours each day, and watched, 13 and 124. Besides the ingredients already recommended, there are others which may be used in various ways. Some may be dissolved in a hogshead allotted for the purpose, which on being kept filled with water, makes a solution well calculated to sprinkle on the leaves of trees, by means of a syringe or CALENDAR AND INDEX. 161 a portable garden engine. Others may be prepared of the consistency of paint, and applied to the body and limbs of trees with a brush ; and some may be made into a compo- sition, and used as an ointment at the time of pruning. The articles alluded to are beeswax, burdock leaves, cow dung, decoctions of elder, lamp-black, ley, soap-suds, soft-soap, tar, tallow, turpentine, urine, vinegar, walnut leaves, and whale oil soap, to which may be added such of the dry ma- terials in our previous list as are dissoluble. See page 18 of the first part, and page 30 of the third part. If any of my readers, from the prevailing prejudices alluded to in page 113, should feel disposed to abandon or root up any of the fruit trees which have been nurtured and esteemed by their forefathers, they are recommended before doing so to apply some of the preceding remedies, and also to follow the advice given in chapter the 13th and verse the 8th of St. Luke's Gospel, in reference to the barren fig tree, namely, "dig about it, and dung it." If after this, it should be necessary to " cut it down," get some scions of the same varieties from vigorous and healthy trees, and in-gi aft them on stocks, carefully raised, by which means tbe old fruits will have the same chance as the new varieties ; but it will be generally admitted that a new broom sweeps clean, and that old things in general are too apt to be neglected. I would here avail myself of the opportunity of remarking, that so strong is the propensity of some persons to adopt novel- ties, that they often abandon some of the best productions of the garden in order to find room for other plants, merely because they are new, and which they cultivate with pecu- liar care ; whereas, if the same attention was bestowed on the old inmates of their garden, they would prove the most worthy of being cultivated and perpetuated. 162 CALENDAR AND INDEX. OCTOBER. Oh Bacchus ! thy Grapes now in bunches hang down; Some press them too freely their " sorrows to drown ;" Let " Temperance in all things " be ever our guide — No evil can flow from the generous tide ! PREPARE the ground for planting all kinds of hard) fruit trees this month, by digging, trenching, and manuring, 8. Gather such varieties of Apples and Pears as are in full growth, both of autumn-eating and winter-keeping kinds ; do it on dry days ; let the keeping sorts lay in heaps, to dis- charge their redundant moisture ; after which convey them to a room adapted for preserving them through the winter ; lay each kind separate, and cover them up with dry straw, a foot or more in thickness, according to the warmness of the room, which will preserve them in good order. Prune Currant and Gooseberry bushes ; make new plan- tations, and plant cuttings from these shrubs, prepared as directed in pages 59 and 70. Plant the stones of Cherry, Peach. Plum, &c., in drills about two inches deep, for the purpose of raising stocks and for new varieties ; and in temperate climates, kernels of Apple, Pear, Quince, &c., may be sewn in drills about an inch deep for the same purpose. Plant, also, cuttings of hardy trees, suckers of Filberts, &c., 38 and 62. Strawberry beds which were planted last month should be kept free from weeds, and if dry weather prevails, they should be occasionally watered, 136. Plantings of hardy ti-ees may be commenced toward the end of this month, or soon after the leaves show indications of decay, whether fallen or not, 10. Toward the end of this month, or early in the next, all the tender shrubs and vines must be protected, by laying them down and covering them with earth, or by entwining straw or matting around them, 63, 80 and 135. In gathering grapes for the dessert Ve careful not to bruise them or disturb the vine ; to avoid which cut off each bunch with a pair of small scissors. CALENDAR AND INDEX. 163 NOVEMBER. And now we've arrived near the close of the year* Winter Apples and Cranberries bring up ttie rearj All are good of their kind, and we freely declare, Not one of the Fruits we would willingly spare. APPLE, Pear, Plum, Cherry, Chestnut, Mulberry, Quince, Walnut, and other hardy fruit trees may now bo planted ; use caution not to injure them in taking up or removing them; let holes be dug somewhat larger than is sufficient to admit the roots in their natural position, and of sufficient depth to allow of some good rich compost or pulverized earth to be thrown in before the trees are planted. See pages 9, 34, 103 and 125, and read the article headed ' Observations on the Choice of Fruit Trees in the Nursery,' page 32. Finish gathering late varieties of Apples, Pears, Grapes, &c.; do it in dry weather, and stow them away out of the reach of frost, as recommended last month. Cranberry, Currant, Filbert, Gooseberry, and Raspberry shrubs may be planted this month ; at the same time cut out all crowded branches, superfluous suckers, worn-out bearers, and decayed wood, 58, 60, Go, 70 and 134. Strawberry beds made in August and September, as well as those of greater age, may be covered up with leaves, light manure, salt hay, or other litter. Protect the beds where fruit seeds and cuttings were planted last month, by a covering of light manure, compost, or leaves of trees. Winter pruning may be performed this month on some species of hardy trees, shrubs, vines, &c., and continued at all opportunities throughout the next month, 23. Fig Trees, Tender Grape Vines, as well as the Antwerp and other half-hardy Raspberry Shrubs, must be protected from the effects of frost, which is done by bending them down to the ground and covering them with earth five or six inches, which should be sloped so as to carry off the rain. Some of the trained Vines and Fig Trees may be protected with wickers of straw or matting, 63, 80 and 135. 164 CALENDAR AND INDEX. DECEMBER. Let sober Reflection, the Tiller employ, The sound seeds of Virtue will spring to his joy ; To the Ruler of season's, let gaatitude's voice, In His love and His wisdom for ever rejoice. IF any of the work recommended to be done in the last month was not accomplished, let it be done with all possible despatch this month, as we know not what a day may bring forth. Protect the stems of newly-planted trees. Cover with litter the roots of Grape Vines and Figs against walls, and cover the branches with mats, &c. In temperate climates prune Apple, Pear, Quince, and other hardy fruit trees ; cut out rotten and decaying branches, 23 and 63. To destroy insects on the fruit trees, and prevent them from creeping up and breeding on them, do as follows : — Take a strong knife with a sharp point, and a sharp hook- like iron made for the purpose ; with these scrape clean off all the moss and outside rough bark, and with the knife pick out or cut away the cankered parts of the bark and wood, in such a slanting manner that water cannot lodge in the sides of the stem of the trees. Having cleared the trees in this way, make up a mixture of lime, soot, and sulphur; put these ingredients into a pot or tub, pour boiling water upon them, and with a stick stir and mix them well together. When this strong mixture becomes cold, and about the thickness of white-wash, take a brush, dip it in the mixture, and apply it to the stems and large branches of the trees, dabbing it well into the hollow parts of the bark. The pruning of hardy fruit trees and hardy shrubs may be performed at all favourable opportunities through the winter, 21 to 24. For farther information on the winter management ol Fruit Trees, the reader is referred to the articles corumenc ing pages 7, 13, 21, 30 and 32. 165 TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. FELLOW-CITIZENS : Aw application having been made to your Representatives in Congress to vote a sum equal to five cents from each individual in the United States, OR ABOUT A MILLION DOLLARS OF YOUR RESOURCES, to the promotion of an improved system of " Terra-culture" as described in Senate, Document No. 23, of the third session of the 25th Congress, I hereby direct your attention to a few extracts taken from the applicant's preamble ; copies of which were forwarded to each member of the 26th Congress, in session, November 30, 1839, by Russell Comstock. From the Poughkeepsie Eagle, of January 25, 1840. PRESERVATION OF FRUIT TREES, PLANTS, &C. GREAT DISCOVERY. «' To the Hon. Perry Smith, Chairman of the United States Senate Com- mittee on Agriculture of the 25th Congress. " With the consent and by the advice on the 23d inst, of the chairman of the United States Senate Committee on Agriculture of the 25th Congress, I forward to each member of the 26th Congress the accompanying document dated the 14th inst; the object is to show you some of the proof thai a discovery of vital importance to civilized man has been made, which in several letters from different members of the present and last Congress is valued at HUNDREDS OF MIL- LIONS OF DAYS* LABOUR, AND WORTH MORE THAN ALL THE DISCOVE- RIES OF THE PRESENT AGE COMBINED THE APPLICATION OF STEAM NOT EXCEPTED. " For what purpose would all the owners of the public lands more freely or gratefully consent to give one hundreth part of those lands, or the pro- ceeds thereof? Would they not be grateful to those members of Congress, who assist in giving the owners of the public domain the desired informa- tion, and reverence them as benefactors of human kind. " For the honour of the Republic, for the honour of the age, and for the interest and comfort of the living, as well as the unborn, let not that disco- very which may cause two seeds to ripen where one now does, which pre- vents the premature death of all cultivated trees, which has been searched for in vain during the history of all civilized society, die with the discoverer for want of the action of the United States Congress." Our patriotic discoverer " claims the following five discoveries as his, besides other discoveries which are stated in his memorial to the 2oth Con- gress: 160 1st " That various diseases, universally supposed to be destructive to plants are only symptoms that a particular error in cultivation has been committed; and that many other injurious effects have been produced by the same error, which are attributed to other causes. 2d. " That the error is UNIVERSALLY COMMITTED, to a greater or less extent, throughout the States, and that he has seen an excess of it where- ever he has been, which is in the Atlantic States, from Georgia to Massa- chusetts, inclusive. 3d. " That the PEACH and NECTARINE are more easily injured by the error than most other Fruit trees, and the cause of their being more easily injured by it ; and that this error causes them to be barren, or short-lived. 4th. " That the application of two known laws in nature demonstratf the reality of his discovery and its application to the whole vegetable king dom ; and that by them, his discovery, (if publicly known,) must be per petuated, and his practice more easily introduced : and that by these two laws the occasional success of common remedies is explained. 5th. " That the said error is the obstacle which has discouraged experi- menters, and lamentably retarded improvements in the science and practice of agriculture ; and that he has discovered facts and made himself acquainted with knowledge sufficient to reduce them to practice." We are farther informed, " that it is neither climate, nor soil, nor insects, nor worms, that, are the cause of many of the disastrous effects that have been attributed to them, but that those effects are produced by error in cul- tivation, which diseases the smallest plant or largest tree." Our modest and patriotic fellow-citizen admits, in the course of his preamble, "that the practical part of his discovery is so EXTREMELY SIMPLE and economical, that it costs no more to prevent the diseases than it does to produce them ; and that it is so different from the established theories and habits of the people, THAT UNLESS A LARGE AMOUNT BE APPRO- PRIATED, many will be unwilling to try it, and therefore the PUBLIC GOOD seems to require that a large amount should be appropriated." He more- over asserts, that " there are two known laws in nature, by which the reality of his discovery, and its application to the whole vegetable kingdom, are demonstrable in less than thirty words." That this invaluable secret, whatever it may be, is not strictly speaking a n«w discovery, is demonstrable by numerous living witnesses which have inhabited the fields of the old world for over a thousand years ; and our discoverer freely admits, and in very emphatic language, that there are thousands of trees in our own country on which, what he terms "the com- mon error " has never been committed ; and also, that several of the fifteen gentlemen to whom he communicated his secret, "confidently for ever," have some such trees on their own domains. Hear him — " The Senator from Missouri, (Mr. Linn,) said, that the most flourishing and healthy Peach tree in his possession had never had what I call the common error in cultivation committed upon it." " The Senator from Pennsylvania, (Mr. McKean,) said, that he had long supposed that what I call the common error, was an error, but that he had no idea of such extensive evils arising from it." "The Senator from Maryland, (Mr, Spence,) said, that in his district it was a universal custom to commit what I call the common error in cultiva- tion, on the fruit trees, and that it was common to have no Plums perfect 167 and free from worms, excepting on a few of his, on which the error had not been committed for twenty years, if ever ; and those few (four) continued to bear abundantly annually ; that he had no recollection of ever seeing an imperfect wormy Plum on either of these four trees, but that he had nevrr supposed that to have been the cause of their perfection." The Senator from South Carolina, (Mr. Calhoun.) to whom I am indebted for pointing out one symptom of the error, and for a valuable suggestion in the culture of plants, said, " while examining the defective trees around the Capitol, that the principle when exhibited was very plain and simple, that it was philosophical, and in his opinion it could not be neglected without injury to the health and growth of trees and plants, and deserving of pub- lic patronage." "The Vice President of the United States, (Mr. Johnson,) said, that my discovery was perfectly consistent with the laws of nature; and (when observing a few trees near the Capitol, which had been injured by the error, and were recovering.) farther remarked, that my theory was essentially cor- rect and obvious to the most superficial observer." "The member from New-York, (Mr. Jackson,) said, that he had reared an orchard on which he had carefully avoide.l an excess of what I call the common error, and that it had been admired as the most flourishing and fruitful orchard in the neighbourhood ; and that he had recently seen a field of Indian corn, which yielded more than one hundred bushels of shelled grain to the acre, in which an excess of the error had been avoided, while the success was attributed to quite a different cause." From the preceding exiracts. it is evident that this inestimable treasure lays near the surf ice; and from the disclosure having been communicated to rational and intelligent minds, it is preposterous to expect that those gentleman can, in thp pursuit of their rural avocations, act directly con- trary to knowledge and sound judgment j they must, therefore necessarily and unavoidably communicate the secret by their example, which will eventually disseminate in proportion as mankind take an interest in the merits of the alleged discovery. But lest the full benefits of this invaluable remedy should be withheld from the community for want of the action of the United States C.on^ress, I have submitted an exposition of my views of the particular points adverted to in the preamble, which may be found under the heads, Necta- rine, Peach, and Plum, pages 91, 98 and 124 of the third part of the present edition of the Young Gardener's Assistant ; and I would furthermore remind my readers that the directions heretofore given in this and previous editions of the work are in strict accordance with the same doctrine ; and that although the error alluded to is admitted to have been very generally committed, I am not aware that any writer has ever taught or encouraged the error, either direct or indirect ; I confess, however, that I have been induced to expatiate on this malpractice in horticulture from the subject having elicited the grave consideration of enlightened legislators of these United States. And lest these my voluntary disclosures should prove to have no bearing on the alleged discovery, I would prepare the public mind for its reception by an exhortation to TEMPERANCE AND MODERATION, as the only safe course that can be considered applicable to thp cultivation <>f all the varied species of plants, which comprise " the whole vegetable kingdom." In 168 articles page 26 of the first part, and pages 16, 28 and 97 of the second part, I have shown that the various species of plants which occupy our greenhouses, gardens, and fields, require each their peculiar aliment — they having been collected from all the diversified regions, climates, and soils through earth's remotest boun.ls ; they consequently comprise natives of mountains and rocks, as well as of plains, valleys, and water courses. The most essential aliment for natives of warm climates and dry soils being HEAT, artificial means are used in cool seasons, and unpropitious climates to produce it. Natives of temperate climates require salubrious AIR, hence they are cultivated to the greatest, perfection in our Northern States in spring and autumn ; and in our Southern States in the winter; seepage 147 of the first part; and natives of humid climates, as also amphibious plants in general, require a more than ordinary share of MOISTURE, and grow best in wet soil; but these THREK ELEMENTS collectively constitute the food of plants in general, and should be judiciously imparted to the various species, in due proportions, according to circumstances. See pages 49, 64 and 67 of the first part, for a more precise view of this subject. I have also shown that the roots of various species of plants require each their peculiar aliment, which is not to be found in all descriptions of land; this is demonstrated by roots of trees being frequently discovered spreading beyond their ordinary bounds in quest of salutary food. Although it has been admitted that excessive deep planting of trees and plants is injurious, and in many cases fatal to their very existence, it does not follow that all annua's and biennials are injured by the same means ; on the contrary, the earthing up of particular species of plants in a late stage of growth is calculated to promote early maturity, which constitutes the most essential art in gardening for the market ; because the earliest crops are always the most profitable. It is moreover a necessary practice in climates where the seasons for gardening are short — as without such practice, many kinds of vegetables could not possibly be matured in due season for gathering before winter. I would here take the opportunity of proving this last position, by reminding the reader that the effects of deep planting, the Peach tree for instance-, is discoverable soon after the error is committed, by its fruit ripen- ing prematurely, and this is often the case for a year or two prior to ite final decease, and should operate as a salutary lesson against planting perennial plants and trees too deep. In conclusion of this article, which is intended as an appendage to my works on gardening, I would urge gardeners and cultivators to consult the operations of nature in all their rural pursuits ; and with a view to aid them, I subjoin the following rules, which are farther illustrated under the different heads : 1. In transplantiug fruit trees, let the collar, or that part from which emanate the main roots, be near the surface. A medium sized tree may be planted an inch deeper than it was in the nursery bed ; and the largest should not excee.l two or three inches See pages 93, 101 and 125 of the third part of the present edition of the Young Gardener's Assistant 2. In the cultivation of such plants as are transplanted, or grown in hills or clusters, as Indian Corn, &c., keep the earth loose but level around them in their early stages of growth, by frequent hoeing, ploughing, or culti- 169 \nting ; and to promote early maturity, throw a moderate portion of earth about the roots and stems at the last or final dressing. 3. In the sowing of seed, remember that IN UNITY THERE is STRENGTH, and that from the gerrninative parts of a seed being weak and diminutive, it cannot be expected to perforate through the soil, solitary and alone. To insure a fair chance plant your seed moderately thick, and thin out tho surplus plants while young. In planting seed in drills, which is the most eligible plan, the size of the seed and strength of its germ should be consi- dered ; large seed, producing vigorous roots, require deeper planting than diminutive seed, producing delicate roots and slender stalks. 4. In the choice of compost for exotic or greenhouse plants, imitate the native soil of each peculiar species as nearly as possible, by a judicious mixture of maiden earth, loam, sand, leaf, swamp, and rock mould, decom- posed manures, and such other composts as aie recommended under the different heads. Remember, that although strong manure is essential to the growth of some plants, it is poisonous to others. PURSUE, THEN, A MEDIUM COURSE. From your soil not being too stiff or too light, too rich or too poor, too cool or too warm, too close or too porous, if not positively salutary and congenial to all, it must render the situation of each endura- ble. I again repeat, that temperance in the use of aliment, is as essential to the welfare of the vegetable family as it is to the health, happiness, and longevity of mankind. T. BRIDGEMAN, New-York, March 4, 1840. $3r Since this address has been in press, I have seen another article in the Poughkeepsie JEugle, dated February 29, 1840, wherein our modest and patriotic discoverer gratuitously pronounces his knowledge as superior to that of " all Botanical and Agricultural known writers /" As 1 have anticipated the merits of this second valuable discovery in my books, I have nothing more to say than to remind the reader that this uncalled for attack on the brethren of my fraternity, fully justifies not merely the publication, but the most general circulation of these my voluntary disclosures. RETROSPECTIVE VIEW. THIS summary view of estimates is annexed, in order to aid the Seeds- man and Gardener in making out a bill of seed for the purpose of planting any given quantity of ground, under the regulations suggested in tho Vegetable Department of the Young Gardener's Assistant, to which the reader is referred for a more concise view of the subject. Pag* Artichoke; an ounce of seed will produce 600 plants, -. -. 31 Asparagus; one ounce will be sufficient for 1000 plants - - 35 Beans, English Dwarf; one quart of seed will be required for every sixty feet of row, ...-._«. 49 Beans, Kidney Dwarf ; one quart of seed will plant from 350 to 400 hills, or from 230 lo 26,0 feet of row, « - - 43 170 RETROSPECTIVE VIEW. Beans Pole, or Running ; one quart of Lima, or large running Beans will plant about 300 hills, or 250 feet of row, .... 43 Beet ; one ounce may be allotted for every perch, or pole, 45 Borecole, or Kale , an ounce will produce 4000 plants, 46 Broccoli; one ounce is sufficient for 4000 plants, - - . - -50 Cauliflower ; an ounce of this seed will produce 4000 plants, • 63 Cabbage; one ounce will produce 4000 plants, .... 65 Cardoon Artichoke ; an ounce will produce 600 plants, - - 63 Carrot ; half an ounce may be allotted for every pole, 69 Celery ; an ounce of seed will produce 10,000 plants, 60 Corn Salad, or Fetticus ; one ounce of seed will sow about two poles of ground, . . 63 Cucumber; one ounce of seed is sufficient for 200 hills, 65 Egg Plant ; an ounce of seed will produce 4000 plants, 67 Endive, or Succory ; an ounce will yield 5000 plants, ... 68 Leek ; one ounce of seed may be allotted for 3000 plants, - - 71 Lettuce; an ounce will produce, say 10,000 plants, 73 Melon ; one ounce of seed will produce from 120 to 150 hills, - 74 Melon, Water ; an ounce will plant from 40 to 50 hills, - - 75 Onion ; one ounce of seed may be allotted for every pole, 73 Parsley ; two ounces may be allowed for three perches, 80 Parsnip; two ounces may be allotted for three perches, - - 81 Pepper ; one ounce of seed will produce 3000 plants, 82 Peas ; one quart will plant from 150 to 200 feet of row, 84 Potatoes ; from twelve to sixteen bushels may be allotted for an acre, 85 Potatoes, Sweet ; half a peck of seed, properly managed, will produce 15 bushels, 86 Pumpkin ; one quart of field Pumpkin will plant from 500 to 600 hills, and one ounce of the finest kinds will plant from 50 to SO hills, 87 Radish; four ounces will do for every three perches, if sown broad- cast, and about half the quantity if sown in drills, 89 Salsify ; two ounces of this seed will plant three perches, 93 Shallots ; four bushels of bulbs will plant forty poles, 9S Spinach j if cultivated in drills, four ounces will plant five perches of land. If broadcast, it will require double the quantity, 99 Squash; an ounce of seed will plant from 50 to 100 hills, according to sorts and size, ........ 100 Tomato ; one ounce of seed will produce 4000 plants, - - 101 Turnip ; one pound of seed is sufficient for an acre of land, - 105 QUANTITY OF GRASS SEED SUITABLE TO THE ACRE. Clover, sown alone, - - 12 pounds. Timothy, ------ l peck. Herds Grass, 1 bushel. Orchard Grass, - - - 2 bushels. Rye Grass, 2 bushels. Lucerne, -'••*•• 8 pounds. For a pasture for grazing, the following mixtures of seed would be found excellent, viz : 6 pounds of clover seed, 1 peck of herds grass, and half a bushel of Orchard grass s*eed— or 6 pounds clover, half a bushel of rye , and half a bushel of tall meadow oat seed. 171 COMMENDATORY NOTICES. " The first edition of " The Young Gardener's Assistant " has been favourably noticed in France: — "One of the leading articles of the Annales de C Institute Ruyal Horticole de Fromont, is a long notice of " The Young Gardener's Assistant," by Mr. Thomas Bridgeman, of this city. The editor, Le Chevalier Soulange Bodin, speaks of the little work in very commendable terms." — New York Farmer. Extract of a review of this work in the Magazine of Horticulture, Botany, &c., published by Ilovey & Co., Boston : " The work is written in plain language, easily to be understood by the young beginner in gardening, who will find it a great help ; and its value, even to the experienced person, is by no means of an ordinary character. IT is ADAPTED TO OUR CLIMATE, and unlike compilations from English works, the novice is not led into disappointment by following the rules there laid down, as he generally is. when following the advice of the latter. We repeat, that as far as the book pretends, IT is WORTH ALL OTHEHS OF A SIMILAR CHARACTER THAT HAVE EVER BEEN PUBLISHED IN THIS COUN- TRY ; and its cheapness should place it in the hands of all new beginners." " No work ever published has been so studiously written to give plain useful information. By being arranged in the form of a catalogue, you can turn in a moment to any name you desire, where the time of sowing, depth, soil, after treatment, &c. &c., is clearly defined. The Calendarial Index, giving a summary of work for every month, is itself worth the whole price of the book, and must have cost the author much research and labor- ious thought. Mr. Bridgeman is not a theorist, but is in the daily practice of what he writes, and of course well qualified to direct all beginners in the profitable and delightful employment of cultivating a garden, ' a profession and an employment for which no man is too high or too low.' " — Genessee Farmer. " It will, we are persuaded, be found, what the writer intends it shall be, * generally useful to such as may wish to superintend, or take the manage- ment of their own gardens.' Mr. Bridgeman is a gardener himself, in the Bowery road, and his directions are therefore applicable to our climate — an advantage of no little moment." — American. "Among the plants for the cultivation of which ' The Young Gardener's Assistant ' contains directions, are a number of culinary vegetables not generally introduced in the United States. The introduction and success- ful cultivation of useful foreign vegetables add to the resources of our country. We recently saw, for instance, in Mr. Bridgeman's garden, seve- ral varieties of Broad Beans, View, fuba, in a most vigorous and thrifty growth. They occupied a clayey spot of ground that was not suitable so early in the season for any other vegetable. They put forth a beautiful blossom, and would serve as an ornament for the flower garden." — New Vork Farmer. 172 COMMENDATORY NOTICES. "BRIDOEMAN'S GARDENF.R'S ASSISTANT. — The fourth edition of this useful little manual is published, and is rendered of increased value by the addition of several matters not contained in either of the former editions. Among these is a short and convenient calendar to assist the gardener's memory." — Evening Post. "No work on the subject of Kitchen Gardening ever published in this country has met with so very general approbation and extensive sale. Mr. Bridgeman is well known as one of our best gardeners, and writes from hia own experience ." — Daily Express. "That work which teaches us how to create and to improve this most innocent and useful source of pleasure, is surely worthy of applause and patronage ; and such we consider 'The Young Gardener's Assistant.' " Mjrning Herald. " The work is calculated to be of immense service to those engaged in Agriculture, 4 far from the busy haunts of men,' and to the disciples of Flora, in the city. Mr. Bridgeman is a practical gardener and seedsman, and has lived many years on both sides of the Atlantic." — Old Country man. "From what we gather from the tenor of Mr. Bridgeman's book, we should suppose that he paid but little attention to the mere on dits or die- turns of any, but that he pursued that course which his judgment pointed out ; and in this particular, we value his book — leading the young gardener to depend more on his own judgment than on the rules of custom." American Farmer. "All those who are desirous of a work on the subject of Gardening, and one which will convey the best information on the management of Hot- beds, Asparagus beds, best mode of raising all sorts of Esculent Vegetables, Pruning, Grafting and Budding Fruit Trees, Training the Vine, Preserving the Fruit from Mildew, &c., should procure this. No work on the subject ever published in this country has met with half as extensive a sale, or decided public approbation, as this valuable compendium. Mr. Bridgeman fully understands the subject on which he treats. The very rapid sale of the eight former editions is quite a sufficient recommendation." — G. C. Thorburn, in the Evening Star. " We can assure gardeners and farmers that they will in limes and ways almost without number, be amply compensated by purchasing the book. Mr. Bridgeman bestows preat l.ibour on his productions of the pen, not only as to practical matter of fact, but to the various excellences of style particularly to clearness, and the avoiding a redundancy of words. The amount of useful information in the book constitutes its value: and all this information is adapted to this country, and its climate and its soil."—— American Gardener's Magazine. " From the cursory examination we h:\ve been enabled to give ' The Young Gardener's Assistant,' we should judge that it embraces a greater amount of practical information, applicable to our climate, than can be found in any similar work. The list of fruit trees has been selected from the best authorities, both foreign and American, and is sufficiently exten- sive for any cultivator in this country." — Newark Daily Advertiser COMMENDATORY NOTICES. 173 ••The author is an experienced practical gardener and seedsman, and hte book is an excellent manual and guide for the beginner, whether old or young, in horticultural pursuits." — Gazette. " From the systematic arrangement of the parts, under appropriate heads, and the plain and practical nature of the instructions, it must be an invalua- ble manual for those who may wish to superintend the management of their own gardens. — Albany Argus. Extract of a letter from Alex'r Walsh, Esq., Lansinburg: Dear Sir : — You will see by the next month's New-York Farmer, if you have not already seen by the Albany papers, that several copies of the Young Gardener's Assistant have been given as premiums, by the State Agricultural Society. Mr. D. B- Slingerland and myself were on the com- mittee lor awarding premiums, and thought your work was desprving encouragement ; and that even in this small way we might be of service in bringing it before the public as worthy of being given as premiums."* "Written with a good deal of practical knowledge of the subject on which it treats. The directions given, the author says, are the result of twenty years' experience, and we dare to say, that though submitted in an unpretending form, they will be found as useful, if not more so, than those in more costly and expensive works." — Courier «£ Enquirer. "We have undoubted authority for pronouncing this work as worth all others of a similar character that have ever been published in this country, from its adaptation to all the climates in the United State's." — N. Y. Sun. " That this is a useful work is evident from the number of editions through which it has passed. There is scarcely any employment in life more pleasing than the cultivation of a Garden with Fruits and Flowers. Those who have the opportunity to indulge themselves in this gratification, we have no doubt will derive much assistance from this publication." — N. Y. Tribune. " Every one that cultivates a garden should possess the work, as it is a complete dictionary for young beginners in the delightful field of Horticul- ture."— Working Man's Advocate. "No work on the subject ever published in this country has met with half as extensive a sale or decided approbation, as this valuable compen- dium. Mr. Bridgeman fully understands, from practical experience, the subject on which he treats. The Calcndarial Index arranges the work for every month, and refers to the various parts of the book how to proceed. This of itself is worth the price of the whole work, and cost the author immense labour. The rapid sale of the former editions, together with the commendation of every Agricultural and Horticultural Journal in America, and several in England, is quite sufficient recommendation. The present edition both explains and fully makes known what was thought to be a great discovery (as great as steam) on the preservation of Fruit Trees, Plants, &c., and which, to make known to the people of these United States, an application was made to the 25th Congress to vote the supposed •The American Institute has also awaidtd several copies cf this work as premium* foi superior specimens of garden products 174 COMMENDATORY NOTICES. author of the discovery a sum equal to five cents from each individual in the United States — or about a million of dollars. Mr. Bridgeman ha? clearly proved this discovery from his long observation of the course of nature and treatment of Trees and plants, and which only occupies some four or five pages of the work." — N. Y. Commercial, by G. C. TAorburn. •' THE FLORIST'S GUIDE. — A delightful little book, which we advise every body to purchase — at least every body that has the least liking for the pleasing occupation on which it treats." — Courier $ Enquirer. <:The Florist's Guide," like its companion, " The Young Gardener's As- sistant," is a useful work, which every Gardener and Florist may consult to advantage. It gives minute directions concerning plants of various spe- cies; the names and characters of each being alphabetically arranged, makes it an invaluable manual for those who may wish to superintend the management of their own gardens." — Newark Daily Advertiser. " This is one of the best works on the subject ever published in any country : it contains Practical Directions for the Cultivation of Annual, Biennial, and Perennial Flowering Plants, of ditferent classes, Herbaceous and Shrubby, Bulbous. Fibrous, and Tuberous-rooted, including the Double Dahlia, Greenhouse Plants in Rooms, &c. &c. "A work of the above kind has been long wanted ; hitherto, it required an expenditure of some three or four dollars to get any kind of readable directions for small gardens, window gardening, plants in rooms, &c., which, when procured, were so full of botanical foppery, that plain, honest people, after wading through some three or four hundred panes, were as wise as to knowing how to set about their gardening, as when they com- menced their book. The present little work obviates all these difficulties. The author is well known as one of our practical gardeners, and it may be truly said he has rendered the ladies in particular (for whom the work was projected) an essential service ; the directions for the care of the Camellia Japonica, the Double Dahlia, the sowing and treatment of Annual Flower Seed, &c., are alone worth double the price of the book ; so is the Calendarial Index, which, by the untiring industry of Mr. Bridgeman, is made to include in some half dozen pages, more valuable information than is to be found in some pon ierous octavos on the same subject." — G. O Thurburn,from the, N. Y. Commercial. " The style is free, and the language appropriate ; the plan is judicious, and the contents embrace much well arranged practical information, unen- cumbered with disquisitions foreign to the object of the work. We very cheerfully recommend it to our readers as a cheap and useful book." Gardener's Magazine. The Florist's Guide has also been very favourably noticed by the editors ot many other very respectable periodicals, as a work eminently calculated to promote a love for the cultivation and correct management of flowers—- the study of which, remarks one of these writers, " refines the taste, and imparts just and ennobling views of the wise provisions of nature." 175 LINES SUGGESTED BY THE AWARD OF A GOLD MEDAL TO THE AUTHOR OF ' THE YOUNG GARDENER'S ASSISTANT,' AT THE FOURTEENTH ANNUAL FAIR OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE, 1841, FOR ITS GREAT PRACTICAL UTILITY. BY D. MITCHELL. As VALOR'S meed, and Honor's brightest test, I've seen a MEDAL on a Warrior's breast; But to my mind it brought sad scenes to view — The sweeping carnage of red Waterloo — Th orphan's tear — the widow's drooping head, For slaughter'd heroes on false glory's bed — The earth made desolate, its fruits despoil'd, By mad Ambition, fearless and unfoil'd ! Not so the Token thou hast gained from Peace, Thou lov'st to see fair N ature's wide increase, And the " Young Gard'ner," in thy fertile book, Finds an " Assistant " not to be mistook ! Thine is the pleasing art to cultivate, Fill Plenty's horn, and better man's estate ; Thine is the wish the Cotter's life to mend, And teach him that a garden is his friend : That Virtue smiles — sheds blessings on his head, And makes him happy in his humble shed, Who tends his " little patch " in well spent hours, Amid his kitchen treasures and his flowers; That Vice ne'er mars a lovely scene like this — The consummation of the poor man's bliss ! Health, my firm friend, long life and health to thee, Health to the scions from the parent tree; Well may thy trophy be a source of pride, May they preserve it, whatsoe'r betide: 'Tia a memento for imparting good, More nobly won than that for shedding blood ! APPENDIX, CONTAINING REMARKS ON THE ALLEGED DISEASE OF THE POTATO. As I have not in the article Potato, page 86, attempted to give its oistory, I would here inform the reader, that the Potato was cultivated in Britain, by Gerard, the English Botanist, in 1590, and was soon after- wards recommended by Sir Walter Raleigh as a nutritious vegetable; but although first discovered on this continent, it spread so slowly, that nearly a century elapsed before this excellent root had become a regular dish on the Farmer's table in New England. The following account of the early reception is too good to be lost It is recorded in the N. Y. Farmer and Mechanic that two brothers, named Clarke, settled in Con- necticut, early in the 18th century, and purchased a farm near Chatham. " On a hill which still bears the name of Clarke Hill, half a peck of potatoes were planted, and after the balls had ripened on the vines, it was proposed to gather some with a view to taste the wonderful pro- duct; some balls were accordingly picked and boiled, and being placed on the table, were approached with great caution. It was at length concluded that an old negro should first taste of this rare vegetable, whose report was by no means satisfactory; others also tasted, and the dish was condemned as unworthy their table and attention ; the negro was therefore directed to go and destroy the vines ; in doing so, he pulled up some potatoes with the tops; and, amazed at the sight, soon elicited the discovery that the real fruit was to be looked for at the root end of the plant." As this vegetable is now considered one of the most important pro- ductions of the earth, upwards of one hundred millions of bushels being raised in the United States in a single year, a deficient or defec- tive crop is acknowledged by all to be such a serious calamity as to incite the most diligent enquiry into the nature and cause of the defect, or deficiency. As the seasons of 1843 and '4 were unfavorable to the growth and preservation of late potatoes, the American Institute encouraged an investigation and discussion of the subject amongst the members of th* 178 APPENDIX. Farmers' Club ; the result of which was published in the " New- York Farmer and Mechanic," vol. ii., November, 1844, from which I have selected the following extracts : '* That the disease may proceed from some chemical action in the atmosphare, or from peculiar location, as high or low, new or old land, and that some varieties are more liable to disease than others," page 290. •* That the potato disease was imported from Great Britain two or three years ago ; and that a gentleman, from microscopic examination, discovered in the tubers a growth of fungus, a plant analagous to the mushroom family. These fungi seeds although invisible to the naked eye are readily carried about by the winds, and will penetrate wherever air will. Baing once introduced from Europe, their extensive dissemi- nation here is very easy. These seeds falling on the potato in favour- able circumstances as to moisture, &c. cause the disease," 291.* The application of common salt to the soil, previous to planting, is suggested as a remedy. Lime and charcoal dust sown on the ground after plant ing is also recommended. Anoth3r correspondent asserts, " that the disease is an old one, having been long known in Germany, as well as in England, and that there are in fact two distinct distempers, one of which is called dry rot, and the othsr wet rot ; the dry rot often appears in a whitish surface ; if the wet rot sets in, it is black, and soft worms are to be found in the putrifying parts. The direct origin of the disease is a fungus, the rsmote origin is something else. One of the most fertile causes of this disease is the habit of using farm yard manure in a state of fermentation. f Plants, in a healthy growing state, are rarely attacked by the fungus ; probably, therefore, some change takes place in potatoes before the fungus begins," page 307. * If it be true that an infectious disease exists amongst the potatoes of that country, much cont tins a less quantity of land than one of our largest States, it may be asked, how a pro- portion could be shipped here in an eatable and plat table condition, after reserving a sufficiency 'for a population of upwards of twenty millions of inhabitants, who raise them for their cattle as well as for table use. » It is upwards of thirty years since I commenced cultivating potatoes, which, according to th? seasons, has been attended with variable success. In 1820 my potatoes were so bad as to be scarcely eatable, I however planted some of them for seed the year following, on land situated near the Bowery, where Third street now is, which was manured with livery stable dung ; and the product was the best I ever eat. Last season several of my acquaintance raised their early and late crops from the same lot of seed, with different results. Those planted in April pr iduced an abundance of excellent potatoes, while the product of those planted in Juno and July were represented as diseased and scarcely worth digging. The difference in all those cases nv.nt have been occasioned by the weather and not by the seed. A change of soil how- fever, will sometimes cause a difference in the quality of potatoes. APPENDIX 179 •• That the disease in the potato arises from a small fly which lays its eggs in the vines shortly after they come up, which turn into maggots and pass through the tube of the vine into the potato. A table spoon- ful of poudrette to each plant is in this case recommended as a pre- ventive," page 324. Others contend that as every plant cultivated in the same soil for a long period is liable to become deteriorated, a new generation of plants from seed of a healthy crop is essential to preserve their pristine excel- lence. A gentleman present, however, informed the Club, that his seedlings were found in a decayed state the same as others," page 290 As it is not my intention to discourage a farther investigation of this subject, I shall not pass censure upon the ideas above advanced, but offer a few remarks founded on observation and the study of nature, which, I trust, will prove acceptable to the public. I have, in several pages of " the Young Gardener's Assistant," re- minded my readers that the various species of plants which are cultivated in our gardens and fields, require each their peculiar aliment, they having been collected from all the diversified climates and soils in our globe; and I would here add, that it is a matter of astonishment, that so large a proportion of the fruits of the earth should be produced in perfection in any one climate, especially in unfavourable weather, to which every part of the earth is at times liable. In page 26 of the first part, I have furnished a classification of the most important vegetables cultivated in our gardens, in which I have shown that the most essential aliment to natives of warm climates is heat, and of temperate climates moisture, and that the three elements HEAT, AIR, and MOISTURE, constitute the food of plants in general. I J»ave also recommended my readers to make choice of the seasons best adapted to the various articles they may wish to cultivate, as it is an indubitable fact that the element essential to the production of some vegetables is destructive to others, which in realily cannot be raised at all under unpropitious circumstances. In proof of the above assertion, I would remind the reader that various kinds of fruit are deficient in unfavourable seasons. Cherries for instance, in the event of a single week's rain, in a certain stage of growth, will rot on the trees; and it must be admitted that other fruits deteriorate, or lose their most essential flavour in the absence of suitable aliment. Why, then, I would ask, should we expect potato crops to be uniformly good every year. It would be difficult to name any production of the earth, that yields full and perfect crops annually ; on the contrary, it is well known that 180 APPENDIX. famine has been of frequent occurrence in many populous countries, through short or defective supplies of the necessaries of life. It is conceded by the generality of those who have investigated the subject of disease in potatoes, that the tubers soon become defective after the tops cease to grow; and common observation teacheth that when plants of a succulent nature are deprived of their functions or means of growing luxuriantly, they continue to deteriorate until their juices become so corrupt, that they not only die, but contaminate the earth in which they were planted, to the destruction of their neighbour- ing inmates of the garden or field ; and even potato tubers, after being taken from the earth, will injure those which come in contact with them by the emission of their corrupt juices Mr. Teschemacher, in a communication published in " the New England Fanner," observes, " That the potato decays previous to the appearance of worms, and that worms are never found in the sound part of the potato either eating their way in, or depositing their eggs, nor have 1 seen the worms in that part of the potato in which the fungus have already commenced vegetating; it is only in the rotten part that the worms exist after the fungus has caused the decay. These worms are uniform, and appear to be of the same species from whatever cause the decay may arise." It is precisely the case with other kinds of vegetables, and also with fruit; and it is evident that all those worms, insects, and reptiles which prey upon the vegetable family, are more partial to that particular kind of vegetable matter which first generated them, than to any other; hence the Peach insects feed on its fruit in embryo, as well as in a state of, and even beyond maturity ; the Cabbage worms also prey on plants of the same genera or species ; and when those enemies of the vegetable family cannot obtain the parts which are the most palatable to them, or congenial to their nature, they will feed upon diseased trees, plants, or other matter, which contain similar juices, or nutriment, in prefer- ence to any other description of food. It is generally allowed that the early planted potatoes have for the last two years, yielded as well as usual, and that they have been of very superior quality. It is only the late crops which are complained of. Now, it must be admitted that if the seed potatoes planted in June or July, whether raised here, or imported, had been diseased, they would have shown it at the time of their being cut and prepared for planting, as it is notorious that the discovery of defect is generally made at the time of gathering the crop, or soon after they are heaped together. APPENDIX. 181 it must, however, be conceded, that seed potatoes kept until July for the purpose of late planting, may have become deteriorated, because those roots being biennial cannot be expected to retain their health and vigour to so late a period ; which, in some measure, accounts for early varieties being more seriously affected by the extreme heat than the lale keeping red-skinned varieties, which will retain their vegetative properties even in dry seasons, so as to produce a good crop if not retarded by being over heated, to which they are liable, especially if placed in contact with acrid manure, which is destructive to all descriptions of plants in hot dry weather. New land without manure generally produces the best crops in dry seasons It may be observed farther, that when the leaves or vines of the potato wither prematurely through extreme heat, the tubers become af- fected to such a degree, that rain late in the season hastens their de- struction instead of nurturing them, they consequently return to their native element. From the above considerations, as well as from the knowledge I have acquired of the nature of plants in general, I have come to the conclu- sion that the alleged disease in potatoes was not occasioned by defective seed, but by the extreme heat of the Summer, followed by the excessive rain in Autumn.* In some instances the defect may have been acceler- ated by an injudicious use of acrid manure, and in others from their being planted in low undrained ground. It often happens that potatoes deteriorate from not being properly dried when taken from the ground, which on being heaped together, become heated, and consequently rot All which is respectfully submitted. THOMAS BRIDGEMAN. NEW- YORK, February 1st, 1845 * As this review was elicited by the discussions relative to the defect in potatoes the last two years, the conclusion has special reference thereto. It must, however, be acknowledged, that the extremes of HEAT, COLD, and MOISTURE, are alike detrimental to vegetation in all seasons ; and that hot dry summers are often attended with icsuJtt as fatal to vcfetabk productions as the coldness of winter. 182 DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF APPLES. SELECT DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF APPLES, Continued from page 46, Part III. BEAUTY OF KENT. Fruit very large, roundish, but flat at the base ; skin smooth, greenish yellow, with stripes of purplish red ; flesh juicy, crisp, and tender, with an agreeable sub-acid flavour : in October and November. CANADIAN REINETTE, Reinette du Canada blanche, Portugal Apple, Grosse Reinelte d'Angletene, Pomme du Caen, Mela Janurea. Fruit large, broad, and flat ; skin greenish yellow, tinged with brown ; flesh yellowish white, firm, juicy, and of a high sub-acid flavour: from December to March. CHANDLER. A native winter fruit of Pomfret, Connecticut. Large, round- ish, slightly flattened ; skin thickly streaked with dull red on a greenish yellow ground with gray dots ; flesh greenish white, tender, juicy, and rich. COURT OF WICK PIPPIN, Fry's Pippin, Golden Drop, Wood's Transparent Pippin, Phillip's Reinette, Knightwick Pippin. An English winter variety, well adapted for Canada or Maine. Fruit below the middle size, regularly formed, roundish-ovate ; skin greenish yellow, mottled with orange and ret! at maturity; flesh pale yellow, tender, juicy, and high flavoured. DUTCH MIGNONNE, Reinette Dor'ce, Ptmme de Laak, Paterrosfer Apple. A winter fruit, large, roundish ; skin dull orange, streaked and moltled with red, dotted with russet ; flesh crisp ; juice plentiful, witli a delicious aromatic flavour. EASTER PIPPIN, Claremont Pippin, Ironstone Pippin, Young's Long Keeping, French Crab. Fruit middle size, somewhat globular; skin deep green, shaded with a pale livid brown; flesh very firm, and though not juicy, of a good, sub-acid flavour. This variety will keep sound two years. HEREFORDSHIRE PEARMAIN, Winter Pearmain, Royal Pearmain, Royale d' Angleterre. A fine winter dessert fruit above medium size, form oblong; skin russety green, mottled with red, and dotted with grayish specks ; flesh tender, with pleasant aromatic flavour. Tree an abundant bearer. LYSCUM, Osgood's Favourite. A Massachusetts variety of merit. Fruit large, round ; skin greenish yellow, mottled with red ; flesh fine grained, ex- ceedingly mild and agreeable in flavour: in use from September to November. LYMAN'S PUMPKIN SWEET. A very large apple raised by Mr. 8. Lyman, Manchester, Connecticut. Skin smooth, pale yellow ; flesh firm, sweet, ju;cy» and excellent for baking : in the autumn. The tree bears prodigious crops. NORTHERN SPY. A native variety of the Spitzenburgh family. Fruit large, conical, considerably ribbed ; skin smooth, yellow ground, nearly covered with rich dark red and purplish streaks ; flesh yellowish white, and of a rich, aro- matic, sub-acid flavour : good from December to May. PECK'S PHEASANT. This variety resembles the Yellow Newtown Pippin, only it is larger; skin smooth, and when first gathered green, changing to yellow, with bright blush cheek and scattered gray dots ; flesh yellowish, fine grained, juicy, and tender, with a delicious high aromatic flavour in winter. Ross NONPAREIL. A delicious Irish variety, approaching in flavour to some kinds of pear ; fruit below medium size, roundish ; skin qovered with a thin. mellow russet, faintly stained with red ; flesh greenish white, tender, and of. a rich aromatic flavour : in perfection the end of October. Tree a profuse bearer, and worthy of a place in every amateur's garden. SUMMER SWEET PARADISE. A Pennsylvania fruit of large size ; round, a Mttle flattened at both ends ; skin rather thick, pale green, tinged with yellow, and sprinkled with large gray dots; flesh tender, crisp, juicy, and of a sweet, rich, aromatic flavour : ripe in August and September. SOPS OP WINE, Rode Wyn Appel, Sapson, Sops in Wine. A handsome little autumn apple for the dessert ; skin smooth, crimson, covered with a delicate light bloom : flesh white, with stains of a pinkish hue, firm, crisp, and juicy. DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF CHERRIES. 183 VICTUALS AND DRINK, Biff Sweet, Pompey. Fruit large, oblong, rather ir- regular: skin rough, dull yellow, marbled with russet ; flesh yellowish, tender, breaking, and of a rich sprightly flavour: in perfection from October to March. The tree is a moderate bearer. WINESAP, Wine Sop. This is a good winter apple for the table, and one of the finest cider fruits; it is of medium size, rather oblong ; skin smooth, of a fine dark red and yellow ground ; flesh yellow, firm, with a rich high flavour. SELECT DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF CHERRIES, Continued from page 56, Part III. ALLEN'S SWEET MONTMORENCY, Late Montmorency . A seedling raised by J. F. Allen, Esq., of Salem, Massachusetts. Fruit of medium size, nearly round ; skin pale amber, mottled with red ; flesh yellowish, tender, sweet, and excellent. It is a good bearer, and ripens its fruit late in July. BAUMANN'S MAY, Wilder's Bigarreau de Mai. A very early variety im- ported by Col. Wilder; fruit rather small, oval heart-shaped; skin deep rich red ; flesh, when fully ripe, sweet and good : ripe by the end of May. BIGARREAU CHINA, Chinese Heart. A fine variety raised by the late Mr. W. Prince, of Flushing, L. I. Fruit of medium size, oval heart-shaped, with a distinct suture line; skin, when fully ripe, glossy red, mottled with numerous light spots ; flesh firm, and of a rich peculiar flavour : late in July. BIGARREAU HOLLAND, Spotted Bigarreau, Armstrong's Bigarreau. Fruit very large, of a regular heart-shape ; skin pale yellow, mottled and spotted with bright red ; flesh juicy, sweet, and excellent : towards the end of June, BIGARREAU TARDIF DE HILDESHEIM, Hildesheim Bigarreau. Fruit of me- dium size, heart-shaped ; skin yellow, mottled and marbled with red ; flesh pale yellow, firm, with a sweet and agreeable flavour. This variety ripens here in August, and is considered by Thompson the latest sweet cherry known. DOWNING'S RED CHEEK. An excellent seedling cherry raised at the nursery of A. J. Downing, Newburgh. Fruit rather large, regularly obtuse heart- shaped ; skin thin, white, with a rich dark crimson cheek; flesh yellowish, of a sweet and luscious flavour : about the middle of June. DOWNTON. A beautiful variety raised by T. A. Knight, of Downton Castle, England. Fruit very large, blunt heart-shaped ; skin cream colour, stained and marbled with red dots ; a delicious cherry early in July. EARLY PURPLE GUIGNE, Early Purple Griotte. An early variety ripening towards the end of May, newly introduced from England. Fruit of medium size ; skin dark red and purple ; flesh purple, tender, juicy, and delicious. MANNING'S MOTTLED, Mottled Bigarreau. A beautiful heart cherry, raised by Mr. Manning from a seed of the Bigarreau ; fruit above medium size, roundish heart-shaped ; skin glossy amber colour, mottled with red ; flesh, when fully ripe, yellow and tender, with a delicious juice : ripens late in June. TRANSPARENT GUIGNE, Transparent Gean, Transparent. Fruit small, borne in pairs, and heart-shaped; skin glossy, thin, and nearly transparent ; colour yellowish white, delicately mottled with fine red ; flesh tender, melting, and sweet : ripe early in July. SELECT DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF FOREIGN GRAPES, Continued from page 78, Part III. [Those designated thus * will ripen in the open air. Those marked thus f require but little forcing in favourable seasons.] * BLACK CLUSTER, Black Morillon, True Burgundy, Early Black, Au- 181 DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF FOREIGN GRAPES. verna. Bunches rather larger than those of the Miller's Burgundy ; berries middle size, somewhat oval ; skin of a very black colour ; juice rich and sweet: the fruit ripens in the open air about the middle of September. BLACK DAMASCUS, Worksop Manor Grape. Bunches middle size ; berries large, globular; skin thin, of a h'ne black colour; flesh delicate ; juice rich, and of exquisite flavour when properly cultivated under glass. t BLACK FRONTIGNAN, Black Frontignac, Violet Frontignac, Muscat Noir, Black Constantia of some. Berries of medium size, round, and grow close on the bunches; skin black; flesh tender; the juice of a rich vinous musky fla- vour : it ripens in October, in favourable seasons without tire-heat. t BLACK HAMBURGH, Warner's Black Hamburgh, Potier Bleu, Victoria of some collections. Bunches tolerably large, with two short compact shoul- ders ; berries pretty large, of an oval figure ; skin rather thick, of a deep pur- ple colour, nearly black ; flesh tender ; juice sugary and rich : a good and reg- ular bearer. Witmot's New Black Hamburgh is said to bear larger berries. BLACK LOMBARDY, West 's St, Peter's, Bunches long, with large shoulders ; berries large, roundish oval ; skin thin, very black at maturity ; juice plentiful and high flavoured : it requires a high temperature, and is then a great bearer. BLACK MUSCAT OF ALEXANDRIA, Red Muscat of Alexandria, Red Fron- tignac of Jerusalem. Bunches large and shouldered ; berries large, oval ; skin thick, of a reddish colour, becoming black at maturity ; flesh quite firm, with a rich vinous flavour : requires a vinery with fire-heat. t BLACK MUSCADINE, Black Chasselas. Chasselas Noir. Bunches of me- dium size, compact ; berries globular ; skin black, covered with fine bloom ; juice rich if well ripened : it requires a vinery. t BLACK PRINCE. Bunches rather long ; berries large, oval ; skin dark blackish purple, covered with a thick blue bloom ; flesh white, abounding with sweet well-flavoured juice: this variety will ripen here in the open air, and bear profusely in the vinery with the easiest culture. BiLACK ST. PETER'S, Black Palestine, Saint Peter's. Bunches pretty large and long ; berries rather large, almost globular; skin thin, of a black colour; flesh delicate, with a very excellent and well-flavoured juice : this is one of the best sorts for a vinery without fire-heat, and the fruit may be preserved on the vine for early winter use. CHASSELAS MOSQUE, Musk Chasselas. Bunches of medium size; berries middle size, round ; skin thin, yellowish white ; flesh tender ; juice rich and abundant : the highest flavoured chasselas known, having much of the flavour of the Muscat of Alexandria when properly forced. CHASSELAS ROUGE, Red Muscadine, Red Chasselas. The berries of this variety are something larger than those of the Black Muscadine, they are of a dark red colour, when highly ripened in the vinery ; juice sweet, and luscious. * EARLY BLACK JULY, July Grape, Madeleine Noire, Maurillon Hatif. The earliest of grapes. Bunches small and compact ; berries small, quite round, of a black colour, covered with a blue bloom ; flavour moderately sweet, but not rich or perfumed: it ripens here in the open air early in August. * ESPERIQNE, Hardy Blue Windsor, Turner's Black, Cumberland Lodge. Buuqhes handsomely shouldered, and differing little in size from the Black Hamburgh ; skin of a deep purple colour, covered with a thick blue bloom ; flesh adheres to the skin, and is of a pleasant flavour : the vine is very prolific. GRIZZLY FRQNTIQNAN, Grizzly Frontignac, Muscat Gris. Bunches middle size, with small narrow shoulders ; berries round, of medium size ; skin thick, pale brown, blended with red and yellow; flesh very rich, musky, and high flavoured ; this is one of the best varieties for the vinery. DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF FOREIGN GRAPES. 185 LOMBARDY. Flame-coloured Tokay, Red Rhenish, Wantage. Bunches very large, frequently weighing six or seven pounds, being from twelve to eighteen inches in length ; berries large, of somewhat oval figure ; skin of a pale red or flame colour; flesh firm, with pretty well-flavoured juice: this variety requires fire-heat to bring it to perfection. * MILLER'S BURGUNDY, Miller Grape, Le Mennier, Morillon Taconne. Bunches short, thick, and compact ; berries small, roundish, very closely set together; skin thin, with fine blue bloom; flesh tender, abounding with sweet, high-flavoured juice ; each berry contains two small seeds. * PITMASTON'S WHITE CLUSTER. A pretty hardy English variety. Bunches of medium size, compact, and shouldered ; berries middle size, round ; skin thin, light amber colour, occasionally shaded with russet when fully ripe; flesh tender, juicy, sweet, and excellent. t RED HAMBURGH, Warner's Red Hamburgh, Brown Hamburgh, Gibral- tar. The berries of this are of a dark red or purple colour, with a thin skin, and juicy, delicate flesh. The size and figure of both the bunch and the berry are very much like the Black Hamburgh, except the latter being less oval, and growing more loosely on the bunches. When the berries are imperfectly ripened, they are of a pale brown colour, hence it is called Brown Ham- burgh. * ROYAL MUSCADINE, Amber Muscadine, Early White TeneriJTe, Golden Chasselas, White Chasselas. Bunches large and shouldered ; berries round, larger than those of the Sweetwater ; skin thin, at first greenish white, but turning to an amber colour when fully ripe : flesh tender, and of a rich flavour. SYRIAN. Bunches enormously large, with broad shoulders; berr'es large, oval ; skin thick, white at first, but amber colour when fully ripe ; flesh firm, juicy, and sweet. A bunch of this variety was gathered in Mr. Speechly's vinery at Welbeck, England, four feet and a half in circumference, weighing nineteen pounds and a half. The Syrian grape is supposed to be the sort meii- tioned in Numbers xiii. 23. VF.RDELHO, Verdal, Verdilhio, Madeira Wine Grape. Bunches rather small, loose, inclined to shoulder ; berries oval, small, rather unequal in size; skin thin, almost transparent; juice, when fully matured in the vinery, of a rich saccharine flavour. WHITE FRONTIGNAN, White Frontignac, Muscat blanc, White Constantia. Bunches rather long, without shoulders; berries middle size, round, rather closely set ; skin thin, of a greenish yellow, covered with a thin bloom ; flesh tender, very rich, and of a high musky flavour, when cultivated in the vinery. WHITE HAMBURGH, White Raisin, White Portugal, White Lisbon, Rai- sin Muscat. Bunches large, loosely formed ; berries large, of an oval figure ; skin thick, of a greenish wiiite colour; flesh hard; juice sweet, and slightly acid. Bunches of 3 Ibs. weight have been gathered, in vineries near Boston. WHITE MUSCAT OF ALEXANDRIA, Jerusalem Muscat, Passe longue Musque, Malaga, Tottenham Park Muscat. The most delicious of all grapes, but re- quires to be grown under glass in this climate. Bunches large, and well- shouldered ; berries large, oval ; skin thick, of pale amber colour when fully ripe; flesh firm ; juice of a sweet, musky, and most delicious flavour. * WHITE MELIER, Melier blanc, Early While Malvasia, Early Chasselas. Berries middle size, somewhat of an oval figure; colour yellowish white; flesh sweet, juicy, and agreeable in flavour: ripens in August. WHITE NICE. Bunches very large, with loose shoulders : berries roundish, of medium size; skin greenish white, becoming yellowish when ripe; flesh crisp, and of good flavour. Mr. Mclntosh has gathered from his vinery in England bunches weighing eighteen pounds. 186 DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF NATIVE GRAPES. * WHITE SWEETWATER, Early White Muscadine, Early Swectwattr. Bunches middle size; berries round, growing close; skin whitish, sometimes shaded with a light russet ; flesh sweet, watery, saccharine, and luscious : the fruit ripens in the open air towards the end of August. * WHITE TOKAY, Gray Tokay, Tokai blanc. Bunches of medium size, compact ; berries oval, closely set ; skin dull white ; flesh very delicate, sweet, and perfumed : good for wine and for the dessert. It will ripen in the open air. SELECT DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF NATIVE GRAPES. DIANA. A seedling of the Catawba, raised by Mrs. Diana Crehore, of Boston. Fruit resembling the Catawba, but paler in colour; bunches loose; berries round, juicy, and fine flavoured : it ripens two weeks earlier than the parent. GILBERT'S WHITE SHONGA. This variety was found by Garret Gilbert, of the city of New York, on the Shonga Mountains in 18-25, and planted in his gar- den. It is a great bearer, of similar habits with the Isabella, differing from that kind only in colour, and coining to maturity a little earlier. LENOIR, Sumpter, Clarence. This variety was introduced by Mr. Lenoir, of the bantee river, Carolina. Bunches large, very handsome : berries small, round ; skin purple, with a light bloom ; flesh tender, sweet, and excellent. MISSOURI, Missouri Seedling. Bunches of medium size ; berries small and round ; skin black, with a little bloom ; flesh tender, sweet, and pleasant. OHIO, Segar Box Grape, Longworth1 s Ohio. The cuttings from which Mr. Longworth's first stock originated, were left at his residence by an unknown friend, in a cigar box. Bunches from six to ten inches long; berries round and small ; skin thin, purple ; flesh tender and melting : a good dessert fruit. SHURTLEFF'S >EEDLING. Raised by Dr. S. A. ShurtleflT, of Pemberton Hill, Boston. Bunches large, often weighing a pound; berries oval, of medium size ; skin thick, light purple, with a grayish bloom ; flesh firm, and of excellent flavour: the fruit is fit for the table in September. UCHEE GRAPE. A native grape found on the banks of the Uchee creek, Russell county, Alabama. The bunches are long, very compact, and of a jet black colour ; the berries yield but little juice, which is extremely rich, and makes delicious wine without sugar. WHITE SCQPPERNON. Bunches short and close set; berries large, of a roundish figure ; skin white, with some dark specks ; juice sweet and rich : it is a great bearer, ripening its fruit early. Managers of the American Institute having at their nineteenth Annual Fair, held at Castle Garden, in the City of New York, awarded pre- miums for Native Wine, I here insert a copy of the Judges' Report. "Report on Native Wine tested October 21s/, 1846, by C. HENRY HAUL, W. NIBLO, and ADONIRAM CHANDLER, Committee of Judges on Wine." The five kinds of wine described below, were sent by Mr. N. Longworth, of Cincinnati, Ohio, to whom a Silver Cup was awarded. " No. ].— A fine light wine, called ' Ladies' Wine,' with sugar added before fermentation ; delicious in flavour, and will compete with foreign sweet wine. " No. 2.— A light dry wine, from the Catawba grape: sound, of peculiar flavour, resembling that of Hock and of the Bouquet. " No. 3.— A good dry wine, of pure juice, different vintage from the last described, but good sound wine, although not high flavoured. " No. 4. — A dry wine .from the pure juice of the Herbebont Grape. It is sound, of the peculiar flavour of the grape, and will without doubt be admired DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF PEACHES. 187 " No. 5.— From the Missouri Grape, five per cent, brandy. The wine is thin in body, and wanting flavour, perhaps arising from our not having had a fair chance of tasting it at perfection, it having been recently shaken up." A Silver Medal was awarded for each of the bottles described below. A bottle of wine furnished by Mr. T. L. Prevost, Greenville, Greene county, was tested, which was represented to be four years old. "A sort of Hock, of fine flavour, but in a state of fermentation, the sugar not being dissolved and the spirit formed." A bottle from Mr. Charles Peabody, made by him from a native grape found on the banks of the Uchee creek, in Russell county, Alabama, was pronounced by the judges, " a pleasant wine, sweet, like Malmsey, and if no sugar has been added to the juice, as is represented, it is remarkable in its character." It is recorded in the Southern Cultivator, "that some of the most celebrated wine connoisseurs of Columbus, describe the wine made from the Uchee Grape as having the body of Port, with a little of the Muscat flavour, and equal to the best imported." SELECT DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF PEACHES, Continued from page 110, Part III. BALTIMORE BEAUTY. A native variety. Fruit rather small, roundish oval ; skin deep orange, with a rich brilliant red cheek ; flesh yellow, but red at the stone, sweet, and very good. Ripens early in August. BKRGEN'S YELLOW. A native of Long Island. Fruit large, often measuring nine inches in circumference ; skin deep orange, with dark red cheek ; flesh deep yellow, melting, juicy, and delicious. Ripens early in September. COLES EARLY RED. A good early market fruit of medium size ; skjjn pale red, mottled with darker red ; flesh melting, juicy, rich, and very sprightly. DRUID HILL. A seedling peach, raised by Lloyd N. Rogers, of Druid Hill, near Baltimore. Fruit very large, roundish ; skin greenish white, clouded with red ; flesh juicy, melting, and rich : towards the end of September. EARLY YORK, Large Early York. Fruit of medium size, roundish ; skin pale red, dotted and mottled with dark red ; flesh greenish white, full of rich sprightly juice. Ripens towards the end of August. EARLY NEWJNGTO.V FREESTONE, Newington Peach- A large and exceed- ingly high-flavoured peach ; skin pale yellowish white, dotted and mottled with a rich red; flesh white, but red at the stone; juicy and melting : end of August. HAINES' EARLY RED. A popular orchard fruit in New Jersey, of medium size ; skin pale white, nearly covered with bright red ; flesh greenish white, very juicy, sweet, and melting. Ripe about the middle of August. LA GRANGE. A late peach, raised by Mr. John Hulse, Burlington, N. J. Fruit large, oblong; skin greenish white, tinged with red ; flesh juicy, melting, and delicious. Ripe towards the end of September. OLDMLXON FREESTONE, Oldmixon Clearstone. A large American peach, slightly oval ; skin pale yellowish white, marbled with deep red ; flesh white, and tender, with a rich vinous flavour : early in September. POOL'S LARGE YELLOW, Pool's Late Yellow Freestone. A large and hand- some Pennsylvania peach of the Melocoton family ; skin deep yellow, with a dark red cheek ; flesh juicy, and of excellent flavour : late in September. RARERIPE, Late Red, Prince's Red Rareripe. One of the finest of all peaches. Fruit large and heavy, roundish oval ; skin downy, pale yellow, thickly marbled with red and fawn coloured specks ; flesh white, but deep red at the stone ; very juicy, melting, and of an unusually rich flavour. Ripe the second and third week in September. 188 DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF PEARS. SELECT DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF PEARS, Continued from page 123, Part III. BEURRE D'ANJOU. A first-rate Autumn pear, imported from France by Col. Wilder, of Boston : fruit rather above medium size ; obovate ; skin greenish yellow, a little clouded with russet ; flesh very fine grained, buttery, and melt- ing, witli a rich, sprightly vinous flavour. BEZI DE LA MOTTE, Bein Armudi, Beurre Blanc de Jersey. Fruit of medium size, bergamot shaped, skin pale yellowish green, sprinkled with rus- set dots ; flesh white, very fine grained, buttery and juicy, with a sweet per- fumed flavour: an old Autumn variety, ripe in October. BISHOP'S THUMB. An old English Autumn pear, usually considered first- rate : fruit rather large, oblong and narrow ; skin yellowish green, dotted with russet, and tinged with red ; flesh juicy, melting, and of rich vinous flavour. BON CHRETIEN FONDANTE. A new Flemish pear, abounding with juice, and having a refreshing and agreeable flavour ; skin pale green, mottled, and dotted with russet : ripe in October. BUFFUM. A native orchard pear, from Rhode Island, of the Doyenne fami- ly : fruit of medium size, oblong, ovate ; skin deep yellow, finely suffused with bright red, and russet dots; flesh sweet, and excellent : ripe in September. COMPTE DE LAMY, Beurre Curie, Dingier, Marie Louise the Second. A rich Flemish Autumn pear, of medium size, roundish obovate ; skin yellow, with a brownish red cheek, and russety ; flesh melting and high flavoured. DUCHESSE DE MARS, Duchess of Mars. A French autumn pear of medium size, obovate ; skin dull yellow, partially covered with brown russet, with a. dull red cheek ; flesh very melting, and of a rich perfumed flavour. DUNMORE. A truly admirable and hardy pear from the garden of the London Horticultural Society. Fruit large, oblong obovate ; skin greenish, speckled with russet ; flesh buttery, melting, and rich : ripe in September. EYEWOOD. A hardy and prolific seedling of Mr. Knight's. Fruit of me- dium size, oblate or flattened ; skin much covered with russet ; flesh buttery, rich, and melting : in October and November. FONDANTE VAN MONS. An excellent melting pear, introduced by Mr. Man- ning. Fruit of medium size, roundish ; skin pale yellow ; flesh white, juicy, sweet, and palatable : towards the end of October. JALOUSIE DE FONTENAY VENDEE. A fine autumn French pear, of medium size; turbinate, or obtuse pyriform ; skin dull yellow, and green, with red cheek, marked with russet ; flesh melting, with a rich flavoured juice. LAWRENCE. A seedling winter pear, from the nursery of Messrs. Wilcomb & King, Flushing. Fruit rather large, obovate ; skin yellowish green, with patches of brown ; flesh melting, and rich : from November to January. PARADISE D'AUTOMNE. A newly imported early autumn pear, of large size; pyriform, tapering into the stalk; skin dull yellow, russeted; flesh white, fine grained, melting, and luscious. PETRE. This fine autumn variety, originated in the old Bartram Botanic Garden, near Philadelphia, from a seed furnished by Lord Petre of London, in 1735. Fruit of medium size, obovate ; skin pale yellow, marked with green- ish russet ; flesh fine grained, and melting, with a perfumed high flavour. QUEEN OF THE Low COUNTRIES, Reine des Pays Bas. Fruit large, broad pyriform ; skin dull yellow, mottled with russet, and overspread with fine dark red ; flesh melting, with a rich sub-acid vinous flavour: early in October. ROSTIEZER. A German pear of medium size ; oblong pyriform ; skin yel- lowish green, with reddish brown cheek, and light coloured dots; flesh juicy, melting, sweet, and palatable: in September and October. ST. GHISLAIN. An excellent Belgium autumn pear, introduced by S G. Per- DESCRIPTIVE LIST OP PLUMS 189 kins, Esq., of Boston. Fruit of medium size, pyriform ; skin pale yellow, with a few gray specks ; flesh white, buttery, juicy, and of a rich sprightly flavour. THOMPSON. This fine autumn pear was named in honour of Mr. Robert Thompson, Superintendent of the London Horticultural Society's garden. Fruit of medium size, obovate ; skin pale lemon-yellow, dotted and streaked with russet ; flesh white, buttery, and melting, with an agreeable aromatic flavour: tree hardy and prolific, producing its fruit in October and November. VAN MONS LEON LE CLERC. A splendid autumn pear, imported by Col. Wilder of Boston. Fruit large, oblong-ovate ; skin yellowish, mingled with brown ; flesh yellowish white, rich, and melting : in October and November. VAN BUREN. A seedling raised by Gov. Edwards of New Haven. Fruit large, obovate ; skin clear yellow, with a rich orange-red blush, and russet spots ; flesh sweet, and perfumed ; excellent for baking and preserving. SELECT DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF PLUMS, Continued from page 131, Part III. AUTUMN GAGE, Roe's Autumn Gage- A new late plum, raised by William Roe, Esq., of Newburgh. Fruit of medium size, oval ; skin pale yellow, with whitish bloom ; flesh juicy, and of delicate pleasant flavour : in September. BUEL'S FAVOURITE. An excellent clingstone plum, raised by Isaac Dennis- ton, of Albany. Fruit pretty large, ovate ; skin pale green, sprinkled with lighter dots, and a little red ; flesh juicy, and high flavoured : end of August. CRUGER'S SCARLET, Cruger's Seedling. A seedling raised by Henry Cruger, Esq., of New York. Fruit rather larger than the Green Gage, roundish oval ; skin a lively red covered with thin blue bloom ; flesh of a sprightly flavour. DAMSON, Common Damson, Purple Damson, Black Damson. A favourite fruit with old housekeepers for preserves, of which there are many varieties, which from being frequently raised from seed varies somewhat in character They ripen in succession from September to November. DENNISTON'S SUPERB. Fruit round, a little flattened ; skin yellowish green, with purple blotches, overspread with a thin bloom ; flesh very thick, juicy, with a rich vinous flavour : a freestone, ripening towards the end of August. ICKWORTH IMPERATRICE, Knight's No. 6. A choice seedling from Mr. Knight of Downton Castle. Fruit above medium size, obovate ; skin purple, embroidered with streaks of golden fawn colour ; flesh juicy and rich : it ripens early in October, and may be kept till Christmas if laid away in paper. ISABELLA. An attractive looking English clingstone plum of medium size ; skin dark red in the sun, paler in the shade, and dotted; flesh yellow, rich, juicy, and of delicious flavour : towards the end of August. JEFFERSON. A plum of high merit, raised by the late Judge Buel. Fruit large, oval ; skin golden yellow, with a purplish red cheek, covered with a tliin bloom : flesh rich, juicy, and high flavoured : towards the end of August. LOMBARD, Bleecker's Scarlet, Beekman's Scarlet. This variety waa brought into notice by Mr. Lombard, of Springfield, Massachusetts. Fruit of medium size, roundish oval ; skin delicate violet, dotted with red ; flesh yellow, juicy, and pleasant : in August. ORANGE PLUM, Orange Gage. A plum of extraordinary size from the gar- den of Mr. Teller, of Rhinebeck, New York. Skin bronze yellow, clouded with purple ; flesh deep yellow, a little coarse grained, but of a pleasant acid flavour : ripens the last of August. PURPLK FAVOURITE. This variety was first introduced by A. J. Downing, Esq., of the Newburgh Nursery. Fruit above medium size, roundish ovate ; skin light brown in the shade, purple in the sun, dotted with golden specks, and thin light bloom ; flesh pale green, very juicy, tender, luscious, and melt- ing : ripens towards the last of August. AMERICAN STANDARD HORTICULTURAL BOOKS. The Young Gardener's Assistant, containing Catalogues of Garden and Flower Seed, with Practical Directions under each head for the Cultivation of Culi- nary Vegetables and Flowers ; also, directions for culti- vating Fruit Trees, Shrubs, and Vines, including the Fig, the Cranberry, and the Grape Vine. To which is added a Calendar to each part, showing the work ne- cessary to be aone in the various departments of Gar- dening each month of the year. The whole adapted to the climate of tho United States. The 12th edition, improved, 520 pages octavo. By T. BRIDGEMAN, Gardener, Seedsman, and Florist : New- York. 55" As each part of the above Work makes a complete volume, a large Edition has been published in three separate books, with a view to accommodate the different description of cultivators. They are entitled as follows : — The Kitchen Gardener's Instructor ; which contains ample directions for the cultivation of Culinary Vegetables arid Herbs throughout the ordinary season ; and instructions for Forcing and Forwarding Vegetables in winter and early in the spring. The Florist's Guide, contains all the necessary information for managing a Flower Garden, and for cultivating Exotic Plants, either in a Gieenhouse, or warm room. The Fruit Cultivator's Manual, is designed to qualify the novice in Fruit Culture for the superintend- ence of his own Orchard and Fruit Garden. Each of the above Volumes contains 176 pages, 12mo. Price Fifty Cents, half bound; Sixty-two Cents, full bound. Booksellers and Seedsmen supplied on liberal terms, by the Author, Broadway, corner of Eighteenth Street, New- York. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY BERKELEY Return to desk from which borrowed. 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