UNIVERSITY LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS LIBRARY AT AMHERST rr-6 , \ THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE, BOTANY, A.ND ALL USEFUL DISCOVERIES AND IMPROVEMENTS IN RURAL AFFAIRS. '' Je voudrais Pchauffer tout I'univers de mon gout pour les jardins. II me semble qu'il est impossible qu'un mechant puisse I'avoir II n'est point de vertus que je ne suppose a celui que aime a parler el a faire des jardins. Peres de famille, inspirez la jardinomanie a vos enfans." — Prince, de Ligne. VOL. XXXII. 1866. (vol. II., FIFTH SERIES.) Edited by C. M. HOVEY. AUTHOR OF THE "FRUITS OF AMERICA." BOSTON: PUBLISHED BY HOVEY & CO., 53 NORTH MARKET ST. 1S66. r N\:H HENRY W. BUTTON & SON, PRINTERS, 90 AND 92 Washington Street. CONTENTS. ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. GENERAL SUBJECT. The Progress of Horticulture. By the Editor, 1 Impressions of Knglish Scenery. By H. W. Sargent, Esq., 39 Comments on Manures. By B. W. Lo- throp, 43 Prof. Nyce's Fruit-House. By Prof Nyce, 76 Native Wines By l\ R. Elliott, . . 103 The Royal Horticultural Society. By K. W S., 146 The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. By the Editor, 161 Redleaf. By H. W. Sargent Esq., . . 171 Horticultural Botany. By the Kditor, . 193 Temperature of Water for Plants. From the Gardeners' Chronicle, . . 203 City and Country Life. By D. W Lotbrop, 230 The Massachusetts Horticultural Society. By the Editor, 2.57 How to Make a Good Lawn. By W. F., . 292 Garden Gossip, 246, 309 HORTICULTURE. Keeping Late Pears. By an East Penn sylvania Fruit Grower, . . . Vineyard Culture of the Grape. By Gus tave Evers, Grapes in Massachusetts. By the Editor, Fruit and Fruit Culture in Northern Ohio By F. R Elliott, Inside Grape Borders. By Dr. J. S. Hough' ton, Grapes and Grape Growing in Iowa By Judge John King, . Descriptions of Select Pear.'i. By the Ed itor, .... Goodale President. Gansell's Late Bergamot, Beurre de Lannoy, . Pears in Massachusetts. By the Editor, Grape Culture and Prevention of Grape Rot By Dr. H. Schroeder, . Vineyard Culture of the Grape. By Dr J. P Dake, Strawberry Culture in New Jersey. By the Editor, 58 12 14 33 48 54 57 78 58 6-) 78 80 6.5 71 97 Short Comments on Fruits Ey Frank. . 110 Grape Culture in New York. By the Editor '. .129 Intermixing Pear and Apple Trees. By D W Lothrop, 174 Orchard-Houses, FrOm the Gardeners' Chronicle. 176 Seedling Fruits. By the Editor, . . 225 General Todleben Pear. By the Editor, . 235 Summer Pruning the Peach. From the Gardeners" Chronicle. .... 239 Fruit Culture in Orchard-Houses. By T. Rivers 262 Grape Culture. By the Editor, . . 292 The Holcomb Blackberry. By Col. D. S. Dewey, . . . " , . . .297 New Strawberries. By W. R Prince, , 298 The Wellington Pear. By the hditor, . 331 The Concord Grape. By the Editor, . 353 Comments on Apple Culture. By D. W. Lothrop, 360 Pomological Gossip, 16, 74, 106, 143. 208, 237, 273, 29^, 363 ARBORICULTURE. Rhododendrons. By the Editor, . . 321 On the Planting of Shade Trees By W. F , 326, 356 Arboricultural Notices, .... a28 FLORICULTURE. Ficus Elastica. By the Editor, . . 23 The Bocconias. By the Editor, . . 115 The Ranunculus. By See, . . 148 Salvia Splendens Compacta. By the Editor, 149 Aralia Papyracea. By the Editor, . . 180 Sanvitalia Procumbens Pleno. By the Editor, 213 Lilium Auratum. By the Editor, . , 215 Canna nigricans. By the Editor, . . 277 Sedum Fabarium. JBy the Editor, . , 308 Bedding Out. From the Gardeners' Chronicle 332 Lychnis Haageana By the Editor, . . 3G8 Floricultural Notices, " 19, 81, 115, 181, 210, 242, 306, 369 IV CONTENTS. LIST OF ENGRAVINGS. TREES AND PLANTS. fig page. 9. Aralia pap.yracea, .... 180 6. Bocconia frutescens, .... 113 7. " japonica 114 13. Canna nigricans, 278 1 Ficus elafetica, 24 11 Lilium auratum, • . . . . 216 8 Salvia splendens compacta, . . 150 10 Sanvitalia procumbent pleno, . . 214 14. Sedum Fabarium, . . . .309 IG. Lychnis Ilaageana, .... 368 FRUITS. PEARS. Jig- page. 5 Beurre de Lannoy, . 80 4. Gansell's Late Bergamot, . . . 79 12. General Todleben, . 233 2. Goodale, .... . 69 3. President, • • • I . 61 15. Wellington, , . . 331 LIST OF PLANTS. In the body of the Magazine, a few errors occur in the spelling of the botanical names, the capitalizing the generic and specific names, their derivation and accentuation ; these are all corrected in the following list of plants : List of Caladiums, List of Cypripediums, List of llyacintiis. Lists of New Plants, . Lists of Fine Pelargoniums, . 315 . 282 . 146 10, 115, 243 306, 336, 3-:i9 Lists of Roses, List of Ferns, List of Seedling Flowers, . List of Hardy Edging Plants, List of Salvias, . 117,285 . 83 . 83 . 186 . 150 ^^bies Clanbrazil/^nsis, 174 Douglas/t, 173. 247 Menziesr/, 173 Morinda, 42, 173 NordmanJdna, 247 Smith/d/m, 173 Abronia trigrans, 82 jlc^cia junipera, 185 .Achillea Clavennae, 187 Achyr;inthes llerbstw, 10, 28 221, 315 186 186 83 186 83 83, 186 315 Verschaffelt/V, .ddi^ntum assluiile, Capillus-veneris, fastigense, pub-scens, tenerum, trapeziforme, Agive lilltera, Agrostemma cae^li rosa tl pi., 115 .4gr6stis 41ba, 296 vulgaris, 296 AUauiiinda IlendersontV, 116 Schottf/, 116 Alocacia machoriza var , 315 yllopecurus pratensis, 296 Alsophila austialis, 315 yllyssum variegatum, 186 niontdnuui, 187 Amaryllis formosissima, 281 Alterniuthera stssilis var. auife^na, 23 .4ndr6sace lanuginosa, 187 u4nem6ne anguiosa, 82 AntennAria toiuentosa, 187 AnthClrium Scherzer(dnMW,3l3 magniiicum, 82 Ancylogene longiflora, 840 Aquilegia glandulosa, 221 ^'rabis albida, 116, 186 alpina. 186 lucida, SS7 variegita. 186 prociissens variegita. 186 Arilia, 8 papyrS.cea, 180 Areniria verna. 116 ^rteniis/a argentea. 187 marltima. 1^7 >l^rum dracunculus, 251 .4spleuium adiintum ni- grum Hellairsi«, 83 flaccidum. 186 liicidum. 186 Aubriet/a Campbella, 116 variegata, 187 Azalea Juliaua, 148 Reiue des Pays Bas, 307 ,341 Stella, 83 Batemau/a grandiflora, 182 Begonia baccata, 118 Rex, 247 Bertolon/a guttita, 19 Bignon/rt argyro-violicea. 212 ornata. 244 Bocconm cordata, 112 frutescens. 112 japonica, 113 ,114 Yokohama. 113 Calathea tubispitha. 82 Veitch/d/ia, 20, 82 Calla paiustriti. 62 Camellia japonica, var. Llodia, 213 Camelh'a Dionisia Ponia- towski, Guiseppi Biassi, Marianna Palenti, Roma Kisorta, Adriana, Campanula carpatica, Canua A^nne;, gigintea, nepalensis, nigricans, WarscewicztV, zebrina, Casuarina equisitifolia, Cedronclla cina, Centaurea candissima, Oerastium grandiflorum, Bieberstein/i, tomentosum, Ceropegia sororia, ChamajHops excelsa. Chrysanthemum Golden Beverley, Gloria mundi, Cibotium Barometz, Cinerciria marltima, 307, var. Lord Amberley, Cissus discolor, Clematis Jackmannn, lanuginosa, rubella, violoicea, Prince of Wales, Clerodendron Thompsons, Cliauthus Dampieri var. 11. alba riibro mar- giudta, 85 22 341 212 23 187 278 278 278 277 278 278 172 115 3o6 187 187 187 211 315 83 83 186 336 83 315 295 307 828 245 328 221 85 CONTENTS. Coleus Gibsonr. 244 Terschaffelt/?, 7, 336 Cordyline indivisa, 315 Cryptomeria, 173 japonica, 247 Cunninghimf'o sinensis, 173 Cupressus Lawsonidna, 247 macrocarpa, 40 Cyanophj Hum spectin- druni, 244 fyclamen, 27 Cymbidium Kookeridnum, 210 Cynosirus crist.\tus, 296 Cyperu5 alternifolius, 315 Cypripediuni insigne, 282 Maulei, 282 Stone;, 282 veniistum, 282 Cytisus racemosus, 189 Bacrydium Cupressinum, 172 Franklim'i, 172 Dahlia imperialis, 369 Davilla polyantha, 186 Dendrobium dixinthum, 181 Johinnis, 22 Tatton/dnwm, 21 Dianthus Chinensis Tar. Lisciniatus, 21 Heddesvigi nina fiore alba pleno, 115 petraeus, 187 Dichoiisindra musiica, 244 l>ick.s6n/rt antirctica, 186 Diefifenbach^a griudis, 212 Dielytra alba, 10 Dendrobium speciosum, 146 l>ra,ba azoides, 116 Dracae^na albo marginita, 244 terminals, 315 Epidcndruni myriin- thum, 118 EriAnthus Kavennse, 307 Exochorda granditiora, 329 i^ica cirnea, 187 tetralix, 120 vulgaris, 120 JEricineila Mannn, 183 Euchari.s amazonica, 18u granditiora, 2;50 ^uouvmus radicans var. 187 JEuphorb/rt Jacquinr/^ura, 217 Farfugium grande, 190 Festuca duridscula, 296 Picus elistica, 23 Forsjthia viridissima va- riegata, 329 Fremont/a califomica, 342 Geranium Gen. Grant, 243 Gladiolus papilio, 182 Gleichen/a crvptoclrpa, 83 Goniophlebium subauric- uiatum, 186 Giinnera scibra, 244 Gymnogrimma flexuosa, 83 Habranthus fiilgens, 181 Hedera, marginata robusta, 186 m^jor, 186 iielleborus niger, 118 Ilyophorbe amaricaiilis, 211 Verschaffolt//, 211 Iresine Uerbst//, 10, 28, 221 Pris reticulata, 211 JuQiperus recumbens, 173 Klein7a fiilgens. 342 Lae^lia Walstenholmics, 82 Lantina Conqueror, 85 elegantissima, 85 Rougier ChauTiere, 85 LAstrea augescens, 186 Latdnia borbonica, 315 Laurus nobilis, 40 Lilium auritum, 8, 25, 215, 242, 251, 280, 284, 345 lancifolium, 216, 219 Nielgerricum, 338 ! Lissochilus Horsfallcp, b2 Lob»l/a cardinalis, 62 coronopifolia, 313 Snowflike, 84 nicoteanaefolia, 340 Lonfcera aureo reticulata, 2.'»4 Lychnis Haageana, 368 several species, 368 Sen no, 10 Macleiya cordita, 112 Magnoli'fl granditiora, 40 Lenne, 330 Manettia cordifolia, 82 micans. 82 Marinta Linden»«, 244 spleudida, 212 Mesembry,inthemum aci- nacifornie. 22 Maerocichrys tetragona, 210 Mil ton /a cereola, 23 Meeonopsis nepalensis, 340 Masa Cavendish ?7, 315 rosicjea. 315 Nephrolepis exaltita, 1«6 pictinita, 186 Nicoti«?ia, 8 Odontoglossom Alex^ndrae, 81 Bluntii, 81 Halli?', 81 radiatum, 81 Ornithogalumconicum, 222 Palafox/a Hooker(d/ta, 115 Pelargonium var Mrs. Pollock, 305, 335 Lord Palmerston, 336 s^un.set, 306 Pentstemon grandiflorus, 82 Peperomia marmorata, 182 Peristophe lanceolata 182 Phalienopsis Luddeman- idna, 82 Sumatrina, 22, 82 Phormium tenax variega- tuii , 244,808,341 Picea pfnsapo, 247 Pinaria alpina, 187 Pink Sarah Howard, 115 Pinus ponderosa, 173 Poa pratensis, 295 Poinsettm pulcherrima, 153 Polystichium angulire parvissimum, 83 falcinellum, 186 muratum, 83 Primula cortusoides var. amae'^na, 20 intermedia hybrida, 341 Parryj, 82 P.«immia longicoUa, 20 Pruaus triloba, 330 Banfinculus asi^ticus su- perbissimus. 115, I49 iihododendron Auckland^, 172 argentea, 172 Hodgsoni, 117 Nero, 246 Schiller, 148 Smithif, 146 Illuminator, 143 Rhopdla corcovadensis, 315 l^osa Celine Forester, 1(1 Dr. Lindley. 84 Gloire de Dijon, K.t Marechal Mel, 10, 213 Isabella Spruut, ' 343 iSaivia calcalaefoUa, 15u fiilgens, ]50 Gordon?, 150 pitens, 150 splendens compacta, 149 Santolina iucana, 187 Sanchezia nobilis, 342 Sanvitilia procumbens fl pl, 116,213 iSaxffraga Fortune/ var. tricolor, 10 oppositifolia, l87 sarmentosa, 10 tricolor, 245. 315 Saponiria, ' 26 y cuttings ; grown in Hght rich soil. Illustration Horiicole, 18o5, pi. 447. A very pretty ornamental foliaged plant, with crimson, green, and brown leaves, growing only six inches high, and of a dense tufted habit. It will, like otliers of the same family, be an admirable plant for bedding out in summer. (///. Hort., Aug.) FICUS ELASTIC A. BY THE EDITOR. Following the rage for bedding plants, comes a purer and better taste for real' objects of beauty. These are the fine foliaged plants, which are more in keeping with other oivjects of ornamental plantations, and harmonize better with their larger growth. Bedding plants and annuals are admirable in their place, when appropriate grounds are set apart for their decoration, or when parterres are especially arranged for that 24 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. purpose ; then they are really gay features, and claim all the care and attention which may be devoted to them to bring out their superior qualities. But for the lawn, or in the neigliborhood of numerous trees, they are out of place, and cannot compare with the rich foliage and gigantic growth of such plants as Cannas, Wigandias, Ricenas, and similar objects. These are rightly taking the place of verbenas, gazanias and similar things, 1. FrCUS ELASTICA. giving as they do not only a tropical aspect to our grounds, but flourishing in the summer season witli all the vigor of their native clime, are always attractive in their strong growth, stately appearance, and rich broad foliage. Among the many plants of this character is the Ficus elas- tica (fig. 1) or India Rubber tree, whose merits have been overlooked. In the French gardens it is made a conspicuous object, its large, long, thick glossy foliage resisting the winds, which injure many plants of more delicate texture. Grown in good sized pots, and plunged in the open ground, or on the JANUARY. 25 lawn, so as to cover the pots, it has the appearance of speci- mens planted out in the soil ; and properly watered it grows rapidly, puts forth its immense leaves, and is a stately and elegant object the whole summer. Before the approach of frost the plants are lifted and removed to a cool house, where they are scarcely less ornamental than in the open garden. If no greenhouse or conservatory, a light cellar will winter the plants. By judicious pruning and pinching the plants may be kept dwarf and bushy for several years, and when too large to easily handle, young specimens may be raised to take their place. We commend this fine plant to the atten- tion of all lovers of rich foliage. Central 'Batitts. Snowdrops on Lawns. — In the month of May last, we had an oppor- tunity of paying a visit to the Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, and we need scarcely say that we found it, as usual, full of subjects of great inter- est to all lovers of herbaceous plants, shrubs, and trees. Amongst other things worthy of notice we were more particularly struck with the effect produced there in early spring by Snowdrops on the lawns. The roots of this spring favorite had been planted in patches in the greensward, and it had burst forth into full bloom on the melting of the late snow. The effect was most pleasing at this early period of the year. We believe the idea of using the Snowdrop in this way first suggested itself to Mr. McNab a few years ago, and his example is now followed in many other parts of Scotland. It may appear at first sight that the scythe or mowing machine would eventually prove fatal to the plant by the destruction of its leaves. This, however, is not the case. The leaves are formed very early in spring, and have performed their functions before the grass requires to be cut ; a store of nourishment has already been laid up, and the bulbs lie dormant under the sward until the following year, when, at the proper season, they again throw up their leaves and stems, and burst into bloom. Any bulbs which require a summer to ripen their leaves or form their secretions, would not be suitable for the purpose to which the Snowdrop is applied in the Edin- burgh Garden. — [Gard. Chron.) LiLiuM AURATUM. — With me, one bulb of this lily has this year produced two stems, each measuring two and a half inches in circumference at six inches from the surface of the soil, the highest stem measuring eight feet in length, the other seven feet and nine inches. The number of leaves is 185, and 20 flowers, on an average 10 and 12 inches in diameter. The variety is one of the finest I have seen. The first and strongest offset I 26 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. had from this plant has this year produced three flowers, each measuring 13 inches in diameter. — ( Gard. Chron.) Seasonable Hints on Decorative Gardening. — May I take the liberty of indorsing- some of your remarks on Spring Gardening lately, particularly about old fashioned plants ? I hope we shall be able to resus- citate a good many of these before long. In the mean time, let me advise those who have any, to commence increasing them at once, — for example, Daisies, both white and red, and the old-fashioned Hen-and-Chicken, which latter I have latterly been unable to find anywhere. We have no summer, or, as you term it, autumn Ribbon plant equal to a daisy, for completeness of effect in hnes; but the ground must be planted full at first, and not left to be filled by the growth of the plants. Now is the time to divide them for securing a stock. They may be pulled into the smallest possible pieces, and there is even time before the autumn planting to divide them again. If space runs short, there is no better position for them than between the asparagus beds. Let us suppose, for example, that three rows of daisies are wanted, say white, next to that pink, and then the fine dark red. I remember to have seen one in Germany of a blue, or perhaps more correctly, a purple tint; this would be invaluable for a fourth row, and as most things that are grown in Germany are to be had in England, we may hope to hear of this purple daisy soon. Polyanthus and Primulas should also be treated in a similar way at once. The new varieties introduced by Mr. Veitch, from Japan, will be grand acquisitions to us for the spring season, if they should prove hardy. Our own single colored varieties have been strangely neglected of late years, considering their great beauty and their easy culture. Pansies should also be carefully looked to. If the cuttings that should have been put in last month are struck, they will now be ready to be planted out. Young plants are best ; they begin to bloom in the autumn, and continue on up to June ; but there is still time to get fine plants by autumn, if the cut- tings are put in now. Seed should be sown at once for mixed beds. The present is, moreover, a good season for taking into consideration tha general arrangements for spring, and sowing such seeds as Silene pendula, red and white, and Myosotis of different sorts, if not done previously ; in- deed, any annuals that it may be wished to try, such as Collinsias, Sapona- rias, red and white, Virginia Stocks, Lupins, &-c. ; the latter are fine for tall rows. — [Gard, Chron.) Cyclamens, — As the season has arrived when our stock of these charm- ing spring flowers should be examined, and if necessary, shifted, a few notes on their culture may not be unwelcome to many. Though few plants will endure harsher treatment than some of the varieties of Cycla- men, yet few, if any, Avill more thoroughly repay the cultivator for a proper study of their habits, or attention to their more immediate requirements. There are many excellent practitioners in other matters who never could treat Cyclamens with anything like success. The cause of failure was JANUARY. 27 always attributed to a constitutional weakness in the bulbs, but I may be able to show that the fault lays in an other direction. It is a fact that the demand for flowering; bulbs of Cyclamens has from the time of the first introduction of some of the varieties of C. persicum, been greater than the supply ; the consequence has therefore been that seed of some of the better varieties has been imported in quantity, and some has also been saved rather promiscuously from varieties in this country. From the time of sowing this seed saleable bulbs have been produced, hav- ing been pushed on in a high temperature, in often less than from 18 to 24 months. This treatment, so inconsistent with the general habits of Cycla- mens which are found near the base of their native hills embedded for weeks in snow, greatly weakens the young bulbs, causing them to have but a very small crown. This however is but one of two causes which operate unfavorably in the case of Cyclamens. The whole of the seed- lings just named are in demand. They are therefore kept and grown on, without its ever having occurred to the cultivator that, as might have been imagined, inter-impregnation among the varieties had taken place ; thus primitive species have been broken into, and though an occasional novelty has sometimes been met with, not more than 20 per cent, could be counted upon as being fit for the painstaking cultivator. And yet who thinks of throwing away a Clyclamen? I say, therefore, if quintuple the amount is given for them, choose good ones. Have strong, stiff, erect stalks, pure- colored flowers, substance, and good form, and there need be no fear of failure. As a rule, the Cyclamen would succeed better than it does if it were kept cooler than we usually keep it, except when, by a little gentle forcing, it is wanted in flower earlier than it is customary to have it. It will how- ever at all times have finer flowers if placed in a gently heated airy atmos- phere, just when the blossoms are beginning to expand. In order to keep Cyclamens as long in bloom as possible, it is requisite to remove them to a cooler temperature than that in which they have been when the flowers have attained their full size. After flowering they should be removed to an outer airy situation, where they will have the benefit of the morning and forenoon sun, but they like a little shade later in the day. They do well either plunged in pots, or turned out under an east wall, taking them up when they have commenced growing, or before cold, wet, autumnal weath- er has set in. The only compost in which I have seen Cyclamens thrive is a mixture of two parts turfy yellow loam, one of peat and thoroughly decayed leaf- mould, mixed together, one of thoroughly rotted cow-dung, sifted very fine, and a dash of sand — the latter being placed around the roots. Let these materials be thoroughly incorporated and made as firm as possible. The bulbs, which should be kept well up, must nevertheless be firmly fixed in the soil. In siving seed, let it always be done from the most distinct-colored flow- ers. Any deviation from this mostly produces blossoms of a washy, indis- tinct, and often displeasing hue. Sow as soon as the seed is gathered. Never, however, permit a plant to seed unless you expressly wish it to do 28 THE MAGAZINE OP HORTICULTURE. BO, as seed-bearing weakens it. Seedlings sown as I have stated would be sufficiently large to prick off in the early part of June ; no place suits them better than a properly prepared and beaten border under a wall hav- ing an easterly aspect. Planted out here they make nice little bulbs for removal in the autumn, thus saving much unnecessary labor. Having flowered them, and tested their properties, they might, if there is sufficient room, be planted out along the front edge of a conservatory or green- house border, where they might be permitted to remain until the soil in the immediate neighborhood of their roots had occasion to be renewed. Thus situated they will flower well. Mr. Parsons of Danesbury, an excellent cultivator, treats them in this way ; and in addition to their general sweet- ness and gaiety he is thus enabled to cut thousands of .blooms every year for indoor decoration. ( Gard. Chron. ) Iresine Herbstii, alias AchyranthesVerschaffeltii. — I am pleased to learn that this has succeeded so well at Heckfield, and that it is likely to be- come an established favorite in our flower gardens. It is now being sought for in all quarters. I have received many letters respecting its culture and color, the dulness of which in most cases is complained of. I find, however, that all the plants which have proved unsatisfactory have been in an open sit- uation exposed to the full rays of the sun. Nevertheless, I have no hesita- tion in saying that atmospheric influences have little to do with the color, but soil and situation may ; for instance, at Worksop, three miles from here, masses of it are as badly colored as those at Battersea. Again, at Hands worth, 16 miles from here, they are the same, while at Osberton, as many can testify, they are now magnificent. As to shade, one of the workmen at the Crystal Palace said to me, " We have some of the Achy- ranthes in the borders, shaded by shrubs, that are nicely colored, while, as hundreds can prove, those exposed to the sun near the Rose Mount are anything but good." Mr. Wills of Oulton Park, Avhen speaking of it, says, " the plants appear to want more moisture and a more shady position than I have seen accorded to them." It has doubtless, as I have stated, been wrongly treated in most places. Of this there can be no question : for instead of being planted in the shade it has been fully exposed to the burning sun. I am therefore still, I think, in a position to prove that ex- posed beds lying dry and fully open to the sun's rays are not suitable to the successful culture of this plant. The past comparatively sunless weather and the soaking of rain the beds have had, have effected a marked improvement in the color of the plants — a circumstance which proves what I have previously stated, that shade is better than the hot sun; when ex- posed to the latter the color has a brown cast, but when planted in a more shady situation it is magnificent. Even my own plants have wonderfully improved since I sent the boxful for your inspection. I therefore repeat that I feel fully justified in saying what I previously did respecting it. Let it not be understood, however, that this plant absolutely requires a moist shady situation, for it can be grown well, as Mr. Dwerrihouse states, in an exposed place ; nevertheless the color is far more beautiful, without any of that brown cast about it when grown in comparative shade. In the case of JANUARY. 29 exposed places, soil and moisture have no doubt much to do with it, but when grown as I have before recommended, its color will be always fine. — (Gard. Chron.) iossip of % ^ontl]. Books, &c., Received. — Companion Poets for the People, illus- trated. This is a beautiful series of popular selections from the best Eng- lish and American poets, issued by Messrs. Ticknor & Fields, Boston. Price, 50 cts. each. They have issued Household Poems, by Longfellow ; National Lyrics, by J. G. VVhittier ; Lyrics of Life, by R. Browning; Songs of all Seasons, by Tennyson ; Humorous Poems, by Holmes. Other popular authors will be added to the series, which are uniform in size and general appearance. Address before the National Association of Wool Manufacturers. By John L. Hayes, Secretary. Pamphlet, 80 pp. The Practical Entomologist, issued by the Entomological Society of Philadelphia gratuitously, requiring only 12 cents in stamps to pay the postage for a year. Evert Saturday. A Weekly Journal of Selected Literature, of 32 pages, rich, and overflowing with good things. Published every week and in monthly parts, by Ticknor & Fields, Boston. Sotietits. OHIO state pomological. The thirteenth annual meeting of this Society was held at the hall of the Society in Cincinnati, Wednesday, Dec. 6. The following officers were elected : — . President, Dr. John A. Warder. Vice President, E. W. Campbell. Secretary and Treasurer, M. B. Bateham. There was a fine show of fruit. The Toledo Horticultural Society sent 140 kinds of apples and 5 of pears, and numerous others were contributed by various members. We shall refer to the doings of the Society in an- other number. The following resolutions were passed at this meeting : — Resolved, That we feel deeply interested in the great Department of Ag- riculture connected with our Federal Government ; that we desire its entire success, and believe it destined to contribute immensely to the advance- ment of agriculture in the country; that we earnestly entreat the President of the United States to appoint a competent man to be the head of the Department of Agriculture, the incompetency of the present incumbent 80 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. being' a source of general remark and complaint from the intelli2;ent agri- culturists of all parts'of our extended country. It is therefore Resolved, That in the opinion of this convention a change in the head of the Agricultural Department is imperatively needed for the best interests of the producing classes of the country, and the President of the United States is mo3t respectfully petitioned to listen to the complaints embodied in the foregoing resolutions. (Signed) John A. Warder, President. M. B. Bate HAM, Secretary. ^iissitc|)usc{{s Dortitultiiral Bmhi Saturday, JVov. 4th, 1865. — An adjourned meeting of the Society was held to-day — the President in the chair. The Executive Committee recommended an appropriation of thirty-one hundred dollars for premiums the ensuing year, to be divided as follows: — On Gardens, 300 00 On Flowers, ' 3300 00 On Fruits, 1100 00 On Vegetables, 400 00 $3100 00 The following members were elected : — A. Flagg, H. B. Towle, Ives G. Bates, Dr. S. L. Abbott, H. Inches, F. Brooks, Dr. E. T. Wilson, Dr. H. B. Inches, L. J. Bradish, T. D. Morris, C. D. Russell, J H. Rogers, A. H. Bowman, J. C. Pratt, C. E. Richardson, E. J. Andrews, J. W. Ayres, C. W. .Tenks, J. C. Hubbard, Boston ; Rev. A. B. Muzzey, Jas. Mellen, Dr. A. H. Ramsay, Cambridge: A. A. Childs, H.Clay, C. E. Backus, Dorchester ; Geo. Frost, West Newton; Geo. L. Marsh, Watertown ; E. H. Stanwood, M. S. Scudder, Grantville ; A. Josselyn, Roxbury ; R. Woodward, W. Sheafe, Brookline ; C. H. Walker, Chelsea ; Geo. W. Heath, J. Ward, C. B. Lancaster, J. H. Woodford, Newton ; J. J. Raynor, Lexington ; J. L. Gorham, Jamaica PI lin ; S. Hartwell, Lincoln ; Geo. W. Whittle, Somer- ville ; C. S. Adams, Framingham. Adjourned one month to Dec. 2. Dec. 2d. — An adjourned meeting of the Society was held to-day — the President in the chair. The following members were elected: — George Keyes, Concord ; Ed. C. Clay, J. Mclntyre, H. Gleason, Maiden ; Joseph S. Potter, J. Barrage, S. G. Damon, Wm. Potter, West Cambridge ; T. B. Hadley, Stoneham ; A. C. Sanborn, East Cambridge ; I. B. Carlisle, N. Cummings, J. Clark, Boston. Adjourned two weeks, to Dec. 16. Dec. i6th. — An adjourned meeting of the Society was held to-day — the President in the chair. No business coming before the meeting, it was adjourned two weekfe, to Dec. 30th. JANUARY. 31 Dec. 20fh. — An adjourned meeting of the Society was held to day — the President in the chair. The Chairmen of the several Committees on Gardens, Flowers, Fruits, Vegetables, and the Library, submitted their annual reports, which were accepted. Wm. R. Austin, C. O. Whitmore, and Josiah 8tickney were chosen a Committee to settle with Mount Auburn Cemetery. The meetinsr dissolved. lortituliural #pernfioits FOR JANUARY. FRUIT DEPARTMENT. The month of December has continued rather mild, with but little snow, and but three or four very cold mornings, the lowest having been 3°. This was succeeded by a warm rain, which left the ground free from frost. Such mild weather, with a good proportion of sunlight, has been highly favorable to early forcing, and plant houses of all kinds. Vines in the very early houses will soon begin to color their fruit, and as this takes place whether now or next month, the house should be kept dryer, and a good degree of heat maintained, with plenty of air, when the weather will admit. If the heat of the border is not sufficient, which may be easily ascertained by removing a small portion of the cover- ing, additional protection should be given. This, however, will depend upon the weather during the month. Vines in graperies and greenhouses should now be carefully pruned, washed and cleaned preparatory to grow- ing by next month. If the houses are kept warm and the border well cov- ered, the vines will soon begin to start, and the pruning, if neglected, can- not be done too soon. Cuttings for propagation may now be put in, and old vines may be budded, as we have directed in a previous volume. Orchard Houses should have good attention. Air well in all moderate weather, and only close up when the temperature is likely to go below 8° or 10°. In houses with jflues or hot water the trees may be got in readiness for growing next month. Scions may be cut now in any favorable weather, and placed away in the cellar, in sand or common soil. Trench and prepare ground if the weather v/ill admit. Pruning may be commenced this month where there is a great deal to do. In fine weather it is a pleasant work. Clearing the trees of moss and rough bark may also be done at this season. It will save valuable time in April and May. Figs, Grapes in pots, and Peach trees may be introduced into the grapery or even greenhouse, if there is room. 32 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. Strawberries for forcing should now be brought from frames into the house, and placed on a warm shelf near the glass. FLOWER DEPARTMENT. With January the active labors of the industrious gardener begin. Where there is a large collection, and different houses for various plants, there is plenty of work. All the plants should be looked over, and if they require cleaning it should now be done. Climbers will need regulating, and preparations made to bring forward all the plants which have laid dor- mant up to this period. Camellias will now be in full flower, and will require careful watering, giving the plants occasionally a little weak manure water, syringing occa- sionally unless the house is kept very cool. Head in straggling plants that have done flowering. Azaleas will now begin to bloom, and as the flowers appear they will require more liberal watering. Plants intended for blooming in April or May should be kept in a cool house and sparingly watered. Improve every leisure time to tie the plants into a neat shape. Pelargoniums will now be growing slowly, and getting strength for a good bloom. Keep the house quite cool, so as to obtain a short-jointed growth, and water rather more liberally. Turn the plants round once a week. Repot all plants not already done. Cinerarias should be shifted into their flowering pots. Keep cool, and near the glass. Fumigate often. Calceolarias require precisely the same treatment as cinerarias. Achimenes and Gloxinias should now be potted for early bloom. Caladiums should now be started into growth, placing them in a warm part of the house where the temperature does not fall below 60°. Begonias may be divided and repotted. Fuchsias should be pruned, repotted, and started into growth. Pansies, raised from seeds in the autumn, and shifted now, will bloom beautifully all the spring. Keep on a cool shelf near the glass. Ferns should be repotted and have more water. Amaryllises may be placed on a lower shelf and watered, if they show signs of growing. Japan Lilies should now have a good place near the light. Scarlet Geraniums, intended for large specimens, should be repotted. Heaths may be removed to a warmer place as they show signs of bloom- ing. Now is a good time to put in cuttings. Seeds of many kinds of annuals may be planted this month for early bloom. Dahlias may be potted soon for early blooming. Callas should have an abundance of water. Verbenas, Petunias, and other bedding plants may now be propagated from cuttings. Orchids should have more water as the season advances, keeping the atmosphere moist and warm if they are making their growth. GRAPES IN MASSACHUSETTS. It is but a few years since it was deemed possible to enu- merate Massacliusetts among the grape-growing States. The Catawba and the IsabeUa, the prominent and ahnost only kinds ten years ago, were altogether too late for a climate whose products were granite and ice, and the parallel line of grape growing to any extent was confined to the latitude of New York, whose " Croton Isabellas " were almost a drug in tlie market. True, the Clinton was about that time heralded as the great variety which was to clothe our New England hills — even into Maine — witli vine-clad fields, to vie with the rich vineyards of Ohio ; but, unfortunately, it was not quite up to the quality which at least Massachusetts cultivators required in an eatable grape ; and plantations of vines, purple with luscious fruit, were yet the dreamy phantasies of Clinton grape growers. Then came the famous Northern Muscadine, whose advent awakened fresli visions of magnificent grapes, in pound bunches, hanging in rich profusion in every man's garden. But this again was not quite up to the high com- mendation given it by a score or more of gentlemen who had tasted it from the original vine. The pound bunches have never made their appearance — only on paper. But just as our Massachusetts cultivators despaired of rivalling Ohio as a grape-growing State came the Concord, which, like the good old town from which it was named and where it grew, will hold the same historical relation to grapes and grape growing in New England, that the honored town holds to our revolutionary period, — the first grand success in the production of a grape adapted to our northern clime, whose hardy branch " Hangs out its clusters, glowing to the south, And scarcely wishes for a warmer sky." Its growth just at that time gave a new impetus to vine VOL. XXXII. — NO. II. 3 34 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. culture throughout the country — cheered the hopes of doubt- ing and despairing cultivators — and awakened an interest in the production of superior varieties, which lias so far had no check, and which is destined to go on until our people are supphed with grapes equalling the famed " Golden Chasselas " of Thomery, and wines rivalling the most esteemed French : *' The Claret smooth, The mellow-tasted Bargnndy, and quick As is the wit it gives, the guy Champagne." But we are straying from our subject, which was to intro- duce to our readers that portion of the most excellent report of J. F. C. Hyde, Esq., the Chairman of the Fruit Committee of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, devoted to grapes. It is as follows : — GRAPES. The grape fever rages higher and higher each succeeding year. New varieties arc eagerly sought for, and the older ones are being extensively planted. The public are hardly aware to what extent grape vines are being planted even in New^ England, to say nothing of the vast numbers that are yearly planted in other parts of the United States. It is astonishing to see what efforts are being made to procure new and superior varieties. One person claims to have thirty thousand seedlings, from good varieties, that he proposes to fruit and test. Another has ten thousand, and has already fruited some that have proved good. Almost every grape grower has his favorite seedlings, from which he expects great results. What is to be the result of all this effort, and we may say excitement, on the subject of grapes? That the public will be benefited we cannot doubt, though we have grave doubts as to the grape crop proving a profitable one to all who have embarked in it. The past season has been in some respects an unfavorable one for this fruit, as we have before had occasion to remark. The great amount of moisture, followed by cool nights and frequent and sudden changes, had the effect to rot and mildew the grape, so that some varieties suffered badly, or were wholly ruined. After FEBRUARY. 35 tlie rains ceased, and the drought began, the weather was favorable to tlie growth and ripening of the fruit which had escaped the rot. The sliow of grapes at the annual exhibition was hardly up in quality, or quantity, to that of the year previous, though it was good. Owing to the arrangement of our tables at the annual exhibition this fruit did not have so prominent a place as it deserved. Some specimens of the Adirondac, grown in Cambridge by Davis & Bates, were exhibited and appeared well. The Creveling did not appear as well as the year pre- vious. The foliage mildewed considerably, but the fruit very little. When fully ripe this is a very good grape. We have often remarked that after eating heartily of other grapes, we could always relish a bunch or two of the brisk, juicy and refreshing Creveling. It is earlier than the Concord, keeps much better, and far superior to it in quality. The bunch is rather too loose when grown on young vines, but age improves it in this respect. The lona, grown by Mr. Brackett of Winchester, was tested by us, and was fully equal to our expectations in quality ; it is a superior grape. Allen's Hybrid did not add to its reputa- tion this year, though our large vine, that stood entirely unprotected on the south side of our house, gave us a fair crop of good fruit. It mildewed and rotted but very little, less so by far than the Concord, wliich is regarded as being very hardy. It does not ripen its wood well, the new growth often being soft and pithy, at the fall pruning. There are, however, few, if any, better out-door grapes tlian this. What shall we say of Rogers's Hybrids ? Last year we spoke well of No. 4, and referred to some other Nos., but did not feel disposed to give a decided opinion upon their merits. This year, we are better prepared to speak of several of tliem, for the fruit of Nos. 1, 3, 4, 9, 15, 19, 30, 33, 39, 41, 43 and 49 have baen carefully tested by us. No. 1 is a large-sized grape, reddish color when fully ripe, with a muscat flavor, some pulp, sweet and good, but rather late for this vicinity. No. 3 is a red grape, a little larger than the Delaware, or about the size of lona, with just enough of the native flavor; tender, sweet and good. It is said to be the earliest of all 36 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. the Rogers grapes. It seems well worthy a trial. No. 4 has done well the past season, and we have been very much pleased with it ; large size, black, good bunches, with berries equal in size to Black Hamburgh, not pulpy or foxy, nearly as early as the Concord, and a better grape. It keeps admir- ably, being nearly as fresh the 20th of December, as when picked from tlie vines ; good bearer and a very desirable market fruit. This variety has improved from year to year, as have others of Rogers's Hybrids. It is a good grower and liardy vine. No. 9 is a red grape, resembling No. 3, but not so good ; the flavor is not equal to that of No. 3, tliongh in other re- spects equal to, and very much like it. No. 15 is a very rampant grower, and, on our young vines, the fruit has been foxy, and with a somewhat hard pulp. We are satisfied that this variety will need a good deal of room to do well. Some regard this as the very best of all the Rogers numbers, but we cannot endorse this view, after having fruited it two years. No doubt it will prove a very prolific bearer, and perhaps valuable for market purposes. No. 19 next claims our atten- tion, and this is one of tlie numbers that has been greatly praised and extensively sold. It is a black grape, of good size and fair quality, but not equal to No. 4 or 41. It does not keep so well as either of the others ; bunch large, berry good size. It may prove a valuable market fruit. No. 30 was not fully ripe, and we say sour, pulpy, foxy, and among the poorest. No. 33 is a good grape. No. 39 we marked as inferior on a single trial of it. No. 41 is a black grape, hand- some bunch and berry, ripens as early as Concord, perhaps earlier ; sweet and good. No. 43 is a good grape, and by some regarded as equal to No. 3. No. 49 did not seem to be ripe on the 20th of September, and was not rated high. It was our good fortune to see most of the varieties, on the vines, in the garden of Hon. M. P. Wilder, and of tasting the fruit freshly plucked. Then, again, through the kindness of the some gentleman, we were furnished with samples at our rooms to test, which trial was made by some of our best judges, and the results are given above. Still later we were favored with an opportunity to visit Col. Wilder early in FEBRUARY. 37 December, and then again test some of the Roger's Hybrids ; and we are happy to say that from all we have seen of the various numbers during the past year, we are very mucli better pleased with them than ever before ; and truly believe that some of them are destined to become highly popular and valuable varieties, especially for market. We have given our judgment of these grapes, as they appeared this year, but may, from the experience of another year, change it as much as we have changed it the past year ; for it is very cer- tain that none can safely judge of a grape until the vine gets age and the fruit has been grown in different localities and under varying circumstances. So far as relates to quality, merely, we do not yet regard any of these grapes as equal to Delaware, Allen's Hybrid, lona and otliers. Our attention was called to some grapes sent to the Presi- dent of the Society, by Mr. Moore, of Rochester, N. Y. They are called hybrids, and were raised by Mr. Moore from seed of the native grape hybridized with the foreign. The best of all of them was tlie Diana Hamburgh, from the Diana crossed by Black Hamburgh. We append a description of it, taken from Hovey's Magazine: " This is considered the best of tlie collection, clusters very large, six to eiglit inclies in length, usually longer in proportion to breadth than tlie Hamburgh, regularly shouldered, compact ; berries roundish, larger than the Concord, dark crimson, with a rich purple bloom mingled with a fiery lustre in the sunlight ; flesh perfectly tender, breaking to the centre and letting out the seeds like a foreign grape, of sugary sweetness, in flavor remarkably like the Hamburgh but more aromatic and lively, fully equalling that excellent variety. The vine is a slow grower, making firm short-jointed shoots, with large buds and deeply lobed leaves of medium thickness, peculiarly crimped and often rolled inward ; hardy and very productive. Fruit ripens after the Concord, and a week or ten days earlier than the Diana." This fruit did not appear to be fully ripe the 20th of Septem- ber, but we formed a very favorable opinion of the variety fro m this one trial of it. The " Clover-Street Black," was another variety from the same source ; tliis, too, being a cross between Black Hamburgh 38 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. and Diana ; bunch large, sliouldered ; borries good size, black, with heavy bloom ; flesh tender, with a sweet, lively flavor resembling Black Hamburgh, but more spirited ; seemed to be fully ripe the 20th of September. We regard tliis as a very promising variety, and hope and believe it will become still better with age, as this is its first year of bearing. The vine is said to be a good grower and hardy. Hardy Chasselas is still another, said to be from a cross between Diana and Royal Muscadine, very hardy, and though the foliage is very foreign, it bears the sun well. The fruit, tested by us, was not quite ripe ; still, it was good, and we desire another trial of it. It had but little flesh, and was quite juicy. The Wliite Musk, sent with the others, is said to be a cross between Isabella and some foreign white variety ; decidedly poor flavor from some cause. We do not regard it as even promising, but it may greatly improve on further trial. The fifth variety sent was the improved Clinton, from a cross between the Clinton and Black Hamburgh. The fruit shows very little, if any, of the Hamburgli quality, and seemed to be a slightly improved Clinton. We were not much pleased with it. In color, shape, size and flavor, it strongly resembles the Clinton. Some good cultivators in our midst have questioned if there have ever been any liybrids produced between the foreign and native grapes ; but we tliink they should doubt no longer on this point, from the evidence which is accumulating year by year in proof of the fact. We have had another opportunity to test the seedling grape produced by Parker Barnes. It appeared better this year than last, and was pronounced by us a good grape. The bunches were about five inches in length, shouldered, berries fair size, nearly or quite equal to Hartford in this respect, oval shape, color black, early, being ripe .tlie 9th of Septem- ber, sweet and good, quite superior to Hartford, and nearly as good as a well-ripened Isabella. We think it worthy a more extensive trial. 0. R. Bobbins exhibited a grape said to be a seedling, but which so nearly resembled the Clinton that we are led to believe it to be a reproduction of that variety, with no improvement. We do not regard it as promising well. FEBRUARY. 39 At tlie annual exhibition there was a fine lot of grapes from Sanbornton, N. H., about which there has been mucli discussion. Tiie variety resembles the Isabella in every re- spect, except that the wood is shorter jointed, and the fruit ripens earlier. We think, notwithstanding these facts, that it is the Isabella, grown under favorable circumstances ; for we have not forgotten, how, a few years ago, our wisest po- mologists were puzzled by some grapes shown by Mr. Cutter of Weston, which proved to be the old and well-known Isa- bella. Other seedlings have been shown, but none, as we remember, were deemed worthy of honorable mention. The older sorts, such as Isabella, Catawba, Concord, Hartford, Delaware, Rebecca and others, were, with few exceptions, in- ferior to those of former years, owing, in a large degree, to the rpt and mildew, followed by the severe drought. The time will come, and is not far distant, when our mar- kets will be abundantly supplied with fresh grapes, cut every day from the numerous vineyards that will cover our hill- sides in the vicinity of Boston. Acres of grape vines are being planted in Massachusetts, and it is fair to presume that we shall ere long be independent of our Western friends, from whom we have received in years past large quantities of this fruit. Let the work go on, until we can have this most healthful fruit in abundance, and that, too, of the very best quality. A new question will soon arise with our fruit growers : What shall be done with the surplus grapes ? Shall we make them into wine, and supply tlie demand that now exists and will increase for a pure article for medicinal and other pur- poses ? IMPRESSIONS OF ENGLISH SCENERY. BY H. W. SARGENT, ESQ. We have the pleasure of presenting our readers witli another very interesting letter from Mr. Sargent, dated Tor- quay, Dec. 17, 1865. " I write at 3 P. M. on this 17th of December, by an open 40 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. window, with Lauristiinis, Geraniums, Magnolia grandiflora, Camellias, Koscs, &c., in flower out of doors, and the villas and terraces abounding in Ilex, Evergreen Oak^ Laurus nobilis, Italian Pines, Cork Trees, and everything which belongs to Southern Italy. There is no end of beautiful excursions and drives to Berry, Pomroy Castle, Powderham Castle, Exeter, Teignmouth, Portsmouth, &c., besides Lus- combe House and Mamhead Park, of which two I will talk later. Since w^riting you, I have been to Bowood, Badminton (Duke of Beaufort's), Highnam Court (Mr. Gambler Perry's), where I went to see the Pinetum, and several minor places. We have been now to one hundred and eight country seats, and I have come to this conclusion: — They are all alike in certain marked and general features, viz., an Italian Garden^ in which either rows or occasional specimens of Irish Yews preponderate, with a large sprinkling of English Yews, Cu- pressus macrocarpa and Govenia, trimmed into pyramids, or cones, or beehives, is invariably on one^ generally tivo, some- times three sides of the house, occasionally standard Portugal Laurels or Rhododendrons; but always a little helped with the shears. This Garden, separated from the Park always by a Ha Ha, sometimes plain, sometimes with a small, delicate wire fence on top of the Ha Ha, but more generally by an Italian balustrade in stone, with occasional pilasters, each pilaster sur- mounted by a vase filled generally with fine single specimens of geraniiims. From this formal or Italian Garden, often of different grades, connected by large handsome flights of steps and with broad, straight walks, a curved walk leads to some pleasure ground, irregularly planted with masses of sbrubs, especially Bhododendrons, occasionally some single specimen of the new evergreens, such as Araucarias and Deodars, the two favorites just now, sometimes tlie Douglas and Menziesii Fir, occasionally Pinsapo and Cephalonica, but very rarely the Cryptomeria, or any of the new pines. This pleasure ground is separated like the Italian Garden by the invariable Ha Ha from the Park, but without the balustrade, and generally without the wire fence on top. On the entrance front it is all open park, and sheep or deer (never cows) feed up to the very door. I should say, as a general rule, the formal Italian FEBRUARY. 41 Garden on one or more sides was always to be found attached to every place in England, large or small ; and as the windows of most of the houses open immediately upon it, and the garden itself is inaccessible b}^ means of the Ha Ha, or through the gates which are locked, it renders it perfectly private to the family, and a very beautiful and stately append- age to the living rooms, and quite secure from interruption ; and as many of these gardens are otherwise adorned by classic vases, statues and fountains, the connection between the house and grounds is much more gradual and elegant than where there was less distinction between the pleasure grounds and park. In my last letters I wrote you, I preferred Trentham to any place I had then seen, though I thought Biddulp Grange (Mr. Bateman's) and Elvaston Castle very wonderful as specialities. Had I written you a week ago I should have said Bowood — taking all things into consideration, house, Italian Garden, the best Pinetum I have seen yet, lake and park — far exceeds Trentham, and if you will look at your ' Gardens of England ' you will see it, and no more perfect than we did, beautiful as I remember your views were. But this gives you no idea of the Pinetum, where the collection, especially of Pines, is greater, and the lake, fine as Trentham is, infinitely more beautiful than any ornamental water we have seen. And yet today, wonderful as Bowood is, we have come to the conclusion that Mamhead, twelve miles from here, the seat of Sir L. Newman, is the most beautiful place in England, tliough it has only a Park of 70 acres. Mr. Colman, in his agricultural tour 25 years ago, said this, and 18 years ago I also thouglit tliis, and wrote as mucli to tlie Horticulturist, and now upon my second visit, after this long interval, I am rejoiced to find it still holds its supremacy. In the first place, there is no country seat of the 108 we have seen which possesses sucli wonderful beauty of group, mass and single specimens, as well as such extraordinary combina- tion of landscape and water, tlie most exquisite, long, graceful sweeps of lawn and liillside, clothed with the most majestic Cedars of Lebanon, Oaks, Limes, Beeches and Evergreen Oaks, with distant peeps of the ocean on one side and the 42 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. river Exe, a milo or so wide, on the other. As notliing but sheep is allowed in the Park the trees sweep to the ground. The Italian Garden, of which I send you but a faint idea enclosed, is beautifully arranged and planted with the finest and most admirably trained specimens of the rarest trees. Among them, below the first terrace, is the finest Abies Morinda in England, very pendulous and glaucous, and quite sixty feet high ; also, the finest Deodars and Araucarias, and a mass of Rhododendrons, 30 feet high and 160 feet in cir- cumference, a perfectly round ball, and already, on the 15th December, in flower on the south side. In the rear is a mossy bank, planted with intervals of single Rhododendrons and Cotoneaster, which actually run down hill like vines, so luxuriant and graceful is their growth ; Lauristinus and ge- raniums, in full bloom ; a fountain, sparkling, in shape of a lily ; the prettiest little old church, shaded by a grand old yew, form pai't and parcel of this wonderful place. Lusconel, of which I also send you a carte, is in the bottom of a most luxuriant valley, down and through which it looks, amidst the most charming groups and masses of Cedars of Lebanon, oaks and beeches, to the sea. The ornamental grounds run up some distance on either side. The American garden, containiiig immense masses of Rhododendrons, Aza- leas, Gaultherias, Andromedas, Heaths, &c. ; wonderful single specimens of Cedars of Lebanon (the two varieties). Deodars, Araucarias, Menzies, and Pinsapo, Firs, Golden Yews, &c. Above and beyond is a very extensive and well-grown Pinetum. For the mere purposes of study one place is as good as a hundred — the plan and character of all being alike, and differ- ing only in extent and the natural character of the ground. Most of the great places have no especial view, but an indefi- nite extent of hill and dale, irregularly planted with immense trees. Tiiese are only saved from the appearance of intense dreariness by the presence of great quantities of deer, sheep and cattle. Upon the whole, I have been somewhat disap- pointed in my present visit here, from the entire absence of the many new weeping and variegated trees we see in the catalogues, and the comparatively rare appearance of the new evergreens. The Deodar Cedar and Araucaria are plenty FEBRUARY. 43 enough, occasionally Cryptomerias and Taxodiums, but hardly ever Golden Yews ; and as for the Pinetums, during my four months here, I could count them upon my five fingers. I sliould say in conclusion, England of 1865 was generally England of 1845, with the exception of two or three new trees and the universality of Italian Gardens. COMMENTS ON MANURES. — OXIDE OF IRON FOR PEAR TREES. BY D. W. LOTHROP, WEST MEDFORD. The great number of fancy, concentrated, special, patent fertilizers (or by whatever other name we choose to designate them) are now so common and pretentious in the ♦market — sustained in tlieir competition with each other by innumera- ble puffs, as being panaceas for all feeble vegetation — that it is to be feared many have lost sight of. or faith in, the good old-fashioned, canonical, barn-yard manure ! The latter needs lio puffing, as the best cultivators knoiv its value. It is older than the science of chemistry, and made its reputation hund- reds of years ago. That chemistry should sustain it is much to its credit, tliough it has given us nothing better. Accord- ing to an analysis at hand, a ton of ordinary barn-yard dung contains 1589 pounds of water, and of carbonaceous or vege- table matter, 272, making 1861 pounds. Of the remaining 139 pounds, 89 are sand, and six are oxide of iron and alumina — of no practical account — leaving only 44 pounds to cover the other ingredients of more or less value, as nitrogen, phosphoric acid, soda, lime, &c. This proportion of organic and inorganic matter, as it comes well reduced from the ani- mal, seems by experience the best fitted fertilizer for all our commonly cultivated plants. Of course, the addition of hay or straw reduces its value. The great bulk of plants is car- bon. This is absorbed principally from the atmosphere, in the form of gas, through the leaves, but to an extent is gen- erated in the soil by the decay of vegetable substances, and is imbibed in solution by the roots. It is the daily bread of 44 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. plants, forming the body of woody fibre, while water forms their sap. Pkmts live and thrive of themselves ; but to give them greater life and more profitable thrift, to enable them to seize with' greater avidity their more common elements, stimulants are needed — or what may be termed a kind of medication — and the most important of these is ammonia (a combination of nitrogen and hydrogen), and next phosphoric acid and potash. They seem to constitute the essence of manure, and it is valuable in proportion as they exist, though other matters play important parts. Hence Liebig has point- edly observed : " Carbonic acid, ivater and ammonia contain the elements necessary for the support of animals and vegeta- tion." Of the great bulk of manure added to the soil, only a small portion directly enters the plant, though important in a secondary point of view. Its water, in a simple state, is superfluous, and so is much of its carbon as an available constituent. The humus, however, of barn-yard manure is said by chemists to generate acids which unite with ammonia, and set free the alkalies in the felspar of rocks. It aUo absorbs nitre and moisture from the atmosphere, and gives a higher temperature to the soil by fermentation. In fact, Dr. Dana has laid it down as the eighth principle of agricultural chemistry, that " Geine [humus] in some form is essential to agriculture." But dismissing this subject, I wish to speak principally of the oxide of iron as a fertilizer. This, if considered at all as a commercial manure, must occupy at least a fifth decimal point as to value. I hardly know whetlier I have a " preju- dice " against it, or a legitimate oljection. At any rate, it's repugnant to my understanding ! A couple of enthusiastic fruit growers under my observa- tion have purchased a quantity of iron filings, or chips, and placed them around their young pear trees, with a degree of hope, probably, that the result will be marked and advanta- geous. Nature supplies this element (iron) in all soils, but according to Prof. Johnson, she supplies it most abundantly in those that are barren ! Hence, is it not a little remarkable that in search of a valuable stimulant for pear trees, such a forbidding article as oxide of iron should be seized upon ? FEBRUARY. 45 We have beard of soils being deficient in soda, potasb, and some of tbe more important acids, but wbo ever beard of a soil being injuriously or fatally deficient in iron ? In tbe ash of the pear and apple wood there is less than one per cent, of iron in any of its forms. From this fact it would appear that if iron is ever useful, it is not so much in entering into tbe composition of plants as by a catalytic action in absorbing important gases. But I am tempted to see what tlie cliemists say further of this metallic oxide. The late Prof. James F. W. Johnson (above quoted), in his "Elements of Agricultural Chemis- try," in speaking of the deficiencies of a certain barren soil, analyzed by Sprengel, observes : " But all these wants would not alone condemn the soil to hopeless barrenness, because, in favorable circumstances, they might all be supplied by art. But the oxide of irQn amounts to eight per cent, of this fine part of tlie soil ; a proportion of this substance which, in a soil containing so little lime and organic matter, appears, from practical experience, to be in- compatible with the healthy growtli of cultivated crops. This soil, therefore, requires not only those substances of which it is destitute, but such other substances also, or such a form of treatment, as shall prevent the injurious effects of the large portion of oxide of iron it contains." Further on, in speaking of this soil, he regards it " too rich in oxide of iron, which, when present in excess, is usually prejudicial to vegetable life." Mr. J. also alludes to this element in the soil of the red sandstone districts, where it collects and hardens in the subsoil in such quantities as to forbid the entrance of the roots, and which should be broken up and drained off. In an article on fertilizers, in the Patent Office Report (1860), by Thos. G. Clemson, LL. D., a more favorable view of this article is taken. Under the caption " Oxide of Iron and Manganese," he observes : " Little need be said of these two substances, since, though they exist abundantly in nature, and in most if not all culti- vated soils, it is supposed their presence in plants is accidental, and always in small quantities. ... As the oxide of iron is 46 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. known to occur in animal bodies, there is reason to suppoee tliat its presence is essential to certain plants. Soils contain- ing ferruginous matter are not benefited by the addition of organic or putrid animal manures. The peroxide of iron is reduced to a state of protoxide by the action of the organic matter whicli unites with a portion of the oxygen in the per- oxide. Where the sulphuret of iron is found, a chemical action may be brought about by the addition of lime. The peroxide of iron absorbs and retains ammonia, and imparts it to plants as they require nitrogen, whicli is known to be a constituent of that gas and of organic matter." He also speaks of some experiments being made in Europe, which go to show that some plants cannot ripen their seed without tlie presence of iron in the soil. The following extract from Liebig, generally conceded to be the highest authority, presents this oxide in a still more favorable light : " The oxides of iron and alumina are distinguished from all other metallic oxides by their power of forming solid com- pounds with ammonia. The precipitates obtained by the addition of ammonia to salts of alumina or iron arc true salts, in which the ammonia is contained as a base. Minerals containing alumina or oxide of iron also possess, in an eminent degree, the remarkable property of attracting am- monia from the atmosphere and of retaining it. Yanquelin, whilst engaged in the trial of a criminal case, discovered that all rust of iron contains a certain quantity of ammonia. Chevalier afterwards found that ammonia is a constituent of all minerals containing iron ; that even hematite, a mineral which is not at all porous, contains one per cent, of it. Bonis showed also, that the peculiar odor observed on moistening minerals containing alumina, is partly owing to their exhaling ammonia. Indeed, gypsum and some varieties of alumina, pipe-clay for example, emit so much ammonia, when moist- ened with caustic potash, that even after tliey have been exposed for two days, reddened litmus paper held over them becomes blue. Soils, therefore, which contain oxides of iron and burned clay must absorb ammonia, an action which is favored by their porous condition ; they further prevent the FEBRUARY. 47 escape of the ammonia once absorbed, by their -chemical properties. Such soils, in fact, act precisely as a mineral acid would do if extensively spread over their surface ; witli tliis difference, that the acid would penetrate the ground, enter into combination with lime, ahimina, and other bases, and thus lose, in a few liours, its property of absorbing am- monia from tlie atmosphere. The addition of burned clay to soils has also a secondary influence ; it renders the soil porous, and, therefore, more permeable to air and moisture. The ammonia absorbed by the clay or ferruginous oxides is separated by every shower of rain, and conveyed in solution to the soil." Notwithstanding the favorable light in which this eminent cliemist has placed oxide of iron as a fertilizer, powdered charcoal possesses a similar action, but surj)asses all other substances in its power to absorb ammonia ; and decayed wood is nearly as good as charcoal, and probably burnt clay is nearly as good as the wood, and either of the three much better than iron. If sawdust were put around young pear ti^ees, say an inch deep, it would first serve as a mulching ; secondly, it would absorb ammonia; and thirdly, in its ulti- mate decay it would furnish carbonic acid to the soil and roots of the plant. Burnt clay or sod, in connection witli it, would probably be an improvement to the treatment. As iron rust is apt to lodge in the soil, and is so inferior to many other articles as an absorbent, few cultivators will wish to add more to their soil than it already possesses. In an able article on the " Pliilosophy and Chemistry of Manures," in the Patent Office Reports (1861), the writer — probably Mr. Joseph Harris of Rochester, N. Y. — classes iron among the elements of the soil that are of little or no value, certainly never necessary to add them. In another connection, Liebig observes that in some of the forms which iron assumes in the soil, it absorbs oxygen therefrom, and thus robs the roots of plants of an essential element. An application of lime is the remedy. The application of iron to the soil around bearing pear trees, as a remedy for the cracking of the fruit, has been practised to some extent by good cultivators, but we think 48 THE MAGAZINE OP HORTICULTURE. only with imaginary success. If it had proved a remedy for the evil, we should all liave known it ; but now the cause of the cracking of tlie pear is supposed to be atmospheric, with a constitutional susceptibility in certain varieties to the dis- ease. Place a Bartlett and Flemisli Beauty, for instance, side by side, with the same treatment ; the fact that the latter will sometimes crack while the former never will, shows that the defect is not alone in the air or soil, and the fact that the Flemish Beauty is in some seasons sound proves that it is not wholly in the aptitude of tlie fruit, or in the joint influence of soil and fruit. If it were produced from the soil and the various changes of the atmosphere, tlie Bartlett would some- times crack. But it does not. Hence the evil lies in tlie atmosphere and the fruit. No remedy has as yet been dis- covered for it, though shelter will very much improve the old St. Michael, and that gives us a good hint. As to what is a good fertilizer for pear trees in general, the question is not so difficult as the ways and means to procure what we know to be good. Barn-yard manures, or even those more rich in nitrogen, as night soil, are the best, with an occasional supply of wood ashes, guano, superphosphate of lime, or gypsum — especially as the trees become advanced to a bearing stage. As a cheap absorbent of ammonia from the atmosphere and from rains, gypsum or plaster is excellent. When this can be procured for the purpose, the oxide of iron, to my mind, should not be thought of. FRUIT AND FRUIT CULTURE IN NORTHERN OHIO. BY F. R. ELLIOTT, CLEVELAND. The season just past has been one of comparative success in fruits of nearly all varieties. Strawberries, being the earliest to ripen of the varieties, were abundant on young plantations, but old beds of, say three or more years, were in many cases a failure, and one late frost, just as Wilson's Al- bany— which is now the " million " plant — was in bloom, destroyed the crop in some wet and frosty locations. Nearly FEBRUARY. 49 all locations on tlie soutli shore of Lake Erie, and witliin tlic influence of the lake, however, were free from injury, and gave such returns that our Cleveland market was fully sup- plied, and thousands of bushels, as usual, shipped to less- fiivored localities. Wilson's Albany, Hovey, and Russell's Prolific are the varieties mostly grown — the first, because of its hardy vine and abundant bearer, — the second, because of its beauty of fruit and firm character, making it command nearly one-third more price in market for shipping purposes. It is the old stand-by, and every one feels like having some of it ; but unfortunately, vines have become so much mixed that it is difficult to obtain pure, true vines hereabouts. The third variety has been grown and this year brought to market because of encomiums so lavishly awarded it by some eminent pomologists. It is undoubtedly an old sort, that once stood high in Western public favor as an amateur-grower's berry. Triomphe de Gaud has had its day here, some hundreds of quarts that I saw in market not selling quite as readily or for more price than Wilson. Austin Shaker in one location this year did very well ; as a general thing it is not grown. Old Hudson, Willey, Longworth's Prolific and many other once renowned sorts have disappeared, or are oidy in hands of a few amateurs. Buir's New Pine is a variety almost unat- tainable ; true, many claim to have it, but — . La Constante, Emily, Green Prolific, French's Seedling and many other sorts have been obtained the past year and started by quite a large number of growers, and nearly everybody has Agriculturist, the fruit and bearing of which I fear will cause many a dis- appointment. Strawberry growing is not as profitable, as a \\ihole, througli the West as in sections near Boston, New York, &g. Our cities are yet, comparatively, wanting in a class of people who buy freely of choice high-priced fruit — such persons generally owning gardens, in which sufficient for their family use are grown ; but we have abundant call for low-priced fruits, and while Eastern growers realize twenty to twenty-five cents a quart. Western growers get but say from seven to nine, while the expenses of labor in cultivating, picking, 0 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. * Raspberries, although they set their fruit well, did not mature all. The first two or three pickings were good, but after that, fell off. The Improved Black Cap and the Kirt- land, I think, are more generally planted than other sorts, both being hardy. Brinkle^s Orange, althougli tender, stands fii-st wherever the amateur desires a light-colored fruit. From Catavvissa, and also Ohio I^verbearing, some growers have been very successful by cutting away all the canes early in spring, and depending on the season's growtli, and their fruit- ing in August and September. Hornet, Philadelphia, Naomi and many other new, or new comparatively, sorts are found in small patches, but I do not know of any extensive planta- tions of them. Raspberries, being more injured even than strawberries, are not as much grown, and the prices received are better, so that in localities near large cities their growing is more profitable. Blackberries, notwithstanding we have abundance of wild ones, are a paying crop to the grower. New Rochelle is the variety generally grown, for it is large and handsome, and will sell in market even better than Dorchester, although I believe no one considers it as good. Crystal White gave some fine berries, but I fear it is partially tender. Kittatiny lias been purchased by some parties this past fall, and should it prove what is represented will doubtless be largely planted in a few years. Currants have been abundant, nearly all varieties being grown ; but for market the old Red Dutch is most common. Some few have plantations of Cherry ; but with good culture the Red Dutch gives a fruit of good size and flavor, and bears in profusion. The currant, however, is not a paying crop here, the price rarely going above two dollars a bushel, and ^)ftener only two-thirds that sum. For wine or cordial for cooking uses, however, the currant is very profitable, an acre often making over two hundred gallons. Gooseberries of nearly all the imported varieties continue to mildew except the plants are transplanted every autumn ; but the old " Pale Red," " Houghton " and other similar sorts are profitable to grow, commanding about three dollars a bushel. There is one great thing, also, in growing of FEBRUARY. 51 gooseberries, viz., they can be gathered and sold when green, or left until fully ripe, just as the grower's time to attend to them may suit ; but strawberries, raspberries, &c., must be attended to when ripe, or they are lost. The gathering of gooseberries, however, is objected to by many growers, or those who use only fingers, and hence gooseberry growing is not lilcely to be overdone. Cherries were in full bloom at the time of our late spring frost, and the crop as a whole somewhat injured. Our main trouble, however, was in their rotting on the tree just as they were ripe enough to gather. The Early Purple Guigne, Rockport, Pontiac and Red Jacket, however, escaped pretty well ; all other varieties of the sweet clierries, except those on young trees, were mostly destroyed. Many trees from which the owners expected to gather bushels did not give a single ripe, sound fruit. Seedlings in numbers are abundant, but the list of named sorts is already so extensive that I hope no new one will be introduced unless it have some quality of superiority over any now in cultivation. Unless a change comes, or a remedy for the rot be proved, we shall have to relinquish our claim to behig " one of the best cherry-growing sections." Apples, except upon high localities and within the influence of Lake Erie, have not been plenty ; but as a general thing they have been very fair and handsome, and, judging from the supply and price in our market, there has been nearly enough raised in all sections to supply all home demand at moderate prices. I have seen quite a number of new seedlings, or so claimed, but nothing of value. For profitable market growing, the Red Astrachan, Gravenstein and Baldwin is about the extent wanted ; although I doubt not localities may be found where Porter or Myer's Nonpareil, etc., would take the place of Gravenstein. Canada has sent us some smooth, clean, bright, beautiful fruit, mostly Russets, Nonpariels, etc. Pears are more and more growing into favor of our fruit men, and this year have been very fine ; although I do not think, notwithstanding all said of large-sized, handsome Western fruit, that they can be as successfully grown away 52 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. from tlie seacoast as upon it, or so near that more or less of the saluie atmosphere readies them. We may use salt as a manure, I have no doubt, beneficially, but you around Bos- ton, Flusliing, &c., have it in every storm of wind from the ocean. The success of varieties appears equally good here as East, and the trees grow and fruit well. Very little blight of any kind the past season. Two new seedlings, that I think liivorably of, have engaged my attention this year, and I have made drawings, &c. Although the bearing trees are some sixteen or eighteen years old, and have been in bearing since about the sixth year from seed, they have never been propa- gated from until last season. They are early, and the fruit about the size of a large Seckel, from seed of which it is prob- able they sprung. The trees are of the same upright stocky habit as the Seckel, but more rapid growers. Hundreds and thousands of Dwarf Pear Trees are planted annually, but so little is known of how to prune and care for them, that ninety- five per cent, never pay the owner first cost, and die within ten years. Peaclies in earlier days were considered a sure crop on the high locations adjacent to the lake, but of late they have been subject to so many diseases, and our climate has so much changed, that they can no longer be counted as reliable more than three years out of five. All the popular varieties are grown ; Hale^s Early proving year after year among the most valuable, not only from its early maturing, but its large, vig- orous petals when in bloom, and the natural hardiness of the tree serving to protect it from late frosts. Among yellow peaches notliing I have yet seen equals the Sturtevant for richness of flesh, being less acid than others of its class, small pit, and productive habit of tree. Grapes are now the leading item of fruit culture in all Northern Oliio, and a man living, as I do, surrounded by hundreds of acres of vineyards that are yearly yielding sums from three to twelve hundred dollars per acre to the owners, can hardly expect to escape the infection ; but so far, I believe, I am clear of any taint of the disease, at least that part of it that looks upon grape growing in any soil and location as a business likely always to produce the present and past returns. FEBRUARY. 5S Thus far, a largo portion of the crops have yearly been packed and shipped to Eastern markets, but judging from the stir among fruit men at the East it will not be many years ere the markets of the Eastern cities will be supplied pretty largely from their own immediate sections, and our Western growers must look to the manufacture of the grape into wine for their returns. This will cut the matter down to a few varieties, and those grown on particular soils, in order to realize large returns ; I say particular soils, because a test of years proves the Catawba, when grown in sandy or light gravelly soils, to have too much acid and too little sugar and alcohol to make a fine wine. Isabella is not regarded as a wine grape, although wine is made from it, but as a table grape, it, or rather the variety I call Aiken, seems to succeed quite as well on sandy or gravelly soils as on the best clays. Again, Clinton has been produced this year on sandy soil, of nearly one-fourth extra size and beautiful bnnches, making, for it, a pretty good claret wine ; but the must weighed only 85, and had over 10 per cent, of acid. Something like 5000 acres of vineyard were probably in bearing tliis past season on the south shore and the islands of Lake Erie, and the season so good that better wine has proba- bly been made than ever before. The principal wine grape as yet in bearing is the Catawba ; but occasional small lots of Norton's Virginia and Delaware are to be found, lona and Rogers's 15 have been pretty extensively planted the past year, and will be more so the coming spring, with a view both to table and wine purposes. Concord, of coarse, is planted by all ; but, although Mr. Husman speaks highly of it as a wine grape in Missouri, I have never yet met with a bottle of it that could be classed higher than as a pleasant thin claret. Norton's Virginia stands now at the head of grapes for red wine in this country ; the must often weighing over 100, and its alcohol ranging from nine to eleven per cent. It colors early, but to make the best wine from it, the fruit should be permitted to hang until November. I tested a black grape the past September, the must of which weighed 88, while the sugar was 22, alcohol 11, and acid only five per cent. I think it will make a good dark wine. 64 THE MAGAZINE OP HORTICULTURE. Of the new grapes, so far as I have seen, few of them are of any value for wine ; and when a season occurs that rot or some other disease destroys the beauty of the bunches for the table, their value to the owner will be proportionately less than a variety good both for table and wine. Bracket's Seedling I have never seen. Can you tell me what is its character ? Taste in a pear or apple may enable one to form judgment of its value, although men differ in their views of what is requisite to form first class fruit ; but in grapes, as a general thing, sometliing more than the palate must guide in judging their value. Were our people willing to take one good crop in five or more years, the balance of the time obtaining only second class fruit, as they do in the old country, then Cuyahoga and Anna would both pay to plant, for when well ripened, as they have tliis year, the test of the sacchrometer shows" they would make a wine of very high character. I might write in this random manner all day of grapes and other fruits, but think a moderate dose is sufficient at one time. If you or your readers wish another, it can be had for asking. INSIDE GRAPE BORDERS. BY J. S. nOUGIITON, PmLADELPmA. In the culture of foreign Grapes, under glass, it has been thought that borders entirely inside the house promised ad- vantages over outside borders, or borders partly outside, which rendered such borders worthy of trial, especially in the case of late grapes. Inside borders are of course entirely protected against the influence of storms, at all times, and the plants may be started or checked at will. If late grapes could be successfully grown in them, tlie fruit might be kept for many weeks on the vines after the natural period of ripening, with- out danger of being injured by tlie autumnal rains, and the crop would then be quite as valuable as early forced grapes. N^v^ extensive and costly experiments having been made FEBRUARY. 56 with inside borders in the neighborhood of Philadelphia, I have thought it might be useful to record the result of these trials, for the benefit of grape growers generally. The plain fact, then, is, so far as I have seen, that the In- side Border here is a lamentable and singular failure. Reasoning from all that we know of the conditions neces- sary for tlie growth of the vine, and from its success in pots, no one could anticipate such complete and uniform failure as has attended its culture here in inside borders. The vine may be grown witli a great show of success for one or two years, in such borders, by the aid of plenty of water and a high temperature, but as soon as they begin to fruit they de- cline and die most mysteriously. In five or six large grape houses within my knowledge, this has been the certain result. These houses were built by Thomas Drake, Lewis Tawes and Peter Keyser, Esqrs., of Germantown, William Bright, and myself. In all these houses the floor under the borders was made of solid concrete, or bricks, impervious to water, and in several instances tlie borders were separated from tlie side walls by air chambers. In some of them air was conducted under the borders by flues, and two or three of them were entirely sep- arated, from the floor by four-inch brick work, with the idea of giving them some bottom heat. The suspended and aerated borders proving failures, the air conductors were in several instances removed from the bottom of the pits, and tlie borders were placed directly upon the concrete (good drainage being provided), but with no better success. The most ample provision was made for watering the borders, by means of large rain-water tanks, force pumps, evaporating troughs, and concrete paths kept constantly wet in hot weather. In borders of good size tlie trouble and expense of watering inside borders is not the chief objection. The watering is a formidable job, even with the aid of a large tank and force pump, but this could be endured if the borders would answer the purpose. The question of w^atering, however, is a very perplexing one. How to water, when to water, how much water should be used, and of what temperature, — these are o6 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. questions not yet satisfactorily answered, altlioiigli we have tried the extra wet method, the partially dry method, water at 55°, and water at all temperatures up to 140°. But nothing that can be done, by the most skilful, will make tie vines grow in such borders after the second or third year, especially after fruiting. They appear to sicken and die, and refuse to be comforted or relieved by any appliances of water or manures that have yet been tried. The roots, in almost all instances, become black and cankered, and no new or healthy fibres can be discovered. This disease of the roots is not occasioned, in all instances, by over-rich borders, or by over-manuring, for some of our experimenters have gone to the extreme in making poor borders (for late grapes of strong growth), composed of rotten rock, sand, plain loam, lime rubbish, &c., with only a little wood ashes and pure bone dust. But no kind or quality of border appears to answer a good purpose when entirely inside the house, and separated from the earth by a concrete bottom. Now what is the cause of this general failure of inside borders ? The vine will thrive for many years, if not over- cropped, in a common pot ; then why not in an inside border, which is in fact only a large pot ? I have contended for six years that an inside border 7?iust answer, but I am compelled to give it up now. I have tried the inside border in all shapes, and with the most skilful management, hut it will not do. It looks reasonable that a vine should do better with its roots all inside the house, perfectly under control, than with part of the roots outside, exposed to very different degrees of temperature, moisture, &c. But the facts condemn the reasoning. The causes of this general failure of inside borders I can- not understand. The effect of the constant watering wliich such borders require may be injurious. It may make the borders " sour," as gardeners say. I have also thought that separating the borders from the earth by means of concrete, prevented the soil from receiving $ome natural moisture by capillary attraction ; and perhaps, also, some magnetic or electric influence from the body of the earth which may be FEBRUARY. 57 necessary to the life of the vine. The size of the borders has evidently lio influence in producing tlie failures, as they are never filled with roots, and therefore are not exhausted. I have been told that inside borders have been much em- ])loyed about New York city, but with what results I have not learned. I should be much pleased to see reports of the working of such borders there or elsewhere. GRAPES AND GRAPE GROWING IN IOWA. BY JUDGE JOHN KING, DUBUQUE The last season was not at all favorable for grape culture in Iowa. June and July were exceedingly wet months. The frequent heavy rains were generally accompanied with unusual cool weather ; hence some kinds of grapes were badly mildewed. The affected varieties with me were the Catawba and Diana (badly), Allen's Hybrid, Delaware and Concord (slightly). Those mostly free from disease were the Adirondac, Creveling, Hartford Prolific, Logan, Isabella, Perkins (a poor grape, however) ; Rogers's Hybrids, Nos. 2, 4, 19 and 33, black ; No. 9, red ; No. 1, white ; No. 33, large ])erries, bunches very compact, a splendid grape. No. 9 is probably the best of all Rogers's, because it produces good wine. Cuyalioga (white), rather late, but ripened perfectly ; sweet and delicious. I had some large Herbemont vines against a stone wall, wliich produced fine ripe bunches. But it is too late for this latitude, unless the location is favorable. We lay our vines down in November, covering with straw. They are lifted about the 20th of April, which almost invaria- l)ly ensures a crop. Iowa is destined to be a grape-growing State. The winters are regularly cold, the summers warm, and the falls all tliat could be desired for maturing that de- sirable and delicious fruit. Messrs. Allen and Rogers, in the production of their hybrid grapes, have conferred a public benefit. Mr. Jacob Moore of Rochester, N. Y., has also produced some fine hybrids, for the dissemination of which he w^ill 58 THE MAGAZINE OP HORTICULTURE. deserve well of his countrj. Mr. Geo. W. Campbell of Dela- ware, Ohio, a skilful hybridist, has been experimenting for a number of years, and will in all probability ere long send forth something valuable in the shape of new grapes. The writer has been experimenting in like manner, but has produced nothing worthy of notice. More recently, however, he hybridized an early native with the following named for- eign grapes : — Black Hamburg, Zinfindal, Golden and Purple Chasselas, Chasselas of Fontainbleau, White Syrian, and others. When " the grape for the million " shall have been pro- duced, it will most likely be a " mongrel " — an early ^ hardy y wine grape. DESCRIPTIONS OF SELECT PEARS. BY THE EDITOR. We have alluded on several occasions to several new Seedling Pears wliich have been exhibited before the Massa- chusetts Horticultural Society the last year, and we now have the pleasure of describing and figuring two of the most prominent of them, both of which we deem acquisitions to our list of pears. 239. GOODALE. In the autumn of 1863, B. F. Nourse, Esq., of Boston, sent us several specimens of a new pear whicli he stated originated in Maine, from the seeds of the well-known McLaughlin. The pears were of good size, greenish color, and generally of liandsome appearance, but upon tasting them they did not come up to the excellence we had anticipated from Mr. Nourse's account of the pear. The specimens were either too ripe, or had been gathered too late, and we awaited another year before deciding upon its true character. The past autumn Mr. S. L. Goodale, of Saco, Me., sent several specimens to the Chairman of the Fruit Committee of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society for examination FEBRUARY. 59 and trial, and through the kindness of Mr. Hyde we had another opportunity to test this new pear. This time the pears were gathered in good season, about the 20th of Sep- tember, and were yet quite hard and green. These we laid away to ripen, and about the middle of November they had arrived at full maturity, attaining a greenish yellow hue, 2. GOODALE. with a slight blush on the sunny side — just in perfection — thus showing how early even some of the November pears should be gathered to have them in the best condition. We found the Goodale a pear of great excellence, and comparing favorably with the few varieties then in eating. It was, we learn, raised by Mr. Goodale a few years since. 60 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. Of the habits and character of the tree we have no knowl- edge, and give our description as follows : Size large, about three and three-quarters inches long, and three and a half in diameter: Form, oblong obovate, large at the base, slightly contracted in the middle, and very obtuse at the stem : Skin, fair, smooth, green, changing to a yellow- ish green at maturity, tliickly dotted or traced with russet about the crown, broadly tinged with pale red in the sun, and indistinctly speckled with russet dots: Stem, short, less than half an inch long, stout, and inserted without any cavi- ty, with a slight projection on one side : Eye small, closed, and set in a small, contracted, puckered basin ; segments of tlie calyx short, sharp, stiff, projecting : Flesh, yellowish wliite, coarse, melting, slightly buttery, witli a vinous, refresh- ing juice, and pleasant flavor : Core, medium size : Seeds, medium size, rounded, shortly-pointed, plump. Ripe in November. 240. President. We have already alluded to the seedling pears raised by Dr. S. A. Shurtleff, one of the very earliest correspondents of this Magazine, who, since his retirement to his garden in Brookline, has devoted his leisure time to the growth of seedling pears, having raised and named more tlian twenty- five sorts of various merit, some of them excellent, and many of them very good, without possessing, perliaps, anything new or distinct in flavor. Some six or eiglit of them are very large, showy, and apparently desirable pears, which will, we think, be useful additions to our collections. We need to see more of tliem before deciding upon their real merits, but we feel no hesitation in figuring and describing the President (fig. 3), as one of the best of the Dr.'s seedlings. Our speci- men weighed one pound two ounces, and was a twin pear, growing from the end of a single spur. Size large, four inches long and about four in diameter: Form, roundish, slightly oiiovate, with an irregular or un- even surface, somewhat ridged or angular, largest in the middle, narrowing towards each end: Skin, slightly rough, dull pale green, very broadly tinged with pale red in the FEBRUARY. 61 sun, thickly russeted at the base of the stem and around the crown, and rather evenlj and thickly overspread with tracings of russet and very large conspicuous russet dots : Stem, short, half an inch long, quite stout, curved, and obliquely inserted in a small, compressed, moderately-deep cavity : Eye, medium PRESIDENT. size, open, and slightly depressed in a small, not very deep basin ; segments of the calyx, short, stiff, projecting inwards: Flesh, yellowish white, coarse, slightly buttery, melting, and full of a refreshing, slightly vinous, and pleasantly perfumed juice : Core, large, long, slightly gritty : Seeds, medium size, shortly-pointed, full light brown. Ripe in November. 62 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. Central Uoticts. Calla paldstris. — " Bog Plants," in the index of your number for July 2d, reminded me that more beauty than any native bog plant affords may be had by planting in boggy places the small trailing Arad, Calla palustris, which has pretty little spathes of the color of those of its relative, the Ethiopian lily. It is thoroughly hardy, and, though often grown in water, likes a moist bog much better. In a bog or muddy place, shaded by trees to some extent, it will grow larger in flower and leaf, though it is quite at home, fully exposed. I have a small bog nearly covered, with the dwarf, dark green leaves of this plant, and as one of its white flowers crops up here and there along each rhizome, and just raises itself, fully expanded, above the leaves, the efl^ect is thoroughly pleasing. Those having natural bogs, &.C., would find it a very interesting plant to introduce to them. — f Gard. Chron.) Salway Peach. — I can confirm all that Mr. Bailey has said in favor of this peach. In addition to the good qualities which he has ascribed to it, it will hang upon the tree a long time after it is fit for table, a point of im- portance, as, by protecting the trees with glass, I believe the fruit might be kept till the end of November. At this time of the year nothing can sur- pass the beauty of the Salway on the desert table. The fruit of this variety shown by Mr. Turner of Slough, at the International Exhibition in Dublin on October 3, to which was awarded a medal, was the most beautiful I have ever seen in the way of peaches, and wherever the latter are grown the Salway should be the chief autumn variety. — [Gard. Chron.) Tagetes srGNATA PUMiLA. — I Strongly recommended this as a valuable plant for garden decoration. I stated that one of the best things which had come under my notice was Tagetes pumila. Its neat habit, serrated foliage, profusion of pretty orange-colored flowers, and long duration, stamp it as one of the most useful of bedding plants. I also at the same time recommended it as a substitute for the Calceolaria, in places where the latter cannot be depended upon. Mr. Robinson echoes what I had pre- viously stated, and points to Chatsworth, where it can now be seen in great beauty. I need say no more respecting it — its being extensively used at Chatsworth speaks for itself. I am sorry to say that this season a tall- growing variety (tenuifolia) has been sent me instead of it, a circumstance which has quite spoiled the effect of my beds. — [Gard. Chron.) Lobelia cardinalis. — This fine old plant ought surely to have a place in more flower gardens than it has at the present day. When grown in good rich soil and copiously watered, it is a very effective bedding plant. — {Gard. Chron.) It is one of our most showy indigenous plants, quite hardy, and should be found in every garden. Ed. FEBRUARY. 63 lorlicuUural ©jjcrations FOR FEBRUARY. FRUIT DEPARTMENT. The weather of January, though on the average not low, has been ac- companied with three or four very cold days, — the coldest but one since December, 1835, when the thermometer was 18° below zero. On the morn- ing of the 8th our thermometer was 16° below. The 15th was also cold, with the mercury at zero. Such severe weather has retarded early forced houses, and, except where there is an abundance of heat, given a slight check to the growth of vines and plants. It is now milder, and a few days of such weather will be highly beneficial. Vines in the earliest houses, now beginning to ripen, or, more forward still, so as to be nearly ready for cutting, should be kept at a good temper- ature, and, if well advanced towards maturing, dryer than heretofore, but, if swelling rapidly, continue in supplying plenty of moisture, and air on fine days. If the houses are so late as just to be in bloom, it will be well to artificially fertilize such sorts as Cannon Hall, Muscat of Alexandria, and some other shy setters. Choose the middle of a dry day for the operation. Follow up the stopping of superfluous laterals and shoots. Vines in the grapery and greenhouse will begin to swell this month. As soon as this is perceived, commence syringing the vines every day in good weather, and take every care that the shoots break evenly and strong, beginning with a moderate temperature and increasing it gradually as the growth advances. Orchard Houses should be aired freely in good weather, maintaining as even a temperature as possible. Where there is the means of heating the house, preparations should be made for starting the trees into growth, removing the covering from the pots, and keeping out all frost. Strawberries in pots may be brought into the house and placed on a warm and airy shelf near the glass. Pines. Those who are growing Pines should now shift the plants into larger pots, using a coarse tufty loam and very old manure ; drain well. Fruit Trees of all kinds may now be brought into the house. Scions may now be cut. Pruning may be continued in all good weather. Root Grafting may be done at this season. FLOWER department. After the cold weather of last month the houses should be kept rather cool to prevent a forced growth caused by excessive fires. Work will now accumulate where there are large collections of plants. Continue propaga- tion at this season, and repot such plants as require it. Increase the temperature as soon as the days get longer and the sun higher. Camellias will now be in full perfection, and where the houses have been kept warm will begin to grow. When this is the case, syringe freely 64 THE MAGAZINE OP HORTICULTURE. and water more liberally. Head in ill shaped plants before they break into new wood. Azaleas will be in bloom in warm houses, and should be more abun- dantly watered. Those in cooler situations must be carefully watered, giving them just enough to keep the wood plump. Tie the plants into shape, if not already done. Pelargoniums will now require more care, as it is important that they should have a vigorous root action without much leaf growth. Give an abundance of air with a temperature of 45° at night, otherwise they will be drawn up. Tie out the shoots and use every exertion to secure large, vigor- ous, bushy specimens. All the repotting should be finished this month. AcHiMENEs and Gloxinias should now be potted in a light soil of mostly decayed leaves, loam and sand. Caladiums may be divided and potted, potting them in light sandy soil and placing them in a good warm place. Water sparingly. Ferns should be divided and repotted. Amaryllises, now beginning to show their flower buds, should be liber- ally watered. Monthly Carnations growing vigorously may be shifted into larger pots. Cinerarias and Calceolarias may be shifted, if not already done. Keep on an airy shelf near the glass. Pansies. Repot such as it is intended to bloom well in May and June. Fuchsias should be shaken quite out of the old soil and repotted. Young cuttings should be pinched in to make bushy specimens. Dahlias may be potted now for early blooming, or for procuring cuttings for raising young stock. Chinese Primulas, in full bloom, should have an occasional watering with manure Avater. Hyacinths, Tulips and other Dutch bulbs, potted in November, should now be brought into the house for flowering. Seeds of many annuals for early flowering may be planted in boxes and placed on a shelf near the glass. Cyclamens will need more water as they come into flower. vegetable department. The lime has already arrived for movements in the production of a good supply of vegetables, and a good hotbed should be got under way ad soon as possible. When prepared and ready for use sow Tomatoes, of the various kinds; Lettuces and Radishes ; Cucumbers, in pots, three or four seeds in each ; Melons if they are wanted in good season ; Cabbages, Cauliflowers, Broccoli, &.c. With a three-light frame and a small quantity of manure all these vege- tables may be had with very little trouble early in the season. PEARS IN MASSACHUSETTS. The season of 1865 was not, on tlie whole, so favorable for the growth of fruits in general as some previous years. Yet the pear appears to have done very well, and perhaps among the larger fruits gave more satisfaction tlian any other. In the spring it was thought the crop would be almost a failure ; the bloom was abundant, but in a week or two afterwards tlie ground was strewn with tlie fallen fruit, so that it was sup- posed there would be little left to mature ; but, witli the favor- •able weather of June, the fruit that still remained swelled kindly, and in a few more weeks tlie trees presented a much more promising appearance than the most sanguine or ob- serving cultivator anticipated. All was progressing well when the drought of July set in ; this soon cliecked the growth of the trees and the growth of the fruit, and except in favorable localities, or where water could be freely given to the trees, by the month of August they had attained such a condition that the crop could not possibly be as large and fine as the appearances had indicated. In some gardens which we saw, we think the fruit grew but little, if any, after the middle of August ; and in September, the leaves had fallen from the trees, and the fruit still adhered, partially shrivelled, to the leafless brandies. These, of course, were extreme cases. In our own grounds, which do not ordinarily suffer from drought, the trees maintained their foliage and matured their crop ; but it was much inferior iai size and general excellence to previous years. Only where water was freely given once a week, in August and Septem- ber, did the pears attain their full dimensions and beauty. But among the numerous cultivators in Massachusetts, and particularly in the neighborhood of Boston, there are so many amateurs who delight in good culture and spare no pains to ensure a good crop, that there was no real scarcity of excellent pears, and the Annual Exhibition of the Massachusetts Horti- VOL. XXXII. — NO. III. 5 (j6 the magazine of horticulture. cuUural Society, in September, developed tlie fact that the dryest year and the most adverse circumstances cannot greatly diminish the supply. It is, we believe, admitted by all who witnessed the exhibition that the pears were never surpassed, and some sorts were brought out in a perfection never before attained. The Duchess, as a general rule, was a partial fail- ure, yet specimens were exhibited weighing 16 and 18 up to 20 ounces each. Twelve Bartletts weighed 10 pounds ; Doy- enne du Comice, weighing 11 to 12 ounces eacli ; Sheldon nearly or quite as heavy, and everywhere good ; if there was any one pear which could not be called a failure, it was the SholJon ; Urbaniste was almost a failure ; Beurre d'Anjou was not so abundant, but still good. Beurre Diel suffered, as it always does in dry seasons ; yet we saw some specimens weighing 20 ounces each. De Tongres was fine ; and that much-abused pear, the Beurre Clairgeau, was not only large and beautiful, but in quality superior to any we had previously tasted, showing that a warm season brings out its good qual- ities. To the close observer, such exceptional years are of much value : they teach us that we should not, at least as amateur cultivators, rely on a few kinds. Those who had half a dozen trees of the Urbaniste, were deprived of this delicious pear at a season when it is so much needed ; but those who had the Doyenne du Comice did not mind the loss. Lawrence was by no means abundant ; yet those who had Dana's Hovey forgot almost the existence of that good pear. Louise Bonne of Jersey, that popular and universally appreciated pear, always heretofore to be depended upon, was anything but abundant ; yet the Swan's Orange did not fail to produce its moderate and uniform crop of superb specimens. In our very large collection of pears, embracing over 800 varieties and more than 3000 trees, one of each only of the newest kinds, we gathered in 1862 one hundred and fifty-one varieties of a bushel or more of each. In 1863, only seventy- six varieties of a bushel or more each were taken from the same trees ; and in 1864, one lumdred and five varieties of a bushel or more each. Our account for 1865 is not yet made up, but we believe it to be some one hundred or more varie- MARCH. 67 ties. Thus showing, that the season of 18G2 was favorable for 150, 1863 only 76, and 1861 105 varieties. These are tlie exact figures, and the whole produce of the three years was about 3000 busliels of marketable pears, and a great quantity unfit for market, as we find it almost impossible to properly thin out so large a number. From this we have the positive fact that the surety of a good crop lies in having a good number of varieties, so that when one fails, another may supply its place. This, we tliink, has not been sufficiently considered by the six or twelve vari- ety-men, who get lip lists of the six or twelve best pears. We have found that when the twelve-variety cultivators had no pears, we had an abundance, perhaps not so large and showy, but far better pears. These few remarks upon the pear crop of 1865, lead ns to a notice of the review of the season and its results, as given in the Report of the Chairman of the Fruit Committee of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, wdiich w^e alluded to in our last number, and from which we quoted Mr. Hyde's re- marks on Grapes. We now invite attention to those on the Pear : — We turn from the apple to the pear, a fruit that has been growing in favor from year to year. It lias perhaps fewer enemies than any other fruit, while it gives very remunerative returns for the care bestowed upon it, and the capital invested. The apple orchards, near tlie large cities, are fast giving way to pear trees, and soon we may reasonably expect to see the market well supplied with this fruit. It is true that the pear orchards receive better attention than we have been accus- tomed to bestow on the apple, and they must have it, or no good results will be obtained. Messrs. Hovey & Co. have taken the lead, as usual, in this fruit, especially at the Annual Exhibition, where they displayed some one hundred and fifty varieties. The next largest collection was that of M. P. Wil- der, which made a fine appearance. Next in order was H. Vandine, who is a constant contributor. The pear crop was fine, and the tables at the annual exhibition presented a very beautiful appearance; indeed, it was remarked by several 68 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. good judges that they never saw a better table of pears than that on which the prize fruit was displayed. Magnificent specimens were shown of Doyenn^ du Cornice, Sheldon, Beurre Superfin, Seckel, Duchesse d'Angouleme, Beurre d'Anjou, and others, sliowing to what degree of per- fection this fruit may be grown when great care is taken in its cultivation. Among the new pears that were tested, was the " Painter Seedling," from West Haven, Ct., brought to us by W. H. H. Campbell, Esq., of Norwich. It is, in out- line and general appearance, very much like tlie Heathcote, but larger. The largest specimen weighed ten ounces, and was eleven and a half inches in circumference. It is fine grain, melting, pleasant, subacid flavor. It is a pear well worthy of a further trial. We received from S. L. Goodale, Esq., Saco, Me., some very large and fine specimens of the Goodale pear, a seedling of which we spoke last year, raised from the McLaughlin. The fruit this year was far superior in quality to that of last year, it liaving been picked in better season. It resembles in shape the Andrews, though more blunt at the stem end ; it becomes yellow at maturity, with a bright red cheek on the sunny side ; quality good, nearly equal to Beurre d'Anjou, and we think it, on the whole, one of the most promising new pears that has been brought to our notice. It is undoubtedly a very hardy tree, being a native of a State so far towards sunrise. Dr. Shurtleflf sent in several of his seedlings this year. The Golden Bell, Admiral Farragut, John Cotton, President, and others. The President is a new and very good one, large size and very handsome. We think it is well worthy a further trial. Tlie Admiral is a large pear, of only fair quality, but may be desirable on account of its large size. The Golden Bell is a decidedly poor pear. We still believe that some of the Doctor's pears will find their way into general cultivation, and be valuable both for home use and market. The Wliieldon pear has been more carefully tested by us, the past season, than ever before, and we do not regard it as of any particular value for general cultivation. It is coarse and gritty, lacks character, and is not so good as many other pears of the same season. MARCH. 69 The Mount Yernon has been shown several times this sea- son, and has appeared very well. It is a good pear, wdth a very peculiar, and, to most people, agreeable flavor. Though not of the very highest quality, still, we think it worthy to be placed on the list of pears, at least, for amateurs, if not for general cultivation. It will prove like the Duchesse, when over-ripe, to show sliglit signs of decay about the core, but this, it is believed, will not prove a serious defect. There are good reasons to hope that it will improve on more general cultivation. We were favored with specimens of a seedling from George Hyde, Newton, which was described in last year's report : size rather above medium, yellow, with red cheek, somewhat spotted, stout stem, fine grain, melting, pleasant flavor; ripe this year November 18, but keeps into, and sometimes through, the winter. Good. A new pear has been exhibited for the last two or three years, by A. J. Dean, which promises well. It resembles the Washington in the dots, marking and flavor, but more the Louise Bonne de Jersey in sliape and size ; and is superior to botli in quality. Ripe last of September. We have repeatedly tested the Augustus Dana, and pro- nounce it a pear of very high character, but with a thick, rough skin. No pear among the comparatively new ones has pleased us more than Dana's Hovey, to which, it will be seen, we have awarded a prize of sixty dollars, '' for the best new seedling pear after a trial of five years." This compliment is well deserved, though it comes too late to benefit him in the sale of his stock. No one lias been more successful than he, in raising new pears, and it fully proves that good results will surely follow the sowing of the seed of the best pears. We doubt if any pomologist or fruit grower ever gave to the world so many really fine pears as Mr. Dana. These facts are rather damaging to the Van Mons theory, of going back to first principles, and starting with the small wild button pear, and working up through successive generations. We do not now remember a pear, raised by Van Mons, equal to Dana's Hovey and others, raised by Mr. Dana. Many of our best pears are 70 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. chance seedlings, and we feel that we risk nothing when we affirm, that any person who will pursue the course adopted by Mr. Dana, that is, select seed from the very best varieties grown in close proximity to other good varieties, tlien select the best specimens of that particular sort, then the best seeds from those specimens, he will be quite sure to get some valu- able new pears. We were invited to visit the well-known orchard of Freder- ick Clapp, of Dorchester, to see the Clapp's Favorite pear, a variety of recent introduction, but of deservedly high popu- larity. We were highly pleased with the appearance of both trees and fruit. The trees were strong and vigorous, and loaded with large fair fruit, though they were but four or five years from the graft. The fruit was highly colored and very handsome, especially where exposed to the sun. We have never seen trees of that age that presented a finer appearance than those we saw of this variety at Mr. Clapp's place. We took away several specimens, some of which we kept for sev- eral days, and thougli tliey were not fully grown when picked, they ripened up finely, and were certainly superior in quality to the well-known and popular Bartlett. We are satisfied that this fruit sliould be picked quite early to fully secure its good qualities. We have been heretofore somewhat afraid that it would decay too quickly to be valuable. We cannot, of course, expect a summer or early fall pear to keep as well as a pear that ripens later, but we feel satisfied that if the fruit of this variety is picked in season, it will keep as well as can reasonably be expected of any fruit ripening early in September. For the two past seasons, the fruit of Clapp's Favorite has been past before the Annual Exhibition of the Horticultural Society. The growth of the trees of this variety is very fine, and all that can be desired. We feel that it is well worthy a high place on the list of pears, coming as it does before the Bartlett. MARCH. 71 GRAPE CULTURE AND PREVENTION OF ROT. BY DH H. SCHRODER, BLOOMINGTON, ILL. We are pleased to present our readers, and especially grape growers, with the following essay, by Dr. H. Schroder, a well- known grape cultivator of Illinois. Whether his system will prove a perfect prevention of the most troublesome rot, re- mains to be perceived. It is at least worthy of trial. Ed. Revolution everywhere ! So in grape culture. Much is said and written in regard to the most dreadful disease, the grape rot ; underdraining, ditching, subsoiling from eighteen inches to three feet, long and short trimming, sulphur, lime, and sulphate of lime, most everything is tried to prevent or to cure the grape rot, but all failed more or less. New varie- ties it was hoped would not be liable to the rot, but this also has failed in most of the cases. The vine that rot the most, is surely the celebrated Catawba, — and let me here tell my friend that wherever the Catawba will ripen, and in its perfect state free from disease, it is a splendid grape, spicy, showy, aromatic and vinous, and makes a superior wine ; a wine that speaks to our heart, as it is said that it has such a fine effect on our heart organs. Pity that the Catawba, in consequence of the awful rot, became so much discarded, and I do not blame its antagonists among vineyardists, as they had suffered so much under its culture. Years ago I noticed that the first crop of Catawba vines was not injured by the rot, as well in other people's vineyards as in my own. I never forget the sight of my first Catawba crop ; when the fruit on my neighbors' vines were rotting, mine stood there in perfect health and glory. This I noticed on all my first-fruiting Catawbas, as my vineyards were planted in successive years. I further noticed, that the fruit on my old w^ood layers, that I use to make every year, were free from rot. I then laid down several old wood layers and cut them off from the mother vine in the fall, and found this year that the fruit on these new vines was perfectly healthy, when the fruit on older vines rotted entirely. 72 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. This last year was the hardest year for Catawba vineyard- ists, and the losses can be counted by near two millions of dollars in the West alone. As proof I want to say, and to prove the truth of my sys- tem, that the Catawba vineyards bearing first time, (Mr. G. Lange's and Mr. Schonebeck's,) were a perfect exhibition of grapes, when older vines, close by, rotted entirely. Years ago it was said, that Nauvoo, Warsaw, and Alton in our State had a peculiar soil to perfect the Catawba. But I denied it in our public horticultural gatherings, and it is shown that the Catawba will rot as well there as in Cincinnati and Her- man, or elsewhere. The islands in Lake Erie, it was said, were entirely free from rot, but the demon went there too, and will be worse next year when the vines will become older. All these facts led me to a new system of grape culture, as most all our grape vines growing older, will be more or less inclined to the rot. I claim this as my own discovery. Remedy. — After preparing your land for the vineyards, plant the same with good strong layers or first-rate cutting plants from 8 to 12 feet apart in a square, in the usual man- ner. When your vines come into bearing the first big crop, say the third or fourth year after planting, take one strong cane of the bearing vine raised for this purpose, close to the root of the vine, make a little ditch with a hoe or spade from 4 to 6 inches deep in the row up to the centre between your two bearing vines, let this cane stick about one foot out of the ground, and, after covering your ditch, cut it off; as I said one foot above the ground, this I will call the first reverse. Let from this grow three unchecked vines ; two of them are for fruiting the next year, and can be cut long to give a good crop of fruit. The third cane is for the second reverse. Cut your first reverse loose in the spring from the mother vine ; let the mother vine bear a good crop or two, if you choose, as the case may be, then chop it away to give room for the second or third reverses. Let us go back now to the second reverse. Take the third cane of i\\Q first reverse^ lay it across the row up to the centre of the row as before described, 4 to 6 inches deep, and one foot aboA^e the ground cut it off. MARCH. 73 Now you have instead of one, two rows of vines. Let again three canes grow of the second reverse^ two fruiting and one for the third reverse. The third reverse is made by layering the cane of the second reverse in the new row up to the cen- •tre of the new row, and treat it the same way as the other reverses were treated. The fourth reverse is made by taking a cane (in the second year after fruiting) from, tlie first re- verse, and, after chopping the original mother vine out, to become the mother's place, one third of the vines, or, as the case may be, one fourth are removed every year by chopping out, and thus making room for other reverses, and so go on till "the day of judgment." You will have this way, by little labor and without any doctorhig, always a new and vigorous vineyard, free from dis- ease, and paying well for your labor, superior fruit and wine. It may be that in some slower growers than Catawbas or Concords, that you can make the reverse only every two years, but good healthy vines, in good soil and locality, will stand the reverse almost every year. This is mainly written or recommended for Catawba, and other varieties of great value, but adapted and inclined to rot. Whenever a variety proves free from disease, grow it as long as you can profitably without reverse. But one thing is sure, the finest fruits always grow witli me on young vines. So a gentleman told to-day it was with peaches in the southern part of our State. I hope that everyone who grows a Catawba vine, or any other vine inclined to rot, will give my new system a fair trial, and report publicly the result. Anything not plainly under- stood, I will explain on application with the greatest pleasure. My object is only to save good varieties of fruit, inclined to disease, for the benefit of my fellow-man, and to help tlie often-discouraged, poor, hard-working man, and if this my new discovery shall do them good it will make me happy. 74 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. POMOLOGICAL GOSSIP. Fall and Winter Pears. — The following brief remarks of our correspondent Dr. J. S. Houghton of Philadelphia, in regard to autumn and winter pears, will, we doubt not, inter- est our pear cultivators : — " I send you enclosed, an article from the Gardeners' Chronicle on late pears. I presume you may have seen it, but it may have escaped your attention. I should be pleased to see your comments in the Magazine, on the late English varieties, in comparison with the late varieties which have been tested in America. I have just tasted the Beurre de Caen, or Caen de France : are they synonymous ? It is a liandsome pear, of good size, and a pretty good keeper, with a tendency to rot at the core : quality good, vinous, fragrant, but not first rate : not quite sweet enough, or delicately aromatic. In the article from the Chronicle the Winter Nelis is strangely omitted. I have one tree of the Bezi Mai, the last pear named in the Chronicle. Mr. Rivers has said that it is worthless as a dessert fruit. — Yours ^ /. B. Hovghton. Pears. — The months of October, November and December slvg, par excellence, the pear season. The strawberry, cherry, apricot, peach, nectarine and plum are unrivalled in their respective periods ; but when peaches belong to time past, when the last Golden Drop has been gathered from the wall, the hours of light lessened, and the dinner can no longer be finished without the lamp, then do we acknowledge the su- premacy of the pear. Foremost among late varieties, are Marie Louise, peerless and unrivalled, excelling all others in beauty and goodness ; Louise Bonne of Jersey, Gansel's Ber- gamot, whose good qualities cannot be adequately described ; Beurre Hardy, Conseiller de la Cour, handsome and well fla- vored, described by that enthusiastic raiser of pears. Van Mons, as 'la meilleure poire existante'; Beurre de Caen, a robust cousin of the venerable Brown Beurre, with all the good qualities of that variety, added to a good constitution ; MARCH. 75 Marie Louise d'Uccle, liardy, with a clear title to nobility ; Doyenne du Cornice, handsome, well developed, and highly colored, with remarkable sweetness ; Beurre Bachelier, noble in size, and in all respects good ; Huyshe's Victoria and Prince of Wales, worthy descendants of illustrious sires ; Josephine de Malines, a good Christmas pear — as are also Bergamot d'Esperen, rough but excellent at heart; Madame Millet, sparkling and delicate ; and lastly, with the green leaves of a returning summer, Bezi Mai, a very tough hero, indeed, fighting a good fight unto the last. These candidates for honors are, as will be seen, not new ; on the contrary, some of them are very old. So great an advance has however been made of late years that good pears may now be had during eight months in the year. An extensive field is nev- ertheless yet open to those who are cunning in the mysteries of raising new fruits, and the plan of potting the trees de- signed for seed, greatly facilitates the work. By careful and intelligent crossing we may yet expect the most unlioped-for results." — Gard. Ckron., Dec. 9, 1865. The Bezi de Caen of the English gardens we do not know, but we apprehend from the remark that it is a " robust cousin of the venerable Brown Beurre," that it may be the same as our Caen de France, which is a russety brown pear, keeping liowever up to the very moment we are writing, (Feb. 3,) with fixue specimens before us. The merits of this variety seem to have been overlooked ; it was received from Van Mons in 1835, by Messrs. Manning, Dearborn and Kenrick, and de- scribed and figured in our Magazine for 1846, (XIL,p. 148.) On reference to the volume we find that we then stated that in general appearance it resembled the Gray Doyenne, but with a rougher russet skin ; and that it was in perfection in January, but would keep till the end of February ; all of which, after a period of twenty years, We more than confirm, and pronounce it one of our best winter pears. The Bezi Mai we have not fruited, but our impression has been that it would not become melting enough, wliich appears to be confirmed by Mr. Rivers. It belongs to the class of Fortunee, De Sorlas, Belle Williams, and many others, which some years are soft enough to eat, but usually need the aid 76 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. of a good hot oven, or kettle of boiling water, to make them eatable. Marie Louise d'Uccle we described in our last volume, and we think very highly of it. Bergamot d'Esperin could not be better described, and the w^riter must have known it well. Willi half a dozen speci- mens on our table while we write, we can confirm all he says. Rough it is, and the only objection to it is, that after taking off the hide, there is too little left. Still, it keeps well, and makes up, by its two or three small slices, a variety, which is always desirable. Huyshe's Victoria and Prince of Wales we have not seen. Madame Millet is good, but too small. To American cultivators the list in the Gardeners' Chronicle appears almost a pomological curiosity. What should we do in the months of October, November and December, which are, ])ar excellence^ the pear season, without Swan's Orange, Sheldon, Moore's, Andrews, Edmonds, Beurre Bosc, Paradise of Autumn, Pratt, Beurre Superfin, Seckel, Abbott, Heathcot, Duchesse d'Orleans, Urbaniste, De Tongres, Augustus Dana, Beurre d'Anjou, Howell, Hovey (Dana's), Lawrence, Grand Soliel, and many others, every one of which is fully equal to those named in the Chronicle, and leaving out Marie Louise, Doyenne du Comice^ Beurre Hardy and Gansel's Bergamot, are all far superior to any of them. Mr. Rivers has done something to enlighten English cultivators about American fruits by the importation of a few of the best, but they are still almost as ignorant of the real state of pomology in America as the Fejee Islanders are of the state of civilization in Europe. PROF. NYCE'S FRUIT HOUSE. BY PROF. NYCE, CLEVELAND, OHIO. On reading your Magazine of January, 1866, I regret to find, from a correspondent of East Pennsylvania, the follow- ing remarks : " There appears to be a systematic puffing of the patent house invented by Mr. Nyce." MARCH. 77 I do not now discuss tlie merits of tlie views of the writer referred to, but my rule is never to let my ideas or notions stand in the way of well-attested facts, whatever they may be. The reports of this house published by horticultural associa- tions have in all cases been their voluntary action, on the simple presentation of specimens of fruit before them. The publications of the Ohio Pomological and Ohio State Board of Agriculture have been made at the cost of tlie State, and in most cases without my knowledge. I have never requested any one to write a line, or paid any one a dime for writing in its favor, and until tlie recent pamphlets and circulars issued, have never published anything on my own account. You will, I am sure, be happy to permit this correction of the statement made, not so much because of its injustice to myself, as to those prominent fruit-growing associations of our country, whose characters are quite too high to deserve the imputations attributed to them. VINEYARD CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. BY DPv. J P. DAKE, SALEM, OmO. In the January number of the Magazine, under the above heading, some instructions are given, among other things, for the selection of sites and preparation of ground for vineyards. I wish simply to say in reply, that along the south shore of Lake Erie, where we are planting vines by the hundred acres, and where tlie largest profits attainable from grape growing, this side of California, are realized, we do not select " south- east" sides of hills in preference to the other sides, nor do we trench the soil to the depth of " eighteen inches," and we by no means put "bone manure" below for the roots of our vines to revel in. So far from practicing such measures, we regard them as not only useless but injurious; particularly the deep trench- ing and high manuring. We want/rmY, and not a wilderness of grape wood — we want healthy, long-lived, and not over- stimulated, plethoric and diseased vines. 78 THE MAGAZINE OP HORTICULTURE. Our vineyards do full as well ou the north and west as on the south and east hillsides ; in fact, near the lake they do better on the northern slopes always. Our best vineyards and healthiest vines are on our purest clay soils, ploughed deep enough for corn, and well under- drained. We use no manure, except where there is a deficiency of lime, and then the addition of a little plaster or slacked lime answers our purpose fully. We regard the old-fashioned ideas of soils, sites, trenching, and manuring with bones and animal carcasses, as really detrimental to grape growing in this country. People are frightened by such requirements from planting vineyards. Come out west a little, and let us show you how we have exploded such obsolete notions. DESCRIPTIONS OP SELECT PEARS. BY THE EDITOR. By one of those mishaps which sometimes occur, — fortu- nately the only one of the kind in our thirty-one volumes, — the cut of the Beurre de Lannoy pear was substituted by the printer for the Gansel's Late Bergamot, the description of which appeared in the December number. Three varieties were intended to comprise the article, but as there was only room for two, the third was omitted, and this was the Beurr^ de Lannoy. Li the hurry of getting out the December num- ber, with index, j an abstract of 229 54 802 00 2,400 05 7,719 49 5,135 98 2,530 00 1,822 00 570 40 $21,209 46 22,430 67 55,421 53 23,342 92 10,000 00 Expenditures for 1865 By cash paid premiums and gratuities, 1865, " " Salaries and compensations, " " Rent of old rooms, . " " Expenses Annual Exhibition, « « Library, J. axes, .... $132,404 58 2,4.56 00 1,475 00 1,329 16 1,371 76 198 98 3,160 00 MARCH. 9^ By cash paid Insurance, .... 273 00 " " Printing and advertising, . 499 50 " " Gas and water rates, 330. 56 " " Interest on mortgage. 5,500 00 " " Medals, testimonials, &c.. 367 00 " " Mechanics and miscellaneous, . 4,264 37 $21,255 33 Paid for certificates of deposit, 32,000 00 " " Construction of Building, 66,873 85 " " Furniture, chandeliers, &c., 5,227 86 " " Cash in treasury, Jan. 2, 1866, 7,077 54 $132,404 58 Property of the Society. Real estate, cost, . 105,132 34 Building, paid in cash, .... . 120,173 85 " " notes, .... 16,355 55 Furniture, 5,227 26 Library, furniture, &c., .... 5,000 00 97 shares Passumpsic River Railroad, . 7,275 00 Cash in treasury, Jan. 2, 1866, 7,077 54 $266,241 54 The Society owes notes, &c., $141,355 55. On motion of E. W. Buswell, it was voted, that the days of exhibition be changed from Saturday to Wednesday. The Committee of Arrangements reported the 18, 19, 20 and 21 of Sep- tember as the days for holding the next Annual Exhibition. Adjourned one month, to March 3d. itnarj. Death of Prof. J. J. Mapes. — Died at his residence in New York, Prof. J. J. Mapes, at the age of 59. Few among the agricultural writers of the day were better known than Prof. Mapes. As Editor of the Working Farmer, he acquired a reputation for scientific attainment which gave to his teachings great importance, and with a large class of readers he was considered one of the most eminent of our agricultural writers, and the founder of a new system of agriculture based upon theories peculiarly his own. At the same time another class consid- ered his agricultural knowledge as wholly superficial, and his title even of Professor, a mere cover for crude theories which could never be carried into practice, or, if attempted, would result in failure. Knowing Prof. Mapes, as we have, for many years, without according to his writings the importance 94 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. which have been claimed for them, and believinor many of his theories un- sonnd Jind of no great value, yet we cannot deny that his labors have done ^reat good, and awakened an interest in scientific culture which has been of essential service in the advancement of agriculture throughout the country. His horticultural knowledge, as promulgated in ihe Farmer, was not affirmed when put in practice, and though he succeeded in making a good deal of a poor farm, to follow his system in the culture of fruit would lead to anything but profitable results. As a scientific writer he had a high reputation, but as a practical cultiva- tor his success was never remarkable. Prof Mapes was long an active member of the Farmers' Club of the American Institute — where we first had the pleasure of his acquaintance — and, until his failing health prevented, continued to take an active part in its proceedings. Indeed, at one time he was the active participator, and almost the life of the association, so fur as it was connected with agriculture. As a friend and companion. Prof. Mapes was gentlemanly, genial, court- eous and kind; always fond of a joke, and ever ready with some anecdote or pleasant story. Ilis loss will be deeply felt by a large circle of friends. Death or Mr. Fearing Burr. — Died at his residence in Ilingham, Mass., Mr. Fearing Burr, aged 87. Though unknown, perhaps, to most of our readers, Mr. Burr's name de- serves a record in our pages for the deep interest he has ever taken in horticulture. Three or four years ago, we gave some account of our visit to his garden. Probably few persons in Plymouth County have done more to promote the culture of fruits than Mr. Burr. Burr's Sweet apple origir nated in his garden. Up to the very last days of his life, he was discussing the propriety of adding to his already large collection some of the new fruits, and also flowers, of which he was exceedingly fond. He was the father of Mr. Burr, the author of the Vegetables of America, and it was in the well-cultivated garden of his father that he became so deeply interested in horticulture, whose attractions have resulted in giving to the public one of the best books thit has ever been published on the subject. In the death of Mr. Burr his native town has lost an intelligent and hon- ored citizen, and the public an active laborer in the cause of horticulture. ^odicultural Operations FOR MARCH. FRUIT DEPARTMENT. February was a variable month, moderately warm in the early part, but cooler afterwards, and now moderate again. It has, however, been more eunny than January and more favorable for forcing operations. MARCH. 95 Grape Vines, in the earliest houses, will have their crop fully mature, or about ready for cutting. Keep the house cooler and dryer, and they will hang upon the vine till the crop in the next house is ripe. Vines in grape- ries will now be breaking into leaf and should have more attention. Syringe often until the flower buds are well advanced, and maintain a genial, moist atmosphere at all times. Tie the vines up to the trellis firmly, and increase the temperature as the season advances. This month will be the time to disbud, that is, rub off all superfluous shoots not wanted, to form spurs for next year's crop ; tie in the laterals as they advance, being careful not to do this too firmly as they are liable to break ; draw them in little at a time. Cold houses should be kept well aired in fine sunny weather to prevent the heat from starting the beds until April. Orchard Houses may now be put in order for bringing in the trees. By the middle of the month there will be very little danger of confining the warmth so as to swell the buds gradually. Strawberries, in pots, should be well watered whilst the fruit is swell- ing, using liquid manure occasionally. Scions may be cut this month. PrUiNing may now be attended to in good weather. Grafting may be commenced the last of the month, beginning with the cherries, which succeed with more certainty when put in early. Figs, kept in the cellar, may be brought into the greenhouse or grapery to forward the crop. FLOWER department. March is a busy month for the gardener, who has much to do ; for where there are numerous houses and a garden to be well filled with showy plants, a large stock should be provided, and this is the sea.son when most of the preparations should be made to accomplish the work. Various seeds should be sown immediately ; frames should be got in readiness to harden off the stock ; hotbeds, for bringing on the tender stuff, and every bit of spare room should be filled with a good healthy stock of Verbenas, Scarlet Ge- raniums, Salvias, Petunias, and other showy things. Summer flowering bulbs must not be forgotten; and lastly, the houses must be kept gay and brilliant with Pelargoniums, Azaleas, Calceolarias, &c. Camellias will now begin to make their new growth, and will require not only more liberal supplies of water, but syringing every warm day, so as to incite a vigorous growth. The plants should also be shaded during the middle of the day. Inarching may be done now, and young stock may be repotted if they require it. Azaleas will now soon be in full blossom. Syringe every day until the flowers begin to open, and water more liberally. A slight shade will cause thein to retain their beauty for a much longer period. Head in plants done blooming. Pelargoniums will need attention. Turn the plants round at least once a week, and water more liberally, at the same time give an abundance of 96 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. air and keep the house rather cool at night. Continue to repot young stock, and tie out specimens so as to form handsome symmetrical bushes. Cinerarias will now begin to flower ; water occasionally with liquid manure, and keep down the green fly by proper fumigation. Orange and Lemon Trees will now begin to grow, and will need more water, and occasional syringing. Heaths and Epacris will now be in full bloom ; keep in a cool part of the house and water rather more liberally. Now is a good time to put in cuttings for young stock. Fuchsias, intended for fine specimens, should be encouraged by a shift into larger pots. Caladiums should be very carefully watered until they are well started, and should be kept in a very warm part of the house, or if a hotbed is at hand it will answer. Begonias will soon require a shift into larger pots. Japan Lilies will now begin to grow, and will require a better position, near the light. Water sparingly till the shoots are well advanced. Seeds of Chinese Primroses, Acacias, and other greenhouse plants should now be planted. Seeds of many annuals for the early decoration of the borders should be planted. Those sown last month should now be potted off, three or four in each pot. Tuberoses may be started for very early flowering. Pot and place in tlie hotbed or greenhouse. Cuttings of bedding plants of all kinds should be put in this month, as they will not only root better, but will make much stronger plants. Hyacinths, and other bulbs in pots, should now have a good situation near the light, and an abundance of water. Ferns should be looked after, and, if not repotted, now is a good time to do it. Orchids should have more moisture as they show signs of growing. They will also require more shade from the sun as the season advances. Cannas should now be divided and repotted in order to secure good stocky plants for immediate effect. Sow Perilla Nankinensis for the decoration of the flower garden. vegetable department. If our directions were followed last month for the completion of the hot- bed and the planting of the various seeds, they will by this time require more space, and if other beds are not already made they should be got ready immediately. Tomatoes should be transplanted either into pots or directly into the bed; for early use the former is the best. Cucumbers should be hilled out, that is, one pot of the plants should be set out in a small hill of good soil under the middle of each light. Sow Lettuces, Radishes, Cauliflowers, &c., for a succession. Potatoes may be started in the old bed, already exhausted of part of its heat. / STRAWBERRY CULTURE IN NEW JERSEY. Nothing is more important than facts to illustrate the rela- tive value of any fruit. If we could have these, a great deal of trouble, disappointment and expense would be saved, and fruit culture would rapidly extend, and prove not only a source of great profit, but our markets would be supplied with superior fruit. But instead of facts, we have an abun- dance of general information, without adding but little, if anything, to our stock of real knowledge. It is the absence of facts whicli renders so much that is written upon horticul- tural and agricultural science almost valueless. Theoretical essays, new methods of culture, and experimental trials are each and all subjects of the deepest interest, as leading to successful results, but practically we require facts upon which to base all our operations, without which we cannot arrive at satisfactory conclusions. Of what value is the statement that this, that or the other pear or apple is the most profitable to cultivate, if the writer has not had long experience and careful observation in the culture of all the varieties, so as to form a correct and reliable opinion ? Or of what importance that this or that mode of culture is the best, if he has not made a thorough trial of all ? What value should we attach to the statement that this or that fertilizer was the best for any crop, unless the writer had had experience with all^ and, after careful and thorough trial, gives us facts as the result of his observations ? If we cannot have these, the information is only general, and leaves us little if any farther in advance of our previous knowledge. It is because these are wanting that so much that is written adds so little to the absolute accumulation of valuable infor- mation. These few remarks are suggested by the perusal of a small pamphlet, containing the proceedings of the *' West Jersey Fruit Growers' Association," for 1865, being the third annual VOL. XXXII. — NO. lY. 7 98 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. report, and as it contains much information upon strawberry culture in New Jersey, the great source of supply for the New York and Philadelphia markets, we think our readers will be generally interested to learn something of the culture of this fruit upon so extensive a scale. Until the recent formation of the various county societies throughout many of the States, for the collection of pomologi- cal information, first suggested and called for by the American Pomological Society, we had few or no facts concerning the various crops of fruit in the several States, or any definite knowledge of the quantity produced. We are yet without a great deal of reliable information of this kind, but some })rogress has been made towards this most desirable result, and in time we hope to have accurate reports from every part of the country, showing not only the quantity of fruit pro- .duced, but the varieties which have been proved most certain .m\d reliable, as well as the most profitable to cultivate. With the strawberry this is very important; perhaps as much or more so than any other fruit. For if we are to be- lieve the statements which have been made from time to time during the last thirty years, the real difference in the product of some of the varieties is enormous, these statements varying from 50 bushels to 600 bushels an acre. Frequent assertions are yearly made of the product of 300 to 400 bushels an acre of the Wilson, and scarcely a new seedling is introduced but what is reported to produce twice as much as any previous sort. But the New Jersey cultivators have set this at rest, and although there may have been instances of very high culture where upon some favorable spot, in a small bed, the produce has been at the rate of 300 bushels to the acre, we think it will be very difficult to find a cultivator who can show, by actual measurement, he has raised one third of the quantity upon a whole acre. It is the product on a liberal «cale of culture that will test the value of any variety, and this we have in the report before us. In March, 1865, a committee of the association was ap- pointed to procure information rd^lative to the kinds of straw- herries cultivated, and the quantity produced. Printed circulars were sent to all the fruit growers of West Jersey, APRIL. 99 ajid although tlie answers were not so fall and extended as the committee desired, the following are the results, so far as reported : — in six townships there were 510 acres of strawberries in bearing last season, as follows; in Burlington 220, Beverly 200, Chester 65, Cinnarainson 22, Evesham 12, and Newton 3 ; yielding in all 29,080 bushels of fruit, worth in market $133,737.41. The general average per acre was 55i busliels; viz. : Burlington 45, Beverly 56, Chester 82, Cinnamiiison 88, Evesham 55, Newton 48; and the average price per bushel $4.60. The yield and price are both a trifle lower than last year ; the former is accounted for in Beverly from the fact of the growers there falling into the practice of neglecting cleaning, preferring to renew the beds after two crops have been taken. The varieties generally cultivated for tlie last season's market, were Wilson's Albany, French's Seedling, Downer's Prolific, Cutter's Seedling, Lady Finger, Hovey and Iowa. The Wilson is the main dependence in Burlington and Beverly, though almost discarded in the otlier townships. The cultivation of the strawberry is on the increase ; the returns showing that there will be 60 acres more in bearing next season than the last. The old plan of planting and cultivation is still the only one which meets with approval here. It is that of setting in rows five feet apart, and from ten to eighteen inches in the row, according to the vigor of the variety, and training into beds from three and a half to four feet wide, and covering in the early part of winter with fine stable manure. After picking they are sometimes cleaned and allowed to fruit a second season, though it is becoming common to pick them but a single year, it being considered less expensive to raise a new than to clean an old bed, and that the former will yield a larger crop ; though the Lady Finger is reported in Beverly to pick far better at its fourth fruiting, if well cared for, than at any previous year. Tlie French, Cutter and Downer are cultivated in Chester and Cinnaminson with marked success. They are all vigorous and rapid growers, and large producers of good sized fruit; 100 THE MAGAZINE OP HORTICULTURE. qualities which under our system of cultivation are most desirable. The first great desideratum is vigorous and rapid growth, since we must be able to make beds with certainty in a single season ; next, we want the fruit in abundance and of good size. The latter good qualities without the former are worthless under our system. Perhaps no other three varieties thoroughly tested here, are so satisfactory as those named above. The Lady Finger at times yields enormous crops, and being the finest berry we have for market purposes, is then very profitable ; but it is too uncertain to be extensively relied on. The Agriculturist, New Jersey Scarlet, Green Prolific, and Tribune strawberries promise well. The Green Prolific is a strong plant, with very hardy leaf, and is exceedingly pro- ductive. The berries are large, but a little inclined to be soft. Churchman's Great Eastern is a strong vigorous plant, throws out but a few runners, and produces an abundance of large fruit ; is well adapted to hill culture. Russell's Prolific and Triomphe de Gand, though doing well on very strong rich soil, are not adapted to this locality for general culti- vation. A statistical report of the berries sent to market from Hammontonj in 1865, is at command, and would perhaps be interesting. It credits them with sending 132,409 quarts, and receiving $33,325.00 for them, or over 25 cents per quart ; our own average is less tha^ 15 cents ; an unaccount- able difference. The variety was generally the Albany, and universally grown on the hill system. Here we have a general average of 6Q bushels to the acre, Burlington being 45, Beverly 56, and the highest, Chester, 82, and Cinnaminson 83 bushels to the acre. Now, as the Wilson is the " main dependence in Burlington and Beverly," we have the real product of this variety, amounting to about 50 bushels an acre, considerably less than the 300 bushels so often claimed as the product. ■ The French, Cutter and Downer are cultivated in Chester and Cinnaminson, and these, it appears, yield nearly one half more than the Wilson, the latter being in fact " almost dis- APRIL. 101 carded" in all the townships except those first named. The relative market value is therefore at once established. It appears that the New Jersey cultivators are adopting the Belmont system of picking the bed but one year, " it being considerably less expense to raise a new, than to clean an old bed." Undoubtedly they are right. Unfortunately we have not the statistics of the actual crop of the strawberry cultivators in our vicinity to make a general comparison, but we have such results of the Belmont growers as will enable us to compare them witli those of the New Jersey growers. We have the evidence of several culti- vators,— and no doubt if pains were taken the whole might be obtained, — which may be taken as a fair average of the whole. Messrs. J. 0. Wellington, Patterson, Locke and oth- ers, the largest cultivators, inform us that the product of their plantations is about 4000 quarts, — that is, 128 bushels, — to the acre ; often it exceeds this, having reached as high as 4500 quarts. The varieties cultivated are the Hovey, Jenny Lind, and Brigliton Pine. Here we have nearly three times the quantity produced of that of the New Jersey cultivators : whether this is to be attributed to the* varieties or modes of culture is not fully established ; but the inference is from what the committee state that the systems are similar, that the greater product results from the varieties cultivated rather than from the mode of culture. After all that has been said about the productiveness of strawberries, it is gratifying to have these established facts, and we hope that other societies in various parts of the coun- try will endeavor to collect similar statistics, which will be of great value. There will then remain no doubt of the actual worth of any strawberry. At present, only those who investi- gate the svibject themselves are aware of the very great differ- ence in the value of many fruits ; but let this information be general, and the whole public will be immensely benefited, and saved from disappointment and great loss. We conclude our remarks with the following notice, by the committee, of the various modes of culture adopted in different townships, which were each examined by them : — 102 THE MAGAZINE OP HORTICULTURE. It was interesting to observe the different modes of treat- ment in different neighborhoods, and each claimed as best where followed ; and it is believed by more frequently visiting each other's premises, to compare views in regard to their proper treatment, with the fruit and plants immediately in view, would be the means of developing much valuable information in relation to tlie true principles of culture that should govern our operations in raising this valuable fruit. All however agree on the importance of having the soil thoroughly prepared by being supplied with proper nourish- ment and brought to a fine tilth by cultivation. After which the treatment differs. In the vicinity of Beverly and Bur- lington, they usually mark the rows five feet apart, and set the plants from twelve to fifteen inclies in the rows, then plant a grain of corn to each plant ; the strawberries receiving no further culture than is required to benefit the corn, which is usually fit to cut for market soon after harvest, when the stalks are cut away, and the strawberries allowed to spread and occupy the ground without much attention from the proprietor. One farmer reported that he marketed one hundred dollars worth of green corn per acre, and the straw- berries doing as well as other patches in the neighborhood, without any crops among them. In other sections, potatoes are planted between the rows, onions in the rows, &c., by which means a partial crop of vegetables is obtained during the first season, instead of no crop before the strawberries ripen. Early spring planting is generally preferred, yet in some cases where the plants were set late in the fall, the beds yielded better than others by their side set early the following spring. At nearly all the premises visited in the county of Burlington, the mode of setting the plants twelve to fifteen inches distant in rows five feet apart was adopted, allowing the vines to spread over the ground, some expending a large amount of labor in setting the vines regularly over the ground, while others permit them to run at random, without much care or cultivation ; and it is a question for growers on a large scale to decide, which is the most profitable method, to grow ten acres without much care and realize from one to APRIL. 103 two liuiidred dollars per acre, or grow three acres with higli culture and realize from five to six hundred dollars per acre ? These figures it is thought fairly represent the crops produced under the two modes of culture in the several localities that came under the notice of the committee. At Hammonton, in the county of Atlantic, a different phm is pursued ; the plants are set sixteen inches distant in rows, three feet apart ; the runners are all removed as they appear, and a horse cultivator passed frequently between the rows to keep the soil loose and mellow, prevent grass and weeds from starting, and the plants from parching in hot dry weather, as they do when matted together in thick beds where there is no opportunity to loosen the soil except by hand. By fre- quently stirring the soil, the plants are kept vigorous and healthy, and produce a large crop of fine fruit without manure ; while plants crowded thickly in beds without culti- vation, require stimulating, and heavy manuring at great expense to produce a crop of medium sized fruit. NATIVE WINES. BY F. R. ELLIOTT, CLEVELAND. With the amount of interest and capital now and being invested in grape culture, it may be well for those who are so engaged, as well as for the people who are to drink the wines made therefrom, to inquire a little into what constitutes a Native Wine, — and whether the grape is essential thereto, and, if so, what varieties are best. At the present time, ere the people have really learned to distinguish pure grape wines, manufactures of all characters of liquids, under the name of native wine, are made and sold. How long grape growers are themselves going to sit quietly, and see the pillars on which the products of their vineyards are based taken from them, and converted to the sharp use of money-getters, I know not ; but it appears to me they should at once expose the manner of manufactures, to- 104 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. gether with the names of the makers, and thus in a measure compel the sale of the various decoctions under their own true names. It may, however, be best to let '* every dog have his day," and trust to an intelligent people to ere long detect the true wine from the false ; but I fear it will be with wines as with brandies, etc., only a very few out of the millions that will make the discovery. If Rhubarb Pie Plant, or, as now generally sold, " Linnaeus Wine Plant," will make as good a wine as the grape, then it is folly to expend time and labor on the grape, because the pie plant can be so much easier grown, and will give just as many gallons to the acre as the operator has skill in admixture of drugs and command of cheap sugar. Again, if boiling down a poor grape wine, flavoring with a mash of half-rotten strawberries, mixing cider, and killing errors by use of acetate of lead, makes as desirable a wine for the sick as pure grape, then certainly it is useless to be particular what kind of grape you grow, only get the strongest growers and at the cheapest price. And, again, if boiling the grape juice, adding sugar and water, with pure spirit to give body, makes one of the best of dry wines, I be- lieve I must emigrate to California if I design to drink it. And, again, if grape juice, cider, water, pure spirit, bi-sul- pliate of potash, otto ol rose, and acetate of lead, witli some coloring matter to give a pink tinge, makes a pure wine, then Webster should return to earth and revise his dictionary. And still one more, because in its use the grape is not — if dried raisins, tillia flowers, sugar, water, tartaric acid, yeast and spirit make a pure wine and a healthful beverage, then let us look only to the grape for eating purposes. How far the advice of Dr. Gall, to mix grape, sugar and water before fermentation, and thus increase the quantity at a decrease of per cent, of acid, may be desirable, is a ques- tion, but where the grapes are immature, giving only from fifty-two to sixty-five of sacchrometer with eleven to nine of acid — really material only for good vinegar if kept unmixed — I do not doubt the policy of adding the sugar and water, because, if the fluid is to be drank, the acid in its unmixed state would be injurious to the stomach. In the making of ' APRIL. 105 grape wines in small quantities, by private parties and for their own use, I believe Dr. Gall's practice of adding sugar and water in the tub or vat and before fermentation better than the common one of adding sugar after the wine has fer- mented and been found too sour to be pleasant. A pure wine, void of the addition of sugar, sorghum, spirit, etc., made from any grape I have yet seen culti- vated here, will not, probably, improve after the second year ; because, by that time, its several fermentations have changed all its sugar into alcohol, and decocted its ether or aroma (boquet) to the full. The addition of sugar on the other hand, if alone and applied to pure grape juice, causes the wine to improve from year to year, and how many years before it perfects, of course depends on the character of the must and the quantity of sugar added. Some years since I drank of a Clinton wine, made by James Houghton, Esq., of Cleveland, in which sugar had been added to the must, and at the time I drank it was some four years old ; and, although not yet perfected, it was the best wine of the character that I had ever seen made from that grape. This past fall I have drank of a new wine made pure from the same (Clinton) grape by George Leick, Esq., of Cleveland, that almost equalled pure wines from Norton's Virginia. This latter, had the maker felt disposed, possessed so much of acid — its great fault — that Dr. Gall's practice might have been adopted without injury, except the lessening its value as a beverage of medicinal effect, or advantageous to the human system — for I hold, nothing in form of drink equals pure grape wine in healthful action in the system of man. Thus far the great objection to all our hardy grapes for pure wine purposes has been tlie excess of acid contained in them. This, as wine-makers become more and more con- versant with the grapes, and the soils on which tliey are grown, will in great measure be remedied by timing the gathering season, and by selecting the berries. Grapes, as we all know, if gathered immediately after a rain, and before dews are dried off, will weigh more, inasmuch as they contain 106 THE MAGAZINE OP HORTICULTURE. a greater per cent, of water than when gathered during a dry time, and at mid-da}' ; and so long as buyers make no discrimination, but pay equal price for tlie one as tlic other gathering, growers will continue to gather at the time the grape weighs most, but least valuable for wine purposes. The past fall Mr. Leick, heretofore named, and, by-tlie-by, a maker of nearly forty thousand gallons of wine this year, had a great proportion of liis Catawba grapes left on the vines until in November, resulting in a wine of about 90 by sac- chrometer, and exhibiting only 4 8-10 to 5 per cent, of acid. This, when fermented, will give nearly, if not quite, 11 per cent, of alcohol, and make a wine almost equalling the best Reissling. Such wines would be injured rather than im- proved by Dr. Gall's method, as a certain amount of acid is requisite to give character and piquancy, and when there is not a superabundance no addition can improve pure grape juice. Wines, it is said, are "a// doctored.'''* How far this is true, I know not, but I can see no benefit in doctoring such wines as I have just named. If doctoring has to be done with a wine because of its acidity, it appears to me that rather than practice Dr. Gall's method, I would boil down a part, and, returning it to the cask, create another fermenta- tion, and so mix it. But I am not a wine maker, and what I have written has been rather to draw attention to the subject, and, perhaps, remarks from others, rather than with a thought of conveying any new ideas. POMOLOGICAL GOSSIP. Grapes and Grape Culture in England. — The following is a brief account of grape culture as practiced by Mr. Speed, gardener to Sir Ed. Walker, who has taken numerous first class prizes for specimens of his grapes. As it gives some information somewhat new regarding a few varieties, we think it will be read with interest by all grape growers : — The specifJ object of our visit to Bury Hill was to inspect the vineries and to note all the peculiarities of Mr. Speed's APRIL. 107 management ; and our preliminary examination of the soil and circumstances natural to tlie locality was made to assist us in the inquiry as to tlie existence of any special property in it, or other advantage in the place, that enabled Mr. Speed to grow grapes surpassing in size and general excellence all tliat had ever before been grown in the Midland Districts. The practical deduction from an analysis of the physical cir- cumstances of the soil is, that there exists the advantages of a poor, dry and wholesome soil, favorable for ordinary grape culture, but affording nothing calculated to induce the ex- traordinary development which, in Mr. Speed's words, the several varieties he has cultivated have obtained. The range of forcing houses comprises Early Yinery, Peach-house, Vinery, Fig-liouse, Vinery, Peach-house, Muscat Vinery, Pine-stove. We were too late to see the first vinery, the dimensions of which are 50 feet by 18 ; but the vigorous and well-ripened wood told of health and fruitfulness, and we could readily believe that bunches of Hamburg grapes were cut from this house weigliing six lbs. each. This house con- tains nine Hamburg and two Muscat vines, planted five years since ; the vines completely fill the house ; they are pruned on the rod and spur system. The house is heated with a hot-air flue, and has a pit filled with leaf soil, in the centre of the space within it. The border is concreted, and the soil of which it is composed is the top spit of the land of the adjoining pasture, mixed with lime scraps, charred mat- ters, and bone dust. The border is raised from the surface, and is a little over two feet in thickness and sixteen feet wide ; it is aerated by three-incli earthen pipes, passing through and through the borders, and entering the house opposite the flue. The border is external, and the vines are brought into the house. We observed that Mr. Speed had washed the whole of the flues and stove work with sulphur. Passing through the early peach house, we reach a second vinery, 50 feet by 25 feet, wliich had been planted two and a half years with three Lady Downes Seedlings, three Barba- rossa, four Muscat of Alexandria, and one Trebbiana. These vines are particularly vigorous, and have reached the back of the house. In cropping, the Barbarossas were restricted to 108 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. four bunches each, the bunches averaging five lbs. Mr. Speed thinks the Barbarossa one of the best winter grapes ; it was kept by him last year until the 28th of April. The Muscats were allowed to bear six or seven bunches, and would average 2J to 3 lbs. Lady Downes had eight or nine bunches, and these were very large and liandsome. This variety of grape is valued very much at Bury Hill ; we never saw vines of the same age bearing a finer or better crop of fruit. To maintain a vigorous and unchecked development from the very mo- ment the vine begins its growth from an eye until its period of rest arrives, is one of tlie points in Mr. Speed's manage- ment ; the most vigorous and prolific Barbarossas and Lady Downes were, we were told, struck in the month of January, from eyes, and planted out in April of the years they were planted. Many of our fruit, and even forest trees, injured when young by being cramped and retarded, never make healthy or large trees. We have had an opportunity of ob- serving that a Barbarossa, checked and injured in its early growth, never afterwards grew kindly or well ; it may be one reason why this variety enjoys so little favor. The border belonging to this house is not paved ; the subsoil being a compact sand. The next vinery is 30 by 15 feet ; it is planted with three Muscats, three Hamburgs, two Barba- rossas, one Lady Downes, and Alicante. There is an example here showing that it is injudicious to plant a strong growing, robust, liardy vine next to those of less vigorous character ; the association of a Barbarossa with a Muscat has been in- directly prejudicial to the latter, while the Hamburg and Muscat agree. Grapes in Pennsylvania and New York. — Cultivators would naturally suppose that the earliest grapes would be the most valued in our more northern climate, though the reverse appears to be the fact. At the meeting of the Fruit Growers' Society of Eastern Pennsylvania, after a long discussion on the various grapes, a vote was taken to see whether the views of the society, as to the best grapes, had undergone any change since last year. The following was the result: — Concord, 25 Elsinboro', 9 Crevelling, 19 Clinton, 9 Hartford Prolific, 16 APRIL. 109 Of the Concord many members spoke : all said that it re- tained its character as the most popular grape known. At the meeting of the Fruit Growers of Western New York, after much discussion, a vote was taken upon the best grapes, which was as follows : — Delaware, 56 Crevelling, 30 Diana, 47 Concord, 29 lona, 36 Hartford Prolific, 25 Isabella, 32 Rebecca, 19 From this it appears that the Delaware, which is voted the best in New York, did not have a single vote in Pennsylvania ; and the Diana, placed second in New York, had no votes in Pennsylvania. Concord, placed the sixth in order in New York, is the first choice in Pennsylvania, and Isabella, the fourth in New York, is not mentioned at all in Pennsylvania. Crevelling appears to stand about the same in both places as does Hartford Prolific. These are remarkable differences, and we know not how to account for them ; we leave grape growers to decide for themselves. Dana's Hoyey Pear. — We notice that some of our con- temporaries speak of the Hovey (Dana's) as a pear very little known, although fruited and exhibited yearly for twelve or FOURTEEN YEARS before the Massachusetts Horticultural Socie- ty, and reported upon repeatedly during that period. And several cultivators are greatly surprised that it should be recommended as one of the best w^inter pears, by the Commit- tee who awarded the Greely prizes. It is quite true that it has not fruited throughout the country, but the long time it has been known, and the remarkably fine specimens exhibited for so many years, which have never failed to be of the highest excellence, together with the character, habit, beauty and hardiness of the tree, now very generally introduced into amateur collections, prepossess all in its favor : and those who have not fruited it, but possess a tree, are willing to accept the latter as good evidence that its fruit is all that the Massachusetts cultivators have found it to be after a trial of twelve years. 110 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. Wilson's Early Blackberry. — This is a new variety, wliich lias been extensively cultivated in New Jersey, and proved to possess considerable value. It has the habit of ripening its crop mainly together, and is principally over iu two weeks, and before the height of blackberries comes on ; its whole crop is generally gathered at a few pickings, while the price rules high, and it does not come in competition with any other blackberry, but is ahead of them all in the market, and brings more money. Its earliness is its principal value. With this variety the blackberry season is lengthened two or three weeks, making the period of supplying the market with this fruit nearly three months. Russell's Prolific and Buffalo Strawberries. — Nearly or quite all cultivators admit the identity of the Buffalo and McAcvoy ; but many of them assert that the Russell is distinct. We don't see it. Is it not rather remarkable that botli the Russell and Buffalo should be pistillate ? However, time will settle this. Mr. Knox very kindly sent us some of his Russells, as he informed us it was distinct from the Buffalo. The plants are now in full flower in the green- house, but as we have no others to fertilize the flowers we shall not have any fruit. We see no difference between Mr. Knox's plants and those we had of W. S. Carpenter, Esq., who is generally very correct with his plants, and we have not tlie least reason whatever to doubt he sent us precisely the same Russells as Mr. Knox's. SHORT COMMENTS ON FRUITS. BY FRANK. The following hints are suggested upon reading your Feb- ruary number: — Rogers's Hybrids. — While it is pretty generally conceded that there are some one or more valuable grapes among the numbers sent out, it is to be regretted that so many of them have been let out, for the result is much as it has been with the cherries originated by Dr. Kirtlaud, and described by Mr. APRIL. Ill Elliott, only a few of tliem have proved of surpassing excel- lence, while the majority lumber up our books, increase the labors and care wliile reducing the profits of the nurseryman, and, to a certain extent, detract from the pomological reputa- tion of the parties interested in its first dissemination. Judg- ing from a paragraph in Mr. Elliott's article in this same number, he evidently views tlie matter in a similar light, as he says, " he hopes no new one will be introduced, unless it -have some quality of superiority over sorts already introduced." To dispute the words of such a man as Mr. Hyde would appear ridiculous, and as I do not thus wish to appear, I will merely ask this question — Is it not possible for a good judge of the grape to decide on one examination, no matter how old the vine, of the fruit, its general value for table or wine purposes, as compared with sorts already growing ? I believe it is. I do not believe any better test of the quality of these grapes for general cultivation has been produced this year over that of four or more years since. I have watched the grapes with some interest, and although a society gave a card of recommendation to No. 19, it never appeared to me equal to 4 or 41 ; and of these two last, No. 4 will be the only one grown at the expiration of ten years more, but that will take the place of the Concord. No. 3 will make a wine grape, but whether of a quality to equal or surpass others already in extensive cultivation, is a question I doubt. No. 15 will doubtless continue to be grown both for table and wine, and in ten years, while 4 and 15 will be found generally grown, the remaining numbers will, as now at the North, remain in the hands of amateurs only. No. 1, in Missouri and farther South, will be grown exten- sively for wine. . Thus, Mr. Hyde, I have prophesied — I hope no offence. KiRTLAND Raspberry. — In Mr. Elliott's article this berry is spoken of as a favorite and profitable variety, and so I be- lieve the Ohio Pomological Society regard it. Now can it be that spurious ones have been sent out, for some of my friends "v^rite me, that, as they have received it, " it is not large, nor a good bearer, and suckers so much as to become a perfect 112 THE MAGAZINE OP HORTICULTURE. r nuisance in the garden." Too much care cannot be taken in growing and disseminating new sorts ; and raspberries or strawberries should never have varieties growing side bj side, for even with the best care errors and mixtures will occur. Inside Grape Borders. — I do not pretend to know as much as I should, nor would I think of giving advice to such men as Dr. Houghton, but it has been my fortune to plan and plant a number of grape houses. I have never used any tile or rock bottom. I have trenclied the ground three feet deep, and placed a tile drain in the centre, at a depth of four feet, leading out, of course, for drainage. I have placed my walls just deep enough to secure them from the effect of frost, planted my grapes, and the growers thereafter have been successful in getting fine fruit, by applying liquid manures pretty plentifully during the dormant season, and wetting thoroughly once a week at the commencement of the growing season. THE BOCCONIAS. BY THE EDITOR. Among ornamental-foliaged plants the Bocconias hold a high rank, and the accession of a new species from Japan has given a new feature to this highly picturesque and beau- tiful group. The old Macleaya cordata, now called Bocconia cordata, has been some time known in our gardens, though rather rare. It is a hardy perennial from China, growing to the height of 5 or 6 feet, with large, broad, deeply lobed foliage, and has an imposing appearance in the border. Its large leaves are covered with large spikes of red and yellow flovr-' ers. Our specimen attained the height of six feet last year, and it proves entirely hardy. Bocconia frutescens (fig. 6) is a comparatively new species, though figured in Loddige's Botanical Cabinet many years ago. It is a native of the West Indies, but appears to have been overlooked until reintroduced by the German cultiva- tors, who appear to have discovered its merits, and brought it APRIL. 113 before the public. It grows to the height of 8 or 10 feet, with very large, long, deeply lobed leaves ; in aspect some- BOCCUNIA FRUTESCENS. thing like the Wigandia, and, like that plant, requiring to be wintered in the greenhouse, as it will not stand any degree of frost. It will form a grand object for masses of ornamental foliage. The latest acquisition is the Bocconia japonica, (B. Yoko- hama,) or Japan Bocconia, (fig. 7,) recently received from Japan, and now first brought to the notice of cultivators. In gigantic stature and ornamental effect it surpasses either of the others. The German cultivators, from whom we have received the seeds, describe it as a noble plant, attracting unusual admiration in the German gardens. It is allied to the B. cordata, but surpasses it in beauty, robust habit, free growth, size, shape, and coloring of the leaves, and showiness of the flower spikes. It has also proved perfectly hardy, re- quiring no protection in winter, of luxuriant growth, forming a bush five or six feet high, which is decorated, throughout the latter part of summer and autumn, with beautiful pyram- idal spikes of flowers, two or three feet or more in length. The fine large leaves, deeply lobed, in the way of an oak leaf, are of an obtuse cordate form, of a sombre green above, and VOL. XXXII. — NO. IV. 8 114 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. of a glaucous hue below. As a single object on the lawn, or grouped together, the effect is exquisite. Its hardiness will add to its great value as a decorative object. Our engraving gives a good idea of its general beauty. 7. BOCCONIA JAPONICA. Possibly it may not prove as hardy in our climate as it is in Germany. If this should be so, on trial, it will at least succeed as a half-hardy plant, requiring only the protection of a frame or cellar. \ APRIL. 115 FLORICULTURAL NOTICES. Novelties for 1866. — Quite a large number of novelties are offered by the dealers in seeds, principally from the Ger- man collections, where they have been introduced or origi- nated. Among the great quantity too numerous to par- ticularize, we note the following, which appear to be the most remarkable and valuable acquisitions : — Agrostemma c^li ROSA FLORE PLENO. — A ncw and de- sirable variety of tliis old and pretty annual, producing an abundance of double blossoms, about the size of the Portu- laca. The distinct foliage and the profusion of blossoms render it a fine plant for masses of dwarf flowering annuals. Cedronella cana. — This is a Salvia-like plant, with fra- grant foliage, and long spikes of deep purple flowers, retaining the purple hue of the calyxes for a long time after the flowers have fallen. It is a hardy perennial, but flowers abundantly the first year. DiANTHUS HeDDEWIGI NANA FLORE ALBO PLENO. — A nCW double variety of the beautiful Japan pink, of a very compact dwarfish habit, producing with great constancy pure double white flowers. Pink, Sarah Howard. — A new hybrid, raised by Mr. Howard of Utica, N. Y., grows about two feet high, of a branching habit, with numerous stems terminated with double white flowers. It flowers abundantly all the autumn and winter, and appears to be a valuable acquisition. Palafoxia Hookeriana. — A new Texan annual of great beauty, being much dwarfer and more branching than P. Texana. The flowers are larger, with broader florets, and are produced in large corymbs ; color, a bright rosy crimson, with a deeper centre. It flowers abundantly all summer. Ranunculus asiaticus superbissimus. — This is a rare and beautiful class of the garden Ranunculus, — supplying the place of the Persian tuberous sorts, — so very beautiful, but difficult to grow. This is grown as a biennial, flowering freely the sec- ond year, producing unusually large double varieties, of an unsurpassed brilliancy of colors of all shades, of white, yellow, 116 THE MAGAZINE OP HORTICULTURE. rose, crimson, blood red, scarlet, purple, &c. The plants are very vigorous in growth, most profuse bloomers, and have claimed universal admiration. The seeds produce a large majority of double flowers. Sanvitalia procumbens FLORE PLENO. — A splendid nov- elty, and one of the most valuable acquisitions of the year. It forms a very densely branched plant, completely covered with small, perfectly double yellow flowers, about the size of the Pompon Chrysanthemum, and ordinarily much like some of the best yellow-flowered varieties. The flowers are much larger than the single, and are double to the centre. It is more robust in growth than the single, and the mass of flow- ers stand so closely together that a single plant or small bed is one sheet of blossoms, forming, by the brilliancy of color, a conspicuous object at a great distance. As a bedding plant, it is quite a gem, and a most valuable addition to the number of plants useful for fresh or dried bouquets. 880. AuBRiETiA Campbellii Hort. Campbell's Aubrietia. (Arabideae.) A half-hardy perennial; growin? 6 inches hi?h ; with violet-colored flowers; appearing in sum- mer ; increased by seeds and division of the roots ; grown in good li^ht soil. 111. Hort., 18J5, pi. 455. This is a beautiful variety, raised from seeds by Messrs. Sparry &, Campbell of Brighton, England, and introduced by Messrs. Henderson of London. This new variety has a very tufted habit, with green foliage, and does not exceed six inches in height ; the leaves are large, and neatly dentated ; the flow- ers large, very numerous, and of a violet purple, with a white eye. Grouped in the parterre or border, or planted on rock work with Arabis albida, Draba azoides, Arenaria verna and other plants of the same habit, the mixture of leaves and colors of the flowers produces an elegant eff'ect. It has the merit of blooming early in the spring, and the flowering is prolonged until July. (i//. Hort., Nov.) 881. Allamanda Hendersonii Hort. Henderson's Alla- MANDA. (Apocynaceae.) English Guiana. A stoTe plant ; growing 6 feet high ; with yellow flowers ; appearing in summer ; increased by cuttings -, grown in light rich soil. 111. Hort., 1863, pi. 452. This is one of the most magnificent of the Allamandas. APRIL. 117 The foliage resembles A. Scliottii, but is larger, and the whole plant is more robust ; the flowers are unusually large, four and a half inches in diameter, of the ricliest golden yellow, with five white spots at the mouth of the tube or throat ; the sta- mens being of an orange shade, which forms a rich contrast with tlie petals. It was imported from Guiana, by Messrs. Henderson, and sold to Mr. Bull of London, who describes it as the largest flowered and deepest yellow species known. It commences to bloom a little later than the other species, but when it begins to open it blooms constantly into winter. Its habit is good, and the foliage of the richest dark green. The petals have a thickness and substance wliich none of the otliers possess. It is a superb plant. (///. Hort.^ Oct.) 882. Rhododendron Hodgsoni Hook. Mr. Hodgson's Rho- dodendron. (Ericaceae.) Himalaya. A greenhouse shrub ; growing 10 feet high; with purplish flowers; appearing hi spring; increased by seeds; grown in sandy peat. Bot. Mag., 1866, pi. 5552. '' One of the noblest of the grand series of Rhododendrons that adorn the Eastern Himalaya mountains," growing at an elevation of 10 to 12,000 feet. The leaves are very large, often 18 inches long, green above and ferruginous beneath. The flowers are large, purplish, and appear in compact lieads eight inches across. It flowered last spring in the temperate liouse at Kew. It is the finest of all the Rhododendrons in foliage. (^Bot. Mag-., Jan.)' 883. Sparaxis pulcherrima Hook. Most Beautiful Spa- RAXis. (Irideae.) South Africa. A greenhouse bulb; growing 18 inches high; with crimson purple flowers; appearing in winter; increased by offsets ; grown in li^ht rich soil. lioi. Mag., 1866, pi. 5555. One of the most beautiful of all the fine tribe of Sparaxis, surpassing in stature and distinctness of habit, as well as richness of color, any previous species. It is rather slender in foliage, but the flower stems attain the height of six feet, and are terminated with graceful, drooping flower spikes, from which depend the branchlets, each bearing three to five lovely campanulate blossoms of the richest blood purple color. The whole aspect of the plant is extremely graceful. It is half- liardy, and flowered in the month of October. Probably it 118 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. sliould be treated like the Gladiolus, which comes from the same locality. (^Bot. Mag., Jan.) 884. Begonia baccata Hook. Berried-fruited Begonia. (Begoiiiaceas.) Bight of Benin. A greenhouse plant; growing 3 feet hi^h; with white flowers ; appearing in spring; increased by cuttings; grown in li^ht soil. Bot. Mng., 1S6j, pJ.55o4. A remarkable species of very robust growth, with leaves six to ten inches long, and clusters of large white flowers two inches in diameter, with baccate fruit. It was found at an altitude of 1300 feet. As a large and showy plant, it is one of the best of the Begonias. (^Bot. Mag., Jan.) 885. Epidendrum myrianthum Lindl. Many-flowered Epi- DENDRUM. (Orchidese.) Guatemala. An orchideous plant ; with rosy lilac flowers. Bot. Mag., 18G6, pi. 5556. A charming species, discovered by Mr. Skinner. Growing well in a cool house, and flowering in January, producing very large spikes of lilac-looking blossoms, disposed in a simi- lar manner to that flower. It is a fine species. (^Bot. Mag., Jan.) §tnnal Itotitts. The Christmas Rose (Helleborus niger). — This fine old herbaceous plant may be said to be datum pe^ of all the year's botany, the first flower of the season, a plant of it now before me being in full bloom this day (Dec. 28th), having been in doors only about a week, and kept in a sitting room. The Christmas Rose is most valuable at this festive season for sup- plying cut flowers ; its large, pure white buds, finely tipped with pink, are borne on very stiff" stems, four or five inches in length, and when open the flower is found to consist of five petals, or rather floral leaves, and to meas- ure about three inches across. These leaves are very stiff* and showy, consisting of a calyx, pure white inside, and white tipped with pink out- side. To make amends for the anomaly, however, there is a corrolla of beautiful pale green petals, about fifteen in number, in the form of inverted cones, elegantly cut, and so arranged within the calyx as to give the gen- eral appearance of the flower a greenish hue. These little greenish horns are much shorter than the stamens, and are only discovered on close ex- amination. The stamens, say one hundred in number, with orange colored anthers, give a fullness to the flower, and are not unlike the " Glory in the Figure "in the St. Johns wort. In both cases there is a resemblance to APRIL. 119 the halo or rays of glory that the ancient painters were in the habit of placing around the heads of the Holy Family. The architecture of the Christmas Rose is exceedingly ornamental, re- sembling, as it does, a vase elaborately carved and twisted. The general effect of this lead white flower, with its centre of green and orange, is very striking, its dark-colored leaves setting off the flowers to much advan- tage. The leaves themselves, like every other portion of this interesting plant, are thick and leathery, and at the time when the flowers appear are at least one year older than the blossoms, whose delicate organization they are destined to defend. ^ Opening into beauty, as the plant does, at such an inclement season as Christmas in England generally is, some natural pre- caution seems necessary, and we find that this is handsomely provided, for upon a stiff footstalk are arranged some nine or ten leaves, springing from a common centre, like the ground roof of some old church, thereby forming a pent house, eight or nine inches in diameter, over the blossom buds be- low, whilst at the same time sun and air have free access to them. The leaf, when detached from the plant, is in appearance and character quite a miniature palm, and the whole plant, although only a couple of hand breadths in length, has so much individuality about it, that it could not fail to attract notice on that account alone. If the Christmas Rose were to appear in June, with its fine white petals, in some thorny jungle, elbowing itself into notice like the bramble, its flower might pass muster among those of the Dog Rose, where the five pink tipped white petals are so well known to prevail ; but when we see the order of nature so strangely reversed, that this tiny evergreen herb lets the spring, summer, and even the autumn pass by, and flowers in the very depths of winter, we need not wonder at its being so highly prized. About a week before Christmas, it may be potted, and placed in a cottage window to bloom, to effect which no costly arrangement is needed ; a disabled basin, with no hole in the bottom, will hold earth enough for this hardy herbaceous plant, and to those who may have to purchase the plant it will not cost more than sixpence ; the clumsiest tyro, too, that ever planted kale with a dibber will be gardener enough to do the work, for such is the de- termined character of the plant to thrive under difficulties, that no one need despair of having the Christmas Rose in full bloom at Christmas. Nothing could compensate us for the loss of Christmas Festivities. It is thoroughly English to have " mirth and jollitie " at this season, and the bard wrote well when he said : " A Christmas gambol oft would cheer The poor man's heart through half the year." There is great joy in an atmosphere of flowers, and there is no end to their beauty, so that what has often been applied to pictures may truly be said of them : " A thing of beauty is a joy forever." — {Gard. Chron.) [We quite agree with the writer. The Christmas Rose has flowered with us in the open ground at Christmas, merely covered with a hand glass, and surrounded with snow. — Ed.] 120 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. Sicilian Mode of Eating Strawberries. — Throughout Sicily it is the custom to eat strawberries along with sugar and the juice of an orange or two. The strawberries, a small kind, come to table without their stalks, are crushed with white powdered sugar, and the juice of an orange is squeezed over them. The result is a most fragrant and agreeable com- pound, much superior, in my opinion, to strawberries and cream. Indeed, I think it is all but worth while to make a journey to Sicily to be initiated into this mode of eating strawberries. — ( Gard. Chron.) Erica tetralix an American Plant. — M. Reichenbach, Jr., states that the E. tetralix is a native of Surinam, where it was found by Heigelt, a German collector, and sent to Dresden. Prof. Reichenbach has a speci- men in his own herbarium. Thus it appears we have two species of heath natives of America, E. vulsraris and E. tetralix. Double Glazing. — This subject has been much discussed in English papers. Its merits have been duly set forth, and it appears especially desirable in our colder climate. The following easy mode of double glazing a new house, or one already built, is given by a correspondent of the Gard- ener's Chronicle: If any one is building a house, with deep sash bars or rafters, it would be easy to double glaze. Instead of the lower edges being " champfered " off, let there be a groove made a little wider than the thick- ness of the glass to be used, about half an inch from the under side of the bars or rafters. This groove should be made the whole length, and when the outer glazing is done, a piece of wood on the under side of the rafter, as near the ridge as possible, should be cut out the length of one of the squares. This will of course allow a pane of glass to be slipped in and pushed down to the bottom, then another, and so on to the top, edge to edge, and the top one might be kept in its place by nailing on the little slips cut out at first. Those who have such houses already built could glaze the under side by nailing on two very small slips of wood to form the groove. On this plan a good sized house could bo glazed on the under side for £6 or £7. The glass could, if necessary, be taken out once or twice a year, washed and replaced in a few hours, and the cost at first would not be more than a perishable woolen cloth and roller. Double glaz- ing, it is believed, would save half the quantity of fuel usually required to keep up the proper temperature of the house in our cold winters, with the temperature frequently at zero or near it. — Ed. Manuring Lawns. — Failing rich compost, or thoroughly decayed dung, sow Peruvian guano over the lawn, during showery weather in April, at the rate of 2 cwt. per acre, and give another dressing in the first wet weather in June, applying it just before rain. Let the guano be sifted through a moderately fine sieve. Peruvian guano is best, but the ammoniated guano is excellent. APRIL. 121 Gossip of i\t Pontlj. Catalogues, Books, &c., Received. — Every Saturday, a weekly pe- riodical of selected Literature, published by Ticknor & Fields every Sat- urday. Filled with choice and selected reading. J. M. Thorburn & Co.'s annual Descriptive Catalogue of Flower Seeds, &c., with a list of French Hybrid Gladiolus and other Spring Bulbous Roots. J. M. Thorburn &l Co. N. Y. 1866. J. W. Bailey Sl Co.'s semi annual Catalogue and Price List of Grape Vines. Plattsburg, Clinton Co., N. Y. With an engraving of the Adirondac Grape. 1866. Hoveys' Illustrated Guide to the Flower and Vegetable Garden : 130 pages, 60 engravings, and a colored plate. Hovey & Co., Boston. 1866. Amateur Cultivator's Guide to the Flower and Kitchen Gaiden: Wash- burn & Co., Horticultural Hall, Boston: 130 pages, 60 engravings, and a colored plate. 1866. Frost & Co.'s Descriptive Catalogue of Flower Seeds, 1666. Frost & Co. Rochester, N. Y. Reid's Nurseries, Elizabeth, N. J. Wholesale Price List for the Spring of 1866, of Fruit Trees, «Sz.c. D. D. Buchanan. Transactions of the Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden Agricultural So- ciety, for the year 1865, with the Address of Daniel Needham. Proceedings of the West Jersey Fruit Growers' Association for 1865. Catalogue No. 3, of Ornamental Trees and Shrubs, Vines, Roses, &c., cultivated and for sale by Ed. J. Evans & Co., York, Pa. 1866. Hoopes, Brother & Thomas's Catalogues, Nos. 1 and 2, Ornamental and Fruit Department, West Chester, Pa. 1866. Report of the House Committee on Agriculture of the State of New Jer- sey, for the year 1866. By Dr. J. P. Trimble. Pomona Garden and Nursery Catalogue of Strawberries, Raspberries, Fruit Trees, Vines, &c., 1866. William Parry, Cinnaminson, Burlington Co., N.J. American Pomological Society. — The next meeting of this Society will be held in St. Louis, Mo., on the 4th of September next, when, it is expected, it will prove one of the most interesting meetings of the Asso- ciation. Fruit Preserving. — Prof S. R. Beckwith, of Cleveland, Ohio, has made some improvements on Nyce's Fruit House, for which he has secured patents, and is about to introduce them into our Eastern cities. We should like to see them fairly tried. 122 THE MAGAZINE OP HOETICULTUBE. SfltJetits. FRUIT growers', OF WESTERN NEW YORK. The annual meeting of this Society was held at Corinthian Hall, Roch- ester, N. Y., on Wednesday, Jan. 24. Mr. Barry, the President, called the meeting to order, and in a brief ad- dress alluded to the presence of several distinguished gentlemen, among whom was the Hon. M. P. Wilder of Massachusetts, President of the American Pomological Society, and the Father of American Pomology. The meeting then proceeded to business, and elected the following officers for 1 seer- President— H. E. Hooker, Rochester. Vice Presidents— P. Barry, Rochester; T. G. Yeomans, Walworth, Wayne Co. ; D. W. Beadle, St. Catherines, C. W. Secretary and Treasurer — James Vick, Rochester. Executive Committee— Wm. Smith, Geneva; E.A.Frost, Rochester; J. W. Helmer, Lockport ; Hugh D. Brooks, Wyoming ; C. W. Seeley, Rochester. After a short intermission, the Society assembled in the afternoon and proceeded to business. A committee appointed to prepare the order of business reported a list of subjects for discussion, among which were the following: — 1. Do the past results or profits in pear growing warrant the planting of large orchards ? 2. What varieties of winter pears are hardy and best adapted to culti- vation: first, for amateurs; second, for market? The discussion of the first question was then commenced by Mr. Yeo- mans of Walworth, who said all of his trees were dwarfs, and he had no experience in the culture of standards. He saw nothing to discourage the raising of this fruit. In many localities he understood that heavy losses had been sustained from the pear tree blight ; — with him he had seen noth- ing of it. He thought that there was as much loss with other kinds of fruit. He had not lost in the cukure of pears one per cent, of them from all causes. His dwarfs were at first of the White Doyenne or Virgalieu, but they cracked so badly he budded his trees with the Duchess d'Angou- leme. His fruit was all that could be expected from healthy trees, and he thought it was a good investment. With other kinds he had not been so successful. He never budded the Bartlett directly on the quince. Those that he double-worked were vigorous and hardy, and he would not recom- mend budding the Bartlett directly on the quince without being double- worked. Mr. Oliver Chapin said, he planted about 2000 trees, standards, about twelve years since. P'our years afterwards they were budded with the Bartlett. He had not received a shilling for that ten acres, nor was there a tree upon it he considered worth anything. His trees had not received such APRIL. 123 care as Mr. Yeomans. His soil is what is termed gravelly loam — good wheat land. Mr. Burtis of Rochester said the Duchess d'Angouleme had done well with him. The trees wanted careful attendance. When the blight first appears, put the knife to the limb. He could not discourage the raising of pears. Mr. Barry asked Mr. Chapin if there were not pear orchards in his neighborhood that were good ? Mr. Chapin did know one or two, and one of those was on stiffer soil than his — on a side hill, and not much exposed to the wind. Mr. L. F. Allen, of Buffalo, was invited to occupy the chair during the absence of the President. Mr. W. P. Townsend, of Lockport, said he had commenced with a large number of varieties, but had gradually reduced the number to about ten or twelve. For the first ten years they paid well ; but for the last five years they had been badly injured by blight The White Doyenne and Louise Bonne de Jersey were badly injured, while the Duchess d'Angonleme had mostly escaped. He thought there were very few localities in which pear culture could be made profitable. He recommended the Duchess d'Angou- leme on the quince, Bartlett and Seckel. His soil was a sandy loam, run- ning down to clay — " hard pan." His opinion was that only in a few favored localities could the pear be raised with profit on a large scale. Mr. Barry said, that if it were not for the blight the question as to profit would not be asked. As long as summer pears brought $8 to $10 a barrel, and later pears $12 to $20, nothing could be more profitable. Everything that was raised had its enemies ; there are losses in every department of industry ; the pear had the advantage of bearing every year, while apples bore only every other year, or less frequently. Pear cultivators, whose orchards had been unsuccessful, were those who became discouraged at an early day. Even under present management pear culture was the most lucrative business which could be followed. Many persons, when the blight attacked their trees, abandoned them altogether, and did not attempt to re- move the blighted portions of the tree. A fruit grower should watch his trees, and on the first symptom of blight lop off the affected parts, and if necessary, uproot the tree altogether, supplying its place with another. Those who neglected their orchards had no right to call themselves fruit growers. Pears need not command more than one fourth their present price in order to be a profitable crop ; he had this season sold winter pears for ^30 per barrel, and got his pay for them. Mr. Chapin asked whether the pear blight was less frequent under high culture. Mr. Barry said he thought moderate culture was best, not attempting to stimulate growth by heavy manuring. Mr. Townsend, of Lockport, said that an excessive growth of the tree was always followed within two or three years by blight. Mr. Brooks, of Wyoming, said he thought it was largely a question of climate and soil. He would not advise any one to go into the business 124 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. very extensively without first testing it on a small scale, to see whether the soil was fitted for it. Mr. J. Fisher, of Batavia, thought if any one went into the business ex- tensively, with the purpose of making profit out of them, he would be very egregiously mistaken. He had planted three hundred trees, and given them the best culture, but he had entirely failed. His experience was most discouraging ; nevertheless he advised every man to plant some pears for his own use, but not to expect any profit from them. Mr. Burtis thought very much depended on the manner of planting the trees ; they should be planted with a bed of clay fully six inches deep under each one. If the trees were planted on light or sandy soil, they would almost certainly be destroyed. Dr. Sylvester spoke in favor of the Seckel. He had planted forty trees, and they had done well, having last year eleven barrels. These were stand- ard trees ; he had also about two hundred trees on quince stocks, all doing well. Levi A. Ward, of Rochester, said he was not a large cultivator of pears. He cultivated about one hundred pear trees, and had done so for about twenty years. He had not compared one year with another in regard to the blight, but on the average the loss was about five per cent. He had been amply repaid for his culture of the pear. He thought of the Duchess pear there would be an overplus in a few years, if pear culture succeeded as he trusted it would. The winter pears were too much neglected. He raised always large crops of the Louise Bonne de Jersey — from one to one and a half bushels to the tree. Mr. W. Brown Smith, of Syracuse, thought great mistakes were made in the selection of soil for pear orchards ; he knew pears to do well on clay soil ; he did not believe in manuring too high ; wheat land was good enough for pears. Mr. Wilder said everything depended on the selection of the right kind of soil and location. In the vicinity of Boston no difficulty was found in cultivating the pear, notwithstanding the poorness of the soil compared with yours. The best success he had observed in pear raising was in clay soil. Mr. Olmsted, of Le Roy, said their trees blighted at the rate of twenty- five per cent. His soil was a sandy and gravelly loam — dry land. He considered pear raising a precarious business. Mr. Allen inquired whether any one could point out a pear orchard thirty years old, in good bearing condition. Mr. Wilder said that the first trees planted were imported from Europe, and injured by transportation; but he would say that nine tenths of the trees he got from the nursery were now living and in good condition. Mr. Ward said his best crops were borne on trees from twelve to fifteen years old. Mr. Codding, of Rochester, referred to some pear trees planted out sixty or seventy years ago, in Ontario County, where he formerly lived ; he knew them as old trees when he was a mere boy ; they are yet in good condition APRIL. 125 and have borne crops worth ten times as much as from the same number of apple trees. Mr. Brooks asked Mr. Barry how often he would renew a pear tree, if they died. Mr. Barry said that if a tree had died he would first remove the soil and replace it with new ; he did not believe the old soil was good for the trees. Mr. Wilder confirmed this opinion. The second question was then taken up — " What varieties of Winter pears are hardy and best adapted to cultivation ?" Mr. Ward said that what was true in one locality might not be true in another. He would choose — 1. Winter Nelis ; 2. Josephine de Malines ; 3. Lawrence ; 4. Easter Beurre ; 5. Doyenne d'Alencon. He did not consider the Vicar of Winkfield a good table pear ; it was good for cook- ing, but for eating was indifferent. John J. Thomas, of Union Springs, would add the name of Jones's Seed- ling. He worked the Winter Nelis at standard height ; he did not know another pear, taking everything into consideration, its equal. Mr. Townsend, of Lockport, also added, his testimony in favor of Jones's Seedling. Mr. Sylvester, of Lyons, said Dana's Hovey was an excellent winter pear; he had eaten one the last week in December, 1865, that was very fine. Mr. Wilder urged the necessity of thinning out the Winter Nelis early in the season ; the remaining specimens would be much better in conse- quence. The same remark would apply to other pears. The Doyenne d'Alencon was a very excellent winter pear, hardy, an abundant bearer, and a good ripener. The Beurre d'Anjou was also a valuable pear ; he made it a winter pear, and if he could have only one variety, that would be the one. Twenty-five years ago, he had been laughed at for saying he preferred the Vicar of Winkfield if he could have but one variety. Now he would amend that by substituting Beurre d'Anjou. The secret of keep- ing winter pears is to keep them below the temperature which will ferment the juices and bring Ihem to maturity. His winter pears are left on the trees as long as possible. But, after all, Mr. Wilder doubted the expe- diency of raising winter pears extensively. Mr. Yeomans said he was keeping several varieties of winter pears in a room, in open boxes. Mr. Barry mentioned the Beurre Gris d'Hiver as a fine pear. We shall refer to other subjects discussed in another number. AMERICAN POMOLOGICAL. In conformity with a resolution adopted at the last meeting of this Na- tional Association, the undersigned give notice, that its Eleventh Session will commence in the city of St. Louis, Mo., on Tuesday, Sept. 4th, 1866, at 11 o'clock, A. M., at Mercantile Library Hall, and will continue several days. All Horticultural, Pomological, Agricultural and other kindred in- stitutions in the United States and British Provinces are invited to send delegations, as large as they may deem expedient ; and all other persona 126 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. interested in the cultivation of fruits are invited to be present and take seats in the Convention. And now that the rainbow of peace has again spanned the arch of our Union — now that our southern brethren, after a painful separation of years, are again to be united with us in full fellowship and communion — now that our meeting is to be held for the first time on the " Father of Waters," in the Great West, — we invite all the States and Territories to be present, by delegation, that the amicable and social relations which have heretofore existed between the members of the Society may be fostered and perpetu- ated, and the result of its deliberations, so beneficial to the country at large, be generally and widely diffused. Among the prominent subjects which will come before the Society at this session, will be that of the revision of the Society's Catalogue of Fruits. The Special Committee appointed for this purpose are now, with the vari- ous State and Local Committees, actively engaged in collecting such in- formation as will aid in determining what varieties are best adapted to the different sections and districts of our country, and this information, in the form of reports, will be submitted to the action of the Convention. In compliance with a resolution passed at the last session of the Society, the several State Pomological and Horticultural Associations are requested to compile lists for their own States or Districts, and forward them at as early a day as possible to P. Barry, of Rochester, N. Y., chairman of the Com- mittee on the Revision of the Catalogue. Members and delegates are requested to contribute specimens of the fruits of their respective districts, and to communicate in regard to them whatever may aid in promoting the objects of the Society and the science of American Pomology. Each contributor is requested to come prepared with a complete list of his collection, and to present the same with his fruits, that a report of all the varieties entered may be submitted to the meeting as soon as practicable. All persons desirous of becoming members can remit the admission fee to Thomas P. James, Esq., Treasurer, Philadelphia, who will furnish them with Transactions of the Society. Life membership, $10; biennial, $2. Packages of fruits, with the name of the contributor, may be addressed as follows ; " American Pomological Society," care of C. M. Saxton, corner Fifth and Walnut Streets, St. Louis, Mo. James Vick, Sec'ry. M. P. WILDER, President. iortitultiiral operations FOR APRIL. FRUIT DEPARTMENT. The month of March has been cold and variable, with some warm "weather, but, in the main, cold and winterish. As we write, the snow- covers the ground. APRIL. 127 Grape Vines will now be growing rapidly in the grapery, and those Avhich started last month will be in bloom : those breaking later Avill be in bud and in flower during April. See that the vines are tied up firmly to the trellis, and that all the superfluous shoots are rubbed off". Secure the laterals as they grow. Discontinue syringing as the vines come into bloom, but continue to damp down the house two or three times a day, so as to maintain a warm, humid atmosphere. Give air in good weather, and as the weather becomes warmer, fork over the border gently, that the roots may be benefited by genial rains. Cold houses should now have attention. Uncover the vines and tie up the canes, airing the house to prevent too sudden a growth. As the weather becomes warmer, commence syringing and give less air, until the vines are beginning to break freely. Vines in the open air should be uncovered as soon as the weather is good, and tied up to the trellis when all danger of frost is past. Now is the time to prune if not already done. Orchard Houses should now be kept warmer in order to encourage an early growth. Syringe and water the trees so as to ensure a strong devel- opment of the blossoms. Grafti>"g should be commenced at once, beginning with the cherries. Trees of all kinds should be transplanted. Strawberry beds should be uncovered, and, as soon as the weather will admit, they should be cleared of all weeds New beds should have the surface lightly stirred with the hoe. Prepare ground for planting next month. Pruning should be continued during the month of April. Figs, Peach and other fruit trees, wintered in the cellar, should be placed in the open air, in a sheltered place, as soon as the weather will admit. Gooseberries and Currants should be well pruned in. tlgwer department. With the advent of April the work of the garden increases, and as the season is not likely to be very early, a great deal of work will be crowded into a few weeks. Preparations should be made for completing everything as rapidly as possible. Camellias will now be making their new growth, and will require more water and frequent syringing, as well as shading from the hot sun. A higher temperature should be kept for a month or so. Ill formed, straggling plants should be headed in. An occasional watering with liquid manure will benefit the plants. Azaleas will soon be in their prime, especially such plants as have been kept in a cool house. Shade from the hot sun as they come into flower, and water more freely, syringing until the flower buds expand. Such plants as have done flowering should be headed in to make handsome specimens, and young stock may be repotted. Pelargoniums will now begin to make a fine growth, and the earlier sorts commence to bloom ; tie out the branches of such as will bloom in 128 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. May. Keep the plants turned round at least every week, and give plenty of room. Give plenty of air, and syringe lightly once or twice a week. Pinch in and repot young vigorous growing plants intended for specimens next year. Hkaths and Epacris, done flowering, should be well headed in and removed to a cool frame until the weather is warm enough for planting in the open ground. Caladiums, growing freely, should be repotted ; young plants, not start- ing well, should be placed in a good hotbed. Use light rich soil. Seeds of various annuals should now be soAvn, if not already done. Bal- sams, Asters, Zinnias, Petunias, and similar showy plants, will bloom much earlier and stronger if raised early, and hardened off in frames before planting. Tuberoses should be planted for a succession of bloom. Beddi>g Plants, of all kinds, should be removed to a frame, where they can be sheltered from the cold at night and the sashes removed during the day to prepare them for out door planting. Achimenes and Gloxinias should be started into growth, if not al- ready done. Chrysanthemums should be propagated from cuttings, or by dividing the roots. flower garden and shrubbery. As soon as the weather is favorable the first work should be to roll the lawn and rake the walks. No lawn can be kept in good condition without frequent and thorough rolling. If any top-dressing is needed, use a light sprinkling of guano. Prune the shrubbery into good shape, and prepare the ground for early planting. Hyacinth and Tllip beds should be uncovered, and the surface should be lightly stirred. Japan and other Lilies should also be uncovered, and as soon as the shoots appear the surface of the soil should be stirred and cleaned. Dahlias should be started in frames or hotbeds for early planting. Cold Frames will need attention: open and air them every good day : pick off decaying leaves, and see that the plants are in good order for plant- ing out. Pansies in frames should be well aired. Daisies in frames should be protected from frosty nights, but have an abundance of air during the day. Herbaceous Plants of all kinds may be transplanted this month. Sow Mignonette, Candytuft, Rocket Larkspur, and other hardy annuals in the open border. Hollyhocks in frames may be removed to the open ground in a good prepared bed. Carnations and Picotees, wintered in frames, should be planted out the last of the month. GRAPE CULTURE IN NEW YORK. It has been the general impression that grape culture, on anything like an extensive scale, either for producing fruit for the market or for wine, was confined chiefly to Ohio and the vicinity of Cincinnati, from wlience it has extended south and west. We had this impression, and were not aware that many plantations, calculated by the acre, existed in New York. It appears, however, from an Essay prepared for the New York State Agricultural Society and published in their Transactions for 1865, and also in pamphlet form, that grapes in very large quantity are raised in the western part of the state, and with marked success. This Essay, which received the premium of the Society, and which the Committee say has " a practical, a suggestive and an historical value," containing much valuable informa- tion upon grape culture, — as well as general intelligence in reference to the climate and soil of the best grape growing regions in France, Germany, and California, — was prepared, though unsolicited, by Mr. G. Denniston of Prattsburg, N. Y., who appears to have been a careful observer, and well in- formed upon the subject of which he has written. It was deservedly awarded the highest premium offered by the Society. The locality where so much has been accomplished com- prises the towns of Urbana and Pulteney, situated on Crooked Lake, in Steuben County, and includes the village of Ham- mondsport, the residence of Judge Larrowe and others, who have been highly successful in the culture of the grape. Upwards of 400 acres were in full bearing in 1864, and about 400 additional acres planted with young vines. The average yield per acre is about three tons, and the aggregate crop for 1864 fell a little below that figure. Locality is considered by Mr. Denniston as particularly important in the successful cultivation of the grape ; and the formation of the country in Pleasant Yalley and along the VOL. XXXII. — NO. V. 9 130 THE' MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. west shore of Crooked Lake, furnish admirable sites for vine- yards. The hills to the westward afford fine positions on their southern slopes, and they are being wholly planted almost to their summits, and now present the terraced aspect familiar to those who have seen the Cincinnati plantations. The Essay is accompanied with maps, giving the formation of the country, and showing the water-runs or streams which find their way through the base of the mountain slopes to the lake. Here, sheltered from the rigors and severity of the winter, which prevails at the summits of the hills, snow drifts are scarcely seen, and cold blasts are hardly felt ; and it is in such secluded nooks that the grape delights to grow and yield its abundant harvest. There can be no doubt of the greater adaptation of some tiSi^calities to the growth of the grape than others, and where th@.se are found they should be made available. But as it is n&t in the power of cultivators always to have a choice of location or position, but to make the best of what they have, it is well to know what constitutes the most favorable con- ditions, and imitate them as far as possible by proper protec- tion of buildings, plantations of trees, hedges, &g. If Mr. Dennistan does not supply all this information, the facts which he brings forward in reference to the growth of the o-rape in Steuben County lead the cultivator to infer these are important and essential artificial aids where nature has 3iot supplied us with the home of tlie vine. We have been so much interested in the perusal of tlie Essay that we have thought a brief notice of some of the remarks of the writer, applicable to the growth of the grape everywhere, would be read with much satisfaction, now that grape culture is attracting so large a share of attention. Mr. Denniston, after alluding to the little attention given in his section of the state to the culture of the vine previous to 1852, and the current opinion that our climate was unfavorable to the production of grapes that were of any value as an article of food, or for the manufacture of wine, ' proceeds to present some excellent suggestions as to our climate in comparison with the grape-growing districts of other countries, as follows;— MAY. 131 We had extremely imperfect ideas of the capacity of our climate for the growth of the vine, as well, in every respect, for its requirements. We did not understand that " tempera- ture^^ is not a precise guide, but that other conditions also govern ; and although our climate exceeds in humidity the vine-growing districts of Europe, yet, our atmosphere is drier as a mean, and is certainly more dry and elastic. This alternation between humidity and dryness is probably the reason that the European grape will not flourish in our climate, and consequently these varieties are very mucli restricted in our country, particularly east of the Rocky mountains. It is known that in Europe the cultivation of the vine has been pushed to the extreme limits of climatic capacity, and in sheltered valleys it is grown successfully far north of other places too cold and variable for its production. M. Blondeau, writing on the suliject of grape culture says : " The determination of the conditions of climate in which the culture of the vine is possible, is of practical as well as theoretical interest. Knowing that any particular locality has long been devoted to this culture we are able to fix the mean temperature thereof, and by studying the circumstances prejudicial to the development of the vine, avoid the failures so often experienced by those who undertake this culture where it is impossible." '' The grape requires four months, or one hundred and twenty days, to come to maturity ; we can calculate tlie aggregate of temperature required to perfect its growth. Bordeaux, in France, being in latitude 44° 50', has a mean temperature in spring of bQ°^ in summer of 71°, in autumn of 58° ; mean for spring, summer and autumn of 62° 40'. And, as Bordeaux is near the centre of the wine districts of France, a data is furnished, other things being equal, of the climate required for the cultivation of the vine." It is an interesting study to investigate the particular features of the various vine-growing districts in Europe and the United States, and to notice that neither latitude, nor elevation, nor the amount of rain falling governs, but that other causes combine to render the cultivation certain and 0 132 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. profitable. Also, to notice that the range of temperature is not so much controlling as we are inclined to believe. Tlie grapes of Astrachan are said to be equal to the best of Italy, and the range of temperature there is more extreme than in many places of our own country. Astrachan is in latitude 46° 21', on a level with the sea ; has a mean temperature in spring of 52° 6', in summer of 75° 9', in autumn of 52° 4', in winter 19° 2' ; making a mean for the year 50°. California is undoubtedly the most favorable for grape culture of any part of the United States. The vineyards there produce ordinarily twice as much as the vineyards of any other grape district. The crop never fails, as it does in every otlfer country. The soil is a deep, sandy loam, and in some places a rich, black loam and a gravelly clay. The climate is dry and uniform, which insures the grape from rot or mildew. The mean temperature of California for January is 44° 2', for February 45° 4', for March 53° 4', for April 54° 8', for May 62° 7', for June 69° 1', for July 69° 4', for August 71° 3', for September 71° 1', for October 65° 4', for November 54° 9', for December 46° 2' ; the spring average being b^^ 9', the summer 69° 9', autumn 63° 8^ A writer on the meteorological conditions necessary to the production of grape wine of the best quality, says : " In addition to a summer and an autumn sufficiently hot, it is indispensable that at a given period — that which follows the appearance of the seeds — there should be a month, the mean temperature of which does not fall below QQ° 2', Fahrenheit." September and October in California has a mean tempera- ture of 68° 2', maturing the grape with sufficient sugar to make the fruit luscious and the wine rich and of the very best quality ; consequently, the wines of that state come nearer to the wines of Italy than any produced upon the American continent. The soil of the grape-growing district in the county of Steuben is peculiarly adapted to the cultivation of the vine ; the geological formation being of the Chemung sandstones and shales, disintegrated to a great depth and full of crevices, MAY. 133 through which the water can pass, indicates a soil free from the action of surface water, and consequently warm and loose. Another peculiarity marks the district in this, that deep ravines pass from the hill tops into the valley, making a perfect drainage of the intervening space, and an exposure the most favorable to secure a high temperature in summer and autumn. Many of the headlands present a surface at right angles with the sun's rays, and receive a temperature much higher than their latitude and elevation would other- wise warrant. This district being on the slope of the west shore of the Crooked lake, a sheet of water of great depth and of unusual purity, which remains unfrozen the most of the winter season, it softens the extreme cold, protects the incipient vegetation of spring, and prolongs the growing season in autumn, by pre- venting the recurrence of early frosts. The effect of the waters of the lake is that of an equalizing influence upon the temperature, rendering it less liable to sudden changes and more adapted to the growth and maturity of the finer varieties of grapes and fruit. The mean temperature of the period during which the growth and maturation of the grape takes place, exercises a remarkable influence, and the more uniform the temperature, at the requisite figure, the more certain will the grape mature to the requisite perfection. It is known that the recurrence of frosts in September and the beginning of October, will injure the grape so as to render it unfit for the table, and the wine made scarcely drinkable. It is very essential that the ripening process of the grape be not retarded or interrupted by a low temperature or the occurrence of early frosts. Now these are considerations worthy of attention, for tliey establish the fact, that in valleys or cold localities, where the temperature of July is less than 6Q° (average) the crop is unsafe. The progress of vineyard culture at Pleasant Yalley is then sketched as follows : — The first attempt to plant a vineyard was made by Andrew Reisinger, a German, who by profession was a vine-dresser, 134 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. being brought up to tlie business in Germany. He came to Harmonyville, in the town of Pulteney, in 1853, and selected a bluff, upon which he planted about two acres, and succeeded in producing good crops of Isabellas and Catawbas. He trenched the soil, and cultivated the vine as in his native country, not allowing it to form large branches, but trimmed it down, so as to have tlie bearing canes near the ground, the fruit receiving the benefit of the reflected rays of tlie sun and the heat radiated from tlie soil. He trained his vines to stakes, and did not permit them to grow more than four feet in height ; and wiiere they were trellised they were kept of the uniform height of from three to four feet, in the form of a low trellis. This vineyard is now owned and occupied by D. S. Wage- ner, Esq., of Pulteney ; and having been enlarged, is in fine bearing condition. The grapes of the present year (1864) have been a full crop, and of a very fine flavor. The scenery adjacent to this vineyard on the south is more than rural, it is picturesque. A deep ravine cuts the hill asunder to the depth of more than one hundred feet, through which roars the waters passing from the hills. In summer it is the babbling brook ; in spring, and time of flood, the fearful torrent, carrying rocks, trees and rubbish down to the flats below. It is in character with many other places on the lake shore. South of Mr. "Wagener's is the vineyard planted by C. C. Baldwin, Esq. It contains about one acre, and is in fine bearing condition. Mr. Baldwin has lately sold it, together with about ten acres of land and a small cottage house, for two thousand dollars, which the purchaser deems a good bargain. Mr. Charles Wixam is the present owner. Mr. Prentice has a fine vineyard south of this, on the slope of the hill, towards the lake shore. He has been a successful cultivator of the grape for many years, and a ramble through his grounds gives one an idea of the pleasure arising from a view of beautiful scenery and of rural taste. These vineyards all repay their proprietors for all the care and the labor they bestow. r: MAY. 13d The first vineyards started in Pleasant Valley proper was in 1855, by Hon. Jacob Larrowe and Orlando Shepard, each of whom planted about half an acre, on the slope of hills southwest from Hammondsport. They procured their vines (Isabellas and Catawbas) from Avon, in Livingston County. The soil selected for their vineyards was of a character peculiarly adapted to the growth of tlie vine, being dry, porous and of ex'tremely easy tillage. It is a gravelly loam with a substrata of shale, the debris of whicli is largely incorporated in the soil. In this soil the roots of the vine take deep hold, and the canes grow with great luxuriance. They trained their vines to trellis, allowing them to grow to the height of about six feet, in rows about eight feet apart. They kept the ground free from grass and weeds, and usually well tilled. Sometimes they planted beans between the rows, which produced enough to compensate for the dressing. These two vineyards were so productive as to induce others to turn their attention to the business, and tlience arose a department of productive industry heretofore unknown in those parts. Finding that their vineyards were successful in the production of crops, both Shepard and Larrowe set out two or three acres more in 1858, and their success induced others to embark in the business and thus extend the area of grape culture throughout the valley. Clark Ball, Esq., in connection with Judge McMaster, set out about six acres, on the bluff, adjacent to the village of Hammondsport. Grattan H. Wheeler purchased tlie Decker farm, south of Judge Larrowe's, and planted four acres upon the gravelly ridge northeast of his residence. Charles D. Champlin set out one acre vipon the rise west of the wine cellar, wliere the slope is to the southeast. Timothy M. Younglove set out one acre upon a warm bluff, where the sun's rays had full force and the bleak winds were shut out. S. B. Fairchild planted his vineyard upon the lake shore, just north of Hammondsport, in terraced rows, giving a fine, warm exposure, where the fruit matured finely, and the yield was abundant. His vineyard occupied one acre, which lias since been much enlarged. Mr. Edwin P. Smith also set out 136 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. two acres upon the rise adjacent to the village, south of the stone mill, and succeeded in raising fine grapes. Aaron Y. Baker, having examined tlie vineyards of Cincin- nati and of Kelly's Island, opposite the city of Sandusky, in Ohio, purchased cuttings at the latter place and brought them home with him. A stimulus was thus presented to the citizens of the valley, who entered with renewed zeal into the business of cultivating the grape. Mr. Kaker planted his vineyard southwest of the wine cellar, where the hills break towards the west, affording a fine exposure to the south, and securing quite or more than an average from year to year. His crop, in 1862, yielded over 9,000 pounds to the acre, while the average throughout the valley is placed at 4,000 pounds. The vines procured by Mr. Baker and planted, were chiefly the Catawbas and the Isabellas. The requisites of the vine, as well as the mode of culture, are given as follows : — The vine requires for its growth a warm exposure, though not too hot, and a moderate degree of moisture. This condi- tion is found to exist in a high degree upon the slope of the hills adjacent to the Pleasant Valley and to the west shore of the Crooked lake. The banks of the lake shore and of the various gulleys through which the water passes down to the valley and the lake are especially favorable to the grape. These gulleys, made by the torrents of the waters gushing from the plateaus, afford complete protection to the vine ; and the formation of the soil is such as to require but little culture beyond the initial preparation of the soil for the reception of the roots. Most of the vineyards of which we have made mention have been set with cuttings, which being put into the earth, (which has been made rich, and deeply tilled,) from three to four inches apart, and being mulched when the weather is too dry, they strike roots, and are fit the next spring to set in the vineyards. Some few have propagated the vine by layers : the shoots near the ground are fastened down below the surface of the MAY. 137 ground, and the eyes will strike roots, and being diit asunder, form distinct vines, ready to set the next year in the vine- yard. Where extremely scarce varieties arc desired, they are obtained by single buds, or eyes. These are caused to grow- in a warm apartment, under glass, where the temperature is warm and uniform. The most sure process to start the eyes is by a bottom heat of sand, where the eyes are placed and forced to strike roots. The soil selected for the vineyard, if a side hill, has been generally terraced into distinct plateaus, but some, where the slope would allow, set their vines without this preparation, and by various means have rid the surface of water, and their vineyards grow finely. Some have planted their vines in rows, not more than six feet apart, while others have made the space iQw feet. This latter is deemed much the best for the Isabellas and Cataw- bas, as they are strong growing varieties, forming an abun- dance of wood. The most common mode of training the vines have been on " trelHses,^^ and principally upon the " low system.'*'^ The young vine is pruned back to two eyes, from which two shoots are obtained the following summer. By cutting, the season following, the vertical shoot, the vine willform four shoots. These, with proper management, are trained upon the trellis and made to produce fruit and to form wood, as the cultivator may desire. The usual course i§ to have fruit- bearing arms and wood-growing arms each year, in order to secure full crops from year to year successfully. The trellis is formed by setting posts into the ground some ten or twelve feet apart, and passing three wires of suitable size (say No. 12) between them. This forms a reliable and substantial support to the vine. Some drive stakes into the ground and nail slats, one inch by three, upon them, which forms a temporary support, but they soon decay and have to be renewed. Some of the most careful cultivators of the grape train their vines upon the low trellis in such a manner that the 138 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. bunches of grapes will be near the ground and receive the warmth radiated from the surface, which insures an early maturity and a rich flavor to tlie fruit. The grapes growing near the surface of the ground are generally found to ripen sooner, to ripen more thoroughly, and to exhibit more of " the aroma'^ which is produced at a certain stag-e of the maturity of the grape ; which, if not arrived at, no aroma is discovered, or which, if interrupted at the precise stage, it is greater or less, as the case may be. The perfect maturity of the grape is of more importance than many cultivators are willing to admit, and the difference in this respect is very discernible in the different vineyards of Pleasant Valley and the lake shore. Some are quite willing to risk the quality of their crop for the sake of the quantity produced, and allow their vines to grow too much to wood, to be trained too high ; while a few discerning and careful cultivators rely more upon the quality and train their vines accordingly. In an examination of the vineyards of Pleasant Valley, in the autumn of 1862, by request of the State Agricultural Society, and with a committee of its appointment, this differ- ence of training was noticed particularly in the effect it had upon the aroma of the fruit. The vineyard of Cliarles D- Champlin was strictly trained low, and many of the bunches hung within a foot of the surface of the ground ; these were noticed as being fully ripe and rich in aroma, while some, three feet higher, were still unripe and extremely acid. Other vineyards were noticed to present ripe, aromatic fruit, or be deficient therein as the training was low or high. We present tlie above observation as of great importance to cultivators of the vine, as the quality of their grapes are valued for the table, as well as for wine, in proportion to the peculiar flavor they possess, derived from the aroma they contain. Pruning has for its object the formation of the plant and the direction of the flow of the sap. As the vine bears best on branches which come from the wood of the previous year's growth, wood of a similar cliaracter must be produced for the next year's crop. MAY. 139 In the year 1860 an association known as the " Pleasant Valley Wine Company" was formed, with a capital of §10,000, and tlie parties who were active in organizing it were Charles D. Champlin, William Baker, Aaron Y. Baker, T. M. Young- love, G. H. Brundage, Delos Hose, Grattan H. Wheeler, Clark Bell, J. W. Davis, D. McMaster and Dugald Cameron. The company secured the services of John F. Weber as superintendent to manage the details of the wine and brandy manufacture, as also of the propagation of vines for sale and for future vineyards. Mr. Weber, being a German by birtli and education, had acquired great experience in grape culture and in the manufacture of wines and brandies. Aside from this, he was a man of refinement and general intelligence, bringing with him all those qualifications calcu- lated to ensure success in the department of business to which his services were called. Under the supervision of Mr. Weber the company erected a spacious wine-vault — a press house. They procured a suitable distillery for the manufacture of brandy, also a wine- mill, of the Hickock patent, and erected a house for the propagation of vines. These were all kept in fine working condition by Mr. Weber, and the success of the company was so great as to induce them to double their capital in 1862. In 1860, when the company was formed, Catawba grapes were sold for six cents per pound and Isabellas at four cents. The present year, 1864, the former brought nine cents and the latter six cents. Fine Catawbas are now worth thirty cents in New York. The first vintage of the company, in 1860, was made from 35,990 pounds of grapes ; the second from 38,988 pounds ; the third from 271,825 pounds ; that of 1863 from 192,467 pounds; and the fifth vintage,1864,of about 500,000 pounds. In 1862 the company manufactured 10,967 gallons of wine and 3,403 gallons of brandy ; in 1863 9,844 gallons of wine and 1,418 gallons of brandy ; in 1864 about 30,000 gallons of wine and brandy in the same proportion of excess of previous years. In making the wine and brandy the company liave used up about one-third of the entire crop grown in the valley ; the balance has been marketed for table use. 140 THE MAGAZINE OP HORTICULTURE. They have made wines of the Still, Catawba, Isabella and Claret. They have also commenced the manufacture of champagne from the Catawba grape. In connection with the manufacture of wine, they have manufactured brandies — white brandy (medicinal), Otard brandy, and Cognac brandy, all of the purest and best grades. Their wines and brandies are obtaining a wide reputation for purity and flavor. All the wines made in 1860, 1861 and 1862 are sold, and most of the 1863 vintage. Their brandies have been sold about as fast as manufactured, and they find it difficult to fill the accumulating orders. Aside from the grapes sold to the company, large quantities of the very choicest are put into boxes and sold in the city and* village markets for table use. These bring an advanced price, fifteen to thirty cents per pound, according to quality. The vine cultivators feel that they have really found an " Eldorado" in all the good times and circumstances by which they are surrounded. Mr. Denniston next speaks of the important business of gathering the grapes, as follows : — An important branch of the vineyard attendance is the gathering of the fruit at the proper time. When the fruit is ripe and its juice has attained its peculiar " vinous taste^^ and the bunches are surcharged with a rich " aroma," in this state the grapes are in a good condition to be gathered. This should be done quickly and in dry weather. The usual vessels used in the gathering of the grapes is a wooden pail and a tub of a size easily carried when filled, and larger tubs in which to transport the grapes to the wine cellar. The choice bunches, intended for marketing for table use, are put into boxes of from eight to twelve pounds capacity and nailed tight. When the grapes are taken to the wine-cellar and weighed, each man receiving credit for all he brings, they are then run through the grape mill into a large vat beneath, called the ''' fermenting vat^ By drawing off the juice directly from tlie vat and putting it into casks to ferment, the product is MAY. 141 white tvine, which is far more pure and agreeable than that obtained from the husks. That which is left in the vat is " icatered'^ and allowed to ferment, is distilled into brandy, or, being watered with sugar dissolved therein, by means of which the husks are thoroughly soaked, these being pressed, produces red ivine — the color being contained in the skin. The wine is put into large casks, of about fifteen hundred gallons capacity, made of sound white oak staves in the most substantial manner. These casks are tlioroughly purified before the wine is put in, and, when emptied, is washed clean, then " well sulphured and bunged up." On the subject of manures the writer thus speaks : — Although the vine is a ''^ gross feeder, ^^ and will grow vigorously in rich soil, taking up its aliment in huge propor- tions, yet where the soil is in proper condition wlien " set to grapes,^'' it will produce several crops without much restora- tion by manure. A due caution is to be observed in this respect ; by overcharging the soil with fertilizers, a profuse growth of vine is induced, with small inferior crops, but the soil requires renovation from time to time to prevent ex- haustion, and experienced cultivators have found marl and ivood ashes a good application after the fruit is gathered in autumn, and cattle manure mixed with litter, barley and oat straw. Straw of beans may be applied to advantage, as they all contain a considerable amount of alkali. The vine is principally composed of lime, magnesia, alkali and phosphoric acid, and any ingredient containing lime and alkali furnishes proper manure. Bone black is a powerful manure for the vine as it is largely composed of phosphorus. To loosen the soil straw ploughed under, weeds and grass, especially clover, produces a fine tilth, and a free, open and loose soil. Experience has demonstrated that compost, if not mixed with substances obnoxious to the vine, is the most suitable fertilizer, because it is deprived, by fermentation, of all volatile ammoniacal substances injurious to the vine. And all the other substances being dissolved are easily taken up and absorbed by the vine. 142 THE MAGAZINE OP HORTICULTURE. In order to make the compost, a pit, in some shady place, ought to be prepared, in which to put the fertilizing sub- stances, such as animal and vegetable offal, ashes, straw, turf, sods, ject is to obtain a considerable number and variety of trees, which are good for shade, and cause no inconveniences. Some trees emit a disagreeable odor, like the Ailanthus, w^hen it is in flower ; some cover the ground with substances that spoil all appearance of neatness, like the Balm of Gilead poplar and the Buttonwood or Plane tree. There is a positive objection to such trees, and even if they were highly valuable on other accounts, these disagreeable habits should condemn them. But why should any person prefer a maple to a lime tree, or a lime to a maple, when all their good qualities are con- sidered? The maple, the lime, the ash, the hop hornbeam, the horsechestnut, the oak, the tulip tree, the elm, and many other common trees are about equally desirable; no judg- ment is required in the selection of species, except to avoid 358 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. those wliicli are in some respects a nuisance. The beech, one of the most beautiful of our indigenous trees, must be excluded from all places of small size, on account of its habit of filling the ground it occupies with suckers. On a com- mon, or in any extensive pleasure ground, or park, this habit would constitute no objection to the beech-tree. Certain fruit-trees are very good, both for shade and orna- ment. What tree can be mentioned that exhibits a fairer growth, or affords a better shade than the common garden cherry-tree ? Its fruit-bearing habit is the only objection to it ; and this renders it faulty as a mere shade tree. The wild" black cherry-tree is larger, and has a wider spread ; but it is not so handsome as the other. The foliage is sparse, and its branches slender. It is not sufficiently umbrageous, and is Avanting in grandeur even wiien it has attained the largest size. I would not destroy one of these trees, if they w^ere the only ones on my estate. They should remain unharmed till new and superior trees had grown up to take their places : but I would no sooner plant one than I would plant the meanest kind of a poplar. Pear-trees and apple-trees are seldom large enough for shade, or handsome enough for ornament. Yet standards are picturesque objects in an old field, and I do not despise the taste of those persons who permit some of them to occupy dressed grounds, when shade trees are wanting, until they can be raised. Tiie olvjection to fruit-trees of large size, for shade trees, comes from the fruit they bear, rather than their appearance. Apple-trees, when they have not been deformed by pruning, are often very comely objects. It is the constant practice of thinning out their branches, to make them pro- ductive, that spoils their shape. Many proprietors prefer to plant foreign species for shade and ornament, tliat their grounds may present to the eye something that cannot be seen in the wild wood, thereby diversifying the landscape by a greater variety of species. The foreign species have also an advantage over our indigenous trees, in the longer period during which they retain their foliage ; as they put out their leaves ten days or a fortnight earlier in the spring, and retain them as many days longer in DECEMBER. 359 the autumn, than our native species. This habit makes some amends for their want of those brilliant autumnal tints which are peculiar to the trees of America. Many persons are pleased also with tlie foreign aspect which their grounds acquire by planting exotics; and with their contrast to the indigenous wood. The Catalpa gives the ground it occupies a tropical aspect ; the Ailanthus does the same in a less degree ; but the latter is offensive when its blossoms are out. It bears a close resemblance, in its foliage and general mode of growth, to the common stag-horn sumach, though the sumach never becomes a large tree. The Catalpa recom- mends itself by its beautiful spikes of flowers, rather than by any superior beauty of foliage, which is too thin to afford a dense shade. The horsechestnut, another exotic, is more beautiful and desirable than either of the two just mentioned. This old-fashioned tree is deservedly admired as much as when it was first introduced. In June, when in flower, it is the most beautiful tree of the roadside ; and when its flowers have fallen, there are few trees that surpass it in comeliness of shape, or density of foliage. If we examine the trees on Boston Common, at this time (November 7) we shall see the native species entirely denuded, while a few English elms and English maples are nearly as green as in summer. The leaves of the latter, however, are slightly rolled up, though not embrowned by the hard frosts. The same may be ob- served of the Italian poplar, the weeping willow, and some of the foreign shrubs, as the lilac and the privet. Hence, if you wish to preserve the greenness of your pleasure grounds as long .as possible without planting evergreens, choose the European species of each genus you would like to cultivate. Plant among them a few of our own red maples, and you have both desirable objects secured, that of protracted verdure, and brilliant autumnal tints. 360 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. COMMENTS ON APPLE CULTURE. BY D W. LOTHIIOP, WEST MEDFORD. The cultivation of the apple has of late become of such doubtful expediency, that no little caution is required in com- mending it. Out of a list of perhaps over two lumdred vari- eties in the country, only a few are well fitted for a New England orchard or garden. What tliese few are it is diffi- cult if not impossible to say; yet the past few years of dearth and drought has tended to solve the question, besides pre- senting other important lessons to the observing cultivator. Some of them may be rather discouraging. Still, there seems to be a disposition to hold on to the cultivation of this impor- tant fruit, and not yield up to tlic discouragements of seasons or the depredations of insects, without severer trials and harder disappointments. The remarkable and disastrously dry seasons of 1864-65 may not be suffered again for half a century, and the apple crop will be likely yet to be as good as ever, as all the other evils have long had an existence, and can and must be met by human art. The peach and the plum may be gener- crally set aside as unprofitable in the region of Boston and northerly, but the apple at least not yet, if ever. It can hardly be doubted, liowever, that the market farmers jiear our metropoHs, where land is high, can devote their soil to more productive annual crops. At best, we liardly get twenty bearing years from the apple tree during its life. But notwithstanding this, apple orchards, greater and less, will be cultivated here, and everywhere else in the Nortlieru states. It is all a matter of circumstance and judgment. One of the most troublesome and stcaltliy enemies of the apple tree is the " borer^^\ so unfavorably known as to need no description. It is most destructive to the young tree from tlie time it is set till ten or twelve years of age. If kept out till this time, it can do but little hurt, and is less likely to attack the rough bark of the older trees. Good cultivation, and keeping the trunks free from grass and weeds is a preventive, and killing the grub in its hole with a stiff wire, or cutting him out is a remedy. Some cultivators wash the trunks of DECEMBER. 361 tlie trees in June witli lye, otliersapply whale-oil soap, (which is probably better and safer) about the consistence of paint. Tliis will keep the trunks smooth and handsome, while its causticity will tend to prevent tlie deposit of the eggs of the fly, without being of sufficient strengtli to injure the bark. A heap of coal ashes placed around the trunk five or six inches in height will keep the grass and weeds from growing — which tlie borer delights in — and if it does no good as a fertilizer, it will do no harm. For the scaly bark-louse the whale-oil soap is also a good remedy ; but abstinence from the borer and good growth are better. Tbe codling' moth is the most universal pest, so common as to b3com3 au accepted if not necessary evil in apple culture. Yet some attempt to destroy it. Usually half of the apples, annually set, fall prematurely from the influence of the larvge. When trees set very full, tliis may be considered no evil ; but the insect is then multiplied, and in after seasons, wlien apples are scarce, the evil is serious. But there seems to be no sov- ereign remedy for it. Perhaps the best is to pick up the fruit and give it to tlie pigs, or adopt some other method of killing the larvag — if tliey have not already escaped ! But only in small gardens can this plan be carried out. As to the cankenvonn, eternal vigilance is the price of apples, where tliis marauding insect has commenced its rav- ages. Some cultivators have fancied that its habits forbid its visiting certain localities ; but the idea is probably of very uncertain foundation, as they seem to be gaining dominion every year. Ilowever, its ravages can in a great measure be withstood. So with the caterpillar. But it is not intended here to enter fully into remedies for destiuctive orchard insects, as I wish to allude to the cultivation of several varieties of apples. And first the Baldiuin. No apple has ever become so pop- ular as this, and perhaps deservedly. But for the iQW past years it has wofully failed to produce any fruit in the vicinity of Boston, (its native region), and must naturally suffer in its high reputation. As such has not been the case with some other late apples, I begin to suspect that there may be more 382 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. desirable winter varieties — taking into consideration hardiness and bearing qualities. As one of these I think the Rhode Island Greening may be mentioned. Though not so delicate in flavor nor so handsome as the Bahlvvin, it usually grows as well, if not better, and i)ears more regulai-ly large, sound fruit. As another, the Hubbardston Nonsuch is a more con- stant bearer, though not equal in quality to either of the above mentioned ; yet it is large, handsome and salable. The cultivation of the apple is now so precarious that other things besides quality and beauty must be considered in the selection of varieties. As an autumn and winter fruit, the Minister has met with varied experience. Some have condemned it as being too acid, others as too tender and liable to bruising and decay. It is among the newer apples, and not much known ; but if these faults are well sustained (and I think tliey cannot be), it may not become popular. It is a great bearer, and all the trees which I have seen or heard of the past season have been loaded — in some apple orchards tlie only fruit. It does not grow so fair as the Greening, but bears a respectable quantity of a salable size and fairness. And the quality is excellent ; nothing surpasses it. The late Mr. A. J. Downing considered it the best apple in the country. By careful picking and packing it lias been regarded as valuable as a fresh spring va- riety. So it is — bringing an extra price. But it is unsur- passed in autumn, as we may similarly say of the Spy, usually kept till spring. The idea of the Minister being too acid in autumn, I cannot comprehend. Tlie tree makes a respectable annual growth, and bears more regularly than the Baldwin. The Granite Beauty is an apple of still later introduction, from New Hampshire ; large to very large ; yellowish ground, splashed with dull red ; in eating with the Minister, but not quite so good as the latter, either in fall or spring. Well grown specimens from matured trees are excellent, and com- mand an extra price. The fruit is tender and juicy, with a mild, agreeable flavor, and needs careful picking. The tree is a very rapid spreading grower, with a splendid long leaf, and bears more or less every year, wet or dry ; though my tree being young, has not developed its fruit as well as I have DECEMBER. 863 reason to expect it will. It will keep till February or March, but is in fine table order even in November. The Famevse^ or Snoio Apple. Who can do anything with this elegant fruit here? I have had a tree in bearing seven or eight years, but have never had a dozen fair specimens. It is from Canada, probably from Europe, originally, and seems somewhat " disloyal " to the climate of this region. How- ever, the spring will see it "reconstructed" with the Tomp- kins County King, in which, at present^ I have confidence. We should try and not forget tliat the apple is very uncer- tain! It is much to be regretted, notwithstanding, that this fruit fails this side of the semi-annual snow-banks, as it has out-fancied all the fancy apples of the amateur. Tiie Mother Apple I have had in bearing a few years, but find it tardy in producing fair fruit. The last season it has improved in fairness and quality, which is rich, spicy, of yel- low juicy flesh, though rather crisp. A dark red, late autumn fruit. It has disappointed me somewhat. As a grower it makes wood pretty rapidly, but has not a handsome, broad leaf, and usually locks as if in a half-dying state. Not as good as the Minister or Granite Beauty. If apples should be cultivated for their productiveness or regular bearing, rather than mere quality, among tliose I have mentioned, I should prefer the Rhode Island Greening, the Minister, tlie Granite Beauty, and the Hubbardston Nonsuch. All of these I am impressed bear more regularly than the Baldwin. So I find does the Williams, Astrachan and Garden Hoyal — the two last quite certain of a crop every alternate year. But the experience of others may have been different from mine. In many respects I hope it has been. But the more we have of it the better ; for it is by this that we are to judge of and improve the future. POMOLOGICAL GOSSIP. Notes on some of the New and Old Pears. — The fol- lowing interesting notes on several pears will be read with in- 364 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. terest by all lovers of this fine fruit. They are from an ama- teur cultivator who not only has a correct appreciation of a good pear, but who has had the experience for forming a just estimate of their quality, having a large and fine collection of the best pears. Tiiese notes are made from a small collection of specimens sent to the writer in the early part of October. Some of them were prematurely ripened, having been gathered and exhibited at the Annual Exhibition of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society in September. The Sheldon and Pratt were over ripe, while a few were not in eating. Tlie opin- ion of the writer corresponds very nearly with our own : — Pratt was almost gone when the package reached me. The size of the specimens was larger than I had before seen it. The quality is nearly first rate — very fine, Sheldon w^as also quite ripe and soft. Specimens very large and fine, and the aroma up to the highest point of this variety. Slieldon does not color quite enough. Is it not, after ail, an amateur, rather than a market pear. I am ratlier of opinion that B. d'Anjou and Doyenne du Comice both have higher merits as salable fruit. There is a suspi- cion, also, that it is liable to crack. Doyenne du Comice has fully ripened, and its qualities surpass my expectations. I notice that you took tlie prize for this and Slieldon at the September Exhibition in Boston. We think it superior to Sheldon in flavor, and next to Dana's Hovey, which is now our standard of tlie highest excellence. McLaughlin. Some of the specimes have ripened. This pear is not so ricli in flavor as I supposed. Still it may be a valuable orcliard pear. Fulton is rather small, but very good — nearly first rate. Howell is very handsome, and although the quality is not very superior, it promises to be a very useful pear. I had specimens on my own trees, free from all russet spots, very beautiful and good. America has colored a beautiful golden hue, and mali:es a fine appearance, not yet quite ripe. Caen de France looks well and keeps well. I should think it a valuable variety, not yet ripe, or soft. DECEMBER. 365 Madame Eliza, not yet ripe. Gen. Todleben rapidly approacliiiig maturity — tlie eating condition. The quality I know to be good. 1 look upon tliis as one of the most valuable, large, late pears. Dana's Hovey will be in eating condition in a few days. The specimens are large, fair and beautiful. I know that its quality is unsurpassed in rich, sugary (candied) aromatic flavor. I am growing all I can of it. I have about 1,000 trees of it, planted for fruiting. Grand Soliel not yet ripe. It looks well. There was not a poor pear in the collection. So far as I have tested them, I think McLaughlin the least excellent in flavor. You may bo surprised that some of the pears ripened so soon. I have always noticed that pears packed in boxes or baskets, and sent any distance, will ripen more speedily than if not moved. Then we have had some hot weather for the past ten days. The fruit was placed on shelves in a very cool, dark closet, and covered with light blankets ; but still they ripen rapidly. All our own fruit, Lawrence, B. d'Anjou, Duchess, B. Diel, &c., have ripened some time ago. Dana's Hovey Pear. — An enthusiastic cultivator who has had an opportunity to try this pear, sends us the following : — "The high praise which has attended the introduction of this pear I have heretofore supposed unmerited, as the fruit is rather small, and as tasting one six or seven years ago, in not a very critical mood, I preferred to propagate other kinds, not fully appreciating it. But I desire to beg pardon. Some specimens which I have lately tasted have convinced me that it is the most delicious of all pears, unless in Europe better exist, which is not at all likely. Four or five persons who tested it with me for the first time, readily and perfectly coin- cided in my opinion — they placing it decidedly before the Seckel. It has a delightful and delicate spicy or musky flavor, striking one at times as similar to the musk-melon; and then its juiciness and honied sweetness leave nothing to be desired. I think it must be considered the ultimatum of excellence in quality, though some favored individual may yet originate a variety larger and equally good." — L. 366 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. Large Beurre Clatrgeau Pears. — At a recent Exliibition of Pears in tlie Island of Jersey, many fine specimens were exliibited, scarcely anything, indeed, being worthy of note but tliis fruit, for whicli the climate and soil are so favorable. Tlie most remarkable were some finely formed well-colored specimens of Beurie Clairgeau, shown by Mr. Pond of the Vineries, St. Aubans, weighing over one and a half povnds each. This variety, it is stated, is not sufficiently known in England ; it ought to be planted in every garden where pears are grown, being a most abundant bearer, even in its young state, and the fruit good in all situations. Among the other sorts exhibited were Doyenn^ du Cornice, General Todleben, Beurre Bosc, &c. The Belle de Jersey (Pound) weighed 21 pounds each. Although many varieties of pears are grown in tlte Channel Islands, to a much larger size, than is general in England, yet certain kinds thrive better in the Midland Counties than in Jersey. Among the kinds may be mentioned Marie Louise and Glout Morceau, which rarely arrive at either the size or flavor they are accustomed to get in England. Advantage of Cordon Trees. — A writer thus alludes to cordon trees, after a visit to Mr. Rivers's: One great advan- tage of cordon training, especially for apricots and peaches, which have a tendency to die off suddenly, is the multiplica- tion of independent trees. Where any tree is confined to a branch the loss of one would be but a trifling calamity, and the blank could readily be refilled. It is very different witli large wall trees ; and it is seldom that the whole wall of any large garden remains always covered. Cordon training would furnish it much quicker, and with, I believe, just as much again fruit of a better quality. Let any one then who has a blank space, fill it with cordons. Let edges be foi'med, fruit- tree borders made and covered, and ground vineries and orchard-houses filled with them, until the tables of all are plentifully furnished with the finest fruit, and the denizens of both kitchen and parlor cry out " Hold ! it is more tliaii enough." But even then the mission of cordons would be far from complete. Every cottage garden must be stocked, every cottage child surfeited with cordons. Our mechanics and millhands, and shopmen, should grow tliem in their windows, and in their yards ; they must go into the dens of DECEMBER. 367 crime and the garrets of poverty, softening the one and cheering the other, and hettering and instructing all by their transformation of the filtli and impurities of both into the most luscious and beautiful fruit. Every one who can com- mand a yard of space and a gallon of eartli, may grow one or more coi'don trees, and, moreover, ought to do it. American cultivators know little or nothing of the cordon system, which, as the writer truly says, may be introduced into the smallest garden, against a fence or wall, requiring no more space than the grape. The Nyce Fruit-House.-^ We have already announced that a company has been organized in Boston as the Massachusetts Fruit-Preserving Com})any, for the purpose of erecting a house, under the patent of Professor Nyce, for keeping fruit. This Company will probal)ly have their house completed in January, and ready for foreign fruit in February and March. In the meantime E. S. Converse, Esq., of Maiden, one of the stockholders, has built and completed a fruit-house, which lie has already filled with apples, pears, grapes, &c. The liouse is about twenty feet square, and we shall give a full account of it in a future numl)er. The fruit was put into tlie house the last of September, and is now, November 20, just in the same condition. A few kinds of early autumn pears, which were too ripe at that time to keep more than a week or so, were put into the house, and are now, after six weeks, just in the same condition. The grapes from Mr. Converse's grapery, so ripe tliat they had begun to shrivel, are keeping without the least change. Mr. Converse deserves great credit for his enterprise and public spirit in erecting this, the first private house in the United States, thus affording an early opportunity for the Company to test the capacity of Professor Nyce's Patent. The cost of the house, which will hold 500 to 800 bushels, exclusive of the patent rigbt, was about -IIOOO. Ill Ohio Professor Nyce's patent is well known, and speci- mens have been repeatedly exhibited before the Cincinnati Horticultural Society in a perfect state of preservation from six to twelve months after gathering from the trees. It is hoped that a similar exhibition may be made here of the choice varieties of pears, next spring. 3G8 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. LYCHNIS HAAGEANA. BY THE EDITOR. Among tlie hardy and showy perennials, the family of Lyclmis holds a prominent place. The oldest and best known is the L. chalcedonica, common enough in the old gardens of thirty years ago, but not so often seen now. The double variety is one of the most brilliant and showy plants, but of rather more delicate growth, and is not yet common. Another is the Ragged Robin (L. floscuculi,) and another, perhaps, on the whole, the best, L. vesicaria pleno. 16. LYCHNIS HVAGEANA. Our present plant, L. Haageana (fig. 16) is of recent introduction, having been raised in Germany a few years ago. It differs from the above named kinds, in its dwarfer habit, and the style of growtli, as well as size of the blossoms. The stems are slender, and tlie flowers, which are of a bright orange scarlet, are nearly, or quite, two inches in diameter, and dentatcd, or jagged, on the edge. It possesses the merit of several of the perennial plants, of blossoming tlie first year from seed. But the second year, when the plants are stronger, DECEMBER. 369 the quantity of blossoms is much greater, and it then forms a brilliant and showy object. Tliough sufficiently hardy to be classed among the hardy plants, its growth and vigor will be much enhanced by a slight covering of leaves, to the depth of three or four inches, and, like other perennials, it should be taken up, divided, and reset, every two or three years. It is easily raised from seeds, which may be sown in April or May, in pots, in the green- house, or frame, and afterwards transplanted to the open border, where the plants will bloom all the autumn. The new L. grandiflora, from Japan, is similar to L. Haageana, but the flowers are larger, and of an orange tint. It is not sufficiently hardy for our climate, and requires the protection of a frame, or the greenhouse. FLO RI CULTURAL NOTICES. Dahlia imperialis. — This very distinct specimen of the dahlia has flowered in various collections, and is quite an imposing and handsome plant, growing six to twelve feet high, and producing large single flowers, with the petals standing partially erect, but recurved at the ends, which give them a bell-like aspect. It is, however, quite too late to bloom in the open garden, and most too vigorous and strong a grower for in-door culture, except in very large conserva- tories, or trained on a back wall or trellis. Mr. Whiton, an amateur cultivator of Hingham, sent us fine blooms, Novem- ber 20, cut from his conservatory, where he has it trained to the back wall. The flowers are pale pink, or pinkish white. AcHYRANTHES Yerschaffeltii. — Au English amateur culti- vator confirms the opinion expressed by others, that this plant is a first rate acquisition, as far as bedding is concerned. It does either for ribbon or edgings, and, if spared, he shall use it largely next season, as it puts Amaranthus ruber and Perella nankinensis quite in the background ; the latter is almost ineffective, while the Achyranthes is the admiration of all who see it. VOL. xxxn. — NO. xn. 24 370 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. REVIEWS. The Forest Tree Culturist ; A Treatise on the Cultivation of American Forest Trees, with Notes on the most valuable Foreign species. By Andrew S. Fuller, Horticulturist, author of Grape Culture,