SECPwETARY^S rORTFOLIO. 399 



through these set the roots into tlie earth in tlic keg, and the hcrhage grows 

 outside over the external surface of the keg. There are articles of this char- 

 acter made of pottery or chinaware, used by many for growing crocuses, 

 which are just the thing for these parsley purposes. Sometimes these can be 

 had to represent animals, and wo do not know but the green herbage of the 

 parsley over them makes quite as good an effect as when the ragged crocus 

 leaves hang over them. 



But in the window nianagement of parsley there are two things to be borne 

 in mind — it needs all the light it can get; and it must not have great heat. 

 If the temperature is much over 55 degrees, it will grow very weak, and 

 especially if the light be limited. When the plants are grown in the round 

 kegs the faces of the vessel every day or two should be turned, so tliat all parts 

 successively shall have a share of the light. Many are anxious to have 

 *' something green'' in their rooms during the winter, but fear frost. Here 

 is something which is useful and pretty, and whicli the frost wont't hurt 

 much, if it does break in on some unguarded night. — Germantoicii Telegraph. 



jVJISCELLANEOUS. 



PEEMIUMS OX WINES. 



At a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Michigan State Pomo- 

 logical Society in November, the division of wines was stricken out of the 

 premium list for the annual fair by a unanimous vote. Some friend has sent 

 us a copy of the Pentwater News in which is a record of the proceedings 

 of the Oceana and Lake Shore Pomological Society. We glean from this 

 report that the society passed a resolution with no dissenting vote indicating as 

 the policy of the society that premiums be offered on domestic wines. Last 

 week at the regular monthly meeting of the Grand River Valley Horticultural 

 Society the following was presented by Mr. Merriman : 



Resolved, That it is the policy of this association to offer and award pre- 

 miums on domestic wines and cider at our annual fairs. 



The resolution provoked an earnest discussion entered into by a number of 

 gentlemen. The vote taken at the close was very decidedly in the negative 

 — there being but one affirmative vote. 



This matter has been under discussion a great many times and we rejoice in 

 the action of the societies that strike the wine division from their lists, and 

 our principal reason is not given from a moral standpoint, either. The fact 

 is, there is no necessity for stimulating people to make better wines or cider 

 for the legitimate uses of the family, for they are made good enough already, 

 and the money can be more profitably employed in securing improvements in 

 articles of greater importance to the x^roducer and consumer. It is a matter 

 of great importance to secure a grape having the quality of the Delaware and 

 the hardiness of the Concord, but there is enough good wine in the country of 

 excellent quality to answer every desirable purpose. S. Q. Lent. 



