e 



1869.] HINTS FOR AMATEURS. 557 



occurrence. Equally interesting was a fruit of the Avocado Pear 

 (Persea gratissima) exhibited by Mr J. Carr, gardener to P. L. 

 Hinds, Esq., Byfieet, Surrey. It is a tropical fruit from the West 

 Indies, and this is the first time the fruit has been ripened in this 

 country. The fruit was of the size of a small Melon, oval in shaj^e ; 

 the skin deep green, coloured a little on one side, and spotted with 

 dull red all over. The flesh, which is about an inch in thickness, is 

 of a soft pasty character, and of a pale yellow colour, covering one 

 large seed in a kernel, like a Plum. As a dessert fruit it is con- 

 sidered uneatable. It is souietimes called the Alligator Pear, or 

 Midshipman's Butter. The fruit is produced by a large, bold-foliaged 

 shrub, which grows from 20 to 30 feet in height in its native habitat. 

 The plant has long been in cultivation in this country, and has 

 flowered both at the Duke of ISTorthumberland's, Syon House, and at 

 Kew. A first-class certificate was awarded to a compact - growing 

 dwarf red Beet, marked ISTo. 2, from Messrs Veitch & Sons. 



R. D. 



HINTS FOE, AMATEURS.— DECEMBER. 



We may expect soon to receive the usual seed-catalogues, reminding 

 us that we will have to consider our wants for the coming season; and 

 where economy is an object (and it should be in every garden), all 

 seeds which were left over from the past season's supply should be 

 examined, and a note taken of the quantities that are sound and good; 

 and if any doubts arise as to their quality, they can easily be proved 

 by sowing a small pinch in pots among a little light soil of any kind, 

 numbering them, watering and placing in a little heat, where they will 

 soon germinate, and their value can be ascertained. This practice 

 among nurserymen is becoming almost general, as it is to their loss to 

 supply seeds that are unfit for use. It is more difficult to get seeds 

 true to name than of good quality. We like to give a fair price 

 for seeds, and from experience have a wholesome dread of those sold 

 at almost a nominal sum. When seeds arrive, they should be kept 

 free from damp and drying heat. The seed-list should be made out 

 and sent in early, to give as little extra trouble as possible to the seeds- 

 man ; so much has to be done in the seed-shop during the next few 

 months, so many buyers requiring all their orders at the same time. 

 We generally give a few novelties a trial, but limit the quantities ; and 

 it sometimes turns out that the "new kinds" offered have been well 

 known to us for years, especially with Peas, Cabbage, Onions, Broccoli, 

 and Potatoes. However, we often meet with kinds that are quite new 



