DOMESTIC NOTICES. 



143 



cork Ltman, of Boston, has bequeathed $10,000 

 to the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. Mr. 

 Li man's scat at Brookline, is one of the most 

 beautiful in point of taste in New England, ami 

 bis previous donations to the Horticultural Society 

 showed how deeply interested he was in its elforts 

 to improve the arts and culture in the Eastern 

 States. 



Ha has, we learn, also bequeathed $30,000 to 

 the State Reform School, and $10,000 to the 

 Boston Farm School. 



When we reflect on this wise and steady libe- 

 rality towards sound and useful institutions for the 

 public good, in the wealthy citizens of Massachu- 

 setts, it is not surprising that that state should 

 be so far in advance of most others in good go- 

 vernment, intelligence, and prosperity. 



Fairs and Shows. — The New York State 

 Agricultural Fair takes place at Syracuse on the 

 11th, 12th and 13th, of September. The promo- 

 logical convention will take place directly after 

 the fair. 



The New Jersey Horticultural Society holds its 

 annual exhibition at Princeton on the 19th, 20th, 

 and 21st of September. 



The New Haven Horticultural Society's exhibi- 

 bition is held on the 25th, 26th, and 27th of 

 September. 



We have not received any official notice of the 

 annual shows of the Boston and Philadelphia 

 Horticultural Societies, but presume they both 

 take place the third week in September. 



Fruit Preserver. — Having been a subscriber 

 to the Horticulturist from its commencement, and 

 seeing a notice in the same that questions will 

 be answered to those who are subscribers, I take 

 the liberty to ask your opinion of " Kcpharts 

 Fruit and Vegetable Preserver." It is now about 

 two years since every agricultural and horticul- 

 tural publication had a notice of the same, and 

 pronounced it a valuable invention, but of late I 

 do not hear anything further respecting its power 

 to prevent, decay, or preserve whatever may be 

 placed within the vault. If it is a humbug I would 

 be glad to know it, for I am now building a 

 dwelling, from which it is easy to have a com- 

 munication with the vault, (should I put one into 

 my ice house.) An immediate answer by mail 

 will much oblige yours, /. G. Pease. 



We are quite unable to give the desired infor- 

 mation. We only know that Kephart's Fruit 

 Preserver is in constant use in Philadelphia — and 

 that fruits are preserved several weeks after the 

 usual period by it. How well, or how easily, or 

 exactly by what means they are preserved, we 

 know not. Perhaps some obliging correspondent 

 in Philadelphia will give us the necessary facts for 

 publication. ■■•■ 



Sir — I have in my possession a copy of your 

 " Fruits and Fruit Trees of America,*' in which 

 you recommend the cultivation of native grapes in 



open and sunny borders. Now 1 have a board fence 

 running east and west, about 40 feet long and 

 8 feel high. But on account of a foot walk on 

 the south side and close to it, it will be impossible 

 to plant vines on this side of it; therefore I wish 

 to inquire if it would be advisable to plant them 

 on the north side, and train the vines under the 

 fence, and so upon the south side. 



By answering these iequiries, you will much 

 oblige your humble and obedient servant, Edgar 

 M. Woodford, Unionvitle. West Avon, Ct., Aug. 

 nth, 1849. 



[It will answer perfectly to plant the roots on 

 the north side, and, bringing the main shoot 

 through, train the vines on the south side. What 

 the grape needs is plenty of light and heat for the 

 leaves — the soil is alwavs warm enouirh for the 



a 

 roots. J .... 



CRITIQUE ON THE AUGUST HORTICULTURIST. 



The Leader. — Good. You cannot too strongly 

 impress on us Americans, who go into those sub- 

 jects of rural improvement altogether too much 

 by fits and starts, the love of home life and horns 

 scenes. We never shall be a truly refined people 

 until we live somewhere, and cease spending the 

 chief part of our time in steamboats, rail-cars, 

 hotels, and boarding houses. We too often thwart 

 nature in this country, instead of directing and 

 chastening it. To enjoy country life, we must be 

 educated to it. How many of our " fashionable"' 

 travellers, think you, see the country as they pas? 

 through it? Few, and far between, as we all 

 know — and all for lack of natural taste, and well 

 directed early education. 



Pomological Notes from Mississippi. — I like 

 these notes of what people are doing — they are 

 positive data, as far as they go, from which we 

 can draw reliable conclusions to govern our own 

 work, so far as we are in like circumstances. 



Notes on the best Strawberries. — Excellent. 

 Ditto to the last. 



Paving to prevent the Curculio. — I am right 

 glad if anything has proved effectual in keeping 

 off the curculio. I wish that every owner of plum 

 trees would pave a few, and send you the result 

 after a year or two of trial. Possibly, however, 

 as you remark, pigs and chickens may answer the 

 purpose as well; but it strikes me that both pig 

 and chicken must be pretty well trained to it be- 

 fore they will eat green plumb and apricots. You 

 have probably heard of some fruits being so sour 

 that it would make a pig squeal to eat it ! Root- 

 ing and scratching the ground, however, I con- 

 sider is efficacious in giving growth to tho tree, 

 if nothing more. I hope to hear more on tine 

 subject. 



[They devour the insects which come out of the 

 fallen fruits. — Ed.] 



H>w to manage Fruit Trees. — Quite correct; 

 but this plan mast be confined to small trees only. 

 All large fruit-bearing trees require a space of 

 some feet in height benealh their branches for the 

 circulation of air. Look at the very next article. 



