EDITOR S TA15LE, 



SPCCBSSF0L Cultivation of Prunes. — Prunes have been very successfully cultivated in 



Poiinsvlvauia. Among the Econuuiists, in Beaver County, they have been grafted on pluins. 

 Mr. I'feilier, of Indiana, raised prune trees in large nuiuhers, and sold tlicin at exorViitaiit 

 prices, some as high as $5 and $10. lie had some of the fruit at the Pennsylvania State 

 Agricultural Fair, held at Pittsburg, which sold readily at i50 cents a quart. 



To Grape Growers in the Uxited States. — Gentlemen : Having provided myself with the 

 Catawba and Isabella for natives. Black Hamburg, (lolden Chaselas, Black Prince, Pitmastou, 

 White Chester, and Early Black July, for foreign, all of which are planted along a tight board 

 fence ; the foreign on the south side, native on the nortb, directly behind the fonner, for 

 the purpose of hybridizing when all are in bloom ; at that period two or three boards may 

 be taken ofl", the branches interlaced until all the fruit is set. But by taking notes when 

 all grew under the same advantages of the sun and ligbt, I found a dili'erence between the 

 two varieties in the time of blossoming, of from ten to lifteen days ; the natives having set 

 their fruit and grown as large as No. G, shot before the foreign were in flower, thus doing 

 away with all chance for hybrids. Now how long shall I retard the native by applying ice 

 to its roots covered with litter, its toji being shaded by the fence ; or when shall I commence 

 to stimulate the roots and tops of the foreign, the first by warm manures, the latter by 

 blackened boards, stone and charcoal under the vine against the fence, over which a little 

 flour of sulphur may be thrown to prevent mildew. If any by experiment have caused the 

 two, foreign and native to bloom exactly together, and will give me particulars, either 

 privately or throirgh the Horticulturist, it would greatly advance my case, and in all proba- 

 bility, save two or three years in experimenting ; and likely be the means of placing on the 

 American table a graj^e far superior to any now enjoyed. The above Grapes will all ripen 

 their fruit here quite well by being protected through the winter. All my experiments are 

 for open air culture, and particularly to have the pollen, both of native and foreign mingled 

 together for the hybrid ; for it strikes me, to cut off the anthers of the Catawba, and allow 

 the Hamburg to furnish pollen only, the offspring would be too tender to stand our winters ; 

 and such might not be a true hybrid after all. 



Wji. H. Read, Pt. Dalhousee, C. W. 



Dowxing's Letters. — Tlie conclusion of these letters we have been obliged to postpone to 

 the ensuing number, together with several communications from correspondents. 



Grape-vine Roots or Cuttings. — Dr. Underbill states in the l&st American Afjriculturist, 

 that his experience indicates a saving of time by the use of Avell-rooted plants instead of 

 cuttings, and that the vineyard thus formed, is far more valuable, from its being less sub- 

 ject to injury from rotting or mildew. Where cuttings are planted, the roots usually start 

 too near the surface of the ground, and are then under the influence of heat and moisture ; 

 the growth is rapid, increased by every shower in the spring ; the sap vessels are large, and 

 when the vineyard is old enough to bear, the month of June presents an abundance of 

 foliage and great promise of fruit. The drought coming on in July, the roots being mostly 

 near the surface, are deprived of the proper supply of nourisbmeut, and soon the rotting 

 commences ; the roots also are more liable to injury from winter frosts. When you have 

 well-rooted plants, he continues, you can set them at any depth that experience teaches, 

 according to your soil. 



Professor North's Address before the Oneida N. Y. Agricultural Society contains some 

 able remarks, for which we regret we have not space. He says, truly: "Pay 20 dollars for 

 the best orchard in the county, and only one man is encouraged by it ; pay the same sura 

 for the best essay on orchard culture, and the whole world of fruit growers would get the 

 benefit." 



Downing's Fruits. — We learn with pleasure that Charles Downing is engaged on another 

 edition of his brother's Fruits and Fruit Trees of America ; the time has arrived when such 

 a work is required, and we shall look for it with some impatience. 



Waste Steam. — The " waste steam" lost to useful purposes may be said to be beyond 

 calculation. Well-regulated bottom-heat having been shown to be of immense importance 

 in gardening, it is surprising that more attention should not be paid to economizing the 

 waste water and steam of engines, where factories are conveniently situated. What m 

 done without cost by attention to this is shown by an experiment tried by Mr. D ' 



