editor's table. 



Germantown, N. Y., Marct 22, 1856. 

 Dear Sir : On the night of the 25th of December last, we had an icy rain ; the following 

 morning, everything was completely enveloped with ice ; branches of fruit-trees no larger 

 than a straw, were frequently seen increased so much in thickness, as to measure an inch 

 in diameter, and fruit trees, in many instances, were laden with it so heavily as to be com- 

 pletely crushed with its weight. This ice remained on the fruit-trees about ten days, the 

 weather, in the mean time, being severely cold ; the ice never thawed off, but froze and shook 

 off with the wind. Its remaining on so long has been very injurious to the fruit buds of the 

 peach and apricot, completely spoiling them in this locality. 



Yours, truly, Wsr. Tompkins. 



Burlington, Iowa. 



J. Jay Smith, Esq. — ^My dear Sir : If JeiFrey's Red Raspberry, alluded to in his review, 

 in the March number of your magazine, prove to be " as hardy as a currant bush," it will be 

 an acquisition to us worth many dollars. 



The ravages of the past winter have been very severe. The damage cannot, as yet, be 

 ascertained ; but one feels sad enough in passing along the garden walks, and looking at 

 the destruction wrought among the shrubbery. Only think of it — from December 24 to 

 about the same date in February — two long, dreary months, with the mercury hybernating 

 in the bulb of the glass, only to note, if possible, a greater degree of cold. It is useless to 

 name dates, but, if 60 days of winter, below zero all the time, and, occasionally, even as low 

 as 32^ (we had it on two occasions, January 9, and February 15, at that), does not destroy 

 all our hopes of a fruit crop, it will be because our trees are hardier than we now regard 

 them. We usually have the mercury as low as 12^, 14^, and even 20^ below zero, once or 

 twice in the course of the winter, but our oldest residents cannot call to mind such continued 

 cold as we have recently experienced. Even on the 9th and 10th of the present month, we 

 had it 10^ and 11° below zero. Your theory, in your leader, with regard to Illinois, of a 

 tropical summer and arctic winter, is especially true of Iowa. Would it not be as well to 

 note these facts, that fruit growers, intending to come this way, may see both sides, as is 

 but fitting and proper ? It is to be hoped that due record will be made of such hardy fruits 

 as have escaped this winter, as guides for cultivators hereafter, both here and in more 

 northern latitudes. Your valued periodical grows monthly in interest, and in the regard of 

 its many readers in the West. 



P. S. — Jeffrey's note of warning respecting our fruits, soil, &c., is not unheeded ; but, if 

 you can tell us more than we already know of blights — both sun and frozen sap — of curcu- 

 lios, apple borers, and the like, I trust it is to suggest some remedy for the pests. We have 

 almost abandoned plum culture here, as well as cherries, except a few pains-taking experiment- 

 makers, who yet hope for success. Bliglits, too, of all kinds, have stricken down many a 

 hundred beautiful and brave dwarf and standard pear-tree, to the profound grief of the 

 owners. Still, when one does succeed here, his triumph is complete. As to the flavor of 

 our fruits, ask Mr. Barry ; it is generally good enough for our visitors as well as ourselves. 

 If 32° below zero has not utterly destroyed our pear buds, I trust " JeflTrey" will see, at 

 Rochester, some of their products, even if none of the producers are there. 



I remain, very respectfully, J. F. Tallant. 



Gossip. — The coming event, expected with anxiety, but fully expected, is steam ploughing. 

 Who doubts it ? The same people who doubted ocean steamships and the telegraph. The 

 a2;ricultural papers describe a machine for sheep-shearing; we have seen one for clipping 

 hedges. — The Southern papers speak very highly of Mr. Axt's Catawba wine, made 

 the past season. Mr. A. is planting vineyards in various counties, at so much an acre 



YoL. VI.— May, 1856. 



16 



