tions on the quantity of water needed by plants, but those that have made any pretensions 

 to accuracy show that rain, after making allowances for that which flows away and is eva- 

 porated, does not supply more than a tenth part of what is necessary. It is unaccountable 

 and inexcusable, that not a single botanist, since the time of Hales, should have taken up 

 and carried on his important experiments on this subject. 



The quantity of rain which falls in a given region, is not a measure of its fruitfulness ; 

 but the quantity of moisture, the absolute and relative quantity of vapor, which yearly, 

 and especially during those months which are most important for vegetation, is contained 

 in the atmosphere. 



But water is not the only, nor the most important portion of the food of plants. They 

 require carbonic acid gas, and the volatile salts of ammonia, which must be derived from 

 the atmosphere ; they are absorbed — the carbonic acid partly, and the ammoniacal com- 

 pounds probably entirely, by means of the roots ; clay and soil must be present, as media to 

 convey them to the plant. Though, in England, but half the quantity of rain falls that we 

 find in a large portion of our country, the moisture of the air, and, consequently, with it the 

 proper food, is more regularly and constantly supplied than in our arid regions. Coniferous, 

 and other trees, flourish here better in situations where there is found to exist a succession 

 of damp nights and mornings, as in regions where the dew is not dispersed till long after 

 the rising of the sun. 



Mk. J. J. Smitu. — Dear Sir : I think you would confer a favor on horticultural societies, 

 if you would publish a list of their corresponding secretaries, and thus enable them to 

 exchange publications. Yours, very tnily, Charles Gifford, Milicaukee. 



It would doubtless prove useful to do so, and if the various horticultural secretaries will 

 at once forward their names and residences, we shall with pleasure comply with the sugges- 

 tion. Such a list, too, will, in fact, form a catalogue of existing horticultural societies in the 

 Union and Canada. It shall appear in June or July, if all will forward the information. 



Strawberries. — There has been a rather warm discussion, in the Cincinnati Horticultural 

 Society, as to the merits of McAvoy's Superior, and Hovey's Seedling Strawberries, with the 

 majority and minority reports of a committee appointed on the subject. The discussion 

 and reports occupy nearly two columns of small print in the Daily Inquirer, The following 

 appears to be the conclusion arrived at by the Society : — 



Mr. Orange then moved that the whole subject be laid on the table. 



At the request of Mr. Hatch, the motion made by Mr. Orange was withdrawn, when Mr. 

 Hatch oflered the following resolution : — 



" Resolved, That the opinion heretofore entertained by this Society, as to the excellence of 

 the strawberry known as McAvoy's Superior, remains unchanged, it having been fully tested 

 as a garden fruit, and, in this vicinity, proved to be delicious and hardy. As a fruit for 

 general field culture, and for market, the high price of plants has heretofore prevented its 

 being tested." 



Tlie following amendment was then offered by Mr. Greene : — 



" Hovey's Seedling, for field culture and market purposes, holding its position as superior 

 to all others tested." 



The question being then taken on the amendment ofl'ered by Mr. Greene, it was carried by 

 the casting vote of the President. The resolution then, as amended, was carried by a large 

 vote. 



The Society then ordered the reports of the majority and the minority on the Strawberry 

 question to be printed with the proceedings. 



FRriT. — A cargo of fruit from Japan, is advertised in the California papers ; of what 

 descriptions, not stated. In New York, watermelons from Nicaragua have been pronounced 

 " excellent," in March last. Some of the California papers are printed on Chinese paper ; 

 significant facts, these. 



Gctta Percha. — Tlie curious article on Gutta Percha, which we have compiled for this 

 number, will find many readers. The discoverer of this inspissated sap of an Indian tree, 

 was Dr. William Montgomerie, of the Indian medical service, and this only in 1845 ; ho 

 first observed that the handles of the knives of natives of Borneo were peculiar, and, on 

 examination, saw of what they were composed. Without this useful article, discovered just 



time, the sea telegrai)h could not be employed. The son of the discoverer has lately 

 on the list of military promotions for this discovery of the father. 



