editor's tablb. 



Illinois Catti.k. — Our enthusiastic fiieiul, Bross, of the Cliicaiio Press, never loses an 

 opportunity of siK'akini; woU of }iis own State, of wliich he is one of the most useful citizens. 

 The following information, abridged from liis i)aper, is worthy of record : — 



"Cliiiago or Illinois beef will soon take as undisputed rank among the materials of pood 

 living as have the hams of Westphalia, Stilton cheese, (ioshen butter, New York oysters, 

 Lake Superior white lish, Connecticut River shad, or the wilt! celery-fed canvas-back ducks 

 of- the Delaware. What the savory mast of the Whestphalian forest does for tlie flesh of 

 the pig that feeds on it, how the wliite clover and sweet scented vernal grass of tlio rich 

 pastures of Orange County inlluenee the products of the dairy, so, and in some such man- 

 ner, the prairies of Illinois impart fat and flavor to the flesh of the cattle raised on them. 



We have been led to these observations by the arrival in Cliicago, last week, of thirty 

 noble bullocks, a part of a lot of one hundred, en route for New York city. 



These cattle belong to Mr. B. F. Harris, an extensive stock feeder, who resides near the 

 town of Urbana, and the Chicago branch of the Illinois Central Railroad. They are luujues- 

 tionably tlu! heaviest and fattest drove of one hundred bullocks in the world. They were 

 weighed at Mr. Harris's farm. 



The aggregate gross weight of the 100 was 118 l,200-2,000th tons, or 2,373 pounds each. 

 Twenty-five of the best and fattest weighed on an average 2,662 pounds each. " The Baby" 

 of twenty-five, kicked the beam at 5,87(3 pounds. Three days were required and needed to 

 drive them to the railroad station, fourteen miles. The average age of tlie 100 is less than 

 five years. Not one has ever been housed a day in his life ; a half dozen pairs only have 

 been yoked, and a less number worked. They have been pastured and herded on the 

 prairies in the summer, and, in the winter, fed on corn in the shock, and sound timothy, and 

 yarded along the skirts of the Sangamon timber." 



This appears to us more sensible "talk" than that of the late French papers about the 

 " baby" of the Empress. What would the Illinois prairie farmers say to having a boy born 

 to drive them about as Mr. Harris drives his cattle ? 



The Hunt Botanical Garden is, for the present, not to be commenced. The chief donor 

 wished to have an observatory, to cost some $70,000, to which the committee objected, and, 

 in consequence, he has withdrawn his support. The energetic determination of W. S. 

 Degraw, Esq., and his other associates will, however, carry it through, only iu another 

 position. 



The Massachusetts Hokticultural Society's Report of Committees, for 1855, with the 

 schedule of prizes for 185G, makes a pamphlet of 50 pages, and appears to be every way 

 worthy of the distinguished reputation of the Society. We have marked many passages 

 for reference, but have so devoted our space as to have little room for extracts the present 

 month. In many resiDccts this society is a model which might well be copied. 



The Gooseberry on the Citrrant. — Sir: A former correspondent of the Jlortlculturist, 

 August, 1849, made some sensation by assuring us that he had succeeded in grafting the 

 gooseberry on the yellow flowering currant, on stocks five feet high, with a prodigious result. 

 It would be well to inform us whether the grafts continue to do well, and the fruit is still free 

 from mildew ? I have found that keeping the roots of gooseberry bushes cool with mulching, 

 and to plant them in cool situations, is useful, but I attribute my freedom from mildew, the 

 past few years, to sprinkling a handful of salt around each bush in winter, or early spring. 

 — M. C. 



[We have the same results from the use of salt. — Ed.] 



Dr. John Lindley's portrait, which we insert to-day, conveys almost a speaking likeness 

 of the botanist, about whom it is best to "gossip" but little before he completes his career. 

 To the article, which we copy from the Cottaije (lardencr, was appended considerable abuse 

 for certain doings of his in connection with the London Horticultural Society ; this is omit- 

 ted, but we may add that the doctor has little afTection for America, and considers, from 

 positive ignorance regarding it, its horticulture in a lamentable condition.* We learn, 

 incidentally, too, that he does not take the Horticulturist — quite unpardonable in so great a 

 maul 



* Dr. Lindlpy's preat merits as a botanist are somewhat obscured in tbe eye of an American, by his inclination 

 for a satirical Hing at this country — a national sin, belonging to a large class, among whom we are sorry tc 

 include the editor of the London Athenjeum ; the fact undoubtedly is, that America is doing more th"^ 

 other country fir pomology, and Dr. Lindley, it might be expected, would be the first to acknowledge 

 his own credit, this is to be regretted. 



