WHICH ARE THE BEST ROSES ? 



the home article over the foreign, by all means. I shall not tilt an argument with 

 Mr. IJuchanan on Xhcfact that native wines will do more to promote temperance 

 than the " Maine Law ;" but only say, that I have seen men rise — or try to rise — 

 from the dinner table, as well as from various other sittings, quite as "glorious" 

 as Tam O'Shanter when hob-a-nobbing over their ale with his "drouthy crony," 

 Souter Johnny, and that, too, from their free libations of "native" wine, bottled 

 at Cincinnati — the "pure, sparkling" article itself! 



Good and Bad Pruning. — This, with your cajjital illustration of the two 

 methods, is so conclusive, that anybody with a thimbleful of brains can under- 

 stand it better than if I should comment a whole chapter upon it. 



Sweet Apples. — Long ago, when a youngster, I was dilating to an excellent 

 housekeeping lady friend, on the extraordinary virtues of baked sweet apples in 

 boy's bread and milk ; and in addition to that, how good the raw ones to fat pigs, 

 and geese. "Yes ;" she replied, "and they are just as good to fat children, and 

 grown people on as pigs !" I have believed it ever since. 



Notes on Pears. — Next year Mr. Eaton can probably tell a very different story 

 about the growth and flavor of many of these same pears. The variety, soil, culti- 

 vation, climate, and season must determine what, in the way of pears, the grower 

 of them had best cultivate. I have attended sundry consultations of the savans 

 on this subject, and am still in doubt, beyond half a dozen standard varieties. 



The Lowell Wire Fencing. — Too low in height, too expensive for farming, and 

 too frail for street fencing in the towns. Within the outer inclosure, they are 

 sufficient, and quite ornamental. For economy, and good appearance, in that 

 way, and for screeus to run vines and climbing plants upon, I hope they will be 

 adopted. Jeffreys. 



WHICH ARE THE BEST ROSES? 



RY ROBERT BUIST, PHILADELPHIA. 



Mr. Editor : The above question is very frequently proposed, and is much 

 more concise than any reply that can be given. We would say that there are 

 none supremely beautiful, if they are not abundantly supplied with free soil, and 

 well incorporated with very rich material, such as decayed leaves, old, decayed 

 manure from the piggery or barnyard ; or, where there is a deficiency of these, 

 rich water, twice a week, must be applied. " What is rich water ?" There arises 

 another question. If you will not consider me too tedious, I will give you in 

 detail how it is manufactured. I have a half cask, containing about 30 gallons of 

 water, into which I put 6 lbs. of guano, half a bushel of horse droppings, or a 

 peck of chicken manure ; either of these, just as convenience suggests. I allow 

 the portion selected to remain in the tub 24 hours, when it is stirred up, and from 

 which I give my select plants a copious watering twice a week from May till the 

 middle of June. The soil round the plants must be frequently stirred, and 



