Pbak-Tree Oil. — The following is going about in the papers : " From experiments lately 

 made with the fruit of the pear-tree, an account of which appears in the Society of Art's 

 Journal, it seems probable that a new substance may be brought into use, possessing con- 

 siderable commercial value. According to the analysis of Dr. Hofiinan, the oil expressed 

 from the seed, when divested of its peculiar bitter taste, may possibly be made a substitute 

 for olive oil as an article of food. In illuminating power, the oil is not much inferior to 

 the average quality of sperm-oil." 



Tliis is very pretty on paper, but does the writer know how scarce pear seeds are ? We 

 apprehend it will be a very long time before enough can be spared from jDlanting to make a 

 pint of oil. 



The Ugenia Ugni. — The Chronicle says : " If bushes of the Eugenia Ugni, perhaps the 

 richest in flavor of all the uncommon exotic fruits, were mixed with the orange plants, they 

 would give variety to the appearance of a house, and enhance very materially its value. In 

 our own opinion, the Ugni, when properly ripened, ranks with the vine and the pine-apple. 

 Its fault is that the berries grow singly, and are no bigger than Black Currants ; but, on the 

 other hand, it produces its fruit in abundance." 



Soil for Okange-Tkees. — Mr. Thomas Rivers recommends growing oranges more com- 

 monly than is now done, and says : " In cultivating the orange for its fruit, the first 

 consideration is to procure the most desirable varieties ; those delicious and smooth-rinded 

 oranges we receive from St. Michael's ; the Maltese Blood-Oranges, and the Mandarin, are 

 the most desirable, as well as some sweet ones cultivated in France. The first matter of 

 import is the soil ; the best is, two parts sandy loam, from the surface of some i^asture or 

 healthy common, chopped up with its turf, and used with its lumps the size of large walnuts, 

 and its fine mould, the result of chopping, all mixed together, one part rotten manure, at 

 least a year old, and one part leaf-mould ; to a bushel of this compost, add a quarter of a 

 peck of silver, or any coarse, silicious sand — calcareous sand and road sand are injurious — 

 and the mixture will do for all the fruit-trees of the tropical orchard houses as well as for 

 oranges. Commence potting with a pot too small rather than too large." 



New Peas are receiving attention in England. A correspondent of the London Florist 

 thus sums up his experience with them : " With regard to early Peas, we do not consider 

 that an earlier than Daniel O'Rourke is requisite, unless a much hardier race can be procured 

 to resist spring frosts ; but it is essential that a pea as earlij as Daniel O'Rourke, with the 

 flavor and productiveness of our best Marrowfats, should be procured, and to the attainment 

 of this object we direct the attention of hybridizers. For small, or even large gardens, we 

 recommend the following sorts : — 



" First Early — Daniel O'Rourke (with a succession, a fortnight after, for large gardens). 



" Second Early — Harrison's Perfection or Glory, Dickson's Favorite. 



" Third Crop — Champion of England. 



" Fourth Crop — Lord Raglan, Hairs' Dwarf Mammoth, British Queen." 



The Best Roses. — A valued correspondent recently gave us a list of the best roses. The 

 following list is by Mr. Lane, one of the largest English growers next to Mr. Rivers : Iljjbrid 

 Perpetual Roses — Deep crimsons, the new rose. General Jacqueminot, Geant des Batailles, 

 and Empereur Napoleon III. Of pink and rose-colored varieties, Jules Margottin, Madame 

 Domage, Chereau, Madame de Cambaceres, Madame Hector Jacqueler, Duchess of Norfolk, 

 Comtesse Vaillaut, Colonel de Rougemont, and Baronne Heckeren, are among the best 

 Bourbons, ApoUine, Aurore de Guide, Francois Heuricq, Louis Odier, Sir J. Paxton 



