In these two experiments, the thermometer at the bottom of the box suddenly 

 rose a few degrees immediately after the hot water was added ; and it raig-ht be 

 inferred that heat was carried downwards by the water. But, in reality, the rise 

 was owing to the action of the hot water on the thermometer, and not to its action 

 upon the cold water. To prove this, the perpendicular thermometers were re- 

 moved. The box was filled with peat and water to within three inches of the 

 top ; a horizontal thermometer, a f, having been previously secured through a 

 hole made in the side of the box, by means of a tight-fitting cork, in which the 

 naked stem of the thermometer was grooved. A gallon of lioiling water was then 

 added. The thermometer, a very delicate one, was not in the least affected by the 

 boiling water in the top of the box. 



In this experiment, the wooden box may be supposed to be a field ; the peat 

 and cold water represent the waterlogged portion ; rain falls on the surface, and 

 becomes warmed by contact with the soil, and thus heated descends. But it is 

 stopped by the cold water, and the heat will go no further. But, if the soil is 

 drained, and not water-logged, the warm rain trickles through the crevices of the 

 earth, carrying to the drain level the high temperature it had gained on the sur- 

 face, parts with it to the soil as it passes down, and thus produces that bottom 

 heat which is so essential to plants, although so few suspect its existence. 



This necessity of warmth at the root undoubtedly explains why it is that hardy 

 trees, over whose roots earth has been heaped, or having laid, are found to sufier 

 so much, or even to die ; in such case, the earth in which the roots are growing 

 is constantly much colder than the atmosphere, instead of warmer. 



It is to the coldness of the earth that must be ascribed the common circumstance 

 of vines that are forced early, not setting their fruit well when their roots are in 

 the external border, and unprotected by artificial means ; and to the same cause 

 is often ascribed the shanking or shrivelling of grapes, which most commonly 

 happens to vines whose roots are in a cold or unsunned border. 



ON THE CULTURE OF THE PEACH. 



BY SAMUEL T. JONES, THE CEDARS, STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK. 



As you were pleased, in a late number, to introduce some approbatory remarks 

 upon my management of the peach, it may not be uninteresting to some of your 

 readers to have a statement more in detail. It is not unusual to hear of the 

 degeneracy of the peach-tree — that it is more subject to disease than formerly, and 

 especially the yellows — and that the duration of the tree, in vigorous health, is 

 limited to some six or seven years, I have even heard the belief expressed, that 

 the yellows was transmitted, from generation to generation, by budding from trees 

 apparently healthy, and, also, that the infection was liable to spread from one tree 

 to another. 



In my judgment, founded upon the experience of many years, these ideas are 

 erroneous not less than they are injurious and discouraging to the propagation and 

 well-being of the tree. Through the exercise of a little care and attention on the 

 ])art of the grower, which is but a small return for the generous loads of delicious 

 fruit yearly furnished by this tree, I have been enalded to i)reserve most of them 

 in full vigor for a period of upwards of sixteen years. 



The system I have followed first commences in the nursery, or shortly after the 

 tree has been transphinted, l)y cutting out the to[) or central branches, leaving but 

 tlirct' or lour laterals, at a height not exceeding two or two anti a half (Vet from 

 the ground. This system is constantly followed in after years, which disposes the i 



