For this end ovory available source is sought out, and it will ho found that topics discussed 

 in these pages arc sometiuios those whicli are taken up ]>y others long thereafter. 



We make no complaint of want of public patronage ; our snug little parish of annual 

 listeners continues from year to year, with additions slow, but sure, and is comi)osed of 

 appreciative hearers. 



We have written a long homily, when a paragraph only was intended, to thank the 

 Akron Committee, and to state what many of the older subscribers and readers will fully 

 substantiate. 



The PiiiLAPELriiiA Park. — Tlie appeal to our fellow-citizens for money to purchase ad<li- 

 tional ground for a park on the Schuylkill, has been entirely successful. Future genera- 

 tions will have cause to thank the originators of the plan, who perseveringly carrieil the 

 measure, collected the money during the winter, when snow and ice were poor accompani- 

 ments of out-door labor, and presented the ground adjoining Lemon Hill, already the pro- 

 perty of the city, to our Councils. The gentlemen to whom we are indebted for this great 

 good, should long live in the memory of their townsmen. Their names are James H. Castle 

 and C. W. Keyser, Esqs. Under discouragements which would have appalled most, they 

 persevered in their laudable exertions, encountering objections, and subduing difficulties 

 that can scarcely be understood, except by persons who have tried to do their fellow-men a 

 service by anticipating their future wants. Long may they live to enjoy the results of their 

 unselfish sacrifice of time, mind, and labor. Some fitting memento they eminently deserve. 



Our Councils will now, beyond question, make a moderate annual provision for the im- 

 provement of the ground, so that the present generation may see its extraordinary adapta- 

 tion to their health and pleasure. Philadelphia has now over two hundred acres in public 

 parks. 



Massachusetts HoKxicrLTURATi Report. — Mr. Eben Wight, Corresponding Secretary, has 

 laid us under obligations for a copy of the above report, and a schedule of prizes for 1857, 

 which are all in money, and not in books or periodicals. The report has some interesting 

 points. Of apples " promising well," they mention the Washington (a handsome autumn 

 fruit) and the Polish ; the Fameuse {alwai/s good), and the Ladies' Sweeting (keeping well 

 till May), are recommended. The Foster Appte (ripe in August) is worthy of general cul- 

 tivation. Of native pears, they name Sheldon, Lawrence, Brandywine, Boston, Seckel, T^^son, 

 Andrews, Lodge, Kingsessing, Howell, Oswego Bourrc, and Adams, as the desirable kinds. 



The Committee indorses Simpson's novel mode of growing two crops of grapes in one year 

 from the same vines which gave the crop in April. Mr. Simpson made a liberal display on 

 the third Saturday of December, 1856. The vines had a i>eriod of rest from April to August, 

 when bottom heat was applied, and a produce of about ten pounds to the vine was the 

 result, and the vines were in the best possible condition. The Rebecca Grape is highly 

 lauded as superior to the Diana, and Mr. E. Rodgers is said to have fruited a number of 

 Hybrids fertilized from the Mammoth Globe by the pollen of the Chasselas and Black Ham- 

 burg, which are promising and hardy. Mr. Allen's Hybrids are favorably noticed, and great 

 expectations are formed of them. Tlie Union Grape, the Delaware, and the Curtis, are also 

 recommended. 



The High-Bush Blackberry has carried off the Boston premiums ; it should be trained 

 horizontally. Of Raspberries, the Knevett's Giant and Brinckle's Orange, are favorably 

 reported on, and Mr. Hunnewell's Stanwick Nectarines, commended. The Jenny Lind 

 Strawberry took the $50 plate, and the Sir Harry, Admiral Duudas, and Sir Charles Napier, 

 are among the new introductions the most desirable. The premiums offered this year 

 be found varied and liberal. 



