editor's table. 



acquisition. Tlie Diana is now ripe in our garden, and comes next in our estimation to the 

 Rebecca an<l Delaware. The Concord is nuich esteemed in tlio Northern and Eastern States, 

 because it riix>ns early, but wo do not find it equal to the Catawba in any respect. 



Rebecca Grape. — After the above was written, Mr. Brocksbank, of Ihnlson, forwarded a 

 box of the Rebecca Grape ; good as the Delaware is, the Rebecca is very superior, and we 

 are free to say it is, in our opinion, the best out-of-door grape we have. A good crop of it 

 will take the place almost of the hothouse productions. We inserted the word " almost" 

 after the foregoing, in consequence of having, from a valued friend, such specimens of Black 

 Hamburg and Muscats as made us waver a little. But in these times, when coal and labor 

 are expensive, the Rebecca is a capital substitute, and the Delaware also. From tliis time 

 forward, we give up the Catawba for a table grape, and graft on the vines these two. 



The Wine Chop in Illinois. — Grape culture is becoming quite a business in Monroe County, 

 Illinois. It is estimated that the citizens of that county will market 150,000 gallons of wines, 

 which, at present rates will amount to $200,000. 



Answers to Correspondents. — A. D. W. is informed that the Philadelphia Pear does not 

 equal the expectations formed regarding it. We have specimens, this season, from the origi- 

 nal tree in Roxborough, Pa., and find it quite inferior — we should say, valueless. The German- 

 town Strawberry is a most valuable variety, originated here by Mr. George Young ; and Mr. 

 Downing gives it a high character. There has been a great demand for plants, Mr. Young 

 informs us, and he will be prepared in the spring to fill a large number of orders. 



The Des Nonnes Pears, from Thorp, Smith, and Hanchett, of Syracuse, are "very good." 

 Whether they are identical with Beurr^ de Brignais, we are not able at this moment to 

 decide. 



(11. B. Weiser, York, Pa.) The grapes sent are very fine Isabellas. 



(A. A. Hull, Maryland.) Your questions are not definitely put. 



Catalogues, etc.. Received. — Descriptive Catalogue of Fruit and Ornamental Trees, Shrubs, 

 Roses, and Bedding-out Plants, cultivated and for sale by W. T. & E. Smith, Geneva, N. Y., 



1857. 



Catalogue des Onions, de Fleurs, et Fraisiers qui se trouvent chez Vilmorin-Andrieux et 



Cie. Paris, 1857. 



Catalogue des Graines, de Fleurs, ditto, do. 



The Lawton, or New Rochelle Blackberry, its Origin, History, Characteristics, and Culture. 

 New York : Drew & French, 85 Broadway, N. Y. 



Illustrated Annual Register of Rural Affairs for 1858. No. 4. Albany: Luther Tucker 

 & Son. A very good manual for liousekeepers in the country, and illustrated, the title 

 enumerating "one hundred and thirty engravings." 



Catalogue of Fruit and Ornamental Trees, cultivated and for sale at Schenectady, N. Y., 

 by C. Reagles & Son. 25th edition. Rich in fruit. 



Descriptive Catalogue of Fruit and Ornamental Trees and Greenhouse Plants, for sale by 

 Thorp, Smith & Hanchett, Syracuse, N. Y. This is one of the best catalogues we have ever 

 examined ; the firm from which it comes takes its place among the first cultivators of the 

 country. We should say, from a perusal of the catalogue, that it was reliable. 



Catalogue of Fruit and Ornamental Trees and Plants, cultivated and for sale at the Leba- 

 non Nurseries, Pittsburg, Pa., by Blackstone and Ammon. We are glad to see so good a 

 list from our own State. 



Catalogue abridged of M. Kelly and Co.'s Trees and Plants, Cincinnati, Ohio. 



