editor's table. 



hybridization is the general law with apple, pear, and other seedlings, but it is not such a 

 stringent law as to admit of no exceptions. I have witnessed several reproductions iden- 

 tical with the parent seed, and if it was proved to me that the Long Island Bergamot and 

 the Church were one and the same variety, it would not surprise me as a ivotider, nor as a 

 lusus naiurcE. It seems rather surprising that some seedlings differ so widely from their 

 parents. I can show, in thousands of mine, the offsprings of a carefully noted pedigree. 



Truly yours, L. E. Berckmaxs, Plainjield, X. J. 



HoLLiDAYSBURG, Pa., August 5, 1857. 



Editor of Horticcltukist. — Dear Sir: Thejirst horticultural exhibition ever held in this 

 county, came on the 31st ult., and I take great pleasure in communicating to you that it 

 was successful entirely beyond the anticipations of its projectors. The display, for a first 

 effort, and among the mountains, where but little attention has been paid to gardening until 

 within the last two or three years, was fine indeed. I know you cannot afford me the room 

 to particularize, and I will merely mention that, as the Jirst best thing we could offer to a 

 cultivator of flowers, we proposed the Horticulturist for a year, for the best display of pot 

 plants, and that it was awarded to Mrs. Lloyd Knight, our Lutheran pastor's wife. Second 

 premium for pot plants to Mrs. Daniel Bolinger. First premium for cut flowers (Buist's 

 Floicer Garden Directory) to Miss Anna Baker. Second premium for cut flowers {American 

 Florisfs Guide) to Mrs. Jas. A. McCahan. Complimentary notice was taken of contributions 

 of pot plants and cut flowers, by Mrs. Thad. Banks, Mrs. J. Penn Jones, Mrs, A. F. Osterloh, 

 Mrs. 0. A. Traugh, and quite a number of others. The contributions of fruit and vege- 

 tables were not so good. The first premium for largest collection of vegetables, was awarded 

 to Mrs. Elias Baker. Second premium to Sheriff Post. The Fruit Committee awarded no 

 premiums. 



I will add, only, that the exhibition was a most agreeable and pleasant affair, and that 

 we are so well pleased with it that we mean to have another in the course of a month or 

 six weeks. Yours, &c., . 



New Rural Periodical. — We understand that a new weekly rural periodical will be issued, 

 under the title of the Rural World. It will be profusely illustrated, taking the form of the 

 Rural New Yorker, with a large increase of matter, and be published at ONE DOLLAR a 

 year. 



LiXN'^DS Rhubarb. — If any one ever doubted the use of horticulturists, they have only 

 to see what has been done in the matter of rhubarb alone. Freeman & Kendall, of Ravens- 

 wood, Long Island, have forwarded us some stalks which it is no exaggeration to say, arc; 

 more than double the size and weight of what used to be considered highly respectable. 

 They are mammoths, and we are determined to root up all our old stock at once, to grow 

 this new and valuable article. See their advertisement. 



Poisoning Mice. — Take one-fourth oz. powdered nux vomica ; half pint common boiling 

 peas ; simmer them, with as much water as will prevent their burning, for half an hour, 

 and take them off. When any person sows his peas, let him add one-third of the poisoned 

 ones to what he intends to sow, and throw them together into the same drills. 



A New Food Bulb. — Mr. Paul Kane, of Toronto, Canada, gives an account of his travels 

 among the Chinook Indians of the northwest coast of America. He states that the only 

 getables in use there are the Camas and Wappattoo — the former, a bulbous root, resembling 

 on in outward appearance, but more like the potato when cooked, and very good eat 



