DESCRIPTION OF NEW PEARS. 



period of their growth. Let the earth be well stirred, and if it is becoming dry on the in- 

 side, give water. Never water by dribblets — a spoonful to-day, another to-morrow. In 

 this way the outside will become bound, and the inside remain dr}^. Give a copious wa- 

 tering, so that the Avhole ball sliall be soaked; then let it drain off, and that which comes 

 into the saucer be poured off. But, in whatever way one prefers to give water, the thing 

 to be gained is, a full supply of moisture to every part of the roots, and yet not so much 

 as to have it stand about them. Mannre-water may be employed with great benefit every 

 second or third watering. For this purpose we have never found anything equal in value 

 to guano. Besides water to the root, plants are almost as much benefitted by water on 

 the leaf — but of this we shall speak under the head of cleanliness. 



3. Temperature. Sudden and violent changes of temperature are almost as trying to 

 plants as to animals and men. At the same time, a moderate change of temperature is 

 very desirable. Thus, in nature, there is a marked and uniform variation at night from 

 the temperature of the day. At night, the room should be gradually lowered in tempera- 

 ture to from 45* to 50°; while through the day it ranges from 55° to 70*^. Too much, 

 and too sudden heat will destroy tender leaves almost as surely as frost. It should also 

 be remembered that the leaves of plants are constantly exhaling moisture during the day. 

 If in too warm an atmosphere, or in one which is too dry, this perspiration becomes ex- 

 cessive and M'eakens the plant. If the room be stove-heated, a basin of water should be 

 put on the stove to supply moisture to the air by evaporation. Sprinkling the leaves, a 

 kind of artificial dew, is also beneficial, on this account. The air should be changed as 

 often as possible. Every warm and sunny day should be improved to let in fresh air upon 

 these vegetable breathers. 



4. Cleanlin:ss. This is an important element of health as well as of beauty. Animal 

 unchanliness is first to be removed. If ground-worms have been incorporated with the 

 dirt, give a dose or two of lime-water to the soil. Next aphides or green-lice will appear 

 upon the leaves and stems. Tobacco smoke will soon stupefy them and cause them to 

 tumble upon the shelves or surface of the soil, whence they are to be carefully brushed, 

 or crushed. If one has but a few plants, put them in a group upon the floor; put four 

 chairs around them and cover Avith an old blanket, forming a sort of tent. Set a dish of 

 coals within, and throw on a handful of tobacco leaves. Fifteen minutes smoking will 

 destroj' any decent aphis. 



If a larger collection is on hand, let the dish or dishes be placed under the stands. 

 When the destruction is completed, let the parlor be well ventilated, unless, fair lady, 

 you have an inveterate smoker for a husband ; in which case you may have become used to 

 the nuisance. The insects which infest large collections in green-houses, are fuU}^ treated 

 of in horticultural books of directions. 



Dust will settle every day upon the leaves, and choke up the perspiring pores. The 

 leaves should be kept free by gentle wiping, or by washing. II. W. B. 



DESCRIPTION OF THREE NEW PEARS. 



BY ANDRE LEROY, ANGERS, FRANCE. 



AVe have had the pleasure of receiving from Monsieur Le Roy, of Angers, the follow- 

 ino- descriptions of valuable new fruits, which we take pleasure in presenting to our read- 

 er. Le Rot enjoj^s a well earned reputation as one of the most distinguished Fren 

 tors; his nurseries, the finest in France — covering over an hundred acres, are 



