^^^^: 



EDITOR'S TABLE. 



Frexch Vegetables. — We liave obtained from Paris seeds of the vegetables figured in 

 our frontispiece, and vre shall take pleasure in supph'ing those who desire them with a 

 small quantity, sufficient for a trial, on applicaticn by mail or otherwise. They were grown 

 here from seed iniiwrted by us last year, and received especial commendation by the com- 

 mittea on vegetables of the Genesee Valley Horticultural Society. 



Tree Pl.vxters axd XrRSEKTMEX. — We have been requested to publish the following 

 article, written for the Genesee Farmer^ and we cheerfully comply, as it is a matter of 

 importance both to sellers and purchasers of trees : 



" There is one point about nursery trees, that gives rise occasionally to considerable discussion 

 between the buyers and sellers, and it has occurred to us that it might be well to offer a few 

 remarks on it at this time. We allude to the dissatisfaction and disappointment that purchasers 

 experience on receiving from the nursery trees of a somewhat crooked or irregular growth, or of 

 smaller size than they had expected. We are very well aware that it is not a little aggravating 

 to receive trees of four feet in height, instead of six or eight as expected ; or to get them with 

 stems curved and twisted in half a dozen different Avays, instead of being as straight as a gun 

 barrel. To the amateur who intends to make biit a small plantation, and desires every tree to 

 be a model, this is particularly provoking ; and in his trouble, unless he be as patient as Job, he 

 reproaches the poor nurseryman most severely. Now we are not about to plead the cause of the 

 nurserymen ; they must take care of themselves. They are, we know very well, often much to 

 blame, and deserve reproach ; but they are not unfrequently censured without good reason ; and 

 if those who purchase trees would study beforehand the characters of the varieties selected, as to 

 growth, they would not so often be disappointed. 



"Now we will suppose, for instance, that Mr A. orders from his nin-seryman a dozen apple trees, 

 as follows: Early Joe, Summer Rose, American Summer JPearmain, Fall Pippin, Gravenstein, Por- 

 ter, Baldwin, Fameusc, Northern Spy, Newtown Pippin, Melon, and Red Canada; and that these 

 are to be, we will say, threo»years old from the bud or graft. We would find that the Graven- 

 stein, Baldwin, Fall Pippin, Fameuse, and Northern Spy, which are strong, rapid growers, are 

 large, thiifty, beautiful trees'; while the others, Avhich are remarkably slow growers, are not more 

 than half as large, and will be pronounced small, scrubby, stunted things, not fit to be seen, much 

 less planted. A Baldwin, Gravenstein, or Nortliern Spy will be larger in the same soil and under 

 the same culture, in three years than a Red Canada or a Newtown Pippin in five : and at any size, 

 their stout shoots, straight trunk, and smooth clean bark, are pleasing to the eye ; while the slen- 

 der, twiggy, rough-bai-ked trees, are just the reverse. These considerations should be taken into 

 account. Tlie nurseryman is paid no more for the slow growei"S than he is for the rapid growers, 

 and it is not reasonable to expect them so large or looking so vigoroiis. Then there are varieties, 

 such as the R. I. Greening and Fall Pippin, of irregular growth, with very seldom a straight stem, 

 that it is quite unreasonable to expect as symmetrical as a Baldwin or a Nortliern Spy. 



"If we tm-n to pears, we find these remarks equally applicable. If Mr. A. will order from his 

 nurseryman the Bartlett, Seckel, Buffam, Duchess d'Angoideme, Marie Louise, and Winter Nelis, 

 he will find a marked and perhaps to him a very disagreeable contrast in their size and form. 

 The Buffam and Duchess may be eight feet high, thrifty, and smooth as young willows ; the 

 Bartlett not over five feet, and the Seckel four ; while the Marie Louise and Winter Nelis will 

 not only be small, but twisted into the most fantastic and untreedike shapes. Looking at the 

 Buffam and the Duchess, he will at once say, 'Now these are what I call trees — just what I 

 wanted ; but these,' turning to poor 3farie Ionise and Winter Nelis, ' these are horrible.' The 

 yman, who perhaps searched up and down every row in his nursery to get the strai 

 best ones to please Mr. A., who is very nice, is sure to get not less than tv^'o pages of a 



