EDITOR'S TABLE. 



Christinas Rose (Ilellehorns niger) is in full bloom in the border; Pansies are turning their 

 cheerful faces to tlie sun, and if such weather continues, we shall exi)cct tlie Crocuses to be 

 pushing up and unfolding their gay petals. Yesterday a gentleman told us he saw robins 

 in his garden hojjping joyously around, apparently clicated into tlie belief that winter was 

 over, or rather that it had forgotten to come. Draining, trenching, jjlanting, and other 

 out-door work, has been carried on to this time, with a few sliglit interruptions. 



How different from last winter! It took us all by surprize. November had not fairly 

 closed before we northerners were fairly ice-bound. Many of our tender ])lants were 

 unhoused and unprotected; our autumn work Avas not more than half done. For a wliiie 

 people consoled themselves with the hope that it was only a squall and would soon break 

 up ; but it remained steadfast and grew more and more severe, until we were all exclaiming 

 — " The coldest winter within our recollection." AVe are all apt to profit by experience, 

 and especially by dearly hought experience. Hence, last autumn, along about the middle 

 of November, there was such a preparation for winter as was never seen before. Plants 

 were snugly housed ; not a flaw in the glass, nor a crevice in the walls, but Avas securely 

 stopped. Half hardy trees, unacclimated foreigners, were to be seen mufiled up as though 

 they were bound upon a visit to the regions of eternal snoAV. 



These variations of climate, although attended Avith some difficulties, and frequently blight 

 some favorite project, are not Avithout their good. They arouse our energies, compel us to 

 study, reflect and observe, Avith a spirit of perseverance that cannot fail to increase our 

 stock of knoAvledgc and multiply our resources. The memorably hard Avinter of 1851-2 

 taught us some lessons in horticulture that Avill not soon be forgotten. If the present Avin- 

 ter continues as mild as it so far has been, or comparatively so, it Avill also teach us some- 

 thing. We have found that extremes of either heat or cold, rain or drouth, cloud or 

 sunshine, are great teachers to those who cultivate the earth. Let us keep our eyes open 

 and profit by Avhat Providence Avisely ordains to teach us Avisdom, humility, and patience. 



Pears axd Prices. — "We learn from the best authority, that sales of pears have been 

 actually made at Philadelphia this season at prices calculated to give an impetus to their 

 culture beyond any former example. One remarkable specimen of Duchess d' Angouleme 

 pear Avas sold at Isaac Newton's Fruit and Ice Cream store, in Chestnut street, Philadel- 

 phia, for One Dollar ! and many specimens not quite so large, but very respectable in size, 

 produced seventy-five cents each as soon as they Avere displayed in the AvindoAv. Noav this 

 is very encouraging, certainly, to a man who can purchase a tree for from tAventy-five to 

 fifty cents, and sell the produce at even half or quarter the above prices. In addition, Ave 

 are assurred that Mr. Newton Avas selling a stock of Vicar of Wiiil-Jield pears, on Decem- 

 ber 2, 1852, at seventy-five cents a dozen, to eager buyers! Our correspondent says he 

 immediately sat doAvn and ordered pear trees for all the vacant spots he could find in his 

 garden. We only add that Ave think him a sensible man. 



An orange-colored Globe Amaranthus. — Messrs. ITovey & Co., of Boston, advertise 

 seeds of a ncAV orange-colored Globe Araarantlms, the heads of Avhich they describe as 

 being "one-half larger than the common, and of a deep, rich, gloAving orange." It must 



be quite an acquisition among annuals. 



♦ 



Grapes. — The Muscat of Alexandria is considered by many of the most successful Eng- 

 lish gi'apc groAvers as the best variety in cultivation. What say our growers ? The Black 

 Barharossa is a ncAV variety spoken of very highly in England, 



