EDITOR'S TAJJLE. 



practice was now common of running freight cars, warmed artificially, for carrying pota- 

 toes from Northern New York and Vermont to the Boston market, in the depth of winter; 

 and that no difficulty could occur iu the case of winter pears. It was, however, believed 

 bv otiicrs, that as soon as winter pears should bo raised in large quantities, establishments 

 would spring up in the cities for purchasing winter pears in aut\unn, when they could be 

 most safely transported to a distance, and for ri])ening them on a large scale for the market. 

 The rii)eniug process could be done more economically if performed in a wholesale maniR-r, 

 and could doubtless be more perfectly completed, than by any small arrangements for the 

 purpose by the raisers of the fruit. 



The Sheldon Pear — Effects of TniNNiNo. — "We have often alluded to the necessity of 

 thinning a heavy crop of fruit in order to secure fair and finely grown specimens as well as 

 to save the. tree from injury ; but with all that has been said, the matter receives very little 

 attention, and everywhere — both in gardens and orcluxrds — we see trees overloaded and 

 breaking down with small, indifferent fruit, scarcely worth gathering. "We saw lately 

 a very striking instance of the effects of a light crop on the size of fruits. At the late 

 show of the Genesee "Valley Horticultural Society, a dish of Sheldon pears were exliibited 

 by the Hon. L. A. "Waed, all measuring full three inches in diameter each way. "We took 

 the trouble to inquire into the circumstances of their growth, and we were informed that 

 the crop was unusually light. The weatlier in the spring had performed the thinning pro- 

 cess effectually, and has thus shown us what may be done with the Sheldon. "We may add, 

 too, that these Slieldom were of the finest quality, equal, at least, to the best pear we have 

 ever tasted. "We are not sorry, therefore, at the part we have taken in brmging it to notice. 



"Western Fruits.— "We arc indebted to James II. "Watts, Esq., for an opportunity of 

 examining superb specimens of the foUowing varieties of apples which he brought from 

 the pomological meeting at Chicago : Baldwin., Domine^ Eatnlo, Tandcnere, R. I. Greening., 

 Maiden's Blush, Willow Twiff, Northern Spy, Esopm Spitzenlurgh. Yellow Bellflower, 

 Kewtoion Pipx>in, Rawle's Janet, Fall Pippin, Jonathan, Fall Wine, and some other 

 varieties. Judging from these specimens, they have been grown in a soil and climate par- 

 ticularly favorable to them. A very handsome red cheeked Virgalieu pear accompanied 

 the apples, and if we may be permitted to judge from one specimen, we should say this 

 variety will succeed as well iu the AVest as it does in Western New York. 



Peaches. "While the apple crop in this section of the country lias partially failed this season, 



probably in consequence of previous over-bearing, the peach crop lias been one of almost 

 unrivaled abundance. Stakes, cords — all the usual appliances have failed to keep together the 

 over-burdened trees, and the advantages of shortening-in the branches, and thiuuLng the fruit, 

 has been clearly demonstrated. 



It is satisfactory to have every thing fruit, in order to prove the varieties ; and if it were not 

 for the confusion of names, I should hke to give you some notes on the period of ripening, 

 character of the trees, <tc., in our region. Perhaps I can get at it by noticing those whose 

 genuineness is doubted as I proceed. 



Fai/s Anne — Ripened August 21st. Fruit rather below medium in size; fair; on clay soil 

 a little acid ; on gravelly soil juicy. and sweet ; very good. 



Tillotson — August 21st. Fruit medium size, fair, and excellent. This tree, on our clay 

 after a few years of slow growth, shoots up and becomes a good sized tree. I saw it this 



