EARLY PLUMS. 



By way of showing, in this connection, the estimate placed by writers upon the pop' 

 ular knowledge of architecture in England, at this time, we quote from a capital paper 

 which appeared in a late number of the London Quarter I ij, entitled "The Present 

 State of Architecture :" 



"The language whicli architectural design of necessity employs to express its concep- 

 tions, though easy to be acquired, is an unknown tongue to people in general. Those wlio 

 would smile if they were asked whether they could understand a map, would think it 

 unreasonable to be expected to comprehend a plan. A 'section' is a mystery which they 

 would at once throw aside in despair, and even an 'elevation' is considered to be 

 only an awkward, formal, and disagreeable kind of picture. It is by no means easy to 

 make them see the relative nature and value of geometric and perspective representations, 

 and that both are indispensable for complete illustrations of a structure. Geometrical 

 delineation gives the exact forms and dimensions of objects; perspective shows the images 

 of them, — not as they are in themselves, but as they appear to the eye, according to the 

 direction and distance from which they are viewed. The latter mode does not need an 

 interpreter, for habit has caused it to speak intelligibly to all ; and the simplicity of the 

 other would make it equally intelligible if a very little instruction on the subject were to 

 form a portion of general education. To say nothing of the value, under almost any cir- 

 cumstances, of some acquaintance with a study which trains the eye to accuracy of obser- 

 vation, and which is the copious source of so pure an enjoyment, as to be utterly incapable 

 of any taint of sensuality, it would plainly be to the advantage of the art itself, and of 

 those who practice it — supposing them to practice it worthily — if the public were able 

 to read its productions. Its professors would then be compelled to keep pace with the 

 increased information of their patrons; and would be stimulated to diligence by the 

 encouraging assurance that superior talent would be competently appreciated even when 

 displayed upon paper. Designs would thenceforth be regarded as works of art in them- 

 selves, instead of being looked upon as mere patterns, because they neither are, nor assume 

 to be, pictures also. There is nothing, we will venture to affirm, to hinder any one, with 

 taste for the study, from understanding and relishing architectural plans quite as thor- 

 oughly as those who belong to the profession." 



SIX VARIETIES OF EARLY PLUMS. 



The Peach Plum. Prune Pkhe, of Noisette. — This Plum, though rather coarse, 

 and ranking not more tlian good as to quality, is yet worthy of much more general 

 culture than it has received, on account of its great size, beautiful appearance, and 

 earliuess. We certainly regard it as one of the most magnificent of all Plums — as 

 large as a good-sized Peach, and of a rich brownish-red, covered with a thin azure 

 bloom. It bears large crops with us. The tree is stout, a good grower, and quite 

 hardy. It ripens here from the 1st to the 15th of August*— only a few days behind 

 the Jaune Hative. Chas. H. Tomlinson, Esq., of Schnectady, who brought this fruit 

 before the late Mr. Downing, some nine years ago, says that at Schenectady the ends 

 of the young shoots sometimes get killed, as also the fruit-buds in severe winters. It 

 has also proved tender in Maine. We copy below, the account and description given 

 at that time in the Horticulturist : 



* Noisette describes it as ripening in France from tlie 10th to the 20tl) of July. 



