Pears were indented by the hail as if by shot from a gun fired within a very few feet ; 

 Cherries and other fruits were either knocked or blown off, and the whole nursery of 

 young trees was imbedded in the young leaves and fruits ; the young grovvth of the trees 

 was incised by the hail stones as with a knife, and thousands of young grafts utterly 

 destroyed. Sympathy with the gentlemanly sufferer was met, however, by the cheerful 

 reply: "I am a man. It is not so bad as the shells at Sebastopol I" 



Yellow Berrid Ivy. — A friend brought us from Rome last year two twigs of the 

 Yellow Berrid Ivy, from which several specimens were propagated. One left out durin ti- 

 the late trying winter has proved hardy. Loudon alluded to one specimen of this plant 

 in England as very beautiful, the yellow color of the berries giving the appearance in 

 winter of a wall of ripened fruit surrounded by green leaves. The several varieties of 

 Ivy, including the tree, which grows without support, deserves more attention than they 

 receive among us. The Irish or Giant Ivy grows so rapidly that in many exposed 

 situations around Philadelphia it lost its leaves and topmost branches last winter ; but 

 we consider it the best variety for this climate notwithstanding, as the old wood is not 

 killed, and it rapidly recovers. 



Strawberries. — We have a note from Mr. William Stoms, of Cincinnati, on Straw- 

 l)erries, confirming what our friend Barry says respecting the success of Hovei/s Seed- 

 ling this season, which would have been inserted but for want of space. The next and 

 best fruit was McAvoi/'s Superior. Mr. Stoms promises next mouth to give an account 

 of the profits of Strawberry Culture, which we shall be glad to receive. 



The Common Privet [Ligustrum vulgarc) is one of the best Shrubs for dry gravelly 

 situations, or arid hilly places. The writer frequently passes a noble specimen on a 

 steep stony knoll, which is quite ia model of beauty. It is very nearly evergreen, and 

 its agreeably scented white flowers in July are quite attractive. It is so readily propa- 

 ■L^ated by cuttings, that it is a matter of surprise that in situations so dry that few things 

 will grow well, such a cheap and handsome plant should not be more generally employed 

 than it is. 



Self-Sealing Cans and Jars. — The preservation of Fruits, idthoui sugar or spirits, 

 is a matter of great importance, and we are happy to see it attracting attention. We 

 expressed the belief a short time ago that the ingenuity of our people, proverbial as it 

 ia, would soon perfect some method, and this is now so. Every family in the land who 

 grow fruits will soon be in the enjoyment of fresh Sti-awberrics and Poaches in the depth 

 of winter. New Self-sealing Cans are advertised in our pages this month; they strike us 

 as possessing some important advantages, and we hope to test them satisfactorily this 

 season. We recommend them to the attention of our readers. 



July with its beauties from Nature is upon us ! The harvest anticipated with so 

 much deep interest by the farmer and consumer is all that could be hoped for, and glad- 

 ness fills the land with but one note of thankfulness. Fi-uits promise well ; Pears will 

 be more abundant than for many years ; Peaches in most of the Middle States more 

 an average crop, and Apples in most sections the same. Whether prices fi 

 of lile will materially recede is a question soon to be decided ; our own opiu 



