J n. A. (Almont, Mich.) The outline of your Pear represents the Seckle, for which you received 

 it Your description, however, seems rather to belong to the Citron des Curraes which we take it 



to be. 



The Evcrgeen is Juniperus Virginiana, or Red Cedar. 



II. Davis, ( Waten'illc.) Your leather shavings migiit be very serviceable, by being first 

 rendered with Charcoal either as a dressing for fruit trees, or as a fertilizer to land generally. 

 As a mulching for raspberries, etc., they are valuable ; buried in the ground they decay 

 slowly, but surely add to the productiveness of soils. 



■\V. S. — Your specimen leaf is Quercus Macrocarpa, the Over-Cup Oak. 



Brownsville, P.v. 



Mr. Editor: — The Fuchsia can bo cultivated like an ordinary herbaceous plant 

 with very little trouble. I have mentioned this to several amateurs and commercial 

 florists, and as they had never before heard of the fact I presume it is not generally 

 known. Having myself derived much useful information from the Horticulturist, I am 

 induced to offer my miie for the benefit of others. 



In the spring, after all danger of frost is past, I take the plants (when in bloom) (rom 

 the oreen house, and after removing the pots plant them in a suitable border (one rather 

 shaded is preferable) in the flower garden, where I leave them permanently. After frost 

 commences in Autumn I cover them about their roots with spent tan to the depth of 

 ei"-ht or ten inches, which I remove upon the return of nice weather in the Spring. The 

 tops will then be dead, but they will throw up numerous sprouts from their roots which 

 will bloom in great beauty and profusion all summer, viz : from the first week in July 

 until checked by the frost in October or November. I have now several varieties in full 

 bloom, which have been bedded out since April, 1852. The soil in which I grow them is 

 but a good common garden soil. They should of course be watered in dry weather, but 

 require during the summer no greater care than any common border flower. 



It may be as well to add, that I tried the experiment of covering with stable litter, but 

 without success, my plants all perished. Yours, &c., 



Nelson B. Bowman. 



A New Esculent in this Country. — In May last I received from the Agricultural 

 Division of the Patent Ofl&ce, the " Chufas or Earth Almonds," known to botanists under 

 the name of "Cyperus Esculentus," with the following notice of the same: 



" It grows spontaneously in the light humid soils of Spain, and is cultivated in Ger- 

 many and the south of France; If planted in May or June they arc ready to be har- 

 vested in October. They resemble in taste a delicious chestnut or cocoanut, and like 

 them may be eaten raw or cooked. They are chiefly employed for making an orgeat, 

 (orchata de chufas) a delightful, refreshing drink, much used in Spain, Cuba, and other 

 hot climates where it is known. When mashed to a flour, which is white, sweet and very 

 agreeable to the taste, it imparts to water the color and richness of milk. At Almacero 

 and Albarago considerable attention is devoted to the cultivation of this plant, eight acres 

 of land yielding a profit of §3,500 in five months." 



I planted the tubers or bulbs according to the directions accompanying them. They 

 are now growing vigorously, and very easily cultivated, requiring no special care and I 

 have no doubt will be as productive as any vegetable grown in this climate. I hope to 

 have seed enough to plant some two acres of ground next season. It is worthy of culti- 

 vation as an ornamental plant. J. V. McCullough. 



Cincinnati, Oct. 1. 1855. 



