1876.] 



AND HOB TIG UL TUB 1ST. 



145 



the inner surface of the calyx-tube, and it is on 

 the position they occupy that the fourth charac- 

 ter of this system is founded. On examining a 

 number of different varieties of Apples it will be 

 Been that the stamens are not always in the same 

 position. Some will form a fringe immediately 

 under or near the base of the segments, and 

 these I call marginal. Others occupy a midway 

 position between the margin and the base, and 

 these are called median ; and a third are situated 

 near the base, which are termed basal. 



Taking the position of the stamens as my 

 fourth great division, we have, — 1, Stamens mar- 

 ginal ; 2, Stamens median ; and 3, Stamens basal. 

 To prolong the subdivisions even beyond this 

 point to which we have arrived, we can have, — 

 1, calyx-tube short conical, and deep conical. 

 Then we can have short funnel-shaped, and long 

 funnel-shaped. These may again be further di- 

 vided into — 1, Fruit round, roundish, or oblate ; 

 and 2, Fruit conical, oblong, or ovate. 



I have already called attention to the change- 

 ableness of the characters in some varieties ; how 

 in the cases of the eye and the cells some exhibit 

 them open or closed, or intermediate between 

 the two ; also in the interchangeable form of the 

 calyx-tube and the positions of the stamens. In 

 my classification I have provided against any 

 confusion arising from this cause, and have given 

 additional references when a variety is to be 

 found in more than one division. For example, 

 in Scarlet Nonpareil the eye is sometimes open 

 and sometimes closed, though the calyx-tube is 

 alwaj's short funnel-shaped, and the stamens 

 marginal. This variety is therefore placed in 

 class 1, section 2 (|§), and division 1 (f) ; but to 

 provide for the case of the eye being closed, it is 

 entered thus — "Scarlet Nonpareil iii., ^^, f," show- 

 ing that it is also found in class iii., section 2, and 

 division 1. 



It is important that perfect specimens of fruit 

 be used when the classification is applied, and 

 especially that the eyes be perfect; and to ob- 

 serve the calyx-tube correctlyj the longitudinal 

 section should be made ' directly through the 

 centre." 



the ordinary Duchess, and of a peculiarly pleas- 

 ing orange color. It is a seedling from the 

 Duchess. 



Alexander Peach. — Messrs. Silva & Sons, of 

 California, excellent judges of peaches, write thut 

 the Alexander ripens with them two weeks ear- 

 lier than Early Beatrice, and is one-third larger, 



Briggs' Red May Peach. — This is becoming 

 the popular early Peach in California, and is 

 found superior to Early Beatrice. 



The Wealthy Apple Tree — is a native of 

 Minnesota; raised by Peter M. Gideon, from 

 seed obtained at Bangor, Maine, and planted by 

 him about thirteen years ago ; has stood the win- 

 ters of Minnesota uninjured ; as hardy as Siber- 

 ian Crab; growth thrifty, and good shape; the 

 apple a large red ; pleasant tart ; late fall and 

 early winter. 



Mr. 0. F. Brand, of Faribault, Minnesota, says: 

 " The Wealthy is undoubtedly the most valuable 

 tree that has been produced the last half cen- 

 tury." 



The Norman Strawberry — is reported to ua 

 by some friends in the West, to be a new seedling 

 of promising character. 



NEW FRUITS & VEGETABLES. 



PiTMASTON Duchess Pear. — This is the subject 

 of a colored plate in the Febniary Florist and 

 Pomologist. As represented, it is narrower than 



QUERIES. 



Sterling Strawberry. — Mr. Elliott saya; 

 " Your April number has just come to hand, as 

 usual full of practical, as well as scientific mat- 

 ter. I note that I have been quoted as having 

 written a flattering notice of the Sterling Straw- 

 berry. Please, I herewith send you the copy of 

 what I did write, touching that and one or two 

 more Strawberries. I am oft accused of praising 

 varieties, but just here, let me say, the man who 

 can prove that I have favored any one new fruit, 

 without a qualification, or remarks touching its 

 success, has got to look sharp over my notes on 

 fruits. 



" Neiv Stratvberries. — I am indebted to Matthew 

 Crawford, East Cleveland, Cuyahoga Co., 0., for 

 samples of seedling strawberries, that are in 

 themselves truly beautiful in form and color, 

 and superior in quality. Of their productiveness 

 I have only to give Mr. Crawford's statement, 

 which is that they equal any other sort. The 

 three best, Mr. Crawford has named, respectively, 

 Mary White, Sterling, and Margaret. 



