1882.] 



AND HORTICULTURIST. 



115 



Thus we see that all the hypotheses named by 

 our correspondent may have an influence so far 

 as they bear on this question of vital power. 

 Climate, soil, management, all relate to the 

 question. We could make trees live as long in 

 Illinois as anywhere else, but it would probably 

 be at the expense of something we prize. What 

 we call culture, is usually opposed to abstract 

 laws of health in plants. We want something 

 which nature unaided would not give us, and 

 she insists if we will have it, it shall be only at 

 the expense of something else. It may be that 

 we have the best of it, even with a shortened 

 longevity. This is the practical as against the 

 abstract question.— Ed. G. M.] 



case with much of the fruit this season in New 

 England. On being placed in a box in a very 

 damp cellar, without straw or paper wraps, the 

 fruit has kept nicely, can be brought into eating 

 condition in a few days when exposed to a 

 warmer temperature, and as noted above will 

 keep three months longer than usual. What 

 occasions this is an interesting question. 



Seckel Pears were abundant here this season 

 but not up to the usual standard of excellence, 

 while Sheldon's were fair in form, and of high 

 flavor. 



WINTER NELIS PEAR. 



BY A. HUIDEKOPER, MEADVILLE, PA. 



Several articles have lately appeared in the 

 Gardener's Monthly, with regard to this Pear, 

 which I think is deserving of the notice taken of 

 it. Thirty-six years ago I got a tree of it, with 

 some other kinds, from Messrs. Ellwanger & 

 Barry, and it is now the sole survivor of the lot. 

 I do not mean to say by this that there is any 

 unoccupied space in my little orchard. 



The Nelis has some distinct characteristics. 

 In growth it cannot be called a shapely tree. 

 Some branches shoot upwards, while others have 

 a tendency to droop and become bushy. A pro- 

 per application of the pruning knife is the 

 remedy for this. 



The tree is profuse in its flowering, yet (with 

 me) seldom sets more than a proper amount of 

 fruit. Occasionally a branch or two will require 

 thinning. The fruit matures here at latest period 

 that is safe for it to hang on the tree and escape 

 frost. After being kept five or six weeks it is fit 

 for the table; and may be classified among the 

 finegrained, juicy, sweet varieties, very good, and 

 oftentimes among the best. The predominant 

 color is yellowish green, but many specimens 

 have a rich russet at mellow maturity. It has 

 generally lasted with me until about the 20th of 

 November; and I began to doubt if my tree was 

 the winter or autumn Nelis, until this year, when 

 the fruit promises to keep until the Ist of March. 

 The fruit this season was large, many specimens 

 weighing ten ounces, a larger portion weighing 

 eight. 



The fruit on being placed in a dry room had a 

 tendency to wilt, and this seems to have been the 



EDITORIAL NOTES. 



Catching the Codling Moth with Sweets.— It 

 has been disputed whether the Codling Moth can 

 be caught by sweet liquids in bottles, as wasps 

 are caught. Professor Claypole, of Antioch Col- 

 lege, 0*iio, says he caught some the past year in 

 a sugared dish . 



Birds and the Gardener.— A beautiful paper 

 on our feathered friends was read at the Penn- 

 sylvania State Horticultural Meeting, by S. P. 

 Eby. It created a spirited discussion in which 

 the other side was heard. Few would be with- 

 out the birds, we must have them, should en- 

 courage them, but have to study how to guard 

 ourselves when they become audacious. The 

 European sparrow found many enemies among 

 the speakers ; a few who thought it too soon to 

 decide, and no earnest advocate. 



Silk Culture.— The Women's Silk Culture 

 Exhibit, held in Philadelphia last month, was a 

 very successful one. Instructions for raising the 

 worm and reeling the silk are sent free to any- 

 body. So far as we know there is a ready market 

 for all the raw silk that can be raised, and the 

 prices are fair. Miss. H. Annie Lucas, 1328 

 Chestnut street, is the Corresponding Secretary 

 of the Association. 



Choice Grapes. — By attention to firm and 

 rather dry soil it is now known that almost any 

 kind of true native grape maybe made to thrive 

 in any part of the Union. Loose open soil is 

 unfavorable. 



Newtown Pippin Apple.— Judging by the notes 

 in English papers, it appears that considerable 

 quantities of this variety are yet received in 

 England from America. The general impression 

 here is that it is rapidly giving out. Probably^ 



