22 



EdUonal Notes. 



as a carriage-way, while underneath, at both 

 right and left hand arches, is room for foot 

 passers or horsemen — the path leading along 

 the banks of the little stream. 



From the lower side of the bridge is 

 caught a pretty glimpse of the glen and the 

 waterfall, from the Pool, and may be con- 

 sidered as the most delightful scenes of the 

 park. The bridge is lined underneath to 

 prevent dripping of moisture from the road 

 above, and here, by the sides of the path, 

 are placed seats, affording a cool retreat in 

 the heat of summer, for the visitor. 



This is but the first of other sketches, 

 which we will present in due time, of the 

 beauties of this famous park. 



Neiv and Desirable Evergreens. 



We have been aware for some time past 

 that several new and very desirable varieties 

 of evergreens were being propagated quietly 

 in Geneva, New York, waiting for a favor- 

 able time for introduction. This time seems 

 to have arrived, for no lover of horticulture 

 can have failed to notice the unmistakable 

 evidence of a public desire to plant more 

 ornamental stock, and a greater interest in 

 new and desirable sorts. Several of these 

 new evergreens are now brought to light for 

 the first time, as appears by descriptions 

 just forwarded us by T. C. Maxwell & Bros. 



Peaches in the SotttJi, 



The convention of fruit growers at At- 

 lanta this fall gave pretty direct decisions 

 respecting the quality of Smock, Salway 

 and Picquet's late peaches. The standing 

 fruit committee, composed of seven mem- 

 bers, decided that the quality of the Smock 

 is much below the lowest standard of admis- 

 sion, and rejected it as too acid and too dry 

 in texture. Salway was classed as good, 

 but rather small, flesh sweet and fair flavor. 

 Picquet's was classed as best, flesh vinous, 

 highly flavored, melting, stone small, and 

 fruit of regular and very large size, and of 

 superior quality. Commenting on the ver- 

 dict, Mr. Berckmans, the accomplished 

 Southern horticulturist, says : " As the 

 Picquet has become very popular wherever 



cultivated, we are gratified in having an op- 

 portunity to add this official report of its 

 transcendent merits." 



Clouds, to Vrotect front Frost, 



It seems that, in Southern France, means 

 have been used to prefect grapes from early 

 frost by producing artificial clouds. Small 

 cauldrons of coal-tar are placed a short dis- 

 tance from each other, and about 260 yards 

 from the vines, in the direction of the wind. 

 As soon as there are signs of " Jack's " ap- 

 pearance, the tar is ignited and allowed to 

 burn until an hour after sunrise, the vessels 

 being changed with the wind. Thus the 

 wine-makers secure what the Concord Sage 

 calls "a Cubtin climate for their clusters." 

 Similar experiments were tried in some por- 

 tions of the United States many years ago, 

 and always with conspicuous success when 

 judiciously conducted. Where tar is not 

 available, or too costly, brushwood, or any 

 similar rubbish which will make a low, 

 smoldering fire and emit a dense smoke, 

 may be used in its place. 



Orchids. 



George Such recommends persons just 

 becoming interested in the subject to pur- 

 chase fine plants only. For instance, eight 

 dollars or ten dollars for a Cattleya would 

 give to most men more satisfaction than 

 the purchase of twenty Orchids of inferior 

 quality. Another writer mentions that 

 what in Europe is called one of the best 

 Orchids — Cypripedium Villosum — belongs 

 to a class which generally will grow in a 

 cool greenhouse almost as well as gerani- 

 ums or any common plant. One of these, 

 at a public exhibition in Brussels, is spoken 

 of as having been " the finest in the whole 

 show ; a grand specimen, beautifully 

 bloomed with upward of fifty flowers, and 

 the deserved recipient of the first prize." 



Western Neiv York Horticultnral Society. 



The annual meeting of this society, to be 

 held January 7 and 8, will be interesting, 

 and elicit a great fund of practical informa- 

 tion. 



