PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS' CLUB. 47 



the 4tli of July. A few forced berries are secu in the saloons in 

 April. 



Tomatoes. — The first tomatoes are from Bermuda, received this 

 season March 15, but come in sparingly from there until about 

 the 1st of June, and even then are not plenty. Virginia tomatoes 

 begin to be received the 10th of July, and from New Jersey we 

 get this fruit the latter part of the month. Long Island is a great 

 tomato resfion, fillino; the markets from August 1st until October, 

 and frequently through that month. Large quantities are also 

 raised in New Jersey, and the increasing demand yearly calls for 

 an additional number of acres of this fruit, so extensively used raw, 

 stewed and for making catsup, to say nothing of the large amount 

 put up for winter use in air-tight cans and bottles. 



Whortleberries are first received from New Jersey early in July, 

 and following these are the Long Island and up river berries, 

 which extend the season through August and September. 



Cultivation of Flowers. 



Mr. Solon Robinson — The following short descriptions of vari- 

 ous sorts of hardy flowering plants, and time of planting seed, and 

 time of flowering in situations similar to the central part of the 

 State of New York, will greatly assist those who are not already 

 skilled in floriculture. 



I will here remark, that because a plant or flower being new, 

 and sold at a high price, is not always a proof that it is superior 

 to old, long proved sorts. The very fact that a certain flower has 

 been cultivated from generation to generation, is evidence of the 

 esteem in which it has been held, and we still cling to many of 

 those old sorts, though disposed to give the new a fair trial, as 

 they are brought into notice. And here, too, is a reason for caution 

 against planting too many varieties, unless one has ample space 

 and time to care for them. A few kinds, on properly prepared 

 ground, and well cared for, will give much better satisfaction 

 than a great variety hastily put in, and left very much to them- 

 selves after being sown. 



The flowering shrubs, which once set out are good for many 

 years, should not, of course, be neglected ; in fact they are abso- 

 lutely indispensable to make up the flowering season. Those with 

 ample grounds and time to care for them, will, of course, extend 

 the list. 



But before selecting, a few words about sowing seeds in general. 

 Nature scatters flower and other seeds upon the ground by frosts 



