Notes and Gleanings. 227 



run. Only four or five }'ears to wait, and then they are safe for all time. Let us 

 all set about growing seedling rhododendrons, and enrich our grounds with these 

 magnificent varieties. 



Mr. Bviiigto/i's Method of Pruning Grape Vines. — I don't know when we 

 are going to get this subject of grape culture and pruning settled. I have more 

 than half a mind not to say a word about it until it is settled ; and then I should 

 never say anything at all ! But we must advance to its settlement one step at a 

 time, and I think that Mr. Underhill's statement of the theory in reference to 

 the advantages of June over fall or winter pruning throws a good deal of light 

 on it. 



Bresce's N^o. 7 Potato. — Mr. Bresee's seedling potatoes — nearly all of 

 which have been not only well described, but finely illustrated in this Journal — 

 are now fairly in the hands of the public, and the coming season will probably 

 determine their comparative value. It can hardly be expected that all will equal 

 the Early Rose, and no cultivator should be disappointed if they do not. Indeed 

 were the remaining numbers originated by Mr. Bresee to prove utter failures, we 

 have in the Early Rose an acquisition which, in my opinion, has not been equalled 

 by any kind brought to notice since the introduction of the Jackson White. I 

 predict, however, that among Mr. Bresee's seedhngs the Rose will not take the 

 lead in quality, whatever it may do in being early or productive. We shall see. 



Let me add one word by way of entreaty. I beg of the dealers in thesepotatoes 

 not to be tempted, by the high prices some of the sorts may readily command, 

 to substitute one number for another, or to sell a spurious tuber for the genuine. 

 Let them all go out honestly ; and let them be carefully put up, that no possible 

 error be committed in the name. The trial will then be fair and just, and the 

 result a true guide for future selection. 



Peach Rot. — Like all Mr. Earle's papers, this is on a most important subject, 

 and goes right to the point. The whole secret of success is stated in two lines. 

 But what I like best is his last paragraph. If you don't recollect it, get out the 

 last number again, and read it over till you learn it by heart. Labor and expense 

 is the price of having fruit of any kind, and every day this truth is more and 

 more strongly enforced. 



Dr. Wylie^s Experimejits in Hybridizing the Grape have certainly brought 

 out some curious and interesting facts. If we can't fertilize the Scuppernong 

 with Vinifera and Labrusca, why, we must hybridize them with Scuppernong ; 

 and I fully agree with Dr. Wylie, that we may expect some novelties from these 

 crosses. I have had the satisfaction to taste some of the varieties which the 

 doctor has already produced ; and though some of them are very remarkable, I 

 shall look for still more extraordinary results when the new element of Scupper- 

 nong blood is infused into the species hitherto most cultivated. 



The Cordon System. — Yes, Mr. Editor, you are exactly right in your estimate 

 of this system. It would be of no use for a man with acres upon acres of or- 

 chards and thousands of trees to " putter " with cordons ; but if an amateur 

 could plant a few in place of his unproductive edgings, thereby gaining many 

 dozens of fine pears, who wouldn't do it ? Bismarck. 



