234 Notes and Gleanings. 



The " Patrons of Husbandry." — We are informed that this new order 

 is slowly but surely increasing, and promises to be of general interest to all 

 who are engaged in the dissemination of knowledge, and in cultivating the pro- 

 ductions of the earth. 



We have received the address delivered by our correspondent, William Saun- 

 ders, Master of the National Grange, at the close of the third annual session, 

 February 4, 1870. Mr. Saunders says that the basis of the order is to increase 

 the productions of the earth by increasing the knowledge of the producer, for 

 this purpose freely using the valuable results of scientific investigation in estab- 

 lishing principles. One of the first duties of every grange is to form a good 

 library, well supplied with elementary works on the various branches of science, 

 preference being given to treatises on principles and fundamental laws. 



Social relaxation from every-day duties and toils is inculcated and encouraged 

 by the order. To make country homes and country society attractive, refined, 

 and enjoyable, is part of its mission and aim. To these ends the admission of 

 woman to full membership is proving of incalculable value. 



The secret ceremony of initiation of members has been objected to by some ; 

 but it is claimed that the discipline necessary to secure permanent organization 

 could not be secured by any other means. 



Suggestions of great moment are constantly being presented, not the least of 

 which is that of cooperation in every branch of rural economy, valuable alike to 

 the producer and the consumer. This is a subject requiring and receiving care- 

 ful and cautious consideration ; so that, while members of the order are protect- 

 ed, the rights of others will not be infringed, but all will be benefited. 



The Sieulle Pear. — Our opinion has been asked in regard to the value 

 of this variety for general cultivation. We believe this question may be an- 

 swered by the statement that while occasionally very large and handsome speci- 

 mens are produced, it has never gained a foothold as a standard variety. There 

 are one or two strong objections to it — it is deficient in flavor, and quite apt to 

 blow off the tree. Its brilliant color is an advantage, and in this respect it is 

 superior to the Lawrence, with which it ripens ; but in quality and in regular 

 bearing it is quite inferior, and we would sooner plant two trees of Lawrence, 

 than one of Lawrence and one of Sieulle. 



The Bottle Greening Apple. — We have just been eating (Feb. i) some of 

 the last specimens of this fine apple, of which a full description and engraving 

 were given in our volume i., p. 357. Its most striking characteristic is its ex- 

 tremely tender, almost melting, flesh, excelling, in this respect, any other apple 

 of its season. It cannot be relied on to keep beyond the end of January. 



Figs. — P. J. Berckmans, in the Proceedings of the American Pomological 

 Society, recommends the following varieties of figs for cultivation in Georgia, 

 viz. : Angclique, Brunswick, Black Genoa, Black Ischia, Celestial, Green Ischia, 

 Jaune Hative, Lemon, Violet, long ; Violet, round ; Nerii, Prequesta, White 

 Marseilles, Superfin de la Saussaye, Turkey. 



