JVotcs and Gleanings. 299 



The Solaxum carolinense. — Mr. EOitor : We find in the St. Louis 

 Journal of Agriculture some comments upon our mention of the Solanum 

 caro/inense, or horse nettle, in an article upon " The Solanum as a Decorative 

 Plant," which appeared in your March number. We are at a loss to see in 

 what way the writer disproves our statements, unless, perhaps, in the greater 

 lieight of his specimens — a fact easily accounted for by the superior fertility of 

 western soil. 



We stated it to be " a very pretty plant ; " the writer calls it " a very hateful 

 plant." In the garden it might be the former; but if sufficiently abundant to 

 become a weed, it might be the latter. 



We should be under obligations if our western critic would send us some of 

 the seed. 



But we must settle his doubts as to our knowledge of the plant by directly 

 stating that we know the plant well, having grown it ourselves and frequently 

 seen.it growing elsewhere ; and while he may be glad to be rid of it, we should 

 be glad to receive it. 



While at the South and West it may become " a troublesome weed, if not kept 

 within bounds," as we plainly stated, we have little fear of its ever becoming 

 common in New England. E. S. R., Jr. 



Glen Ridge, April, iS/o. 



Preparation of Grape Borders. — We see in some of our exchanges 

 directions for making borders for grape vines, by forming a bed of rich mould, 

 elevated above the surrounding ground. This can only be necessary where the 

 ground is wet, and no means of draining exists. For all the strong-growing 

 varieties of grape, there is more danger of getting the soil too rich than other- 

 wise. Such weaker-growing kinds as the Delaware may have a richer soil. 



Another fallacy in the article alluded to is, that the large foliage of the grape 

 absorbs moisture from the air. Exactly the contrary of this is true, the evapo- 

 ration being in direct proportion to the leaf surface exposed to the air. 



How MANY Apples and Pears does Downing describe ? — The Hor- 

 ticulturist says three thousand four hundred and twenty apples, and two thousand 

 seven hundred and eighty-six pears. We find about half as many apples, and 

 one third as many pears ; and we suspect that our contemporary has counted the 

 names in the index, including syiioiiytnes as well as standard names. Count 

 again, and see if we are not right. 



Mountain and Valley Fruits. — The Scientific Press says that the 

 mountain fruits of California are universally superior in both quahty and flavor 

 to those raised in the valleys. 



Olives and Lemons in California. — Los Angeles is the centre of the 

 ohve-producing section in California. 



There are ten thousand lemon trees in California, and the fruit sells at from 

 forty to fifty dollars per thousand. 



