JVotcs and Gleanings. 301 



Effect of Soil on Fruits, etc. — Mr. Editor : Allow me to say how 

 much pleasure and profit I derive from a reperusal of my bound volumes of the 

 Journal of Horticulture. When a youth, I acquired that intoxicating passion for 

 novel and romance reading which only those who have experienced it can realize ; 

 but I can truly say that the pure, pleasurable emotion in going over the articles 

 of special interest in these volumes is equal to that of youth, while the benefit 

 and approval of a satisfied conscience are immeasurably greater. 



If any of your subscribers have back volumes unbound, let them try my plan, 

 and see if the result is not pleasant and profitable. 



I consider that the truest test of merit in any book or periodical is the interest 

 or profit with which it may be read as years elapse from the time of its publica- 

 tion. By this mark judge the Journal of Horticulture, and it can lose nothing 

 of esteem. 



To be sure, we find that one article may conflict with another, one pet theory 

 is overturned by another, and that in its turn must stand its chance of being 

 finally replaced. But this is a world in which we are to dig, and seek for light, 

 each in his own best way, and compare results, to be gathered up, classified, and 

 fitted for use. 



Now, I am doing my part in the horticultural work, only in a very small way ; 

 yet I think I find some truths, and sometimes those that clash with the views of 

 others. 



Is there not wanting more light, especially on the causes that produce such a 

 difference in the quality of the same kind of fruit ? I have an Israella vine in 

 bearing that gives the sweetest and every way the best fruit I have ever tasted 

 of native American production. A near neighbor has one of the same lot (from 

 Dr. Grant), the fruit of which is perfectly disgusting. The owner described it 

 as " catty," and explained that it tasted as a cat smelt. 



My vine was planted in an artificial bed, composed mostly of old bones and 

 ashes (a long time soaking together) and garden loam. His was in a very rich 

 black loam garden. My vine is not so stout as his, and has had more pruning, 

 though not so close as some. It is protected on the north and west by a brick 

 building, getting less of easterly rains, and also much less sun, than his. 



Now you have all that I can see which essentially varies the condition of the 

 two vines ; and can you tell what makes the great diflference in the fruit ? I do 

 not state these facts as anything unusual ; but a solution of them may be of 

 material service. 



My neighbor has been longer in the grape line, and has a variety of bearing 

 vines. I tasted of them all — Concords, Rogers's Hybrids, Hartford Prolific, 

 Northern Muscadine, Delaware, etc., but not one besides the last that I con- 

 sidered eatable. 



It is easy to see that if he were to write about grapes, he would pronounce the 

 Israella the poorest of tliem all, his others being all eatable, in his estimation, if 

 not fine. 



I am persuaded that nothing is more fallacious than forming an opinion on 

 the merits of fruit, etc., by one trial, or under only one set of circumstances. 

 And a remembrance of this fact would often save the sometimes amusing, if not 



