Domestic Notices. 281 



air was to be given, increasing in proportion as the season advanced, and 

 the weather became warmer. Particular attention was to be paid to 

 the tying and stopping of the leading and irregular shoots, so as to keep 

 the plants as compact as possible. No definite plans could be laid down 

 for the training of creepers ; trellises of a flat, cylindricel, globular, or 

 balloon shape might all be used with equally good taste, according to 

 the purposes for which they were intended. If this course of treatment 

 were followed, by the end of the second season of their growth they 

 would have attained a size and character worthy of the name of " speci- 

 mens." — Mr. Patterson preferred using potsherds in the soil ; he consid- 

 ered the plants were benefited by them, and that they were required to keep 

 the soil porous and open. Mr. Saul agreed with tr e essayist, as he consid- 

 ered there would be no occasion for the introduction of potsherds if the soil 

 was used as reconimended. — Mr. Scott, Mr. Charles, and Mr. M'Laurin 

 agreed with Mr. Patterson; Mr. Stow, Mr. Walton, Mr. Combes, Mr. 

 Hood, and Mr. Watson coincided with the views of the essayist. A very 

 interesting discussion took place upon the different soils, manures, &c. — 

 {GardJourn., 1848, pp. 198, 199.) 



Art. II. Domestic Notices. 



Bayne''s Extra Early Strawberry — I have the greatest prospect for straw- 

 berries I have ever seen before ; shall be able to test a great many varieties 

 this season. Our season is very late, and almost a month later than I have 

 known. Some varieties of the strawberry are nearly ripe wivh me. But 

 the Extra early variety is nearly one week ahead of all others in the same 

 situation, although with you, or some gentleman near Boston, it proved so 

 late. I think there must have been some mistake. I have Princess Alice 

 Maud, the native Virginia, procured from you ; the Boston Pine, and sev- 

 eral other natives procured from different localities, but find mine decidedly 

 in advance of all. The fruit on the Boston Pine is not near so large at 

 this time as Hovey's Seedling, although in parallel rows, and both and all 

 on a hot south hill-side. They did not come into bloom by several days 

 as early as Hovey's Seedling. I shall, however, watch them all most 

 anxiously, as it is quite a desideratum to procure the earliest varieties. I 

 have never failed to get $ 1 per quart for the first. The Boston Pine is 

 growing with me most luxuriantly in various situations, and promises to 

 produce an abundant crop. I have also several of Prince's Seedlings on 

 trial. The early variety of mine, if cultivated on very rich ground, and a 

 level surface, will prove good for nothing. It seems lo delight in a sandy, 

 gravelly soil, and on southern slopes. — Most respectfully yours, John H. 

 Bayne, Alexandria, Va., May 6, 1848. 



[We have never tried the Extra Early variety raised by our correspond- 

 ent : for, having seen specimens received for it, which were later than the 

 24* 



