Domestic Notices. 279 



Planting Pincses. — I am glad to see you urge on planters the propriety 

 of disengaging and spreading out the roots of Pinus and otlier trees which 

 have been reared in pots ; had such been done in every case where these 

 trees were planted years ago, we sliould not have to lament the condition 

 many of them are in at tlie present day. Only a Aveek or two ago I had a 

 fine plant of Pinus Montezuma twelve or fifteen feet Iiigh, very strong and 

 well furnished ; but it had evidently been just turned out of a pot, and the coil 

 of roots thus formed had just been planted so. The consequence was, that 

 as the tree advanced in growth, this coil becoming likewise elongated, and 

 requiring room, gradually elevated the collar of the plant above the ground ; 

 to remedy which, soil was added, until a perfect mound was formed on 

 which it stood. Fastenings were also put in requisition ; but these are at 

 best unsightly things, and always perishable ; besides, it is no easy matter 

 to secure a top-heavy tree, and the consequence was that one windy night 

 our tree was blown down. Now this is not a solitary case. I have several 

 more which I dread will suffer in a similar way, though none of them show 

 the evils of the system of planting so much as this one. Had tlie roots 

 of all been carefully unfolded and spread out in different directions at their 

 full length, they would have acted as so many stays or braces, against which 

 tlie elements could have but little power. — [Gard. Jour., 1852, p. 212.) 



Art. II. Domestic JVotices. 



National Agricultural Convention. — A circular has been issued 

 by the Presidents of various Agricultural Societies, in the different states, 

 calling a Convention, to be held at Washington, on the 24th of the present 

 month ; and they invite delegations from the various societies to meet at 

 that time. 



The objects of the Convention " are to organize a National Agricultural 

 Society, to which the various societies will be auxiliary ; to consult together 

 upon the general good, and to establish by this Society, or such other 

 means as the Convention may devise, a more cordial and widely extended 

 intercourse between agriculturists in our own country, and other lands ; to 

 create additional facilities for the acquisition and diffusion of knowledge 

 by books, journals, seed, and other objects of interest to the American 

 farmer and gardener ; and to act on such matters pertaining to the ad- 

 vancement of agriculture as the wisdom of the Convention may judge ap- 

 propriate." 



Societies intending to send delegates, will please transmit a list at an 

 early date to D. Lee, M. D., Agricultural Department of the Patent Office, 

 Washington. Signed M. P. Wilder, H. Wager, J, C. Gray, and nine 

 other gentlemen, Presidents of various State Agricultural Societies. 



The New York State Agricultural Society will hold its next 

 annual fair in Utica, on the 7th, 8th, 9th, and lOtli days of September next. 

 A list of the premiums has been published, but we have no room for its 

 insertion. The prizes are liberal in the flower, fruit and vegetable depart- 



