JANUARY. 7 



given, must be our stock of knowledge in reference to the 

 qualities of the newer pears. The Lawton blackberry has 

 attracted much attention the past season, and appears now to 

 have become an established favorite equally with the Im- 

 proved High Bush : the fruit has been grown to a large 

 size, and its different form, as Avell as fine quality, render 

 it valuable even to those who cultivate the former fine sort. 

 The accidental production of two such varieties in their 

 native pastures, shows how much may be expected from this, 

 as well as other fruits, when they are subjected to the process 

 of artificial hybridization. Dr. Kirtland's new cherries have 

 not yet fruited much in the Eastern States, but the few that 

 have, give promise of great excellence. 



FLORICULTURE. 



The cultivation of Plants, to a higher state of perfection 

 than heretofore, is gradually becoming more general — slowly 

 it is true — but nevertheless to such a degree as to render the 

 improvement very apparent. Our amateur collections now 

 abound in many fine specimens, and the collections of our 

 nurserymen are scarcely considered complete unless they pos- 

 sess some samples of skilful cultivation. It is, in fact, with 

 our plant dealers that good cultivation should begin ; for if it 

 is not seen here, how will those who purchase know to what 

 perfection plants may be brought ? It may be said that the 

 nurseryman has but little time to attend to plant growing, 

 his object being to supply a stock for others to cultivate. 

 We know that this is the general impression, but still in the 

 present condition of plant culture, such an excuse is not suf- 

 ficient ; and it has been the great drawback to a more ex- 

 tended cultivation of many of our finest plants. If purchasers 

 see nothing attractive, they find little inducement to buy; but 

 if, on the contrary, they see fine specimens of any particular 

 plant, they are more eager to possess them, and exercise their 

 skill in trying to equal or surpass them. Our Horticultural 

 Societies can do much to increase the taste for fine speci- 

 mens, by the offer of very liberal premiums for their exhibi- 

 tion. It is to the efforts of the Horticultural Society of Lon- 



