538 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. 



Nothing is lively around it but the evergreens, and no plant 

 puts forth its blossoms after this, unless some flower of spring 

 should peep out unseasonably from under the protection of 

 some sunny knoll. The evergreens are now in all their 

 beauty, and we search the fields in vain for aught but the 

 presages of winter. 



^tiural |lotici:s. 



The Stanwick Nectarine. — Tho time ia evidently at hand when the 

 true position of the Stanwick Nectarine among fruits of its kind will be 

 determined beyond all cavil. When first ripened in this country its quality 

 was admitted by some of the first judges, to whom the duty of tasting it was 

 confided, to be unapproached for richness of flavor. If we mistake not, our 

 own statement was that it ranked among nectarines as the Greengage ranks 

 among plums. 



When, however, other samples of the fruit, in another season, were sent 

 from Stanwick they were declared to be, what in truth they were, no better 

 than an EIruge, if so good. They were not properly ripened. Afterwards, 

 when the fruit began to be borne by the trees propagated from the cele- 

 brated tree at Stanwick they were still found to be destitute of the high 

 qualities first ascribed to the variety, and it was also discovered that the 

 fruit was apt to crack before ripening. 



Last year, however, rumors began to prevail that the fruit was getting 

 more like its original state, and that cracking was not a necessary accom- 

 paniment of its maturition. And now the experience of Mr. M'Ewen, the 

 Duke of Norfolk's skilful gardener at Arundel, has come to the support of 

 the original reputation of the variety. He says it yet will realize the high 

 expectations entertained of it ; and we repeat that the specimens just sent 

 from Arundel still show it to be among Nectarines what the Greengage is 

 among Plums. To that description we adhere without reserve. 



As to cracking, Mr. M'Ewen pooh poohs what we said about it, as he 

 very well may. Stone fruits crack because they receive more water than 

 they can digest or throw off by evaporation. There is no other cause what- 

 ever for the malady, unless the skin is dead, which is not the case with the 

 beautiful and clear-skinned Stanwick. The remedy is less water and more 

 heat, or both ; the commonest sort of common sense tells that. 



We therefore feel justified in reasserting the admirable quality of this 

 variety, and in regarding it as a real horticultural treasure. It has but one 

 fault, that of requiring, when ripening, more heat than the inferior sorts 

 found in everybody's garden. — {Gard. Chron., 1855, p. 531.) 



Protecting Roses. — Roses blossom better in the summer, if they can be 

 preserved without injury in the ground ; hence it is desirable to leave them 

 there, if possible. The very best protection that can be given tender roses, 



