Horticultural Memoranda for October. 399 



the soil, the ground is much dryer than we have known it any previous 

 autumn, for some j^ears. It is nearly two months since any rain fell 

 which did any good to the earth; consequently some crops have suffer- 

 ed, though generally, we believe, they have not been injured; corn, 

 beans, squashes, &,c., have ripened much better than if the ground had 

 been saturated with wet, and the plants kept in a more active state of 

 vegetation. Late crops of potatoes have probably suffered the most: 

 turnips planted late Avill not be of very large size. In the country and 

 vicinity grass feed is remarkably short — in some light soils completely 

 dried up. Light frosts have been experienced in some cold localities, 

 but we believe have not done much injury. 



Potatoes come in rather slower than usual at this season, undoubtedly 

 from the cause above mentioned; prices have, however, fallen since our 

 last: large shipments have been made for the Southern market: sweet 

 come to hand in tolerable quantities, and very good. Beets and carrots 

 are abundant and very fine. Horseradish begins to come in. Cabbages, 

 of the earlier kinds, are plenty, but Drumheads have not yet been re- 

 ceived: the appearance now is that they will not be so large as usual. 

 Cauliflow'ers and brocolis come to hand in quantities to supply all de- 

 mand; some of the latter w-ere the finest we haveever seen, weighing from 

 four to six pounds each. Lima and sieva beans are very scarce. Celery 

 comes in now of excellent qualitj'. Peppers rather scarce and prices 

 higher, as are also cucumbers for pickling. Squashes of all sorts are 

 abundant: the autumnal marrows are now to be found in the mai'ket; 

 this is a superb squash: Limas are also very good this j'ear. 



Fruit is generally plentiful; Porter apj^les are exceedingly beautiful 

 this year: common sorts are abundant. Pears were never so abundant, 

 nor the market supplied with such fine varieties — beautiful Capiaumonts, 

 (so called,) Andrews, Fultons, &,c.; these sorts, two years since, could 

 only be bought by the dozen — they are now to be had in almost any 

 quantity. Plums, of some kinds, are yet to be had. Peaches raised in 

 the vicinity of Boston, have been received, though not in very large 

 quantities, but they have been very fine: New York peaches also come 

 to hand. Watermelons scarce and poor. Pine-a])ples scarce. Grapes 

 quite abundant; Isabellas not quite ripe. Cranberries are received in 

 abundance, and considerable quantities have been shipped already, — 

 Yours, M. T.. Boston, Sept. 22, 1837. 



HORTICULTURAL MEMORANDA 



FOR OCTOBER. 



FRUIT DEPARTMENT. 



Grape vines, in the green-house or grapery, will now continue to 

 need some attention: as soon as all the fruit is cut, the main shoots for 

 producing fruit the next season should be pruned of all laterals, so as 

 to leave straight smooth canes, unless the object is to train them on the 

 spur system. All dead, yellow or half dried leaves should be picked 

 from the plants, and the shoots tied in, at a good distance from each 

 other, that they may have all the benefit of the sun and air, to ripen 

 well. Isabella vines, in the ojien air, may be divested of some of their 



