Horticultural Memoranda. 575 



Exhibited. — Fruit: From J. F. Allen, four kinds of grapes. From S. 

 Downer, Jr., fine specimens of Beurre Diel pears. From H. Vandine, fine 

 Glout Morceau and Marie Louise pears. From T. Needham, Reine de 

 Nice and three other kinds of grapes. From E. S. Rand, Cross pears, 

 not mature. From A. Coolidge, Cambridge, pears without name, proved 

 to be the Belle Epine Dumas. From J. Washburn, Sieulle pears, very 

 fine. From D. S. Curtis, Easter Beurr6, and a pear without name, be- 

 lieved to be the Monarch. 



HORTICULTURAL MEMORANDA 



FOR DECEMBER. 



FRUIT DEPARTMENT. 



Grape Vines may now be pruned, performing the operation in unfavora- 

 ble weather when out-door work cannot be done — thus saving valuable 

 time at this busy season of the year. After they are pruned, the old wood 

 should be cleared of the rough and loose bark, and then washed with whale 

 oil soap, diluted to the consistence of thin paint, using a brush so as to 

 fill all the crevices around the eyes, and thus destroy all insects which may 

 lurk in such places ; they may then be laid along the front of the house and 

 loosely tied till such time as the swelling of the eyes foretells the time for 

 again tying them up to the trellis. The borders should now be covered 

 with three or four inches of old manure, adding first a light sprinkling of 

 guano, which will penetrate the ground by the rains of winter. Vines in 

 pots should now be pruned, and then placed away in a cool cellar or shed, 

 out of the way of severe frost. Vines in the open air should now be 

 pruned, and a barrowful of manure applied to each root. 



Fig Trees, in pots, should be pruned, and have the branches washed 

 with whale oil soap, afterwards placing them in a cool place out of danger 

 of severe frost. 



Peach Trees, in pots, should be pruned, and the branches washed as 

 recommended for figs. 



Fruit Trees of all kinds should be protected with a covering of a barrow- 

 ful of coarse manure. 



Strawberry beds should be covered if not already done. 



Raspberry beds should also be protected if not already done. 



Seeds of Fruit Trees should be planted if the ground remains open. 



Scions of pear, apple, cherry, and other fruit trees, may now be cut, 

 placing them in earth, in a cool cellar, till wanted. 



Apple Stocks, for root grafting, should now be taken up and laid in where 

 they can be protected so as to be ready for use in February. 



Seedling Stocks should either be protected with a lightcovering of manure, 

 or be taken up and laid in, in a dry situation. 



Newly Planted Trees in windy localities should be protected by a strong 

 stake to prevent injury to the roots. 



