Jfotes on Gardens and JVurseries. 341 



The warm and dry summer, though unfavorable to some plants, 

 has been highly conducive to the growth of vines of all kinds; 

 and probably such crops of cucumbers, melons, squashes, &.c., 

 were never before seen in the country. Here we found some 

 excellent melons, one in particular, called the Napoleon, which 

 we think a richer variety than we ever tasted. It is a green- 

 fleshed melon, very slightly netted, without ribs and of an oval 

 form, weighing, when a fair specimen, we should judge, about three 

 pounds. Mr. Irish received the seed from England two years 

 since. Another variety we saw, the seeds of which were brought 

 from Smyrna by the Rev. Mr. Pierpont, two or three years since. 

 In the fall of 1836 it nearly perfected a fruit; last year none came 

 to a full growth; but this season there is every hope of its matur- 

 ing in perfection. It is nearly round in form, and quite smooth. 

 It is also a very shy bearer. A long bed of the autumnal mar- 

 row squash was in great perfection; this variety is very generally 

 grown this season. Two beds of salsify, a vegetable too little 

 known, we noticed of fine size, and also four fine rows of Bailey's 

 red and white giant celery, another vegetable just finding its way 

 into cultivation. Salsify is rarely to be found in our market, and 

 so little is it known, that there is scarcely any demand for it. 

 The whole garden we found in good order. 



We hope Dr. Howard wil> erect another house for plants, and 

 devote the present one wholly to grapes. Possessing ample 

 means, and with a taste to appreciate the beauties of a fine col- 

 lection of green-house plants, we should like lo see such a struc- 

 ture added to his garden. It would afford a great deal of pleas- 

 ure; and his example would tend to induce others to erect simi- 

 lar houses. Such a beautiful residence should not be without a 

 green-house well stocked with the choicest varieties of plants. 



Charhstovm Vineyard, JMessrs. JMason. — We made a short 

 call at this place in the early part of August. The garden is not 

 in so good order as we have usually found it: this has, however, 

 in a degree, been owing to the sickness of Mr. Mason, sen., 

 who has been confined to his room all the early part of the sea- 

 son, and has just gained sufficient strength to enable him to walk 

 about, and see to the work which is usuallv done. The Messrs. 

 Mason have taken a piece of ground at East Boston, which they 

 occupy as a vegetable garden, partly with a view of supplying the 

 Maverick house with fresh vegetables and fruits. The constant 

 attention of young Mr. Mason to this garden has not enabled him 

 to give the time heretofore allowed to the vineyard, and under 

 whose labors we always found it in fine condition. 



The numerous houses here devoted to the cultivation of the 

 grape, are producing a very excellent crop. In the longest one, 

 which runs nearly the width of the garden, on the upper part of 

 it, there is a very heavy crop, just beginning to color. Both 



