Horticultural Memoranda. 479 



quently filled, at different periods, the offices of Representative and Sena- 

 tor in the Congress of the United States, and Spealcer of the House of Rep- 

 resentatives, and Governor of his native state. 



But, however extensive and enduring may be his fame by virtue of his 

 many exalted stations and great public services, his name is probably des- 

 tined to a wider notoriety, and to be handed down further to coming gen- 

 erations, in connection with his pomological labors. 



In the fall of 1817, and the following spring, Governor Edwards planted 

 the seeds of pears, with the design of obtaining new and superior varieties 

 of this fruit. In doing so, he selected the seeds of the best which couM be 

 procured, including many sorts, but the number was then very limited com- 

 pared with our day. 



This being the first systematic attempt of the kind in this country, as far 

 as the writer is informed, was regarded by some of his neighbors with rid- 

 icule, while the more considerate of them considered it but a doubtful ex- 

 periment. The result of the project is no longer conjectural : of some forty 

 or more healthy bearing trees thus produced, a large proportion are valuable 

 varieties. Some proved worthless ; several rate highly for culinary pur- 

 poses ; while others are destined to take a high rank as table fruits. Of 

 the latter, may be mentioned the Calhoun, Elizabeth, Dallas, Henrietta, 

 Citron, and some others ; several of which have been described in horticul- 

 tural periodicals, and in the Fruits and Fruit Trees of America by Mr. 

 Downing. So propitious a result has already had its natural influence on 

 other cultivators in his vicinity, many of whom have, for several years past, 

 been following his example of raising pears and other fruits from the seed. 



New Haven, September, 1847. D. 



[Our readers will remember our descriptions and engravings of most of the 

 above fine sorts, and we are gratified in being able to offer so just a tribute 

 to the pomological labors of Mr. Edwards. — Ed.] 



HORTICULTURAL MEMORANDA 



FOR OCTOBER. 



FRUIT DEPARTMENT. 



Grape Vines, in the cold houses, will now be nearly ripe, and will need 

 less attention ; the principal care required being to keep the house thor- 

 oughly ventilated in all good weather, guarding against damp, which occa- 

 sionally, at this period of the year, is troublesome : all the young and super- 

 fluous laterals may now be cut out, leaving only the wood which is fully 

 ripe, to be shortened in at the winter pruning in December. Vines in green- 

 houses will now have matured their wood and about finished their growth : 

 pick up all dried or decayed leaves, and prune off all young unripe laterals, 

 leaving only the mature growth. Keep the house open day and night in 

 good weather. 



