APRIL. 285 



two hundred and seventeen bunches, twenty 

 dollars and fifty cents were received ; while 

 in '72, it was May 8th before any were sold ; 

 but the crop was larger and better. If 

 speculators in sugar would only send all 

 families in the country a dozen or more rhu- 

 barb plants, there is no telling what fortunes 

 might be made. I make this saccharine sug- 

 gestion to avert any charge of acidity of style ; 

 but if this hint is followed, and fortunes are 

 made, I shall expect my share, and no investi- 

 gations. 



Quinces can now be set out also to good 

 advantage. Instead of letting them grow into 

 scraggly bushes, it is much better to prune 

 them into shapely pyramidal trees (but please 

 do not inquire into my practice). Currant and 

 gooseberry cuttings can still be put out, as 

 directed, in the fall, or the earth heaped up 



