1846.] Draining — Preservation of Fruits. 301 



or early in the spring. The perfect insect is sometimes found 

 upon the native Rubus villosus, which renders it probable that 

 this genus of plants constitutes the natural food of the larva. 



DRAINING BY SMALL PIPES. 



The practice which is getting into fashion of draining lands by 

 small pipes, those of an inch bore for example, seems to us to be 

 of questionable utility. The expense of ditching, and of securing 

 properly the perfection of the whole work warrants the utmost 

 care in securing the ultimate object, that of a free underground 

 passage, which will admit of the escape of the water at all sea- 

 sons, and which will not be liable to obstructions by the entrance 

 of a mouse or some other small object, which may happen to get 

 into the tube. When deep draining is an object, it is of still greater 

 consequence to have a large and free passage, especially in clay 

 lands, for in these cases the percolation of water through the pas- 

 sage must always, under all circumstances, be slow, and unless 

 the rapidity of the descent of the water through the compact 

 ground be promoted, the benefits of the drainage will not be fully 

 obtained. Hence, while farmers are incurring the expense of a 

 deep ditch, it is not best on economical grounds, to attempt to 

 save a little by contracted, narrow pipes, which will be liable to 

 be clogged by slight obstructions. 



PRESERVATION OF FRUITS. 



Two essential points require attention in preserving fruits: 1. 

 An equable and cool temperature. 2. A dry atmosphere. As it 

 regards the effects of frequent changes, experience proves that few 

 organic bodies can resist decay under changing circumstances. 

 A cool atmosphere is best adapted to the integrity of composition. 

 A diy atmosphere also preserves organic bodies from decay. 

 This is exemplified in some parts of Texas and South America, 



