220 



l\ E W E N Cl I , A N I) F A U 1M F K 



JAM'ARV 



m, ir.-4. 



Ft inn I e an tif/tei * t «a»niiHt. 

 RELATIONS OP LIGHT TO THE DISPLAY OP 

 FLOWERS, &c. 



The following observations >>■ ■ the subject "I 

 K"ht, more especially with reference to the kind ol 

 1i"lit best adapted to the displaying of fliiwcis, 

 have originated in the strikingly different effect 

 produced l>y two exhibition* of plants and flower.- 

 whirh I lately saw: one collection exhibited in • 

 room generally supposed to he iidinirnlily calcula- 

 ted for such it purpose, received no light lint from 

 the roof or dome, and tli.it .-of . neil Ify shades ; tin 

 other, shown in u large, merely wliitowaslieil room, 

 into which the hroad glare of daylight is admitted 



I'V several windows along die sides of the i I. 



I have heard many remark how iriueh more liril- 

 liant, striking and fresh the plants in the latter ap- 

 peared, although they could not suppose they win 

 in reality more so than the plants in the oilier; Inn 

 I have not heard any one attempt to account fm 

 this difference. I think (if I may he allowed such 

 a privilege) that the very superior effect of tin 

 plants in the latter place arose from their receiving 

 the light in a simple inartificial manner. I have 

 never considered the subject lie fore with regard to 

 flowers, lint, from former observations on the etii cl 

 produced on different objects by a descending light, 

 lam of opinion that all kinds of forms should re- 

 ceive the light as nearly on a level with themselves 

 as convenient. The most striking proof of the 

 truth of this notion may be educed from the fact, 

 that, since our theatres have been lighted by gas 

 from the ceiling, the houses have a much less bril- 

 liant appearance, and the shadows thrown on tin 

 countenances of the audience detract very much 

 from the beauty and from the expression of tin 

 whole dress circles. The same objection extends 

 to sculpture ; which fact, it is probable, has been 

 generally ascertained, as I have Seldom seen it ex- 

 hibited ill such a light. For the public display ol 

 paintings, a subdued light from above is for many 

 reasons, perhaps, the best ; but for private coll' c- 

 tions, where no taste or interest but the proprietor's 

 has to be consulted, a gallery or saloon proportion- 

 ed to the size ami number of the pictures, where 

 the light is admitted horizontally, ami veiled 01 

 not at pleasure, has many advantages. The iff. its 

 of light and shade produced by the receding mists 

 of morning, the gay and sunny rays of noon, m 

 the sobered line of twilight, give a variety ami 

 reality to the objects, which is seldom observed in 

 the usual mode of exhibition. Still, painting and 

 other works of art, in which will always he found 

 more or less of imperfection, may occasionally de- 

 rive great advantages from the mode of lighting 

 usually adopted. Architecture, however perfect, 

 uever looks so grand and beautiful as in twilight 

 or moonlight. On the other hand, no light is toe 

 strong for a line landscape, or for flowers, the love- 

 liest productions of nature : they require no artifi- 

 cial means either to enhance their beauties, or veil 

 their imperfections. I do not know if I have made 

 myself clear ; but I mean to imply, generally, that 

 the beauties of nature should be exhibited without 

 eny artificial means; works of ait according to 

 'heir form, &c. and the particular object the artist 

 has in view. Anon. 



[We agree entirely with the general sentiments 

 expressed by our correspondent, viz. that brilliant 

 Objects like flowers .should ho displayed under tie 

 full influence of bright light, received not only from 

 above, but from the sides; paintings, on the con- 

 trary, are seen to the greatest advantage where the 



iglit proceeds chiefly front above, as any one may 

 observe by looking. at the pictures in a room where 

 .be windows are down in tbe ground. — Conil. G. J)L] 



F.fni llu American Farmer. 

 GRAPEVINES, SCUPPERNONG AND OTIIEItS. 



From several lelteissent us by a much esteemed 

 I Viet id in North Carolina, we liave extracted tin 

 following observations relating to grapevines, In 

 lie being a practical farmer, who gives great inten- 

 tion to the ctlllivati f the vine, wild a view to 



the making of wine. He has obligingly promised 

 us for a future nu ruber, a more ample chapter on 

 his practice and experience. He will also send us 

 for sale, a lew of the vines of the various kinds 

 Inre mentioned, and others in time for spring plant- 

 ing, of which we will give due notice when received. 



The following remarks were not writ tell for pub- 

 icatiou, but occur casually in many parts of bis 

 ■ tisinoss letters; but IIS they seem to us worth I x- 

 tractiug for the benefit of our readers, we have 

 ventured to take this liberty, for which we hope he 

 will excuse us. 



" The sen ppernnng vine will not commonly grow 

 from cuttings; a latter, nay, the best method of 

 propagating it, is by burying tin- branches, leaving 

 one bud or more above gnu ml in wet weather du- 

 r ng the spring and siiinn er, they are then well 

 r loted by ibe following tall. Those who have not 

 witnessed this method, would he surprised on see- 

 ing to what size the roots will grow in one season, 

 frequently from two to four feet ling, appearing 

 is if at least two years old. i-'oine which were 

 .bus planted in the spring, having one bud above 

 ground, grew by fall to 8, 10, .and more feet in 

 length, mid the following season produced some 

 fruit. Scupperiiong vines Inn ieg even the smallest 

 root, will always grow on being transplanted ; in- 

 deed it seems nearly immaterial whether they have 

 one or many large or small roots." 



" 1 have two varieties of the scupperiiong, the 

 white and the black, mostly the former which is 

 the genuine variety, or that principally cultivated 

 in- the native place of the scupperiiong, the lower 

 part of this suite. In propagating from the seed 

 ilie black variety is generally produced. I have, 

 however, now in bearing a while variety, which I 

 call the while muscadine. The fruit. resembles in 

 laste the common muscadine. It is a good grape, 

 but I think inferior to the genuine." 



" The scupperiiong I believe does better without 

 any trimming, except that at first growth, necessa- 

 ry to prevent its becoming busby. It seems to de- 

 light unchecked, to spread high and far over scaf- 

 folding. The hardest freezing, I believe never in- 

 puts it. The only difficulty 1 apprehend in re- 

 gard to its success at the North, (not probably in 

 Baltimore,) is the. chance of its not maturing its 

 liuit sufficiently early. But there is no such diffi- 

 culty in regard to the Halifax grape. it ripens 

 . ally. This grape is also a great bearer, very har- 

 dy, and very rapid and luxuriant in its growth, ol' 

 which you may judge when I assure you that one 

 which I grafted into a native stock in my vineyard 

 iti the spring of 1S32, grew (hat season near thirty 

 leel, and I lie past summer has produced more than 

 half a bushel of grapes. The fruit is a round pur- 

 ple grape not quite as large as the Catawba, but it 

 41-ovvs iti large clusters ; indeed these are unroin- 

 inoiily large, and similar in shape lo what is called 

 here the common hunch grape, or the frost grape 

 if the north. The I lit it is finely flavored, and I 

 nave reason lo believe excellent for wine, as well 

 ..s tor table use." 



" 'I be col s-v\ me lioiu the banks ol the i_,i.h , so 

 fatuous for producing fine kinds of native grapes, 

 is similar to the Halifax in growth, bearil s | rop- 

 ■ riies ami (lusters, but is a larger grape tin II ilie 

 Catawba. Its flavor is peculiar and much ad- 

 mired." 



"The Schuylkill muscadel or Pennsylvania 

 Madeira, is one of the tried kinds that best et dure 

 the hard winters in that slate." 



PRUNING TREES. 



We notice that seine of our neighbors have al- 

 ready commenced pinning their fruit and shade 

 ins. This operation had better be omitted until 

 the month of May, or even the fore par) of.Jiine, 

 as the wounds made by cutting oft' limbs at that 

 season, will sooner be covered vviib in w wood, 

 than those made by culling wood dining the win- 

 ter. '1 he priming of fruit trees may be onii ted, 

 until alter they have passed tin- flower, and l lie 

 young fruit begins to show itself, the limbs to lie 

 cut away can then be selected more ji nihil nsly 

 vviib regard to the crop. Ornamental in is may 

 be trimmed as soon as they begin lo hid' out. — In 

 cutting off limbs, a small cut should always be 

 made the lower side first, then the limb may be 

 cut or sawed upon the upper side without danger 

 of splitting down when nearly off, which often 

 happens when this precaution is not taken. — Good- 

 sell's Gen. Far. 



CUTTING SCIONS. 



There is a prejudice against cutting scions, at 

 any other time than during the month ol Febuiary, 

 which often deters people from improving npi nr- 

 lunilies which they have of procuring choice liuit, 

 if they were apprized that scions might be cut at 

 any lime from September until May, and succeed 

 well if they are properly kept. When scions are 

 cut early in the season, tluy may be put in the 

 garden, or some convenient place, burying one 

 end of them in the ground, or they may be laid in 

 a bole in the ground, covering the whole with earth 

 where they may be allowed lo remain until spring. 

 Guodsdl's Gen. Far. 



GRAPES. 



The Westchester (Pa.) Register says, that a vine 

 is glowing in the garden of Mr. Darlington ol West 

 Town, which bore grapes the present year, of 

 vv huh one measured 3 1-2 inches in c iicumb re nee, 

 and weighed 122 grains, (about 4.7 grapes to t lie 

 pound.) — [Was this grape of a native or b n ign 

 slock, and of what species ?] — He litis anolhc r v ine, 

 that was transplanted in the spring of 1827, bom 

 which were gathered 3057 bunches, main ol w l.ich 

 wire from 9 to 11 inches long, vvilli a branch lie in 

 the upper part of the bunch nearly hall as huge as 

 the main bunch. The lust mentioned is a native 

 or chicken grape. 



PRESERVE VOIR VESSELS. 



A ceml'Mak who has tried ibe cxpi riuicnt, 

 recommends all ship-builders, to put l.i-ivuiii the 

 ceiling and plank, pulverized chart oal, which is a 

 much better preservative than salt — it is much 

 lighter., and prevents the dry rot, ahsotl int, ; s the 

 charcoal does, all ilie acidity of the woe el. The 

 same article is also very useful in pn sen ii g urn ats, 

 fruits, &c. which by its astonishing quality nay he 

 sent to any part of the world without injury. Try 

 ii, aud he convinced. — A". Y. Gazette. 



