496 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



Nov. 



BLEECKEE'S GAGE PLUM. 



The subject of the beautiful engraving which 

 we present the reader with this number, was 

 handed us last autumn by Mr. H. P. Wis- 

 wall, of Marlborough, Mass. We were sufficient- 

 ly well pleased with it to have it drawn and en- 

 graved, and believe the reader will agree with 

 us in pronouncing the illustration a beautiful 

 work of art. 



Downing says it is a "fruit of the first quality ; 

 remarkably hardy, and a good and regular bearer. 

 It was raised by the late Mrs. Bleecker, of Al- 

 bany, about thirty years ago, from a prune pit 

 given her by the Rev. Mr. Dull, of Kingston, 

 N. Y., which he received from Germany. — 

 It ripens the last of August, from a week to 

 two weeks later than our Yellow Gage. Branch- 

 es downy. Fruit of medium size, roundish-oval, 

 very regular. Suture scarcely perceptible. Stalk 

 quite long, an inch or more, straight and pretty 

 stout, downy, slightly inserted. Skin yellow, 

 with numerous imbedded white specks, and a 

 thin white bloom. Flesh yellow, rich, sweet, and 

 luscious in flavor. Separates almost entirely 



from the stone, which is pointed at both ends. 

 Leaves dark green. Easily distinguished from 

 Yellow Gage by its longer and stouter stalk." 



STONE FENCING. 



The best sized stone for a fence, is the largest 

 which can conveniently be moved ; and the best 

 shape is slab or flat ; but in the general all sizes 

 and shapes must be used, as to be had. 



In building a house, the stone must be tied 

 in every direction ; in building a fence they 

 should be tied crosswise only, for it cannot fall 

 lengthwise. 



Many fences fl'hich I see are made for beauty 

 instead of strength ; the consequence is, present- 

 ly down falls the fence, — and then for patch-work, 

 and away goes beauty. A stone-mason is not 

 the man to put up a stone fence, for he will be 

 too tedious and neat, consequently too costly. 



To make a stone fence strongly and expe- 

 ditiously, will require several months experi- 

 ence. 



Having determined on the proper site for your 

 fence, deposit as many stone on either side as 

 you think jvill be sufficient. If the site is level 

 or nearly so, no further preparation is necessary, 



