346 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



There was a good show of vegetables ; the butter 

 and cheese looked well. The articles of domestic 

 manufacture were highly creditable to the ladies 

 of Bristol. They indicated much skill and indus- 

 try. 



The society, with invited guests, dined at the 

 Taunton Hotel. After the body was refreshed, 

 short and appropriate speeches were made by Dr. 

 Gardner, of Seekonk, president of the society, Mr. 

 Pago, of New Bedford, vice-president, and by Gov- 

 ernor Briggs. "Wo then left for the cars. Other gen- 

 tlemen doubtless followed. There was no elaborate 

 address by an orator selected for the purpose. 



The show generally was very good, and highly en- 

 couraging ; and by the remarks from the president, 

 it appears that it is in a very flourishing condition. 



As to the dinner, there was one serious fault, 

 which should be avoided in future. It was not 

 ready until nearly an hour after the time set. On 

 such occasions, time is precious, while many are far 

 from home, and promptness is highly important. 

 There was also a mistake in the bill of fare, else in 

 preparing dinner, as some important articles in the 

 former were not in the latter. 



For the Neio England Farmer-, 

 BILBERRY. 



Mr. Editok : Will you be so good as to give us 

 the correct name of the shrub known here, with 

 some by the name of bilberry, with others by that 

 of Indian plumf I mean the small tree which blos- 

 soms earliest of all the wild shrubs of this province, 

 its beautiful white blossoms appearmg immediately 

 after the frost is out of the earth. 



I have seen it do well transplanted, but it will not 

 bloom so early if removed to an exposed situation. 

 Yours, &c., 



M. 



Albert, N. B. 



Remarks. — There are two varieties of the bil- 

 berry. The Blue bilberry {J'atiinictim corymbosum) 

 is a shrub that flowers when of a small size, but it 

 often attains a height of six or seven feet. The 

 young twigs are light green or purplish, with small 

 white dots. The leaves are smooth, oblong, acute, 

 pale green, flowers numerous, large, and white ; 

 berries large, covered with blue powder, sweet and 

 acid. Found in swamps. Flowers in May. 



Black bilberry ( Vaninicum dlsomorphxini) is a shrub 

 four or five feet high, with reddish twigs. It flow- 

 ers in May, before the leaves have unfolded. The 

 leaves are oval, acuminate, hairy underneath ; flow- 

 ers small; berries small, black. Grows in swamps. 

 This species generally resembles the other, but the 

 fruit and flowers are much smaller. 



We have given the common distinguishing names 

 of the species of bilberry known in this region, also 

 the scientific names. Our correspondent will please 

 make the application to the kind known in his region, 

 as his description is not sufliciently definite to tell 

 which is which, or whether the plant he has in view 

 is truly the bllberr)', or not. — En 



For the New England Farmer. 

 PINE HEDGES. 



Mr. Editor : I like the suggestion contained in 

 an article in the last Farmer, with regard to the 

 raising of pine hedges for fence. I am entirely ig- 

 norant, however, of the culture of the pine from the 

 seed, and should be glad to receive some instruction 

 through the medium of your paper, with regard to 

 the most suitable time for the collecting of the seed, 

 and sowing it, as I feel disposed to test the utility 

 of the plan as recommended. 



Respectfullv, 



S. SMITH. 



Hartford, Vt., Oct. 3, 1850. 



Remarks. — The seeds of the pine should be gath- 

 ered and planted in the fall. If not convenient to 

 plant in the fall, mix the seed with fine loam, in a 

 box or other vessel not tight at the bottom, and put 

 it in the earth, near the surface, that it may be ex- 

 posed to the action of the frost and influence of the 

 weather, to fit the seed for germination, which sow 

 early in spring. 



We have but few directions for cultivating pines 

 or other forest-trees. In all cases, the soil should be 

 made light and mellow, and for a few years the ten- 

 der plants should be protected against animals, and 

 against other plants or weeds of stronger growth. — 

 Ed. 



STRAWBERRIES. 



Levi C. Eaton, Esq., of North Providence, who 

 has devoted his time, and been at great expense, to 

 obtain the choicest kinds of fruit, exhibited his 

 strawberries the last season to a number of gentle- 

 men, who wore hospitably entertained at his magnif- 

 icent mansion. 



There were thirty-seven kinds in his garden ; out 

 of seven varieties of western origin, but two were 

 approved : from seven kinds imported from France 

 in ISIS, only one was first-rate : from seven English 

 varieties, recently introduced, none were approved ; 

 they, like most of the French kinds, wore staminate, 

 unproductive, and too tender for our New England 

 winters. The New York Hudson Bay, the Cincin- 

 nati Hudson Bay, and the Rhode Island Hudson 

 Bay were distinct varieties, the last unquestionably 

 the best in all respects. 



Six kinds were approi^riated, viz. : Hovey's Seed- 

 ling, General Jaqueminot, Jenny's Seedling, Burr's 

 New Pine, Rival Hudson, and Rhode Island Hudson 

 Bay. 



The General Jaqueminot is unrivalled ; fruit large, 

 firm, highly flavored ; of vigorous growth, very hardy, 

 productive ; fruit-stalk high and strong ; flowers 

 perfect. This variety is well adapted to set with 

 Hovey's seedling, as a fertilizer to that justly cele- 

 brated fruit. — Providence Jour. 



Fine Peaches. — The peach crop this season has 

 been very plentiful, but the quality has been inferior, 

 being of a very acid flavor. We received some speci- 

 mens, however, from S. Smith, Esq., of Raleigh, 

 N. C, and N. T. Green, Esq., of Danville, Va., 

 which were uncommonly fine, very large, and lus- 

 cious. The latter gentleman off'ers to forward iLS 

 some of the seed, which off'er we accept, if it is a 

 seedling. We think it fully equal, if not superior, 

 to any peach grown in this state. — Am. Farmer. 



