'^^ ~ ^ 



1^ ) 82 THE GENESEE FARMER. • ( ^ 



general culture. Our advice to amateurs, aud all who desire to make their culture profitable, is to 

 avoid all novelties, no matter how tempting and irresistible may be their fame. We have, surely, 

 well tried sorts enough to suit all tastes and purposes. It is an expensive undertaking, this busi- 

 ness of testing new sorts. We have seen a row containing upwards of fifty new varieties, and not 

 more than half a dozen, if so many, have proved worthy of cultivation, or are likely to become 



useful and popular. 



►♦-•^ 



Circular of the American Pomological Society. — The following Circular came 



to hand after a large portion of the Farmer was made up. It speaks for itself, however, 



and we have no doubt but that it will meet with a cordial response in all parts of the 



country. Thousands will rejoice at the opportunity this will afford them of showing their 



appreciation of the great services rendered the country by the much lamented Downing, 



"The undersigned were appointed a Committee by the American Pomological Society, at its late 

 meeting in Philadelphia, (with power to add to their number,) to solicit from individuals subscrip- 

 tions, each of one dollar or upwards, to procure such testimonial as the Committee may deem suitable 

 and expedient, in memory of the lamented Andrew Jackson Downing. 



" His private virtues, his great worth and important services in Horticulture, Rual Architecture, 

 and the various branches of terra-culture, and his numerous and valuable publications, justly 

 entitle him to this distinction. 



" In discharge of the duty imposed upon us, we transmit to you this Circular, and earnestly 

 request your prompt co-operation in fulfilment of this benevolent design. 



"Associations, as well as individuals, who may receive this Circular, are requested to transmit, 

 by mail or otherwise, their contributions to either of the subscribers who will register their names, 

 residence, and subscription. 



" J\Iar.-^hall p. Wilder, Boston ; Robert Buist, Caleb CorE, Philadelphia ; H. W. S. Cleveland, 

 Burlington, N. J. ; BENjA>nN Hodge, Buffalo, N. Y. ; F. R. Elliott, Cleveland, Ohio ; Lawrence 

 Young, Springdale, near Louisville, Ky. ; W. II. Breckenridge, Wasliington, D. C. ; John A. Ken- 

 NicoTT, Northiield, 111. 



"The several Vice Presidents of the American Pomological Society, and the Chairmen of the 

 various State Fruit Committees, are hereby constituted members of the above Committee, with 

 authority to appoint associates in their respective States aud Territories. 



MARSHALL P. WILDER, Chairman." 

 — •-•-► 



Improve your Orchards. — If there be any reader of the Genesee Farmer whose 

 ground is cumbered with trees that yield indifferent or worthless fruit, we would suggest 

 to them now, at this leisure season, to look over the lists of choice sorts which have been 

 noticed in our last year's volume, procure scions of them, and have them ready when 

 the proper time comes to graft. In the course of three years a large tree may be 

 changed from a worthless into a valuable condition. Scions can be sent by mail almost 

 any distance, wrapped tightly in oiled silk. Covering the cut end with sealing or graft- 

 ing wax, is also a good precaution. The scions may be buried in sand or earth in a 

 cold cellar, or in a dry place in the open ground, till wanted. It is a great satisfaction 

 to know what one cultivates, and proper measures should, in all cases, be taken to pre- 

 serve the names which accompany scions, until they are set, and then a record should 

 be made for future reference. Labels suspended on the tree or branch ought not to be 

 relied upon, as without constant watching they drop off and are lost, or they girdle and 



injure, if not ruin, the tree. 



— ♦••♦ 



A GOOD OLD Apple Tree. — Mr. D. M. IIotchkiss, of Cheshire, Conn., writes us that 

 he has an apple tree but a few feet from liis door which is about 120 years old. It 

 measures, at the root, 14 ft. 6 in. in circumference; centre of the trunk, 11 ft. 4 in.; 

 where the limbs commence to spread, 9 ft. 4 in. The whole tree covers a surface o^ not 

 less than five or six rods in diameter. Three of the main limbs bear one year and pro- 

 duce from thirty to forty bushels ; the other five limbs bear the year after, and jiroduce 

 seventy to eighty bushels. Thus these three and five limbs continue to bear in alternate 

 years. A person who once had charge of the ftirm lias gatliered 100 bushels from 

 under it in one season. Can this be beaten ? Mr. IIotchkiss wishes to know. . k 



3. 



