Notes and Glcatiings. 57 



the sod had not been broken ujd, was substituted. Then each tree received two 

 bushels of blacksmith's cinders, two of well-broken charcoal, and two pounds of 

 pulverized potash, all which were mingled with the fresh soil as it was put in. 

 The entire contents of the trench were thoroughly intermixed. 



The next summer, the trees made a vigorous and luxuriant growth, forming 

 new and handsome heads. The second season, they blossomed moderately; and 

 the fruit was large, fair, and smooth. The third year, seven bushels of superb 

 fruit were gathered from the two trees. The owner declares himself convinced, 

 by this result, that pear-trees in his neighborhood had " failed from a want of 



proper sustenance in the soil." This experiment was fully described in " The 

 Horticulturist " for 1846. An illustrative drawing of the trench will be found 

 above. 



Nothing could be more conclusive than this. The roots, having consumed 

 all appropriate nutriment in the soil, required a fresh supply. No sooner had it 

 been deposited within their reach, than they put forth a plexus of new fibres to 

 feed upon it ; and the renovating process going on below was immediately mani- 

 fested overhead. The restoration to perfect health was rapid and complete. 

 Thus my theory, when reduced to practice, was proved to be sound. Who will 

 now take pains to repeat the test ? Verbena. 



Downing's Seedling Gooseberry. — It is a large, greenish-white berry, 

 productive, and of fair quality. It is a more upright grower than Cluster or 

 Houghton. Its habit and appearance in growth is more like the English berry. 

 I have another berry, bearing the same name, which is more sprawling in habit, 

 red, of good flavor, but not so desirable as the real Downing. 



