Editors Letter- Box. 63 



A. K. M., Lowell, Mass. — I have in my garden a tree of Downing's Ever- 

 bearing Mulberry, that has grown very well, and given me some fruit. I have 

 from time to time cut off limbs, and, I find, very much to the injury of the tree; 

 for the wounds, instead of healing over, have enlarged, and threaten to be the 

 ruin of the tree. Is this trouble peculiar to my tree 1 What is the remedy ? — 

 It is not peculiar to your tree ; for we have seen trees that have suffered in the 

 same way. It will be a good plan to fill up or cover over the wound with a mix- 

 ture of clay and cow-manure, and cover the whole with bandages to keep out the 

 weather. It is better not to prune this variety of mulberry much. And never cut 

 off large limbs : we have known them to be ruined from such treatment. What 

 say those of our readers who have had experience ? 



W. K. D., West Acton. — Will you please inform me how to grow dandelions 

 for early-spring use .'' Is the seed sown in autumn, and managed like spinach ? 

 or do the plants need to be placed in cold frames ? — The seed may be sown 

 in drills in the garden or field, precisely like spinach, late in summer or quite 

 early in the fall, and covered up in winter. For very early use, sow soon ; and 

 in the fall transplant into cold frames, and towards spring put on the glass. This 

 crop is quite easily managed. 



Bergen. — I have several Urbaniste pear-trees that are now twelve or fifteen 

 years old, and blossom every year, but give me no fruit. What is the cause of 

 and cure for such a trouble ? — This variety is late coming into bearing, as we 

 have before remarked. Bending down the branches, pinching in the new shoots 

 in midsummer, or root-pruning, will be likely to induce fruit-bearing. Better let 

 them grow : they will bear all the more by and by. 



In answer to inquiries about hardiness of Citpressies Lawsoniana, a corre- 

 spondent from Vineland, N.J., writes, — 



" I see some inquiries respecting the hardiness of Cupressus Lawsoniana. I 

 wish to inform you that my stock of young plants is partly injured with the 

 winter ; but the TJiujopsis borealis appears to be more hardy, and, I think, will 

 make a very fine evergreen. I have a fine stock of young plants in a very ex- 

 posed situation, but they are very little injured ; but the Cupressus appears more 

 tender with me." 



This is the general testimony ; although in New England the Thujopsis was 

 badly cut up. The cypress can never become popular, and be used for general 

 planting, when it is liable to be so injured by the winter ; and, after last winter's 

 experience, we must reluctantly put it down as precariously hardy. 



W. C. H., Machias, Me. — The ivy-leaves are covered with a minute fungus. 

 Dusting with sulphur might possibly destroy it ; but, if all the leaves are like 

 those sent, you had better get a new plant. 



I. G. H., Winchester, 111. — Cement for aquarium. If for glazing, use white 

 or red lead ; if for rock-work, " hydraulic " or " Roman " cement. 



