iS8 Editors Letter- Box. 



R. B. E., East Bridgewater, Mass. — The Chinese Wistaria will not prove 

 peri'ectly hardy with you, especially in the exposed situation in which you have 

 placed it. Even if the wood is not killed every winter, the flower-buds would be. 

 We advise you to plant your Wistaria in a sheltered southern exposure, and 

 place where it is a hardier climber ; or, if you wish a Wistaria on tJiat trellis, 

 plant our native species {IV. fnitescens), which, though not so handsome as the 

 Chinese, is a beautiful climber, producing short racemes of purple flowers at 

 intervals from June to autumn. It is a rampant climber, and grows very rapidly. 



As to the Chinese species, it is not advisable to leave it unprotected during 

 the winter, in Massachusetts ; though when well established, and in cities, it is 

 not badly winter-killed, and the flower-buds survive about one year in three. 

 Often a mat is sufficient winter protection. Young plants are better laid down, 

 and covered with earth, during the winter. In New York, Philadelphia, and 

 other places with a milder winter, the Wistaria is the handsomest of climbers, 

 draping the houses from basement to attic, and flowering with a luxuriance un- 

 known in New England. 



IiXQuruER. — You can easily distinguish our native pines. The white pine 

 has five needles on a cluster, the red or Norway pine two, and the pitch-pine 

 three. Their growth is also so different, there can be no mistaking them. 



Shall I improve my bucklhorn-liedge by pruning or shearing it during the 

 season .'' — Yes. After it has made its early growth, if it is shaved, it will start 

 again, and thicken up considerably. 



A Well-wisher. — What are the three best sorts of Rogers's Hybrids ? — 

 There is a great difference of opinion in regard to the Rogers's Hybrids. It is 

 said that Mr. Rogers thinks the No. 15 the best variety he has sent out. We 

 are inclined to the belief that Nos. 41, 4, 9, and 3, are among tne best. No. 15 

 has not proved to be very good with us. 



The Salem, the latest variety sent out by Mr. Rogers, is said to be very fine. 



G. A. L., Baltimore, Md. — The subject of the application of the periodic 

 law to agriculture and horticulture is of vast importance. There is little known 

 on the subject. We should be happy to publish (if within our sphere) the results 

 of any investigations or any facts which may have come under your notice. 

 Meanwhile, we subjoin as a text lor others the item you send : — 



" The peach district is progressive, moving from the north towards the south 

 at the rate of about fifty miles in twenty years ; when again it returns, by a single 

 leap, to the place of starting. 



"In other words, peaches are grown with complete success only after the 

 ground has rested for a period of about twenty years ; it having been found 

 that intervals of such length are necessary in order that the soil may become 

 perfectly disinfected from all injurious qualities imparted to it by diseased trees, 

 or that it may fully recover those peculiar Constituents exhausted by the growth 

 t>l' previous years." 



