252 Editors' Letter-Box. 



NORTHBRIDGR, Ju!y 6, 1867. 



Sir, — ^ Herewith find a grape-stock on which the "growing-bud " has disap- 

 peared. Can you tell the cause or remedy ? This was a young vine ; and the 

 vine stopped growing, when it arrived at this point, until the laterals had time to 

 push and grow. This is a Rogers's No. 19 ; but my other vines have experienced 

 the same thing in all kinds of exposure and soil. 



Will you tell how long it is best to let layers be attached to the old vine after 

 laying down ? And is it better to take up the layers in late fall, and keep in the 

 cellar till spring ? or let them stay where they grew until the time to transplant 

 in spring ? If it is best to put in the cellar, how are the plants preserved ? 



C. O. B. 



This abnormal change of the plumule, or growing-bud, of the vine into a leaf, 

 is unusual, and the cause is uncertain. Do your vines indicate excessive vigor ? 

 A similar abortive termination of growth is frequently seen upon squash-vines, 

 and also in the rank shoots which spring from the stump of a tree recently cut 

 down. An unnatural development results from the gorged state of the sap- 

 vessels. 



Layers should remain on the parent stock until after frost in the fall. If the 

 wood is well ripened, and the soil well drained, the layers are safer, and will be 

 stronger in the spring if left remaining on the vine through the winter. An earth 

 covering will protect from frost and mice. When it is desirable to dig, in the fall, 

 the layers may be wintered in a cold cellar, heeled in light and rather dry soil. 

 But a better way is to bury roots and top in a dry spot, and cover with boards 

 to turn off the rain and snow of winter. In this position they are safe from any 

 possible accident, they will not start too soon, they cannot winter-kill, and they 

 are sure to be in the best possible condition in the spring. 



W. T. H., Harrisville, Butler County, Penn. — We do not know where you can 

 obtain Passijlora alata: it is not found in any of the catalogues we have on hand, 

 except Van Houtte of Ghent, and Lawson of Edinburgh. It would hardly be 

 worth importing, unless in a collection. Passijlora Decaisneana you can obtain 

 from Parsons & Co., of Flushing, L.I. It will be more direct for you to order 

 than for us, and less expensive. 



H. M. F., Worcester, Mass. — You cannot expect all the seeds of your dou- 

 ble zinnias to produce double flowers : if a large proportion are double, you are 

 very fortunate. The same rule holds good with gillyflowers. The specimens 

 of both which you send are very good. The zinnias are very fine in color ; but, 

 in this respect, you have not been so fortunate with the stocks, where dull colors 

 seem to predominate. 



I. S. L., Putnam, Conn. — The leaf sent is so much mutilated as to be 

 undistinguishable. In general, it is difficult to identify a plant by a single leaf. 

 Send a flower, if possible ; but, if your plant has not bloomed, a leaf-shoot may 

 enable us to determine. 



We shall publish directions for forcing strawberries at an early day. 



