Editors Letter- Box. 319 



W. R., Edgefield, Tenn. — What tolerably good pears grow to the largest 

 size and most rapidly ? I wish to use them in forming marginal groups. — We 

 find among the strongest growers the Vicar of Winkfield, Sheldon, Clapp's Fa- 

 vorite, Buffum, Louise Bonne de Jersey, Ellis, and Doyenne Boussock. There 

 are many others that may be ranked as good growers. For your purpose, up- 

 right-growing trees will be preferable. 



H. H. C, Connecticut. — My Concord grapes rotted badly this season, so 

 that I lost half my crop. Can you tell me the cause ? — The season has been 

 very unfavorable for this fruit ; too much rain, which had a tendency to cause 

 rot and mildew, especially on lands highly manured, or those that have been 

 over-cropped in years previous, or that were in unfavorable locations. Manure 

 less, and thin the crop next year, and try that. 



Denniston's Superb Plum. — A friend writes us that he saw in Prof J. P. 

 Kirtland's grounds this season a tree of this variety of plum which was literally 

 loaded with fruit, and that, too, without having any curculio application made to 

 it. The same thing occurred last year, while trees of other varieties around it 

 had their fruit all destroyed. 



We record the fact without any comments of our own, but shall be glad if 

 any of our readers can give a like account of this or any other variety. 



Northern Spy Apple. — The remarks of your correspondent " Henry, 

 Detroit," with regard to the Northern Spy Apple, may mislead some who are 

 not acquainted with its peculiarities. I consider this variety very desirable. 

 One reason why it has not been sought for more is, that it requires at least ten 

 years before it will bear ; but, after it comes into bearing, it will bear fruit when 

 all others fail. It blossoms later than any other kind in our grounds. The fruit is 

 borne on fruit-spurs interspersed all through the tree, and not at the extremities 

 of the limbs like most other varieties. The quahty of the fruit is equal to any 

 other variety, if not superior ; and its keeping qualities excellent. It may not 

 answer as well for dwarf trees as some other varieties, as it is an upright and 

 strong grower. A. C. H. 



Mrs. C. H. T., Rochester, N.H. — Your letter of July 14 was mislaid. We 

 now answer your question, though too late for this year. The soil in which you 

 planted your scarlet geraniums was probably too rich and moist, and they grew 

 all to leaves. Your cutting them in only increased the evil, and made a more 

 flourishing growth. All plants have this year in New England, on account of 

 the wet season, tended to run to leaves. Give poorer soil, and a dryer place, and 

 you will get plenty of bloom. 



R. R. H., Jun., Newport, R.I. — Your plan will do. Plant the acorn on its 

 side, not endwise. A good way is to preserve the acorns over winter in sand 

 jtist damp, in a very cool cellar, and plant them in the spring; then there is less 

 chance of failure. 



