372 Notes and Gleanings. 



St. Ghislain Pear. — We have received specimens of this nice little pear, 

 raised in Bangor, Me., vi^here it flourishes well. Though it is of foreign origin, yet 

 it seems to be well adapted even to the northern portion of the United States. 

 It is a fruit of the first quality, quite juicy and sprightly. It is rather small to 

 be popular as a market variety, but is an excellent one for home use. The tree 

 is a good grower and bearer. Season, September. 



Keeping Vegetables. — Those intended for table-use through the winter 

 should be so cared for that they will not shrivel, but retain their freshness even 

 until spring. Turnips, beets, carrots, parsnips, and the like, may be covered 

 with sand, and kept fresh. Many vegetables are nearly ruined by being stored 

 in cellars heated by a furnace. This should never be allowed. It is better 

 never to store such things in a cellar under a house, but in a cool place, either 

 under the barn, or elsewhere convenient to the house. The cooler they are kept, 

 the better, if they do not freeze. 



Wood- Ashes for Strawberries. — There is no better fertilizer for straw- 

 berries than ashes. We remember that one of the best crops we ever had was 

 raised when the only manure used was wood-ashes. All soils will not alike be 

 benefited by such an application ; but it is always safe to use ashes in connec- 

 tion with other manures. If ashes only are used, there are fewer weeds, as no 

 seed can be introduced by the manure. 



Winter Protection. — Many of the shrubs, plants, and vines in our gar- 

 dens and on our lawns are not perfectly hardy, but need, and should have, some 

 protection in winter. Plants near the ground may be covered with leaves or 

 hay ; but shrubs and climbing vines will need difterent management. When 

 evergreen boughs can be had without much trouble, they may be used to good 

 advantage. This work should, if possible, be done before the ground freezes, 

 so that the ends of the boughs may be stuck into the ground to keep them in 

 place during the winter : when this cannot be done, they will need to be tied to- 

 gether to keep them. Some who cannot readily get such boughs may get straw 

 more easily, and it can be used to equal advantage. Bind and tie it around the 

 plant in such a way as to protect it both from the extreme cold by night and the 

 heat of the sun by day. It is not generally the extreme cold that kills the ten- 

 der or half-hardy tree or plant, but the alternations of heat and cold. Then, 

 when so protected, the plants are less liable to be broken down by sleet, snow, 

 and ice, which often greatly injure them. 



Cutting Scions. — Many good grafters prefer to cut their scions in early 

 winter, before there has been much severe cold weather. It often happens that 

 scions left on the tree until spring, will, when cut, show the pith of the scion quite 

 black ; and sometimes the wood itself is injured by the severity of the weather. 

 Such wood should not be used ; for many of the grafts will fail, however skilful 

 the person may be who sets them. If cut in the fall, they should be kept fresh, 

 either by burying in the earth where the water will not stand, or in moist earth 

 in the cellar. 



