Portulaca. — Grape - Vines. 7 



new candidate for public favor when we have so many really fine varieties, 

 unless they are in some respect superior or fully equal to those now in 

 cultivation. The pear we are now describing has certainly the merit of 

 large size and good quality to recommend it, and, on a more extensive trial, 

 will, we doubt not, prove a valuable addition to our collection of this fruit. 



It fruited for the first time in 1862 ; in size large, often weighing a pound 

 or more ; form roundish, inclining to obovate ; diameter four and three-fourths 

 to five inches ; length five to five and a half inches ; surface somewhat 

 irregular; slightly angular; the greatest diameter through the middle, grow- 

 ing somewhat narrower towards each end ; color greenish-yellow, with some 

 russet, especially about the stem and calyx, pale red on exposed side ; 

 stem about half an inch long, rather stout, slightly curved, and inserted in 

 a narrow and rather deep cavity ; calyx medium size, rather open in mod- 

 erately deep basin ; flesh rather coarse, yellowish-white, melting and juicy, 

 with very pleasant sub-acid flavor. Somewhat gritty about the core, which 

 is of moderate size for so large a fruit. Time of ripening, Nov. i. Not 

 inclined to rot at core, nor does it ever crack. It is an abundant and 

 regular bearer. 



Portulaca. — This plant is the best we have for the summer decoration 

 of a bed of spring-flowers. The roots do not strike deep enough to injure 

 the dormant bulbs, nor do the plants seem to impoverish the soil. From 

 the middle of June until October, the bed is a blaze of bloom. 



The colors are orange, yellow, crimson, red, and white, with all possible 

 variegations of these colors. Seed may be sown at any time, it being only 

 necessary to throw it broadcast over the bed. After the first year, the plant 

 will sow itself, and young seedlings, by myriads, come up every year. 



Grape-Vines. — The past season has been so wet and cold at the 

 North, that many of the grape-vines have failed to ripen their wood as 

 usual : even the Concord and Hartford Prolific, two varieties that are 

 known to be among the most hardy, show much immature wood. Some 

 of the varieties, such as Allen's Hybrid, will not ripen their wood. If the 

 winter should be very severe, such vines may suffer. 



