Notes and Gleanings. 53 



Honey-Dew. — The following, from "The Cottage Gardener's Dictionary," 

 explains the gummy exudations on the foliage of many parlor-plants : " Heat, 

 attended by dryness of the soil, as during the drought of summer, is very liable 

 to produce an unnatural exudation. This is especially noticeable upon the leaves 

 of some plants, and is popularly known as honey-dew. It is somewhat analo- 

 gous to that outburst of blood, which, in such seasons, is apt to occur to nun ; 

 and arises from the increased action of the secretory and circulatory system, to 

 which it affords relief. There is this great and essential difference, — that, in 

 the case of plants, the extravasation is upon the surface of the leaves ; and in 

 proportion, consequently, to the abundance of the extruded sap, are their respi- 

 ration and digestion impaired. The various successful applications of liquids to 

 plants, in order to prevent the occurrence of the honey-dew and similar diseases, 

 would seem to indicate that a morbid state of the sap is the chief cause of the 

 honey-dew ; for otherwise it would be difficult to explain the reason why the use 

 of a solution of common salt in water, applied to the soil in which a plant is 

 growing, can prevent a disease caused by insects. But if we admit that the 

 irregular action of the sap is the cause of the disorder, then we can understand 

 that a portion of salt introduced in the juices of the plant would naturally have 

 an influence in correcting any morbid tendency ; either preventing the too rapid 

 secretion of sap, stimulating it in promoting its regular formation, or preserving 

 its fluidity : and that, by such a treatment, the honey-dew may be entirely pre- 

 vented, we have often witnessed when experimentalizing with totally different 

 objects. Thus we have seen plants of various kinds, which have been treated 

 with a weak solution of common salt and water, totally escape the honey-dew, 

 where trees of the same kind, growing in the same plot of ground not so treated, 

 have been materially injured by its ravages." 



Heading in Peach-Trees. — This tree is such a rapid grower, that, if left 

 to itself, it will soon become straggling and awkward ; and it should be headed 

 in and kept low, and it will thus become more symmetrical, as well as more con- 

 venient for the fruit-gatherer. This process, we believe, has also the eff'ect to 

 prolong the life of the tree. It often happens that the extreme ends of the 

 peach-twigs do not ripen, and are winter-killed, and would better be oiT than on 

 the tree. They are, by this mode of trimming, kept nearer the ground, exposing 

 both the tree and fruit less to injury by storms. Some perform the operation 

 in spring, others in autumn. We have practised both ways with good results, 

 and now suit our own convenience as to time, so that it be after the leaves have 

 dropped, and before the starting ot the trees in spring. 



Celery. — This maybe kept in good condition through the winter in a 

 cool, dry cellar, by having it set out in earth. When a small quantity only is 

 wanted, take a box, and stand up the celery in it, placing a little earth about 

 the roots. The farmers who raise quantities of it often keep it in their old 

 hotbeds, standing it up, and protecting it from frost. There is no vegetable 

 more relished than this ; and every person who has a garden should raise enough 

 for his own use, if no more. 



