6o Editors' Letter- Box. 



Uix, 111. — Some years ago, I purchased a lot of pear-trees at the East, and 

 among them were half a dozen of the Dix. These trees were all treated alike, 

 and have made great growth ; and most of them have now come into bearing. 

 The Dix Pear has never given any fruit, but grows well year after year. My 

 patience is nearly exhausted. Please tell me what I shall do with it .? — Wait 

 a little longer. If you have plenty of fruit from the other trees, you can well 

 afford to wait for the Dix, which is well known to be one of the most tardy 

 bearers of all our varieties. If it does not crack with you (and we presume it 

 does not), you will feel yourself amply repaid for waiting when you enjoy, as you 

 will by and by, its rich, luscious fruit. If it is a long time coming into bearing, 

 you may reasonably expect it will live and flourish for many years. 



One who values the Journal, N.Y. — It is very easy to have violets all 

 winter. The plants must be healthy, and well established in the autumn, and 

 must be kept from frost all winter. " Flowers for the Parlor and Garden " will 

 tell you all about it. We also propose a series of articles in the Journal upon 

 forcing flowers in frames for winter-bloom. 



Bulb, Dorchester, Mass. — The bulb you bought for Iris pavonia is 

 usually known as Vieitssetixia pavonia, or glaiicopis j but the common name is 

 Peacock Iris. The flower is very beautiful ; white and vivid blue. You were 

 right in not planting it out of doors: it is not hardy. In the greenhouse, it 

 blooms about March. It will do well in the window as a parlor-plant. 



QuiNTiN, Richmond, Va. — A parasite is a plant growing upon some other 

 plant, and deriving nourishment from its juices. An epiphyte is a plant grow- 

 ing upon another, but only using it for support, deriving no food from its juices. 



A large proportion of mosses and orchids are epiphytes. 



M. B. F., Buffalo, N.Y. — Mr. Rand's book on greenhouse-plants will not 

 appear at present. The labor of writing such a volume is very great ; and, as it 

 is the author's endeavor to make it as perfect and comprehensive as possible, 

 its publication will be somewhat delayed. 



Querist, Troy, N.Y. — Gloire de Dijon is a tea-rose, and Souvenir de la 

 Malmaison is a Bourbon. You will find every possible information on the sub- 

 ject in Parkman's "Book of Roses," published at this office. 



W. C. A., Madison, Wis. — Is it true that Rogers's No. 22 and Salem are 

 one and the same thing ? — We have never fruited the Salem ; but we are assured 

 by one of the very best judges, who is perfectly familiar with all the Rogers 

 numbers, that the 22 and Salem arc identical. 



J. B. M., Dayton. — The article on rhododendrons, in the present number, 

 will answer all your questions. "American plants," so called, all do well under 

 the same treatment. Shall be glad to have your experience. 



