62 Editors Letter- Box. 



R. B. B., Elkhorn, III. — The cause of the falHng of the buds of your camel- 

 lias was want of moisture in the air. Some varieties seldom or never per- 

 fect their flowers in a parlor ; and many drop the buds in the greenhouse 

 if the atmosphere is too dry. It is a good plan to supply moisture by small 

 sponges placed on the branches, below the buds, which are thus kept in good 

 condition, as the sponges can be wet as often as they dry by evaporation. There 

 is a possibility that your plant fails to bloom from want of fresh soil, or from 

 being diseased. We cannot speak certainly from the meagre information you 

 give. 



X., Suffield, Conn. — As you suppose, the fruits are medlars. They are of 

 little if any value, and are not ripe till they are rotten. The bush or tree is rather 

 ornamental in foliage, and very showy in flower. Every spring, those in our 

 garden are masses of white bloom : the fruit we never gather. Treat the plants 

 the same as you would a quince. There are several kinds to be procured at any 

 large nursery. 



Idem. — Your daphne probably needs repotting. Take in from the pot ; re- 

 move carefully all sour, old soil, thus reducing the ball, but being careful not to 

 injure the roots; then repot in fresh sandy loam. It should bloom about Christ- 

 mas, and will then begin to grow. Prune after blooming. Grow the wood well ; 

 for on a strong growth depends your bloom for next year. 



Idem. — D.'ieased Leaf. — The leaf you send ajspears to have little on it. A 

 few small specks seem to indicate mildew, caused by a close, damp atmosphere. 

 Syringing increases rather than cures mildew. Dust the plants with fine sul- 

 phur, and give a dryer atmosphere. 



M. B. A., Chicago. — Ask for any information you need, and we will do our 

 best to supply it. We can hardly be expected to know each particular want ; 

 though we do our best to meet the wishes of all. 



A. C, Providence, R.I. — Will a cranberry-plantation be greatly benefited 

 by flowing in the winter .^ — Yes, we think it will, and that it should be done 

 whenever it can be without too much expense. It is better to have it so 

 arranged that you can flow it any time, — winter, spring, or summer. 



C. M. B., Newton. — Berbcris Darwini is precariously hardy ; often winter- 

 killed. Skimmia Japonica will stand the winter, but is often injured. Massa- 

 chusetts is probably the nortliern limit of the culture of tliese plants. 



A. S. C, Templeton, Mass. — Manure the rhubarb heavily this fall. Y-m 

 cannot make the ground too rich. In the spring, fork in the manure round the 

 plants. 



Top-dress your asparagus-beds now, and salt now, or in the spring, —any 

 time, at either season, when the ground is not frozen. 



