Notes and Gleanings. 1 1 3 



and the large dimensions which it acquires. The season, too, at which the fruit 

 is in perfection, when most of the best l<inds are passed, is one of its great 

 recommendations. 



"The fruit is medium-sized, oval or almost cylindrical, flattened at the ends ; 

 skin yellowish, freckled, and veined with russet ; eye small and open, set in 

 a shallow depression ; stalk very short and thick, inserted without depression 

 on the end of the fruit, and sometimes obliquely inserted, as in Beurre d'Arem- 

 berg ; flesh yellowish, melting, rather gritty at the core, juicy, rich, sugary, and 

 vinous. It is in use during December and January." — Florist and Poiiwlflgist. 



Potato Disease. — We hear less said about the rot among the late potatoes 

 than for several years. At one time, it was feared that the crop in some loca- 

 tions would prove a total failure. It is a fact, that some varieties seem to be 

 more hardy than others. The old Chenango, or Mercer, that was so popular 

 some years ago, is not planted, because of its tendency to disease. We have 

 seen in past seasons whole fields where not a bushel of sound tubers could be 

 found. Among the varieties that seem to be most hardy at present are the 

 Early Goodrich and Harrison, two comparatively new sorts. It is a singular 

 fact, that no one has ever been able to give the cause of this disease ; but it still 

 remains as great a mystery as the disease known among peach-trees as the 

 yellows, or the cause of the failure of the apple-crop. Though every now and 

 then some person has claimed to have discovered its origin, and invented a 

 specific for its prevention or cure, still, when tested by common-sense people, 

 It is found to be of no practical use. The average yield of this crop is much 

 smaller than before the blast and rot prevailed, mostly because of the blast that 

 usually spreads over the fields before the tubers are grown. We hope to get 

 rid of this disease, and see the potato flourish as in the days of our boyhood. 



Draba violacea. — A good accession to the ranks of hardy plants has 

 this advantage over the finest of tenderlings, — that every one who cares to do 

 so can indulge in its cultivation. This recommendation attaches to Draba vio- 

 lacea (" Bot. Mag.," t. 5,650), — a dwarf suffruticose perennial, whose numerous 

 branches bear a profusion of small obovate-oblong hoary leaves, and are termi- 

 nated by sub-corymbose heads of deep violet-colored flowers, produced in spring, 

 and which are of unusual beauty for the often obscure and weedy family — that 

 ofcrucifers — to which the plant belongs. It comes from the lofty Andes, and is 

 found on loose rocks at elevations of from thirteen to fifteen thousand feet ; so 

 that it will be a lovely acquisition for rock-work. 



Yellow Locust. — This is a valuable tree to grow when the borers do not 

 destroy it. It grows quite rapidly, making firm, solid wood. We believe there 

 are no posts that last so long as the locust. We have used this wood for posts 

 and stakes in the vineyard for some years, with the best success. It can be 

 profitably grown for this purpose where cedar and chestnut are scarce. It is 

 quite easy to grow. The seed can be had at most any of the seed-stores. It 

 bears a beautiful blossom, and is quite ornamental as well as useful. 



