126 Editors Letter- Box. 



D. C, Fairview, Ken., asks the following questions : How shall I keep 

 apple, pear, and quince seed for sowing ? What is the most favorable time for 

 sowing the seed ? Will old seed of the above-named fruits germinate under 

 favorable circumstances ? Is there any evidence that taking scions from the 

 tree when the wood is frozen is a disadvantage to the tree from which they are 

 laken, or that the cuttings are less certain to grow well when grafted than when 

 taken off at other times ? — The best way to keep the seeds referred to is to 

 mix them with tolerably moist sand, and place the vessel containing them in 

 some place secure from mice. 



The most favorable time for sowing the seed is just as soon as the ground 

 becomes fit to work well in the spring ; say last of April, or first of May. 



Old seed is not so good, though it depends somewhat upon how it has been 

 kept. Should not rely on it. 



The only objection we know to taking of scions is the same we have to head- 

 ing in trees in the fall, — sometimes the ends of the branches cut are injured by 

 the winter, and the terminal bud or fruit-bud below the cut does not start well ; 

 and, if the shoot is large, it does not heal over so well. We are not aware that 

 it would affect the scions for grafting if the wood was well ripened. We know 

 some who regard the fall as the best time to cut scions for grafting, before they 

 have been severely frozen ; just as some prefer to cut grape-cuttings, and bury 

 them in the ground before they have been so exposed. 



J. R. B., Bloomfield, Ind. — Are there any varieties of figs and pomegranates 

 that can be successfully cultivated in the open air as far north as the southern 

 part of Indiana ? If so, what are they ? and where can they be had .'' — Pome- 

 granates would hardly succeed in the open air. Figs would do well. The 

 former, if set out in summer, and kept in a cellar in winter, would flower well, 

 and set fruit. They would, however, fail to ripen in the open air ; but, if the 

 plants were removed to a greenhouse, the fruit would color about the first of 

 November. 



You can procure the following varieties of figs from any of our principal 

 nursery-men, — black, brown, or white Ischia ; brown and white Turkey, Na- 

 ples, blue Marseilles, golden, large green, Castle Kennedy, long red. All figs 

 do better if laid down in the winter. We have had the best of success with the 

 brown Turkey. 



N. H. C, New Haven, Conn. — My Clapp's Favorite pears did not keep well, 

 but seemed inclined to rot at the core. Is this characteristic of the fruit .-' 



Yes, when left too long on the tree. The fruit should be picked early, and 

 ripened in the house. A good rule is to pick the whole crop soon after the 

 windfalls ripen so as to be eatable. 



Greenhouse, Skaneateles, N.Y. — You give us no information as to 

 formation of ground, uses for which you need it, size, means at your disposal, 

 or prices of material with you. To tell us simply that you want a greenhouse, 

 and expect us to give you every information, is asking more than we can give. 



