Editors' Letter- Box. 253 



W. E. Dodge of Fredonia, N.Y., writes, " Enclosed please find sections of 

 cane from a thornless seedling blackberry which originated with me. You will 

 see by samples that it is as free from thorns as a lilac or currant bush, and may 

 be handled with the same impunity. The fruit is large, oblong-oval, very firm 

 until over-ripe ; large seed-cells like the Lawton, but it is a much sweeter berry ; 

 canes dark colored ; strong erect grower, not over tall ; is a prolific bearer ; 

 perfectly hardy. It stood the two past severe winters without protection, start- 

 ing vigorously even to the terminal buds." 



[We were pleased to receive the cuttings, and see for ourselves that black- 

 berry-bushes can be grown without thorns. We have frequently said, that, when 

 a good blackberry could be produced without thorns, we should cultivate this 

 fruit with a satisfaction we have never yet experienced. We know nothing of 

 the size or quality of the fruit from actual observation ; but, if it shall prove equal 

 in these respects to the Dorchester or Lawton, it will certainly be a great acqui- 

 sition. One great objection to cultivating the blackberry heretofore has been 

 the thorns. — Ed.] 



G. C. B., Maine. — Why not cut scions from a tree when frozen ? What dam- 

 age is done the tree ? — We know of no good reason why scions may not safely 

 be cut when frozen. "The proof of the pudding is in the eating." We have cut 

 scions for many years under such circumstances, and we know they have done 

 well. We never knew that any damage came to our trees in consequence of 

 cutting scions when frozen. If any of our readers have suffered from such 

 cause, we should be pleased to have them say so. 



What is the best aspect for apple and pear trees, — northern, north-eastern, 

 eastern, southern, south-western, western, or north-western ? — We should pre- 

 fer, in New England certainly, southern, south-western, or western, in the order 

 named. The reason why we should is because our trees would thus be pro- 

 tected from the cold winds in winter, and the sweeping winds and heavy storms 

 in summer and fall. In our own orchard we have many trees planted on each 

 of the exposures named, because we have planted entirely round a hill ; and we 

 most decidedly prefer the southern aspect. We cannot say that it makes so 

 much difference with apple-trees as with pears. Many persons recommend a 

 northern exposure for peaches, that the time of blooming may be retarded for 

 fear of late frosts. 



H. C. G., Providence, R.I. — Do you consider the Fillmore Strawberry a val- 

 uable variety.'' — No. We cultivated it for several years, and at last discarded 

 it as nearly worthless for Massachusetts. It proved a poor bearer, the quality 

 only ordinary ; and, besides, it was hard to hull. 



Beginner. — When ought peach-trees to be headed in ? — Shorten last year's 

 growth just before the buds start in the spring. 



L. H., Bridgeport, Conn. — What varieties of squashes shall I raise? — 

 The Hubbard, Boston Marrow, and Canada Crookneck. 



