86 Notes and Gleanings. 



The Bunch-of-grapes Fern. — This pretty native fern {BotrycJiiitm ter- 

 natuvi) is admirably adapted for growing in small Wardian cases. The name is 

 derived from the appearance of its fructification, and the scientific name Botrych- 

 ium has the same signification. When growing out doors, it takes a rich brown 

 on the approach of cold weather. It is found in shaded grassy pastures and 

 hill-sides ; and those who can go into the fields and dig up this and other equally 

 beautiful species need not trouble themselves about rare and costly foreign varie- 

 ties. The variety disscctuni, with beautifully fringed leaves, is the most beautiful. 

 A remarkably fine specimen of this variety was exhibited by Mrs. W. S. Horner, 

 of Georgetown, a short time ago, before the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 

 It is known also as moonwort. 



The Pennsylvania Pear originated at PhiladeliDhia some years ago, and 

 from the name of the grower is known as Smith's Pennsylvania. It is of me- 

 dium size, brownish russet, with red cheek, and often presents an exceedingly 

 rich appearance. Not being of the highest quality, it has generally been super- 

 seded by better sorts ; but at the annual meeting of the Illinois Horticultural 

 Society, Mr. Taylor, of Burlington, Iowa, stated that he had found the Pennsyl- 

 vania never blighted at all. If this proves to be generally the case, it will be 

 well worthy of cultivation in the west. The tree is of very upright growth, like 

 the Buffum. 



Statistics of Fruit Growing in California. — We have received from 

 the California Immigrant Union the statistical report of the Surveyor-General 

 of California, from which we take the following items : The total number of 

 apple trees is 2,180,273; peach trees, 767,666; pear trees, 334,680; plum trees, 

 199,044; cherry trees, 101,574; nectarine trees, 26,328; quince trees, 42,896; 

 apricot trees, 76,1 16 ; fig trees, 45,665 ; lemon trees, 7,851 ; orange trees, 40,534 ; 

 olive trees, 29,203 ; prune trees, 12,474 \ mulberry trees, 1,609,822 ; almond trees, 

 41,815; walnut trees, 39,438; gooseberry bushes, 207,844 ; raspberry bushes, 

 1,030,265; strawberry vines, 16,431,328; grape vines, 22,548,315; gallons of 

 wine, 2,636,558 ; gallons of brandy, 161,015. 



Pears for the South. — A correspondent of the Southern Planter and 

 Farmer recommends for the tide-water region of North Carolina and Virginia 

 the Hosenschenk, or Moore's Pound, Seckel, and Howell. The first of these is 

 less subject to blight than the Bartlett. Being rather a slow grower, it is rec- 

 ommended to graft it into the limbs of strong-growing kinds. It is shipped two 

 weeks before the Seckel or Bartlett, and is the most profitable pear of that re- 

 gion, from its size and handsome appearance always commanding a good price, 

 when small pears barely pay the expense of shipment. The Seckel is described 

 as making the best ornamental sJiadc tree, except perhaps some of the Bigarreau 

 cherries. The Howell succeeds either on pear or quince, bearing smooth, hand- 

 some fruit, regularly distributed over the tree, and is one of the best either for 

 family or market. 



