224 



Editor's Letter-Box. 



B. G. B. — The Red or Swamp maple, and the White or Silver maple, as also 

 the elm, ripen their seeds early in summer, and they should all be sown as soon 

 as ripe. The maples may be sown in drills three feet apart, and covered an inch 

 and a half deep, and the elm in drills two feet apart and three fourths of an inch 

 deep. The earth should be fresh, and pressed firmly on the seed, and, as they 

 vegetate the same summer, if very dry they should be shaded. There is much 

 more danger of sowing too thick than too thin. If the seed comes up too thick, 

 the young plants must be thinned, and they must be well and cleanly culti- 

 vated. 



Elm seed, when gathered from the same tree, will run into varieties, showing 

 a marked difterence in the growth and habit of the trees. 



Mrs. B. T., Trempealeau, Wis. — The variegation of the golden iv}% as well 

 as of other similarly variegated plants, is owing to a deficiency of coloring mat- 

 ter in the lighter parts. This is an indication of weakness, and consequently 

 such parts of the foliage are most apt to be attacked by disease. The ivy 

 delights in shade and moisture, and is impatient of the bright sun, and we sus- 

 pect that yours has been too much exposed to it, and perhaps also to too much 

 heat and dryness. We think that if you will keep yours in a cool, moist place, 

 at least partially shaded, you will have no trouble. The north side of the house, 

 if out doors, or a northern window if in doors, would answer. The soil should 

 be well drained. 



Mr. Editor : Your answer to my question on apple grafts in the last num- 

 ber was complete and very satisfactory to me, and worth more than the cost of 

 the Journal for the year. It contained my views exactly, but now I have the 

 Journal's authority for it, which is good and satisfactory. 



Yours thankfully, T. P. 



Cedar Rapids, Iowa, May 23. 



Our Fruit Crop is almost entirely ruined in this locality. Except in favored 

 locations, the peach, cheny, and blackberry were killed last December. The 

 pear, apple, strawberry, and grape were in fine condition until the morning of 

 the 23d of last month, when we had a freeze that made very nearly a clean sweep 

 of all the latter fruits. W. P. 



Terre Haute, Ind., May 10. 



The Season in Georgia has been remarkably early, and very favorable up 

 to this time. We have ripe tomatoes, and all other vegetables in abundance. 

 Ripe apricots and plums of the Chickasaw varieties, ripe apples of the Red June, 

 Astrachan, and Yellow Harvest varieties. A few peaches have made their appear- 

 ance in market, of the Troth's, Tillotson's, and Hale's varieties. Strawberries 

 and raspberries are bearing yet, but are not in demand now. IV. K. N. 



Augusta, June 8. 



