3i8 Notes and Gleanings. 



A Select List of Potatoes. — The Floral World gives "a selection of 

 potatoes of the finest quality in their several classes," comprising no less than 

 thirty-two varieties. They are classified as Early Kidneys, Early Rounds, 

 Second Early Kidneys, Second Early Rounds, Main Crop Kidneys, Main 

 Crop Rounds, and Market Potatoes. We notice among them, of American 

 sorts, the Early Goodrich, Early Rose, and Bresee's Prolific. 



Moss. — One of the necessaries of decorative gardening is green moss. Fresh 

 moss is not always easily obtainable ; and even when it can be had, it has this objec- 

 tion for in-door use, that it contains innumerable eggs of insects, and thus brings 

 disagreeable visitors into the apartments. Prepared moss has generally a dull 

 bluish green color, not at all pleasing. The following recipe for preparing 

 moss, with slight alteration of appearance, is copied from a French chemical 

 journal : Dissolve one grain of nitric acid and about fifteen grains of indigo 

 in two quarts of water ; tie the moss up in small parcels; throw these into the 

 solution while boiling, and leave them in for a minute ; afterwards dry them 

 in the open air, and the moss will last for an almost indefinite time without 

 alteration. Florist and Pomologist. 



New Grape. — It is the most easy thing in the world to raise new varieties 

 of grapes, but it is not easy to make advances on the best varieties in cultiva- 

 tion ; and amongst all the newest of the new, we can only select one respecting 

 which we can speak in terms of unequivocal praise. Our choice falls upon Mr. 

 Pearson's Ferdinand de Lesseps, in which the best characters of the American 

 and European grapes are combined, the result being a new and exquisite flavor, 

 combined with a most powerful and refreshing perfume. It is described in the 

 Oracle as the result of a cross between the American ' Strawberry Grape and 

 the Royal Muscadine. "The fruit is small, both in bunch and berry, the color a 

 fine deep amber, the flesh highly perfumed, and of the most luscious flavor. 

 The vine grows freely and bears freely, and is so nearly hardy that it will prob- 

 ably thrive on walls and in ground vineries." For pot culture and early forcing, 

 this will, we cannot doubt, prove to be most desirable, both for its earliness and 

 peculiar and desirable qualities. Gardener's Magazine. 



Hardy White Dutch Cabbage Lettuce. — This capital little compact 

 lettuce is one of the most useful varieties in cultivation. For winter work, it is 

 very hardy, can be planted thickly, and has no superfluous leaves. It is a first- 

 rate variety to put out under frames or handlights, to keep up a supply of salad 

 through severe weather. I wish especially to commend it for its extraordinary 

 capacity to withstand drought, as in the driest soil it will heart in nicely, and 

 remain longer Ipefore running to seed than any other variety. Its texture is fine 

 and crisp to eat, and the flavor is sweet and good. Its only drawback is that it 

 is small ; but that is easily got over by planting an extra quantity. 



A. D., in Gardener'' s Chronicle. 



