320 Editor's Letter-Box. 



judge of their quality. By the way, how is it that the specimens of grapes sent 

 to us almost always arrive in a condition far inferior to that of the grapes sent 

 an equal distance to market ? So far as we could judge the only recommenda- 

 tion of the variety is its hardiness, and it would not for a moment be thought of 

 where better kinds succeed. It may however be of value for producing kinds as 

 hardy as itself and of better quality, and we recommend you to try the experi- 

 ment, crossing it with the best native and foreign varieties. 



Barren. — The reason your young pear trees do not give any fruit is that they 

 are growing so vigorously. The functions of growth and reproduction (the 

 primary object of the fruit of trees is to perpetuate the species by the seed 

 which it encloses) are entirely distinct, and to some extent antagonistic. If you 

 want your trees to bear you must cease feeding them so highly, and if that is not 

 enough give them a root pruning. 



Alec. The Red Pine {Pinus rcsinosd) is wrongly called Norway pine, and 

 the Latin name is not appropriate, as the wood is not particularly resinous. It 

 is a beautiful tree on the lawn, and though difficult to transplant is worth the 

 trouble. It should have plenty of room to develope itself on all sides without 

 crowding. The name of Red Pine, or Pimts rubra, is from the reddish color of 

 the bark. 



Amy. — The yellows in the peach is not caused by an insect, though very 

 likely the peach borer may have a share in producing it by affecting the general 

 health of the tree ; but we do not believe that, unaccompanied by any other 

 cause it would produce the yellows. This disease appears to be an enfeebled 

 state of the tree caused by poor soils, unsuitable climates, and unfavorable influ- 

 ences generally, and so long continued that the disease becomes fixed or " con- 

 stitutional." The only remedy is to dig up the tree and burn it ; it is utterly use- 

 less to head it down, or prune if in any way, in the hope of saving it. It will 

 only infect others to keep it standing, and young trees must not be planted in 

 the same soil, as they will certainly be affected. 



Idem. So many instances are on record of nectarines being produced from 

 peach stones that there can be no doubt of the fact. We have at this moment a 

 tree which was raised from a peach stone, and which has borne nectarines last 

 year and this. Peaches vary greatly in the quantity of down on their skins, 

 some being covered almost like flannel, and others having scarcely any down ; 

 and it is no strange thing if, among other variations, one should occasionally be 

 produced without any down at all. Peaches have also been raised from necta- 

 rines, and both peaches and nectarines have been borne on different branches 

 of the same tree. The gooseberry would seem to afford a similar instance, as 

 we suppose the smooth and hispid varieties are produced indiscriminately from 

 each other, though we have no certain knowledge on this point. 



