314 Editors Letter- Box. 



A. C. C, Dedham, Mass. — I have a Fulton pear-tree that was grafted on a 

 very thrifty stock, that grew well, and gave fruit a year or two, but now seems to 

 be dying ; the extremities of the branches turning black. Is this a common 

 thing with this variety? — The Fulton pear is a poor grower, especially after it 

 begins to fruit. In your case, probably, the tree received too great a check ; the 

 stock being a vigorous free grower, and the scion a slow or poor grower. Some 

 varieties are almost sure to kill the stock on which they are grafted. The Cross 

 and Collins pears are among those that work in that way. 



M. B. W., Newburyport. — What are some of the most profitable grapes to 

 grow for market in Massachusetts .'' — Concord, because it is large and hand- 

 some, of fair quality, and generally ripens ; Hartford ProHfic, on account of its 

 earliness, though there is a serious objection to it because the fruit drops from 

 the stem ; Delaware, as it always commands a ready sale at high prices. 



Is it necessary to trench the land for a vineyard 1 — No : plough deep, and 

 manure well with thoroughly decomposed manure, and set your vines. If your 

 land is good enough for corn, you will get satisfactory results. 



A Subscriber, Worcester, Mass. — Can peach-trees be grown in pots or tubs .' 

 and how should they be treated ? — Yes ; and give very good results. They may 

 be set in twelve, fourteen, or sixteen inch earthen pots, or in tubs of about the 

 same size, well shortened in when set, and should be well pruned all the 

 time. Use good soil, and pack close in the pot. They should be well watered 

 in summer, occasionally with manure-water. If the pots are plunged in the 

 earth, they will be less trouble. Keep them in the cellar in winter for protection. 

 Will give fruit the second year after being set. Try it. 



Small Garden, Boston. — What are some of the best winter pears } — Law- 

 rence, Winter Nelis, Hovey, Caen de France, Beurre d'Aremberg, Glout Mor- 

 ceau, and Vicar of Winkfield. 



Fruit-Grower. — Should strawberry-plantations be made in spring, or 

 autumn? — Spring is preferred by all market-gardeners North. When only a 

 few are to be set, it may be done in August ; but they require more care if 

 planted then. 



ViTis, Marblehead. — How deep would you plant dwarf pear-trees ? — So that 

 the quince-stock should be at least an inch below the surface of the ground. Is 

 it profitable to graft grape-vines extensively? — We think not. It will do where 

 you wish to bring forward rapidly new and rare sorts. It is cheaper and better 

 to root up and plant anew than to try and graft a large number of old vines. 



Scotchman. — The broom is not perfectly hardy in Massachusetts, but lives 

 and blooms well with a slight winter protection of boughs. The white variety 

 is more tender than the yellow, and probably would be winter-killed. The furze, 

 or gorse, is not hardy enough to bear our climate. 



