Editorial Miscellany. (51 



Purple Magnum Bonum tree. This gentleman not being fiimiliar with 

 different varieties, disseminated this Pr(r2^lc Magnum Bonum as the Du- 

 nne Plum, which in the course of its travels became invested with the 

 additional title of Purple, and was afterwards known as Dtianc^s Purjile, 

 and so described by Mr, Downing. With regard to the fruit, we would 

 say it is a common variety at Albany and Schenectady. At the latter place 

 the nurserymen do not propagate it by budding, as any quantity of off- 

 shoots can be obtained for the digging, as the tree, like many local sorts, 

 has the peculiar property of re-producing itself from seed. Occasionally 

 the seedling will vary slightly in appearance, but not sufficiently marked 

 to merit di!^tinction. Those having the varievy under the difi'erent names 

 will find by comparing them that we are correct. 



The Annual Fair of the New York State Agricultural Society will be 

 held this year at Elniira, a delightful village, centrally located and of easy 

 access from the various portions of the State. The time appointed for 

 holding the Fair is the 2d, 3d, 4th and 5th days of October. Sixteen 

 acres of ground will be fenced in, on which will be erected spacious build- 

 ings, tents, &c., sufficient to accommodate all the articles on exhibition. 



Last season the accommodations for the display of fruit and other Hor- 

 ticultural products were very meagre, and decidedly unsatisfactory to ex« 

 hibitors. It would appear that this feature of the great Fair is viewed 

 with indifference by those entrusted with the supervision of providing 

 conveniences. At Saratoga the stands for exhibiting fruit were not erect- 

 ed until the novelty of the show had been dissipated by the surfeit caused 

 by other objects of attraction. 



We earnestly hope such unpardonable neglect will not again be chron- 

 icled on the coming occasion. This most profitable branch of the cultiva- 

 tor's subtlety should meet with every encouragement from our State So- 

 ciety. The inducements to grow fruit in its greatest perfection should be 

 enlarged in order that the grower be partiall}^ remunerated for the extra 

 trouble and time expended. Giving prizes of $60 for superior specimens 

 of butter and cheese is certainly not objectionable, but we arc utterly un- 

 able to discover that they are of paramount importance. Equally as large 

 sums are annually expended by private individuals in introducing fine 

 varieties of fruit, as there are in that of importing remarkable breeds of 

 cattle, and no one vf'iW deny that the profits attendant upon growing fruit 

 of a marketable quality, arc also equally satisfactory. The j)altry premi- 

 ums at present bestowed, contain no inducements for other than profca 



