Editorial Miscellany. 121 



Acknowledgments. — We have received specimens of the Northern 

 Muscadine Grape, raised by the Shakers' Society at New Lebanon, N. Y. 

 The fruit appears to us to resemble in a striking degree the Catawba ; 

 this likeness is carried out in both appearance and flavor. Like the 

 Catawba, it is sweet, superadded to which is a lurking reminiscence of 

 the fox grape of Connecticut. The skin is inclined to be thin ; the flesh 

 is pulpy, although much tenderer than the Isabella. It is said to ripen 

 previous to the 15th of September. 



We also received in the same package a sample of wine manufactured 

 from the Northern Muscadine. This was made after a bad receipt, and 

 therefore we are not able to judge correctly of what it would have been 

 if made by an experienced vintner. Such a quantity of sugar had been 

 added as to subdue the real grape flavor, although it made quite a pleasant 

 cordial. To make wine from this grape, no sugar is required. If we 

 may judge from the flavor of the fruit, we would say that it was capable 

 of making an agreeable, sparkling hock. The great objection to most 

 home-made wines is, that our home-made people are not connoisseurs in 

 the article of grape juice, and therefore imagine a simple, pleasant flavor 

 is the requisite condition of vinous drinks. 



The Shakers are recognized as the most skilful and successful culti 

 vators in the country. Their fair dealing has become proverbial. We 

 are therefore disposed to confide in the assertions respecting their 

 productions, as set forth in their advertisement (for which see another 

 page). As conductor of a Horticultural Journal, it behoves us to be 

 somewhat circumspect in recommending any new fruit, unless qualified 

 by the personal experience of several seasons. 



An article appeared recently in the Tribmie condemnatory of the 

 Ailanthus, which brought out the following response. It accords with 

 our own views : 



A friend says we are too severe in our sweeping denunciation of the 

 fashionable ailanthus tree. The great error is not in the trees, but in 

 their multiplicity ; because " our streets, yards, everywhere are full of 

 them." " Streets are lined from end to end with this species of trees, as 

 though there was no other that would grow in city soil, and it is the 

 abundance of the blossoms that over-load and poison the air." This is 

 true ; and if only one ailanthus existed where we have ten, we might en- 

 dure the unpleasant smell of the bloom, mixed with the sweets of other 

 trees, and allow the trees in diminished numbers to grow, in consideration 

 that in their rapid growth they absorb so much carbonic acid, which 

 might otherwise prove deleterious. The same friend says that the ailan- 



