192 Editors^ Letter- Box. 



C. K. M., Naples, 111. — I have an apple-tree about twenty years old, the fruit 

 of which is entirely worthless. One small limb has been grafted with the Red 

 June (as it is called here), which does well. What had I better do with the 

 tree ? — Graft it all with the same variety that you have put into the one limb, 

 or with any other good sort. Do not cut it too much the first year. — Eds. 



Some persons think Lima beans for winter-use should ripen on the vines ; 

 but this is not necessary. Last fall, my vines were badly bitten by early frosts 

 before they had matured half the crop. I gathered all that were over half grown, 

 and dried them near the fire. When soaked in clear water over night, and cooked, 

 they can hardly be distinguished from green ones fresh from the vines. — We 

 have for some years been in the habit of saving Lima beans in this way, though 

 we should prefer to have them more than half ripe for the purpose. — Eds. 



C. K. M., Naples, 111. — In an article on "How a Small Farm was managed," 

 in the April number of the year 1868, the writer, speaking of lettuce, says, " The 

 entire crop of seven hundred dozen averaged a dollar a dozen." Please tell me 

 what size the plants were, and how treated. — The plants were left in the hot- 

 bed until they had formed a small head, and then sold. The seed for the earli- 

 est-crop that was sent to market the last of February and first of March was 

 sown the last of November, and, as soon as they had formed four leaves, were 

 transplanted into the beds where they were to grow. Other seed was sown later, 

 so as to have a succession. The only secret about the whole thing was to give 

 it good treatment and plenty of room, so that it would be a nice article. Some 

 of it sold for a dollar and a half a dozen. — Eds. 



My Wilson's strawberry-plants bloomed profusely in the open ground the 

 last of November. Does this variety generally do so ? — No ; nor is it well to 

 have them. When the autumn is warm and quite wet, strawberry-plants will 

 often show bloom. We are not aware that this variety is more likely to do so 

 than any other. — Eds. 



T. S. S. writes, " I have frequently heard it asserted, that, when the parent 

 tree dies, all trees grafted from it will soon after decline and die. Is it true ? " — 

 A more nonsensical staterrient, or one so utterly without foundation, never was 

 made. Yet we know that this is a popular superstition. We are curious to trace 

 its origin. Can any of our readers assist us ? 



