240 Notes and Gleanings. 



Mr. TiLTON, — Allow a subscriber to urge the claims of the hyacinth 

 " Charles Dickens " to all lovers of the beautiful. For years past, I have grown 

 this variety, and now place it before all others for house-culture. The color is 

 delicate porcelain, varied with a darker shade ; the bells are unusually large 

 and well shaped ; while the odor is more sprightly than almost any other variety, 

 not having that ^d?«^ sweetness peculiar to all. 



Last year, a number of my bulbs were mislaid, the Charles Dickens hyacinth 

 among them. When found (Jan. 5), they were immediately potted. The same 

 treatment was given to all ; but the Charles Dickens asserted its superiority by 

 blooming full two days in advance of the others : and, at this writing, these same 

 bulbs are showing better trusses than many roots imported this fall, and potted 

 in September. 



If any who read this article are induced to plant a few of the bulbs whose 

 good qualities I have endeavored to delineate, I am sure they will feel fully re- 

 paid for their trouble by the store of beauty and sweetness their tender care 

 will surely bring forth. Robert Waggoner. 



Troy, N.Y., Jan. 19, 1869. 



[The variety will bear out all our corrrespondent asserts. It is good in every 

 way. We have it now (Jan. 25) beautifully in bloom. — Eds.'] 



Arnold's Hybrid Grapes. — As we have had the pleasure of tasting these 

 new grapes as grown in Canada, and well knowing the difference between the 

 same varieties grown there and here, it may be interesting to know how they 

 compare with our best varieties here. 



You must bear in mind that such as Concord, Creveling, Catawba, &c., as 

 grown in your vicinity, would hardly be eaten here, where Creveling and Maxa- 

 tawny, Clara, Delaware, lona, &c., are about perfection. 



But these hybrids of Arnold's are fully equal, and one variety superior even, 

 when grown in the far north. 



It would be useless to describe them, as that has ot'ten been done ; but if they 

 improve, when brought here, in the same ratio that all northern varieties have 

 done, then we have added to our list five valuable grapes. 



Othello for a table grape will become famous in market, on account of its 

 showy appearance, although not equal to some of the others in quality. Au- 

 tuchan will take well both on account of its fine bunch, beautiful color, and ex- 

 cellent quality ; Brant for table and wine both ; while Cornucopia and Canada 

 are not much behind. 



A number of persons in this locality have got vines ; so that in a few years 

 you may count on receiving both fruit and wine from here of these very promis- 

 ing varieties, provided your humble correspondent lives so long. 



Samuel Miller. 



Bluffton, Mo , Feb. 6, 1S69. 



