Notes and Gleanings. 373 



appreciate the salutary as well as the sanitary infl-uence of fruits, in extending 

 the period of human life, as well as in enhancing the enjoyment thereof during 

 our brief sojourn here. May we not, in the lengthened term of the present over 

 that which belonged to past centuries, when animal food almost alone constituted 

 the bill of fare, attribute somewhat to the influences eraamerated, as conspiring 

 to effect the change ? 



We are entering upon a new era, notwithstanding the progress we have made 

 in the past, in reference to horticulture. 



We may say without egotism, that our own State of Illinois is girding herself, 

 through her active pomologists and horticulturists, for a grand march into the 

 regions of Pomona, so inviting and so tempting with russet fruits and toothsome 

 clusters. Egypt is dispelling the darknass, fabled or real, that is said to have long 

 huns: over a region in which the iroddess now is scattering: her gifts in magnifi- 

 cent profusion. More than three-fourths of our State, stretching through five 

 degrees of latitude, is capable of remunerative i'ruit-culture ; and far-seeing men 

 are profiting thereby. 



That there may be some evidence brought forward, corroborative of what 

 I have said, — there is an active State Horticultural Society, Northern and 

 Southern Societies, besides many local ones, all active in the promotion of the 

 great benefactions of Nature designed for the welfare and happiness of the 

 human family. 



It is one of the greatest of blessings, that all men are not pursuing one branch 

 of horticulture alone ; but, on the other hand, one has a taste for grape-culture, 

 another for pears or peaches, another for apples, another still for small fruits, 

 and, now and then, a large-minded man encompasses the whole range ; but, usu- 

 ally, the adoption of specialties results in the most sensible advancement in the 

 entire domain of fruit-culture. We have a goodly heritage, and let us all strive, 

 in the great race, to leave some landmarks behind, that the world may know, 

 when we are gone, that we once occupied a place here, generously devoting our 

 energies to ameliorate the condition of our race. Nahum E. Ballon, M.D. 



Sandwich, III., Nov. 21, 1868. 



Century-Plant Flowering. — We learn from our correspondents Messrs. 

 Frost & Co. of Rochester, that a Century-Plant {Agave Americana), or American 

 aloe, will flower this summer in their grounds, and is now rapidly throwing up 

 its flower-stem. The plant was procured by the Messrs.. Frost, about thirteen 

 years ago, from the greenhouse of the late John Greig of Canandaigua. It was 

 at that time so large as to be inconvenient in a private establishment ; and Mr. 

 Greig disposed of it for that reason. Owing to its unwieldiness, the Messrs. 

 Frost have given it comparatively little care ; and, consequently, it is not as large 

 now as when it first came under their charge. A year ago, they moved it from 

 one location to another, and during the removal it was jarred considerably. To 

 the rough handling it received then the Messrs. Frost are inclined to attribute 

 its flowering this year. Their theory is, that its growth was checked, and its vital 

 forces diverted towards the culminating and final effort of its existence ; for the 

 American aloe expires immediately after it has blossomed. In oixler to satisfy 



