Notes and Gleanings. 99 



though hardly up to the £mile d'Heyst of the previous number ; but then we 

 can't expect to have the best all the time. 



Hillside Greenhouses. — Many a man, if he had hit on such an idea as this 

 of Mr. Strong's, would certainly have patented it if he could ; but he couldn't 

 this year : and I think the subject of horticultural patents has received an effec- 

 tual quietus for more than one year. Mr. Strong, however, is not the man to 

 attempt to monopolize tiie benefit of such an idea, if he could. However, there 

 is no doubt that this house will solve the problem of cheap forced fruit, and 

 give us early grapes at twenty-five cents a jsound, if any thing can. 



Good for Balsams ; and no one raises better than Mr. Breck. They are mag- 

 nificent in the flower-garden when well grown. 



Discrepancies of Strawberry-Culture. — Yes, we can find discrepancies enough 

 in any kind of culture, if we look for them ; it would be strange, if, in our wide 

 country, with endless diversity of soil and climate, with no end of varieties, 

 there were no discrepancies. But, suppose we look at the other side of the 

 question, and see what we can all unite in. Is not it true, as a general rule, that 

 the largest strawberries (of the same variety) grow on the richest soil 1 Is it 

 not invariably true that strawberries grow largest in a wet season, like the pres- 

 ent .'' and that they will not swell at all if the season is too dry ? Is it not true, that 

 in a deeply-worked soil they suffer less from drought than in a shallow soil ? I 

 do not think Mr. Morris would advise us, because a man whose beds were overrun 

 with weeds had gathered more than double the crop of his careful neighbor, to 

 permit weeds to grow in the strawberry-beds under any circumstances. Now, 

 it strikes me, that here are a few principles established besides the two facts 

 which Mr. Morris finds standing out so prominently. And when told that two 

 parties adopting an identical mode of culture, having like soil, like seasons, and 

 like varieties, have had very different success, I should answer that the likeness 

 is only apparent ; that we had not all the elements in the question, and, if we 

 had, we should at once see the cause of difference. Perhaps it will be a great 

 while before we shall be able to detect such mysterious influences ; but I make 

 no doubt that sooner or later we shall, and this statement of present discrepan- 

 cies may well set us to studying out the agencies which now bafHe our sight. 



Those Pears in Devon, I think, are a little bigger than any of the same varie- 

 ties have ever grown on this side of the Atlantic ; but if anybody here has 

 grown Winter Nelises to half a pound, and Beurre Clairgeaus to a pound and a 

 quarter, I should like to know of it. But, though the moist climate of England 

 swells up their pears so, I don't believe the flavor is equal to ours. Won't some 

 of our Californian friends, who are so famous for big pears, tell us how large these 

 varieties grow there ? 



The Lydie Thidrard Pear doesn't look to me as if it would ever be a popular 

 orchard pear: but I am one of those who recollect the old Crassane with its 

 spirited juice, as good after dinner as a glass of wine ; and if this seedling from 

 it is equal to the parent, it will be desired by every amateur who appreciates a 

 vinous pear. 



Hollyhock-Culture. — Attention called to a noble flower, and one which, join- 

 ing forces with the gladiolus, has well-nigh driven the dahlia out of the field. 



