Critique on the September Number. — As regularly as the month comes 

 round, we find Mr. Breck bearing in his hands his floral offering ; and now he 

 presents us with directions how to cultivate the Antirrhinum, spiced with quota- 

 tions from his favorite, the quaint old Gerarde. But what would Gerarde have 

 said to the marvellous new varieties of all hues which the florists have given us 

 within the last fifteen years or so ? Sometimes, when I read over these old 

 authors, I am surprised to find how much they knew which we are apt to consider 

 as modern discoveries ; but it cannot be denied that we have the advantage of 

 them in the possession of these new creations, as I may call them, which the 

 florists of our day have unfolded to our view. 



Notes on Raspberries. — The raspberry can never be as popular a fruit as 

 the strawberry, for the very reason that it does not come until the strawberry 

 has taken the edge off of our appetites after we have fasted from fresh fruit for 

 months. Nevertheless, it is desirable to know the best kinds ; but I am at a 

 loss to know why it is that tastes diifer so in Boston from the New- York and 

 Philadelphia markets. Of course, any one would prefer Knevett's Giants to 

 Philadelphias, if he could afford to pay for them ; but how about those who 

 cannot afford to pay ? Does everybody in Boston pay fifty cents a box for rasp- 

 berries ? or do all but the rich go without them ? If the latter is the case, then 

 our horticulture is not perfect; and this brings me to say, that it never will be 

 until we can reply to Mr. Merrick's incisive question, "How many families do 

 you know that enjoy an abundant supply of fruit througliout the year?" that 

 everybody has it. We hope nobody will talk about too much fruit until these 

 questions, which go right to the heart of the subject, as far as the producer is 



VOL. VI. 29 *^^ 



