226 Notes and Gleanings. 



concerned, are answered. But, if all the stories that I have heard are true, there 

 is need of improvement in the distribution, as well as production, so as to bring 

 fruit to the consumer in the least time and at the smallest possible cost. 



Parlor-Plants and House-Plants. — Two good papers for a good object ; and, 

 as Dr. Channing says, "a much more important one than how to grow plants in 

 a greenhouse." But what shall we do when Mr. Rand tells us that the rose is 

 not suitable for a window-plant, and Dr. Channing finds that he can blossom 

 them all winter, great authorities to the contrary notwithstanding ? Why, I say, 

 grow them, or at least try to grow them, in spite of the great authorities. 



" What has a description of wild orange-trees to do with horticulture ? " asks 

 the practical man, or he who considers himself a practical man. Well, I can't 

 say that it will help us much to grow apples in New England. But these same 

 wild oranges are of great value as stocks for the improved varieties : and I have 

 faith that it will not be long before the wilderness of Florida will blossom not 

 only with the rose, but every other flower and fruit of tropical as well temperate 

 climate ; and, until that good time is come, I shall always like to hear of these 

 wild orange-trees, full at once of glossy leaves and delightfully fragrant flowers 

 and golden fruit, waiting the gardener's skilful hand to graft and pluck the 

 delicious fruit of the improved varieties. 



The Beurre Bosc and Paradise d^A utoinne Pears. — Here are two of the finest 

 of pears which have been cultivated for years, with only the vaguest notions of 

 where they were born, if, indeed, they were not " only growed." I do not see 

 how anybody can be around among pear-trees without contracting something 

 very like a personal friendship for them, and wishing to know their history : and 

 I am very glad to get so much new information about these two sister pears, or 

 rather sister and brother ; for, while the Bosc has a feminine roundness, the Par- 

 adise, in its greater irregularity, reminds of masculine ruggedness. 



" Let every man own his garden," and cultivate it too, and learn to love the 

 fruits and flowers which he has tended : yes, and the vegetables too ; for, as 

 Hawthorne says, " the hugest pleasure is reserved until we behold these vegeta- 

 ble children of ours smoking on the table, and, like Saturn, make a meal of them." 

 The title of this article furnishes a te.Kt from which the writer discourses, not in 

 the sentimental style, on the blessmgs of home, but in a statement of facts 

 which will be new to most readers, and which set forth in a novel and most 

 forcible manner the difference between a home and a mere house, — a difference 

 which many individuals, and indeed whole nations, have no idea of 



The short notice of the Celastrus scandens is as true as any thing that ever 

 was written ; and much more might have been said. Though the small greenish- 

 white flowers are inconspicuous, they add much to the beauty of the plant in early 

 summer ; and there is no more beautiful foliage than that of a well-grown plant. 

 The clusters of berries, as well as the berries themselves, are much increased in 

 size by cultivation : but, in transplating vines from the wood, care must be taken 

 to select fruitful ones ; for some, as I have found to my sorrow, are barren. If 

 this vine were only brought from Jericho or Madagascar, we should hear no end 

 of praises of its beauty. 



