Notes and Gleanmgs. 291 



Pears at the West. — If I understand Mr. Foster rightly, he now considers 

 pears more profitable than apples, because more productive ; but adheres to his 

 former view, that the apple is more healthy. I am glad to know that the pear is 

 growing in favor, though sorry to hear that the apple is less productive. I see 

 that some of the best writers on pear-blight maintain that one variety is no more 

 subject to it than another ; but such has not been my experience, and Mr. Fos- 

 ter's testimony confirms my view Certainl}. the fungus which hardens the skin 

 of the White Doyenne and other pears, causing them to crack, is generally con- 

 fined to a few varieties, leaving others entirely free. And why should not the 

 fungus, which the best authorities hold responsible for the blight, also have its 

 favorite varieties ? 



No doubt, storms at the time the pear is in blossom would affect it as unfa- 

 vorably as the apple. But the pear blossoms before the apple ; and was not the 

 bloom of Mr. Foster's pears over before his apples blossomed and the storm 

 came .'' His statement that the cold rains occurred at the time of blooming, and 

 soon after, appears to favor this explanation. 



Tree Weigelias. — An excellent plan for growing these shrubs so as to make 

 the most of the room in a small garden. But I want to go farther, and train all 

 my weigeHas, however low, to a single stem ; and not only weigelias, but lilacs 

 and syringas and spiraeas, and every thing else that I can : for there is 

 nothing that I abominate more than a bunch of stems, from which you cannot 

 clean out the weeds if it grows in a border, nor cat the grass if it stands on the 

 lawn. A clean stem to an ornamental shrub is as important as a clean stem to 

 a currant-bush, where clean culture is aimed at. 



Harvesting Early Potatoes. — Your correspondent remarks that he has never 

 been troubled with potatoes rotting. A rare experience, truly ! He adds, how- 

 ever, that he restricts himself almost exclusively to the growing of early sorts ; 

 and I am inclined to think that in this fact lies the great secret of his success. 

 Early varieties, planted early, will be fully ripened at the close of July ; and, as 

 potato-disease rarely if ever attacks the plants before the beginning of 

 August, it follows as a matter of course that the crop will be sound and healthy. 

 But how do our early potatoes as a class compare with the later varieties in 

 quality? Are they equally productive .'' and do they come to the table in as fine 

 condition in the spring and early summer months ? If so, there can be no 

 question as to the best course to be pursued : Select early varieties, plant early, 

 harvest as soon as fully ripe, and " store immediately in a cool, dark cellar." 



Boston-RIarket Tomato. — A fine engraving of an excellent variety. The 

 Boston-Market and the General Grant need no recommendation. They meet 

 t'.ie req'.iirs nenti of ma'"ket-girden2r3 as regards productiveness ; and they please 

 their customers by their good size and form, rich color, remarkable solidity, and 

 excellent quality. But what has become of the early varieties, so many of which 

 have been introduced within the last few years ? Allow me to say, that, in my 

 opinion, a tomato ten days earlier than the old Large Red, and worthy of culti- 

 vation, is yet in the future. I speak advisedly, throw down the gauntlet, and 

 challenge proof 



How to pack Flowers for a Joiirney. — Well illustrated, and suitable for bou- 



