3i6 Editors' Letter- Box. 



How many kinds of fruit is it best to graft into one tree ? — Q- D. Only one, 

 as a general rule. There are many objections to more than one. It is rarely 

 that two varieties are of exactly equal vigor; and the stronger one, if grafted into 

 the same stock, is pretty sure to overpower and starve the weaker. Then, in 

 gathering, if that work is intrusted to an ignorant person, as it often is necessa- 

 rily, you are pretty sure to get your two kinds mixed up, even though they may 

 be easily distinguished by an expert eye. In testing new varieties, it is of quite 

 as much consequence to ascertain the habit of growth as any other point ; and 

 this can be well done only when a tree has plenty of room and the whole of the 

 stock to itself Sometimes it has been found advantageous to graft a small 

 winter pear into the top of a tree, and an early one into the lower limbs ; and, 

 when the latter are gathered, the whole power of the tree will be directed to the 

 late kind, which will then grow larger than otherwise. Still, we repeat, that, 

 unless absolutely necessary to depart from it, we would follow the rule of one 

 kind to one tree. 



S. G. B. — Yes : the apples have a rather odd look for Baldwins ; but they are 

 no doubt correct. The natural habit of the Baldwins is, generally, to bear in even 

 years ; that is, i860, 1862, 1864, 1866, 1868, &c. : and those grown the odd years 

 are apt to have less color than tiiose produced in even years, which form the 

 great majority, and vary slightly otherwise from the normal type. As to there 

 being two kinds, you will find, if you examine the fruit of a tree which grew from 

 a single bud, two distinct types of Baldwins : the first more conical, or pearmain- 

 shaped, than the other, with a short, thick stem ; the second flatter, the stem long 

 and slender, and with russet around it, spreading out in rays. The first type is 

 produced from the central blossom in a cluster, and the second from those on 

 the outside. The Surpasse Virgalieu Pear also has the habit of producing elon- 

 gated specimens, which will always be found in the centre of a cluster. 



X. Q. — The distinction between fruit and vegetables, in ordinary usage, is an 

 arbitrary one ; and no general principles can be laid down by which they can be dis- 

 tino-uished. As a general rule, fruits are eaten at the dessert, and do not require 

 cooking, while vegetables are cooked : but this distinction will not apply in all 

 cases ; for it would class the quince, and some varieties of pears, plums, and other 

 fruits, among vegetables. The potato and tomato are closely allied : but the 

 edible portion of the former is a tuber, which is a modification of the stem ; 

 while that of the latter, as well as of the egg-plant, which is another near relation, 

 is the true fruit, botanically speaking. But, in t'.ie mirket, all three are classed 

 among vegetables. Botanically, also, tiie cucumber and squash are fruits, as well 

 as the musk and water melons : but the form.er are universally known as vegeta- 

 bles ; while the latter are sometimes, and, as we think, very properly, known as 

 fruits. They may, however, be found described both as fruits and vegetables. 



Jennie June. — A jonquil is a narcissus. You were right. Jonquille Cam- 

 periielle is a variety, and one of the best for house-culture. The silver jonquil 

 is Narcissus tenuifoliiis, and is a very beautiful species. 



