Notes and Gleanings. 359 



that the process of weeding out superseded varieties might profitably have been 

 carried farther ; for such pears as Angeh"que de Bordeaux, Copia, Aurate, Am- 

 brette or Echasserie, Ambrosia, Famenga, Foster's St. Michael, Frangipane 

 Grumkower, Hunt's Connecticut, the Blanquets, Locke, Louise Bonne (the old), 

 Martin Sec, Michaux, Moccas, Orange d'Hiver, Pitt's Marie Louise, Sylvange, 

 Salviati, Sanguinole, Yat, and many others, which exist only in books, where 

 their history is amply recorded, should no longer be suffered to cumber a modern 

 work. We regret to see the book disfigured in so many places, especially in 

 t'.ie names of fruit, by errors of orthography, of which we have given one in- 

 stance above, and by other mistakes, which are not very creditable to the proof- 

 reader. 



We have said nothing yet of those parts of the work which treat of cultiva- 

 tion, etc. ; for they are not materially changed : but directions for cordon train- 

 ing and orchard-house culture, which have been invented since the first edition, 

 have been added to bring it up to our time ; and we notice, occasionally, shorter 

 notes, showing a practical hand and sagacious eye. We are glad to see that 

 the original dedication of the volume by A.J. Downing to his friend Mr. Wilder, 

 then President of the Massachusetts Horticultural Societ)^, is retained. 



But, as we have said, the greatest value of such comprehensive, encyclopedic 

 works must be for reference. We have tried this to some extent in this way, 

 and it stands the test, in spite of occasional errors : and we can only say, that, if 

 there is a man who can make a better book of this character than Mr. Downing, 

 we hope he will do it ; if there is one who thinks he can, let him try. 



The publication of this volume reminds us of visions we have had of a work 

 on fruits which should include the names and synonymes of all known varieties, 

 with concise tabular descriptions, after the manner of the London Horticultural 

 Society's catalogue, but with the addition of references to all important authori- 

 ties by which they are described. We know not whether it would be possible 

 to complete such a work, which would require the united efforts of all our first 

 pomologists, or whether, if possible, it would be of sufficient value to compen- 

 sate for the immense amount of labor it would require ; but we fear that life is 

 too short for it, and we believe that "The Fruits and Fruit-Trees of America" 

 is as near an approach to it as we shall ever see. 



The Eumelan Grape. — We have received specimens of this new variety 

 from Messrs. Hasbrouck & Bushnell. It sustains its reputation of last year; 

 having a high, sprightly flavor, and being free from pulp. As regards quality, it 

 deserves to be placed at the head of the black grapes. Its only fault is its large 

 seeds. It is to be hoped that the clusters will improve in size, as they must to 

 correspond with the engraving sent out. We were desirous to publish an illus- 

 tration of this variety both last year and this, but were unsuccessful in our 

 efforts to procure a specimen for that purpose. 



Hardy Fruits. — Varieties which put out their flowers and foliage late, like 

 the Northern Spy and Hubbardston Nonesuch apples, and Paradise d'Automne 

 pears, are particularly desirable for localities subject to late spring frosts. 



