392 Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 



preserving dahlia roots through the winter? If I recollect right,one of your 

 correspondents in your first volume promised some remarks in rejrard 

 to the taking up and preserving the roots. These have never yet met 

 my eye. He will confer an especial favor by giving me a few hints in 

 regard to the proper manner in which it should be done. — Yours, S., 

 Sept. 3, 1836. 



Cultivation of the Fig Tree. — We have often wondered why this 

 very delicious fruit was not more generally cultivated in this country, 

 particularly at the south. The trees can as easily be grown as the 

 grape vine; and we believe that information is only wanted to induce 

 persons to grow them. It is, therefore, with pleasure, that we present 

 the following notice to our readers. Eliphalet Averell, Esq., of Hart- 

 ford, has succeeded in their cultivation, and the method he has pursued 

 is as follows: — "Mr. Averill lays down the branches in June, which 

 form roots and grow luxuriantly. Immediately after the leaves fall off 

 in autumn, and before hard frosts destroy their vitality, he lays them 

 down and covers with earth to the depth of at least a foot. In order 

 that a part of the roots may retain their original position in the earth, 

 and be ready to furnish nourishment early the ensuing spring, he loosens 

 the roots on one side of the tree, and leaves those on the other undis- 

 turbed — taking care that those loosened are not mutilated or otherwise 

 injured. He then bends the branches over those roots that are left in 

 the ground, fastens them with pegs, and covers both roots and branches 

 with mellow earth to the depth above stated. In this condition he 

 leaves them till the middle of May, or the first of June, according to the 

 forwardness or backwardness of the season, and then uncovers them — 

 sets them upright, and supports them with props, to keep them in aright 

 position. By repeating this process every winter, he has succeeded in 

 preserving his trees till they have attained a good size, and produce 

 fruit in perfection and abundance." — (Silk Culiurist.) 



Arti IV. Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 



Saturday, August Wth. — Exhibited. Fruits : from R. Manning, 

 Rousselet hatif, of Coxe, Fine Gold of Summer, Green Chisel, Robine, 

 or August muscat pears, and a kind the name unknown; the Rousselet 

 hitif is an excellent early fruitj with a rich musky flavor. From E. Bart- 

 Ictt, Italian damask plums, a very good early fruit, of fine appearance. 

 From S. Downer, Fine Gold of Summer, Bloodgood pears, and anoth- 

 er variety, the name unknown; the Bloodgood pear is a fruit of medium 

 size, rather handsome appearance, and of good flavor; Sopsavine or 

 Shropshirevine, and Juneating apples, the latter an excellent early 

 fruit; also a small variety of plum, the name unknown. From James 

 Wentworth, Cambridgeport, apricots. From T. Mason, Black Ham- 

 burgh and Sweet Water grapes. 



August 27 /A. — Exhibited. From the garden of J. P. Gushing, Esq., 

 by his gardener Mr. Haggerston, Crinum amabile. Hibiscus libsa si- 

 nensis, var. rubra and carnea, iVerium Oleander and O. var. splendens, 

 Combretum purpiireum, Passiflora alata, Allamanda cathartica, Cerbe- 

 ra theveta, Ipomse^a g-ossypiifolia, Gesnera corymbosa, Eschscholtzia 



