JANUARY. 



51 



beds have been cut out of the turf, where there has been a grand display 

 of annuals during the season. 



About one hundred and twenty-five pear trees have been planted, upon 

 the lot last purchased, during the autumn of 1853, and the spring and 

 autumn of 1854. 



Mr. Breck considers autunni the best season for transplanting most 

 kinds of trees. There were on the first lot about twenty-five pear trees, 

 partly in a bearing state. The very best varieties known among us are 

 embraced in this collection, and no inferior variety has been admitted. 

 There is also a good collection of plums, which have not been seriously 

 affected by the black wart ; and about twenty peach trees, which at present 

 look very promising. 



We found, too, a good collection of minor fruits ; currants, (six or eight 

 varieties), gooseberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, &c. 



Mr. Breck cultivates five varieties of hardy grapes, and submits as his 

 experience that these yield much better fruit, when permitted to ramble 

 upon a tree ; as the fruit is not so subject to mildew and to insects as when 

 grown on a trellis. This plan may improve the grapes, but we question 

 whether it much advantages the tree. 



In the graperies were fifteen or sixteen varieties of grapes ; but a great 

 majority were the Black Hamburg, Muscat of Alexandria, White Chasselas, 

 White Frontignan, and Cannon Hall. The Chasselas Musque, although 

 one of the most highly flavored grapes, Mr. Breck says is inclined to 

 crack, and not being showy, withal, is unpopular at the fruit stores. " My 

 forcing house," adds Mr. Breck, "is a thoroughly constructed building, 

 about fifty feet in length ; and had it been set three feet higher, would 

 have been, in all respects, as perfect as could be desired. But the 

 border being low, it is impossible to drain it when the water is high, and 

 consequently to drive the vines very hard. I cannot ripen my grapes be- 

 fore the middle of June." In this house there are twelve vines. 



"In my other graperies (eighty-five feet long) I have eighty vines — forty- 

 four under the rafters and thirl-y-six arranged and trained each side of the 

 centre, making four tiers of grapes. The inner rows are much shaded, 

 but the fruit ripens well, and about as early as those near the glass. This 

 house is divided into two parts by a glass partition, one portion of which is 

 heated up about the 1st of March, ripening the fruit from the 1st to the 

 middle of August. The other portion is without artificial heat, being, to all 

 intents and purposes, a cold house. The fruit in this house begins to ripen 

 from the 1st to the 10th of September, the flavor of which is fully equal to 

 if not superior to that ripened a month sooner in the other house." 



There is also on the premises a small greenhouse, thirty-five feet long, 

 well stocked with plants. 



We found about one hundred and fifty choice varieties of hardy perpetual 

 and June roses, and ten varieties of Moss and as many Prairie roses. 



Mr. Breck has an extensive collection of phloxes, probably one of the 

 largest and best in the country. A great many varieties have been imported, 

 and many others were raised from seed. " I have amused myself," gaya 



