2 Retrospective View of the 



and 1845 seemed to have all fallen in November, when, ac- 

 cording to an accurate statement, more rain fell than in any 

 one month, with two exceptions, since 1818. Upwards of 

 11 inches of rain fell during the month; and nearly 4 inches 

 fell in the short space of 18 hours on the 27th. December 

 commenced with several heav}'' showers, which were fol- 

 lowed with mild frosty weather, continuing up to the date 

 we now write (15th.) 



Notwithstanding the rather unfavorable season, crops, with 

 the exception of t"he potato have been nearly an average one ; 

 the latter has suffered much from the rot, or murrain, as it 

 has more recently been called. Peaches were remarkably 

 plentiful throughout New England, as well as in New Jersey 

 and Maryland. Plums, in the Eastern States, were abund- 

 ant and good. Pears were very abundant and excellent, 

 though ripening off, owing to the warm summer, much earlier 

 than usual. The apple crop was cut off in New York, and 

 was very light in New England. 



Horticulture. 



A rapid increase of taste has taken place in this depart- 

 ment of horticulture. Fruit trees of all kinds are eagerly 

 sought after, and new varieties continue to be in good de- 

 mand. The pear is the greatest favorite ; and since the fine 

 qualities of the new Belgian and other varieties have become 

 better known, by an actual inspection of the fruit, they are 

 much wanted. A favorable season has enabled our cultiva- 

 tors to test the qualities of some of those which have ac- 

 quired considerable celebrity abroad. 



An excellent article in the last volume, (p. 50,) from our 

 correspondent, Mr. Beecher, on the State of Horticulture in 

 the West, contained some useful hints on the cultivation of 

 the apple and other fruits : with the article of Mr. Hum- 

 rickhouse, it deserves considerable attention. The seedling 

 varieties of apples in the West are exceedingly numerous ; 

 and it is yet to be ascertained, how many of them are equal 

 to the old and well known kinds, generally natives of the 

 Middle and Eastern States. Already, some of these sup- 

 posed native fruits have proved to be Eastern varieties ; and 



