426 Horticulture in Mississippi. 



liness or lateness of frost, can form a notion what we think, 

 when we know we must lose at least fifteen to twenty days 

 in August, which time always gives us the pretty, clean, cot- 

 ton and good weights. A crop under two millions will give 

 an impetus to business that will be felt from the Lake Grand 

 to the Rio Grande. Look for it. 



I am desirous of adding to my selection of trees, and though 

 I have received my trees mostly from New York, yet Hovey's 

 Magazine — the spirit that impels the Boston folks — the great 

 society there — and a desire to test trees from that mart, in- 

 fluence me in selecting from your nurseries. 



I have here a very large variety of fruits, indeed, far more 

 than I want, but I am determined to test the relative qualities 

 on this farm, when I will be able to give to the South and 

 South West some good news, and very valuable information. 

 I crave at your hands, (and really of every lover of fruit in 

 our land) all the aid you can give, without detriment. Un- 

 less I succeed in budding peach trees, and then in selling 

 some, there must fall on me an expense and a labor that would 

 be onerous on a private citizen, and one that I think should 

 not be borne without some help. I have now, I assure you, 

 more varieties of peach, apple, pear, plum, apricot, cherry, 

 fig and grape, than I would accept as a present, but for the 

 desire to test. 



I have carried out many experiments within the past fif- 

 teen years, and have lost very largely, often going to too much 

 expense in the outset; this induces me to be more econom- 

 ical, and to endeavour to sell enough young trees to pay 

 my way. I may err, but I think I will prove conclusive- 

 ly that we have the peach, nectarine, apricot and pear 

 country ; if I can, I will aid my country, and of course aid 

 nurserymen ; for I have no sort of idea that I will ever quit 

 the cotton crop, as my rule of action. 



Aid your magazine ? Why, dear sirs, I have never dared 

 to do more than to write for ploughmen in an agricultural, or 

 in a political paper. Yet I assure you. if I could be found 

 worthy, I would be greatly pleased. 



I presume I have picked up something in the horticultural 

 department that would be interesting, but I am at a loss to 

 place my hands on the matter. I have occasionally planted 



