Horticultural Memoranda. 503 



two frosts, and those not severe. Dahlias flowered late into October. A 

 gale of some severity occurred about the middle of October, which some- 

 what injured fruit that was not then picked. Late potatoes, from the ab- 

 sence of wet weather, proved very free from rot, and we learn that in Maine, 

 the crop has been fully an average one of sound and good potatoes. Since 

 the 25th, the weather has been cold with snow, and very high westerly 

 breezes, but the ground is not yet frozen to the depth of an inch. 



Winter apples have improved in price, and the stock is much lighter than 

 at this time last year. Baldwins, Russets, and Greenings comprise the 

 principal kinds now offered. We noticed a few called the Gilliflower, and 

 Wine apple, the former a handsome oblong fruit, and the latter a medium 

 sized apple, finely striped with red, a late autumn variety of agreeable fla- 

 vor, but now nearly past its season. Winter pears are very scarce, and 

 command high prices ; notwithstanding so many new varieties have been 

 introduced within the past ten years, very few are yet to be found in our 

 markets — the only Grapes now to be found are the foreign, of which there 

 is a good stock. Oranges are extremely scarce and sell high. Lemons 

 are not plenty. Chesnuts are unusually scarce this year, and command a 

 very high price. Shellbarks plenty, and of good quality ; of vegetables, the 

 market is abundantly supplied with all the kinds usually found at this sea- 

 son. Winter spinach is now brought in plentifully. Lettuce begins to 

 come in, but is scarce. — Yours, M. T., Nov. 28lh, 1846. 



HORTICULTURAL MEMORANDA 



FOR DECEMBER. 



FRUIT DEPARTMENT. 



Grape Vines, if they have been pruned, will require no further care till 

 February, except in hothouses or vineries where forcing is intended. If 

 they have not been pruned, this should be attended to immediately. When 

 this is done, the shoots should be loosened from the trellis, and laid horizon- 

 tally against the front wall of the house, where they will be prevented from 

 starting so early as they would if remaining on the trellis, and will also 

 break more evenly. 



Fruil trees, planted the past autumn, will be benefited by placing over the 

 roots about a barrel full of manure of any kind, the strength of which will 

 be carried into the ground by the winter rains ; and it will, at the same time, 

 prevent the frost from penetrating too deep : trees longer planted will also 

 be improved by having the same quantity placed around them. 



Scions of fruit trees may be cut now, when it is desirable to send them 

 away any distance. 



Labels of trees should be looked to before winter sets in, that they may 

 be made secure against winds, and renewed, if the marks are likely to be 

 obliterated before spring. 



