ABOUT FRUITS, FLOWERS AND FARMIXG. 261 



LETTER FROM A. J. DOWNING. 



We give below a letter from Mr. Downing, long known 

 as an eminent pomologist and more recently yet more 

 distinguished for his writings upon Horticultural matters. 

 Although a private letter, it is of general interest, and he 

 will, we hope, indulge the liberty taken.* 



" Highland Gardkxs, Nkwburoh, New York, 

 Feb. 29M, 1845. 



*' My dear Sir : I thank you for the interesting article 

 on horticulture in the West, which appeare in the last No. 

 of Hovey''s Magazine. 



" My particular object in writing you at this moment is 

 to call your attention to the remarks you make on the 

 'Golden Russet,' which you call *the prince of small 

 apples.' From your description of this fruit it is the 

 ' Sheep-nose,' or ' Bullock's Pippin ' of Coxe, well known 

 here, and one of the most melting and delicious of apples. 

 I imderstand from Professor Kirtland of Cleveland, that 

 this is the apple known by the name of Golden Russet in 

 his region. 



" Will you do me the favor, for the sake of settling the 

 synonyms, to send me two or three cuttings of the young 

 wood, by mail ? I can then determine in a moment. The 

 Sheep-nose has long shoots of a peculiar drab color. If 

 your apple proves the same, I think I shall cancel the title 

 * Sheep-nose' — (a vile name), known only in New Jersey, 

 and substitute ' American Golden Russet ' f — this being its 

 common title in Xew England and the West. I speak now 

 in relation to my work on fruits, now in press. 



" What do you mean by the ' White Bell-flower of Coxe ?' 

 The Detroit I have carefully examined, and it is quite 



* Mr. Downing'a untimely end by drowning, is well known, 

 f There is an English Golden Riiss<>t, distinct and qmte acid. 



