The Canadian Horticulturist. 289 



readily flows out. This liquid is clear as water, and has a pleasant, though 

 somewhat acid taste. Some trees yield a large quantity of sap, and as much as 

 iolb. of it may be obtained at once, especially if a bright sunny day follows 

 upon a cold night. The sap contains a large amount of saccharine matter, and, 

 when fresh, forms an agreeable beverage. In a fermented state it is known as 

 birch wine. 



The common birch is propagated by seeds, layers, suckers, and cuttings. 

 The seeds do not retain the power of germinating for more than one season. 

 Sandy wastes may be reclaimed by being planted with birches ; but at the time 

 of planting, it should always be remembered that such principal masses or trees 

 as are to remain permanently must be arranged first, and their future size and 

 character taken into consideration, so that the effect hereafter may not be left to 

 chance. — The Garden. 



Pear Trees in Grass. — The editor of the Country Gentleman says : — 

 Rules are often laid down for and against the practice of allowing pear trees to 

 grow in grass, without any reference to the richness of the land. If the soil is 

 thin and poor, the addition of a crop of grass will check the growth of the trees, 

 give them a stunted character, and they will be likely to bear small and knotty 

 fruit. On a very rich soil they may still do well and give handsome specimens, 

 if properly treated in other respects. Trees in grass often do well if copiously 

 top-dressed. Pear trees which assume a handsome and symmetrical form, are 

 very suitable for the more remote parts of lawns, provided the grass is kept 

 short and like a green carpet, and provided the whole surface receives a good 

 annual top-dressing. The effect will be very different if the grass is allowed to 

 grow rank and rampant, and to receive no manure on poor land. 



The peach crop, on June 1 of this year, as compared with the same date of 

 the two preceding years in the principal peach producing States, showed an 

 average condition this year of 85 as compared with 72 a year ago and 75^2, on 

 June 1, 1 89 1. The largest increases are in New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, 

 Ohio and Virginia, while the condition this year is lower in Michigan, Georgia 

 and California. The figures are as follows : 



States. 1891. 1892. 1893. 



New Jersey 114 85 104 



Delaware 72 <>."> 93 



Maryland 90 .">.") 93 



Virginia. 73 50 63 



Georgia 50 S9 82 



Ohio 62 55 74 



Michigan (JO f)5 86 



I lalifornia 95 85 83 



A verage 72* 12 85 



