142 [Assembly 



varieties and well worthy extensive cultivation. They enjoy and 

 thrive the best in a strong loamy ury soil, require a little pruning, 

 and should be set in orchard about 25 feet apart. It has its enemies 

 which must be kept aloof by careful attention and good cultivation. 



Quince, called Cydonia, from Cydon a town in Crete. It belongs 

 to Linnaeus' fourth order of the twelfth class of the sexual system 

 Icosandria Pentagynia, the same as the apple and the pear. It makes 

 a delicious sweetmeat. 



It is a beautiful shrub, very productive, bearing large crops of 

 beautiful golden fruit, easily cultivated from cuttings, enjoys a rich 

 moist soil. It should be kept well manured, and trimmed, good cul- 

 tivation amply repays the agriculturist, as it is a saleable fruit, and in 

 its season always in demand. The Apple Quince and Portugal 

 Quince are the most favorite varieties, and in fact the only varieties 

 worth cultivating largely. 



Fig Trees, (Ficus Carica.) The fig has been cultivated in Eng- 

 land according to Forsyth since 1542. This genus is arranged in the 

 third order of Linna3us's 23rd class entitled Polygamia Tuoecia. It 

 IS a native of Asia and Africa, but now perfectly naturalized in 

 Europe. The Athenians and Romans, cultivated them extensively. 

 I have grown two crops in one season, and brought them to 

 perfection in the open air on the banks of the Hudson, In winter 

 however, I found it necessary to bury them as our winters are too 

 severe to leave them exposed. I had heard they would ripen earlier, 

 by oiling the eye of the fruit, tried the experiment but did not per- 

 ceive any advancement in its ripening properties. Those not oiled 

 appeared as forward as those that were. The Purple and Brown 

 Turkey are two of the best varieties. In fig growing countries the 

 varieties cultivated are more numerous than those of the grape. 

 They may be propagated from cuttings, roots, suckers and layers, as 

 well as from seed. The first cataplasm recorded was made from 

 figs. In the illness of Hezekiah, Isaiah said " Take a lump of figs, 

 and they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered," 2d Kings, 

 Chapter 22. 



The Grape (Vitis Vinifera) belongs to Linnaeus, first order, and 

 fifth class, Pentandria Monogynia. It was known as soon after the 

 flood as any other plant, from the remotest antiquity. In all ages it 

 has been considered the symbol of happiness and type of abundance. 



