Hoi^ticultural Memoranda. 79 



Remarks. — The month of January up to the date we now write (29tli), 

 has been one of the coldest for some years, and the last five days unu- 

 sually severe. There being but little snow upon the ground, the frost 

 has penetrated very deep. The thermometer on the 25th did not vary 

 but about G° in 36 hours, that is, from to 6 above ; and with a keen cut- 

 ting wind it was one of the coldest days to bear. The continuance of 

 this severe weather has frozen up the harbor of Boston, and even Long 

 Island sound to such an extent, that the Steamboat lines from Stonington 

 and Norwich have been discontinued. Since February, 1836, no such cold 

 weather has been experienced. 



Vegetables. — Our quotations show quite a change in potatoes this month ; 

 this is in part owing to the weather, which has shut out arrivals, and in 

 part to the loss of large quantities by frost, which Avere stored in cellars. 

 Within a few days prices have advanced and there is now but little doubt 

 they will go higher, in consequence of the causes we have just named. 

 Turnips are in better demand, and prices firmer with a slight advance. 

 Onions are now quite scarce. No radishes have yet been brought in. 

 There is a fair supply of Savoy cabbages, but other sorts are scarce and 

 small. Brocolis and cauliflowers, particularly the latter, are very scarce 

 and prices high. Lettuce now comes in of good size and handsome ap- 

 pearance, and fair prices are obtained. Spinach is not so abundant as 

 usual at the season. Considerable quantities have been lost by the severe 

 cold. Parsley remains the same. The stock of squashes is now greatly 

 reduced, and those of good quality command our highest prices ; good 

 sound marrows of the true kind are very scarce. 



Fruit. — The fruit market is now rather still, but considerable has been 

 doing. It appears from the freight list of the Western Rail-road that 

 upwards of 10,000 barrels of apples have come to the city through that 

 source ; at least 5000 have come direct from Albany or by the way of 

 New York by water, making a total of 15,000 barrels supplied to the Bos- 

 ton market. From this it may be seen how limited a stock the whole 

 produce of the New England States Avould have been the past year. Val- 

 uing the apples at #2 per barrel, which is low, and ^30,000 worth of 

 apples alone have been received from New York. The announcement of 

 this fact is sufficient to induce our farmers to pay more attention to fruit. 

 Of this supply tlie whole portion has been purchased between Albany and 

 Syracuse, perhaps as far as Rochester. The greatest portion of them 

 have been Greenings, which were very large and handsome ; a few were 

 Russetts, and the others miscellaneous sorts. The Swaar apple, recom- 

 mended by Judge Buel, is a superior fruit and so much sought after, that 

 scarcely any could be obtained for this market: the Wine apple is a 

 superior fruit, but from its great size it does not carry Avell, and conse- 

 quently keeps poorly : a variety, called the Egg-top, from near Syracuse, 

 appears to be a very saleable apple ; it is oval, with a yellowisli skin, 

 nearly covered and striped with a brilliant, glossy red ; and is a tender 

 and excellent fruit. Our fruit growers must not confine themselves too 

 much to the Baldwin, but try other sorts. Pears are now limited to the 

 Easter Beurrt-, Vicar of Winkfield, Beurre d'Aremberg, and one or two 

 otlier sorts ; Baking remain the same. Cranberries are without alteration. 

 Grapes are abundant. Good Havanna oranges are not abundant. Wal- 

 nuts are dull, but in Chesnuts something is doing and prices have ad- 

 vanced.— JU. T. Boston, Jan. 29, 1844. 



