4 *^ Retrospective Vieio of tlic 



is no crowding of the branches, nor confusion in laying in the 

 new wood, every shoot having its proper place assigned be- 

 forehand. We shall endeavor, with the assistance of Mr. 

 Haggerston, to give an account of this system of training, 

 illustrated with engravings. Since last season, Mr. Gushing 

 has given up the cultivation of the pine-apple; the fig, how- 

 ever, is extensively grown in pots, and there v/ill be a good 

 crop this year. The collection embraces several of the best 

 varieties. 



The subject of the blight, in pear trees, has hitherto at- 

 tracted much attention from practical men. The Pennsylvania 

 Horticultural Society, impressed with the importance of dis- 

 covering some method by which its ravages could be prevent- 

 ed, offered the liberal sum of five hundred dollars to the person 

 who should lay before them a satisfactory method of prevent- 

 ing or curing the disease. Numerous communications, we 

 believe, have been made to the society, but the character of 

 these papers has not been made known. We have noticed 

 this, to refer our readers, who have trees subject to this too 

 prevalent disease, to the remarks in our last volume, (p. 414,) 

 by Mr. Lazell, of Columbus, Ohio, on the blight. Mr. La-- 

 zell is a gentleman upon whom we can rely for correct informa- 

 tion, and we should be glad to see the experiment tried by some 

 of our friends, that its efficacy may be thoroughly tested. 

 Mr. Gordon's observations on propagating pear and apple trees, 

 by grafting upon the roots, is an interesting and valuable pa- 

 per. 



Our correspondent, Mr. A. J. Downing, of the Botanic 

 Garden and Nursery, Newburgh, N. Y., is constantly adding 

 to his already fine collection of fruit trees, and has now a large 

 stock of the newer pears. In Philadelphia, there has con- 

 siderv7ble been accomplished, which will be mostly found under 

 the head of Commercial Gardening. The cultivation of the 

 grape, in vineries, is extending, and in various parts of the 

 country we learn of the erection of houses devoted to their 

 growth. Grapes command a good price, and the market may 

 be supplied in such abundance as to be sold cheaper, and yet 

 pay a handsome profit. The cultivation of peaches is again 

 attracting more attention from cultivators around Boston. 

 From various adverse circumstances, for several years, until 

 the two past, the trees have produced scarcely any fruit, but 

 last year and year before, the prospect of a fair crop has been 

 so promising, and in many instances been realized, that numer- 



