138 Domestic Notices. 



The practical use of the sulphurous acid gas is very simple, and not ex- 

 pensive. Crude sulphur inflamed in a shallow cast-iron vessel, or an earthen 

 pot, furnishes the fumes which may be led by wooden pipes, to the lower 

 part of bins filled with the roots, until the unoccupied space is filled with 

 them. As the fumes cool, they become heavier than air, and will then enter 

 every interstice. By placing the pot of burning sulphur in an empty barrel 

 and inverting over it a barrel filled with potatoes, having a light, rack in 

 place of a head, the fumes will slowly rise within and impregnate the 

 mass ; the barrel and contents being then removed, and the head replaced, 

 the exposure may be considered as ample. Where the quantity is large, it 

 would be more economical to leave a space vacant, below the loose floor on 

 which they repose, and introduce these fumes until every part of the heap of 

 potatoes has received a share. 



It should be remembered that tliis application will injure, if not destroy 

 the vegetating power of the tubers, and that although this result may be 

 highly desirable, for all that are preserved for food, tliose intended for seed 

 should not be so treated. Respectfully, A. A. Hayes, State Assayer. 



Robinson's Defiance Verbena. — This very brilliant scarlet verbena is 

 said to be one of the finest that has been produced. It flowered abundantly, 

 with Messrs. Thorburn & Co. at Astoria, last summer, and fully sustains its 

 foreign reputation. As a bedding plant, it is a perfect gem, of a good habit, 

 blooming freely, and producing large trusses of vivid scarlet blossoms. 



Next Fair of the New York State Agricultural Society. — 

 The next Annual Fair of this flourishing society will be held at Albany on 

 the 3d, 4th, 5th and 6tli of September next. The premium list for 1850 

 was adopted at the last meeting in February, and ordered to be published. — 

 Ed. 



Lashmere's Seedling Grape. — Can any of the readers of your Maga- 

 zine give me any account of this grape ? It has been described as a white 

 grape, rich and vinous in flavor, a great bearer, hardy, and well adapted 

 for cultivation out of doors. In the first stages of its growth, the fruit is 

 said to resemble the Muscat of Alexandria, but as it approaches maturity, 

 it assumes a more globular shape. This is its character in England, where 

 it, seems to have gained for itself the character of the best grape for open 

 air culture that has yet been produced. I am not acquainted with it ; 

 but am anxious to obtain it. If yourself or any of your readers, can give 

 some account of it, how it succeeds in our climate, and where it can be ob- 

 tained, it will oblige myself and some others. Yours respectfully, R. B. 

 Leuchars, Clifford House, Baltimore. 



[Any of our friends who can give the desired information, will oblige our 

 correspondent as well as ourselves. — Ed.] 



Mildness or the Winter. — Up to tlie present time, (Feb. 26th,) the 

 winter has been unusually mild and pleasant, with but very few storms of 

 snow or rain, and the thermometer below zero but once, in the neighborhood 

 of Boston, and that on the 5th of February. The prospect now is, of an 

 abundant fruit crop of all kinds, particularly of peaches, should no late spring 

 frosts intervene between this and May. — Ed. 



