A7iswe7's to Correspondents. 283 



the results of one year are most deceptive : we have had some pears which 

 grew exceedingly rapid on the quince the first year, but which have failed 

 to make any growth tlie second. Swan's Orange, grafted on an apple by mis- 

 take, grew better tlie first year than it did double worked on the quince and 

 pear. The fact tliat the Baflum does well the first year, will be no index of 

 what it will do after it has borne one crop of fruit ; yet from its affinity to 

 the White Doyenne, it may be a variety which will do finely on the quince- 



The Coffin's Virgoulouse has been incidentally noticed in our Magazine ; 

 it has annually been exhibited for several years, by Mr. Manning, Mr. Cabot, 

 and other Salem cultivators. It is a very good winter pear, worthy of cul- 

 tivation. We have a description and drawing of the fruit, and have only 

 been waiting to ascertain its true name and origin before publishing an 

 account of it in the Magazine. — Ed.'] 



The Scotch Larch for a Hedge or Screen. — By the way, what 

 do you think of tlie Scotch Larch for a screen hedge ? It thickens under 

 the shears admirably ; and tlien, how beautiful to have a hedge or screen 

 with a phase for each season of the year ; its fresh, delicate, opening buds 

 in tlie spring ; its bright, rich green in the summer ; its various hues in 

 autumn ; and its naked branches for winter. Would it not, in an appropriate 

 place, be very beautiful? — Yours, J. Worcester, May, 1850. 



Art. III. Answers to Correspondents. 



A Budget of Questions. — Please inform me what is the best plum stocJc 

 to work the peach upon ? I have a fine peach on the plum, and it bears the 

 winter decidedly better than others growing on tlieir natural roots. I under- 

 stand that Col. Perkins has tlie peach in this way, some forty or more years 

 old. 



[So far as our experience goes, we have found the Mussel plum to make 

 the best stock for the peach. It grows freely and unites readily, the stock 

 swelling as rapidly as the scion : seedlings from free growing seedlings may 

 do as well, but we have not tried them. We have long been convinced, 

 that peaches for amateur collections, at least, should always be grown on 

 the plum. They grow slower, — ripen their wood more readily, — stand the 

 winter better, — and are in no danger of borers. — Ed.'\ 



Does the Paradise d'Automne grow well upon quince ? 



[Not with us : we work it upon the pear. — Ed."] 



What are the best quince-bottom pears for double working ? 



[W^e have only tried a few sorts : the Beurre d'Amanlis, Vailed Franche, 

 and Sucre Verte have proved excellent sorts. — Ed.'\ 



The Bartlett, Seckel, and probably many other varieties, would do much 

 better double-worked than tliey do in direct contact with the quince. 



What are the best climbers for covering an arbor ? Say the best single 

 one, the best tliree, and the best six or eight ? 



[For the best single climber, if flowers were not an object, we should take 



