Horticultural Operations for December. 567 



Plums. — For the best specimens, (Green Gage,) to George Walsh, #6. 

 For tlie second best, (Peach phim and Green Gage,) to J. Mann, $3. 



Musk Melo:*s. — For the best, (Christiana,) to E. M. Richards, $5. 

 For the second best, (Beechwood,) to Hovey &l Co., $3. 



Vegetables. — From Jos. Crosby, fine celery, and three superior heads 

 of Royal Cape Lettuce. 



JVovemhtr 9. Exhibited. — Fruits : From J. S. Cabot, Nouveau Poiteau, 

 Calhoun, and Dallas pears, and eight varieties of apples. H. Vandine, 

 Glout Morceau, Beurre Diel and Long Rosewater pears. George Walch, 

 Beurrd Diel and Le Cure pears. W. C. Strong, six varieties of grapes. J. 

 S. Sleeper, Belle et Bonne de Hec (?) pears. J. Kenrick, Cogsv.oll and 

 Hubbardston Nonsuch apples. 



IVuits tested by the Committee : Nouveau Poiteau pears, from J. S. 

 Cabot, of medium size, melting, juicy, and of delicious flavor. Seedling 

 pears, Martlia Ann, from F. Dana, overripe, exhibits a tendency to rot at the 

 core. Isabella grapes, from J. F. Allen, raised under glass, nearly destitute 

 of the hard pulp and foxy flavor, fine. Hurlburt apple, from S. W. Cole, a 

 good fruit of fine flnvor. Fruit of the Purple Guava, from Hovey & Co. 

 Apples from J. M. Earle, among them one called the Peru, very good. 



HORTICULTURAL OPERATIONS 



FOR DECEMBER. 

 FRUIT DEPARTMENT. 



Grape Vines will now be at rest, and if the pruning has not been done, 

 it should be completed at once. As soon as this is finished, clear tlie vines 

 of all dry bark, and give them a good washing of whale-oil soap, diluted 

 to the tliiekness of good paint ; this will destroy insects of all kinds ; tlie 

 canes should then be laid in horizontally along the front of the house, until 

 they again show signs of swelling their buds. 



Fruit Trees, planted last month, should now be protected by having a 

 barrowful of manure placed around the stem of each tree, in the form of a 

 cone, to keep the frost from penetrating the ground too deep, and, at tlie 

 same time, enriching the soil. 



SciOMS of all kinds of fruit trees may be cut this month and placed in a 

 cool cellar, with tlie lower ends in earth or sand. 



Newly planted Trees, in windy places, should be secured by a stake. 



Peach, Fig, and other Fruit Trees, in pots, should now be pruned, 

 and washed in the same manner as recommended for grapes; after this is 

 done they should be placed in a cool cellar, where they will be out of the 

 danger of severe cold. 



Strawberry Beds should now be protected with a covering of manure, 

 leaves or straw, if not already done. 



