72 



THE WESTERN POMOLOGIST. 



1871 



universal benefit and general improvement of the 

 country. 



In 1650, Hartlib speaks of "one who had two 

 hundred sorts of apples," and "verily believes there 

 are nearly five hundred sorts in this island." 



The second edition of the Catalogue of Fruits, 

 published by the Horticultural Society of London, in 

 1831, contains names of 1400 sorts of apples. These 

 in 1833 were extended beyond fifteen hundred dis- 

 tinct sorts. 



My object is to show simply by gleanings from 

 the records, what has been done in former years. I 

 will not attempt to say what the number of sorts, 

 dififering in name, at least, if not in kind, are now 

 known to amatures and nurserymen ; a full list 

 would be a formidable task to write out. It is true 

 that all varieties have a tendency to degenerate 

 into the primitive character of the species, but it is 

 equally true, that any variety may be perpetuated 

 with all its excellencies by proper culture, and 

 more especially varieties of trees 



Vines, olives, poplars, and willows have been 

 propagated by extensions for ages, and are still, as 

 far as can be ascertained, as vigorous as they were 

 in the time of Noah or Pliny. 



Pomaceae (Lat. pomum, an apple,) is that division 

 of the natural order Rosaceae to which the apple, pear, 

 quince, and medlar belong. It differs from Rosaceae 

 proper in having an inferior ovary. 



The word "pomatum," according to Girard, was 

 so called from being anciently made of the pulp 

 of apples beaten up with "swine's grease," (lard,) 

 and rose-water. 



The verjuice, often mentioned by the older wri- 

 ters, was a description of vinegar, produced from 

 the most austere fruits of the crab apple. 



For the WesterH Pomologist. 



Bfiect of Coal Gas on Trees. 



By a. Veitch, Nfw Haven, Ct. 



"Dr. Poselger has, it is said, shown by repeated 

 experiments that the growth of trees and shrubs is 

 not interfered with by any quantity of gas that 

 may escape in the soil, and find its way to their 

 roots, and consequently, that the illuminating gas 

 escaping from mains does not injure the trees 

 growing along the streets and promenades of cities, 

 as many persons have supposed. — Qa/rderur's 

 Chronide." 



The statement contained in the above extract 

 relative to the effects of coal gas upon trees, seems 

 to be at variance with iinpressions I have received 

 from books and from experience regarding it. But 

 not having seen a detailed account of the experi- 

 ments which led Dr. Poselger to such a conclusion 

 as the one stated, it would, perhaps, be unjust to 

 question its correctness in some sense which does 



not appear. There can be no question, however, 

 but in the ordinary sense illuminating gas, when it 

 finds its way to the roots of trees or other plants in a 

 growing state, will, beyond peradventure, kill them. 



There seems no question relating to the growth 

 of plants better understood than that they receive 

 their food by their roots and by the leaves, in either 

 a liquid or gaseous state, and that both sets of 

 organs are alike susceptible of injury, and can 

 readily be destroyed by such poisons as prove de- 

 structive to animal life. True, it is said some 

 species manifest something like choice or instinct 

 in rejecting certain poisons when presented to their 

 roots, but these are exceptional cases, and the over- 

 whelming majority will partake of everything capa- 

 ble of entering the system, either to prove a bane 

 or a benefit. 



Five years ago a neighbor of mine had some fine 

 Elm trees growing on the side of the street in front 

 of his residence, which suddenly showed signs of 

 sufl'ering from some cause not clearly apparent. I 

 told him it was more than likely the main gas pipe 

 was leaking, though not perceptible by us, as not 

 only his trees, but three or four on the opposite 

 side, also showed such signs — as might be expected 

 should this be the case. Nothing was done in the 

 matter until the following spring, when it was con- 

 sidered proper to replace tlie trees, then dead, with 

 living ones ; and in digging pits for this object, the 

 cause of the mischief at once disclosed itself by the 

 escape of gas in such excess as nearly to prevent 

 the work being finished. In this posture of affairs, 

 it was deemed advisable not to plant until the leak 

 in the pipe was repaired, and time allowed the 

 gas to escape from the ground. In a week or 

 two, and when all apprehension of further mischief 

 was removed, the trees were planted, partly in fresh 

 soil got for the occasion, and up to the present time 

 have done well. 



This plain matter-of-fact statement seems to leave 

 no room to doubt but that illuminating gas coming in 

 contact with the roots of plants in a growing state 

 works as much harm as gas from a stove or a furnace 

 escaping into apartments where they are kept. In 

 the latter case it is by the leaves instead of the roots 

 the poison enters the system, but in both cases 

 alike to make a direct assault upon the principle of 

 life with which they are endowed. 



Remakes. — That illuminating gas, when brought 

 in contact with the roots of a tree or plant to any 

 considerable extent, will destroy life, we have not 

 the slightest doubt. Since gas works were put up 

 in this city, some three or four years since, many 

 fine and valuable shade trees bordering the streets 

 have perished. The cause of their destruction in 

 every case has been most satisfactorily accounted 

 for in the leakage of gas from the main pipes, its 

 permeation through the soil and consequent con- 

 tact with the roots of the trees. 



