187B The Western Pomologist and Gardener. gl 



fruit, has caused it to be planted for ornamental purposes in every part of Europe, and 

 where the winter is too severe, conservatories are erected purposely for the cultivation of 

 this ancient fruit. On the borders of the promised land, Moses describes it as "a land of 

 Wheat and Barley, and Pig Trees, and Pomegranates ; a land of Oil-Olives and Honey." 

 Solomon also speaks of "an Orchard of Pomegranate, with pleasant fruits." Russell, in 

 his account of Aleppo, says the nightingale sings from the Pomegranate groves in the 

 day time. 



A tree, therefore, which partakes of the antiquity of the vine, the flg and the olive, and 

 which, in point of utility, is numbered with the grain-growing plants and with honey, all 

 constituting the principal food of the nations of antiquity in their early stages of civil- 

 ization, must possess a considerable historical interest. Its extreme nutritiousness and 

 rich peculiar flavor made it a favorite fruit with the ancients, and why not with us at the 

 present time? It is of easy culture, requiring little more attention than the peach; it 

 may be grown as an ornamental tree in the flower garden, or as a specimen plant on the 

 lawn ; thus adding beauty to productiveness. The tree does well in almost every soil 

 and in this climate will bear freely and abundantlj'. Dr. Strenzel, at Martinez, from whom 

 we received superb fruit the past week, has been very successful with the Pomegranate 

 and has a large plantation of this fruit in bearing. — California Farmer. 



Hoir to Send Plants by Mall. 



A correspondent of the Hearth and Home gives some excellent directions for sending 

 plants by mail, as we know from some years' experience. The plan is this : — 



Spread a thin layer of dry moss upon a sheet of paper, and aflcr having wa.shed the dirt 

 from the roots of the plants, place them upon it in layers, putting moss between. When 

 you have put in place all the plants you desire to send, place another thin layer of moss 

 over them, and commence at one side of the paper and roll up the moss and plants 

 very tightly, then wrap with oiled silk or oiled paper to keep the moisture in the package, 

 and afterwards cover with paper upon which you can write the address. The firmer the 

 package is rolled, if with sufficient moss, the less liable the plants are to break or be 

 injured by rough handling. It is better to use dry moss and dampen the roots because 

 there is not much danger of getting them too (vet and causing decomposition ; besidef* 

 the dirt has to be removed from the root of the plant, and it is done more safely with the 

 use of water. By the use of dry moss and damp roots the moisture is just where it ought 

 to be, while in using damp moss the foliage is apt to be kept as wet as the roots, and decay 

 is very apt to follow. 



The postage on plants is two cents on each four ounces or fraction thereof, packages not 

 to exceed four pounds in weight. Tne postofflce law requires that all packages coming 

 under this rate shall have the nature of the contents distinctly marked on the outside. 



Plants that are received by mail should be shaded for a day or two after being set out. 



Wier'a Codling Trap~Clotb Bands. 



Ed. p. & G : — Mr. Wier's comparison to prove the superiority of his Shingle Trap 

 to Cloth Bands are by 'no means conclusive. "' Under cloth bauds on four trees no worms 

 were found." Now, either these trees had no worms in the apples, or they found shelter 

 elsewhere on the trees or on the ground ; the latter Mr. Weir says they will not accept if 

 they can possibly find one a little removed from it. From the great number we have cap- 

 tured under these bands — as many as sixty under one band. We believe that all will accept 

 the shelter of a cloth band if no other is left for them upon the tree. 



If a man can make and place upon the trees two hundred to three hundred shingle traps 

 in a day, I am sure he can prepare and place twice as many cloth or paper bands in the 

 same time ; and as to four times the labor being required in examining and destroying the 

 worms under cloth bands that is necessary in the use of the wooden traps, we will wager 

 we can thoroughly examine and replace two to his one. We can also beat him handsomely 

 in cost of material. If old shingles cost nothing, old carpets, old oil cloths and old paper 



