26 The Western Pomologist and Gardener. 1872 



Raising the Red Cedar prom Seed.— Mr. Samuel Edwards, of Illinois, whose fame 

 as an evergreen tree grower is wide spread, gives the following method for preparing Red 

 Cedar seed for planting and its after treatment : " Bruise the berries early in March, and 

 mix with an equal or greater bulk of wet wood ashes. In three weeks the alkali will 

 have cut the resinous gum, when the seeds may be washed clean from the pulp. Sow in 

 rows a foot apart, (to admit clean cultivation), in a rich soil, well dressed with a mixture 

 of leaf mold and a sharp sand. Shade the bed during summer, and cover with two inches 

 of leaves for winter." 



Brooding op the Curculio. — To the question whether the Plum Curculio produces 

 more than one brood yearly, J. T. Gilbert, M. D., of Mobile, writes to the Practical Far- 

 mer : "The insect finds the young and tender fruit of early spring the most prolific nidus 

 for its propagation, but our investigation proves, beyond mistake, its production of eggs 

 in late summer that are capable of developing its kind, providing a suitable nidus ia 

 obtained. And the fact already stated, that the young and tender fruit of spring furnishes 

 the most fertile source for its propagation, explains why we are more aware of its exist- 

 ence early in the season." 



The Larch for Wine Casks. — The Scientific Press in speaking of the usefulness of 

 the Larch for lumber, among other good qualities, says. "It is but little inclined to shrink, 

 and is odorless, which latter quality especially renders it extremely valuable as a timber 

 for wine and other casks, and for which the demand must constantly increase. For grape- 

 vine and other stakes, it is said to have been known to do duty in Switzerland and Ger- 

 many for two full generations." 



Cork Tree Growing in the SonTn.— The Greensboro' (S. C.) Patriot says: "Mr. 

 A. Reid, residing near Hillsdale, in this county, has on his plantation several Velvet Cork 

 trees which are in a thrifty condition and growing rapidly. The specimens of the cork 

 before us, handed in by one of our leading druggists, are very fine. It is suggested by 

 him that some of our enterprising citizens turn their attention to this new product of 

 Guilford, as it is a very valuable article, and alwaj's finds a ready sale." 



Peach Orchards in Clover. — Mr. W. E. Mears of Milford, Ohio, speaks of a peach 

 orchard of five hundred trees in bearing five years, that produced last year 1000 bushels ; 

 eight hundred and fifty bushels of them good, marketable peaches. The ground in this 

 orchard had remained in clover without any plowing, hoeing or hogging. The soil, 

 though worn down, was a good natural soil on the second range of hills in that county. 

 Another orchard in the same neighborhood which had been in clover three years, pro- 

 duced Crawford's Early that brought from $3 to $3.25 per bushel, when they could be 

 bought from $1 to 1.25 per bushel from other orchaids. 



Active Principles of Plants. — It is asserted by scientific bottanists that the active 

 principles of plants, according to recent investigations, are more concentrated in the leaves 

 of plants grown in cold climates, where the vegetation is less vigorous than in warm 

 climates. In illustration the well-kncwn facts are cited that tobacco grown in northern 

 regions is stronger than the same plant raised in mild or tropical regions, and celery, it is 

 stated, is atfected in the same way by the influences of temperature and moisture." 



Mammoth Grapes. — The Marysville (Cal.) Appeal acknowledges the receipt of a bunch 

 grapes upon which it says " is one grape that measures four and a half inches in circum- 

 ference. It has precisely the shape of a tomato, and appears to be the result of a number 

 of grapes growing together, although the outward contour is uniform. 



The Bellplower in California. — The California Ebrtieuliurist, says " that fine, rich 

 and tender apple, the Bellflower is running a good race with the renowned Newtown 

 Pippin, and the choice, fine, rich, and delicious flavored ^sopus Spitzenburgh. 



H^The wine product of Los Angeles (Cal.) county alone for 1871 is estimated at one 

 million, two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. 



