1872 The Western Pomologist and Gardener. B7 



Amount of Kainfall. — Prof. Henry says that the observations of the Smithsonian 

 Institute, which extended over a period of twenty years, have as yet failed to confirm 

 the popular belief that the removal of the forests and the cultivation of the soil tend to 

 diminish the amount of rainfall. 



Pkar Trees in Grass.— A Maryland correspondent of the Gardener's MontUy writes :— 

 " When is the question of grass or no grass for fruit trees to be settled ? The finest and 

 most prolific of my pear trees are in heavy grass sod. They get, every winter, a top dress- 

 ing of coal ashes, on which kitchen and chamber refuse is thrown." 



St. Crispin Pear.— This is a variety of pear recently introduced, of size like unto the 

 Bartlett, of better quality and ripening just after Bartlett and continuing a month or more, 

 thus filling the want of the people for continuance of Bartlett. He who plants of it will 

 win pecuniarily. — Elliott. 



^"The great causes of failure with window plants are — room too warm, pots too large 

 and overflowing. 



Books and Periodicals. 



Dreer's Garden Seeds. — Dreer's catalogue of field and garden seeds, plants and 

 bulbs, should be consulted by every farmer and horticulturist, coming as it does from one 

 of the oldest and most reliable establishments of its kind in the country. A three cent 

 stamp addressed to Henry Dreer, will get a copy. 



Gregory's Catalogue. — To James J. H. Gregory, Marblehead, Massachusetts, is the 

 public indebted for the introduction of some of the most valuable productions of the gar- 

 den. Mr. Gregory has won a most enviable reputation for correctness and fair dealing. 



Vice's Catalogue. — A better thing in the line of catalogues is not to be found than 

 Vick's Illustrated C atalogue and Floral Guide, just out for 1873. Its illustrations and 

 typography can't be beat, whilst it pages overflow with rare instruction. 



The Pioneer Farmer. — This is an agricultural and horticultural monthly of 33 quarto 

 three column pages, by B. L. Northrop, Council Blutfs. The Farmer has a host of able 

 correspondents and as a matter of course its pages are full of life and instruction. It is 

 every way worthj' the patronage of the farmers and fruit growers of Iowa. 



Protection. — Dr. John A. Kennicott used to say in his talk about protecting orchards 

 " Talk of orchard protection — why, the best I know of is, get low stocky trees, and make 

 the limbs and spread out low." 



A New Western Enterprise. — A new weekly, of choice reading for the family cir- 

 cle, reaches us from Chicago. It is an original Family and Story Weekly, with stories and 

 poems illustrated ; large size, eight pages, well printed on fine paper, and bears the neat 

 and suggestive title of "Oun Fireside Friend." It is published by Waters, Everts & 

 Co., of that city. The contents are fresh, varied, interesting, and of high tone, and the 

 illustrations are excellent. The continued stories are by able writers, and give promise to 

 be of great interest. Short Stories, Sketches, Poetry, News, Science, Arts, Answers to 

 Correspondents, Items for the Ladies, etc., with special departments for the Farmer, the 

 Housewife and the Children, make up eight pages of instructive and entertaining reading 

 for old and young. 



The Little Corporal for January makes his salute in a handsome new uniform, hav- 

 ing laid aside his military dress and donned the garb of peace. We are pleased to note 

 this new departure, and deem it timely and proper. This number contains the first chap- 

 ter of the Prize Stort, which opens out in a very interesting manner. The illustrations 

 arc fine, and not excelled by any other similar periodical in the land. While parents and 

 children are looking for something nice for the New Year, let us suggest a trial of the 

 Little Corporal. Terms |1.50 a year. John E. Miller, Publisher, Chicago, 111. 



