Jl,^ The Western Pomologisb and Gardener. 1872 



■any of their specious articles, and we do know that the "West of to-day has more of practical 

 knowledge than has ever been thought of by the snip snap editors of New York and 

 Boston, whose rural life is embodied in a weekly visit to Central Park, the Common, or 

 some little hundred by twenty foot commercial green house. But with all due deference 

 to the East, I rejoice at the appearance of the Pomologist and its array of correspond- 

 ents and talented editorials, and in my rejoicing feel like inditing one or more sentences, 

 relative to the eflect and ideas which the said correspondents and editorial articles sug- 

 gest to me as I read. 



J. S. DOWNEB. 



I like this bringing forward of our leading men whose life-acts have always toned more to 

 God-like tendency of man's life than to accumulation of this world's goods. The engraving 

 of J. S. Downer's face is, perhaps in outline, all correct, but far from expressing the 

 ■whole-souled goodness that ever beams with a smile upon him. I have known him nearly 

 thirty years, and your comments, short and appropriate, only tell a small item from his 

 many characteristics of value. Calm and decisive, yet with respect does he, after careful 

 study, observation and thought, express an opinion, but from that expression relative to 

 varieties of fruit, tree or shrub suited to the soil, climate and wants of the people conso- 

 nant to his acquaintance, no exception is ever taken. Tour Corresponding Editor gives 

 correct, but only a meagre list of Mr. Downer's labors, for while in his strawberry produc- 

 tions he has been more than ordinarily successful, owing to his continuous and persistent 

 labors and experiments yet his works in the production of improved varieties of the 

 persimmon, in his love of, and growth from seed, of flowering plants, such as the mag- 

 nolia, etc., in his careful analysis of fruits originated by others and offered the public, are 

 fully equal or above in value those of his strawberry productions. 



FRUITS HOW FORMED, ETC. 



I suppose all is new to many readers, but as it is all in the books I must and do ask, why 

 ■we should in our journals continuously have a reprint, varied only by words. If a writer 

 cannot grasp any new matter, let him then simply tell the reader or student where to 

 obtain knowledge. It certainly is far more creditable to him, and if he has capacity to 

 prepare a complete work surpassing others, then to him, do others likewise accord credit 

 in their references. 



THE CHERRY CROP NEST TEAR. 



I like those notes of Terry, for they touch the thing practical. If he will permit me, I 

 •will say that all this matter of bud killing is in a measure governed by the last seasons 

 "■rowth, supply of moisture and heat. Many a tree develops itself earl}', and the early 

 drouths render its fruit buds imperfect. So a tree which naturally matures its buds later 

 in some seasons loses vitality, and in others retains it. This accounts for his Belle 

 Magniflque this year. The maturing of the bud is predicated, on the temperature and 

 moisture from its first formation to its perfection, occupying about thirty days, as with the , 

 ripening of the grape, its perfection and ripening depend on heat and moisture during! 

 its formation of seed. 



CALDW alder's GOLDEN APPLE. 



I like your Associate Editor for his enthusiasm, but I can't endorse his discretion. I ' 

 acknowledge his theoretical and impulsive views, while at the same time my life observa- 

 tion shows me that he is as often in error as in truth. If this apple has been sent out, if 

 the dealer is bound to sell and distribute of it, then the record is good and creditable. But 

 if by this notice a man is to gain profit and notoriety by sending out, profitably, trees to 

 experimental or noviciate orchardist.s, of which no reliable fruit men have a knowledge, 

 then I say he is doing just what J. S. Downer would never do. 



THE CHERRY STOCKS, ETC. 



I note the remarks of B. A. Mathews, and on this have a word to say, viz: 

 Put your Morello, Early Richmond, etc., all on Mahaleb stocks if you want early 

 maturity and vigor. The hardihood is in them, of itself. All the Dukes are also 



