96 The W^esterii, Pomologist and Gardener. 1872 



FOR FLOWERS GROWN BY PERSONS UNDER 20 TEARS OF AGE. 



Cut Flowers.— Ecii and finest collec- [ Pannes. — Best collection $o 00 



tion $10 00 ! S^ocfcs.— Best collection 5 00 



PMox Drummondii. — Best collection, 5 00 



Asters. — Best collection 5 00 



E'dsawt. — Best collection 5 00 



Dianthus Family. — Best collection... 5 00 



Gladiolus — Best collection 5 00 



Everlasting Flowers and Grasses. — Best 

 collection 5 00 



Ou Training tlie Vine. 



In reply to J. B. Beach, Bridgeport, Conn., and others, on the best system of training 

 the grape vine, we would simply remark, to discuss the subject fully would require several 

 articles. We have prepared such with illu-strations and they will be published as soon as 

 the engravings are completed. • In the meantime, we would suggest that there is but little 

 difference amongst grape growers in training the vine the first and second years. It is 

 after that time the particulars of each system commences, each advocate no doubt believ- 

 ing his method the best. Some say that different varieties require different training, as if 

 there was no general system. Such theories have only a tendency to confuse the begin- 

 ner, instead of instructing him. We do not agree with such opinions, but belitve there is 

 a genera] system, natural and easily understood, adapted to all varieties and species, except, 

 perhaps, the Scuppernong { Vitis Vulpina). That system embraces the equal distribution 

 of the sap and growth to the development and perfection of each part of the vine. This 

 can only be secured by a horizontal training of the hearing and annual renewal canes. So 

 each bud will be suitable for bearing fruit. All pinching and training must have those 

 objects in view. That system which accomplishes this with the least labor, expense and 

 exhaustion of the vine will be admitted to be the best. It is that we have endeavored to 

 accomplish, and hope to be able to show in the series of articles forthcoming. 



For the present time to lay the foundation of such a system, a permanent trellis should 

 be erected about four feet high, with two wires, the first two feet from the ground and the 

 other eighteen inches above it fof No. 9 wire, which we think the best and most durable) ; 

 and the vines trained with arms horizontally on the wire, renewed each year, and the 

 bearing shoots pinched back to the last or third bunch and leaf, and each lateral from the 

 axils of the leaf pinched back the second time to one leaf, then let hang from the trellis 

 without any support, to check the flow of sap towards the extremities. The renewal canes 

 should also be pinched back and made lateral canes, with shorter joints, better matured 

 and developed buds and firmer canes. — Associate Editor. 



Pears— Changing DTrarfs to Standard*. 



I intend planting quite a number of pear trees this spring, and am in doubt as to which 

 would be the most suitable, or rather the most profitable, dwarfs or standards. This, as it 

 is put, would seem a stupid question for an old pomologist to ask ; but when the question 

 is put, can I plant dwarfs, at half standard distances, and eventually turn them into stand- 

 ards, would be practicable or not ? it will be plain. I know that some varieties take 

 root from the pear much better than others, when wounded and the earth hilled up. 



What I aim at is to get some fruit as soon as possible, but in the end to have larger trees 

 than they make if kept on the quince stock alone. An answer to this by yourself or some 

 of your subscribers will much oblige. — S. Miller, Blufflon, Mo. 



Remarks. — As far as we'have observed, there does not appear to be much difierence in 

 varieties as regards rooting from the pear, if planted several inches below the union with 

 the quince. As a general thing we do not prefer the quince as a stock, and we doubt it 

 any variety will be more profitable cultivated in that way, except, perhaps, the Duchess 

 d'Angouleme. The Bartlett, we think, will bear equally as young on the pear as any 

 variety on the quince and bring more money. It is very doubtful if pear culture is profit- 

 able anywhere, except on such soil as shaly clay land well drained, which may be indicatetl 



