160' The Western Pomologist and Gardener. 1872 



Fkost in California. According to reports from our California exchanges, the late 

 spring frosts appear to have done much damage to fruit. From the Pacific Rural Press 

 of May 19 we learn that throughout almost all California, or from San Diego to Chasta, 

 with the exception of a few isolated districts here and there, blighting late spring frosts 

 have occurred, which in many places materially injured the young growth of the grape 

 vine, and in many places, also, the stone fruits have been more or less destroyed. 



Treatment of House Plants. — Ladies who cultivate flowers in the house will find 

 great benefit to the plants by spreading moss over the earth in flower-pots. This keeps 

 the water from evaporating and the temperature more uniform. Tea-grounds are often 

 used for the same purpose. Where a flower-pot sets in a saucer, with a hole in the bot- 

 tom of the pot, put a little sand in the saucer, and cover it with moss, and you have a sim- 

 ple and admirable arrangement. — Cal. Horticulturist. 



New York State Grape Growers' Association. — The following are the officers of 

 this association for the current year: PresicVent — J. H. Babcock, Lockport; Vice-Presi- 

 dents — C. L. Hoag, Lockport ; Dr. F. B. Seeley, Vine Valley ; G. W. Nichols, Hammonds- 

 port ; Dr. D. W. Burge, Peach Orchard; Dr. H. H. Farley, Union Springs. Correspond- 

 ing Secretary — T. S. Hubbard, Fredouia. PLecording Secretary — G. F. Wilcox, Roches- 

 ter. Treasurer — M. D. Hunger, Canandaigua. 



Cut Worms. We have in no previous season heard so wide-spread complaints of the 

 ravages of this pest of the garden and field as the present spring, though we have not 

 seen much of their depredations in oivr own grounds. Various methods are recom- 

 mended for destroying them. We see it recommended to place chips or boards about 

 upon the ground infested, under which they seek shelter, and where they may be found 

 early in the morning and disposed of 



Failure op the Peach Crop South. — A correspondent of Our Ilome Journal writing 

 from Summit, Miss., writes that such a failure of the peach crop in the South has not 

 occurred before for the last twenty years. On examination the fruit is found to have been 

 punctured by some kind of insect. From these punctures the gum oozes out, and on cut" 

 ting open the fruit, a small white grub is found, the larger part of which is the head. 



The Finley Pear. — J. C. Nefl, Duncan's Falls, Ohio, writes us about a pear tree in 

 his neighborhood under this name, now sixty years old. Has known the tree, and eaten 

 fruit from it from time to time for the last thirty-six years. Fruit in form much like the 

 Bartlett but larger and ripens in August. Standard trees made from its cions come into 

 bearing m five years from the bud or graft. 



Preferences op Climbing Plants. — According to Mr. Henry, certain climbers 

 evince a partiality for some particular species of plants, stretching out their tendrils and 

 branches so as to come in contact with them, while to other species they have as decided 

 an aversion, avoiding them and never becoming attached to them, though they run up 

 the surface of the wall side by side. 



The Florida Or.4.nge Crop. — The Pilatka Herald of a late date says : "Orange groves 

 on the river are in a flourishing condition. Never was there a better prcspect for a large 

 crop. The young groves just coming on are very promising. Some twigs, or young 

 plants, not more than three feet high, are in bloom, and freighted with small oranges, not 

 larger than a marble." 



Grape Syrup and Sugar. The Santa Clara (Cal.) Grape Growers Association, among 

 other premiums, offer $30 for the best sample of grape syrup, not less than one gallon 

 and $30 for the best five pounds of grape sugar. The articles must be accompanied by 

 statements of the mannef of making, in full, and the variety of grapes used. 



Plants in the School Room. There are more than two hundred plants in one of 

 the school houses in Springfield, Mass. Scarcely a window in the building but has its 

 rows of plants; pictures adorn the walls, and all the appliances for making the rooms 

 pleasant, and and a sojourn in them profitable, abound. 



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