NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



15 



ness, is not easily scratched, and is not affected by 

 any moderate do<;;rcc of heat. It is not injured by 

 soap, and therefore can readily be cleaned by wash- 

 ing with snap and svatcr. — Mechanic's Nate- Book. 



A French scientific journal states that the ordinary 

 rate, per second, of a man walking, is 4 feet ; of a 

 good horse in harness, 14 ; of a reindeer in a sledge 

 on the ice, IG; of an English race-horse, 43 ; of a 

 hare, 88 ; of a good sailing ship, 14 ; of the wind, 82 ; 

 of sound, 1038 ; of a twenty-four pounder cannon 

 ball, 1300 ; and of the air, which so divided returns 

 into space, 13,000 feet. 



A man of science in his closet can do greater 

 things than a general at the head of an army, or a 

 despot with the physical power of a whole nation at 

 his command. 



ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. 



As we have been an ex-editor for a short time, the 

 favors of our kind friends have so accumulated, that 

 we cannot in one number take room to do justice to 

 them ; and yet some fi-uits, intended for us, did not 

 reach their place of destination. 



Pears, of various kinds, and superior specimens, 

 of Mr. Henry Vandyne, Cambridgeport. 



Merriam Peach. This is a new variety, and very 

 promising, from Benjamin Meniam, Roxbury. It 

 is extremely large, — one weighed half a pound, — 

 roundish, slightly oval ; suture on one side ; pale 

 yellow, bright red blush ; flesh, yellowish, red at the 

 core, juicy, of a rich, sweet, luscious flavor. Early 

 in October. The tree very luxuriant. Some leaves 

 nine and a half inches long. 



Gravenstein Apple, of Messrs. S. and G. Ilyde, 

 Newton. This is one of the finest apples for the 

 dessert and cooking, but, like the Porter, another 

 valuable kind, it comes in during an abundance of 

 poaches, plums, and fine pears. September and into 

 October. 



IIuBRARDSTON NoNSucH, from tho same. One of 

 the best and most profitable apples. It is very sala- 

 ble. 



HmiLBUT Apple, fi-om Mr. S. Ilurlbut, (of the 

 firm of S. and L. Ilurlbut, Winchester Centre, Ct., 

 iiistinguished as raisers of fine Devon cattle,) a barrel 

 of this fine fruit. It is rather large ; flattish-conical ; 

 yellowish-green, mostly covered with bright red, 

 striped with crimson, russet aroimd the stem ; flesh 

 tender, crisp, juicy, of a mild, rich, highly aromatic 

 flavor. One of the very best, and very beautiful. 

 Last of October and into January. We find it to 

 be an excellent grower in the nursery. 



Thompson Apple, of ilr. Simon Gates, raised by 

 his father, Mr. Levi Gates, Mercer, Me. This is a 

 good fruit, but too far gone for an accurate decision. 

 Very large and showy, being fair and of a bright red 

 color. 



Healey Apple, of Mr. Samuel IIe;Uey, East 

 Weymouth. Large, fair, beautiful, of an excellent 

 quality. It partakes of both the fruit of the scion 

 and tho stock. This is the case with raanv fruits. 



Native Grapes, from Colonel Lebbeus Chase, Cor- 

 nish, N. II. Early Isabella and Nizola grapes, more 

 spirited and higher flavored than Isabella, but not so 

 sweet. As they are early, they are well worthy of 

 cultivation, particularly in the north. We have, in 

 our nursery, fiom Colonel C, the strawberry grape, 

 tart and pleasant, and Coon grape, SAveet and good. 

 Both are early, great growers, and they endured tho 

 last winter, Avhich was a very trying one, perfectly 

 well. Our worthy friend has done much in this line, 

 for the good of the community. We are making 

 experiments on his various kinds, and hope to rear 

 lasting monuments to his memory. 



Bull-Nose Pepper. This uncouth name is given 

 to the most splendid variety of peppers that we ever 

 saw. We liaA'e some fine specimens from Mr. John 

 Hill, No. 101 Faneuil Hall Market. Over four 

 inches ii» length, and ten inches in circumference; 

 the color is a brilliant red. It is used for the same 

 purposes as the squash, and common red peppers. 



Quinces. From Mr. Robert Manning, of the Pom- 

 ological Garden, Salem, tlu-ce distinct kinds of 

 quinces ; the pear-shaped, largest at the top or blos- 

 som end ; the apple-shaped, largest at the base or 

 stem end ; and the Portugal, largest in the centre. 



Portsmouth Sweeting, of Dr. Rufus Kittredge, 

 Portsmouth, N. H. This apple is large, A-'ery hand- 

 some, excellent for baking, but as they have ripened 

 prematurely, being a AA'inter apple, Ave cannot judge 

 of their dessert properties. 



Adams Pear, of Mr. W. W. Baxter, Quincy. 

 Rather small, but of a good quality, and Avorthy of 

 cultivation, as it is a hardy native, and a great bearer. 

 We advise its trial in the north, Avhere most foreign 

 kinds fail. 



M'Laughlin Pear, of Mr. Ebenezer BroAvn, Lynn. 

 It has not yet ripened to perfection. We noticed 

 this fruit Avhile growing in Mr. B.'s garden, and its 

 appearance Avas very promising. It is a hardy native 

 of Maine. 



Isabella Grapes, of excellent quality, of Mr. S. 

 A. Godbold, Chelsea, AA'ho, OAA'ing to a Avarm loca- 

 tion and skilful management, gets fine Isabellas 

 almost every year, Avhile a great many often fail. 



NOTICES OF PUBLICATIONS. 



Scientific Agriculture, or the Elements of Chem- 

 istry, Geology, Botany, and Meteorology, applied to 

 Practical Agriculture; by M. M. Rodgers, M. D., 

 Author of Agricultural Chemistry, &c., &c. 12mo. 

 280 pages. Published by Erastus DarroAv, Roch- 

 ester, N. Y. Sold also by J. P. JcAvett ajid Co., 

 23 Cornhill, Boston. 



The subjects of this work arc of the highest im- 

 portance in agriculture ; and from a cursory perusal 

 we think the arrangement is excellent, and that the 

 author has ably performed the difficult task of ren- 

 dering science easy to the practical farmer. At 

 another time we Avill give specimens of the work. 



The Plough, Loom, and Ana'il. A monthly 

 octavo, at three dollars a year, by J. S. Skinner and 



