40 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



Jan. 



hands. I prefer buckets largest at the top, on ac- 

 count of ice, which we cannot always avoid. Peo- 

 ple in this vicinity prefer the tin spout ; those that 

 have given it a thorough trial, say they can get 

 more sap. I use a half round tapering bit, so I 

 can tap over by taking off a small shaving a doz- 

 en times if I wish, and then not exceed five-eighths 

 of an inch. They are manufiictured by our black- 

 smiths. Several have tried the experiment here, 

 and ha^e become satisfied that they can get as 

 much sap from a one-fourth inch hole, as from a 

 three-fourths or one inch hole, as it cuts off the 

 same number of grains. Erastus Way. 



West Burke, Vt., Dec, 1861. 



■WILLOW. 



This tree is extensively cultivated in some 

 countries, on account of its rapid grov.th, and the 

 remarkable facility with wliich it accommodates 

 itself to almost any modification of climate, and 

 every variety of soil •wlrich possesses the capa- 

 bility of nourishing vegetable life. When large 

 and full-grown, it presents a venerable and som- 

 bre appearance, being more densely foliaged than 

 any other tree, and of a form often singularly fan- 

 tastical and picturesque. The timber is not much 

 valued, except when young. It is then wrought 

 by the country people into various kinds of ozier 

 or wicker work, such as baskets, the coverings of 

 demijohns, &c. As fuel, the wood possesses nearly 

 the value of white pine, being light and highly 

 combustible, but possessed of little durability. 

 Like most wood of rapid growth, it soon decays, 

 especially Avhen exposed to the atmosphere. Used 

 for rafters, or other purposes where it is kept con- 

 tinually dry, it has some value, possessing the 

 power of holding nails as firmly, almost, as oak. 

 The weeping willow, around Avhich there cluster in 

 most minds, none but most gloomy associations, 

 is an importation from Europe, where it is said to 

 have been first cultivated by the poet Pope, who 

 discovered a slip of it in a basket or package wliich 

 had been sent to him from China. Some assert 

 that tlie ordhiary willow, if its position be reversed, 

 will be changed into a weeping willow. The foli- 

 age of the willow possesses nutritive properties, 

 and in some countries is gathered the same as 

 corn shucks, and cured as a winter feed for horses 

 and neat stock. 



It is to be regretted that a greater degree of at- 

 tention is not paid to the embellishment of our 

 country residences and villages, by the transplant- 

 ing of ornamental trees. Nothing adds more to 

 the beauty and desirableness of a dwelling than a 

 plantation, tastefully managed, of ornamental trees. 

 No matter how splendid and elegant in architectu- 

 ral design and finish a dwelling may be, if it 

 stands exposed, unembellished and unprotected by 

 ti'ecs and shrubbery, it must ever revolt the eye of 

 taste ; there is a nakedness about it which is re- 



pulsive, a something which requires filling up. 

 And there is a pleasure in planting which all keen- 

 ly feel who are not utterly callous to the beautiful 

 in nature. "You can have no idea of the exquis- 

 ite delights of a planter," says Sir Walter Scott ; 

 "he is like a painter laying on his colors, — at every 

 moment he sees his effects coming on. There is 

 no art or occupation comparable to this ; it is full 

 of past, present and future enjoyments. I look 

 back to the time when there was not a tree here — 

 only barren heath. I look round, and see thou- 

 sands of trees growing up, all of which I may say 

 have received my personal attention. I remember, 

 five years ago, looking forward with the most de- 

 lighted expectation, to this very hour, and as each 

 year has passed, the expectation has gone on in- 

 creasing. I do the same, now. I anticipate what 

 tliis plantation, and what that one Avill be, if I only 

 take care of it, and there is not a spot of wliich I 

 do not watch the progress." 



The time will come when necessity will compel 

 us to accord more attention to this business, and 

 before long, too. 



THE LEMON TRADE. 



The most delicate varieties of lemons known in 

 the export trade are the Poncine, incomparable, 

 the Naples, the sweet lemon, the Imperial, the Ga- 

 eta, the large fruit and the Vi-ax lemon. The most 

 delicious, however, are the hot house productions, 

 which are known only in the conservatories of the 

 wealthy. The peculiar nature of the lemon tree, 

 on M'hich may be seen at the same time the blos- 

 som and the fruit in all stages of growth, continues 

 the supply through every month of the year, but 

 in greater abundance in the spring. The importa- 

 tions, which continue during the year are largest 

 from January to June, in wliich month thej' seem 

 to culminate. The scarcity of the supply at pres- 

 ent is variously accounted for, but may be safelv 

 attributed to the general interruption to commerce 

 occasioned by the rel)eIlion of the Southern States. 

 The supply in the market is not always governed 

 by the clcmand, as there are but four houses in 

 New York who import on their ovrn account, all 

 other shipments being made on account and at the 

 risk of producers. It will thus be seen that the 

 trade is of a precarious character, and not likely to 

 tempt investment. The number of boxes brought 

 to this country from September, 1860, to August, 

 1861, according to the most reliable figures, is, to 

 New York, one hundred and twenty-five thousand ; 

 to Boston, thirty-five thousand ; to Philadelphia, 

 thirty-one thousand ; and to Baltimore, Avhere the 

 season closed earlier than usual, only eight thou- 

 sand. This is less by fifty thousand boxes than 

 the importations of the previous year. No natural 

 production varies in price so much as lemons, or- 

 anges, and Mediterranean fruits. Ten days ago 

 lemons were worth twelve dollars a box, and this 

 week they are six. Last year the price ranged 

 from fifty cents to seven dollars a box. The price 

 is governed by the immediate supply, as they are 

 purchased for immediate consumption. — Scientific 

 American. 



