No. 129. j 158 



which admits the luminous and ehemical effects necessary for 

 vegetation, and excludes the inconvenience complained of. 



Tomato. — The same results from acidulation could probably 

 be effected by experiments on the tomato, by which this fruit 

 could be advanced from our sauces &c., to the dessert. As a 

 vegetable accompaniment nothing can be more delicious, but by the 

 addition of a sacharine acid, the merits of the fruit would be 

 greatly increased. At any rate the experiment is worth a trial. 



Blackberry. — The blackberry comes under the same category 

 for improvement. We have no conception here of the vast size 

 which the berries of Normandy bear in comparison with our 

 own. It appears that the plants of that country assume the 

 form of large bushes growing wild under the shelter of the lofty 

 forest-trees. The fruit from these bushes is as large as fine mul- 

 berries, and of an exceedingly delicious flavor; valuable as a 

 medicinal syrup for sore throat and for dysentery. It is sup- 

 posed that the increased size of the Norman berry is owing to 

 the absorption of the superabundant moisture by the overhang- 

 ing foliage of the forest trees. In England high banks and dry 

 soils appear best adapted to the perfection of this fruit. Possi- 

 bly a graft on the mulberry or plum would produce the result 

 desired. 



Raspberry. — Of the raspberry I would suggest the inquiky 

 whether we have given this fruit all the attention u deserves ; 

 from its general size and appearance I am inclined to think we 

 have not. Many years ago I read that the ashes of common 

 seaweed produce great effects with regard to size ; and some ac- 

 counts lately published speak of the valuable results produced 

 by the application of powdered charcoal. 



Potatoes. — With regard to seaweed as a manure for potatoes, 

 it appears from some experiments made at Penzance, in Corn- 

 wall, that this application produced an abundant crop, and the 

 potatoes when dressed were one ball of meal, with a taste like 

 new flour. 



Butter-nut Sugar. — An experiment I find by a communication 

 to the American Agriculturist for last month, (Aug.,) has been 



