178 



W IN D FA LLS . 



with trimming. I do not see why its little acid fruit 

 may not to a large extent take the place of the imported 

 limes. The fruit ripens in October in Northern Mary- 

 land. I am firmly convinced that it is the coming hedge 

 plant for the greater part of the country. — W. F. Mas- 

 SEY, N. C. E rperiinenf Se,Uio7i . 



The Fitzwater Pear is one of the newest claimants 

 for public favor. It is introduced to the trade this year 

 by Herbert A. Jones, Himrods, N. Y. The original 

 tree, standing at Himrods, on Seneca Lake, is now some 

 50 years old. It is described as a wmter pear of fine 

 quality and medium size, canary-yellow and somewhat 

 freckled when ripe. Although beginning to ripen early 

 in November, it is said by the introducer to keep well 

 without cold storage until January. It resembles the 

 Lawrence and some have thought the two to be identical, 

 but others state that while the Lawrence is sweet when 

 ripe the Fitzwater is acid. 



Fertility for Pears — I have read much as to orchard 

 treatment of pears. Having once the largest pear 

 orchard on the Atlantic coast, I would remark that I 

 have found that different varieties of pears will bear a 

 different amount of food ; for instance, the Seckel will 

 bear more than the Bartlett. In fact the most difficult 

 problem in pear culture for me to solve has been the 

 amount of food that each variety requires. — G. F. B., 

 Liigliloii, I'll. 



Seedling Fruits. — My experience in improving the 

 currant is the same as Mr. Marvin's (page 716, Decem- 

 ber issue). Some fifteen years ago I raised almost five 

 thousand from the best varieties and expected, with our 

 peculiar conditions of soil and climate, to obtain at least 

 one valuable variation, but nearly every plant bore fruit 

 very much resembling the parent form, and among the 

 thousands not one was found that was decidedly su- 

 perior in productiveness, size or quality, though vary- 

 ing much in vigor of growth and foliage. 



Our American gooseberry varies much more from 

 seed, both in bush and fruit, hardly any two seedlings 

 being alike. From Houghton, black, purple, red, yel- 

 low and white ones were obtained, many being larger 

 than the parent ; some quite sweet, others very acid ; 

 some ripening very early, others very late ; some per- 

 sistent, others falling to the ground like apples when 

 ripe. Many of the bushes were dwarf and stocky like 

 the English kinds, others spreading, weeping or trailing. 

 In the lot were several promising ones ; but all were de- 

 stroyed, as the large European varieties thrive so well 

 here. The English sorts do not vary as much from seed. 



I have also found pears very refractory ; from 1,250,- 

 000 Bartlett seedlings and many thousand seedlings of 

 Easter Buerre, Seckel, Duchess and Winter Nelis, not 

 one variety was obtained superior in all respects to the 

 parents. Yet from some other hybrid and crossbred 

 fruits truly wonderful improvements have been made, 

 and I shall take great pleasure after further develop- 

 ments in recording some successes in that line. — Luther 

 BuRBANK, Sonoma Co., Cal. 



Fig. I. JuGLANS Mand- 

 CHOURicA — Natural Size. 



The Oriental Nuts. — The life-like engraving and 

 article on one of the Japan walnuts in the December 

 number of The American Garden prompts me to send 

 you some sample nuts. You 

 will observe several kinds, 

 all no doubt forms of Jug- 

 lans Sieboldiana , but among 

 the many thousands of seed- 

 lings which I have raised 

 from these and from the 

 Tower House trees I have 

 watched in vain for the least 

 variation in foliage or 

 growth. Even /. Mand- 

 i hourica and all the various 

 forms which are obtained 

 from Japan and Corea 

 (samples of which I also 

 mail) are so much alike in 

 foliage and growth that no one has been able to observe 

 any difference in the young trees. The roots of all are 

 much branched with an abundance of lateral and fi- 

 brous roots, making the trees as easy to transplant and 

 as sure to grow as apple trees. You will notice that 

 some of the J. cordiforinis varieties are flat and pointed 

 like a chestnut, with an exceedingly thin shell which 

 opens along the suture on the slightest tap, exposing the 

 fat sweet kernel unbroken and complete. I am not ac- 

 quainted with any other nuts which are superior to the 

 cordiformis varieties, and they vary in form and size 

 surprisingly. No doubt they may be greatly improved 

 by selection and cultivation. — Luther Burbank, So- 

 noma Coim/v, Cal. 



[Some of the nuts which Mr. Burbank sends, show- 

 ing the various forms, are represented natural size in 

 the accompanying engravings. — Ed. Am. G.] 



Cory Corn in Nebraska. — In the December number 

 (p. 754) I note an article in relation to the culture of 

 Cory sweet corn in Nebraska. The writer has grown 

 Cory sweet corn in Nebraska for the past ten years and 

 most emphatically contradicts the statements made by 

 Mr. Barler. While I had a great many acres this past 

 season which were burnt up by the drouth, still I had 

 some acreage that would yield as high as twenty-five 

 bushels per acre, which was very good for the past season. 

 — W. E., Omaha. 



Tomato Croutes. — In this dish, the desirable 

 "gamy" flavor of the raw tomato is retained in the 

 cooking. In this case they should be rather small and 

 flat. Scald and peel, and cut off a slice from the stem 

 end, leaving about three-quarters of each tomato. 



Place them, cut side down, on a slice of buttered 

 bread, cut of fitting size. Arrange on a buttered pan 

 sprinkle with salt and pepper, and bake at least half an 

 hour. 



This is quite an ornamental entree, easily prepared, 

 and assists wonderfully at a meal where cold meat is the 



piece de resistance . 



