38 



graft,) press or drive it gently until you open the 

 stock wide enough to insert the graft. Select a scion 

 in proportion to the contraction of the stock that it 

 may have sufficient firmness in the wood to with- 

 stand the pressure. Cut it long enough, so that 

 when inserted in the stock the upper bud will be 

 just above the ground, (we prefer one or two buds 

 below the surface, but they are not indispensable ; 

 but in case of the upper bud being destroyed they 

 would be necessary to save the graft). Wedge or 

 slope the scion carefully so that the outside will be 

 the thickest, (it is best not to cut to the pith); take 

 the bark off the part inserted in the stock, see that 

 it fits the the split correctly and matches the stock 

 exactly on either side, then withdraw the wedge, 

 and, if the work is properly done, the graft will be 

 held firmly in its place without tying, (use no wax.) 

 Then press damp earth, with care, firmly around the 

 stock and graft, and let one bud be exposed. 



If early in the spring and any danger ot the ground 

 freezing, they should be covered with earth or straw 

 to keep the frost from lifting the grafts out ; they 

 ought to be left in that condition until all danger of 

 freezing and thawing is over, and then uncovered. 

 Watch and keep the suckers down ; cultivate well, 

 and protect the grafts by tying them up to stakes as 

 fast as they grow. 



We may have been tedious with our article but 

 have found the details necessary to success. Who- 

 ever follows the directions herein given will be suc- 

 cessful, and find the mystery to disappear, as much 

 so as in grafting any other species. We have, in 

 some instance, preferred cutting the roots off and 

 grafting the scions of new and costly varieties, in 

 preference to planting them, and have had over 100 

 feet of growth the first season from the graft. 



Mr. J. W. Merrick, Jr., in August number of Gar- 

 deners Monthly says '"he cannot graft a Grrape-vine 

 and never saw anybody who could," and asks if any 

 reader can throw light on this obscure subject." 



We hope this article will give him the ability to 

 graft a Glrape, and when he succeeds, the obscurity 

 will disappear, and he will wonder at its simplicity. 



The principal conditions of success are good mate- 

 rial, grafting below the surface within the period 

 mentioned, and the work well done. 



FRUITS IN ALABAMA. 



BY R. R. H., HARPERSVILLE, SHELBY CO., ALA. 



I have for the last 8 years or more been engaged 

 in testing fruits, especially G-rapes, Pears, Apples, 

 and Peaches, and thus pleasantly occupying my time; 

 but must now try to do something in addition to 

 pleasure from this my labor of love. 



I have tested over 60 varieties of native Grrapes, 

 and all have failed save Scuppernong. I have had 

 some fruit every year from Concord, and consider it 

 the best after Scuppernong. 



I had, this season, some 300 or more varieties of 

 Pears to fruit, and among them many of the newer 

 varieties were very fine. 



My success with Dwarf Pears has been very grat- 

 ifying. Of several hundred I find but few worth- 

 less, but could embrace the cream in 30 or 40 varie- 

 ties of those not so well known, that have proved to 

 be high flavored and first-rate this season. I will 

 mention "Chancellor," "Haynes' Winter," "Rou- 

 selet St. Nicholas," Duchesse de Brabant d'Eng- 

 heim, Beurre Millet, Beurre Delpierre, Beurre An- 

 toinette, "President Baugot," "Gloire d'Burche," 

 "Vermilion du Haut," Emilie d'Heyst, "Emilie 

 Brevoort," " Theo. Van Mons," "St. Menin or 

 Omar Pacha," "Poire Sacquet," Dr. Caperon, Due 

 du Comice, "Copsheaf" 



Dr. Caperon, "Poire Sacquet, " Glorie du Burche, 

 Chancellor, Beurre Antoinette and "St. Menin," 

 were very fine, and trees vigorous with persistent 

 foliage. I have many new winter varieties that pro- 

 mise to keep well, of large size and handsome ap- 

 pearance. I have not referred to my notes and write 

 from memory, and of course only refer to a few va- 

 rieties. I have almost made Pear culture a specialty, 

 —hope these few notes may not prove uninteres- 

 *ting. I desire to extend my specimen Pear orchard 

 so as to include all the introductions since 1860, of 

 value. 



PRINCE'S STRAWBERRIES 



BY THOS. CAVANACH, BROOKLYN, N. Y. 



I regret being compelled to ask a portion of 

 your valuable paper to reply to Mr.- Prince's ungen- 

 tlemanly article. He states that none of his Seed- 

 lings are in the possession of any one in Brooklyn ; 

 this is incorrect ; for I know of one grower who had, 

 some years ago, one acre of Scarlet Magnate in cul- 

 tivation. I received my plants from a celebrated 

 Strawberry grower, formerly of Brooklyn, who is con- 

 sidered authority on Strawberries; he procured them 

 direct from Mr. Prince. 



Mr. Prince says he has not sold any plants of that 

 variety he calls Welcome, until the present Au- 

 tumn. He himself told me, in his own office, that 

 he had sold five hundred to one man. Tt strikes 

 me that he has a short memory when speaking to 

 you or me. 



I have exhibited the Welcome, Le Baron, Glo- 

 bose Scarlet, and some others, at the Agriculturist 

 Office and the Farmers' Club. If Mr. Prince is 



