309 



James A, Nelson, of Indian Kun, in Mercer Co., 

 Pa. He has 125 varieties. Who has a greater 

 number ? 



Judson's Wood Tree Labels. — These seem 

 to be made of very good wood, are notched as in the 

 times when labels Vv'cre all hand made, and do not 

 seem so liable to have the corner break away and 

 let the wires slip off as some labels do. 



Letter from Mr. Hackee. — - Philadelphia, 

 9-20,-' 67. Thomas Meehan, German town. Es- 

 teemed Friend : My attention was called by note 

 from J. E, Tilton & €o.. Editor of American Jour- 

 nal of HoHicuIture, Boston, to an article in the last 

 number of the Monthly, in reference to a circular 

 sent out by them with my name attached. (Having 

 been much away from home, I only received the 

 Monthly this morning, on sending for it. ) In reply 

 it is but justice in me to say, that although the cir- 

 cular was " as you say," not written by me, it was 

 sent out under my authority and with my circulars 

 enclosed to a list of names given by me. I do not 

 desire to be drawn into any newspaper controversy, 

 my interest and desire being only to extend and 

 strengthen the taste and love for Horticulture and 

 the kindred sciences. 



I remain very truly, yours, 



William Hacker, 



[With "Dear Sir" at the head of the letter, in- 

 stead of Mr. Hacker's usual "Esteemed Friend," 

 we were quite sure our friend could never have seen 

 that circular, and the present letter intimates that 

 we were correct ; but Mr. H. did authorize his name 

 to be put to a circular he never saw. 



So that the public understand that these " golden 

 opinions," of new Horticultural productions, are 

 manufactured to order, and authorized chiefly 

 as a matter of business to get catalogues circulated 

 cheaply, we can have no objection.] 



Fruit by Mail. — We get very often specimens 

 for an opinion, or for names, through the mail in 

 paper boxes. Oar friends forget that tons of pres- 

 sure go with the mail bags- We rarely receive any- 

 thing in paper boxes that is not mashed to a jelly, 

 and beyond all recognition. 



Orthography AND Pronunciation op Papaw. 

 — In a recent number, a correspondent inquired for 

 the origin of the term Papaw, as appHed to the 

 Anona fruit, and the authority for the orthography 

 "Paw Paw." The latter we could not answer. 

 The September number of the American Journal of 

 Horticulture, quotes Dr. Kirtland as authority. Dr. 



K. has no doubt been led astray by the Western 

 pronunciation, "Paw Paw" which is wrong. The 

 correct pronunciation is Pa-paw, Just as spelled, 

 which is also the correct orthography. 



Our neighbors are trying their hands at correcting 

 terms long in use, and they might as well have this 

 one right. They have recently taught us to say 

 " Cypripedia," instead of Cypripediums, because it 

 should be so in the plural if we were talking Latin. 

 We shall be very glad if they will tell us how the 

 Indians form the plural of Papaw. It must no 

 doubt grate harshly oo their classic ears to hear 

 people say Papaws. 



Van Houttes Flore des Serres.— J?, G. W 

 New Philadelphia, Ohio, asks: "Whether Van 

 Hoatte's Flore des Serresetdes Jardins de I'Europe 

 is translated into English ; if so, where can I get 

 it." 



[There is no English translation, but one can soon 

 learn to read, if not to talk French ; and it is a very 

 nice thing to have in a family for that reason, aS 

 furnishing a pretty stimulus for the young members, 

 by its beautiful plates, to learn the language. ] 



Adaptation and Non-Adaptation of Varie- 

 ties WORKED ON other THAN THEIR OWN KOOTS. 

 —T. T. S., Dansville, N. Z— " Will the Editor 

 give to his readers a lesson on the subject? Give 

 the principle that governs the matter. We know 

 that many varieties of Pear prove a failure budded 

 on Quince, while others do well. That some varie- 

 ties of Plum grow well budded on Peach and others 

 not at all. For instance, Imperial Gage takes bud 

 and grows finely. While Lombard proves a total 

 failure. Some kind of Plums doing well on the 

 Dwarf Plum stock, others not at all, &c., &c. K 

 there is any guiding principle, it ought to be 

 known." 



[We should be very glad if some one would tell us 

 the principle. We have never succeeded in getting 

 the cultivated cherry to grow by budding on the 

 wild cherry ( CerasMS serotina,) or on the EngUsh 

 Bird cherry, [Cerasus padus,) nor ever heard of any 

 one who did ; yet we see it stated in an English 

 paper that the last one has been found a first class 

 stock for the Peach. It would be very interesting 

 if some one could find out why a cherry, which will 

 not allow another cherry to grow on it, will yet give 

 life and vigor to a Peach. So far it remains a mys- 

 tery.] 



Potatoes in Virginia. — 0. T., Lincoln, Va., 

 writes : "Early Goodrich seem to do finely, and are 



