COMMONPLACE NOTES. 



605 



Gkeen Tomato Pickle. 



On October 13, 1903, Mr. J. Gregory, of Canterbury Road, Croydon, 

 placed before the Fruit and Vegetable Committee a jar of Green Tomato 

 Pickle, which the Committee considered to be the best flavoured they 

 had ever had before them. Mr. Gregory has very kindly given us the 

 recipe, viz. : — 



" Slice 5 lbs. of green Tomatos into an earthenware jar, sprinkle salt on 

 each layer, and let the whole stand for 12 hours. Then turn it all out 

 into a sieve to drain, afterwards put it into a saucepan with only just 

 sufficient vinegar to cover the Tomato, and add \ lb. of sliced Onions, \ lb. 

 of brown sugar, \ oz. of cloves, \ oz. of long pepper, J oz. of mustard 

 seed, J oz. of ginger, 3 cayenne pepper pods. Simmer the whole until 

 tender. Then bottle and cork, and keep in a dry place. It is ready for 

 use as soon as cold." 



Liquid ambar styraciflua. 



Why this beautiful North American tree is not more frequently 

 planted we cannot imagine, as it is hardy, not particular as to soil, and 

 makes a beautiful object wherever it grows. Some say, " Yes, but you 

 want a favourable season to get it well coloured." The truth of which, 

 of course, depends on what is a favourable season for the plant. After 

 the dull wet summers of 1902 and 1903 the foliage was quite as beauti- 

 fully coloured as usual, and we have never seen a more gorgeous sight 

 than the tree in the Society's Gardens at Wisley last autumn ; it was one 

 mass of brilliant glowing crimson. What a glorious feature they would 

 make as street trees in country towns where the atmosphere is fairly free 

 from pollution ! Yet we have never heard of their ever having been tried 

 in such positions, and for all we know they might succeed even in smoky 

 towns. 



