^ SOUTHEKN CULTIVATOK. 
99 
THE NORTH AMERICAN CRAR-APPLE. 
I This fruit is peculiar to this country. It is indigenous in the Western and Middle States, but is entirely distinct 
' from tlie common apple generally cultivated. It is quite an interesting tree in the garden, as it is distinguished 
by dwarfish habits. It has beautiful rose-colored flowers, diffusing a very pleasant odor around. Its fruit is green 
and fragrant, small and very sour, but capable of being made into good preserves by the addition of sugar. It can 
be propagated from seed, or by budding, or by grafting upon the stock of ihe common apple-tree. The Siberian 
Crab (of which w'e have several varieties) is a beautiful and ornamer tal tree of medium size and a pendulous or droop- 
ing habit. The fruit is valuable for preserving. Many kinds of Crab Apple, as Hugh's Virginia, ^-Chapman," and 
others, are also very desirable for the making of cider. 
HISTOSY OF THE MELOH. 
Th£ history of the watermelon, so much esteemed for its 
sweet, delicious and cooling juice, as well as that of the 
mnskmehn, or cantelovp, which is equally prized for its 
rich aromatic pulp, may be traced back to remote anti- 
quity. The former, which is generally considered as the 
melon of the Jews, mentionad in various places in the 
Bible, is believed to have originated in Egypt, or South- 
ern India, where it has been cultivated fi’om time imme- 
morial. It would appear that it was unknown to the 
ancient Greeks and Romans, ns no definite information 
respecting it can be gleaned from their authors. The 
muskmelon, which is represented to have been a native of 
Asia, was known to the Greek and Roman physicians, 
and its properties and uses described by them at length. 
The kind of muskmelon most esteemed among amateurs 
in various parts of Europe, and dc.scriiicd, i.s the ‘ Cante- 
loup," so called from a place al-out fourteen miles from 
Rome, the country seat of the Pope, where this fruit has 
long been cultivated. Tins variety stated to have been 
brought thitiher from that part of Armenia whicli borders 
on Persia, where it grows in the greatest perfeciion and 
abundance. The flesh of this melon, when fully matured 
is delicious, and may be eaten with safity, without injury 
to the d) speptic or those of the weakest stomachs. The 
form of the canteloups is generally roum'ish, with a rough, 
warty, or netted outer rind, or sk n The. size of the plant 
is rather small, and the flesh for the most part of a yellow- 
ish color, though with some it is green . — Patent OJicc 
Report. 
The Domestic Culture op the Grape. — The Charles- 
ton Mercury states that Mr. McDonald, residing near 
Aiken, S.C., has devoted himself to the culture' of the 
grape with a success that promises to naturalize that 
branch of agriculture in the State. He has an extensive- 
vineyard, in which may be found the best varieties of 
foreign and native vines. He has made considerable quan- 
tities of wine. 
“SKEED WEED ’’-ITS FATAL EFFELTiS. 
Messrs. Editors — In reply to Judge Andrews I would 
say that I understand Sneeze Weed is as flital to horses 
or mules as strychnine is to cats and dogs. 
We have a .great deal of it in Edgefield on Horns’ Creek 
and Stephens' Creek, and it is regarded as highly poison- 
ous to stock. 
One of my muhs, while plowing, took a mouthful of the 
weed and was immediately taken witli general tremors, 
profuse perspiration, succeeded by convu! si.nns and d-.ath 
in 40 minutes. A tobacconist camped in the same neigh- 
borhood av. mid day and turned hi.s two hoi.ses loose to 
graze: they were both taken Aery sick, and die wagoner 
went about a quarter of a n.'ite. for k rd to drem.-li them and 
on his return they were dead — from ea.ting sneeze weed. 
I have it in my par - ure, and horses and mules, 
when at i.irge, will n -teafil. T l ave ru'liced that, occa- 
sionally, it is cropped ■ ff, I thii.k, by cattle, hut am not 
certain that it wilikill cuttle, at hast in liomoeparhic doses. 
STEKNUL.4TOr;. 
Edgrfidd, C. II., S, C., I \b., 185J. 
