4L2 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
[November, 
what horticulturists are doing in California. A monthly 
may be filled with quotations from English and other 
journals, and the reader, unless he sees the title page, 
can not guess, whether it is published in California, Aus¬ 
tralia, or Timbuctoo. This is not the case with the 
journal in question. There are people in Los Angeles 
Co., and Southern California generally, engaged in the 
cultivation of fruit and other products of the soil. They 
have formed the “ Southern California Horticultural So¬ 
ciety ; ” this Society meets, its members talk, and talk 
sensibly, and this journal is their organ, and a very good 
organ it promises to be. We see San Diego represented 
in their meetings. Twenty-five years ago in February 
last, we found ourselves in San Diego ; the only houses 
in the new town were those brought around Cape Horn, 
and were mere coops ; preferring a firm foundation, we 
put up our tents, and set up housekeeping on the solid 
earth. After a while some one gave us a map of the 
place, and by taking observations, we found that we 
were encamped exactly where the City Hall was on pa¬ 
per. It is, of course, now a prosperous place, and is no 
doubt most favorable to fruit-growing. 
Large Squashes.— John E. Rightmeyer, 
of Port Jervis, N. Y., claims that he has the “ Champion 
Squashes,” at least of Orange County. They were raised 
by Mr. Ottawa Moore, and weigh 215 and 123 lbs. respec¬ 
tively. Either may be regarded as large, and the heavier 
one remarkably so.—But how does Mr. R. know that 
they are not pumpkins ?—Don't ask us what is the dif¬ 
ference, as that is a conundrum we “ gave up "long ago. 
I*a-es«‘B-visa§; Osestsusts.—Punch’s direc¬ 
tions for “ preserving peaches” was to lock the closet 
■door and lose the key,” and in preserving chestnuts for 
planting you have to guard against dryness, heat, and 
boys. If allowed to become dry they will not vegetate, 
and the safest way is to mix them at once with as much 
or more sand, not wet or yet too dry, but as it comes 
from a well drained sand bank, and keep them through 
the winter in a cool place. Worms do not attack the 
ripe chestnuts; the holes are made, not by worms get¬ 
ting in, but in going out: the egg was laid when the nut 
was young and soft, and the “ worms” are already in 
them when they are gathered. 
44 'I'lao Scroll Sawyer.”— In an article 
on scroll sawing, on another page, we mentioned that 
the subject already had a literature; since that was writ¬ 
ten, we have received the first number of a monthly pa¬ 
per with the above title, published in New York City. 
Mr. ISiclcetl’s “ Lady Wsislaasag-- 
ton.”—The success of Mr. J. H. Ricketts, of New¬ 
burgh, N. Y., in raising hybrid and other new grapes is 
one of the most remarkable incidents in the horticulture 
of our times. We have before mentioned the marked 
excellence of the majority of his new varieties, and 
would now make a note of one we had not before seen, 
which he has named “ Lady Washington.” The berries 
are of medium size, the bunch above medium, double 
shouldered, and of the most delicate amber tint 
imaginable; the fruit, while quite sweet, has more 
character than is usually found in grapes of its color. 
If offered in the market the exceeding beauty of the 
fruit would make a sale for it, were it not half so good. 
This, if we mistake not, is the result of a cross between 
Iona and Concord; its foliage is as strongly native as 
that of any wild grape in the woods. 
ESovr Ions 1 will Ikeej>?—It is 
probable that the length of time for which pollen will re¬ 
tain its fertilizing properties varies with different plants, 
as does the vitality of seeds. According to the “Revue 
Horticole,” the pollen of Ceratozamia Mexicana, gath¬ 
ered in 1867, was successfully used to fertilize some fe¬ 
male flowers in 1872. Of course it must be carefully pre¬ 
served from dampness. 
Orainge Marmalade has long been a 
favorite adjunct to the breakfast of the writer. It was 
advised during recovery from a long illness, and the 
taste thus acquired has since often been gratified by the 
purchase of the only article then known in our stores, 
the “ Scotch Marmalade,” made at Dundee, Scotland, 
from bitter oranges imported from Spain. Not long ago 
Col. J. B. Oliver, editor of the “ Florida New Yoiker,” 
who is wide-awake to all that relates to the material 
prosperity of Florida, made us acquainted with the fact 
that orange marmalade was made in Florida. It appears 
that Messrs. Ritchie & Co., experienced makers of the 
article in Scotland, have established a factory in Florida, 
utilizing the wild orange, which has heretofore been 
looked upon as a waste product. Without comparing 
the two side by side, we think that the Florida marma¬ 
lade is at least quite equal to the imported. We look 
upon this manufacture with much interest, as it has 
already appreciably affected the value of the wild orange 
groves. Those who have wild orange trees in full bear¬ 
ing, if they can find a market for their fruit at even a 
low rate, will hesitate to convert them into groves of 
sweet fruit, which, while it will bring a much higher 
price, must be waited for, as it will take at least ten 
years to produce sweet orange trees bearing as abun¬ 
dantly as the well established wild ones. We wish this 
enterprise much success—and advise our readers when 
they buy orange marmalade to take the Florida in pre¬ 
ference to the Scotch. 
©rass lor BMfferent Soils.—“L. B. 
M.,” Elmwood, Ill. For land that is partly covered with 
timber, Orchard Grass should be chosen; where the land 
is sometimes overflowed, Red Top is most suitable, 
where it is moist, but not overflowed, try Timothy. 
New XesilaniuX Flax.—“ Subscriber,” at 
Great Salt Lake City, Utah.—Your signature is not legi¬ 
ble, or we should have replied by mail. The New Zea¬ 
land Flax, (Phormium tenax ), in its common and varie¬ 
gated forms, is not at all rare in greenhouses, and is 
often used in sub-tropical groups for decorating lawns. 
It is hardy in the south of England; how it will be with 
you can only be learned by experiment. It is generally 
multiplied by division; in consulting the English and 
French works on such plants, wc find no reference to 
raising it from seed. Seeds of some related plants, if 
kept long, germinate very slowly, and if you have a 
greenhouse, it will be well to sow the seeds at once. If 
you have no greenhouse, the seeds must be kept until 
spring, and, as a matter of precaution, we would mix 
them with twice their bulk of dry sand, and keep in a 
dry place for the winter. The fibre is very strong, but 
very coarse, and if your correspondent has seen any 
“nearly as fine as silk,” it was prepared differently from 
any that we have met with. 
IPsu’asIte obb 4>w!!s— 44 BBetBea* IMrec- 
tioaj.55—Every now and then it happens that while we 
have copi:d an address exactly as given, a letter comes 
back marked, “Returned for Better Direction.” This 
does not seem to have much to do with horned owls or 
their parasites, so we will explain. Almost a year ago 
Mr. O. Terrell sent us a strange looking insect which he 
found on the body of a Horned Owl. It being unlike 
anything we had any account of, we sent it to a gentle¬ 
man who makes a specialty of the class of insects to 
which we supposed it belonged; he did not know it, and 
forwarded the specimen to Baron Osten Sacken, who, is 
distinguished as an entomologist, as well as diplomatist, 
and he at once gave us the name of the insect as Olfersia 
Americana, with the remark that it was frequently found 
upon owls. Having the name of the specimen, but 
nothing of its history, we wrote to Mr. Terrell and his 
letter came back stamped as above. We take this 
method of informing Mr. Terrell that we did the best we 
could for him, and refer to the case just now—when we 
shall receive letters by the thousand, to enforce upon our 
friends the necessity for always giving their name and 
address in full. We have just now taken pains to reply 
to a letter at length, and find that the only address is 
Brooklyn, and no means of knowing if the writer is 
Mrs.,Miss, or Mr. Having spent some time over the letter, 
we at a venture send it to Brooklyn, N. Y., but shall not 
be surprised to find it “Returned for Better Direction.” 
lp’i-ejsstirlaag' BBrieic. — “G.” When pure 
salt, such as the Onondaga factory filled or the Ashton 
salt is used, it is not necessary to boil the brine. Boiling 
water may be poured upon the salt in a clean tub or bar¬ 
rel, the water should be well stirred, and when cool, the 
brine should be skimmed. Enough salt should bo used 
to have some left in the bottom of the tub; the brine is 
then a saturated solution, and as strong as itcanbemade. 
Trine 55est WJaesifl; CSrowitug' S4a4e.— 
“E. R. G.,” Lancaster Co., Pa. The best spring wheat 
in the country is grown in Minnesota, and flour from 
Minnesota spring wheat, brings the highest price of any 
flour in the market. Just now the most profitable wheat 
growing is in Central Kansas, where many persons are 
largely cultivating this crop with considerable profit. 
There fall wheat is considered a sure crop. These two 
States just now offer the best inducements for largely 
and cheaply growing these kinds of wheat. 
“Adamant Flow.”—“ J. G. D.,” Corry, 
Penn., writes that he is dissatisfied with the “ Adamant 
Plow,” but does not say who is the maker, nor which 
“Adamant ” plow it is. We feel sure there is some mis¬ 
take in the case, and that some plow different from that 
mentioned recently in the American Agriculturist , is re¬ 
ferred to, because we have been using one all summer, 
and have lent it to the neighbors so much, that it has 
been in constant use, and all who have UBed it agree in 
thinking it to be an excellent plow of very light draft, 
and clearing itself perfectly in all kinds of soil. 
Catalogues Received. 
Catalogues of dealers in all kinds of agricultural and 
horticultural stock and materials, form a class of litera¬ 
ture, that possesses much interest and value. Of late 
years, instead of being a mere enumeration of the stock 
for sale, they generally give descriptions of the articles 
offered—at least of the new ones, and by presenting the 
author’s experience, or methods of culture, are instruc¬ 
tive, and we often find in them scraps of information, not 
to be found elsewhere. Unfortunately, they come in those 
fall and spring months, when our columns are always 
crowded, and we are unable to point out, as we should 
like, the characteristic features of the different catalogues, 
but must content ourselves with little more than a bare 
enumeration of them. It will save inquirers much trouble, 
if they understand that dealers—such as nurserymen, 
seedsmen, etc.—keep all the regular articles in their line, 
and unless we indicate that one is.devoted to some spe¬ 
cialty, it is safe to assume, that any of the standard and 
established articles in the line of his business, may be 
had from him. Where a business has several depart¬ 
ments so distinct that separate catalogues are issued for 
each, the establishment is mentioned under the different 
heads, but where no separate catalogues are issued, the 
concern is placed under the head of the leading business, 
and mention made of the other departments. 
NURSERYMEN. 
Geougk Achklis. Westchester, Pa.— A wholesale list 
of fruit and ornamental, including evergreen, trees, etc. 
Bronson, Hopkins & Co., Geneva, N. Y.—General 
stock, with several specialties, including Russian and 
other apples of extra hardiness. 
Bosh, Son & Meissner, Bushberg, Jefferson Co.; Mo., 
make a specialty of hardy grapes, and their autumn cata¬ 
logue is a marvel of compact description. 
J. Capps & Son, Mount Pulaski, Ill.—General list, in¬ 
cluding an immense variety of peaches. They also issue 
an annual “Journal,” filled with interesting fruit talk. 
S. C. De Cotj, Moorcstown, N. J., sends a special 
strawberry circular, but has a general nursery stock. 
Robert Douglas & Son, Waukegan. Ill., make a spe¬ 
cialty of evergreen and other ornamental tree seedlings. 
They raise evergreens on such a large scale, and offer the 
seedlings at such low rates, that it is cheaper, and much 
safer, for private planters to buy, than to raise them. 
Ellwangee & BARny, Rochester, N. Y., have a stock 
so large and varied, that each department requires a 
separate catalogue, and the whole set bound together, 
makes a handsome volume. The lists of Fruits and of 
Ornamental Trees and Shrubs are quite up to the time. 
H. M. Engle & Son, Marietta, Pa., send a full whole¬ 
sale list, and offer three new peaches raised by them. 
W. L. Ferris. Jr., & Co.. Poughkeepsie, N. Y., offer a 
general stock, with sDecialties in small fruits, including 
Mr. Roe’s new raspberry and gooseberries, which they 
grow under an arrangement with Mr. R. 
Gibson & Bennett, Woodbury, N. J., offer general 
nursery stock, and as specialties the new strawberries 
and raspberries of Mr. Felton, which were first brought 
to notice at the Centennial Exhibition. 
A. nANCE & Son. Red Bank, N. J., send a full trade 
list of nursery and florist’s stock, and special list of 
peaches and strawberries, many novelties in both. 
IIoopes Brother & Thomas, Westchester, Pa., in their 
trade list offer a large assortment in every department of 
nursery stock, with greenhouse plants besides. 
T. S. Hubbard, Fredonia, N. Y., makes a specialty of 
grape vines and wood, but has other stock. 
J. Jenkins, Winona, Ohio, makes a specialty of grape 
vines and forest tree seedlings, and has a general stock. 
R. S. Johnston, Stockley, Del.—A general wholesale 
list., very full in peaches of the newer sorts. 
II. T. Jones. Rochester, N. Y., offers small fruits of 
all kinds, including the latest introductions. 
Wm. S. Little, Rochester, N. Y., sends his wholesale 
list, which is very full, and includes several specialties in 
fruit and ornamental trees. 
D. S. Marvin, Watertown, N. Y.—A special list of 
hardy grapes, and interesting, as it gives the origin of the 
different native varieties. 
S. B. Parsons & Sons, Flushing, (L. I/,) N. Y.—Be¬ 
sides their retail catalogue, have a wholesale list of their 
remarkable collection, including camellias and azaleas. 
F. K. Phcenix, Bloomington, HI., has a wholesale list, 
full in every department, and offers special terms to clubs. 
Thomas Meehan, Germantown, Pa., offers an immense 
stock at wholesale rates, and makes a specialty of forest 
tree seedlings and seeds. 
E. Moody & Sons, Lockport, N. Y.—Though establish¬ 
ed in 1839, the catalogue shows that this venerable nursery 
keeps pace with the novelties. 
William Parry, Cinnaminson, N. J., besides his regu¬ 
lar price-list, publishes “Forty Years Among Small 
Fruits,” in which he gives the results of an experience 
second, in variety and results, to that of no other. 
J. C. Plumb & Son, Milton, Wis.. make a specialty 
of hardy fruits for extreme northern localities, including 
several originated by them. Their advice to planters is 
clear and sensible. 
H. M. Thompson & Son, St. Francis, Wis., deal es¬ 
pecially in evergreen and forest tree seedlings, including 
the European Larch. Their catalogue is maiuly devoted 
to interesting matter on the importance and profit of tree 
culture, and is a useful and creditable production. 
B. F. Transou & Co., Humboldt, Tenn., offer fruit 
trees of varieties especially suited to the southwestern 
climate, and ornamental trees and shrubs. 
Leo Weltz, Wilmington, Ohio, has general nursery 
