1S71. ] 
OUT-DOOR PEACHES IN 1870 . 
37 
tlie Adornments of the Garden, under which are treated such topics as the 
Conservatory, the Fern House, the Apiary, the Fernery, the Rockery, &c. The 
Home of Taste is defined as u a tasteful home, wherein everything is a reflection 
of refined thoughts and chaste desires, a school of the heart in which human 
sympathies teach profounder lessons than are found in hooks.” We have just 
now only space to quote a short passage from the chapter on cabinet vivaria 
relating to a the pretty green Tree-frog ” :— 
“ Hyla arborea has a pai’ticularly neat contour; full-grown specimens are not more than 
half the size of the common frog, but the structure is more compact and graceful; and when 
in activity, the long legs and button toes indicate at once its chief characteristic, that of 
climbing and leaping. The activity of the creature adds to the interest we derive from its 
beauty when kept as a pet. Its habit is to sit perfectly still on the summit of the rockwork in 
the glass, or on a flat leaf of a plant, when set at liberty in a greenhouse ; but the moment a 
fly passes, it wakens up, becomes restless, and screws its legs together for energetic action. 
Fixing its beautiful eyes on a buzzing bluebottle, froggy waits his opportunity, and presently 
at one spring he pounces on his victim, and swallows him whole. It is in the taking of its 
prey that we are enabled to note particularly the manner in which this frog is equipped for 
the curious life it leads. Though it delights in water, and needs to have it always within 
reach, it is in summer time but partially amphibious. It will now and then swim round, and 
then ascend the rockwork, where it will remain motionless for hours, holding tight by means 
of its toe suckers, and the delicate membrane of the stomach, which indeed it depends on 
chiefly when attached to a smooth surface.” 
We commend the work generally, as one which will be really welcomed by 
the numerous class of persons, who having a taste for the introduction of objects 
of natural history about their refined and happy homes, yet lack the knowledge 
and experience which are necessary to do this with successful results.—M. 
OUT-DOOR PEACHES IN 1870. 
|N a south-west wall I have the following Peach and Nectarine trees, viz.:— 
1 Malta, 1 Stirling Castle, 1 Belle Beauce, 1 Padley’s Seedling, 2 Noblesse, 1 
Royal George, 1 Thames Bank, and 1 Murrey Nectarine. These represent 
all the out-door Peach and Nectarine trees at this place. All the above- 
mentioned trees fruited freely, and had not the slightest protection afforded them 
against spring frosts. True, we had last spring little to fear, but I am rather 
inclined to believe that it is possible to injure fruit-tree blossoms by too careful a 
system of covering. I have invariably found that I have had least success with 
the blossoms during seasons when I took most pains to protect them. 
This being the first year I have fruited the Stirling Castle Peach out-of-doors, 
and it having acquitted itself remarkably well, I may be allowed to say a word or 
two in its favour. It set freely, and swelled to a fair size ; its colour was magni¬ 
ficent, and the flesh not at all to be found fault with. There are, perhaps, 
some peaches more delicate in the flesh ; but, taking the tree altogether, it is 
decidedly deserving of a place both upon our out-door walls, and in our Peach 
cases. In the cases I have a very fine tree of it. The Malta is a vigorous- 
growing tree, sets freely, and has delicious fruit of a good size. Padleys Seedling 
is a highly-coloured peach, easily known amongst other peaches, the fruit not being 
particularly round, but having a tendency to lay the flesh on in lumps, after the 
