because they contrive to get over the ground so fast 
A good plan is that of sowing first in small 60 pots, 
letting them make their way up through successive 
changes, watering well, and giving them a warm 
and light and very well sheltered place. I say well 
sheltered, because no one knows how easily the 
stems of balsams snap. This reminds me of flower 
sticks. Ladies are frightfully apt to bury just one 
inch of the stick in soil, and then to wonder that the 
support is shaky. Where a pot is being prepared 
for even a seed which is destined to grow’ up in it, 
the future flower stick should be fixed in with the 
soil, going down absolutely to the very hole, and 
being surrounded by the drainage. A shaky stick 
is always hurting not only the stems but roots, not 
to speak of its unpleasant quality of making the 
whole untidy. 
Celosias are very pretty plants to grow in pots, 
and so are some ot the amaranths, treated like bal¬ 
sams, only with less water. Canary-flower ought 
always to be sown in the pots in which it may 
remain, and a large drainage hole in these cases is 
a great advantage. Transplanting or pricking out 
climbing plants is always injurious, as it checks 
their growth. Then there is the charming phlox 
Drummondii, and mimulup, Indian pinks, primulas, 
lobelias, and petunias; even most part of the hardy 
annuals, 'which are none the worse for a little heat. 
The only thing is to mind they do uot get drawn up 
too tall; for it is not always gratifying to be assnred 
“our plants have been growing beautifully—they 
are—oh, so long!” 
A very great point, indeed, is to guard against 
heavy showers and against twisting winds. A 
little dew might benefit the young plants; but if 
they are grown in boxes or plant cases, closing 
up the frout when the sun is shining provides an 
instant vapor bath and an immediate shade from 
what would be too hot, 
A thin sheet of moss laid over each pot is said to 
be very useful in keeping the soil from drying, and 
-- ,j. Still there is the awkwardness of 
oft! If they are allowed to grow two or three years, 
they are sometimes an inch through at their base, 
and can not then be removed by saw or knife with¬ 
out leaving an ugly scar upon the tree, and the 
wound becomes a dangerous one, unless made when 
the tree is in a favorable physiological condition, 
and it is treated with proper skill. 
“There should be little upe for the saw or knife 
in an orchard less than forty years old, unless in 
case of accident. After that time, or perhaps ten 
years later, some of the limbs begin to die, and then 
these tools become necessary. The pruning should 
be performed when it can be done with the thumb 
and finger—and now is the time to do it. Pass 
through the orchard, examine all the limbs that 
start directly from the main stem of all the trees, 
and wherever young shoots are found, rub them off, 
being careful to take them so close as to prevent an 
aftergrowth. They-should all come off, with a 
single exception, viz: If the tree, by accident, 
unskillful pruning, force of wind, or any other 
cause, has lost a proper balance; if one side has 
more branches tbnn another ; or if the top is open 
and too much exposed; then leave one of these 
young shoots, and train it to occupy the very place 
you wish to have filled. 
“ By this process of pruning, you will rarely need 
to use the knife; the trees may be brought up 
smooth, and with symmetrical form, and they will 
not be full of Internal wounds to weaken them, and 
hasten their decay in later years. 
“ Let us urge upon the young orchardist at least 
to try this method now / and if the knife and saw 
are necessary, now is the time to use them.” 
sausburia AbiaN’tifoliA variegata.— Variegated-leaved 
Ginko, or “ Maiden Hair Fern Tree. ” We have received from 
Messrs. Ellwanger & Barry a leaf of this beautiful tree, a 
sketch of which we annex. 
IN-DOOR GARDENING. 
BREAD MAKING, PEACH SHORT 
At the present time our stands are ••filled” with 
a single plant; one great white azalea, standing 
with drooping boughs and its lily-like blossoms, 
makes a more lovely picture than a dozen colors. 
Low-growing mosses, little ferns, cyclamens, and 
blue scillas are, for such, a ground-work among 
the most appropriate, How to keep these things 
healthy ought not to be difficult. The grand thing 
for this is to provide a cover! Tt, is perfectly absurd 
the way in which people think of what they see 
their plants suffer, wholly forgetful of their acuter 
sufferings where given up to the tender mercies of 
housemaids and their brooms; good housemaids 
doubtless cover up the furniture, but they are the 
last gardeners to whom I would trust, my plants. 
Fancy the plants—groups of fragile flowers at the. 
point of every spray—and fancy the covering, even 
though perhaps it is light, thrown over these and 
resting against or knocking off the petals! The 
very first step taken towards making flowers last 
will, I am sure, be found in something like Chinese 
lanterns. Great thin paper or transparent linen 
covers, made up on slender frames, and put over 
the stands each night like a large bell glass. There 
is always some slight change at night in the tem¬ 
perature of a room, and a plan like this equalize? 
and confines that air which surrounds the plants. 
It protects them from dust, and more than all it 
shelters them from the draughts that are prevalent 
in the early morning. 
This being arranged, a regular morning’s task 
should be to see what plants require water, every¬ 
thing being watered always with warm water. 
Azaleas in blossom should be daily watered, and 
sometimes it is practicable to bedew the foliage 
from the side away from the window, so as a little 
to refresh the foliage of the undergrowth, without 
letting water fall on the open blossoms. Some¬ 
times, too. while a plant is blossoming, there is a 
sort of gap between two sets of blossom;, with roses 
and azaleas this very often happens. Then the 
foliage and buds can have a thorough dewing. The 
cyclamens, also, in which I so exceedingly delight, 
derive untold benefit from a proper washing every 
few days or so. The foliage looks charming when 
kept so fresh and clean, and a plant I had last 
November beginning then to blossom, has now got 
upwards of 30 buds and blossoms still; the scent, 
too, becoming more and more delightful. 
It is a heavy trial, these said cyclamens; they 
ought to he close to the light; and who can resist 
having them on the table! However, if anything, 
they are prettiest by candle light, so it is possible to 
give them by day the full light they crave, and yet 
to enjoy them perfectly in the evening. Mine are 
watered every morning regularly, but never are 
allowed to be in the least sodden; being lightly 
potted, the water runs through quickly, and is 
instantly discontinued. Each plant receives thus 
about a coffee cupful daily. These plants, however, 
are standing out, contrary to rule, in flower pots. 
Violets I find do best treated in exactly the same 
manner. Neither seem to l>ear being covered up, 
or having a steamy atmosphere. 
There 1 
—A-. n ,Y-x ukkkr:—as H. jfi.s. inquires 
for a recipe for making “ Leopard Cake,” I send 
you mine. After having made fruit, gold, and sil¬ 
ver cake, butter a pan, and put in. alternately, a 
spoonful of each of the above kinds of cake. When 
baked and cut in slices, it will be spotted, which 
gives it its name. 
For the benefit of young housekeepers more par¬ 
ticularly, I give you my method of making bread. 
Take a quart of warm water, add half a teaspoontul 
of salt, one teaspoonful of sugar, and then stir to a 
thin batter with Indian meal. When light strain into 
the flour, after having scalded the flour with milk. 
(In the absence of mil k I use water.) Stir the yeast 
in thoroughly, let it rise, then mix and put in tins, 
and when light, it is ready for the oven. Care must 
be taken not to strain the yeast into the flour until 
it is cool enough, so as not to kill the life of the 
yeast, least made in this way will rise much 
quicker than when made of wheat (lour; and when 
tine flour can t be made to risp thiu ?a «nrp on/i mitt 
With the exception of the Variegated Dogwood, Variegated 
Elder, Variegated Ash, and perhaps a very few others, none 
of the variegated leaved trees are adapted to our dry summer 
climate; but by the texture and appearance of these leaves, 
we should judge this was another of these few highly orna¬ 
mental and valuable trees. 
The marking Is —to use a moderate expression — beautiful, 
and surpassing what is usual iu variegated trees.— Gardeners' 
Monthly. 
We are also indebted to the Messrs. E. & B. for specimens 
of the leaves of this plant, from one of which we make the 
accompanying engraving. It is really one of the tinest of the 
variegated Leaves we have ever seen, the colors being clear 
and distinct, and the lines well defined. We understand that 
Mr. Ebio, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, has originated a very 
fine variegated variety of the common Silver Maple, it is 
represented as being constant, and exceedingly beautiful. 
ASHES AND VIRGIN SOIL, 
Eds. Rural New-Yorker:— L. B. Langwor- 
thy is reported, iu your issue of July 5th, to have 
said:—“ Ashes are valuable in the garden, the 
orchard, and everywhere. Mr. L. had never seen 
ashes applied where they were not productive of 
great, good.” Mr. L. makes no exception. Yet we 
have savans who assert that ashes are very inju¬ 
rious to cherry trees. An experienced nurseryman 
has informed me that in old door-yards, where, 
ashes have accumulated, young cherry trees cannot 
be grown. Another says to me:—“Ashes are death 
to cherry trees.” What is the fact? And especially 
when sorrel appears around well cultivated young 
cherry trees, may ashes and lime be applied? And 
is there, danger in sifting ashes and lirne on the 
leaves to destroy the slug? 
H. T. Brooks, as President of the Fruit-Grower’s 
Association, says:—'“True, here and there a bush 
or plant, reveling in forest mold, mixed by God’s 
own hand, gives us precious fruits, to show bow 
things grow in Paradise; but the rule is, if a man 
will not work, neither shall he eat.” True In the 
main, but like all general rules, it has an exception. 
Many years ago a neighbor presented me with a 
very few roots of what he called English Raspberry. 
I believe they are Red Antwerp. 1 set them out on 
one side of my garden, where they speedily formed 
a hedge about a rod wide and several rods in 
length, completely overrunning and hiding from 
view some gooseberry bushes which were growing 
near. From that time to this they have almost 
annually yielded a bountiful supply of delicious 
fruit, without care, except once a year I pulled out 
such tall weeds as overtopped the canes. Two 
years ago, to accommodate anew place of residence, 
I transplanted a row of the canes, and I now have 
a hedge almost a fae simile of the original.—coming 
up very near to H. T. B.’s forest ideal, and yet 
growing iu gardens. Query: Is it generally known 
how easily this fruit may be grown? Perhaps a 
smaller piece of ground, with more care and cul¬ 
ture, would have yielded the same amount of fruit 
But hundreds have the ground to spare, and not 
the culture. Peter Hathaway. 
Milan, Erie Co., Ohio, 1S62. 
so it no doubt is. 
separating it if the plants must be pricked out. 
and one is apt (o fidget about small things getting 
choked. Unless, therefore, they are seeds sown to 
stand, I hardly advocate the use of the moss by 
window gardeners, except to cover the drainage. 
Sweet peas and climbers root down into it wonder¬ 
fully. I even mean to experimentalize on no drain¬ 
age, but a quantity of moss. 
In growing seeds in plant cases I think it is best 
to give no hot water at night. Jt saves a vast deal of 
” drawing up, and it the top of the case is open then 
it is all the better. I always am glad to give a quite 
cool place as soon as may be to seedlings. Many, 
too, as German asters, for instance, require to be 
where they can have light on all sides to keep up 
the pyramidal form, and this is hard to give where, 
we have a crowd.— Gardener’s Chronicle. 
Suogustioj.' to Horticultural Societies.— In offering 
or awarding premiums for “floral ornaments,” fine flowers 
and neat arrangements are not enough, unless there is fitness 
in the use of the material composing them. We have seen 
temples built of roses, and in one ease a flower lady, that is, a 
girl wholly made up of flowers—face, arms, crinoline and all. 
It should always be borne in mind that flowers should he only 
a decoration, not the material for solid masses. A pillar or a 
basket may be twined with flowers, not made of them. To 
erect them iuto solid structures is like building a barn out of 
ribbons, or the arch of a bridge of point lace. 
Another Suggestion .— We often visit exhibitions of fruit, 
flowers, and other interesting objects; hut the interest, is much 
lessened by the thick curtain of darkness thrown over every¬ 
thing, as to the place where each object was grown and the 
name of the exhibitor. The reason assigned is to preserve 
the judges of premiums from any imputation of partiality 
But generally tbe judges know all about the exhibitors before 
they are half through with their labors. Tbe only advantage, 
then, is in keeping the public, for whom we suppose the 
exhibition is made, extirely in the dark on tbe subject, of 
whom editors, who are expected to tell their readers all that 
is worth knowing, are often a part. Cannot tlio managers of 
such exhibitions contrive some way to remove this embarrass¬ 
ment ?—Country Gentleman. 
Making Ink. —As I have asked for information, I 
will endeavor to impart a little to an inquirer in a 
late number ot the Rural, who asks how to make 
ink such as the druggists use. Druggists generally 
make a cheap ink and ink powder ol the following: 
Extract logwood, two ounces; bichromate potash, 
one drachm. Pour upon this one gallon of boiling 
water, and in a few moments it is fit for use. I 
would state, however, that having a pretty thorough 
knowledge of inks, l may pronounce this a poor 
kind, as it not durable or permanent id color—might 
answer for children at school, where you did not 
care to preserve tho writing. The base of all good 
ink is mitgall, and as you can purchase a good 
article of any respectable druggist for less money 
than to make it in small quantities, I will defer 
giving a formula for it here.—F. A. Ho wig, Be 
Witt, Iowa, 1862. 
WESTERN EDITORIAL NOTES, 
HOW TO MAKE STRAWBERRY WINE. 
Eureka ! To supply a demand for information is 
the ambition of all journalists. Ever since Sims 
startled the rural world with his assertion of the 
profit ot the manufacture of tbe strawberry into 
wine, the demand for the how to do it has been con¬ 
stant and increasing. I have given all the positive 
information I could obtain, but it has not satisfied 
the appetite of the would-be wine makers. I am 
glad to be able to give the proportions and ingre¬ 
dients of a strawberry wine, which I think equally 
as good as Mr. Sims’ manufacture. It was manufac¬ 
tured by Mrs. Reese, of this city. The wine was 
pure amber color, and its flavor preferable to Mr. 
Sims , because it did not seem to be quite so sweet 
It was certainly sweet enough. The juice is ex¬ 
pressed as soon as possible after the fruit is gath¬ 
ered, and to one gallon of juice is added two gal¬ 
lons ot water; to each gallon of this mixture is 
added three pounds of the best pulverized loaf 
sugar. 
This “must” may be put into clean barrels, the 
barrels filled nearly full, and the fermentation 
regulated by the use of the siphon, as described on 
page 206, current volume of the Rural, viz: Insert 
Lithosperwum frcticobum. —The first plant brought for¬ 
ward was Lithospermum fruticosum, from the Messrs. Lee, 
of Hammersmith, for which a Second-class Certificate was 
awarded, the plant being considered a useful rock plant, to be 
treated and used as a rock Cistus. The aspect of the plant at 
a short distance was that of a free blue Anagaliis, but is more 
woody than that; it blooms from May to October out-of-doors, 
and cuttings of it taken in September should be kept over the 
winter with Verbenas and Other bedding plants, to be turned 
out at the end of the spring.— Gardeners'’ Chronicle R/port of 
Exhibition. 
something extremely charming to the 
mind of a window gardener in being able to point 
to some special plant, and to declare she grew it 
New beginners sometimes are, indeed, so tenacious 
that they quite look down upon buying even seed¬ 
lings which are ready raised. Still this, by London 
people who have not got a hot-bed or a heated seed¬ 
bed, or any sort of green-house, may fairly be looked 
upon quite as an advantage, in the case of tender 
annuals, or other seeds of this kind. 
I confess, notwithstanding, my sympathy is with 
the former class—it is so pleasant to have all the 
work oneself! Nor shall I soon forget a box I had 
one spring, in which it seemed to me that every 
seed came up, and which stored my windows after¬ 
wards with many delightful flowers. 
The great thing of course is to sow such seeds as 
will bear pot culture, and to sow moreover what 
will do well in the place we live in. In London it 
seems to me that plants which grow up most quickly 
are those that answer best; and then we have to 
bethink us of the sweet smelling things and also of 
those that remain long iu blossom. 
In tosvns it is a blessing that people are not criti¬ 
cal in regard to flowers; everything green and bright 
finds a most ready welcome, and hence the tangled 
balconies wreathed with dark tropacolums, and fes¬ 
tooned by branches of coboeas and sweet peas, 
which look so fresh and gay. The seed sowing has 
two Classes There are the hardy annuals, which 
ought to lie sowu directly; sweet peas, mignonette, 
minor convolvulus, white alyssum, tropscolums, 
asters, nemopllila, Indian pinks, larkspurs, and 
stocks, all of which require pols of soil, not quite 
brimful—the seeds to be scattered thinly, and to be 
covered about their own depth with some soil or 
cocoa stuff. Kept moist, But not watered overhead, 
things come on well iri a light and airy place. A 
Blackberry and IVine Cordial. — We avail 
ourselves of the kindness of a friend to publish the 
following excellent recipe for making cordial. It is 
recommended as a delightful beverage and an infal¬ 
lible specific for diarrhtea or ordinary disease of the 
bowels: 
Recipe. — To half a bushel of blackberries, well 
mashed, add a quarter of a pound of allspice, two 
ounces of cinnamon, two ounces of cloves; pulver¬ 
ize well, mix, and boil slowly until properly done; 
then strain or squeeze the juice through homespun or 
flannel, and add to each pint of the juice one pound 
of loaf-sugar; boil again for some time, take it off 
and, while cooling, add half a gallon of best Cognac 
brandy. 
Dose. For an adult, half a gill to a gill; for a 
child, a teaspoonful or more, according to age._ 
Godey's Lady’s Rook. 
- -* ‘ t-T 
Cheap Burning-Oil for Hand-Lamps. —The 
following recipe is intended for lamps without 
shades or chimneys, and no patent is taken out. 
The editors will confer a favor on many of the 
Rural readers by informing them that common 
Ovrisia cocciKEA is a scarlet flowered, hardy herbaceous 
plant, allied to Veronica, and iu habit like Veronica gentian 
oides, but with drooping scarlet flowers; from the Andes of 
Chili, also among tbe recent introductions into English 
gardens. 
New Tea-scented Robb G loirs ok Bordeaux.—A seed¬ 
ling, from the well known favorite Tea Rose Gloire de Dijon, 
was raised at Lyons, and is represented as being unquestiona¬ 
bly the finest tea-scented rose ol the season. 
Ttovticuttmal jrtote.s 
U. S. Agricultural Society—National Exhibition of 
Wines.— At the late meeting of the United States Agricul¬ 
tural Society, the undersigned were constituted a committee 
to make the necessary arrangements for holding, at Washing¬ 
ton, at the time of the next, annual meeting of the Society, on 
the second Wednesday of January, 1S63. a “ Wine Fail-,” or 
Exhibition of tlio Wines of the United States. 
In pursuance of these instructions, the committee call 
attention to the schedule of premiums, in which the effort is 
made to systematize and classify the varieties of American 
wines, and reduce them to a convenient commercial nomen¬ 
clature. A congress of wine growers, with samples and facts 
can alone do this successfully. The committee beg to assure 
exhibitors that every arrangement will be perfected for ample 
accommodations in every respect 
All packages and samples may be addressed to W. T. Dennis, 
Chairman of Committee, Washington, D. C., freight paid; 
and all letters on tins subject may be sent to same address. 
Sparkling Wines (Champagne).— Best sample Sparkling 
Catawba Wins, Grand Silver Medal; 2d. Grand Bronze Medal. 
Best sample Sparkling Isabella Wine, Grand Silver Medal; 2d, 
Grand Bronze Medal. Best sample Sparkling Herbemont, 
Grand Silver Medal; 2d. Grand Bronze Medal. Best sample 
Sparkling Delaware. Grand Silver Medal, 2d, Grand Bronze 
Medal. Best sample Sparkling California Mission, Grand 
Silver Medal; 2d, Grand Bronze Medal Best Sparkling Wine 
of any kind—This premium will be made up by the proprie¬ 
tors of the principal Hotels as a “sweepstakes," and will bn 
very liberal. 
Dry H im-,-.—Best sample Dry Catawba, Grand Silver Sled 
al ; 2d, Grand Bronze Medal, Best sample Herbemont, Grand 
Silver Sledal; 2d. Grand Bronze Medal ; Best sample Isabella. 
Grand Silver Medal ; 2d, Grand Bronze Medal; Best sample 
Seuppernung. Grand Silver Medal ; 2d, Grand Bronze Medal, 
Best sample Delaware. Grand Silver Medal ; 2d. Grand Bronze 
Medal , Best sample California Mission, Grand Silver Medal ; 
2d, Grand Bronze Medal , Best Red Wine of any kind. Grand 
Silver Medal ; 2d, Grand Bronze Medal; Best Dry Wine of 
any kind—This will also be a Landlords' '•sweepstake” pre¬ 
mium, and will be very liberal. 
Conditions : All Wines to be American made, pure, and 
made from the Grape. Entries, &c., governed by the regular 
rules of the Society 
Washington, D. C. May 20, 1862. 
imiuiws ami 
Bastard or Barren Raspberry Bushes.—M. Hubbard, 
of Bennington, set out a plot of the American Black Cap 
Raspberry several years since, and they were thrifty and pro¬ 
lific, but they now send forth “bastard” suckers—slender 
stalks, that never blossom or biqu*. Is there any remedy short 
of rooting them Out anil setting new plants? What is the 
cause of the evil complained of? Can it be prevented? How - ' 
—L S., Attica , ,V Y., 1M62. 
Mr. Doolittle, after whom the Doolittle or Improved 
Black Cap is named, has given much attention to the culture 
of this fruit, and has fairly brought it before the public and 
the fruit growers as a market fruit. We bava often obtained 
his opinions, and observed his practice, and may therefore be 
able to enlighten our Attica correspondent. Mr. D. states 
that tho American Black Raspberry, in its wild state, or as 
usually propagated, produces but two or three crops, and 
ofter but one. before it becomes barren, and that no extra 
cultivation or manure will prevent this. Many plants are 
almost entirely barren, producing hut a few scattering, seedy, 
deformed berries the first year, and afterward nothing. The 
barren hills or plants lie is enabled readily to detect from 
their appearance. The barren form of bill is indicated by tho 
vast number of small canes, and from the fact that they are 
thornless, white the leaves are small and generally covered 
with yellow rust. The healthy or fruitful form of hill, is 
shown by a few large bearing canes. The number and size, 
or bulky form of the thorns, furnish to an experienced eye a 
sure index of the yield and quality of fruit to be expected. 
An examination of any plot of Black Raspberries w ill show 
the barren form prevailing more or less, in bills two or three 
years old. Some bills w ill have part barren canes and part 
partially barren—that is, tbe canes may be quite large but 
are almost or quite destitute of thorns, The way to avoid 
barren plants, is to propagate only from those that are known 
to be fruitful, and always from young, vigorous plants. If a 
plant shows appearance of barrenness, remove it, and put iu 
Its place a plant with good strong canes and plenty of thorns. 
the long arm of a tin siphon in the bung-hole of the 
barrel, sealing it tight at the bung, and immersing 
the end of the short arm of the siphon in a vessel of 
water standing on the barrel. This is'regarded as 
much the better way than the old mode of inserting 
the bang loosely, or not at all, and thus regulating 
fermentation. By the mode described'above, the 
carbonic acid gas escapes during the process of 
fermentation without admitting air. 
The casks in which the juice is put, should be put 
in a cool cellar with a dry bottom. The cellar 
should be well ventilated, and kept at an equable 
temperature. 
THUMB AND FINGER PRUNING. 
It is sometimes well to leave limbs on young 
trees until they are so large as to render the use of 
the knile necessary. Trees are occasionally injured 
by being kept severely pruned. The growth of 
branches is necessary for tbe development of roots. 
A young hedge in this neighborhood came to an 
untimely end, last season, from too severe and con¬ 
stant pruning. The owner was determined to make 
it a model for neatness, and accordingly, as soon as 
a growth of an inch or two was made, it was sheared; 
and this operation was repeated during the season. 
The result was, the roots could make no strong 
growth; they were short and near the surface; the 
hedge suffered just as soon as hot weather came on, 
became sickly, and died. 
Still, there is no philosophy in neglecting trees, 
and allowing useless branches to live upon them for 
years, to be finally sawed off and committed to the 
fire. On this subject we find in the Few England 
Farmer some interesting remarks, which we give: 
“Now is the season to perform one of the most 
important operations in the apple orchard; that of 
removing the young shoots which started in the 
spring, and have made a growth of from one to six 
inches in length. These shoots start out mostly on 
the upper side of the large branches, grow with 
great rapidity, and if not arrested early, form that 
part ot the tree which it is the most dangerous to cut 
Fulling in Flannel.— In reply to Antoinette's 
inquiry how to get the fulling out of white flannel, 
I will send my mother’s method, as I do not hear of 
any other from the readers of the Rural. Wash 
the flannel thoroughly in twu suds, then, throw it 
into clear boiling water, and let it staud until cool 
enough to wring out. If flannels, either white or 
colored, are always washed in this way, using 
pure rain water, they will never shrink.— Edith, 
Coeymans, N. T. } 1862. 
Sweet Briar Seeps.—S eeing an inquiry iu tbe Rural of 
the 5th inst., what time to gather sweet briar seed, and how 
to make a hedge, I will give mine, and I believe it to be the 
general practice of nurserymen in Europe. Gather the seed 
the beginning Of winter, and put them in a pit until the 
second spring. If sown the spring after gathering, very few 
of them will come up that season. The seed ought to be 
well rubbed between the hands before sowing, to separate 
the seeds, or they will come up in bunches. Sow iu shallow 
drills one foot apart, not covering more than half an inch. 
Tlve ground ought to lie rich and mellow. They will require 
to be frequently hoed between the drills, and to be carefully 
weeded. The plants will be fit for setting out in hedge row 
when two years old. I defer giving the method of planting 
out, as it would be forgotten before the plants are ready.— 
J. C., Troy, N. F.,1862. 
Gingerbread Pudding.— Half a pound of trea¬ 
cle, half a pound of flour, half a pound of suet 
chopped fine, two tablespoonfuls of powdered gin¬ 
ger. These ingredients must be all mixed well 
together and boiled tour hours. Should auy be left, 
cut it, when cold, into slices about half an inch 
thick and fry them; it is sometimes preferred thus 
arranged to when it is fresh. 
Profagating the Fig. 
- I would like to inquire through 
the oolumtu of your paper about grafting the fig. How and 
when should it he done, and when should the grafts be cut?— 
G. A. G , Camtaga, .V. Y. 1S62. 
The fig is propagated so readily by layers or cuttings, that 
there is no necessity for growing seedlings to be grafted or 
budded. Cuttings taken off in March and put in a hot-bed 
Will root freely, or they may be put in the open ground, in a 
shady place, in April- Make the cuttings of the last year’s 
growth about eight inches in length, with a small piece of the 
two-year old wood at the base. Old plants may be layered 
during the summer. 
Good Currant Jelly.— Have four pounds of 
currants alter picking over. Then dissolve in water 
four pounds of loaf sugar, which boil to a pretty 
thick sirup. Now put the currants in and let them 
come to a boil, boiling hard for six minutes. Pour 
the contents in a sieve, to drain off all the liquid. 
Put this liquor again in the pan and boil it, till, 
dropping a little ou a plate, it congeals as it cools. 
It is then done.— Mary. 
The California Vintage —The grape crop of California 
promises to be unprecedentedly large this season, and 
arrangements on a grander scale than ever are making for 
the manufacture of wine. 
