H O R TI C U L T 1 R A L 
HORTICULTURAL GLEANINGS 
domestic ^(onomit 
STEM PRUNING THE CONIFERS 
The most majestic trees in the world are found 
among some species of the conifers, or evergreens, 
in their natural state, They are in the fir forests of 
the North countries of Europe, the pine woods of 
America, and in the shadows of the ?nowy peaks of 
the Sierra Nevada tower skyward the uneqnaled 
mammoths of the Washingtonia gigantea. Largely 
planted ns are the conifers in this country for orna¬ 
mental purposes, the idea of the grandeur and ma¬ 
jesty which pertains to them in their fnliy developed 
natural state does not seem to be impressed on the 
minds of cultivators. We know them as shrubs 
merely—ornamental bushes with rounded masses of 
ting their broad bases on the lawn, 
ter above the 
As rare as effort is made towards its 
thought taken of what per- 
green foliage res 
and rising in pyramidal form scarcely nev 
attic windows. 2— .... _ 
attainment, probably, is 
feet and inspiring tree forms might adorn our land¬ 
scapes, in course of time, if the conifers were trained 
with that object in view. To many, doubtless, the 
idea is new of pruning the stems of evergreens to 
the end that lofty height and massive columnar 
trunks may be attained, and they might urge that it 
was contrary to the natural process. But Nature is 
indeed a severe and constant pruner : the close prox¬ 
imity of forest trees destroys the lower branches, 
and forces the head of the tree upward in search of 
light and air. Limbs die aud drop off'; the new 
growth closes over the sear, and the stem becomes 
smooth cmd gracefnl. But tho hnots which the 
lumberman finds when he converts the tree into 
boards are the remains of limbs which once grew 
from the trunk. 
In the forms to which our conifers are now gen¬ 
erally pmoed and trained the full beauty they are 
capable of can never be shown; they cast little 
shade, and there is no contrast between gracefully 
drooping branches and the nigged, massive trunk 
by which they arc upheld. By judicious stem pmn- 
ing we can attain these, desirable results, and also 
force the tree to a height and dignity which will 
render it an imposing object in a landscape. We 
do not wish to be understood as advising stem prun¬ 
ing of evergreens as au exclusive practice. By no 
means; we want ever on the landscape the bushy 
forms which they are so well adapted to make; hut 
let ns also pnt them to other and perhaps higher uses. 
As a people we have planted largely of evergreens, 
and that class of trees justly stands well in public 
estimation. Our varieties are numerous. Are we 
never to make more of them than mere shrubs — 
masses of green foliage lying low on the landscape? 
We admire the towering oak and the elm and the 
tulip tree ; the conifers are capable of like grandeur 
while the foliage adds distinctive beauty. 
Stem pruning will force the evergreen tree to a 
more rapid upward growth; the plant to which the 
knife is applied will, in a few years, far exceed in 
height its companion with low, vigorous, wide- 
spreading branches. The best season for pruning 
the conifers is probably the latter part of summer 
and the early autumn. From two feet to six or 
eight, according to the size and variety of the tree, 
is the range of height to which it is desirable to 
remove the branches from the stem. The lower 
branches left should be pointed or clipped, to throw 
growth into the leaders. It Is an operation, how¬ 
ever which should not be undertaken without the 
grounds were, submered, there was a sea of apples 
afloat. As they were forced into coves, by the back 
set of the main stream, the surface of the water 
became literally bridged with apples. Acting on a 
hint to that effect, boats and scoop nets were soon 
in requisition, resulting in the most speedy apple- 
gathering ever witnessed in that section of country. 
There were no questions of flotsune or jetsane raised 
over the occasion, and the boys had the benefit of a 
rich pomological harvest. 
The Concord Grape — Pruning .—The owner of a 
Concord grape vine tells the editor of the German¬ 
town Telegraph that neither the bunches nor the 
berries are as large as formerly and asks the reason. 
The reply is that as n general thing the Concord is 
not pruned as closely as it ought to be. It should 
be cut dowu nearly as much as the Black Hamburg. 
A Concord should not be fruited more than four 
seasons, as it requires frequent renewal of wood, 
which is most readily effected by layering. If tin. -, 
managed, the Telegraph thinks, the fruit will not 
deteriorate and will be subject to but little mildew 
or insect attacks. 
Black Knot m Plum Trees. —D. I). tValsh of Rock 
Island, Illinois, well known as an entomologist, says 
that all his examinations have resulted iu the con¬ 
viction that the black knot on the plum trees is the 
etlc-ct of a fungus, and is not a disease nor a gall. 
He thinks the spores or seeds are formed about the 
end of July, iu latitude 40 deg, SO minutes, and 
therefore if the excrescences be all cut oil - and 
destroyed by the early part of July, an effectual stop 
will be put to their further -j read. 
California Grapes to Kcw York .—The California 
Farmer notices the shipment of grapes from San 
Francisco to New York, and says that if one third 
of them arrive at their destination in a marketable 
condition the business will pay. When the Pacific 
Railroad is completed it is assumed that tons of Cal¬ 
ifornia grapes will go forward dally during the grape 
season. 
Wines in France and Europe ,—The amount of 
wine produced in France the past season is esti¬ 
mated at 884,000,000 of gallons, worth at the press 
twenty-five cents per girl Ion, or $221,000,000. The 
grape average of all Europe is 12,285,780, and the 
aggregate annual product of wine 3,107,039,000 gal¬ 
lons, valued at $763,733,500. 
Cutting Bourn Shade Trees .—The New York Citizen 
mentions as a noteworthy fact that W. B. Astor 
recently cut dowu all the maple trees in front of his 
residence in Lafayette Place. They were fine and 
thrifty trees, about sixteen years old, and the hope 
is expressed that the fuel thus supplied will prevent 
the owner from suffering by cold the present winter! 
The results of time gold cannot achieve. 
b ; UU5 a a<mcate brown. Should the batter 
prove too thick it may be made thinner with sweet 
milk; this will also make them bake a finer color. 
The best of sweet butter and sirup to be served 
|Mth buckwheat cakes hot from the griddle; should 
he cakes be preferred thicker than mentioned in 
s recipe, it is an easy matter to make them so- 
a v,- care t hat they are baked through. Buckwheat 
on a tn? r hG 8ame ttS Wbeat mufflns an(1 baked 
on a griddle.—I d A Da he, Monroe, Mich., 1867. 
To .Make Hair Oil.—T ake a tcacupful of fresh 
“ * * lard > a tea ™P of water, simmer them to- 
gc her untff the water is all gone; then cool; beat 
the white of one egg to a froth, and add to the lard, 
rrnxmg them thoroughly, and perfume to suit your 
llkuig. 1 
Good lo one quart of sour cream and 
rmlk add a tcaspoonful of saleratus, one. of salt: 
dissolve them well in the cream; mb a small tea- 
spoonful on cream tartar in the flour. Bake hi a 
quick oven.—Mrs. W. P. C., Bonis Heights, Saratoga 
county, H. Y. 
Mince Pies—M ay be made at all times a year by 
preparing meat, apples, and seasoning, ready for 
baking, bringing them to a scalding heat and can¬ 
ning. I have recently used some which I put up a 
year ago, and found it perfectly fresh. 
To Open Oyster Cans,— Place on the round tin 
on top of can a piece of red-hot stone coal large 
enough to cover it, letting it remain a very short 
time, when the tin will be unsoldered aDd easily rc- 
mov \ thus leaving the cover perfect, and ready 
fitte.i to solder on again, the cans being as good as 
any in use for preserving peaches, pears, or anything 
not containing acid,—Mrs. J. S. T. 
The Petunia is a well-known and favorite hardy 
annual, and the improved varieties of the post few 
years ore really splendid. Although prone to sport, 
and therefore somewhat unreliable, as to color and 
even form, there are very few of our garden flowers 
that will make as showy and desirable a mass of 
bloom. It is not likely the Petunia will ever be¬ 
come a favorite with florists, although recent 
improvements are giving more durability and con¬ 
stancy to the blooms, and they are every year 
becoming nearer the florists’ standards. 
Most of our readers can remember the introduc¬ 
tion of the double Petunia —a poor white thing, 
hardly worthy of notice except as showing the dis¬ 
position of this flower to produce double varieties. 
The best double flowers are now really magnificent, 
four or live inches in diameter, and the coloring ex¬ 
ceedingly varied and rich. ’Hion there is no difflcul ty 
in obtaining choice double flowers from seed, as it 
may be safely calculated that full fifty per cent, will 
produce good double blossoms. The following are 
some of the most showy and desirable varieties : 
Macnlata Grandiflora, embracing all the large flow¬ 
ered spotted and striped sorts. 
Fenosa, of a great variety of colors for the ground, 
beautifully veined. 
Rosea, magnificent hufe flowers, bright rose, with 
a delicate white throat,' 
Countess of Ellesmere, bright pink, white throat, 
rather small, but always coming true, and therefore 
very desirable for forming a bed of rose-colored 
flowers. 
Grandiflora Kermcsina, a beautiful deep crimson, 
almost always true to color, at least near enough 
to give a good bed of deeD red or crimson flowers. 
Petunias make much liner plants when grown from 
seeds than if raised from cuttings, and when it is 
desirable to cover the ground entirely this is an 
important consideration.—v. 
TCSS 
The annual meeting of the Ohio Pomological 
Society was held at Sandusky last December on the 
4th, 5th and 6th inst. The attendance of members 
and the display of fruits were not as large as usual, 
owing to the deficient fruit crops of the past season. 
There was a line show of apples on the tables, and 
a few whiter pears, with a number of fine samples 
of Catawba grapes. 
Among the subjects discussed was that of the 
obstacles in the way of successful fruit culture, or 
the cause of the frequent failure of orchard crops 
and the premature decay of frnit trees. A commit¬ 
tee was appointed to investigate this subject and 
report at the next annual meeting, viz: J. Storks 
of Painsville ; E. R. Elliott, Cleveland; H, B. But¬ 
tles, Columbus, and J. D. Clarke, Lancaster. 
The ravages of insects was regarded as one of the 
commonest sources of loss or failure to fruitgrow¬ 
ers ; and this evil was evidently on the increase in 
Ohio as elsewhere. A very interesting lecture was 
delivered before the Society by its President, Dr. J. 
A. Warmer , and it was resolved that the Legisla¬ 
ture be asked to appoint a State Naturalist, whose 
duty it should be to instruct the people in regard to 
the appearance and habits of injurious insects, and 
the meanB of preventing their ravages, 
The proposition was adopted for changing the 
name of the Society to that of a State Horticultural 
Society, and the constitution was modified accord¬ 
ingly. The aim of the Society will now be to 
encourage general horticulture, including arboricul¬ 
ture and the embdishment of grounds, as well as 
fruit growing. It will co-operate with the State 
Board of Agriculture in the management of the 
State Fairs, especially in the horticultural deport¬ 
ment. It will encourage the formation of city and 
county horticultural societies, and occasionally form 
with them at their meetings and exhibitions. The 
officers elected for the ensuing year are: President, 
Dr. J. A. Warder, Cincinnati; Vice President, G. 
W. Campbell, Delaware.; Secretary and Treasurer, 
Care of Calves. 
The Farm and Fireside urges the in 
keeping young stock in g@od heart and 
dition. If kept growing as they shouh 
year old steer will make more beef tha 
that age which has been stinted in foot 
sheltered. 
Turnip Yield. 
A correspondent of the Canada 
nishes that paper some statistics with 
the turnip yield in North Wellington, 
one lot was 1,150% bushels to tho acre, 
1,237% bushels. These were purple to 
drills eighteen inches apart, and the 
seven inches in the drills. 
ripens beginning iu June; Bartlett beginning in 
August. We are still deficient in Southern winter 
pears; few good varieties have been originated here, 
showing that the pear requires more care in its 
reproduction than the apple. The latter has fur¬ 
nished us with its best varieties from chance seed¬ 
lings of the Indians; tie pear in general produces 
worthless fruits if unaided by a judicious knowledge 
in selecting the proper seeds. We have been visited 
with very destructive seasons of blight, especially 
in the spring of 1806. This year we are entirely 
free from it. 
The Peach nowhere attains the size and quality it 
docs here. Its season of maturity commences by 
the 15th of June and i> often prolonged until the 
middle of November, a period of five months. We 
require, therefore, a longer list of varieties than 
where tho season of maturity scarcely lasts two 
months. The protrac ed warm weather gives to 
the fruit a degree of perfection unknown in colder 
latitudes. Clingstones have long been the favorite 
class of peaches in thi. country. They are more 
vinous and juicy than the bulk of the seedling 
freestone peaches, and the prevailing taste having 
once settled in that cliainel it is difficult to change 
it. Freestone varieties vre the earliest to ripen, and 
for supplying Northern markets they alone are 
profitable to cultivate. So far our best shipping 
peaches are about the sane as those varieties culti¬ 
vated largely North. We have several Southern 
seedlings that, in point if carl in ess, compare favora¬ 
bly with such kinds as Turly York, but arc immense¬ 
ly superior iu point of ize and flavor. The defect 
with them is that they -.re too tender to stand car¬ 
rying to distant markes. The finest of all cling¬ 
stone peaches is unquestionably the Chinese Cling, 
a fruit that is of surpassing excellence aud beauty, 
but it must be eaten ' ithout being earned far to 
enable one to appreciae it fully. Clingstones, if 
picked before maturity, do not ripen well, as they 
are apt to shrivel; and ’ left on the tree until ripe 
they cannot be shipped hence the clingstone peach 
must remain a fruit fo* home consumption. The 
raising of peaches for Northern markets is again 
assuming some importincu, wherever communica¬ 
tions arc easy and reg-uhr—especially along the rail¬ 
road lines of South Ca - o r ina and Georgia, and the 
St. John River, iu Flotiti, This, it is hoped, will 
increase in the same ratioiis it did formerly. 
We extract the following from an address by T. J. 
Berckmaxs, Georgia, read before the Pennsylvania 
Horticultural Society: — The Apple. This being 
the most reliable hi its products must rauk as our 
first frnit in cultivation. For years post the prevail¬ 
ing opinion throughout the South has been that 
this fruit will not succeed well enough to be 
depended upon as a profitable crop. Happily, this 
prejudice is losing ground, and more attention is 
being paid to the cultivation of this fruit. The 
main failures are owing to the selection of varieties 
unsnited to the climate, and the training of trees as 
high-bodied standards. The Northern and European 
summer apples generally improve in quality here, 
but few Into fall apples of the North are worthy of 
cultivation; and, so far, I know no true Northern 
whiter apple that is of any value for us. The latter 
drop their fruit in August, before they are perfected; 
and, us a whole, are unfit for any purpose whatever. 
The want of southern winter apples, long felt, is 
now amply supplied. Thanks to the efforts of our 
Southern Pomologists, we have now a class of fruits 
which are making the culture of the apple on a 
large scale a profitable feature here, As to the qual¬ 
ity of these winter apples, nuinfiers are of the very 
best description, and we have scores of varieties 
that will keep until April or May iu the middle sec¬ 
tions of the States of Georgia, Alabama, South <*btr- 
olina and Mississippi. 
The training of the apple trees has been hereto¬ 
fore very defective. Having few works treating 
upon Southern Pomology, the public have been 
dependent on the writings and teachings of the 
Northern pomologists; and, although uo work bus its 
equal in the world to “Downing’s Fruits and Fruit 
Trees,” it will not do to follow it verbatim in every 
section of the country. We require Shade ; iu the 
Eastern States, mn is necessary to perfect fruit; 
hence our aim is to train our trees with low bodies, 
making the foliage of the tree shade its roots, aud 
endeavoring to make the head as compact as possi¬ 
ble, and produce the fruit as near its centre as can 
be feasible. Hence high, naked bodied trees are 
short-lived—the bark is diseased on the south-west 
side, the heads are likewise deficient there, and 
after a few years, the tree decays and dies. The apple 
tree begins to bear much sooner than further North. 
Some varieties, like the Shockley, will produce 
remunerative crops the third year after transplant¬ 
ing. Others require more age; but as a rule, an 
orchard begins to bear well the fourth year of plant¬ 
ing. We require young trees tu start with—one 
year old apple trees cut back to two feet are the 
most preferable. The apple grows with such vigor 
that one-year old nursery trees often attain ten feet 
growth upou ordinary upland. 
The Pear is also well adapted here, if we except 
some varieties, which though of good quality North, 
become worthless. Others, again, improve in size 
and flavor. Tha season of maturity of most varic- 
i ties is hastened. For instance, Doyenne d’Ete 
Apples for Name.—I send you a box of Russet 
apples, from two trees. Would like to know the name— 
what kind of Russets they are. The Russet does the best 
of any apple we raise on these high lands, and I would 
set out some more of the same kind if I could ascertain the 
name to purchase by.— A. B. Tabor, Eagle Village, JV. Y. 
The apples you send are the Golden Russet of Western 
New York , one of the best Russets we have. Those 
marked No. 2 are the same as the others, though a little 
more matured. 
Cattle in Missouri. 
A writer in the Journal of Agriculture, 8t. 
Louis (Mo.) writing from Vernon county in that 
State, says:—“ Being able to winter stock at so little 
cost, this country will soon astonish the eastern 
butchers in the amount of beef cattle furnished.” 
There is no doubt that Missouri will rapidly multiply 
its agricultural products, and in nothing is the pros¬ 
pect more flattering than in regard to farm stock.' 
Negligence —A Gentle Hint. 
The editor of the Maine Fanner says he recently 
passed, the premises of a man who ought to set a 
better example to the farming community, of which 
he is u prominent member. The particular sin 
charged was in leaving his farm implements exposed 
to the weather. The ox cart was bedded in snow, 
by the roadside, while near it a portion of a harrow 
projected from under a bank of the same materiuL 
It is deemed probable that they will be readily found 
when required in the spring,—but their value will be 
much less than would be the case if properly housed 
Indiana Horticultural Society.— The tenth animal 
meeting of this Society wiU take place at Indianapolis on 
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, January 7th, 8th and 
9th. The Mends of horticulture throughout the land are 
invited to be present and bring samples of fruit for ex¬ 
hibition. Any person may become a member and receive 
a copy of the transactions by remitting one dollar to the 
Corresponding Secretary, Jos. Gilbert, Terre Haute, Ind. 
Preparing Goose Quills fob Pens — A subscriber, 
who has got tired of using metal pens, wants to know 
how to prepare goose quills as a substitute. We believe 
the customary preparation consists in immersing the 
quills in oil raised considerably above the natural tem¬ 
perature ; but for our owu use we should prefer a pinion 
freshly plucked from the goose, 
Illustrated Annual Register op Rural Affairs.— 
The publishers of the Cultivator and Country Gentleman, 
Albany, have issued “ The Illustrated Annual Register of 
Rural Affairs ” for 186S, edited by J. J, Thomas, It has, 
in addition to the customary caleudar, numerous engrav¬ 
ings relating to rural affairs, besides many valuable 
articles relating to farm management. Price thirty cents. 
Calcined Bones. 
A correspondent of the Canada Farmer asks 
concerning tho mannriul value of calcined bones. 
The editor replies that bones, in any form, impart 
increased productiveness to land,—but are especially 
effective on the sandy or lighter soils. Calcined 
bones absorb, with avidity, air and water, by which 
the phosphate of lime, amounting to some seventy- 
live per cent, of the bones, is rendered soluble aud 
easily appropriated us food by the plants. Burnt 
bones are deemed especially valuable to turnips, and 
scarcely less so to the cereals. 
Girdling Grape Vines. -A correspondent asks if there 
is any advantage gained by girdling or ••ringing” grape 
vines in the summer or spring? The effect of such 
treatment is to produce large, 6howy clusters of insipid, 
wutery fruit. The vinos are ruined if the practice is 
followed extensively. To gratify a whim or curiosity it 
may bo indulged, but not to gain profit. 
A Yankee Present. —We have received from our con¬ 
tributor, “ Yorick,” a seasonable present iu the shape of 
a Well developed, yellow pumpkin, which obtained pre¬ 
mium honors at the late Monroe County Fair. If it fails 
to make good pies the fault will not be in the pumpkin. 
Horses’ Feet — Swelling'. 
On this subject the Prairie Farmer says:—“If 
the swelling is accompanied with great heat and 
tension of the parts, and more particularly by 
crocked heels, then mild aperients and fomentation 
Is a good beginning; but where any flaccidity exists, 
stimulants aud tonics we have fouutl the sovereign 
remedy. Take of powdered sulphate of Iron, one 
ounce and a half; powdered gentian root, two 
ounces; nitrate of potassa, one ounce; mix and 
divide into twelve powders, and give one night aud 
morning mixed in out or soft feed, with uo more 
water in the feed than will keep the particles to¬ 
gether. Feed the animal generously and well, and 
give a little exercise daily. 
Save the Trees from Mice.—W ith the first snows of 
winter comes danger to young trees from mice. Destroy 
their harboring places iu dead grass, aud tramp down the 
snow around tho trees. Also remember some of the hints 
we have given about other means of protection. 
Candy's August Gtudi - 
us from Ncwburg, N. Y 
number you give an outlifc 
by’s August grape, ant 
identical with York Mat r 
It Is identical with Yor 
distinct Canby's August, 
of York Maderia, ITydcb 1 
and earlier fruit, and was i 
of Oatskill, N. Y,, many } . 
is one of the oldest varie. it 
such as Canby’s August,, 
man, Small German, Tyro 
—Chas. Downing writes 
as follows : “ In a late 
; and description of Ciui- 
say ‘many consider it 
ria aud Hyde’s Eliza.' 
! Maderia, There Is no 
It is only a synonym 
Eliza is distinct, a larger 
nised by Miss Eliza llydc 
lavs since. York Madeira 
l and has many synonyms, 
Marion Port, Large Ger- 
Winthr Mulching of Strawberries.— Mulch should 
bo pnt on the vines soon after tho first hard freezing. Its 
effect is to keep the soil in a friable condition, retaining 
its moisture aud rendering it easily pulverized. Freezing 
and thawing are also prevented. 
Profitable Apple.— Tho Alton (Ill.) Horticultural So¬ 
ciety, balloting on the question, “ what apple is the most 
profitable for a term of fifteen years,” chose the “ Gilpin ” 
first and the “Wine Sap” next. 
SSI 
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