JUKE. 
113 
ALPINE AURICULAS. 
WITH AK ILLUSTK.ATIOK. 
The class of Alpine Auriculas lias not hitherto been highly estimated by 
florists; but the beautiful varieties which Mr. Turner has within the last year 
or two made public will probably gain for them a higher position and greater 
consideration. Certainly they will be appreciated by the flower-loving public. 
The two varieties we now figure give a good idea of the highly ornamental 
and varied character of these Alpine Auriculas, which are of the easiest culture, 
and perfectly hardy so far as the temperature of our winters is concerned. 
They only require shelter from excessive rain. They are among the most 
beautiful of spring flowers. 
M. 
OUR FRUIT CROPS. 
Aetee a very cold and unfavourable spring the prospects of a fruit crop 
are very cheering. With, perhaps, the exception of Peach trees, the wood of 
most trees got well ripened last season, and, in consequence, there has been a 
great deal of blossom this season. Apricot trees were very full of bloom, and, 
owing to the mildness of the winter, some of the early blooms began to expand 
in February, but’were destroyed by the snow and frost that set in in the begin¬ 
ning of March. The very cold weather that continued throughout March 
retarded the opening of the flowers, and was unfavourable to their setting; 
but, notwithstanding, the crop is a very fair one. Peach and Nectarine trees 
were denuded of their foliage early in September by the numbers of aphides 
that infested them. The wood and buds, especially the strong wood, did not 
in consequence get properly matured. In general, there was plenty of bloom 
on the trees, but much of it fell off without setting, being, no doubt, imperfect 
from the unripened state of the wood. Some of the trees here which had the 
best ripened wood have set their blossom well; whilst others, with stronger 
wood, and which were full of bloom, have set very few fruit. 
I fear Peaches and Nectarines on the open walls will not be a full crop. 
The trees have broken well, and are making fine healthy young shoots. Pears 
will be a very heavy crop in general. Cherries and Plums also will be good 
crops. The Apple trees have been very beautiful, and I think the crop will be 
a plentiful one. Gooseberries, Currants, and Raspberries will bear very plenti¬ 
ful crops. Crops of all kinds are backward, owing to the very dull, cold, 
unfavourable weather we have had for many weeks. 
The Strawberry crops, from present appearances, will, I believe, prove to 
be very deficient. The plants did not recover from the long continuance of hot 
dry weather we had last summer. Some sorts suffered much more than others. 
Sir Harry promises to be the fullest crop here this season, as it was last. I 
have some young plants of British Queen that promise to be pretty good ; the 
old plantations look only indifferent. Keens’ Seedling will be much better than 
last season. Oscar looks well. Of Trollope’s Victoria the plants are fine, but 
are not showing much bloom. Sir Charles Napier looks tolerably well; the 
plants are very good, but the trusses are not very plentiful. Jucunda was good 
last year, and promises to be equally good this season. The plants are fine, and 
the trusses plentiful. It seems to be a good strong grower, of hardy habit. 
Should it do as well as its present appearance seems to warrant, I will feel 
inclined to increase my stock of it. Eltons do very well here; I never saw 
them better anywhere else. I bad a fine crop of them last year, though not 
VOL. V. Gr 
