ern work applies especially to our wants | tematic fruit books and catalogues of nurand our means and methods.

serymen. Let us hope that the state fruit committees will be judiciously filled up by the respective chairmen, and that their reports in 1854 will be replete with invaluable information. What do you think of French Pears? Your outlines from M. Leroy are magnificent, and with the accompanying descriptions, make one's mouth water as the echos of "rich, vinous, buttery, and melting," pass through the cerebrum.

All who have ever traversed the Alleghanies in midsummer, and witnessed the splendid show of beautiful flowers which the Rhododendrons and Kalmias never fail to present, will read with interest the directions for their culture given by the venerable D. Thomas, of New York. By means of the judicious selection and preparation of the soil he recommends, they may have the very great pleasure of reviving the enjoy- The Garden. Thank you will many a ment of previous impressions of nature, re- poor wight, for that article on the Seed ceived from the natural visions of this beau- Trade you have republished. It is too bad tiful class of plants. that we must be continually cheated by In the January Number, your attention the seedsmen. Nor do we wish to consider was directed to the embellishment of them all scamps; they are among us, and grounds by the introduction of evergreens of us-our neighbors and friends. Can and other native forest trees, many of which they not find honest wholesale dealers from have been too long overlooked by planters whom to obtain their supplies? If not, it of trees, in the rage for foreign introduc- is high time that some of our market gartions. The expression, "our American deners should associate themselves for the evergreens are superb," can not be too purpose of producing their own seeds, and often repeated, and I am truly glad they supplying the surplus to the trade. It is are now receiving their just meed of understood that such an arrangement has praise. Look at our upright Pines, and the been established in the Eastern cities. still more beautiful Hemlocks, with grace- The Vineyard. The grape report of Dr. fully drooping branches. Let us thus Mosher will be read eagerly by those try first our own native productions, and who are anxiously waiting the result of the when our grounds shall be well provided numerous trials of different grapes made by with the proper and natural tenants of the Mr. Longworth. Many were much amused soil, fill in, and use for effective contrast with the apostrophe, "O Nicholas ! great and combination the imported foreigner. leader of the vine-dressers!" Well, honor But, alas! how few of our noble trees do to whom honor is due. It is right that his we find in the nurseries, to enable us to do name should be associated with your Resuch patriotic planting! view, identified with it as it is, and handed down to future generations as the friend of Horticulture whose liberality encouraged the work-without whom, indeed, we sup pose it would never have existed.

Pomology. The fruit report from Kentucky is characterized by that plain good sense, and shrewd, clear observations, that mark everything from its author. I am glad you have reproduced the Fruit Lists of the American Pomological Society, an institution which is destined to do great good in sifting the very extended indices of the sys

Meteorology. I am glad you assign an important place to this very important subject of the natural history of our globe. Climatic influences must exert a most pow

erful influence upon plants. Dr. Engel-treme, to enjoy these riches? If any, it mann's and Mr. Lea's tables are invaluable. must be poverty of the simple taste for na

Ah, here comes the February Number! which shall receive a passing notice, because

ture, and of the slender knowledge to enable them to produce the desired effect. Please remember in future, while you

it has points about it to admire. Imprimus: I like the Frontispiece-a very pretty, neat preserve my incognito, to insert my Hellenic and commodious house; and the short des-signature, before omitted.

Κριτο.

cription of the plan of Evergreen Hamlet gives one an idea of the method in which Desecration of Nature's Temple. citizens may very cheaply and pleasantly NIAGARA FALLS are actually to be converted become participants in the delights of rural into a "water-power," according to one of enjoyment. The pomological department our exchanges. And who has the boldness of this Number is quite extended, but full of thus to profane the holiest, sublimest tempractical interest. Your Coopers and Non- to "rush in where angels fear to tread?"Non-ple of nature? Who has the temerity thus pareils are quite captivating, and will no "Eastern capitalists" these vandals are doubt be sought after at the next State Fair with great avidity. "Better than the best" is indeed a high note of praise from your note-book, when taken beside the Hawley and others like it.

termed. Yankees have a habit of taking a utilitarian view of all subjects. They sac

rifice but little to mere sentiment, and are

ever disposed to make everything subservient to the purposes of practical life. We respect their enterprise and appreciate their contributions to the useful. But we would should have found a "water-power" somemost decidedly have preferred that they where else. This sublime cataract-the most remarkable in the world-should have been left in all its original grandeur, unvexed by ture, to which her worshipers from all quarthe hum of machinery, as a temple of naters of the globe might make their pilgrimages, and upon whose altar they might offer up their adorations.

When shall we ever see a collection of those curious Orchids about which your correspondent discourses so learnedly? While the green-houses, and stoves, and graperies are receiving a large share of attention from those whose means enable them to attain so high, pray do not forget the many, dear Mr. Editor, who depend for their enjoyment upon the simple garden, the border, the parterre, and the truck-patch, or farmer's garden. After all, is it not one of the most important portions of the farm? Some of us think so, and we hope you will ever bear our wants in mind. Do not forget to remind the countrymen of the important products of the garden, which not only contribute to the support of the family in a large degree, but promote health also, and at the same time encourage the female inmates THE Sunflower is a plant of much greater to plant the gentle flowers-to train the em- value than is generally known. Its seed is bowering vine. What riches of content-wholesome and nutritious food for poultry, by them. From the seed an oil is obtained cattle and hogs, and is very much relished with great facility, as delicate, it is believed, as that of the olive.

!

ment, pleasure and happiness they impart and who is there in this happy country, in 'cabin too lowly, or with poverty too ex

But if this "improvement" must go forward, we ask in behalf of the students of nature, of these "Eastern capitalists," that they will terminate their canal as far below the falls as possible, that their machinery may be placed at least out in the vestibule of nature's temple, instead of being erected in its inner courts. Please do grant this petition, gentlemen.-New York Farmer.

The Sunflower.

Editorial.

The Frontispiece.

VARIOUS ITEMS.

ing on the third Wednesday in June, on THROUGH the kindness of our horticultural which day the public exercises of the anfriend, P. S. BUSH, Esq., of Covington, Ken-nual commencement take place. The Litucky, we have been enabled to present with brary is very select. There is one society this Number a representation of the great among the students, styled “The FraterBaptist Theological Institution of the West. nity," the object of which is the improveOf this establishment it may happily be ment of its members in piety and religious said, that it contains its own endowment to knowledge. a great degree, owing to the liberal views of its early managers, who made an extensive purchase of ground that has since yielded, by sales at increased value, a handsome surplus for its support; and further, it is no doubt a happy consideration to its managers, that it has been enabled to aid largely in contributing to the rapidly increasing prosperity of our sister city of Covington.

The building is plain, commodious and substantial, occupying part of a large block of land which has been very extensively planted with a great variety of evergreens and ornamental shrubbery; and it is only to be regretted that the artist did not venture, with prophetic pencil, to figure forth their future beauties as they will one day wave in this campas or park, furnishing classic shade for the many devoted students who may here qualify themselves for an extended field of usefulness.

Culture of the Potato-Addendum. SINCE the portion of this Number containing the above article was printed, I have learned a fact with regard to the Sugar Cane, which is confirmatory of the views of Mr. Goodrich, as to the effect of removing tropical plants beyond their natural range, and also confirmatory of his excellent suggestions for their restoration, as in the case of the potato, by seed.

An intelligent gentleman who has spent some ti..e in the most favorable sugar district of Louisiana, has informed me that the planters have observed a deficient vitality to occur in the cane plants occasionally. It is manifested by a blackness or discoloration about the joints, and a want of development of the buds which are there placed. It may not be known to Northern readers, that this crop is propagated by planting in the furrow The professors now engaged in the Insti- thrifty stalks of cane of the previous year's tute are Rev. Samuel W. Lynd, D.D., Presi- growth, which is carefully protected from dent, and Professor of the department of frost during the winter, nd which vegetates Systematic and Pastoral Theology; Rev. in the mellow soil, sending up a plant from Asa Drury, Professor of Ecclesiastical His- every joint. This is called "seed-cane."tory and Greek Literature; Rev. Periander The plants are all propagated in this way, C. Scott, Professor of Languages; Robert by extension, as the vegetable physiologist H. Baker, Professor of Mathematics. There is but one session a-year, commencing on the third Thursday in September, and clos

would say; for the cane is there so near its northern limit of growth, that though it produces a fine yield of rich juice, it never per

NOTICES.

fects any seed. The planters finding, every few years, this diseased condition spoiling their seed-cane, have found it necessary to send to the island of Cuba for seeds, which there mature; and from this source they renew their stock of cane to furnish the supply whence to plant their fields.

Acknowledgments,

285

not, like many other works of the same character, by one poor distracted editor upon his forlorn tripod, but by the triple agency of a very living tripod of editors, each shoulder to shoulder urging on the work, and bearing triumphantly as corresresponding editor an agriculturist of whom Michigan may well be proud. The pages are well filled with valuable matter-paper, type and execution good, unless we might suggest that the size of the type is diminished too much, for the sake of admitting

an increased amount of matter.

The field is large: till it well, my friends, and you shall gather abundantly of the sheaves, where with willing hands ye are bountifully sowing the seeds of important agricultural knowledge.

ARE due to my accomplished friend, Dr. VATTIER, Senator from this county, for public documents showing the progress of affairs in our great state. Among them, his own bill for establishing a Bureau of Statistics in Ohio is an important movement, worthy of its originator. I have now further to acknowledge the receipt of the annual reports of the trustees for the benevolent Institutions for the Blind and for Lunatics, which present the philanthropy of the state in such a favorable point of view as should exist in a Christian community. The wants of the latter, however, are great, and need greatly extended care. Why is it that this fered. The Western Horticultural Review county, with its preponderating population of citizens and taxable property, and its large number of suffering lunatics and many advantages for their treatment, should not have received a share of the public patronage to be appropriated to their support ?The answer lies beyond my unsophisticated ken.

NOTICES.

Farmer's Companion. THE first and second Number of this spirited monthly quarto, from the Peninsular State, have been received, and they will no doubt give great satisfaction to their numerous readers, for numerous they should certainly be, while such a work is furnished them at the very low price of fifty cents a-year," and while such a work of sixteen pages monthly is compiled and prepared,

An extra of this work contains a premium list of the Michigan State Fair, to be awarded at Detroit on the 28th of next September. Among the premiums I am pleased to see a large number of books of

occupies a favorable position among them. This is highly gratifying, for having many excellent friends in that state, I am naturally anxious to increase their number.

The Western Plow-Boy,

"A CHRONICLE OF RURAL AFFAIRS." Numbers one and two of this new claimant of the farmer's attention have made their appearance from Fort Wayne, Indiana.Well done, sister state !-throw valuable information freely before your people, especially your agricultural population. Would that I could also say, Well done, yeomanry of Indiana, to have advanced so rapidly, as to demand another periodical of this character. Perhaps it is so; in which case, all will rejoice. At any rate, all should rejoice that in addition to the Indiana Farmer, the Western Plow-Boy now comes holding up

The Western Plow-Boy, of sixteen pages octavo, is published at Fort Wayne, Indiana, on the first and middle of each month, by R. D. Turner and J. P. Jenks, at $1.00 a-year, in advance.

his flambeau to illumine the pathway of settlement, until now they stand forth his brother farmers, for they at least will be among the proudest and most successful the gainers, whether they who toil for them agriculturists of our country, now makes are rewarded or not. The numbers be- her thirteenth salutatory to an extensive fore us contain a good assortment of com- class of readers. With the new year this munications, editorials, selections, and ad- monthly sheet has assumed an improved vertisements. dress and appearance, which, by the by, according to the notions of many, have been long wanted. The truth of the old adage, that many hands make light work, is generally conceded, so that in this work many have supposed the labors of its triple corps of editors must indeed have been light and pleasant. Theory and practice do not always agree, however, as will be admitted by Mr. Wight, whom all will be pleased to see again upon the tripod, ably assisted and supported in the horticultural department by the whole-souled intellect of that noble friend of Western agriculture, John A. Kennicott, who throws a halo of brightness around every subject he touches.

The Farmer and Planter.

THIS pleasant monthly visitant, from Pendleton, South Carolina, makes its appearance, doubly welcome by the pretty compliments Messrs. Seaborn and Gilman have been pleased to pay to my other self in horticulture, the Western Horticultural Review. They acknowledge, however, having neglected an early notice; for which they are freely granted absolution, especially as they say to their friends and readers" If you want the neatest, cheapest, and most reliable work on the various subjects of which it treats, send your three dollars forthwith, to"-etc., etc. Would that the "friends" of the Farmer and Planter were as many as the sands of the sea, and that a tithe of them would heed this kindly advice.

From his salutatory in the January Number, I can not forbear making the following extract :—

Labor, and sweat, and patient hopeful care, are indispensable requisites in horticulture. Let this never be forgotten. Knowledge and skill, without these, are entirely useless.

The practice of horticulture, from the days of Adam down to the present time, has marked the civilization, taste, and pros

perity of nations. All history shows us, that this art, more than all others, has been the true mirror of healthy progress and refinement; and only sank, when its grateful pleasures became the last refuge of wanton wealth and luxury, and indolent irresponsi

The appearance of the added advertising sheet, gives evidence that the Farmer and Planter is in a prospering condition upon the opening of its fourth volume. It is issued monthly, at one dollar a-year, and contains much useful matter to Southern plant-ble power.

ers.

Prairie Farmer.

THIS ancient Western adviser, which has stood in the vanguard for twelve long years, freely offering its aid and advice to the farmers of the North-west as they emerged from the wilderness of a forest and prarie

Of all desires, of all pleasures, of all mental or physical wants or wishes-the cultivated enjoyment of practical horticulture is the only one that never palls upon the senses, or leaves behind a single feeling of satiety or disgust, or one remorseful reThe great, the wise, and the good have folgret, upon the conscience of erring man. lowed it in all ages, and, at the present