Cocoa Nut Tree.

foot along the base of the leaf; and as the inner part of the butt of the leaf is scooped out in order to grasp and enclose the trunk more firmly, this netting holds it tight round the tree, and binds it fast till it has performed its office of acting as a support to the cluster of nuts that rest upon it. This network is called "matulla," and is one of the most curious productions of nature. The threads or fibres are so regularly crossed and interwoven, that to one unacquainted with the article it would appear to be a species of coarse cloth manufactured in the loom. Without preparation, this material is well adapted for sieves and filters; and its natural texture renders it in the hands of the ingenious, an admirable substance for the formation of clothes.-Annals of Science.

The Normandy Geneting.

I will give you the history of what I presume you call the Rawle Geneting, as related to me by Mr. John Brown, one of the present U. S. Senators from the State of Kentucky.

In 1813, it was estimated that, on the southwest coast of India, ten millions of cocoa-nut trees at least were growing. The tree begins to bear when about eight years of age. The nuts that are intended for planting are allowed to remain on the tree longer than others. They are taken off when thoroughly ripe, after having been put in a shed or outhouse, till all the moisture of the thick outside husk or bark is dried up, they are hung in pairs over the branches of some trees near the house, where they remain till the young plants shoot up with a firm leaf through the eyes of the nut. Instead of hanging them up in trees, some persons put them in their gardens three or four hundred together, and half cover them with earth. In this way the young plants soon make their appearance. When the leaf is about three feet high-at which time also there are long struggling roots hanging to them-holes are dug in the ground, about two feet deep and one and a half in diameter, into which the plants are put, about two yards apart from each other; a little earth | is thrown in upon them, but not so as to His statement was this,-that it was incover the nut. For several years they ap- troduced into this country from Normandy pear to advance but little in height. During in France, by Mr. Genet, the French Minthis time, however, their trunk is increasing ister, about sixty years ago, during the adin bulk and from the fifth to the seventh ministration of Gen. Washing on. He maryear, or thereabouts, they grow to a considerable height. Soon after, a sheath containing the blossom appears, shooting out from the thick butt-end of the leaf; and when about a foot high and two inches in diameter the sheath bursts; and in a few days the different portions of the flower, ccnsisting of innumerable seeds, attached to a long stake, bend down gracefully on all sides. After awhile, a great number of these seeds fall off, and small nuts, to the number of twenty to fifty, on an average, remain on one stalk. From the time that the flower bursts, to the time that the nuts are ready to be gathered, six months elapse. The leaves of some trees are twenty-five feet long, and the small leaflets that hang down from each side of the thick middle fibre four feet long. As the leaves are of this length, and very heavy, it is necessary that some provision should be made for attaching them firmly to the trunk. This provision is made, and consists of a very strong net-like substance, extending about a

ried a daughter of Gov. Clinton, and settled on a farm near Albany. He noticed that the Apple was very often killed by spring frosts in the United States; and as this apple tree puts forth its blossoms about two weeks later than other kinds, he concluded that it could be advantageously introduced into our orchards. Senators Brown and Breckenridge introduced it into Kentucky, and it soon became so popular as to constitute the greater portion of the orchards in that State. This tree has other qualities which give it preference besides its late bloom. It is a sure bearer-puts out lateral branches-never grows in the shape of a Pear Tree. Its wood and bark when cut have a solid and healthy appearance. The fruit on a young and old tree is so different that they would hardly be taken by one unacquainted with the fruit to be the same. The young trees bear larger fruit, and it is more acid and larger than the old trees. The fruit of the old trees is very red and sweet. They are good for cider and cook

VINEYARD CALENDAR FOR AUGUST.

525

ing, and juicy-high flavor, and keep berries in pots, by a peculiar process, thus through the winter better than most apples. described: My friend, Mr. Robert Conover, of Clary's Grove, presented me with a few of these apples, about the middle of April, as sound and well flavored as when put up in the fall. If the history which I send is correct, (of which there is not a doubt,) the tree should be called the Normandy Geneting. J. S. The above is from the Daily Journal, Springfield, Ill. If the account be correct, it will tend to overthrow our present orthography and nomenclature of this delicious and excellent apple. It seems hardly credible, however, that so good a fruit should have been lost sight of in Europe. Fine specimens were presented at the Cincinnati Horticultural Society, on the 2d of July, perfectly preserved, by Jno. A. Mottier, who also exhibited the Putnam Russet and Newtown Pippin, equally sound, but of inferior flavor.

he filled a number of six-inch pots with a About the second week in July, he says, compost of two-thirds loam, and one-third of broken pots were placed in the bottom, rotten dung, as follows: three stout pieces. and a handful of the compost put in; a stout wooden pestle was then used with all the force of a man's arm to pound it, and then another handful, and a pounding, and another, t'll the pot was brimfull, and the compressed mould as hard as a barn floor. The pots were then taken to the strawberrybed, and a runner placed in the center of each, with a small stone to keep it steady. have had no other care or culture. For They were watered in dry weather and two or three years I have had the very finest crops, from plants after this method, and those under notice promise well. If the pots are lifted, it will be apparent that a large quantity of food is in a small space. I may add, that from some recent experiments with compressed earth to potted fruit trees I have a high opinion of its effects, and I fully believe that we have yet much to learn on the MR. RIVERS, in London, raises straw- subject.-Rural.

Potting Strawberries.

VINEYARD CALENDAR FOR AUGUST.

THE past month is one of the most trying bunches, which were favored by preceding to the patience of the vine-dresser; having drought, the vigneron has high hopes of an opened, as in the present season, with a rich abundant return, which, alas! are too often promise of a profuse harvest of the luscious destroyed by the accession of hot and

beginning of July. I wish very much to precursor. We suppose that this immunity is owing to the dry season we have passed through. But, alas! we know not the cause of either malady, and, therefore, are apprehensive of their approach, until their season be passed.

Transactions.

Cayuga County Horticultural Society.

W.

Auburn, Aurora and Owasco unite in one floral exhibition, we may justly expect something very recerche; such, indeed, was the first exhibition of this society, in the village of Auburn, on the 17th ult. In the first place, Stanford Hall is one of the finest in the country for such an exhibition, and the committee completed their arrangement with a perfection I have never seen excelled.

The show of summer fruits, particularly straw. berries, was very fine. Messrs Thorp, Smith, Hanchett & Co., of Syracuse, had a fine display of roses, greenhouse plants, etc. In the evening the premium boquets, flowers and fruits were sold to citizens at the most liberal prices. If the same spirit continues to prevail, this society will soon become one of the most interesting and important in our country.

Towards evening of that day I looked through the fine garden of Messrs. H. E. Smith and Mr. Sidney Warner, of Waterloo, where I noticed a great variety of beautiful roses, mammoth delicious strawberries, and all the other et ecteras with which our best horticulturists are now filling up their private gardens. Mr. Smith's garden, I wish to name particularly as a model. It is the most thoroughly cultivated, and most completely well filled of any small spot of ground I have ever seen.-Rural. R. G. P.

Geneva Horticultural Society.

Strawberries.-For the best and most extensive col lection, to Col. Rathbone, of Kenwood, 8 varieties. For 2d best, and most extensive collection, to Col. Rathbone, 3 varieties.

For best and finest flavored variety, to C. P. Williams, for Burr's New Pine.

For 2d best and finest flavored variety, to C P. Williams, for Hovey's Seedling.

Mr. Wilson exhibited a staminate seedling variety, of large size, very prolific habit, hardy, and finely formed-of dark crimson color, and of very good flavor.

The grapes exhibited by Mr. Corning deserve special commendation, as the clusters were large, and the berries finely colored. The committee award for them a diploma.

The cherries exhibited were very fine, but as premiums were not offered for them at the exhibition, none could be awarded. HERMAN WENDELL, B. B KIRTLAND, E. DORR,

Committee.

PLANTS IN POTS. AND CUT FLOWERS.

The display of these, and especially Pelargoniums, was very fine. The competitors for the prizes offered were Morris Walsh, gardener to E. Corning, Jr., Wm. Gray, gardener to Joel Rathbone; L. Menand; Mark Taylor, gardener to V. P. Douw; and E. Buttercase.

ON the 23d, a similar horticultural exhibition of the Seneca Agricultural and Horticultural Society was held at Geneva, and although it was only a town society, yet it almost rivaled the fine one in Cayuga county. f never knew ladies of wealth, taste and high standing so lavish of their personal efforts, their greenhouse and garden stores, as were the ladies of Geneva, and as a consequence, a very rich treat was afforded to tho Among the stove and greenhouse plants in Morris public. Very large collections of roses and other Walsh's collection we noticed good examples of Howers, with the same immense number of bouquets Euphorbia splendens, Stephanotis floribunda, on a graced the exhibition, as did that at Auburn. The globe trellis; Adamia versicolor, a plant deserving of best hand bouquet at Geneva sold at auction in the more extensive cultivation; a nice dwarf plant of evening for $5.75 More than one hundred dishes, Justicea carnea, with its flesh-colored flowers, in five comprising more than fifty varieties of large and lus-spikes; Pavetta caffra, a good specimen of a rare cious strawberries were also on the tables.

Messrs. Thorp, Smith, Hanchett & Co., of Syracuse, and also Dell Collins, Waterloo, made a most creditable exhibition of choice fruits and flowers, which added very much to the interest of the exhibition and the reputation of their respective establishments.-lb.

Strawberries.-JOEL RATHBONE, of Kenwood, exhibited specimens of Hovey's Seedling, Boston Pine, Iowa, Crimson Cone, Black Hautboy, Burr's New Pine, and Ross Phoenix; C. P. WILLIAMS exhibited Hovey's Seedling, Virginia Scarlet, and Burr's Pine; JAMES WILSON exhibited a new seedling strawberry; E. BUTTERCASE Hovey's Seedling; Mrs. J. T. VAN NAMEE, Iowa; E. CORNING, Jr., Crimson Cone.

Cherries.-There were shown by JOEL RATHEONE, Black Tartarian, White Heart, White Bigarreau, Black Heart, Early Duke, Griotte, and White Tar

plant; Clerodendron falax, Erica Boweiana, and Gloxineas candida speciosa, maxima alba, and coccinea, very fine. A fine large plant of Crinum amabile, and Opuntia Braziliensis, was shown from the same place. In William Grey's plants was a fine specimen of Gardenia florida, which scented the room with its delightful fragrance; Vinca alba, Kalosanthus versicolor, Hoya carnosa, a plant in good condition; a good Erica Boweiana, and several fine Gloxineas. From the same place, also, came some well-grown Pelargoniums, particularly Life Guardsman, Hebe, Aspasia and Elegans, the flowers of which were very true to their character. Some fine scarlet varieties, also, came from the same grower In L. Menand's plants were Nerium album, 'racana variegata, a very fine, variegated stove plant; Vinca alba, and a beautiful little orange bush with seventeen perfect fruit on. Mark Taylor's Pelargoniums were good grown plants, and with proper care, in another season, will make fine plants. Scarlet varieties were also fine and wellflowerd; a fine plant of Veronica Andersonii was also shown from the same place.

The cut flowers formed a very conspicuous feature ; the quantities from J. Wilson, and Wm. Newcomb were very showy. In the former were some charming roses, larkspurs, (a plant Mr. Wilson is especially noted for, and a general collection of bedding and herbaceous plants. The same may be said of Mr. Newcomb's cut flowers, among which were many fine, hardy herbaceous plants. Mrs. J. T. Van Namee ex