Josling's St. Alban's.—This is a new seedling grape, described by Mr. Thompson, in the last number of the Journal of the London Horticultural Society. It was raised by Mr. Josling, seedsman, &c., St. Albans, about six years ago. The last season, fruit of it was exhibited before the London Horticultural Society, September 1, and a certificate of merit was awarded. The bunch, supported by a strong footstalk, is very long and tapering, with strong diverging shoulders. The berries are about the size of the White Frontignan, round, greenish white, acquiring a tinge of yellow, when well ripened. Flesh rather firmer than that of the Frontignan grapes, but not so firm as that of the Muscat of Alexandria, very rich and sugary, with a Frontignan flavor. The leaves in their general outline are tolerably round, their lobes not deep, but the serratures are tolerably sharp; both the upper and under surfaces are remarkably glabrous, and slightly tinged with red. On the whole, the leaves bear considerable resemblance to that of the White Muscat of Alexandria; the berries, however, differ in being decidedly round, like those of the Frontignans; but the leaves of the latter are not glabrous, being furnished with bristly hair, at and near the axils of the veins beneath. It is perfectly distinct from any other variety known. Mr. Josling states, that about six years ago he sowed seeds of several kinds of grapes, which had been disfigured by wasps, among which were the White Muscat, White Nice, White Muscadine, and White Sweetwater. The seeds were gathered promiscuously, but he thinks it is between the White Muscat and White Nice, as they grew side by side. It differs most distinctly from the White Frontignan, from the time of showing the fruit, until, and when, ripe. In showing its fruit, the branches are very long on amazingly stout footstalks, which start diagonally from the vine, in a manner very different from any I grow. At this stage, they are very conspicuous throughout the house. After this the berries assume a dark green color, the Frontignan is of a pale green; it shoulders, the Frontignan does not; the bunch tapers to a point, the Frontignan is more cylindrical; the footstalk throughout the bunch is very stiff, the Frontignan hangs loosely. In flavor, it approaches the Frontignan more than any other grape; but even in this respect it differs materially, the berry in the mouth

having more substance, and being more sugary and sweetmeat like; when ripe, it assumes a dark gold color. It does not require much thinning. It is late in ripening, and does not shank or shrivel, like the Frontignan. Its habit of growth is strong and robust. Mr. Thompson concurs in the opinion that it is a valuable variety.

[This description answers exceedingly well for the Muscat blanc hatif.]

Calabrian Raisin.-In the 2d No. of the Journal of the Horticultural Society, Mr. Thompson describes a variety under this name, which had fruited in the Society's garden. He states that it was obtained from the nursery of the Messrs. Baumann of Bolwiller, who have a fine collection of grapes. In their catalogue, it is called the Raisin de Calabre. The bunch is large, slightly shouldered, long and tapering. The berries are large, quite round, white, transparent, so that the seeds can be perceived. The flesh is moderately firm, with a rich sugary juice. It is a late grape, possessing likewise the property of hanging long after it is ripe; and it will keep for a considerable time after it is cut. With good management, it may be preserved for months, in a fresh state, fit for the dessert. The vine grows vigorously, and is likely to be a good bearer. From what has already been observed of its disposition to form large bunches, those who make the production of them a principal object, will doubtless grow bunches of this variety half a yard or more in length, as has been done in the case of the Black St. Peters, comparatively with which, grown under similar circumstances, the Calabrian Raisin appears the larger of the two.

On account of its long keeping, it is exceedingly suitable for being planted with the Black St. Peters, which is the best, often hanging till February. But a variety that would keep equally long, and afford a contrast as regards color, was wanted. This desideratum is admirably supplied by the introduction of the Calabrian Raisin. Mr. Thompson states that it seems perfectly distinct from any hitherto cultivated or described. The berries of the White Nice are smaller, and of a greenish color: those of the Syrian are a little oval, and less transparent. Its greatest resemblance is to the White Malvasia, but this is a rather early grape, and of smaller size. It will prove a valuable acquisition.

ARR. VII. Remarks and General Hints, on Some Few Varieties of the Pear. By S. WALKER, Roxbury, Mass.

MUCH has been written, and much more said, on the merits and cultivation of the pear, and still, Mr. Editor, we want that light and information which experience alone can give us on this subject.

We do not expect to add much, if any thing, to the stock of information already acquired; but, if any remarks which may fall from our pen, or our lips, on this subject, shall elicit remarks from others, either to establish our own views, or to present to the fruit-growing community the best mode, or a better mode, of cultivating this delicious fruit, and the varieties that deserved the most extensive cultivation, we shall then consider that something further has been done; but, until we find others, and many there are, more competent than ourself to take up this interesting subject, we shall probably, at times, presume to trespass on your kind indulgence, and solicit a place for such remarks as opportunity may present, or our poor ability may enable us to furnish.

Although specimens of some of the new varieties were presented, during the past season, (1846,) at the Hall of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, yet nothing of surpassing excellence was brought forward in the new class; that is to say, the new pears which were shown, for the first time, did not fully sustain their foreign reputation, while others which have been shown for several years, and among these we found several native varieties, rather exceeded their representation and our expectations. We shall mention those new varieties only that we consider as worthy, in every respect, of extensive cultivation. But, before we proceed to do so, we wish to state briefly that the first, second, or indeed the third, and sometimes the fourth trial of new foreign or native pears is oftentimes insufficient to enable us to give an unequivocal and decided opinion as to their true character and merits. We ground our remarks, and form our opinion, from specimens presented at the Hall of the Massachusetts Horticultural So

ciety, or fruit produced in our own grounds, or sent to us by kind friends during the past season.

Again, we wish it to be fully understood that no estimate. can be made of the true character of any fruit, more particularly of the pear, unless the specimens are fair, well grown, of full size and quite ripe or, in other words, in the highest state of perfection the variety will attain to under the most skilful management and favorable season. Some varieties, under the care of a lover of fruits, well cultivated in a congenial soil, may be compared to " refined gold," while the same variety in unskilful hands, the trees neglected, in grass land, or in wet and impoverished soil, may prove as "dross." I would further, and in conclusion on this part of my subject, remark, that first-rate specimens, of the best flavor, cannot be expected to be obtained from trees that are overloaded with fruit. An overcrop is not only injurious to the fruit, but also to the growth and future well-being of the tree. Nature makes great efforts to accomplish her purposes; but if all her energy and resources are called upon to mature fruit, the trees cannot increase in size, and nature thus taxed becomes exhausted-tires-faints and dies under the load.

With the foregoing remarks, which we thought might not be altogether unacceptable to your readers, we proceed to give a list of such new varieties of pears as have, in our opinion, been found worthy to be classed among those deserving of extensive cultivation.

VAN MONS LEON LE CLERC.-One of the best pears we ever ate, and the best pear we tasted the past season.

EYEWOOD. With this variety, after a trial of three years, we were agreeably disappointed. The first year we marked it second-rate. The past season, it proved to be very tender, very melting and juicy, subacid, too much so for persons who like sweet pears, but to the lovers of the Brown Beurré, and Beurré d' Aremberg, this variety will be highly prized.

FONDANTE D'AUTOMNE.-This pear, when well grown and fully ripe, has no superior, and very few equals.

HANNAS and WILBUR.-(The latter native). These varieties may be classed among the best of the season; they were both ripe on the 20th of September.

DIX. (Native.) This variety may be placed among the very best pears in the country. At some future period the Dix will be as well known, and as much esteemed, as the Williams's Bon Chrétien (Bartlett).

DEARBORN'S SEEDLING. (Native.) Fruit small, but very fine flavor.

HEATHCOTE. (Native.) This variety may be placed among the best. The present season, we found it little, if at all, inferior to the Saint Michael, (Doyenné blanc.)

ANDREWS. (Native.) A pear of great merit; it will be extensively cultivated as it becomes better known.

TYSON. (Native.) Though last on my memorandum, not least in my estimation. This fine variety originated at Jenkinstown, near Philadelphia, some fifty years ago, and although it may be classed among the best, it did not find its way into the State of Massachusetts until the year 1835, or 1836; when scions were sent by Dr. James Mease, of Philadelphia, to the Hon. B. V. French, of Braintree, with an assurance that the Tyson would prove equal to the Seckel. Mr. French gave a part of the scions to various cultivators, and, among the recipients, was William Oliver, Esq., of Dorchester, who grafted the scions received into the leading branch of a fine healthy tree. In the year 1841 or 1842, and, for some two or three succeeding years, Mr. Oliver presented specimens of the Tyson pear at the rooms of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. We were present and partook of the first specimen that Mr. Oliver presented; and have continued to notice the pear, from year to year, until the past season. We now rank it, as we have ever done, among the best summer pears.

Roxbury, February 11th, 1847.

ART. VIII. George the IVth Peach. By W. R. PRINCE, Flushing, L. I.

I HAVE been anxious, for several years past, to solve the mystery which has hnng over this fruit, and at the same time