what lavish in the use of whale oil soap, and to this he attributes the cleanliness of his trees: two washings are given during the season, one in the spring, and the other in the fall, and, with this simple remedy, the trees are kept in the most perfect health. We have frequently recommended the application of soap, and are convinced its general use in the manner here stated would soon banish every borer, and many of the diseases which usually affect trees of all kinds, especially the peach. Some of the Crawford's Early measured nine inches in circumference. Mr. Stetson has a fine seedling which sprang up some years ago, and is now growing against the house to which it is trained. It is one of the most delicious as well as most beautiful kinds we have ever seen. The cultivation of the peach needs more encouragement in the way of premiums for superior specimens; for, while we have large amounts yearly distributed for the pear, the peach is nearly or quite forgotten.

We might name many of the kinds of standard trees in the garden, which embraces all the best kinds, but our space will not permit; in a year or two, they will produce an abundance of the choicest fruit. The wall trees will also soon begin to bear, forming a superior collection.

The native grape vines on trellises, and on the house, were trained with the greatest precision, showing how much can be done by a little care and attention in the early progress of the vine. The borders were filled with fine flowers: and the prairie roses and other climbing plants trained up to iron pillars. Indeed, no part seemed to be forgotten, and, with the additions which will be annually made, Mr. Stetson will possess one of the most interesting places in the county.

ART. II. Notice of Three New Varieties of Fruit. By HERMAN WENDELL, Esq., Albany, N. Y. With Descriptions and Engravings. By THE EDITOR.

DEAR SIR,-With pleasure I send you, for examination and notice, a few pears of a new variety raised from seed by a

Mr. Sterling, who resides near Buffalo in this state: it is called the Sterling pear: its history, as given me by Messrs. Wilson, Thorburn & Teller, nurserymen of this city, who own the tree, and from which I procured the fruit, is as follows:-Mr. Sterling, being on a visit to Connecticut some eighteen or twenty years since, ate of the fruit of a pear tree

Fig. 36. Sterling Pear.

growing there, and saved the seeds. On his return home, he planted them, and succeeded in raising and fruiting several trees, all of which, with the exception of this one, proving worthless. Grafts were procured from him, brought to this city, and presented to the above-named individuals, by a gentleman whose residence is in this vicinity, and who vouches for the truth of the above statement. The tree is of thrifty growth and up

right habit, and an early bearer. It is but two years since the grafts were inserted, and it has this year borne about two dozen pears.

I also send you a few plums of a very delicious character, taken from a tree growing in the garden of Mr. A. Van Voast of this city. It is called the Schenectady Catherine plum, and originated in a garden of that city. Trees have been growing there for several years past. I cannot account for the remissness of pomologists in that vicinity for allowing so valuable a fruit to remain unknown, comparatively, so long a time. I rank it among the very best, fully equal, in all respects but color, to the Reine Claude. It is a thrifty grower and prolific bearer, having borne large crops of fruit for several years past: its growth is similar to that of the Imperial Gage.

And, together with these, I send you a few specimens of the Judson plum, a valuable seedling, grown by a gentleman of that name residing at Lansingburg, some eight or nine miles north of this city. The tree is said to bear very heavy crops, and to be a thrifty grower.

Academy Park, Albany, N. Y., Sept. 3, 1847.

We are gratified in having the pleasure of presenting our pomological friends with the above notice of three new fruits, which possess great merit, especially the plums, one of which we class at the head of all the varieties we now possess. We add the following descriptions and engravings of the several kinds :

1. STERLING PEAR.

Size, large, about three inches long, and three inches in diameter: Form, roundish obovate, largest in the middle, tapering to each end: Skin, very fair, smooth, clear pale waxen yellow, beautifully marbled and shaded with red on the sunny side, with a small patch of russet at the base of the stem: Stem, long, about one and a half inches, rather stout, curved, knobby, swollen, and fleshy at the base, and inserted without depression: Eye, medium size, open, and slightly sunk in a small, smooth, shallow basin; segments of the calyx medium length, narrow, projecting: Flesh, white, coarse,

tender, half-melting, and juicy: Flavor, sweet, pleasantly perfumed and good: Core, rather large: Seeds, medium size. Ripe the last of August and beginning of September.

The Sterling pear, (fig. 36), is one of the handsomest early pears which has come under our notice; the skin having a clear waxen appearance, beautifully tinged with bright red. Though only second rate, its beauty, size, and great productiveness will commend it to cultivators, especially those who supply the market.

2. SCHENECTADY CATHERINE PLUM.

Fruit, medium size, about one and a half inches, broad, and one and a half long: Form, roundish, narrowing rather more towards the apex, which is little depressed, than the base; suture rather shallow, extending half round: Skin, rich deep purple, violet in the shade, slightly netted on the sunny side, and covered with a thin azure bloom: Stem, medium length, about three quarters of an inch, rather slender, and inserted in a very deep, contracted cavFig. 37. Schenectady Catherine Plum. ity: Flesh, greenish yellow, fine, and very melting, separating freely from the stone: Juice, very abundant, of a honied richness, and deliciously flavored: Stone, small, thick, ovate. Ripe the beginning of September.

This variety, (fig. 37), is fully equal to the Green Gage, being quite as sweet, more melting, and exceedingly high-flavored. It must rank as the best purple plum yet produced, surpassing the Reine Claude Violet, both in size and excellence.

3. JUDSON PLUM.

Fruit, rather below medium size, about one and a quarter of an inch broad, and one and a quarter deep: Form, round

ish, little flattened at the base, one side slightly larger than the other; suture shallow and indistinct, extending to the apex: Skin, of a fine clear violet red, slightly mottled with a deeper shade, covered with small fawn-colored specks, and a thin lilac bloom: Stem, medium length, about one inch, slender, and inserted in a small, rather deep hollow: Flesh, pale yellow, melting, and separating from the stone: Juice, abundant, rich, brisk, vinous, and high flavored: Stone, rather large, oval, compressed. Ripe the end of August and beginning of September.

Fig. 38. Judson Plum.

The rich and beautiful color of the Judson, (fig. 38), will render it a great favorite, aside from its other fine qualities: though not quite equal to the Catherine, it ranks among the very best, and is deserving a place in every good collection.

We learn that Messrs. Wilson Thorburn & Teller have a few trees of each of the above sorts for sale.-Ed.

ART. IV. Notice of Two Seedling Peaches. By S. T. JONES, Esq., Staten Island, N. Y.

BY THE EDITOR.

With Descriptions of the Fruit.

DEAR SIR,-I have forwarded to you a small box, containing specimens of two seedling peaches raised in my garden, and which have borne fruit the present year the first time.

They are considered valuable, not only for their size and flavor, but from ripening in advance of all the other peaches in my cold houses, and, I hope, may also meet with your favorable opinion.

My gardener, Mr. Kennedy, who, I believe, is a correspondent of yours, has distinguished the two sorts by the names of Jones's Early and Jones's Large Early.