able contributors, and many punctual subscribers, I remain yours. Near Beaufort, S. C., Dec. 21, 1846. Will our correspondent be so kind as to forward us, at a convenient opportunity, a tree of each of the figs he so highly recommends? We are now importing some new sorts from Europe with the hope of making a collection of the best; and would be glad to have the Celestial and Alicante to compare with the European sorts, and note their relative merits. The fine pear alluded to of the shape of the summer Thorn may be the St. Ghislain, which resembles that variety in form. Bark lice may be easily destroyed by washing with oil soap about the consistence of common paint.-Ed. ART. III. Observations on Root Pruning. By A. H. ERNST. PERMIT me to make a few remarks, through your Magazine, on root pruning as adapted to the culture of trees. This, although a popular measure with some writers and cultivators, I cannot but view as a sort of horticultural heresy, calculated to produce much mischief. This practice will have its day, and then be permitted to slumber among the errors of the times. The principle of life, growth, and durability of trees, is not unlike that of the animal. To secure these ends to the fullest extent, both must be supplied with good and healthy nourishment, suited to their condition, and just in proportion to the number, capacity and healthy action of the reeciving or absorbing vessels, will the plant or animal be benefited by it: if these are obstructed or crippled, it is clear the plant or animal must suffer just in proportion to such obstruction, however ample or appropriate the food within their reach. The extreme ends and the laterals of the roots are furnished with what are termed spongioles; these answer to the plant as the lacteals of the stomach do to the animal, in absorbing from the digested or prepared substance, in the one from the stomach, conveying it to the lungs, where it is changed into blood, and is thus prepared to add to the life and growth of the animal: the other from the earth, conyeying it through the sapvessels to the leaves, which are the lungs of the plants: from these it is returned in a suitable condition to add to the growth of the plant. The leaves of a tree are just as essential to its growth and health, as its roots and food, and will as certainly suffer from a want of a sufficient supply as the animal whose lungs are impaired. Trees too, like animals, require and do periodically rest: the tree, being deprived, during this time of rest, of its leaves, ceases to grow, although its functions are only in part suspended: if, during this time of rest, the roots are deprived of moisture any considerable length of time, the tree will die. All this goes to show how essential and important the leaves are to the growth of the tree, and the roots to the supply of the nourishment from the earth for their ability to perform their office. Any culture, then, that has a tendency to prevent the forming of the largest supply of leaves, is a fatal error. This is the effect of root pruning. It is evident, if the spongioles of the roots are cut off or mangled, the plant must suffer just as the animal would, if deprived of the lacteals of the stomach, and is thus deprived from the forming new wood and leaves, until new spongioles can be formed. As often, then, as this is repeated, the plant will lessen in strength until its life is exhausted by this unnatural process. That the system of root pruning may be successfully applied to stunting and dwarfing trees, and forcing them into fruiting, is an admitted fact, and where the durability of the tree is no object, but a show of fruit of more importance, no better expedient can be resorted to, to effect the object, and where but limited room can be afforded, and a large variety of fruit is desirable, the advocates of this system may have sufficient cause for recommending it. But to those who have not yet been crowded into narrow limits, and deem the duration of their trees of any importance, I should advise against a resort to it by all means. The practice of root pruning is very simple; nothing more is necessary than a sharp spade: with this, the roots are cut off by forcing it in the ground with the foot, across the roots, a greater or less distance from the body of the tree, accord ing to its size. The effect is to check the tree in its growth, and to force it to expend all its remaining energies in forming embryo blossom buds and fruit. This it will continue to do until its vital energies are exhausted and life is extinguished, the duration of which will depend very much on the vigorous application of this destructive system. The above remarks are offered in the hope that some one more capable may be induced to take up the subject and show its mischievous effects. Spring Garden, near Cincinnati, December 21, 1846. ART. IV. Descriptions and Engravings of Select Varieties of Pears. By the EDITOR. In our past volumes, we have given our descriptions and engravings of new pears under the head of Pomological Notices. But, as our information under that head is intended only to contain brief notices of new or choice fruits, previous to a full description of them when better known, we have thought it desirable to give our future descriptions of pears under a distinct head. We have the drawings of many fine varieties, which we shall endeavor to present in this volume, and, among them, some new and superior kinds, particularly of native origin: among these will be the Onondaga, which we have already noticed, and which we should have presented a description. and engraving of before, but for the hope of obtaining a full and correct account of its origin. The following six varieties are entirely new, and have never yet been figured, part of them having been received from Van Mons without names; but brief notices of some of them will be found in the communications of the late Mr. Manning in a previous volume (VIII. p. 56.) Subsequent experience has confirmed the good opinion which he then expressed of their merits, and they may be enumerated among the best varieties which have been recently added to our collections. 61. VAN ASSENE. This very excellent pear, (fig. 4,) was received from Dr. Van Mons among the first lot of scions which he sent to Messrs. Fig. 4. Van Assene. Manning and Kenrick, in the spring of 1835. In the second parcel, which came to hand in 1836, many varieties were duplicated; but this name does not appear in that list. We do not find the name in the catalogues of the most extensive French and Belgian nurserymen, and we hence conclude that it is unknown to continental pomologists, and probably only exists in American collections. Mr. Manning first fruited it in 1841, and briefly described it as above referred to, where he calls it a "very tender, fine, and melting pear." Subsequently, we believe, it has been exhibited from Mr. Manning's collection, but we have not had an opportunity to taste it until the past year, when we received a fine specimen from the Hon. J. S. Cabot. It was one of three or four which he exhibited at the Annual Exhibition of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, and it must be ranked as a very superior fruit. Wood vigorous, of a reddish chestnut color, with round plump buds. Size, large, about three inches long, and three inches in diameter: Form, obovate, slightly angular, large and full at the crown, and tapering to the stem, where it is obtuse: Skin, fair, smooth, dull citron yellow, with several grayish black blotches on the shaded side, and regularly covered with rather large russet specks: Stem, long, about one and a quarter inches, slender, smooth, pale brown, curved, and inserted in a small, moderately deep cavity, with slight projections on one side: Eye, medium size, closed, and considerably sunk in a rather large, round, open basin; segments of the calyx medium length, narrow: Flesh, white, rather coarse, buttery, melting, and very juicy: Flavor, rich, sugary, slightly perfumed and delicious: Core, large: Seeds, large, very broad, deep brown. Ripe in September. 62. HENKEL. This is another of the productions of Van Mons, scions of which were received with the Van Assene and others in 1835. It was also sent again among those received in 1836. When it first fruited, we are not informed, but the variety first attracted our attention at the last Annual Exhibition of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, when some very good specimens were shown from the Pomological Garden. It probably had not fruited in 1842, when Mr. Manning described all the new kinds which had come into bearing in his extensive collection. The name does not appear in French catalogues, but is enumerated in those of the Belgians. The Henkel (fig. 5) is a rich, sprightly and excellent fruit. Mr. Manning, in a note to us, in regard to this and other sorts, states that the young shoots are stout, and of a grayish brown color; petioles long; leaf folded and curled like that of the Easter Beurré, but larger and thicker. This pear is remarkable for |
