MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 181 66 vor, were equal to any exhibited. This part of the exhibition alone has fully established the fact that we may be independent of the world for our fruits. vention for consultation" with them, could | Black Coal. General Bethune, of Musconot know the interests of the people from gee, had some on exhibition, which, for flawhom they had come, and should not trammel them with such resolutions. The meeting then adjourned, after one day's session, and just as they were ready to commence interesting and instructive discussions upon practical subjects, which could not fail to have proved of great value to each other, and would, no doubt, have furnished matter well worthy of being reported, in a condensed form, as an addendum to the Annual Report. The new Board met on Thursday morning, the 9th inst., and elected S. Medary, President; Joseph G. Gest, Recording Secretary; and Michael L. Sullivant, Treasurer. Executive Committee.-S. Medary, Joseph G. Gest, and R. W. Steele. The Board, after transacting a large amount of necessary business, adjourned to meet again on Tuesday, the 11th of Janu ary next. It was decided to hold the next State Fair The vegetables are represented as being very fine. "Every vegetable exhibited was the very finest of its class." This is high praise, indeed. The reporter adds, "The exhibition was a credit to the exhibiters and to the country. We shall find after this, that if we import our onions, cabbages, Irish potatos, beets, etc., from abroad, it is our own fault." Massachusetts Horticultural Society. THE crowds which visit the Horticultural attest the statement we have already made, Society's Exhibition, in the Public Garden, that it is the grandest and most varied display of the fruits of the earth ever presented to an American public. at Dayton, Montgomery county, on Sep-by the fruit committee: The following prizes have been awarded tember 19th, to 22d, 1853. Georgia and Alabama Agricultural. THE Soil of the South says-"We were exceedingly gratified at the beautiful display of fruits, vegetables and flowers, at the late fair of this society. We have attended the most prominent fairs of the Union, and we have never seen a finer display of fruits. The collection shown by Mrs. Carey, of Chunnenuggee, Alabama, would have done credit to the hot-house culture of Old or New England; embracing a great variety of apples, pomegranates, figs, grapes, and each of the finest form, largest size, and smooth as marble. Among the collection of apples exhibited by Mr. Taunton, of Macon county, Alabama, was one which we think equal to any we ever saw, not only in point of size and color, but for its aromatic flavor. The pomegranates exhibited by Mr. E. S. Greenwood, were of surpassing beauty, and of exquisite flavor. Rev. Richard Johnson, of Talbotton, (who contributed much to the nterest of the fair in several other departments,) exhibited five varieties of ripe figs; also the fruit of the Osage orange. Mr. A. J. Brown, of Russell county, Ala., exhibited a superior specimen of apple, called the Pears.-Largest and best collection of Pears-M. P. Wilder, Appleton medal, $30; Hovey & Co., $30. Gratuities; a gratuity of $7 to A. D. Williams, Josiah Richardson, John Gordon, Samuel Walker, Messrs. Winship, A. A. Andrews, J. S. Cabot, Josiah Lovett, R. Manning, Otis Johnson; a gratuity of $5 to J. S. Sleeper, Azell Bowditch, Henry Vandine, W. B. Kingsbury, William Bacon, W. P. Jenney, Jonathan French. For the best twelve varieties of Pears1st, W. R. Austin, $20; 2d, Josiah Stickney, $15; 3d, Samuel Downer, $12; 4th, Messrs. Hovey & Co., $8. For the best dish of Pears, twelve specimens of one variety-1st, Samuel Downer, Jr., for Louise Bonne de Jersey, $6; 2d, Josiah Richardson, for Flemish Beauty, $5; 3d, George B. Ardwell, for Doyenne Blanc, $4; 4th, Ezra Cleaves, for Marie Louise, $3. Apples. For the largest and best collection of apples-1st, to B. V. French, Appleton medal, $40; 2d A. D. Williams. $20. For the best twelve varieties, twelve specimens each-1st, Josiah Lovett, $20; 2d, James Eustis, $15; 3d, John Gordon, $12; 4th, T. B. Moore, $8. For the best dish of Apples, twelve spe- Peaches. For the best dish of not less cimens of one variety-1st, Messrs. Hovey than twelve specimens-1st, to C. L. Tar& Co., for Porter, $6; 2d, Josiah Stick-bell, $5; 2d, to J. A. Kenrick, $3. ney, for Melon, $5; 3d, M. H. Simpson, Plums.-Gratuity; to George Watson, Porter, $4; 4th, Levi Brigham, Nonpa- $3; to Henry Vandine, $3. reil, $3. Gratuity of the Society's Bronze Medals; to Bowen Harrington, Cheever Newhall, Fearing Burr, and E. Tufts. Assorted Fruit.-1st, For the best basket of fruit; to Otis Johnson, $10; 2d, to J. F. Allen, $7. Gratuity; to W. C. Strong, $7; Azell Bowditch, $7; Joseph Breck, $3. Grapes. For the best five varieties-1st, Mrs. Durfee, $12; 2d, W. C. Strong, $8; 3d, James F. Allen, $5. For the best two varieties-1st, Joseph Breck, $6; 2d, H. Hazeltine, $4; 3d, Charles Sampson, $2. [Notices of some other very interesting meetings are unavoidably excluded by the crowded state of the pages.] THE illustration for the month is a view of the residence of Joseph Malcomson, Esq., a wealthy manufacturer, whose cotton mills (giving employment to about twelve hundred individuals,) are situate at Mayfield, in the valley of the Suir, Ireland. It is another specimen furnished from the portfolio of Tinsley & Son, Architects, now practicing in this city, and who have just completed a very handsome design for a University at Indianapolis. The connection of the conservatory with the house, whence it may be entered and its beauties enjoyed, evidences an appreciation of those delights which the study of floriculture places within our reach, even at the season of the year when, in our climate, the beauties of the parterre disappear, and the value of such a source of enjoyment is necessarily enhanced by the total disappearance of vegetation before the intense cold of our winters. No house pretending to be the abode of the wealthy, the educated and the refined, should be without such an appendage. Important Meetings. THE State Board of Agriculture of Ohio will meet at Columbus on the 11th of January, to arrange the Schedule of Premiums, and for other purposes. At the December meeting it was determined to hold the State Fair in Dayton, Montgomery county, on the third week, 19th to 22d days of September, 1853. Professor MATHER proposed, at the recent Convention of Farmers, at Columbus, that correspondence be opened with other states, respecting a great Agricultural Meeting on the western waters; a primary meeting for consultation, to be held at Columbus, O. No time was mentioned, however. Now a query arises whether we are not doing as much as can profitably be done, with the state and county meetings, and visiting our neighbors, trying always to avoid interfering as to time? When the State Fairs have been held longer, we may combine our attractions to make a grand raree-show, occasionally, and no doubt for mutual benefit and advantage. What say you, Professor ? CORRESPONDENCE. The State Pomological Society will meet at Columbus, on the 11th of January, and expect to see a full meeting, well supported by abundant fruits for discussion. The annual meeting of the State Board of Indiana and Delegates, will be held on January 6th, when vacancies will be filled, and other important business will be transacted, and at the same time a fine exhibition of fruits, roots and grains, has been solicited, and, as appears from the Indiana Farmer and other papers, is expected. Why has not Indiana a Pomological society? She surely has the material in her fruit-growers, and the pabulum in their beautiful products. The annual meeting and election of the American Wine Growers' Association will be held on the last Saturday, 29th of January, when the discussion will be upon the circulation of the sap in vines. The New York State Agricultural Society will hold its annual meeting on the second Wednesday, February 9th. The National Agricultural Society will meet in Washington City, February 2d. A corrected list of all important meetings will be found in the Advertiser, for reference, by readers who may be interested. Thanks for all who may aid in correcting its mistakes, if any be observed. To Correspondents. To many kind gentle men and ladies among the subscribers and readers of the Review, I am indebted for aid in this enterprise. All who favor me with communications, should endeavor to forward their letters as early as possible in the month; otherwise delay must result, as the make-up is sent to the printer with the opening of each kalend, and it often happens, as now, that several must lie over. Thanks are due to many kind friends for their words of encouragement and praise, which well nigh make a man vain; against 183 which I hope to be withheld; yet do not court rude condemnation from those who do not happen to agree in judgment with those to whom allusion is here made. The Public Grounds at Washington. MR. WILLIAM D. BRECKENRIDGE has been appointed the successor of the lamented Downing, to continue the improvement and embellishment of the public grounds in Washington, conducted during the past two or three years by the latter gentleman. This is believed to be an excellent appointment, as Mr. B. appeared to have appreciated the genius of Mr. Downing, with whom he had labored in the execution of his plans upon these very grounds. CORRESPONDENCE. AGRICULTURAL ROOMS, ALBANY, FRIEND WARDER:-Please say in your next, that the annual meeting of the New York State Agricultural Society will be on the second Wednesday (9th) of February, 1853, instead of the 6th of January, as you have it in your December number. Yours, truly, B. P. JOHNSON. Tan-Bark. DR. WARDER:-Can you inform me where I can procure a few grains of the Stowell corn? [Yes, see next page.] I see in the November number of your valuable Review, an article from "Veritas," adverse to the use of "Old Tan" upon strawberry beds. Veritas gives his experience. Permit me to give you mine. Three years since I put out my plants, twelve by eighteen inches, and covered the intermediate spaces to the depth of two or three inches, with old tan-bark. They have borne finely since, and have required no work, except pulling off the runners, for the rea son that neither grass nor weeds penetrate their business; and even if for a time it the tan. The runners readily strike root should compete with them, the benefit is through this substance. Respectfully, yours, BEN. W. JOHNSTON. substantially theirs. The fruit or flower purchased by a young amateur, so wins upon his affection as to create a desire to possess more; and the pleasure they afford ever afterward constrains him to be a patron of the floriculturist. I heartily wish success to the contemplated experiment at Columbus. If it succeed, others will spring up, until a garden will become indispensable to every horticultural society in the country deserving the name. California Vegetables." "Tis distance lends enchantment to the view"-and size to the vegetable, no doubt, also. The wonderful accounts of vegetable monstrosities grown in California, is noticed, we observe, in all the papers. We have seen their gold, (and "seeing is believing,") but this about beets, potatos, tomatos, onions, etc., and their monstrous productiveness, "must grant us pause." I fail in my best efforts to be This is inserted in reply to many inquiries made for seed. Perhaps some of our seedsmen will secure a supply for the coming season, and be able to disseminate this new variety, which has certainly attracted much attention in the East, where it is high-lieve the account of J. N. Horner's potato ly recommended.-ED. crop, worth, at qoted prices, over a million and a half of the "dust." I do not despair, however-credulity may be cultivated. Critique on Nos. 4 and 5, Vol. 2. DR. WARDER:-A few moments of lei- Hedges. A neighbor of mine tried, last sure suggest a communication for your Re- year, a plan somewhat similar to that review; but on what subject? Running men- commended by J. McFadden, differing only tally over the contents of the last two num- in covering with earth the portion of the bers I have read, your leader on Horticul- plant pegged down. It was a two years' tural Gardens occurs to my mind. The ques-old hedge, that through neglect had grown tion with which you commence has often oc-up quite irregular; and this plan was adoptcurred to me. The answer seems to be-ed to reduce it to somewhat the appearance want of interest in our horticultural soci- of regularity. If it succeed in this case, it eties. Your flourishing society, I should think, could now commence a garden without being liable to the objection which caused it to be abandoned on a former occasion. No class of men are so much interested in such an undertaking as practical gardeners. Everything which tends to cultivate public taste for this beautiful art, aids will be a fact worth knowing, as from being choked with weeds, many had died, and altogether it presented a very unpromising appearance when I saw it, before the operation. Should it turn out a hedge, I shall report to you. But few farmers will "trench the ground eighteen to twenty-four inches deep and three feet wide; and I am inclined to think their subsequent labor would be in- [ture, possibly, some disjointed features in creased by so doing, causing a rampant nature, seen at long intervals or distant growth in a tree which we with "mature points, to make one harmonious and beautiaforethought" determine shall be a scrubby ful whole, so should he who aspires to the hedge. I apprehend that the rapid growth art of landscape gardening, endeavor to of the Maclura wahen estblished on good combine as many beauties which he may have ground, will be a serious objection to it as a seen in nature, in such a way that "each hedge plant. [Not under sufficient pru- gives to each a double charm." The rules ning.] of taste are the only rules to which it will submit; and the retired citizen is quite as I once saw a beautiful effect, produced naturally, in a field belonging to a person who had probably never heard of such an several large sink-holes, (so common in limestone countries,) which of course prevented cultivation for several feet round their margins. These margins and the funnel-shaped sides had been given back to nature, who clothed them with a beautiful growth of elm, tulip, poplar, mulberry, and wild-cherry. The perfect drainage of such a position, left nothing to be desired as to luxuriance; and the combined effect of several such groups in the large, open field, could not be excelled by the most complete artist. It was a perfect study, from the hand of nature. Landscape Gardening.-I have been much interested in an article on Landscape Gard-likely to possess a correct taste as the man ening, by Thomas Meechan, in Downing's who has set out his thousands of trees unHorticulturist. Such articles are now much der the direction of another. needed to direct and cultivate the growing taste for this art; and it will depend upon the direction given to this growth by yourself and others whether the "retired cit-art as landscape gardening. There were izen," who has for some years been so well cautioned against straight lines in planting as almost to disregard them in setting out his orchard, will not, in following the "natural method," make a shapeless wilderness round his home. Such articles as those of Mr. M. serve to correct both extremes. The direction to employ a landscape gardener, will do where one can be found; but, for one Hiram Powers, there are thousands of tasteless stone-cutters; and in the art of landscape gardening the same is true; at least nine out of ten who profess it, know no more of its true principles than the mechanical stone-cutter who may work out the models of a Powers in marble, does of artistic sculpture. Any one who is capable of enjoying the beautiful in nature, can direct the planting of trees so as to produce a pleasing effect; and should the novice be obliged to remove or cut down some portions of his work before the desired effect is produced, yet it is but a lesson in an art which must in some measure be acquired before it can be enjoyed, when seen, even though it be the work of a master. As a landscape painter will sometimes combine in his pic I am pleased to see the remarks of the President of the Wine Growers' Association on the so-called analysis of soils, which we frequently see published, an average sample of which he gives. Such analyses are scarcely worth the time it takes to read them, even if they did not bear upon their face evidence that they are not correct, as far as they go; for he who could ascertain that 100 parts of a soil contained 2.74 of carbonate of lime, would be able to give some other more important components of the 81.16 earthy residuum, if he arrived at that result by accurate experiment. No one |