After the first tree I had planted had grown so large that it was impossible to remedy the evil, I, being determined to succeed, pruned and pinched others which were young, severely, but to very little purpose. The trees so treated looked a little better for a few years; but, as the old wood increased in size, the trees ceased to present a pleasing aspect.

Peach-trees trained on trellises, either in palmetto or any other artificial form, never are bare and unsightly. Remembering this fact, I concluded to apply the method of pruning them to the double-flowering peach, though modified by the object in view, yet adhering to the principle, not to suffer the formation and increase of old wood after the framework of the tree has been established.

To restore order, and give shape again to my trees, I headed them very severely back after they had ceased to blossom in the spring. I did not hesitate to cut off branches an inch and an inch and a half thick, in order to form the future head of the tree, at which I aimed. Had I done it in the winter, it would have been better; but I was unwilling to lose the blossoms for a year, even at the risk of killing, or at least injuring, the trees, the appearance of which I did not like any more.

Contrary to my expectation, the stumps of the limbs cut off produced a large number of very vigorous shoots, which were not pinched during the summer, and which gave in the spring following a profusion of beautiful blossoms. As soon as they had faded, or fallen off, I pruned each shoot back to three buds from the base, where always some wood-buds are found. In this way the trees retain their shape, and the number of young shoots is doubled every year. Should the heads of the trees grow too dense, they

must be thinned out.

The health of the trees has not suffered in the least by this treatment. When they are in bloom, they are exceedingly beautiful and showy.

The varieties in my possession are the following:

The versicolor is especially remarkable: it bears snowy-white and darkred flowers, of all shades of color intermediate between dark-red and white,

on the same branches. It was introduced by Von Siebold from Japan not

many years ago.

It would be very gratifying to me, should I, by this article, induce some amateurs to plant the double-flowering heads, and to treat them as described in the above. Horticola.

MOUNT-VERNON PEAR.

THIS new variety of the pear is a chance seedling, which originated upon the homestead of the late Hon. Samuel Walker, at Roxbury, Mass., about

the year 1847. The tree came up in such close proximity to a one-story building as to be nearly denuded of branches, and completely so on the northerly side to the height of about ten feet: but its vigorous habit of

growth has overcome this impediment to its proper development; and it has made a strong and symmetrical growth above the point of obstruction, and produces annually a generous crop of fruit, notwithstanding it has been neglected.

The tree first exhibited its fruit in sufficient quantity to permit of its distribution for trial in 1860, in which year Mr. Walker presented specimens of the fruit to a number of his personal friends for their examination. Among those to whom the fruit was at that time sent were the late Dr.

W. D. Brincklé and Thomas Meehan, Esq., of Philadelphia, both of whom agreed at that time in considering it "probably the best pear of the season."

One of the marked characteristics of this new variety of the pear is the novel strain of flavor which it possesses; and a collection of the more distinct and desirable kinds of the pear would be very incomplete unless it comprised the Mount-Vernon.

The tree is symmetrical in its habit, and sufficiently vigorous in growth.

to insure its annual fertility; and the fruit has the desirable quality of clinging so tenaciously to the tree as to withstand our autumnal gales. The fruit is, in size, large to above medium; form obovate, inclining to pyriform, but somewhat irregular and knobby; color a dark-yellow russet, with a red cheek on exposed specimens ; stem short, thick, set on one side in a slight depression; calyx open in shallow basin; flesh of a peculiar greenishwhite, rather coarse, melting, with a rich and peculiarly spiced vinous flavor; quality good; a very desirable variety on account of its peculiar flavor. Its season of maturity is from the middle of November to the middle or latter part of December.

We have tested this fruit year after year since it first fruited, and we do not hesitate to recommend it for amateur cultivation certainly; and time may show it to be valuable for market-purposes.

ROGERS'S NO. 41.

We have repeatedly tested this fine-looking black grape, grown in different locations and under widely different circumstances; and we are of the opinion that it is the very best of the black varieties that have been sent out by Mr. Rogers. The berry as well as the bunch is quite large, and very handsome, resembling No. 19; though it is a better grape, not equal in size to No. 4. It is a good grower, ripens its wood well, and is quite hardy. It has never been seriously affected by mildew of the leaf, or rot among the fruit. It is a long-keeping variety, retaining its flavor for several months. This is true of most of the Rogers grapes, and of all grapes having a thick skin: and it is a valuable quality; for if all grapes were like the Concord, which soon loses its flavor, it would be little use to attempt to keep them. It is a strong grower, and does not like the severe style of pruning adopted by some. It should be allowed to make considerable wood, and then it will produce fruit in abundance. If any of our readers have had experience with this variety, let us hear from them.

EARLY ROSE POTATO.

THE Early Rose is a seedling of the Garnet Chili, that originated with Albert Bresee, Esq., in 1861.

The stalk is stout, erect, of medium height; the tuber is quite smooth, nearly cylindrical, varying to flattish, largest at the centre, tapering gradu

ally towards each end; eyes shallow, sharp, and strongly marked; skin thin, tough, of a dull rose-color; flesh white, solid, brittle, and rarely hollow; boils through quickly; is very mealy, firm; abundance of starch, and of the best quality for the table. It is as healthy and productive as the Early Goodrich, matures about ten days earlier, and is its superior for the table.

I consider it the most promising very early potato with which I am acquainted, and I have tried nearly all the early sorts of the country. Though I have nearly the whole stock of this potato, having disposed of a few only, I shall have none to spare until next fall.

D. S. Heffron.