Double Heliotrope

An Altoona, Pa., correspondent wants to know whether a double heliotrope which he has will be desirable. If truly double and as fragrant as the common we should regard it as a very valuable variety; indeed we know of nothing likely to be more popular.

Kieffer Pear

Very warm discussions continue in our exchanges in regard to the merits of this pear. Mr. Hovey makes a very fair summary of some of the points in the Massachusetts Ploughman. The fact is that it is really a good addition to the list of pears, and may be the parent of a very valuable race. Its great misfortune is that it received exaggerated praise from its introducers, who have no right to complain when the reaction errs on the other side.

Japan Persimmons

Mr. A. Stoddart, of Pen-sacola, has, probably, some of the oldest and largest imported trees in the State, and the Commercial of that city says: "The fruit makes one of the best preserves - by many preferred to the guava - is easily dried, and is largely used in this way in Japan in the place of dried figs, which it is said to excel in taste and flavor."

Sugar In Corn

Just how much sugar there is in Indian corn depends on the variety, the climate, and many other circumstances; but for all practical purposes, three per cent. may be assumed as data for calculations.

Canning Tomatoes

The Prairie Farmer remarks: "The tomato canning industry has within the short space of three years, more than doubled, and notwithstanding its present gigantic dimensions, reaching over two million cases for the season closing in November last, the business may be said to be yet in its infancy."

Truffles In Philadelphia

Under this name the common Puff-ball is sold in Philadelphia, in the autumn, at fifteen cents per pound; but they are very good when young and fresh.

The Primo Strawberry

This variety is receiving praise in various quarters for its behavior the past season.

D. Smith, of New-burgh, New York, says: "The Primo Strawberry more than holds its own, with us. It increases in favor. Competent judges, to whom it with some forty other varieties were submitted, gave it their decided preference. It has during the past year been more largely disseminated in this vicinity, and we wait patiently for further developments in relation to it.

Expedition To Cape Horn

The French government is fitting out an expedition exclusively for scientific discovery to Cape Horn. P. Hariot, a student of the celebrated Van Tieghew of the museum of Natural History at Paris, is to have charge of the Botanical Department. He is said to be comparatively young, and full of ardor, and botanists of France are calculating on a good feast of riches from the exploration.