Note On Pyrus Coronaria

The American wild crab, Pyrus coronaria, is one of the many neglected wild fruits of this country. It varies considerably in its wild state, and some of its variations make tolerable fruit for late winter and spring use. The fruit usually keeps well when buried. In the early days in western Michigan we knew of this fruit being gathered regularly every fall. It was buried, and by March or April all the bitterness and acridity had disappeared. It is sometimes used for preserving and cider. It has not yet been cultivated for its fruit, but a double flowered variety is grown for ornament. It does not blossom at the same time as the apple, and experiments in hybridizing are therefore complicated. The species inhabits copses from the northern shores of Lake Erie to Maryland and southern Minnesota, extending southward to Indian territory and northern Louisiana, and following the Alleghenies into Alabama. - Ed. Am. G.

Novel Exposition

An exposition, to be held in 1892, is being organized in Paris. It is named "La Plante," and will be devoted entirely to plants, their production, uses, etc. The first section will show the living plant; the following ones will show the applications of plants in Decorations and Manufacture ; Decorative Paintings, Designs, Sculptures, in which plants appear as models ; School of Design; and finally the fifth section will show the History of the Uses of Plants. It is proposed to add a sixth section, which will be devoted to Landscape Gardening. - Revue de l'Horticulture Beige.

Novel Training Of Grapes

A grape-grower in Bristol county, Massachusetts, has adopted a plan which, though it may not be new, is certainly interesting. He sets stout posts at suitable intervals, with smaller ones between wherever there is a vine, and upon these stretches two strong wires at a proper distance apart, the lower one being placed far enough from the ground to allow a horse and cultivator to pass freely underneath. By the use of high step-ladders the fruit can be readily harvested and the vines trimmed or handled at will. The advantages claimed are : Ease in cultivation, and extra quantity and quality of fruit. The sun has a more direct effect by this method, and this is, of course, an obvious advantage. In many home gardens the old-fashioned trellis is being largely superseded by stake culture, with a decided gain in convenience.

Number Of Florists In Chicago

The new Chicago directory, just published, which covers the 175 square miles of territory now constituting Chicago, under the business head of florists, contains the names of 153 firms doing business in the city proper. Add to these the names found in the American florists directory, issued this year, of some 22 outlying towns doing more or less business in this city, we get some 64 more names, which added to the former gives the respectable number of 217 firms noted. A directory of 1851 contained one name - Samuel Brooks. One for 1857, if it embraced all, would add 3 more. That for 1881 had 56 names, which will show, if our total population has double in 10 years, the florists have gone one better and trebled in the same time. - Prairie Farmer.