Antarctic Explorations

Attention is again turned towards Antarctic! explorations, through an address by Baron Von Muller on the 18th of January last, who points out that by establishing an outpost at Auckland or Macquarie Island, and the expedition aided by steam and electric balloons, the problems connected with polar explorations could, in all probability, be solved.

There seems a chance that the Australian Government will undertake the task.

Printing Letters On Fruit

Three letters, Y. O. R., were found on a pear, gathered from a Le Conte tree on the grounds of Mrs. Homeister, at Thomasville, Georgia. The lady is positive nobody did it. It is certain, however, that with letters cut in a piece of paper, as on a stencil plate, and wrapped round a fruit, the sun will do just that work.

Flowers Of Figs

The Editor of the Gardeners' Chronicle has never seen stamens or male flowers in figs under cultivation in England. In our own country, there are many observers who have never found anything but female flowers on them; but for all that, the Editor of the Gardeners' Monthly believes that it is not so rare as is generally supposed. He has seen male flowers, just beneath the orifice in the upper portion of the fig, frequently.

The Odor Of A Lilac Bud

"Mrs. T." says: " If you want a most tantalizing suggestion, get you to a lilac in the early spring time while the leaf-buds are still rolled up tightly, tear it open and you'll get the very distinct odor of peaches and cream".

Blue Mountain Tea

A correspondent desires to know whether this tea, made from the sweet-scented golden rod - Solidago odora - and which a few years ago was selling readily in Chicago for $1 per lb. still maintains its popularity there.

Can any Chicago friend inform us?

George B. Thomas

Mr. Thomas, of the well-known firm of Hoopes Brothers & Thomas, came near losing his life by being thrown from his carriage while crossing a railroad track. He was found insensible before the arrival of an approaching train. He is one of those intelligent men who do honor to the nursery trade, and hundreds of our readers will be glad to know that the prospects for his final recovery are good.

Edward Pynaert

A grand fete was given last month at Ghent, in Belgium, in honor of Prof. Ed.Pynaert, Editor of Revue d horticulture Beige, to commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of his election as Professor in the State School of Horticulture. It was a grand affair, and we congratulate our colleague on the well merited honor paid to him.