I now propagate for myself and intimate friends the most choice varieties of pears, which I obtain by means of the roots. Not a single one fails in this new process. It is immaterial in what manner they are set out. This method I discovered accidentally, in consequence of some roots on which I intended to graft other kinds of pears being thrown on the ground and covered with a little earth, to preserve them until used for that purpose, and which were lost sight of and forgotten until the next spring, when all of them sent up stalks, which in the autumn were as tall as those raised from the seed of two years' growth. They can be set out in the spring as well as autumn. Such roots should be selected as have one or more terminal fibers, and those that are often cut off or left in the earth when a tree is transplanted, succeed well. They can not be too small, but should not be larger than the finger. The wounds at the large ends of the roots should be covered with the same composition to protect, as in grafting. They must be set obliquely. Dr. Van Mons, of Belgium. [We find the above going the rounds, and have been written to by a number of persons to know if they can grow their Duchesses, Seckels, etc., etc., by simply cutting off pieces of the roots and planting as above.

We reply, that we have many years since grown pear-trees, cherry-trees, etc., from pieces of root, but that we should not advise the practice. Roots of a very strong vigorous seedling will sometimes send up good plants, but the average is less than of moderate growth, and the plants so grown with us all had a disposition to throw up suckers more readily than seedlings. As it is, those who purchase trees will almost always find them worked on seedlings, quince, etc., and hence the roots will be of the seedling. If a Bartlett or Duchess on quince has been planted so deep as to have the pear stock take root, it is possible a piece could be taken, and a tree of the same variety grown from it; but we do not think it could be as cheaply done as to bud or graft into a good healthy stock.]

The application of salt to land assists in rendering soluble phosphate of lime and silicate of ammonia, hence one of its great items of value as a manure.