Report Of The Pennsylvania Hospital For The Insane

A succinct account of one of the most ably conducted institutions in the Union. Dr. Eorkbride's reports are always satisfactory and to the point.

Report, Department Of Agriculture

The Commissioner of Agriculture, in his Report for 1869, has favored the public with much the best yet issued from the department. We are pleased to see the eminently practical nature of its contents, and we have observed many facts in agricultural interest new to us, and destined to develop important industries in our country. There are many valuable statistics, and considerable information is given in the agricultural capabilities of our new States and Territories. The Commissioner in his forthcoming report could not please the popular taste better than by devoting increased space to good reliable information about our lands favorable for settlement West of the Mississippi River.

Reports Of Department Of Agriculture

Although it is the fashion for all agricultural journals to abuse the United States Department of Agriculture, yet we say with confidence that the last issue of monthly report of that department, for February and March, 1874, is better than any single number of any agricultural journal we ever saw. It is teeming with condensed information from all parts of the United States as to successes with various crops, and the costs and profit of each crop are determined with an accuracy we have not seen equalled elsewhere. As long as the President will permit a competent man to edit the publication and run its machinery entirely free from politicians, we say the department will do good. It should be as independent as the Smithsonian Institution from political interference.

Residence Of John Bartram

I don't think much of his old home, but I do think very much of the good old Quaker who lived in it; and Col. Eastwick deserves credit for the pious veneration with which he preserves it I must go and take a look at the old place, when I get time.

Restrictions On Plants And Seedb

William Heaver,Esq., writes: "At a meet ing of the Tennessee State Horticultura Society, it was resolved to memorialize Congress, and petition them to remove the restrictions on the importations of foreign trees, shrubs, plants, etc., by abolishing the duties on such articles." Other societie are invited to join in co-operation of this object.

The Results Of Manure On A Peak Tree

In a late number of Moore's New-Yorker, Linus Cone, of Oakland Co., Michigan, informs us of an interesting experiment with high manuring. Twenty-five years ago, he planted a Summer Bonchretien pear tree, the culture of which, after a few years, was neglected. The fruit at first was fine, specimens often weighing nearly a pound each, but afterwards grew gradually smaller, till nearly worthless. The tree was then well pruned, washed with lye, and the ground well spaded, with no improvement. Last spring twenty bushels of manure from a blacksmith shop, consisting of dung, parings of hoofs, cinders, etc., was spread and dug in. Twenty bushels of fine, high flavored fruit, was the result, the same season.