The ravages of the past winter have been very severe. The damage cannot, as yet, be ascertained; but one feels sad enough in passing along the garden walks, and looking at the destruction wrought among the shrubbery. Only think of it - from December 24 to about the same date in February - two long, dreary months, with the mercury hybernating in the bulb of the glass, only to note, if possible, a greater degree of cold. It is useless to name dates, but, if 60 days of winter, below zero all the time, and, occasionally, even as low as 32° (we had it on two occasions, January 9, and February 15, at that), does not destroy all our hopes of a fruit crop, it will be because our trees are hardier than we now regard them. We usually have the mercury as low as 12°, 14°, and even 20° below zero, once or twice in the course of the winter, but our oldest residents cannot call to mind such continued cold as we have recently experienced. Even on the 9th and 10th of the present month, we had it 10° and 11° below zero.

Your theory, in your leader, with regard to Illinois, of a tropical summer and arctic winter, is especially true of Iowa. Would it not be as well to note these facts, that fruit growers, intending to come this way, may see both sides, as is but fitting and proper? It is to be hoped that due record will be made of such hardy fruits as have escaped this winter, as guides for cultivators hereafter, both here and in more northern latitudes. Your valued periodical grows monthly in interest, and in the regard of its many readers in the West.

P. S. - Jefftey's note of warning respecting our fruits, soil, etc., is not unheeded; but, if you can tell us more than we already know of blights - both sun and frozen sap - of curcu-lios, apple borers, and the like, I trust it is to suggest some remedy for the pests. We have almost abandoned plum culture here, as well as cherries, except a few pains-taking experiment-makers, who yet hope for success. Blights, too, of all kinds, have stricken down many a hundred beautiful and brave dwarf and standard pear-tree, to the profound grief of the owners. Still, when one does succeed here, his triumph is complete. As to the flavor of our fruits, ask Mr. Barry; it is generally good enough for our visitors as well as ourselves. If 32° below zero has not utterly destroyed our pear buds, I trust " Jeffrey" will see, at Rochester, some of their products, even if none of the producers are there.

I remain, very respectfully, J. F. Tallant.

The Pomological Convention, at Rochester, was- well attended, and well attended to. The discussions were most interesting, and, as usual, were conducted and regulated by the able President, Col. Wilder.

The admission of fruits upon the list for "general cultivation," it will he seen by the report, has been very limited; more fruit* have been added-to the list as " promising well," not yet having been sufficiently tested. Every variety was fairly discussed in regard to its fitness for different soils, localities, and latitude. As* there was representatives of twenty-one States of the Union, California included, most of the varieties on trial had to undergo a thorough examination from all sections.

It 1s not to be doubted that such an open, and broad discussion will have the most important results. At every session, the Convention seems to acquire new strength, and settle facts. It is, in truth, most important for fruit growers of ail denominations, to have all the opinions and the sanction.of the large majority, either for the admission or the rejection of varieties. With such an institution, impositions, and even common errors, will rarely occur. Nurserymen and dealers in fruit-trees or plants, are aware that their transactions with the public will have to stand the trial of a competent Jury; and this will do away, measurably, with one of the greatest evils of the trade - carelessness, and consequent occasional imposition; the one as bad as the other in. its results, though widely different in principle. If American petnology shall, are long, be the most accurate and the beat in the world, it is owing to the great idea of a national convention, in which, everything relating to fruit, is fairly and honestly discussed by the meat able horticulturists of all parts of the Union.

The great controverted question of pear budding on the quince, has been examined and discussed. Much remains to be said as experience increases; but, by proper management, it seems, beyond doubt, that the pear will succeed on the Angers quince; much, if not all, depends on the stock and on the manner of planting; for the want of proper attention to these two conditions, many have failed, and therein, perhaps, lies the origin of all those conflicting opinions regarding dwarfs as orchard-trees. No 'one disputes their utility in garden culture where they can receive proper attention.

Many fine Specimens of apples, pears, grapes, etc., were exhibited in the spacious hall which was kindly left at the jdisposal of the Society by the active and able President of the Rochester Horticultural Society, Mr. Reynolds. It would be an endless task to note all the fine collections of fruit from the East and the West, and chiefly from the large fruit growers of Western New York. Suffiee it to say, that there was a fine display of all kinds in season, mostly named correctly; this is not the least important improvement in horticulture, when we consider that, without correct nomenclature, confusion, errors, and deception, must be of every-day occurrence.

The splendid nurseries of Kttwanger and Barry, Mr. Frost, Hooker, etc. etc., were visited by the President, the members of committees, and, indeed, by all those interested in the cultivation of fruit. The President, and a great number of the members accepted an invitation to dine at Mr. Frost's, where, besides the ordinary delicacies of a good entertainment, there was a rich display of fruit of the choicest varieties, to all which due attention was paid by parties who understood well what they were about. Some of the best products of Ohio, here stood the test of this trial committee very successfully.

The good results of these public meetings cannot be denied, and it is mainly owing to this Society that American Pomology has made, in so very short a time, such great strides; now the engine is fairly started, all that we want is to follow in the same track, enlisting the united efforts, labors, and sacrifices, of all the men prominent either for their high position and activity, or their intelligent and practical labors, A little opposition from writers like Dr. Ward and "Jeffreys," will do no harm in the end, but will tend to rouse investigation, and, with investigation, the truth must in the end prevail.

Editor's Table #1

The Journal of the United States Agricultural Society for 1856 - edited by the Secretary, William S. King - and the Transactions of the Pomological Convention, held at Rochester, last fall, hare been kindly sent to our "Table" by the Hon. M. P. Wilder, at the moment of going to press. The first is all that it ought to be; the tone of the whole is earnest, manly, and praiseworthy, and shall receive further notice. The Pomological Transactions are important, and we shall endeavor to impart to our readers everything of value that has not already been copied in these pages.

Both transactions may now be procured from the State Agricultural Societies, the Horticultural Societies, or, failing in these, by addressing Hon. M. P. Wilder (with stamps, wo should hope), Boston, Massachusetts.

Philadelphia, Dec. 12,1856. Mr dear Sir: Can you announce in the February Horticulturist something like the following? The Native Fruit Committee consists of - Samuel Walker, of Roxbury, Mass.; L. B. Berckmans, of Plainfield, N. J.; C. M. Hovey, of Boston; P. Barry, of Rochester; J. B. Eaton, of Buffalo; A. H. Ernst, Cincinnati; and your humble servant. You will therefore perceive that some of the ablest Pomologists in the United States are members of this Committee. Very truly yours, W. D. Brinckle. J. Jay Smith, Esq.

[The April Horticulturist has been partly printed without the supervision of the press by the Editor, who was passing a short time in Cuba. This will account for any apparent omissions of the favors of correspondents, as well as excuse errors or deficiencies. Aa but few of the tourists io Cuba who have written upon this interesting tropical region have had an eye for its gardening beauties, we may hope for some descriptions which will interest the readers of this work. Publisher.

The Life of Francois Andre Michaux, commenced in the present number, will be concluded in December. This memoir is interesting to Americans, as it records the history of a most useful man, and one who, by his late will, has become a benefactor to our country in a pecuniary gift, intended to benefit it. The particulars of his life had long been a mystery to most till Mr. Durand gave the particulars.

It is to be regretted that so few remarks are made regarding the Charleston and New York nurseries, which he established for the purpose of raising trees to export to Franco. At Charleston, the other day, we made particular inquiries respecting the one there, and one old gentleman-knew the site, and spoke of the name of Michaux as one familiar to him in youth. The garden was called Jardin du Roi, and was sold in 1792. He was the first botanist who visited the Western States (1793); with what untiring seal and assiduity his laborious researches were prosecuted, his journals now in Philadelphia are the evidences. The story of the explorations of our early botanists is of great interest, and will become of even greater, as time progresses.