old Sand pear of China or Japan, that has been looked upon rather as a curiosity than as a valuable table fruit. The Keifer is claimed as a cross from the Bartlett, and though not to be ranked with our best fruits, it has received high encomiums from some eminent judges.

Apples do not press their claims upon us this year with their accustomed number of novelties. The Salome, sent by E C. Hathaway, a noted pomologist of Ottawa, Illinois, is upon our tables, now in eatable condition, though introduced as a long keeper. It is fair, smooth, and of good size, but not high-colored.

Lemons-the Olivia.—Though we may never expect to produce any of the citrus tribe in Ohio except under glass, we may rejoice at the success of one of our own eleves, who graduated from this society as a successful horticulturist before going to the Golden State, where he is now established in the production of oranges and lemons. Of the latter fruit, he has produced and sent for our inspection a seedling, the Olivia, to which was awarded the premium, at home in California, offered for the best and most acid lemon. To Mr. Geo. C. Swan, Esq., our former energetic fellow-member, was also awarded the premium for the greatest display and best oranges, at the State Fair in Sacramento.

Peaches.-The rage for early varieties continues, and we have many candidates for our favor, perhaps too many, and most of them have a strong family likeness. Indeed there have been, in some regions, so many of these new, early peaches that it is difficult to make a selection.

Strawberries and Raspberries are also multiplied as new varieties. Of the former, the Huddleston, of Indiana, is presented as one of the very best, and is highly praised for its beauty and excellence. The new red raspberries are a little mixed, and the best, as heretofore, are found to be tender. The black-cap, called Gregg, bears the palm as a market fruit, and as such deservedly ranks very high.

Persimmons.-Persons who are familiar with this fine native fruit, and its tendency to variation, have often expressed surprise that it has not long ago received more careful attention to its improvement by selection. The native frait varies in shape, color, size, flavor, and season of maturity, being in succession from August to mid-winter. It offers a fine field for experiment, which appears to have been strangely overlooked. On the other side of the world, the Japanese, famous gardeners, have long cultivated and grafted quite a number of named varieties. Some of these have been introduced among us, and have already yielded their fruits. As yet, however, they can scarcely be considered quite satisfactory as orchard fruits in Ohio. We are hoping to find some that are sufficiently hardy.

FLORICULTURE.

In various ways, the pursuit of this branch of cur subject has been much advanced, even in out of the way places. One of the methods of encouraging flower growing has resulted from the liberal premiums offered through the State agricultural exhibitions by Mr. Jas. Vick. These have been supplemented by the admirably illustrated catalogues issued by that energetic horticulturist, who has long conducted the extensive seed establishment which is known all over the country almost as well as it is in the garden city of Rochester, in the midst of the most extensive nurseries.

In the West, we are kept well posted by the beautiful Botanical Index, issued by Mr. L. D. Case, from his Commercial Flower Garden, in the thriving little city of Richmond, Indiana.

The readers of Mr. Mehan's Gardener's Monthly, and they are legion, in every part of

the land, find much to encourage them in its pages, particularly among the serial articles, by the worthy editor, who is a practical and accomplished gardener. New plants are constantly noticed in the issues of the Monthly. This work affects also quite a scien tific character, and will be found interesting to the student of nature as well as to the florist.

A new style of floriculture has been brought prominently before the people by a firm at Passaic, New Jersey, in the establishment of a collection of hardy herbaceous plants, which Messrs. Woolson & Co. propagate and distribute. This class of plants has great merit, and though many of them have long been well known and much admired, the building up of an establishment for their especial cultivation can not fail to give an impetus to their more general cultivation. Many of these now presented as a specialty are our own native plants, and as these are rapidly disappearing before the advance of agriculture, it becomes the more important to have them preserved.

No apology is needed for reading the following remarks upon these plants, from the facile pen of that practical botanist, Geo. Thurber, editor of the American Agriculturist : "Within the last twenty or twenty-five years new fashions have been introduced in gardening. The 'massing' or 'bedding styles, unknown to old gardeners, have been introduced, in which whole beds, or parts of beds, are filled with plants of one kind, which by their flowers, or brightly-colored foliage, produce a brilliant effect. Plants with strongly contrasting colors set closely in lines, form what is called 'ribbonplanting,' and is often very effective. In this style of gardening, ornamental designs, sometimes large and elaborate, are worked out in flowers and foliage of different colors. The plants used in this kind of planting are mostly greenhouse kinds, such as Pelargoniums or Geraniums, Coleuses, and many others, and some annuals are used. There are not very many herbaceous perennials that can be thus employed, though some are suited to this work. When this style of gardening was first introduced abroad, it became immensely popular, and all plants not capable of being used in bed ding, fell into such neglect that many were in danger of being lost to cultivation. Since then a reaction has taken place, and while bedding will always be practised other kinds of gardening now receive, and are likely in the future to receive, more attention than they have had of late.

"Sub-tropical gardening is another recent style, in which plants are valued more for the beauty of their form and the grace of their føliage, than for their flowere. In gardening in this style, plants of various classes are used. Palms, bananas, and others from the hot-house; castor-oil plants and other tall-growing annuals, and several hardy herbaceous plants, and even shrubs and some trees are brought into the service.

"The wild garden is still another modern style, in which a place is set apart for such hardy plants as will take care of themselves. This is a kind of gardening which those who have abundant room and a real love for plants can follow with much pleasure, as by setting apart a nook, they can bring into it all the attractive native wild plants they meet with, as well as such hardy perennials from other countries as are likely to make themselves at home.

"The mixed border, is the oldest style of flower-gardening. In this, each plant stands on its own merits, and is not planted for its effect in a mass. It is what is known as the 'old-fashioned' style of gardening, in which plants are set and eared for, for the love of them. In this, all classes of plants find a place, including perennials of all kinds, biennials, annuals, tender plants from the greenhouse and window, and even low shrubs. Because the contents of such a bed are varied, it need not be without order; if it is surrounded by a path, then the taller-growing plants are placed in the center, with the

lowest at the edges, and those of intermediate height between; if the path is on one side, then only the tallest plants should be at the rear. Each of these different styles of gardening has its place, and it is not necessary in advocating one to decry another, as each is best suited to particular localities and circumstances. In advocating the mixed,border, we merely claim that it will meet the wants of more people in moderate circumstances, than any other kind of flower-gardening. And those who really love flowers, as individuals, can take more pleasure in cultivating them where they can reach their full development, than when they are crowded into a mass, to produce a particular effect of color.

"Hardy herbaceous plants should be cultivated for their beauty. They afford not only a great variety in habit of the plant, but much diversity and beauty of foliage, while the flowers present an interminable variety in form and color. In time of blooming they range from the earliest spring to latest autumn, and Ly a proper selection a continuous bloom can be kept up during the entire season. Another reason is their permanence. When the foliage fades, or the frost ends their career, that is not the last of them, but we know that they will appear the following spring in new strength and beauty.

"Another reason is, they pay good dividends. One can give away the increase, and still be as rich as he was before; at the same time he can do good to his neighbors and friends by adding to their enjoyments. That they are bat little trouble, is a reason that will commend itself to many. When once planted, they may usually be left for three or four years, and in some cases much longer. They are generally abundant bloomers, and many are excellent for cut flowers.

"The chief reason why they are not generally cultivated has been the difficulty in procuring them. Dealers have not kept anything like a general stock, and most cultivators are too impatient to start with the seeds. This is especially the case with novices, who have hardly the patience to wait for annuals to bloom, but to sow seeds and cultivate the plant one or two seasons before its flowers appear, is something that very few will do."

The numerous parks that are being created in many parts of our country, have also done much for the advancement of floriculture, though their broad areas are more appropriate for the display of landscape gardening. Selected spots, devoted to flower culture, are very appropriate, and have a pleasing effect upon the very numerous visitors, who may here be educated to a knowledge of the world of beauty in a flower garden. This was a matter of common remark at the horticultural department of Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, where so many thousands received valuable suggestions during the Centennial exhibition of 1876, and where Mr. C. H. Miller keeps up the beautiful floral displays.

Some of the modern rural cemeteries have been turned into flower gardens, and in them floriculture is carried to a high pitch. Though very admirable in its way, it must be admitted that this kind of landscape-gardening is hardly an appropriate accompaniment to the grave-yard, where the judicious combination of trees and grass and water, comport much more thoroughly with the quiet and sacred resting place of our dead, than do the dazzling parterres of brilliant flowers.

OUR SISTER SOCIETIES.

A very pleasant state of feeling is found in the rivalry which exists among many of the horticultural societies that are similar to our own, in the several States, and it is not uncommon to interchange courtesies, by means of the visitations of delegates, some

from a great distance, to tell and hear. The Pomological Society of Michigan, which held a meeting last week, is now represented with us. The regular winter meeting will be at Hillsdale February 11. The Society of Illinois being in session simultaneously with Ohio, the interchange must this year be omitted, though Ohio has often been represented at her meetings, and always most cordially received. She will be ever welcomed by us.

Indiana, our immediate western neighbor, will hold her,regular meeting near the border, next week, and as she has honored us with a delegation, it is hoped several of our members will avail themselves of the easy access to the gathering of her earnest members.

The Pennsylvania State Society offers a fruitful entertainment at Reading, where the lovely Schuylkill emerges from the mountains, and flows through one of the beautiful limestone valleys of the Keystone State. Her many contributions to the orchards of Ohio, and her former courtesies, can not be forgotten by us.

Western New York meets at her attractive headquarters, Rochester, on the 28th of January. Some of our members have enjoyed the meetings there.

Further west, our young sister States of Minnesota, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin, all hold excellent meetings, and they are doing good work. And now Arkansas comes forward with a proposition to organize a grand union of transMississippi Horticulturists and Pomologists.

Nor is the Dominion of Canada disposed to be left behind in the race. Her already excellent associations have made their mark. They have been nobly represented at many of our National Society's meetings, and we should be glad to a cept the courtesies they so kindly proffer to us in return.

Our next southern neighbor, Kentucky, has appointed delegates to this meeting, as in previous years. Some of us have enjoyed their noble hospitality, and hope again to have the pleasure of meeting with them for the interchange of views. The next meeting will be held at Shelbyville on the 13th of January, "wind and weather permitting." One delegate at least, begs for the privilege of representing Ohio on the blue grass. Who else speaks?

ENTOMOLOGY.

This noble handmaid of our favorite pursuit, continues to make herself useful. She is indeed a permanent attendant of horticulture. Her noble teacher, whose invaluable services we endeavored to secure for our State many years ago, was to have heen with us at this meeting, but is unfortunately detained by other engagements. The excellent work he has done in Illinois and Missouri have given him a wide reputation, and his services in the insect commission of the General Government have been deservedly appreciated. Let us hope that another year we may be more fortunate. Meanwhile Prof. C. V. Riley is always accessible at Washington, D. C., and may be consulted through the mails when no one so able to advise us is nearer at hand.

Some of our own immediate members have become interested in entomology, and a paper on the curculio is herewith presented from Mr. G. W. Dean, that contains his observations respecting the attacks of this insect upon the apple fruit, which, it is hoped, will elicit valuable discussion among you. The codling-moth everywhere, and the canker-worm, in certain sections of the State, continue their ravages on this fine fruit, while the currant-worm and the cabbage-butterfly despoil our gardens, as do hosts of other noxious creatures, while the hated phylloxera insidiously destroys the grapes, as the disgusting larva of Doryphora 10-lineata does the potato, in spite of the poisonous Paris-green.

Again arises the painful duty of recording the names of those who, within the current year, have been taken from among us by the unerring messenger.

The demise of George H. Lodge, of Cuyahoga Falls, has been communicated by our Secretary who was personally acquainted with him. You will remember him as the originator of some seedling strawberries, among which was the highly flavored Sterling. Mr. L. bad become a resident of Cleveland, Ohio.

We are called upon to record the deaths of Nathan and James Cope, from Columbiana county, who used to entertain us with their inventions of an arrangement for building ventilated fruit-houses, in which they very successfully preserved apples. They were earnest men in the pursuit of their calling, and pressed their claims upon our attention with becoming diffidence. It is hoped their extensive orchards and their fruit-houses will continue to prove remunerative to those they have left to inherit the result of their industry and invention.

A. M. Brown died on June 27th. Though not in membership with us, he was in fellowship with horticulturists everywhere-being one of the leaders in his own State, a resident of Villa Ridge, southern Illinois, a genial and very intelligent gentleman. Mr. Parker Earle, of the neighboring town of Cobden, the old South Pass, the famous fruitstation and shipping-point of that region, writes as follows: "His death was a very great loss to his friends, to his county, and to his State. There is no man left to fill his place."

Robert Buchanan, who died at a ripe age on the 23d of April last, was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, on January 10th, 1797. Cincinnati became his residence when a town of ten thousand people, and so fully identified has he been with its wonderful progress, that a complete biography of the man would be equivalent to a history of the city.

From his western Pennsylvania parentage, Mr. Buchanan received the sterling traits that qualified him for his life's work. His lineage and name were chiefly from old Seotia, but, like many others in that region, he possessed a strain of the Hibernian stock, which was manifest in the humor and the bright cheerfulness of his composition.

Another has so happily drawn the striking characteristics of oar friend, that no apology need be offered for quoting his words in this connection:

"To no one could the term Christian gentleman be more fittingly applied than to Robert Buchanan. His life has shown that, from his earliest years, he must have been actuated by the keenest sense of responsibility, and the purest impressions of the duty of a citizen. In all his varied business engagements and enterprises, through good fortane and through adversity, he has maintained a spotless reputation for honesty, urselfishness, and exalted public spirit. He had the mental and moral equipoise which enabled him to bear prosperity and adversity with equal grace. Neither the flattering adulations which are bestowed upon the successful, nor the conscious loss of power, which follows misfortune, affected him in the eyes of the most observant; he was, under all circumstances, the same affable, gentle, courteous, and upright man.

"Few, if any, business men of our city were so often honored by the confidence and trust of his fellows, and none were less obtrusive or more averse to being conspicuous. A citizen so constant in his devotion to an enlightened conviction of daty

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is rare in any community, and Cincinnatians, in honoring the memory of Robert Buchanan, do but honor, also, themselves"

Notwithstanding his devotion to business, and to public affairs connected with the active life of the growing city, Mr. Buchanan participated in other matters, being prom