This section is from "The Horticulturist, And Journal Of Rural Art And Rural Taste", by P. Barry, A. J. Downing, J. Jay Smith, Peter B. Mead, F. W. Woodward, Henry T. Williams. Also available from Amazon: Horticulturist and Journal of Rural Art and Rural Taste.
Many are not aware of the fact that the currants of commerce are merely the dried berries of a seedless grape. If this particular variety of grape would escape the ravages of the Oidium and Phylloxera, its production would prove remunerative, for in the year 1872 we imported 11,479,578 pounds of this fruit, valued, at points where purchased, at $467,-220.
The Pacific Rural Press says; "We have received from the Alhambra Gardens, near Martiuez, a box of superb grapes of a number of varieties, including that from which the - so-called - Zante currants are made; the donor is Dr. J. Strentzel. May the frosts of age fall lightly, and render as beautiful the winter of his years, as were the tinted autumn leaves that accompanied the generous gift."
Delicate rosy pink; fine form and excellent habit.
Sheltered in this thicket we may find this plant; a shrub about five feet high, covered with small yellowish-red flowers, growing in pairs, and very sweet. The bees soon find their way to these delicacies; and what is more cheering on a bright day in spring, than a bush in full leaf and flower, covered with the busy bees, while all around is still, dry and barren.
A few days since three boys in Norfolk, Ct, discovered a swarm of bees settled upon a low bush. One of them immediately disrobed, and taking his shirt, tied up the neck and arms, and then slipped it over the swarm, and in this manner succeeded in securing and hiving it.
Childs & Peterson, of Philadelphia, propose to publish in October, of each year, an Annual of Agricultural Progress and Discovery, to bo edited by David A. Wells. We like this project, and we think the fanners of the country will like it For six years past, Mr. Wells has issued an 'Annual of Scientific Discovery,' which is admirably gotten up, and we doubt not he is capable of doing justice to this new project.
One Grain or Oats is declared in one of our exchanges to have produced the astonishing number of 4,751 grains, all carefully counted! - See the Farmer's Friend.
Much approved in most parts of the State; not so large and handsome at the north as in central Ohio. Recommended with several dissents.
A friend brought us from Rome last year two twigs of the Yellow Berried Ivy, from which several specimens were propagated. One left out during the late trying winter has proved hardy. Loudon alluded to one specimen of this plant in England as very beautiful, the yellow color of the berries giving the appearance in winter of a wall of ripened fruit surrounded by green leaves. The several varieties of Ivy, including the tree, which grows without support, deserve more attention than they receive among us. The Irish or Giant Ivy grows so rapidly that in many exposed situations around Philadelphia it lost its leaves and topmost branches last winter; but we consider it the best variety for this climate notwithstanding, as the old wood is not killed, and it rapidly recovers.
 
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