of an inch in diameter, which is surely strong enough for vines in full bearing. Of this he may have ocular demonstration, now the canes are swollen up. The bones used were mostly about one-half inch in diameter, and of the size they can be evenly distributed through every part; and as bones give out very slowly, there is no fear of permanent benefit as far as they are concerned. As to slaughter house offal, it has a tendency, under some circumstances, to produce an enormous growth for a short time, but as to its permanent qualities, many cases might be brought forward to show that precisely opposite effects are produced by it. I am convinced from experience, that as fine and well flavored grapes can be grown without, as with this stinking offal, which ROBERTS, more poetically and ridiculously, calls "the pabulum which is to supply the nectar of Bacchus." Even allowing it to be more permanent, a border in which it has been used in any thing like a fresh state, (and this is the way in which it is generally applied,) will in a short time become a sodden mass, and more fit to puddle the sides of a duck pond, to hold in the water, than a base for the succulent and tender rootlets of the grape vine to luxuriate in. If used at all, it should be thoroughly decomposed, and blended with other compost before being applied. As fine grapes were grown before these substances came into fashion, and as fine will continue to be grown when they are numbered with the things that were. As to the second assertion, viz: less cost, I do not see how slaughter house offal is to be collected and conveyed a distance of seven or eight miles at a less cost than stable manure, which is always readily and cheaply obtained near large cities, and the difference in the bones is so trifling as not to be worth calculating, where a thing is intended to be done right. Your correspondent also seems to think, that I shall not be able to keep the wood "at home," by the method on which the vines are pruned. I can assure him that it is just as easy to do so as by cutting back so close, with the advantage of retaining more plump and well swelled eyes, thereby ensuring larger and better shouldered bunches. As he does not seem to have a right idea of it, I will explain. In pruning in the fall, after the first year's growth, each alternate eye is disbudded on each side o fthe cane, leaving those wanted for breaking next season, about 15 inches apart. The next season, when pruning for spurs, the side shoots are cut back to three eyes, or even four, according as the lower buds may be plump and well rounded. In breaking, each bud puts forth a shoot; the most promising one nearest to the top, and the one at the base, are allowed to remain, and the other is rubbed out. The top one is allowed to bear, and the fruit on the bottom is pinched out. The fruit bearing spur is stopped three or four joints above the fruit, and the other one next to the base is also stopped, when it has grown seven or eight leaves. They are now trained per diagram. a is the bearing shoot, and b the one not to be fruited till next year; at next pruning, (or what is still better, two or three weeks previous,) a is cut clean out to the base of b, and when the leaves fall b is cut back to three eyes, as a was last season, and so on from year to year. As your correspondent, Mr. Messer, truly says, "nature will out," their will never be any lack of eyes close to the main cane if the above is rightly performed. Notwithstanding the readiness with which the grape-vine pushes fresh shoots when so closely pruned, there are some of the larger and gross growing kinds, that fruit shyly, or produce nothing but small bunches by such treatment-and this is one reason why some fine sorts get a bad characWM. CHORLTON, gardener to J. C. Green, Esq. ter. New-Brighton, Staten-Island, Oct. 10, 1852 Foreign and Miscellaneous Lotices. ROUGH PLATE GLASS FOR THE ROOFING OF HOT-HOUSES. For two years past, much excite. ment has been produced in England, by a proposal to roof plant-houses with a new kind of rough plate glass, for which a patent has been obtained there by Mr. HARTLY. This glass is prepared by a rolling process, which destroys transparency but not translucency; and the bene. fit said to be derived from it, (and which expe. riments made under the direction of the Horticultural Society of London, appear to have confirmed,) is the very important one, that without obstructing the light, this becomes dispersed instead of concentrated, in passing through it, and that no shading is required in the hottest sunshine. Altogether, the subject is so well deserving consideration, that we give our readers the results of the experiments alluded to, as detailed in the Gardener's Chronicle. perfectly successful. On the plants being produced, at a subsequent meeting of the Horti-. experiment was confided, they appeared in the cultural Society, by Mr. Gordon, to whom the most beautiful health, with firm, short wood, broad, thick, clean, bright green leaves, and in the case of the Gesnera and Pentas, flowers per. fect in color, size, and form. In short, it may be said without the least exaggeration, that more perfect examples of high cultivation were never seen, and few so perfect. It was clear that there had been no deficiency of any ele. ment or condition which is required for the most perfect health. This conclusive proof of the excellence of rough plate glass, possesses the highest agricultural interest. It shows that gardeners are now secured effectually from the scorching effects of the sun during summer, and that all the costly, as well as inconvenient contrivances for shading, may be, in future, dispensed with." So much for the London Horticultural Society. Mr. James Roberts, one of the most successful cultivators in England, who has the care of the grounds of the Duke of Cleveland, at Raby Castle, speaks of this glass as follows: "The garden committee directed the rough rolled plate glass to be tried in the garden of the Horticultural Society at Chiswick. For this "At the present time I have nearly 3000 feet purpose a small pit, unventilated except by sliof it in use, and I am so far satisfied of its suding the sashes, and heated by hot water pipes, periority, not only over sheet glass, but also was selected. In the last week of August this over all other kinds of glass, for horticultural pit was filled with soft wooded plants, which can purposes, that for whatever is to re-glaze or only be kept in health in the presence of a large erect new here, I will adopt it without hesitaquantity of light, among which were the followtion. I use it for plant culture, melons, cuing, viz: The Begonias odorata, undulata, arcumbers, propagating, &c.; and perhaps no one gyrostigma, and dichotoma; Torrenia asiatica, regrets more than I do, that I cannot replace Pentas carnea, Adamia sylvatica, Calostylis authe sheet in my vineries with it. It is a mistake rantiaca, and Achimenes picta. The four Be to suppose that it obstructs light; on the congonias, Calostylis, Adamia, and Pentas had been trary, it collects and diffuses it better than the cut close back, and were leafless; Torrenia was clearest sheet or crown glass. Another advan a cutting just struck, and of Achimenes, the tage which it possesses, is that there is no scorchdry tubers were employed. The experimenting and no shading. As to this kind of glass bewas thus set in action, without any special care having been taken to make it succeed; on the contrary, everything was against success. It is needless to say, that the months of October, November and December, 1848, were more than usually gloomy, and that neither January or February offered any advantage over those months in ordinary years. In addition to this, it was often necessary to leave the plants in the dark all day long, in consequence of the sashes being covered with frozen mats, which could not be removed. Nevertheless, and notwithstanding these impediments, the experiment was coming dirty, that has not happened here. It effects a saving of fuel, and is proof against the severest storms." PLANT-HOUSES.-Large plants in pots, may with great advantage, be sunk into the border; overcrowding must also be avoided in every other structure where plants are stored for the winter. It is far better at this season to throw away the worst of the stock, than run the risk of injuring the best plants. Favorite sorts will be better replaced by young plants in the spring. Notices of Societies. American Institute-Annual Fair. We attended the Annual Fair of the American Institute, held at New-York during the past month, for the purpose of inspecting the horticultural and floral departments, and we proceed to lay before our readers some remarks upon those portions of it which appeared to us most deserving our notice. Before doing so, we cannot refrain from expressing our gratification at the magnificent display which the Fair presented of our country's science, energy and industry, in almost every department of manufacture and art, and we have also to thank the chairman of the horticultural committee, Peter B. Mead, Esq., for his obliging politeness in acceding to our request for permission to make use of his lists of the adjudication of premiums by the judges, to assist us in the preparation of this report. There were some fine specimens of APPLES exhibited, and the display of them, as a whole, was the principal feature of the fruit exhibition. The silver cup for the greatest number of choice named varieties, was gained by John W. Bai. ley, of Plattsburgh, N. Y., who exhibited 65 varieties; and the silver medal, for the second best, by W. J. Carpenter, of Harrison, West chester county, N. Y., who produced 40 varieties; the third premium was given, for 23 varieties, to Ira Condit, of Essex county, N. J. For the smaller collections of apples, a discretionary premium was awarded for 25 varieties to Isaac J. Underhill, of Seacaneus, N. J., a collection which was highly creditable; and although not nearly so numerons as those above mentioned, we doubt whether an equal number of such fine fruit could have been selected from either of the large collections. Amongst them was a fine apple in appearance, named the Congress apple, which, we were informed, was a seedling variety, which has not been exhibited before the present year; and of which the flavor is represented to be fine. If this is so, and its bearing and keeping qualities are good it bids fair to become a favorite. There were several small collections of apples exhibited, some of which deserve notice, although we thirk the judges exercised a sound discretion in not awarding premiums to them: because, however fine and handsome a single small basket of apples may be, unless it is a new variety, or has some especial recommendation to entitle it to notice, it is not within the intention of these exhibitions to give rewards for a few fruits, however fine, which are readily selected from, may be, a large orchard. On the other hand, it is not, on that account, the less praiseworthy in exhibi tors to send any small contribution of the sort, which is sufficiently conspicuous to attract notice; inasmuch as it evinces a commendable interest in these undertakings, and shows a desire to assist in their advancement; whilst the knowledge that, although all small exhibitors cannot obtain premiums, the merit that is due to their productions is not overlooked by the public, will, we trust, encourage such exhibitors to a perseverance which on some future occasion may obtain for them a place by the side of their more fortunate competitors on the present oc. casion. For this reason we notice with satisfaction the following, which formed conspicuous objects: A fine basket of Belle Bamders apples, exhibited by S. E. G. Rawson, of NewYork, a label to which stated them to be a part of 35 bushels from a single tree. Many who admired them, will doubtless wish a fellow tree to be growing in their own orchard. Three plates of remarkably handsome apples from George Proceus, of Red Hook, Dutchess county; some fine Newtown Pippins from W. A. Underhill, Croton Point, were very handsome fruit, but barely ripe. A large dish of the Sherwood Seedling Wax apple, attracted much notice, exhibited by L. W. Annan, N. Y. A handsome basket of Gloria Mundi apples, from C. T. R. Applegate, of Hightown, N. J. A basket of very fine fruit from Richard Read, of Clarksburgh, Monmoth county, N. J. All these collections were very pleasing to the eye, and could not fail to satisfy the observer, that the growers of them are amongst those who meritoriously uphold our reputation for this valuable fruit. A pyramid of apples, which occupied the centre of the table, contained some good specimens, and was furnished by Caleb H. Earl. But we are not amongst the admirers of this mode of exhibiting fruit. There is, we think, a propriety in these matters, which con. tributes much to enhance the beauties of all horticultural exhibitions; and we cannot help thinking a bushel of apples, even laid loosely in a heap, present more symmetry to the eye, than if they are tied round a post. At the same time, we think that if a little more attention was paid by exhibitors, or by the managers of the exhibitions, to the more tasteful arrangement of the dishes of fruit on the tables than we frequently see, a much more effective result would be produced: for by placing the several dishes of each collection in some order as re gards the size of the fruit, and its color, there is no doubt the exhibition tables would present a more attractive appearance. One would think that even the disposition of a dessert on the din. ner table might suggest enough to induce atten tion to this. The PEARS were not so numerous as the apples, but Messrs. Hovey, of Boston, exhibited many fine ones, in the whole numbering 175 varieties, which gained them the silver cup; and Jeremiah Briggs, of Jamaica, Long Island, obtained a silver medal for 30 varieties, the third premium being awarded to John Tonela, of Bergen. Some of the pears in smaller collections were good: we noticed particularly those exhibited by Frederick Glover, of East Brooklyn. We caution exhibitors in these days of fine fruit growing, that they must, many of them, increase their vigilance, in taking care that their fruit is sent in proper condition. We observed many of the apples in some collections were much bruised. This is carelessness in the generality of cases, and should disqualify such fruit from exhibition, on the same principle that a bruised or broken petal does a florist's flower. We call the attention of judges to this. Strict, but at the same time impartial judging, is the only way to secure onward improvement in horticulture, be the branch what it may. The of fice of censor at these exhibitions is seldom a desirable one. Well digested and known rules, uniformly adhered to, is the only way for the judges to give, as we are sure they always desire to do,) satisfaction to all-particularly as their office is one which often presents much ground for a diversity of opinion, and must frequently be exercised upon nice distinctions. The three premiums for QUINCES were awar ded to W. A. Underhill, R. T. Underhill, and R. L. Colt, of Patterson, N. J., for very respectable specimens. Native GRAPES were shown by several-and many of them in quality and condition fineand which must have satisfied many who still remain skeptical on the subject, that they well deserve the increased care and attention that we are now giving to them. The best Isabellas, which obtained the silver medal, were exhibited by R. T. Underhill, the second by W. A. Underhill, and the third by Thomas R. Porter, New-Jersey. Mr. W. A. Underhill also obtained the first premium for Catawba, and R. T. Underhill the second. The silver medal for the best foreign grapes, was awarded to R. L. Colt, but of these, not any really fine foreign varieties were exhibited. Mr. S. T. Jones, of Staten-Island, was first in the PEACH exhibition, (both for freestones and clingstones.) which was very limited, and nothing remarkable in quality. The second premium for freestones was gained by H. U. Mott. A small box of very nice CRANBERRIES was sent for exhibition by John J. Webb, of Jackson, Ocean county, N. J., but it did not arrive until after the judges had gone over the fruit. When these remarks were written for the press, the judges had not awarded the premiums for the floricultural part of the exhibition, and we will therefore defer our notice of that branch until next month; but we cannot omit to notice, in justice to the fair sex, that the visitors to the exhibition are indebted to them for several very beautiful specimens of skill in the shape of Ornamental Vases, and baskets of ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS, constructed both in wax, and in paper. The advance recently made in the beauty of construction of those made of the latter material, by the more skillful artists, is so great as to render them very formidable competitors to those made of the more congenial material, wax, the similarity of which, to the texture of the natural flower, has hitherto given it an advantage which has not heretofore been approached. But some of the Paper Flowers were uniformly fine and handsome. Amongst this assortment were to be found specimens of the unequalled collection of Indian Corn which this gentleman has accumulated, and which he has enriched by several new and very desirable varieties which he has originated by hybridizing. This collection of corn contained 50 or 51 varieties, of which the aggregate number of ears on the table was upwards of 1,100, presenting what we believe to be the most perfect collection in the country. For this reason we subjoin the names of the varieties with which we have been obligingly furnished by Mr. Giraud, to whom we applied for it under the consideration that these particulars will be acceptable to be our readers. which were exhibited by Mrs. Van Skillins, 389 | vegetables were exhibited in this collection, and Broadway, New-York, evince so much taste, and are so well made, that the superiority of the softness of the material employed, over the stffness of the wax, becomes strikingly apparent. One basket of flowers by this lady, in a large square glass case, is of really surpassing beauty, and is undoubtedly one of the most elegant and successful things of the kind that ever graced an exhibition. There were also from Mrs. E. Nott, 349 Hudson-street, New-York, some beau. tiful Vases of Wax Flowers and Fruit. Her Vase of Flowers was very beautiful, and although we believe more difficult to construct, was superior to her fruit, which was not natu. rally colored, but in other respects was good. A very excellent vase of Wax Flowers was also exhibited by Mrs. Alfred Sellers, of Sands-st., Brooklyn, the Fuchsia, Narcissus, Lilly, and Carnation, in which were some of the best executed specimens that we have seen for some time. The VEGETABLES, as a whole, were the more important part of the exhibition. Several assortments were in the rooms, which were most excellent specimens of culture, and were de. serving of all the honors they received at the hands of the judges. For culinary vegetables, the silver cup was awarded to H. C. Murphy, of Yellow Hook, Long Island, in which collection the White Silver Onions, the Parsnips and the Red Carrots, particularly called for remark; the White Carrots were fine, but not equal to some which were exhibited by J. L. Scofield. The second premium in this class was given to J. A. Perry, New-Utica, Long-Island. For best and greatest variety of vegetable roots for cattle, the silver cup was awarded to Jacob P. Giraud, of Bergen, New-Jersey. This collec. tion gave the best practical evidence that those scientific experiments have been eminently successful, which we understand Mr. Giraud has been making, in order to test the opinions of Liebig and other modern chemists, who have of late advocated the expediency of manuring upon a plan bearing especial reference to the proportion of the particular elementary substances entering into the structure of each vegetable production of the earth, so that the substances taken up by each crop may be restored to the ground. Upwards of twenty sorts of Varieties of White Corn.-Long Island, Elongated, Canada, Twelve Rowed, Flesh Colored, White Taper, Rhode Island Cap, Giraud's Bergen, Pearl, Virginia, Devereau, Chinese Tree, Oregon, Gourd Seed, Ohio, Small Dent, Rice, Nonpareil. Yellow Corn.-Golden Sioux, Golden Spike, Large Eight Rowed, Medium do, Small do., Canada, Jersey, Galatz, Dutton, Dowling's Early, Maryland Duttons, Kentucky Dent, Small do., Orange Cone, Nonpareil. Brown Corn.-Large Twelve Rowed, Bergen Red Cone, Striata, Rice, Nonpareil. Fancy Corn.-Several varieties mottled. Table Corn.-Rhode Island Sweet, Stowel's Evergreen, Hematell, Blore, Tuscarora, Early Burlington, Early Canada, Mandan. The second premium for vegetable roots for cattle was gained by Mr. J. A. Perry, whose collection was also fine and good. Fine specimens of BEETS were produced by several exhibitors. Mr. J. A. Perry was again the successful competitor, both for the long blood, and the turnep-rooted varieties, and he merited his success; whilst E. T. Jones, of New Brighton, Staten Island, obtained the premium for sugar beet, and Wm. Harsell, of Ravens. wood, Long Island, had that for mangel wurtzell. For the best table Carrots, Charles Williams, of Newark, N. J., was the winner, and J. A. Perry, for Parsneps. In Celery, R. L. Colt was first, Urwin Stewart, at the Naval Hospital, Brooklyn, second. Many fine Onions were on |