A pear tree, brought from Holland, and planted in the year 1647, is
now in full bloom, standing in the Third Avenue at the intersection
of Thirteenth Street, New York. This is probably the oldest fruit
tree in America. About 70 years ago the branches of the tree decayed
and fell off, and at that time it was supposed the tree was dying;
but without any artificial means being resorted to, new shoots
germinated and gradually supplied the room of their predecessors.
The tree now is in full health and vigour, and appears to be not
more than 30 years old; the fruit ripens the latter part of August,
has a rich succulent flavour, and has been known by the name of the
spice pear.
[_Evening Post._
_On raising young Potatoes in the Winter months._--In the beginning
of May, lay a quantity of the largest ox-noble Potatoes, on a dry
cellar floor, two or three deep, and turn them over once in about
three weeks, rubbing off all the white sprouts as they appear, but
not the spawn or rudiments of the young potatoes. At the end of
September, have ready a few boxes; at the bottom of each put six
inches of decayed leaves, dried to a vegetable mould, and place
upon it a single layer of potatoes, close to each other; then put
another layer of the same mould, six inches deep, then another of
potatoes, and so on till the boxes are full.--Set the boxes in a dry
covered place, free from frost, never giving them any water.--They
will produce good fine young potatoes in December; and those which
are ready may be taken off, and the old potatoes replaced until the
remainder of the produce shall be ready.
_Cure for foundered horses, by a surgical operation._--"The
operation has succeeded admirably and will probably lead to a
similar practice in the human subject. It has hitherto failed
frequently in the _Tic Doloureux_ and other diseases, either
from the regeneration of the divided nerve producing a union and
restoration of sensation, or from the effect being produced by
the swelling of the ends of the cut nerve sufficient to effect
the union. But the excision of two inches in length effectually
prevents such a restoration of feeling. Mr. Sewell, the well known
assistant professor at the Veterinary College, who has the exclusive
claim to this improvement, in the course of the last eighteen
months, performed this operation on above 100 horses, with uniform
success, except perhaps two or three cases, in which there was
great organical disease of the foot. Although the operation requires
the skill of Mr. Sewell, it is very simple. It consists in cutting
down upon the trunks of the nerves which enter the foot in contact
with the arteries, on each side of either the small or large pastern
joint, and then removing a piece of the nerve. A few minutes after
the operation, the animal walks and trots like a sound horse, which
just before could scarcely move at all, and then in extreme pain.
The principle is obvious--it is that of removing the conductors of
sensation from the seat in the disease to the brain. The division of
the arteries accompanying the nerves is carefully avoided."--_Journ.
Arts and Science._
_To destroy insects which infest fruit trees._--Take a small
quantity of unslackened lime, mix it with soft water, to the
consistency of very thin whitewash--apply this mixture with a brush,
to the trees, as soon as the sap begins to rise, and wash the
stems and large boughs with it, taking care to have it done in dry
weather, that it may adhere and withstand rain. In the course of
the ensuing summer, this will be found to have removed all the moss
and insects, and give to the bark a fresh and green appearance. The
trial is simple, and not attended with much trouble, expense, or
danger.