New Publications

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NEW PUBLICATIONS.

PEAR CULTURE.—A manual for the propagation, planting, cultivation and management of the Pear tree, with descriptions and illustrations of the most productive of the finer varieties, and selections of kinds most profitably grown for market. By Thos. W. Field, New York: A. O. Moore, Publishers.

This handsome volume from the pen of our friend Thos. W. Field, a well-known and much respected resident of this district, and one of the most enthusiastic of Pomologists, is well worthy the attention of the public. The author says in his preface that, being in constant communication with Horticulturists, the want of a treatise on Pear Culture, so often suggested by them originated in his mind the idea of collating the experience of the best cultivators; and stimulated by his own hearty love of the subject, he has, so far as we are competent to determine, most admirably executed the work now offered to the lovers of that noble fruit. The book is divided into nine parts. The first treats of the preparation of the soil; the 2d of the seedling; the next of selecting pear-trees from nursery; the 4th of the office of the quince stock; the chapter following of "pruning"; the next gives a clear statement of diseases to which the pear is liable; then follows a list of insects injurious to the pear, and the remaining parts are devoted to a consideration of the different varieties, and some useful hints on gathering, marketing, and fruit-rooms. The volume is profusely illustrated, and the varieties of this luscious fruit which it presents are enough to make the mouth water. We can confidently recommend the volume to the attention of the class for whose especial benefit it was designed, as well as to the public at large.

THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY.—We always take up a number of this favorite serial with the certainty of finding in it food for thought, and of discovering in its earnest, well-digested and elaborately-written articles, a purpose far deeper and a sympathy far wider than pertain to those of any mere "Magazine" that we are acquainted with on this side of the Atlantic. The two "continued" papers—the "Catacombs of Rome" and the "Autocrat of the Breakfast Table," still keep up their interest well. "The Autocrat" comes out strongly. His pathos is genuine—his wit sparkles. Really, with all our respect for the author of "Old Ironsides" we hardly thought him capable of producing anything like these essays, so full of subtle humor and genial philosophy. They will be read as long as the "Sketch Book." In a graver vein is "The American Tract Society." Those who are aware of the political leanings of this Magazine need not be told which side it supports. The tales in the present number, though unquestionably written by clever and cultivated men, are not to our taste. The Atlantic should revise its list of story-tellers. There is some good poetry in the present number, and as we do not often do such a thing, we have ventured to clip a little gem from the fair white pages before us, and give our readers a taste of its quality:

I.—NOVEMBER

The dead leaves their rich mosaics, Of olive and gold and brown, Had laid on the rain-wet pavements, Through all the embowered town, To be crushed and lost forever 'Neath the wheels, in the black mire lost,— The Summer's precious darlings, She nurtured at such cost! O words that have fallen from me! O golden thoughts and true! Must I see in the leaves a symbol Of the fate which awaiteth you?

II.—APRIL.

Again has come the Spring-time, With the crocus's golden bloom, With the smell of the fresh-turned earth-mould, And the violet's perfume. O gardener! tell me the secret Of thy flowers so rare and sweet!— —"I have only enriched my garden With the black mire from the street."