As this country is now attracting considerable attention, and its climate, soil, productions, etc., are becoming subjects of great interest to thousands, I have concluded that perhaps a short communication in regard to its adaptation to fruit culture might not be inappropriate for your columns. While all who are at all acquainted with our territory admit that its advantages are such as to make of it, ultimately, a great country, there are many who doubt whether fruit can be successfully grown here to any considerable extent. The grounds on which these opinions are based, are the high latitude, (43 ° to 49 °), and the extreme cold of a few days in winter, (sometimes 30° below zero).

In opposition to these theoretical conclusions I wish to state some facts based upon my limited experience here. In the spring of 1853 we brought up and planted here about 20,000 trees of all kinds, most of which were root-grafted Apples. But besides these were Apple, Pear, Cherry, Plum and Peach trees, of a size suitable for orchard planting, together with a considerable stock of ornamental shrubbery, Roses, Ac. These trees all made a fine growth during the summer; indeed, many of them made a greater growth than was desirable, as it was apprehended that they would not be in so good a condition to stand the winter as if the growth was less.

The last winter was one of unusual severity; although, as a whole, it was very pleasant, yet there were several days of very severe cold. At two different times the mercury was as low as 35° below zero. It will at once be seen that this was rather a severe ordeal for the unacclimated trees; and I presume it will not be uninteresting to Horticulturists to be informed somewhat in detail of the result.

The Apple and standard Pear trees, of a size suitable for planting, are entirely uninjured, and a few of them have blossomed this spring.

The dwarf Pear trees are generally uninjured. There are a few, however, that made a second growth late in the fall, that are somewhat scorched at the extremities of the branches.

The more tender Heart and Bigarreau Cherries are pretty severely injured, though not killed, while the Dukes and Morellos are in a fine condition.

Plums are uninjured.

Peach trees are pretty badly scorched, but are making a very fine growth this spring; and it is remarkable that worked trees are in fullly as good condition as seedlings.

The root grafts include about seventy varieties of Apples. There is a striking difference in the hardiness of these varieties, as shown by their appearance this spring. While some are entirely uninjured, others are slightly, and still others quite severely affected by the winter. After a careful examination I give the following as varieties entirely hardy: - Peck's Pleasant, Autumn Strawberry, Po\rter, Red Astracan, Fameuse, St. Lawrence, Early Joe, Summer Pearmain, Tolman Sweeting, Lady, Wegener, Pomme Gris, Red Ingestrie, and one or two others.

Among those slightly affected are - Gravensteis, Swaar, Esopus Spitzenburgh, Englieh Rusest, Rarde's Janet or Never Fail, White Winter Pearmain, Yellow Bellflowert White Bellflower, Sweet.

Among those most severely injured are - Vanderwere, Maiden's Blush, Ladies' Sweeting, Summer Bote, Summer Queen, Newtown Pippin, Ramba, and several others.

Isabella, Grapes are somewhat injured, seme of them being killed down to the surface of the ground. The Clinton is perfectly hardy.

All the small fruits, Currants, Gooseberries, Raspberries, (not including the Antwerp*), Ac, perfectly hardy.

The Hybrid Perpetual and Bourbon Roses but little injured, although no protection was given them.

I think it safe to conclude, from the above, that Apples, Pears, Plums, Duke and Morello Cherries, and small fruits generally, may be as successfully cultivated here, as in New York or New England. In the selection of varieties of Apples, however, it will be well to select, mostly, from those embraced under the first head.

Heart and Bigarreau Cherries, Peaches, and Isabella Grapes, will require some protection. Planting them in a situation where they may be sheltered from the rays of the sun, in our bright winter days, will probably be sufficient.

In conclusion, permit me to add a few words in regard to our spring weather Persons who have never visited this region, conclude that our winters must necessarily be very long, and that spring can scarcely be said to commence before May. A more erroneous opinion could not be entertained. From the experience of two years, I assert that our springs are earlier, more pleasant, and more favorable for fruit, than those of either Western New York, Michigan, Northern Indiana, or Illinois. I have no doubt this assertion will startle some who have been accustomed to look upon the matter in a very different light. But let me state some facts, and leave the candid to judge, from them, whether I am not justified in making it.

Snow had entirely disappeared, this spring, by the middle of March, and by the 20th of the month the frost was entirely out of the ground On the 9th of April we had a slight fall of snow, which melted almost as fast as it fell; since then we have not seen a flake of snow. From the 1st to the 25th of April we had occasional white frosts, but none of sufficient severity to freeze the ground. Since the 25th of April we have had no frost at all; and since the 1st of May the thermometer has at no time shown a lower temperature than 89 °. Since the middle of April our prairies and openings have been covered with good pasture, and cattle have required no feeding. Vegetation of all kinds is in a state of forwardness, corresponding with the temper-ature. As one instance of this, I will mention that I saw ripe Strawberries on the 80th of May gathered where they were growing wild.

It may be thought that this has been a remarkable season, and an exception to the general rule. In regard to that, I will say that it has been very similar to that of 1853; and that the "oldest inhabitants" here represent them as nothing extraordinary, but only a fair specimen of the springs in this locality.

But I presume I have spun out this communication to a sufficient length, already, and will therefore bring it to a conclusion. I may, at some convenient time, send you a description of the wild fruits, and other trees indigenous to this section of country. G. C. Merrifield.

Mr. Merrifield has our thanks for the valuable information he has communicated. We solicit similar statements from other parts of the country. - Ed.