The disasters to the farmer and gardener of the past month have been most distressing. A terrible gale in Iowa and Illinois has done much damage to life and property, and confirms fears respecting that region that we hope may have no foundation. The middle States were visited on the night of the 4th of June by a heavy frost, such as has been of rare occurrence. Injury was done to wheat in some instances, and gardens have suffered severely. In Rochester, Mr. Barry informs us, he picked up a piece of ice a foot long and as thick as a dollar. In Ohio much injury was sustained. Vessels arriving soon afterwards reported seeing numerous icebergs. These discouraging and somewhat exaggerated circumstances, and a huge export of specie, made an impression on the public mind almost amounting to melancholy, but the material prosperity of the country is excellent, and we see no cause for continued discouragement.

Strawberries have been abundant and cheap the present season, and our friends have sent specimens in bountiful numbers. Mr. John Saul, of Washington, shows what may be done in that climate by forwarding very superior Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury, to which we must say magnificent, and Compte de Flandre, equally large and most delicious. The latter is a hardy variety, passing the hardest winters of Washington without injury, and establishing its reputation in every point requisite, the burning suns of summer doing no injury to the foliage. As a cropper it has proved excellent, giving fruit of good size, clear, bright color, very solid, and of exquisite flavor. It will become one of the most popular of strawberries.

Kitley's Goliath succeeds better near Washington than any other large strawberry of its class; it is very hardy, not inclined to burn in summer, has invariably good crops; its great size and fine flavor should recommend it in an especial manner. Ground for this variety should be trenched, very much enriched, and the plants at least three feet apart each way. Well does it repay good culture.

Trollope's Victoria, grown by Mr. Cammack, of Washington, has been fine this season, but we do not think it equal to those named above, which have been grown profitably for market, and are especially valuable to amateurs also.

Mr. David Miller, Jr., near Carlile, Penn., and Mr. Samuel Miller, of Lebanon, have kindly furnished a great variety for inspection. Mr. Joseph Lennig, of Germantown, Pa., has a variety much resembling the Bicton Pine, which has apparently originated among some Albany Seedlings, but smaller than the Bicton. From these specimens and our own, we shall have the pleasure of presenting our readers with figured plates in due season.

An amateur friend on the North River, who knows what he is abont, says, "I am just now fully occupied tasting strawberries, which so far run as annexed:

"Leopold, very large and fine; Hooker, ditto; Vicomptesse Hericart de Thury, medium size, very high flavor; Marquis de la Tour de Malesbury, large and good; Cuthill's Prince of Wales, large and fine; Victoria, superb size and flavor; Fillbasket, large - not very high flavored; Seedling Eliza, large and pretty good; Ajax, grand; Athlete, large and very superior;" this we can confirm by our own experience.