Dear Horticulturist: - On Thursday last, the 7th inst, I enjoyed an opportunity of attending one of the monthly meetings of the " Meramec Horticultural Society," held at the residence of L. D. Votaw, Esq., near this village. The day was beautiful, and the society was convened under the broad-spreading branches of a magnificent native elm, on the bank of the Meramec River.

The meeting was presided over by J. C. Blakey, Esq., the President, Dr. A. McPherson, of Allenton, being absent on account of illness. There was an exhibition of a few early vegetables and email fruits, a few fine bouquets of flowers, and some clusters of a native wild plum, said to be of good quality, medium size, exceedingly prolific; and being quite thick skinned, the persevering attacks of the curculio are as harmless upon it as they would be upon a pumpkin. The subject for the day was, " The proper management of a young apple orchard," which elicited a good deal of discussion, and some information.

But the feature of which I wish particularly to make note, is the social character of this society. The family of each member is entitled to all the privileges of the society, except in a business point of view; the meetings are held at the private residences of the different members, all hands turn out to attend, participate in, and listen to the discussions, have a good dinner, and I " reckon" have "a heap" better time than you do down in New York at one of your formal parties. Would it not be advisable to engraft this " social feature" into all similar societies? I'm sure it would be a great subduer of vice, and promoter of virtue and social happiness. There is increasing attention being paid in this State to the various agricultural improvements of the day, and particularly to fruit-growing, and Norman J. Coleman, Editor of the Valley Far-met, published at St. Louis, Mo., at $1.00 a year, is taking no mean part in bringing these improvements to the notice of the inhabitants of his State, and inducing them to adopt them.

A large portion of this country is new, and the wants of the inhabitants few, and "hog and hominy" will principally supply them; but wherever railroads have opened a communication with the rest of the world, they see they are clear behind, and are taking hold with a will to "catch up" and go ahead if possible.

Horticulture is sadly neglected; even in St. Louis we see the want of knowledge and cultivated taste wherever any attempts have been made at improvement in this department. If there were a thousand copies of the Horticulturist studied where one is taken now, there would be a vast improvement in this respect in a few years, and it would be a capital investment both for publisher and people.

When I learn more of the "capabilities" of this State for fruit-culture, the advantage and disadvantage of climate, soil, aspect, etc, you may expect to hear from me again. Tours truly, Eureka, St. Louis Co., Mo.,June 11th, 1860. E. S. Holmes.

P. S. An honest, honorable, scientific, and practical Landscape Gardener would find a good location in St Louis. E. S. H.

[They do some things at the West much better than we. We approve heartily of the "social feature" alluded to by Mr. Holmes, and think that it might be adopted by our suburban societies with the happiest results. It would exercise a beneficial influence in controlling the petty envies and jealousies which bo often mar and destroy their usefulness; and it would also greatly promote their social well-being. We are vain enough to believe that a free circulation of the Horticulturist at the West would do much to develop and fix the public taste in all matters pertaining to horticultural pursuits; and we have the satisfaction of knowing that it is making its way there, but not to the extent that it should. We are glad to know that our brother Editor of the Valley Farmer is doing a good work there, and wish him abundant success.

We should like to know, Mr. Holmes, all you can learn about the capabilities of your State for fruit-culture. The P. S. will probably catch the eye of some of our Landscape Gardeners, who would do well to thick of such an opening. - ED. ]

Peter B. Mead, Esq.

Dear Sir, - Allow me to endorse what your correspondent "W., Washington Heights," has said respecting the Gishurst Compound.

Previous to the public announcement of this remedy Mr. Wm. Elliott, seedsman, of 31 John St, New York, gave me a portion, before recommending it to his customers. I tried it in different ways, and on several kinds of plants, and found that, dissolved in the proportions of from two to three ounces to the gallon of water, it was instant death to Thrips and Bed Spider, and also quite effectual in extirpating mildew on roses and other plants in the greenhouse. It is a clean substance to use, and if it could be afforded cheaper, would, no doubt, become most extensively used for out-door purposes against all sorts of insects. Yours respectfully, Wm. Chorlton.

[We can add our own testimony to the above. It is also good for the rose slug, or rat her it is bad for him, and we suspect it will be found destructive to most of our plant insects. We should be glad to hear the result of other trials, in order that the extent of its value may become speedily known. We have caused it to be applied to a number of plum-trees, but it is too soon yet to speak decisively of the result. The price of the compound, however, will deter a great many from experimenting with it. It ought to be afforded for a much less sum. - [Ed.

Correspondence #1

Peter B. Mead, Esq., Dear Sir : - I wish to say something in regard to the Newtown Pippin apple, because some people are forever crying that this and that variety of fruit is "run out".

Each class of fruit requires an appropriate soil, comprising therein the constituents naturally adapted to its developemnt; and there are even varieties of the same species of fruit which require a variation in soil.

The Newtown Pippin delights in high culture with manure and lime, and it is the neglect in culture or the lack of the ingredients that renders the tree deficient in vigor and unproductive. I am well satisfied that this variety can be cultivated with as much success and that it will grow with as much vigor, as it ever did, provided it receives the proper attention.

It is, however, the natural character of both the varieties to grow slower than many other kinds, and consequently to attain to less size in an orchard than most others of the same age. The roughness of the bark of the green variety, which is the kind mostly cultivated, gives to the trees an unthrifty appearance, when, in point of fact, this is but a natural characteristic.

I have felt impelled to make these remarks, after inspecting an orchard planted in 1846-47. This apple has some peculiarities which I have not seen noticed. One is that the seeds do not come from the core clean, but have more or less particles of the core adhering to them. The quality of the fruit varies very materially according to the soil, climate, and treatment. When in its highest state, it has a thin, smooth, and polished skin, with tender flesh; others grown under less favorable circumstances, have a rough skin, the texture of the flesh more tough and breaking.

Yours very respectfully, Flusing, July 13th, 1860. W. R. PRINCE.

[We are not among those who believe that fruits "run out," in the common acceptation of that term. We simply state our opinion, without attempting a discussion. We are not so de- icided, however, in our belief in the two varieties of the Newtown Pippin called Green and Yellow. We have seen changes in the same orchard which have staggered our belief on this point How far variations in soil, locality, age, etc.,are concerned in such changes, may form an interesting topic for future discussion. - Ed].

Editor of the Horticulturist: - The weather is very warm and trees of every class growing very fast; just rain enough and none to spare. Three pounds of Norway Spruce in seed, but all up very fine; think every seed grew; have thus far shaded with cut straw. Will the mulch and the cloth be sufficient protection for the young plants during the entire summer? or must we put thicker shade over them?

On page 251 current volume you say, "Pears, Plums, Nectarines, etc.f can be grown in pots by anybody who has a greenhouse or grapery and a good cellar, or even the latter alow." Can peaches be raised in this way by wintering them in the cellar and keeping them there as long as possible without starting, then sinking the pots in the soil or borders as yon describe? Peaches are "no go " with us here, unless they can be made " movable beings." The fruit crop of the State promises well. Apples and Pears, especially the latter, exceed anything I have seen in the State before. And if nothing new comes up, Wisconsin may want a " niche " in some by-place of the American Pomological Society held in Sept next. Accompanying this I send you a copy of the Wis. Fruit-Growers' discussion held in Whitewater, Jan. last.

Tours truly,

"76" Nursery, Madison, His.t June 21, 1860. O. S. WlLLEY.

[Yes, your shade will be enough, and more than enough by and by. Remove it by degrees as the weather grows cool in the fall to harden the plants. Let the mulch remain. Peaches can be raised in the way described, and in great perfection. You will be greatly delighted with the result. Be sure to begin with "maiden" trees. We shall look for Wisconsin in Philadel phia in September. Do your best. - Ed].