excellent--nor is such improvement at an end: several new varieties have
lately started into existence.

_The Plum_.--The lowest grade of this class of fruits is the almost
useless sloe in the hedge; and none but those in some degree acquainted
with the matter could, on beholding the acidous, puny sloe, and the
ample, luscious magnum bonum plum, together, readily believe that they
were kindred, or that the former was the primitive representative of the
latter. The intermediate links of this connexion are the bullace,
muscle, damacene, &c., of all which there are many varieties. In
nurserymen's lists, there are many improved sorts, not only excellent
plums, but excellent fruit,--the green gage and imperatrice are
admirable.

_The Pear_, was originally an inhabitant of European forests: there
it grew to be a middle-sized tree, with small leaves, and hard,
crude-tasted, petty fruit: since its introduction and naturalization in
the orchard, it has well repaid the planter's care. The French gardeners
have been long celebrated for their success and indefatigable
perseverance in the cultivation of the pear; almost all our superior
sorts are from that country. The monastic institutions all over Europe,
but particularly in France, were the sources from whence flowed many
excellent horticultural rules, as well as objects.

(_To be concluded in our next_.)

* * * * *

THE MONTHS

[Illustration: OCTOBER.]

On the woods are hung
With many tints, the fading livery
Of life, in which it mourns the coming storms
Of winter.

PERCIVAL.

Change is the characteristic of the month of October; in short, it
includes the birth and death--the Alpha and Omega--of Nature. Hence, it
is the most inviting to the contemplatist, and during a day in October,
the genius of melancholy may walk out and take her fill, in meditating
on its successive scenes of regeneration and decay.

Dissemination, or the _sowing of seed_, is the principal business
of this month in the economy of nature; which alone is an invaluable
lesson, a "precept upon precept" to a cultivated mind. This is variously
effected, besides by the agency of man; and it is a satire on his
self-sufficiency which should teach him that Nature worketh out her way
by means that he knoweth not.

Planting, that agreeable and patriotic art, is another of the October
labours. Here, however, the pride of man is again baffled, when he