The Filbert.—­The common wild hazle of our hedges has been improved, by chance or cultivation, into the several varieties of red and white filberts and cob-nuts.  Working them upon the hazle, or upon themselves, is necessary; because, it not only makes them more fruitful, but also brings them sooner into bearing.

The Walnut.—­This nuciferous tree has been cultivated in England more for the value of the timber than for its fruit.  There are several varieties, differing chiefly in the size of the nut, from the diminutive ben-nut, to the large or double French sort.  The only improvement which can be expected in this, is a hardier sort which would be less susceptible of damage from frost.

The Chestnut.—­The description of the walnut may be applied to this, as they are natives of the same climate; and their flowers are alike impatient of frost.  The fruit of this is, however, inferior to that of the walnut, and seldom arrives at the same degree of perfection.  The tree grows to a great size, and is one of the most valuable of our forest trees.  In “days of yore,” it must have been much more plentiful in this country, or more plentifully imported, than it now is; as the principal timbers of abbeys, cathedrals, and other ancient buildings, are chiefly formed of it:  being equally durable as the oak, which it so much resembles, that they can hardly be distinguished from each other, but by the test of the wet edge of a chissel being stained by the oak, and not at all by the chestnut.

The Melon and Cucumber.—­These exotic fruits are extensively cultivated; the latter takes various shapes in our bills of fare; the former is more a luxury than a fruit for general use; their culture on hot-beds forms a material branch of modern gardening, and with that of the gourd, pumpkin, squash, vegetable marrow, &c., is well known.

The Pine-Apple.—­This sovereign of fruits is, and can only be, in this country, an appendage to opulence and rank.  Several varieties are cultivated in our forcing-stoves, and grace the tables of the rich, and in as great perfection as they can be had between the tropics.  In their wild state, they affect the sides of rivulets, and often under the shade of lofty trees; but are of inferior flavour, unless the weather is very dry when they are ripening off; and when cultivated, they receive little or no water during the last stage of their growth.—­Quarterly Journal of Science, &c.

* * * * *

ANECDOTES OF THE MARVELLOUS.

A Prediction Fulfilled.