dred years, in a flourishing state, and then they
will begin everywhere to decay; nor has any device yet been successful in
arresting that general decay.

Witness the rise, progress, and fall of the _Forest Stire_ of
Gloucestershire, the _Foxwhelp_ and _Redstreak_ of Herefordshire, the
_Golden Pippin_, and, more lately, the _Ribstone Pippin_, of which there is
an increasing complaint, not to mention many others in the same condition.
The first-named apple is very nearly extinct, and the small quantity of the
fruit that is still to be had fetches enormous prices.

Whether this decay be owing to _grafting_, is a question which can be
decided only by the future behaviour of the suckers from the original tree,
several of which from the tree at Ribstone Park are now growing at Chiswick
and elsewhere.

I am aware that Dr. Lindley combats very eagerly the doctrine that
varieties of the apple and pear, or indeed of any tree, die naturally of
old age; but the only incontrovertible fact which he adduces in support of
his argument, is the existence of the French _White Beurre_ pear, which has
flourished from time immemorial. His denial of the decay of the _Golden
Pippin_, the _Golden {437} Harvey_, and the _Nonpareil_, will not, I think,
be allowed to be just by the experience of your readers; the existence of
the last-named apple for three centuries, supposing it to be true, has not
secured it exemption from the general fate.

H. C. K.

---- Rectory, Hereford.

* * * * *

PHOTOGRAPHIC CORRESPONDENCE.

_Glass Baths._--Several of your correspondents finding a difficulty in
making glass baths, I beg to communicate the way in which they may be very
easily manufactured. Having obtained two pieces of patent plate glass,
grind the edges, which may readily be done by a scythe sand-stone, where
other contrivances are not handy. Cut for the bottom of the bath a slip of
the same glass three-quarters of an inch in breadth; and for the sides,
from ordinary window-glass, four wedges, being about three-fifths of an
inch at one end, tapering down to the thickness of the piece of plate glass
at the bottom. If several pieces are cut off promiscuously, four may be
selected which have exactly the same angle, so as to form an even support
to the sides. The glass being perfectly clean, dry, and as warm as can be
conveniently held by the hand, fix the bottom and then the sides by means
of the _very best_ sealin