, Artesia, Miss.--THE PRAIRIE FARMER has the reputation
of knowing all about the prairies, north and south, and, therefore, I
appeal to it to tell me whether the Japan persimmon will be likely to be
hardy in this section, some portions of which is, as you probably know,
a prairie country?

ANSWER.--The Japan persimmon, Diospyros kaki, is, as we understand it,
an evergreen of sub-tropical origin, and will not be likely to fruit
satisfactorily far north of the region of the orange. Like the fig, in
your latitude, it may stand what frosts you have and, like it, attain
considerable growth, but you will seldom get a crop. We know
enterprising nurserymen are telling us it will grow and fruit as far
north as Washington; but we were told the same story about the
eucalyptus, which proved to be no more hardy than the orange. Our
authorities for these opinions may be regarded as first-class--no less
than LeBon Jardinier, who says it can not be grown and successfully
fruited outside the region of the orange. Recently, at a horticultural
exhibition at Nice, France, there was a fine show of the kakis
contributed by a gardener in the vicinity of Toulon, of which the
official report gives this account: "Among the newer exotics were the
kakis, of Japan, grown at Toulon. The fruit is about the size of an
average apple, a bright, orange-red in color, and the tree is very
productive. The Japanese make a great account of it, both as a fruit,
when ripe, and as a source for obtaining tannin, in its green state. It
appears to accommodate itself remarkably well to the climate of
Provence, and especially merits to be introduced into Algeria, where it
will even do better in all reasonable probability.". In respect to the
appearance of the fruit, it more nearly resembles in shape and size a
bell pepper, than an apple, but the color is orange-red, as described.
It is pretty sure to cut a great figure among the fruit products of
Florida, where its successful cultivation will lend additional
attractions to that already seductive State.

MRS. SARAH Y. STAPLES, DALLAS, TEXAS.--I do not ask you for a remedy for
the roup, with which my fowls have been recently affected; but for a
course of treatment to follow to prevent its return?

ANSWER--The roup may be brought upon healthy fowls if they are shut up
in narrow and unventilated quarters at night, and of days turned out in
cold or wet weather. And it will almost certainly follow if they are
confined u